Panasonic DMC-FP3 Operating Instruction

Operating Instructions

for advanced features

Digital Camera

Model No. DMC-FP3

Before connecting, operating or adjusting this product,

please read the instructions completely.

VQT2P49

Quick start guide Contents

The battery is not charged
when the camera is
shipped. Charge the
battery and set the clock
before use.

When you do not use the
card (optional), you can
record or play back pictures
on the built-in memory
(→12).

Do not touch the
lens.

Charge the battery

Insert the battery and
the card

Open the lens cover

Lens cover

button

Playback button

[MODE] button

Select the desired Recording Mode

■

To use settings automatically selected by the
camera

Press the button.

■

To select the Recording Mode manually

Press the [MODE] button.
Touch the desired Recording Mode.

Press the shutter button and take pictures

Press halfway

(press lightly to focus)

■

To play back the pictures

Press the Playback button.
Select the picture you want to view.

• You can also go to the next or previous picture
by dragging the center of the screen. (→32)

Press fully

(press the button all

the way to record)

2 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 3

Before use

Before use .............................................. 5

Read first .......................................................5

To prevent damage, malfunctions, and faults

...5

Standard Accessories ........................... 6

Names of parts.......................................7

Using the Touch Panel .........................8

Touch operations ..........................................8

Preparations

Charging battery ....................................9

Guidelines for number of recordable pictures
and recording time

Inserting and removing the card

(optional)/the battery ........................... 11

Picture save destination

(cards and built-in memory) ........................12

Remaining battery and memory capacity ....12

Setting the clock ..................................13

To change time setting ................................14

Setting the menu .................................15

Menu type ...................................................16

Using Quick menu .......................................17

Using [SETUP] menu .......................18

[CLOCK SET]/ [WORLD TIME]/
[TRAVEL DATE]/ [BEEP]/

[VOLUME]..............................................18

[LCD MODE]/ [FOCUS ICON] ...........19

[AUTO POWER OFF]/

[AUTO REVIEW] ....................................20

[RESET]/ [USB MODE] .....................21

[VIDEO OUT]/ [TV ASPECT]/

[VERSION DISP.]/ [FORMAT] ..........22

[LANGUAGE]/ [DEMO MODE] ........23

.......................................10

Basics

Sequence of Recording ......................24

Convenient ways to turn the power on ........25

Taking pictures with automatic settings
[INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode

Taking pictures with your own settings
[NORMAL PICTURE] Mode

Align focus for desired composition ............29

Direction detection function .........................29

Taking pictures with zoom ..................30

Enlarging further [DIGITAL ZOOM] .......31

Viewing your pictures

[NORMAL PLAY] .................................. 32

Deleting pictures .................................33

To delete multiple (up to 50) or all pictures

................ 26

..................28

...33

Application (Record)

Application (View)

Changing recording information display

...34

Taking pictures with self-timer ........... 35

Taking pictures with flash ...................36

Taking close-up pictures ....................38

Taking pictures at even closer range

[MACRO ZOOM].....................................39

Taking pictures with the Touched Area
in Focus (Touch AF Area Selection)

....40

Taking pictures with exposure

compensation ......................................41

Taking pictures according to the
scene [SCENE MODE]

[PORTRAIT]/ [SOFT SKIN]/

[TRANSFORM] ......................................43

[SELF PORTRAIT]/ [SCENERY]/

[SPORTS]/ [NIGHT PORTRAIT] ......44

[NIGHT SCENERY]/ [FOOD]/

[PARTY]/ [CANDLE LIGHT] ..............45

[BABY]/ [PET]/ [SUNSET] ............46

[HIGH SENS.]/ [HI-SPEED BURST]

[FLASH BURST]/ [STARRY SKY] .....48

[FIREWORKS]/ [BEACH]/ [SNOW]/
[AERIAL PHOTO]/ [FILM GRAIN]/

[PHOTO FRAME] ..................................49

Registering commonly used scenes
[MY SCENE MODE]

..................42

..47

..........................50

Taking motion pictures

[MOTION PICTURE] Mode .............51

[REC QUALITY] .....................................52

Useful features for travel ....................53

[TRAVEL DATE] .....................................53

[WORLD TIME] ......................................54

Using [REC] menu ............................... 56

[FLASH]/ [SELFTIMER]/

[PICTURE SIZE] ....................................56

[SENSITIVITY] ......................................57

[AF MODE] ............................................58

[MACRO MODE]/ [WHITE BALANCE]
[EXPOSURE]/ [BURST]/

[DIGITAL ZOOM] ...................................60

[COLOR MODE]/ [STABILIZER] ......61

[AF ASSIST LAMP]/
[RED-EYE REMOVAL]/ [CLOCK SET]

