Can a Panasonic Lumix FZ30 photograph the Milky Way?
Asked 8/25/2015
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I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ30 bridge camera. It shoots RAW, has ISO 80–400, a maximum aperture of f/2.8, and exposures up to 60 seconds. I’d like to photograph the Milky Way and stars, but my results so far haven’t been very good. Is this camera capable of Milky Way photography, or is the sensor too limiting? Would any extra filters or lenses help, and are there recommended settings or shooting conditions for this kind of shot?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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You can certainly take MW shots with this camera, as I do with it's descendant, the FZ150 and FZ200. You would not want to zoom in at all for this subject, which in this case would benefit you secondarily by letting you use slower exposures according the 500- or 600-rule mentioned above. IIRC, the FZ30 has 35mm at the wide end, so according to my safer 500-rule, keep the exposures to 14 seconds or quicker, and you'll be fine. You could try ISO at 200 or 400, and the aperture at f/2.8 - 4.0, this part is all trial and error to arrive at a nice exposure with minimal noise.
As for image quality, sure, you can't compare it with current models with larger and more modern sensors, but if this is a hobby for personal entertainment, go for it. I shoot with Canon APS-C as well as Sony full-frame, but when I need ultra-light, I still use the Lumix.
Originally by user46107. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user46107
10y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes, you can try Milky Way shots with the FZ30, but the camera’s small, older sensor will limit image quality and noise performance compared with newer larger-sensor cameras.
Best approach:
- Use the lens at its widest setting; don’t zoom in.
- Shoot wide open or close to it: around f/2.8 to f/4.
- Try ISO 200 or 400.
- Keep exposure short enough to avoid star trails. At the wide end, around 14 seconds is a reasonable target using the 500-rule.
- Shoot RAW.
Extra filters or conversion lenses are unlikely to help much for Milky Way photography on this camera.
A useful way to improve results is to take multiple exposures and stack them later with astrophotography stacking software. That can reduce noise and improve the final image.
So: yes, it’s possible for personal enjoyment and experimentation, but expectations should be modest. For significantly better Milky Way results, a newer camera with a larger sensor would help a lot.
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