The two images below were taken using the same mineral sample (vanadinite) and with the same lens, but the left image was photographed from distance, and right image was photographed in macro mode with the camera far closer to the mineral.

The bottom two images show a portion of the mineral magnified to about the same size Notice in the left image you cam make out detail in the background as there is extended depth of field, but it far softer (more blurred) and lacking in detail. The right image shows far better detail but less depth of field.

In the left image only about 1/8 of the total pixels making up the subjects portion of the image are applied. In the right image nearly 70% of the total pixels are used to create the image. When a portion of the image is enlarged in digital photos, the software must create new "averaged pixels" to fill in he space. They always soften the image and make it more blurry.

<2> Digital images are always "soft focus" - always focus accurately for optimal results.
  Edges are always soft because at their heart, the pixels are square and in a fixed grid.
      ( for table top work use a tripod - use self timer or remote to trip shutter )

<3> digital film is cheap! Bracket exposures.

<4> setting the camera to higher ASA values will produce more digital noise
      ( low light will also increase digital noise )
      ( digital noise occurs mainly in the Blue Channel - RGB )