Pocketable macro camera

[Johan Josefsson]

Hey,

I already have excellent equipment for macro, Pentax K20D / K30 with a Lester Dine 105mm macro. Unfortunately it is a bit heave to lug around, and most of the times I find something interesting on my walks, the camera is left at home.

So looking for something smallish, coat pocket size that takes OK macro shots. I realize it will be hard matching my existing combo, but hopefully better than my Pixel 6 smartphone.

Last time I went down this road I almost got the LX100II, but never pressed the trigger... And now it sadly seems Panasonic discontinued the series.

From what I can find the only remaining large sensor compact that doesn't completely break the bank would be some Ricoh GRIII, which supposedly is a decent macro shooter as well.... But I would really prefer a large sensor compact with a bright, short zoom below 1000€.

But that doesn't seem to exist anymore?

 

[yardcoyote]

Just because the LX100 series has been discontinued does not mean all remaining LX100s have magically disappeared and/or stopped working! If you want an LX100 or LX100ii, then simply buy one. They are available on the secondhand market, and I bet if you shopped around a bit you could find a brand new one that's still in inventory somewhere. The terms you're looking for are "new in box"/ NIB, or "new old stock"/ NOS.

 

[UncleVanya]

The Panasonic LX7 had a really strong macro performance but only a 1/1.7” sensor.

Sample images:

https://flic.kr/p/27Ms2Q1

https://flic.kr/p/28LqwBk

https://flic.kr/p/2k6XbrC

https://flic.kr/p/2kJQdYQ

https://flic.kr/p/EaFXnk

I don’t own the camer anymore - sad as they’re far pricier now than when o sold it. The optional viewfinder is great but expensive. The LX10 or LX100 may also work for you.

My RX100iv with its 20mp 1” sensor was not too bad at reasonably close shots either:
https://flic.kr/p/2mhPC4t
https://flic.kr/p/2mk1BDe

 

[UncleVanya]

Just because the LX100 series has been discontinued does not mean all remaining LX100s have magically disappeared and/or stopped working! If you want an LX100 or LX100ii, then simply buy one. They are available on the secondhand market, and I bet if you shopped around a bit you could find a brand new one that's still in inventory somewhere. The terms you're looking for are "new in box"/ NIB, or "new old stock"/ NOS.

True but the lx100 & lx100 II tend to not perform much better than the RX100 series 1” sensor cameras. The RX100 is far more pocket friendly.

 

[yardcoyote]

Less pocket-friendly, perhaps, but a much nicer camera to handle and use. But I wasn't speaking to the strengths and weaknesses of the LX100s, only that they are still available.

My own small macro setup is an Olympus E-M10II and the 60mm macro-- by no means pocket sized, but admirably small and light and very easy to carry, and with true macro capability.

 

[UncleVanya]

Less pocket-friendly, perhaps, but a much nicer camera to handle and use. But I wasn't speaking to the strengths and weaknesses of the LX100s, only that they are still available.

My own small macro setup is an Olympus E-M10II and the 60mm macro-- by no means pocket sized, but admirably small and light and very easy to carry, and with true macro capability.

Great lens. I used to own that lens and used it on several bodies including the em-1 mk 1.

 

[yardcoyote]

i agree-- it amazes me every time I take it out. I have had a tentative plan for a while to expand my MFT outdoor kit by adding a 40-150 f/4 Pro zoom and a compact WR body-- either an E-M5 mark ii or mark iii. I'd keep the E-M10ii for use with the 25 and 49mm f/1.8 primes.

 

[UncleVanya]

i agree-- it amazes me every time I take it out. I have had a tentative plan for a while to expand my MFT outdoor kit by adding a 40-150 f/4 Pro zoom and a compact WR body-- either an E-M5 mark ii or mark iii. I'd keep the E-M10ii for use with the 25 and 49mm f/1.8 primes.

My dad has the OM-1 mk 1 and the Pro 12-40/2.8 and the Pro 12-45/4 and the Pro 40-150/4. He had the EM-1 mk 2 and both pro zooms (12-45/40-150) and sold the EM1ii and horse traded to get the OM-1mk1 and the 12-40/2.8. He is very happy with these lenses so far. He can't bring himself to part with the 12-45/4 pro yet... which has me wishing I had an m43 body again...

