Field Testing the Panasonic Lumix L10 for Macro Photography

Why I Tried the Panasonic Lumix L10 for Macro Photography

I took the Panasonic Lumix L10 on several macro photowalks to test its close-focusing and focus-stacking features. I wanted to see how well this compact camera could handle flowers, insects, and other small subjects during a normal photo outing.

I was not expecting the Lumix L10 to replace my OM-1 and Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro. The L10 does not provide true 1:1 magnification or the capabilities of a dedicated macro lens. I wanted to find out whether it could still be a useful camera for the close-up opportunities I find while walking around with a small camera.

One thing I did not expect was how often the L10 encouraged me to try more creative close-up photographs. Its fast lens, articulating LCD, compact size, and Real Time LUTs made it easy to experiment with shallow depth of field, different camera angles, and in-camera looks. This was not the main reason for the test, but it became one of the more enjoyable parts of using the camera.

Using AF Macro and Getting Close

To use the Panasonic Lumix L10 for close-up photography, set the Focus Selector Switch on the left side of the lens to AF Macro. Panasonic specifies a minimum focusing distance of 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) at 24mm and 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) at 75mm. In practice, I needed to stay near the 24mm end of the zoom to get really close to a subject.

Autofocus worked well in AF Macro mode, and I did not need to use manual focus. The focus area turns red when the camera is too close to focus on the subject. I could compose using either the viewfinder or the LCD screen and used the touchscreen to position the autofocus point with both.

This works well for flowers, leaves, textures, and other small subjects. Shooting at 24mm also includes more of the surroundings, which can be useful when you want to show a flower in its environment instead of filling the entire frame with one detail.

Image Quality and Depth of Field

The close-up photographs had good detail, and the Leica zoom lens was sharp in the area of focus. I also liked the smooth transition from sharp to out-of-focus areas, especially when photographing flowers at wider apertures.

Because I needed to stay near 24mm for the closest focusing, I also had access to the lens’s fast f/1.7 maximum aperture. At close distances, f/1.7 produces a very shallow depth of field that can isolate a small part of a flower or other subject. Stopping down provides more depth of field when keeping additional detail in focus is the priority.

I recommend taking several photographs at different apertures. The differences can be difficult to judge on the camera’s LCD, and having several versions lets you choose the look you prefer later on a larger monitor. It is also worth taking extra frames when photographing flowers outdoors, since even a small amount of movement can shift the point of focus.

Handling in the Field

The fully articulating LCD is one of the L10’s best features for close-up photography. It makes it much easier to compose a flower close to the ground or hold the camera at an unusual angle. I could tilt the screen instead of trying to place my eye directly behind the camera.

The L10 is also small enough to carry on a casual photowalk. When I found a flower, insect, or interesting detail, I could switch to AF Macro and start shooting instead of changing to a dedicated macro lens. Burst shooting also helped with flowers moving in the wind and insects that did not stay still for long.

The Lumix L10 Also Encouraged More Creative Close-Ups

One of the more interesting results from this test was that I found myself experimenting more than expected. Instead of always trying to keep as much of the subject in focus as possible, I also tried isolating small details, changing the camera angle, and making the out-of-focus areas part of the composition.

Real Time LUTs add another option. I could preview a custom look while composing instead of waiting until I returned home to process the photograph. You can also create your own photography style with Lumix Lab’s Magic LUT and transfer the finished LUT to the L10.

When using a Real Time LUT, I recommend shooting RAW+JPEG or RAW+HEIF. The LUT is applied to the JPEG or HEIF file, while the RAW file remains unaffected and provides more flexibility if you decide to process the photograph differently later.

The L10 is still not a true macro camera, but this test showed that it can be a fun camera for creative close-up photography.

Focus Stacking: Handheld Versus Tripod

My Handheld Attempts

Focus stacking was the one area where I had mixed results. My handheld sequences did not stack into consistently sharp photographs, even in good light. This was noticeable because I regularly use in-camera handheld focus stacking with my OM System OM-1 and Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro.

The L10 does not have in-body image stabilization and instead relies on optical stabilization in the lens. Although the OIS helps with normal handheld photography, it may not provide enough stabilization to keep a close-up focus-bracketing sequence properly aligned. 

Based on my testing, I would not rely on the L10 for handheld focus stacking. Other photographers may have better results depending on their technique, subject, and shooting conditions, but mounting the camera on a tripod produced much more consistent results for me.

Focus Stacking Tripod Test

The results were much better when I mounted the L10 on a tripod and photographed a stationary subject. For this test, I focused on the front of the skeleton key before starting the focus-stacking sequence.

It took some experimenting to find the right combination of focus step, aperture, and image count. For the skeleton key photograph, my final settings were f/5, 15 images, and a focus step of +5. A smaller focus step gives you more overlap between the areas in focus in each image, but it may require more photographs to cover the subject. The aperture also changes how much depth of field is included in each source image.

With the camera on a tripod, the L10 completed the sequence and created a good merged JPEG. The camera also kept the source images, so you can stack them again using other software if you are not satisfied with the in-camera result.

Overall, focus stacking worked well on a tripod. It should be useful for flowers, product details, textures, collectibles, and other subjects that do not move. For insects and quick handheld close-ups, I would still use my OM-1 and Olympus 60mm Macro.

Can the Panasonic Lumix L10 Replace a Dedicated Macro Camera?

No, the Lumix L10 will not replace my OM-1 and Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro for serious macro photography. The Olympus setup gives me true 1:1 magnification, more working distance, and a better handheld focus-stacking experience.

The L10 still performed well for casual close-up photography. The lens is sharp, the wide aperture creates good background blur, and the articulating LCD makes low and high camera angles much easier. Burst shooting helps with moving subjects, and focus stacking works well when the camera is mounted on a tripod.

I also enjoyed using the L10 for more creative close-ups. The shallow depth of field, Real Time LUTs, compact size, and articulating screen encouraged me to experiment more than I expected.

For flowers, occasional insects, and small details found during a normal photowalk, the L10 is a very capable close-up camera. It will not replace a dedicated macro system, but it is a useful option when I want to travel light or do not plan to bring a macro lens.

Want to Learn More About the Panasonic Lumix L10?

If you are considering the Panasonic Lumix L10 or want to learn more about using the camera, you may also enjoy these articles:

• What I Like (and Don’t Like) About the Panasonic Lumix L10
• How to Customize the Panasonic Lumix L10 Quick Menu
• Panasonic Lumix L10 vs Leica D-Lux 8: Two Different Approaches to the Premium Compact Camera