...59

...62

Entering Text ........................................ 63

Viewing as list
(Multi playback/Calendar playback)...64

Watching motion pictures ..................65

Different playback methods

(Playback Mode) ..................................66

[SLIDE SHOW] ......................................67

[CATEGORY PLAY]/

[FAVORITE PLAY] .................................69

Using [PLAYBACK] menu ...................70

[TEXT STAMP] ......................................70

[RESIZE] ................................................71

[CROPPING]..........................................73

[ROTATE DISP.]/ [FAVORITE] ...........74

[PRINT SET] ..........................................75

[PROTECT]............................................76

[COPY]...................................................77

Connecting with other devices

Using with your PC .............................. 78

Printing .................................................80

Printing multiple pictures .............................81

Print with date and text ................................81

Making print settings on camera .................82

Viewing on TV screen .........................83

Others

List of LCD monitor displays .............. 84

In recording .................................................84

In playback ..................................................85

Message displays ................................ 86

Q&A Troubleshooting ........................88

Usage cautions and notes .................. 94

Recording picture/time capacity ........ 96

4 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 5

Before useContents (Continued)

Read first

■

Fully peel off the strip of
tape from the lens cover
before using the camera.

Strip of
tape

■

Do a test shot first!

Check first to see if you can take pictures
and record sounds successfully.

■

We will not compensate for failed/
lost recording or for direct/indirect
damage.

Panasonic will not provide compensation
even if damage is caused by faults with
camera or card.

■

Certain pictures cannot be played
back.

• Pictures edited on a computer.

• Pictures taken or edited on a different
camera.
(Pictures taken or edited on this camera
may also not be able to be played back
on other cameras.)

■

Software on the CD-ROM supplied

The following actions are prohibited:

• Making duplicates (copying) for sale or
rent.

• Copying onto networks.

To prevent damage,

malfunctions, and faults

■

Avoid shocks, vibration, and pressure.

• Avoid exposing the camera to strong
vibration or shock; e.g. dropping or
hitting the camera, or sitting down with
the camera in your pocket.
(Attach hand strap to avoid dropping
camera. Hanging any items other
than the supplied hand strap from the
camera can apply pressure against it.)

• Do not press the lens or the LCD
monitor.

■

Do not get the camera wet or insert
foreign objects.
This camera is not waterproof.

• Do not expose the camera to water,
rain, or seawater.
(If camera gets wet, wipe with a soft,
dry cloth. Wring cloth thoroughly first if
wet with seawater, etc.)

• Avoid exposing lens and socket to dust
or sand, and do not allow liquids to leak
into gaps around buttons.

• When opening and closing the lens
cover, make sure that liquid or foreign
objects such as sand do not enter.

■

Avoid condensation caused by sudden
changes in temperature and humidity.

• When moving between places of
different temperature or humidity, place
camera into a plastic bag and allow to
adjust to conditions before use.

• If the lens clouds up, switch off the
power and leave for about two hours to
allow camera to adjust to conditions.

• If the LCD monitor clouds up, wipe with
a soft, dry cloth.

LCD monitor characteristics

Extremely high precision technology is employed to produce the LCD monitor screen.
However there may be some dark or bright spots (red, blue or green) on the screen.
This is not a malfunction.
The LCD monitor screen has more than 99.99% effective pixels with a mere 0.01% of
the pixels inactive or always lit. The spots will not be recorded on pictures on the built­in memory or a card.

Before use

Hand strap eyelet

(Continued)

To prevent damage,

malfunctions, and faults

■

Lens

• Do not leave the lens exposed to direct
sunlight.

■

When using a tripod or unipod

• Do not apply excessive force or tighten
screws when they are crooked. (This
may damage the camera, screw hole,
or label.)

• Ensure that the tripod is stable. (Refer
to the tripod instructions.)

■

When transporting

Switch off power.
(To prevent the camera from being turned
on accidentally, make sure not to open
the lens cover when putting the camera
away or removing it from the case.)

Please also refer to ‘Usage cautions and
notes’ (→94).

Standard Accessories

Check that all the accessories are
included before using the camera.

The accessories and their shape

●

will differ depending on the country
or area where the camera was
purchased.
For details on the accessories, refer
to Basic Operating Instructions.
Battery Pack is indicated as battery

●

pack or battery in the text.
Battery Charger is indicated as

●

battery charger or charger in the text.
Please dispose of all packaging

●

appropriately.

■

Optional accessories

• Cards are optional. You can record
or play back pictures on the built-in
memory when you are not using a
card.

• If any accessories are lost, customers
in the USA and Puerto Rico should
contact Panasonic’s parts department
at 1 800 833-9626 and customers
in Canada should contact 1 800
99-LUMIX (1-800-995-8649) for
further information about obtaining
replacement parts.

The following do not indicate
mechanical problems.

• The camera rattles when shaken.
(This is the sound of the lens moving.)

• The camera clicks when turned on
or off, or when switched between
recording and playback. (This is also
the sound of the lens moving.)

• You feel vibration when zooming in or
out. (This is from the lens moving.)