MUST RESIST... ALREADY HAVE TOO MANY TOYS

 

[Eric-P]

My recommendation would be a Panasonic GX880 + 14-42mm PZ OIS lens. This is a compact and lightweight combo. It doesn't have IBIS, but the lens OIS will compensate. You should be able to get this combo for under 500 euro.

-Then add the raynox dcr-150 to the kit, so you can just screw on the raynox whenever you need more magnification. (Ditch the bulky clip-on adapter, and just get a 37-43mm ring adapter.) Zoomed to the 42mm end + the raynox, you should be able to easily get 1:2 magnification or even better, with good image quality.

 

[number_5]

Less pocket-friendly, perhaps, but a much nicer camera to handle and use. But I wasn't speaking to the strengths and weaknesses of the LX100s, only that they are still available.

My own small macro setup is an Olympus E-M10II and the 60mm macro-- by no means pocket sized, but admirably small and light and very easy to carry, and with true macro capability.

Before I got into MFT, I replaced my FF with an used E-M10.2 + Laowa 50mm 2:1 dedicated macro setup (didn't own another piece of MFT gear till more than a year later). With focus peaking and focus magnification, the MF is a breeze. I also picked up a camera flash + a budget diffuser at the same time.

 

[OpticsEngineer]

Okay, this is a small sensor solution so maybe not quite what you are thinking off. But the Olympus TG7 has a great macro mode. I use it a lot for taking photos of small optical assemblies. Plus you can buy an accessory ring light that attaches to it that works really well.

My only problem with mine is my daughters keep borrowing it to take on camping and canoeing trips.

 

[Johan Josefsson]

Just because the LX100 series has been discontinued does not mean all remaining LX100s have magically disappeared and/or stopped working! If you want an LX100 or LX100ii, then simply buy one. They are available on the secondhand market, and I bet if you shopped around a bit you could find a brand new one that's still in inventory somewhere. The terms you're looking for are "new in box"/ NIB, or "new old stock"/ NOS.

Yes, that could of course be an option if possible to find one at a reasonable price. But used market here in Sweden is not that big, and in my experience prices are often a bit steep, for 5 years old electronics.

But, good point, and possibly a second best option!

 

[Johan Josefsson]

My impression is that when you start going down to 1" sensors and below, you get diminishing results compared with just using your phone's camera. Sure, better optics and optical zoom, but in general the difference is not enough to justify lugging around a second piece of equipment, imho.

 

[Johan Josefsson]

My recommendation would be a Panasonic GX880 + 14-42mm PZ OIS lens. This is a compact and lightweight combo. It doesn't have IBIS, but the lens OIS will compensate. You should be able to get this combo for under 500 euro.

-Then add the raynox dcr-150 to the kit, so you can just screw on the raynox whenever you need more magnification. (Ditch the bulky clip-on adapter, and just get a 37-43mm ring adapter.) Zoomed to the 42mm end + the raynox, you should be able to easily get 1:2 magnification or even better, with good image quality.

Looks good, like a slightly lager LX100.. But same thing, seems discontinued, so used / leftover stock would be only option?

 

[Johan Josefsson]

Thanks, might be an option, but I would prefer 4/3 sensor at minimum.

 

[Eric-P]

My recommendation would be a Panasonic GX880 + 14-42mm PZ OIS lens. This is a compact and lightweight combo. It doesn't have IBIS, but the lens OIS will compensate. You should be able to get this combo for under 500 euro.

-Then add the raynox dcr-150 to the kit, so you can just screw on the raynox whenever you need more magnification. (Ditch the bulky clip-on adapter, and just get a 37-43mm ring adapter.) Zoomed to the 42mm end + the raynox, you should be able to easily get 1:2 magnification or even better, with good image quality.

Looks good, like a slightly lager LX100.. But same thing, seems discontinued, so used / leftover stock would be only option?

It's actually slightly smaller than LX100.. and yes, used market only.

The other option, which you can get new, is the Olympus E-P7. -Slightly larger, but has advantage of IBIS. This can be bought with the 14-42mm kit lens. -The key thing is to have a lens with front filter thread so you can attach raynox lens.

