These are the best Canon macro lenses, chosen for their sharp optics, reliable autofocus, thoughtful stabilization, and working-distance options that cover everything from jewelry and food to flowers, insects, and studio product—across both RF mirrorless and EF DSLR systems. The definitive modern choice is the RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, a pro-grade 1:1 lens with weather sealing, fast, quiet AF, and a unique Spherical Aberration Control ring that lets you tune foreground/background blur character for either razor-crisp product or dreamy portrait-macro looks; its Hybrid IS helps at hand-held shutter speeds and its 100mm focal length gives flattering perspective with comfortable space from skittish subjects. For a lighter, budget-friendly RF prime that still pulls double duty, the RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM offers 0.5× magnification with excellent stabilization and pleasing rendering—perfect for detail rings, florals, food, and head-and-shoulders portraits in one lens—while the RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM and RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM bring 0.5× close focus and bright apertures for environmental macro, tabletop storytelling, and handheld restaurant sets where you want context with your close-ups. Adapting EF glass remains a smart move: the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is a legend for a reason—tack-sharp 1:1, Hybrid IS that counters angular and shift blur, fast USM AF, and L-series build that thrives in the field—while the more affordable EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM delivers excellent sharpness and smooth bokeh without the weather sealing or IS. APS-C shooters will love the compact EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, a 1:1 lens with quick focus and crisp micro-contrast that behaves like a ~96mm equivalent for flattering perspective; when you need extra working distance for insects or sensitive textures outdoors, the EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM extends your reach with beautiful compression and tripod-collar practicality. For true super-macro beyond life size, the cult-favorite MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1–5× Macro Photo is unmatched—manual-focus only and specialized, but it turns watch gears, pollinators, and textures into otherworldly landscapes if you pair it with rails, diffused flash, and patient technique. Across this lineup, Canon’s stabilization (in-lens IS and body IBIS on newer R cameras) buys a crucial stop or two for handheld work, but serious macro still rewards controlled light; a small off-camera flash with a soft diffuser or a twin macro light freezes motion, lets you shoot at practical apertures (start around f/5.6–f/11 for 1:1), and keeps ISO clean, while continuous LED panels are terrific for video and focus-pull practice. Field tips that deliver: switch to manual focus with magnified live view and peaking for critical edges, rock the camera minutely to “land” focus on eyes or key textures, stabilize with a monopod or tabletop tripod when depth of field is razor thin, and consider focus stacking for product and still-life where absolute detail matters; for insects, work early or in cool shade, use longer focal lengths (100–180mm) for working room, and angle your light to avoid specular hotspots on wings or shells. For a two-lens RF kit, pair the RF 100mm f/2.8L for 1:1 hero shots with the RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro for scene-with-detail storytelling; on EF, the EF 100mm f/2.8L plus EF-S 60mm on a crop body covers studio and field without breaking the bag. Whether you’re shooting e-commerce, culinary spreads, botanical studies, or delicate pollinators in the wild, Canon’s macro lineup—from the versatile RF 85mm f/2 and RF 35/24mm close-focus primes to the workhorse 100mm L-series and the extreme MP-E 65—delivers sharpness, control, and dependable handling that make small subjects look grand.