Mushroom Photography: Cameras With “Focus Stacking” Capability

If you’re into mushroom photography, you’re probably hip to the idea that many of the best photographers in this niche use a technique called “focus stacking” to achieve crystal clear macro photos. Focus stacking allows photographers to blend together various images with distinct focal lengths to make an image with a focus exactly how they want. This technique is particularly important for those wishing to do macro photography of small mushrooms (or objects), since the field-of-depth is often very limited in these types of shots. 

I love mushroom photography, but I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not expert in the technical/gear side of things. I am learning. The reason I have put together this article is because I am currently looking to upgrade my system (from Nikon D3200) to something that will facilitate my ability to do focus stacking. In my search, I haven’t found a good list of cameras that support an automated feature for this technique. 

A few things to clarify before getting to the list

  • Focus stacking is the actual act of merging several photos with different focuses. In most cases, this is done on a computer or separate system. Some new cameras do offer “In Camera Focus Stacking” which will do the entire process for you. This may be useful for some cases, but it also gives you less control of the final image. 
  • The actual name of the automated process that helps photographers easily get the series of pictures depends on the camera company. Some call it focus-bracketing while others focus-shift shooting.
  • You don’t NEED the automated focus-bracketing to do focus stacking. You can purchase a focusing rail for a tripod for just a couple of bucks online and do it manually. This being said, it takes a lot more patience. 
  • You will need a lens that is compatible with this sort of process.

Cameras With Focus Shift Shooting, Focus Bracketing, etc. 

Nikon

  • Nikon D850, D780, D6
  • Nikon Z9, Z8, Z7, Z6, Z5 (not included in Nikon Z50 or Z40)

Olympus

  • OM-1
  • OM-5
  • OM-D E-M1 Mark III
  • OM-D E-M5 Mark III
  • OM-D E-M-5 Mark II
  • OM-D E-M1X
  • OM-D E-M1 Mark II
  • OM-D E-M10 IV (Focus Bracketing only)
  • E-M10 Mark III (Focus Bracketing only)

Fuji

  • GFX 100
  • GFX 50R
  • GFX 50S
  • X-H1
  • X-Pro3
  • X-T4
  • X-T3
  • X-T2

Cannon

  • Canon EOS R3
  • Canon EOS R5
  • Canon EOS R6 Mark II
  • Canon EOS R6
  • Canon EOS RP
  • Canon EOS R7
  • Canon EOS R10
  • Canon EOS 90D
  • Canon EOS M6 Mark II
  • Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II
  • Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III

Sony

  • Sony A7RV

Panasonic

  • Panasonic G80
  • Panasonic G85
  • Panasonic G9
  • Panasonic FZ1000
  • Panasonic GX800, GX850

Final Thoughts

This list is not complete! There are other cameras out there with these features. Feel free to drop me a message if you are familiar with other models that should be included.

Best of luck out there!