Close-Up, Macro and Micro

The meaning of close-up, macro and micro is usually defined by magnification as shown in the table below. Click here for the definition of magnification. However, camera and lens manufacturers may use their own interpretation. For example, Nikon use macro even though Coolpix cameras only have magnification in the range of 0.2X and 0.5X. Many SLR zoom lenses have macro capability even though these lenses have magnification around 0.3X. Most manufacturers call their 1:1 life-size capable SLR lenses macro lenses; but, Nikon use micro (i.e., 60mm Micro, 105mm Micro, 200mm Micro, and 70-180 Micro Zoom), although in some literature Nikon also use close-up lenses. Therefore, we shall use magnification as the standard rather than the use of micro and macro because the latter are quite confusing.