The magnification ratio is the specification, and 1:1 is the dividing line
The word macro appears on a great many lenses and means something precise on few of them. The specification is the maximum magnification ratio: at 1:1 the subject is projected onto the sensor at life size, and anything quoted as 1:2 or 1:4 reaches half or a quarter of that. A lens described as having a macro mode without a ratio is telling you nothing. The second figure, and the one that decides whether the work is pleasant, is working distance — the gap between the front of the lens and the subject at maximum magnification. Two lenses can both reach 1:1 and offer very different working distances, because that gap grows with focal length: a short macro puts the lens almost against the subject, where it blocks the light and frightens anything alive, while a longer one stands back. Maximum aperture is less decisive than elsewhere, since depth of field at these distances is measured in millimeters and most work happens stopped well down. Stabilization helps less than its figure suggests at high magnification, and makers who say so are being honest. Then the practical set: whether the barrel extends as it focuses, the filter thread, whether a tripod collar is offered, sealing and weight. We compare magnification ratio, working distance, focal length, maximum aperture, stabilization, internal focus, filter thread and weight.
Canon RF, full frame · 85mm · f/2 · 0.5× maximum magnification · 1.15 ft (0.35 m) close focus · optical IS up to 5 stops · Hybrid IS · control ring
A bright 85 mm f/2 portrait lens that also focuses to half life size, with 5-stop stabilization, sold by Amazon.com for about $589. It is 0.5×, not true 1:1 macro.
Best for: Canon RF owners who want an 85 mm portrait lens that can also do close-ups of flowers and products.
≈ $589
Pentax K, full frame · 100mm · f/2.8 · 1:1 · AW weather resistance · ED and two anomalous-dispersion elements · SP coating · circular diaphragm · aluminum exterior
Pentax’s weather-resistant 100 mm f/2.8 macro for K-mount, the HD version of its long-running lens, at about $647 from Adorama with one unit left.
Best for: Pentax K owners who shoot macro outdoors, in damp or dusty conditions.
≈ $647
Sony E, full frame · 100mm · f/2.8 · 2× magnification · manual focus · 14 elements in 10 groups, 6 high-refraction · version shipped at random, differing in focus throw
A 2× macro for Sony full frame at about $339, double life size, for a fraction of autofocus macros. Focus is manual, and TTArtisan ships one of two versions at random.
Best for: Macro photographers on a budget who want to go beyond life size.
≈ $339
Sony E, full frame · 90mm · f/2.8 · 1.0× at 0.28 m (0.92 ft) · Optical SteadyShot · DDSSM · sliding focus ring · dust and moisture resistant · 602 g (21.3 oz)
Sony’s full-frame 1:1 macro, with stabilization, a clutch-style focus ring and dust and moisture resistance, at about $948 from a camera dealer.
Best for: Sony full-frame owners who shoot insects, flowers and products.
≈ $948
Nikon F, full frame · 105mm · f/2.8 · 1:1 at 12.3 in (31 cm) · OS stabilization · HSM · hood and adapter included
Sigma’s stabilized 105 mm 1:1 macro for full-frame Nikon DSLRs, with 2,375 ratings at 4.6 stars, about $654 from a camera dealer. This is the Nikon F version.
Best for: Nikon DSLR owners who want a stabilized 1:1 macro without paying first-party prices.
≈ $654
Canon EF, full frame · 90mm · f/2.8 · 1:1 · VC stabilization with shift compensation · USD autofocus · moisture-proof and dust-resistant · fluorine coating
Tamron’s stabilized 90 mm 1:1 macro, here in the Canon EF version, with moisture and dust resistance and a fluorine front coating, at about $799 from a dealer with two left.
Best for: Canon DSLR owners who want a stabilized, sealed 1:1 macro.
≈ $799
Canon RF, full frame · 100mm · f/2.8 · 1.4× maximum magnification · IS up to 5 stops, Hybrid IS · SA control ring · L series
Canon’s RF L macro, the first medium telephoto macro lens to reach 1.4× according to Canon, with Hybrid IS and a bokeh-shaping control ring, sold by Amazon.com for about $1,349.
Best for: Canon RF macro photographers who want the most magnification with autofocus.
≈ $1,349
Canon EF, full frame · 100mm · f/2.8 · 1:1 macro · Hybrid IS · USM · L series · 2.05 lb (930 g) listed
Canon’s L-series EF macro lens with Hybrid IS, a long-time reference for 1:1 macro on DSLRs, at about $1,449 from a dealer. The listing itself gives almost no detail.
Best for: Canon DSLR owners who want a dependable 1:1 macro that doubles as a portrait lens.
≈ $1,449
L-Mount, full frame · 100mm · f/2.8 · 1:1 · 20.4 cm (8 in) close focus · 298 g (10.5 oz) · dual phase linear motor · three aspherical elements · low focus breathing
Panasonic says this 298-gram, 1:1 macro is the smallest and lightest in its class. On Amazon.com it ships from Amazon Germany at about $1,011, with one unit left.
Best for: Lumix S and other L-Mount owners who want a light macro for travel and video.
≈ $1,011
1.4× with Hybrid IS on Canon RF.
True 1:1 with stabilization and a sliding focus ring.
2× magnification for about $339, manual focus.
The subject is projected at life size on the sensor.
It is half life size, like the Canon RF 85mm F2.
It helps handheld, especially Hybrid IS for shift shake.
Check each review: RF, EF, E, F, K and L mounts are covered.
Twice life size, like the TTArtisan.
Yes, at 85 to 105 mm on full frame.
Check magnification and mount first; stabilization helps if you shoot handheld.
Only values stated by four references in five open a column. A sparse column sets silences against each other, not products.
| Model | Price | Aperture | Focal length | Magnification | Mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TTARTISAN 100mm F2.8 Macro 2X (Sony E) | $339 | f/2.8 | 100 mm | 2× (2:1) | Sony E, full frame |
| Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM | $589 | f/2 | 85 mm | 0.5× (half life size) | Canon RF, full frame |
| Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 ED AW | $647 | f/2.8 | 100 mm | 1:1 | Pentax K, full frame |
| Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro (Nikon F) | $654 | f/2.8 | 105 mm | 1:1 at 12.3 in (31 cm) | Nikon F, full frame; usable on DX |
| TAMRON SP 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD (F017, Canon EF) | $799 | f/2.8 | 90 mm | 1:1 | Canon EF, full frame |
| Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (SEL90M28G) | $948 | f/2.8 | 90 mm | 1.0× at 0.28 m (0.92 ft) | Sony E, full frame |
| Panasonic Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro (S-E100) | $1011 | f/2.8 | 100 mm | 1:1 | L-Mount, full frame |
| Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM | $1349 | f/2.8, fixed | 100 mm | 1.4×, beyond life size | Canon RF, full frame |
| Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | $1449 | f/2.8 | 100 mm | 1:1, per the lens name | Canon EF, full frame; works on EF-S bodies |
$339 – $647
3 models
TTARTISAN 100mm F2.8 Macro 2X (Sony E), Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM, Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA Macro 100mm F2.8 ED AW
$654 – $948
3 models
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro (Nikon F), TAMRON SP 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD (F017, Canon EF), Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (SEL90M28G)
$1011 – $1449
3 models
Panasonic Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro (S-E100), Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Specifications: manufacturer sheets for photo equipment and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure in this table names its source.
Most recent revision in this category: November 2, 2026.
Each amount in a write-up is what the listing showed when that page was written. The figure next to the product is pulled in as you read, and it is the one that counts.
