Milky Way Photography Contest Winner of 2025 - Equipment Assessment
In the world of Milky Way photography, 2025 saw a distinct preference for certain gear amongst enthusiasts. A recent study, while not scientific, sheds light on the most popular equipment used by photographers.
The study reveals that among individual lens models, the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM, Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G, Sigma Art 20mm f/1.4, Samyang 24mm f/1.4, Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8, and Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 were the top choices. These lenses, with wide-angle focal lengths and fast apertures, are favoured for capturing expansive sky views with high detail and light sensitivity.
When it comes to cameras, the Nikon Z8 and Canon R6 II emerged as leading choices. These full-frame mirrorless cameras are praised for their excellent high ISO performance and astro-specific features. Lighter alternatives like the Canon R8 and Sony A7C II also found favour for their portability.
A solid, stable tripod is essential to avoid shake during long exposures, and the study found that all tripods used were carbon fiber, from manufacturers like Benro, Innorel, Leofoto, Peak Design, Surui, and Sunwayfoto.
Star trackers played a crucial role in capturing those stunning Milky Way images. The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini was considered the best overall, notable for its portability, smartphone-assisted polar alignment, built-in intervalometer, and effective tracking capable of 60-second exposures at 100mm focal length.
It's worth noting that 83% of the cameras used were mirrorless, while 17% were DSLR. Two-thirds of the cameras used were astro-modified. The most commonly used camera brands were Nikon, Sony, and Canon, while the top lens manufacturers were Sigma, Sony, Nikkor, Samyang, TTArtisan, and Viltrox.
The 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year awards were won by photographers Petr Horálek, Rositsa Dimitrova, Vikas Chander, and Burak Esenbey. The data from the past two years can be downloaded here, or watched in a video. The photos can be viewed on Capture the Atlas: Milky Way Photographer of the Year.
Anthony Robinson, founder and owner of Skies & Scopes, a publication and community focused on amateur astronomy and astrophotography, provided insights into this trend. His work has been featured in various publications.
For those interested in exploring related topics, content such as Best Camera for Astrophotography, What is an Astro-Modified Camera?, Best Lens for Astrophotography, Best Star Tracker for Astrophotography, and Best Tripod for Astrophotography is available.
Astrophotographers preferred specific gear in 2025, as revealed by a non-scientific study. Wide-angle lenses like the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM, Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G, Sigma Art 20mm f/1.4, Samyang 24mm f/1.4, Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8, and Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 were among the top choices due to their wide focal lengths and fast apertures. The Nikon Z8 and Canon R6 II were favored as the leading mirrorless cameras for astrophotography, known for their high ISO performance and astro-specific features. Star trackers, such as the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini, played a significant role in capturing clear Milky Way images. Almost all tripods used were carbon fiber models from manufacturers like Benro, Innorel, Leofoto, Peak Design, Surui, and Sunwayfoto to avoid shake during long exposures. The study showed that 83% of the cameras used were mirrorless, with 66% of them being astro-modified. The 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year awards were won by photographers Petr Horálek, Rositsa Dimitrova, Vikas Chander, and Burak Esenbey. For those keen on exploring related topics, content on Best Camera for Astrophotography, What is an Astro-Modified Camera?, Best Lens for Astrophotography, Best Star Tracker for Astrophotography, and Best Tripod for Astrophotography is available.
