How can I get a decent macro shot on my Cybershot DSC-W570?

[SamuelCB]

I know I should have checked this before I bought thes camera but I am really sad that I am not able to take close up detailed shots of ants with my new camera since that is one of the main reasions I bought it.. I know that if I want really high quality perfect macro shots that I need to buy a NEX or DSLR camera but surely a high quality and kind of pricey camera such as this can cope with a decent shot of an ant??

Thanks

[joewall73]

Get in close on 'Intelligent Auto' or alternativley set it to the food (Knife and fork) scene.

[Blencogo]

Hi SamuelCB and welcome.

At its closest focusing point the minimum picture coverage area for the W570 is 2.55 x 1.91 inches (65mm x 49mm).  This is about the size of a credit card - you can't focus closer.

If you need higher magnification, you will need a system camera.

[Mick2011 · Accepted solution]

Hi Samuel, welcome to the Sony Forums

As joewall says, your camera will take pretty good macro photos in iAuto, but you do need to be aware of some limitations.

You'll get best resuts for very small subjects with the lens fully at the (wide-angle) setting, where it will focus down to 5cm. As you zoom in, that minimum focus distance will increase; fully-zoomed, minimum distance is 100cm.

The wide setting should be good enough to get reasonable shots of ants but it is always the case that super-detailed, frame-filling macros of individual insects will require more specialised equipment. That sort of thing is possible on very high-end compact cameras, but in that price range better-quality DSLR macro becomes a possibility, too.

Cheers

Mick