Is it possible and/or feasible to achieve focus stacking using a digital camera instead of a DSLR?

best canon digital camera for macro photography image

Brenton

I have a digital camera (the Olympus Stylus Tough 3000) that I've been recently using more often. I don't have any immediate plans to buy a new camera. It's far from the highest quality camera, but it does have good macro focus, up to 2 cm.
I'm beginning to get into macro photography and realize that I could achieve a greater depth of field and sharper images using a technique called focus stacking. However, all of the tutorials I've found online mention the use of a DSLR camera for this method. There's no mentioning of this method with a regular digital camera.
As I understand it, you need to take a series of shots at varying distances in order to get a greater range of that sharpness you want to achieve. I'm very new at macro photography, so please bear with me.
Is it possible to do proper focus stacking with a normal digital camera and NOT a DSLR?

Answer
Yes it is, focus stacking software will work with image files from any camera, it's just that a DSLR can have a dedicated macro lens fitted, be easier to control and, because of the larger sensor, image quality will be better.

When taking the images a focus slide is useful, these will move the camera a small amount between shots, but keep it aligned. Something like this;-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Way-Macro-Focus-Rail-Slider-Slide-for-Canon-60D-600D-650D-Nikon-D7000-D90-LF25-/140892713796?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20cddc3344

They can be used with any camera that has a tripod thread and go between the the tripod and the camera.

Chris

What is a great camera for digital photography?

Jazliyn

I would love to get the Canon Digital Rebel, but it's out of my price range.

I need something that has great focus, mininum noise, great macro, and under $400.
I've been doing digital photography for over a year now, and my HP camera is slowly losing it's quality.

Cameras I've thought about:
Canon PowerShot S60
Olympus SP-510 UZ

thanks in advance!

Answer
Hmmm, the Canon Powershot S60 is now over 2 1/2 years old, so maybe you wrote down the wrong model number...and I certainly wouldn't recommend a new camera THAT old.
However, if you actually mean the Ixus 60 (SD600) then yes, it's a very popular compact camera. It's one to look at if you want a very small point & shoot camera, that also takes great photos, but is lacking full manual control (also battery life is fairly small, so you need to recharge regularly).

Anyway, from the review of the Olympus SP-510 UZ, that I have read, I can't say that I would be eager to buy it.
Here is what the review concluded...
"Pro:
Sleek, silvery design is futuristic but functional.
Comfortable handgrip
Great color, good dynamic range, and decent sharpness in images shot in adequately lit conditions

Con: Excessive noise in images shot above ISO 400
Inadequate resolution for 2.5-inch LCD
Sluggish overall performance and during picture-taking and general operations
Outdated menu system
No paper manual for advanced instruction, only CD
Only digital image stabilization for 10x zoom which increases noise and degrades quality."

The lack of Optical image stabilisation and it's very slow performance, would be enough reason to stay away from this model.

If you like Canon, then I would recommend the A630 or A640.
Or for a camera with 12x optical image stabilisation and great macro (even super macro, 0-10 cm) and shoots great 'movies, then have a look at the Canon S3 IS.
You will also need a fast memory card for top camera performance (Sandisk Ultra II or Extreme III).

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