Best Macro Lenses
Top macro lenses ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Unique SA control for bokeh customization
- 1.4x maximum magnification
- Excellent 5-stop hybrid IS
Cons
- SA ring adds complexity
- Focus breathing at close distances
Don't buy this if…
- The SA control ring can be accidentally bumped during shooting, subtly degrading sharpness if not set to zero.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Outstanding 1:1 macro sharpness
- Built-in optical stabilization
- Excellent portrait lens double duty
Cons
- Autofocus can hunt in macro range
- Moderate weight at 602g
Don't buy this if…
- At 1:1 magnification, depth of field is paper-thin even at f/16—focus stacking is often required for sharp results.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Art-series optical excellence
- Strong value vs first-party macros
- Smooth video-capable autofocus
Cons
- No optical stabilization
- Larger than some competitors
Don't buy this if…
- Without built-in stabilization, handheld macro work at 1:1 can be challenging—in-body stabilization is recommended.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Exceptional S-line sharpness
- Built-in 4.5-stop VR
- Beautiful portrait bokeh
Cons
- Focus can hunt in low light
- Moderate weight at 630g
Don't buy this if…
- The STM motor is quiet but slower than ring-type USM motors—burst shooting moving subjects can be frustrating.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Incredible 2:1 magnification ratio
- Apochromatic CA-free optics
- Excellent value for specialty macro
Cons
- Manual focus only
- No electronic aperture control on some mounts
Don't buy this if…
- At 2:1 magnification, depth of field is measured in fractions of a millimeter—a focusing rail and stacking are essential.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Legendary beautiful bokeh
- Built-in Vibration Compensation
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- DSLR-mount only design
- AF can be slow for non-macro use
Don't buy this if…
- This is a DSLR-mount lens—for mirrorless cameras, check compatibility as native mirrorless versions may not be available.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Unique wide-angle macro hybrid
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Smooth Voice Coil Motor AF
Cons
- Only 0.5x magnification not true macro
- Premium price for 35mm lens
Don't buy this if…
- At 0.5x magnification this is technically not a true macro lens—serious macro shooters should look at 1:1 options.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Excellent value for 1:1 macro
- Internal focus keeps constant length
- One-touch AF/MF clutch
Cons
- DSLR mount only
- No image stabilization
Don't buy this if…
- Only available in Canon EF and Nikon F DSLR mounts—mirrorless users will need a mount adapter.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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