 

[Bender79ita]

Hey,

I already have excellent equipment for macro, Pentax K20D / K30 with a Lester Dine 105mm macro. Unfortunately it is a bit heave to lug around, and most of the times I find something interesting on my walks, the camera is left at home.

So looking for something smallish, coat pocket size that takes OK macro shots. I realize it will be hard matching my existing combo, but hopefully better than my Pixel 6 smartphone.

Last time I went down this road I almost got the LX100II, but never pressed the trigger... And now it sadly seems Panasonic discontinued the series.

From what I can find the only remaining large sensor compact that doesn't completely break the bank would be some Ricoh GRIII, which supposedly is a decent macro shooter as well.... But I would really prefer a large sensor compact with a bright, short zoom below 1000€.

But that doesn't seem to exist anymore?

Sony a6x00 series with 30mm f3.5 macro could also work, + you can add a raynox to it.

Tamron also make half macro f2.8 primes in 20, 24 and 35mm for e-mount.

Might be able to get a setup for 500-600$ used or so.

Not GR size but shouldn't be huge either.

The general problem is that macro distances usually require more space for lens elements to move, therefore it's not easy to get macro with small size.

 

[Johan Josefsson]

My recommendation would be a Panasonic GX880 + 14-42mm PZ OIS lens. This is a compact and lightweight combo. It doesn't have IBIS, but the lens OIS will compensate. You should be able to get this combo for under 500 euro.

-Then add the raynox dcr-150 to the kit, so you can just screw on the raynox whenever you need more magnification. (Ditch the bulky clip-on adapter, and just get a 37-43mm ring adapter.) Zoomed to the 42mm end + the raynox, you should be able to easily get 1:2 magnification or even better, with good image quality.

Looks good, like a slightly lager LX100.. But same thing, seems discontinued, so used / leftover stock would be only option?

It's actually slightly smaller than LX100.. and yes, used market only.

The other option, which you can get new, is the Olympus E-P7. -Slightly larger, but has advantage of IBIS. This can be bought with the 14-42mm kit lens. -The key thing is to have a lens with front filter thread so you can attach raynox lens.

Hmm, yes maybe 4/3 is the way to go with a pancake zoom / fixed 20ish lens...

Need to do some reading

Both the E-P7 you mentioned and E-M10 looks like they could fit the bill.

 

[Johan Josefsson]

Less pocket-friendly, perhaps, but a much nicer camera to handle and use. But I wasn't speaking to the strengths and weaknesses of the LX100s, only that they are still available.

My own small macro setup is an Olympus E-M10II and the 60mm macro-- by no means pocket sized, but admirably small and light and very easy to carry, and with true macro capability.

M43 might be the way to go. One of the smallest ones seems to be the E-P7, which from what I can tell is almost exactly a E-M10IV but without the EVF.

Olympus PEN E-P7 review

The Olympus PEN E-P7 is the first camera from new owner, OM Digital Solutions – does it live up to the Olympus pedigree?

www.digitalcameraworld.com

Is the EVF in the E-M10 series worthwhile, in your opinion, or could it be worth going without it to shave another couple of grams and millimeters in size?

 

[Johan Josefsson]

Hey,

I already have excellent equipment for macro, Pentax K20D / K30 with a Lester Dine 105mm macro. Unfortunately it is a bit heave to lug around, and most of the times I find something interesting on my walks, the camera is left at home.

So looking for something smallish, coat pocket size that takes OK macro shots. I realize it will be hard matching my existing combo, but hopefully better than my Pixel 6 smartphone.

Last time I went down this road I almost got the LX100II, but never pressed the trigger... And now it sadly seems Panasonic discontinued the series.

From what I can find the only remaining large sensor compact that doesn't completely break the bank would be some Ricoh GRIII, which supposedly is a decent macro shooter as well.... But I would really prefer a large sensor compact with a bright, short zoom below 1000€.

But that doesn't seem to exist anymore?

Sony a6x00 series with 30mm f3.5 macro could also work, + you can add a raynox to it.

Tamron also make half macro f2.8 primes in 20, 24 and 35mm for e-mount.

Might be able to get a setup for 500-600$ used or so.

Not GR size but shouldn't be huge either.

The general problem is that macro distances usually require more space for lens elements to move, therefore it's not easy to get macro with small size.

Thanks, that is another option to keep in mind. That combo would be about the same size as a M43 equivalent....