Learn aboutLong shutter speeds

Long Exposures

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 shoots very long exposures, up to 60 seconds.

Long exposure times permit the camera to gather enough light to take a quality photo, even in the darkest of environments. If you want to keep the noise levels low and use lower ISO levels in dark environments long exposure times can be very useful. Most people don't normally need to take very long exposure photos, but they can provide an amazing creative opportunity for those interested. For example you can take long exposure shots of the night sky to capture the movement of stars across the sky, capture nigh-time vistas, landscapes at dusk, turn water in to flowing clouds, and add blur to photos for effect.

Get Creative with Long Exposures

The following photos demonstrate how long exposure time can create photos that would otherwise be impossible.

Nighttime Landscape

This photo by Amir K via flickr shows a great late night landscape. The longer exposure clips out and blends the lights and smooths the water and sky leaving the landscape in crisp detail. Shot on a Canon XSi entry-level dSLR

Flowing Water Effect

This photo by Neils Photography illustrate a 4s long exposure of a waterfall via a Canon EOS 400D a f/16 18mm. The long exposure turns the waterfall and water into pillowing clouds creating a wonderful calming interpretation.

Nighttime Snow

Paulo Brandao's great nighttime shot uses a super long 124 second exposure using a Nikon D90, the effect is a wonderfully dark interpretation of the trees and snow at night with rays of light bursting through from the house beyond. Shot at 18mm f10 ISO 100.

Nighttime Highway Scene

This photo by nrbelex via flickr shows a fantastic interpretation of a nighttime highway - using a long exposure to turn the taillights in to bands of light trailing up the photo to the horizon. Shot with a Canon XTi.

Great Digicams with Long Exposures

	Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 from $648	Large sensor Nikon CX 13.2x8.8mm High true resolution 20 MP Wide aperture f/1.8 Learn more about the Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100
	Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 from $398	Wide aperture f/1.4 High resolution screen 920k dots Large sensor 1/1.8" 7.4x5.6mm Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
	Nikon Coolpix P7700 from $389	Wide aperture f/2.0 External mic jack Record higher quality audio with a microphone High resolution screen 921k dots Learn more about the Nikon Coolpix P7700
	Nikon Coolpix P330 from $359	Wide aperture f/1.8 High resolution screen 921k dots Wide angle lens 24 mm Learn more about the Nikon Coolpix P330

See more of the top Digicams that can take 30s or longer exposures

Entry Level SLRs with Long Exposures

The following entry level DSLRs provide at least a 30s exposure

	Nikon D7100 from $1,197	Low noise at high ISO 1,256 ISO Great image quality 83.0 Many focus points 51 Learn more about the Nikon D7100
	Pentax K-30 from $498	Low noise at high ISO 1,129 ISO Weather sealed Shoot in extreme weather Great image quality 79.0 Learn more about the Pentax K-30
	Pentax K-5 II from $767	Low noise at high ISO 1,235 ISO Great image quality 82.0 Wide dynamic range 14.1 EV Learn more about the Pentax K-5 II
	Pentax K-5 IIs from $929	Low noise at high ISO 1,208 ISO Great image quality 82.0 Wide dynamic range 14.1 EV Learn more about the Pentax K-5 IIs

See more of the top entry level DSLRs that take 30s or longer exposures

Discussion

Showing 7 comments

Aniket Kukade (10:39 AM, December 27, 2012)

CANON sx50 or nikon p510?

Micah Goff (1:02 PM, September 12, 2012)

How about a Sony DSC-H90?

Rubén Dario Pizzurno Aguilera (1:49 PM, June 13, 2012)

Is the same with the FZ47? In S mode?

Milan (Mike) Svitek (0:04 AM, January 04, 2012)

It may be late, but set your camera to the "M" setting and rotate the adjustment dial up to 30" (30 seconds). the "B" mode means a manual shutter speed up to 30 seconds. As long as you hold the shutter button, it will remain open.

Mike (8:08 AM, August 03, 2011)

how do i get long exposure on the Fuji HS20 ex???

Snapsort (3:00 PM, January 15, 2011)

Have you tried turning the top dial to "S", then push the up/down buttons on the back (the top and bottom buttons in the circle of four buttons) to change the shutter speed.

Aballplayer (2:48 AM, January 15, 2011)

how do I get to the long exposure option on the DMC-ZS7??