• The lens makes a noise when you are
recording. (This is the sound of iris
adjustment in response to changes
in ambient light.) At this time, pictures
displayed on the LCD monitor change
rapidly, but the recording is not
affected.

6 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 7

Names of parts

Hand strap eyelet

button (→26)

Microphone (→51)

Zoom lever (→30)
Shutter button (→26, 51)
Flash (→36)
Lens (→6)
Self-timer indicator (→35)/

AF assist lamp

(→62)

Lens cover (→24)

Release lever (→11)

Tripod receptacle

Card/Battery door (→11)

Power button (→25)

Touch Panel/
LCD monitor

(→8, 34, 84)

Playback button (→32)
Speaker (→18)

[MODE] button (→28)
[DISPLAY] button (→34)
[MENU] button (→15)
[Q.MENU] (→17) /delete button (→33)

[AV OUT/DIGITAL] socket

The illustrations and screens in this manual may differ from the actual product.

●

(→78, 80, 83)

[DC IN] socket (→78, 80)

• Always use a genuine Panasonic AC
adaptor (optional).

If you attach a hand strap other

●

than the one supplied, it may
become impossible to open the lid
of the [AV OUT/DIGITAL] socket or
[DC IN] socket.

We
recommend
using the
supplied
hand strap
to avoid
dropping the
camera.

This camera’s LCD monitor is a touch panel. Touch or drag your finger on the screen to
record, play back and make settings.

This touch panel detects the electrical properties of the human body (capacitive touch

●

panel). Touch the panel directly with your bare finger.
Touch the panel with the clean and dry finger.

●

The touch panel generally cannot be used;

●

• With a commercially available stylus pen or a gloved hand

• With wet hands or immediately after applying hand lotion

• When you use a commercially available liquid crystal protection sheet (It may impair
visibility and operability.)

•

When the both hands or more than one finger are on the touch panel at the same time

Do not press on the LCD monitor with hard pointed tips, such as ball point pens.

●

Do not operate with your fingernails.

●

Wipe the LCD monitor with dry soft cloth when it gets dirty.

●

Do not scratch or press the LCD monitor too hard.

●

Touch operations

■

Touch

To “touch” is to press the touch panel and then pull the finger back
again.
Touching is used to select icons or pictures, among other actions.

• Touch icon near its center. If multiple icons are touched
simultaneously, the camera may not operate normally.

• Touch and release ▲▼◄► icons repeatedly until the required
value/setting is obtained. The value/setting does not change in
succession when you keep touching the icons.

■

Drag

To “drag” is to touch and slide your finger across the touch panel
surface.
During playback, if you drag your finger from the center of the
screen to the left or right, the display advances or goes back to
another picture.

■

Effective range of touching

Touch operations do not work at the edge of the screen.

Detection area
of the sensor
(approximation)

During touch operations, hold the camera securely so it does not drop.

●

If a screen icon, etc. does not respond when touched, change the position that you are

●

touching slightly and try the operation again.

8 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 9

Charging battery Using theTouch Panel

Always charge before first use! (not sold pre-charged)

■

About batteries that you can use with this unit

It has been found that counterfeit battery packs which look very similar to the
genuine product are made available to purchase in some markets. Some of
these battery packs are not adequately protected with internal protection to
meet the requirements of appropriate safety standards. There is a possibility
that these battery packs may lead to fire or explosion. Please be advised that
we are not liable for any accident or failure occurring as a result of use of
a counterfeit battery pack. To ensure that safe products are used we would
recommend that a genuine Panasonic battery pack is used.

• Use the dedicated charger and battery.

• The camera has a function for distinguishing batteries which can be used

safely. The dedicated battery supports this function. The only batteries
suitable for use with this unit are genuine Panasonic products and batteries
manufactured by other companies and certified by Panasonic. (Batteries which
do not support this function cannot be used). Panasonic cannot in any way
guarantee the quality, performance or safety of batteries which have been
manufactured by other companies and are not genuine Panasonic products.

Insert the battery terminals and
attach the battery to the charger

Ensure [LUMIX] faces outwards.

Connect the charger to the
electrical outlet

Plug-in type

●

Battery
(model- specific)

Charger
(model - specific)

Inlet type

●

• The AC

cable does
not fit
entirely into
the AC input
terminal. A gap will remain.

Detach the battery after charging is
completed

1

2

Charging light ([CHARGE])

On: Charging in progress

(approx. 110 min. if fully
depleted)

Off: Charging complete
If light is flashing:

• Charging may take longer
than normal if battery
temperature is too high or
too low (charging may not be
completed).

• Battery/charger connector is
dirty. Clean with a dry cloth.

Charging battery (Continued)

Guidelines for number of recordable pictures and recording time

Figures may be reduced if flash, zoom, or [LCD MODE] are used frequently; or in colder
climates.

Number of recordable
pictures

Recording time Approx. 150 min

Recording conditions by CIPA standard

●

• CIPA is an abbreviation of [Camera & Imaging
Products Association].

• [NORMAL PICTURE] Mode.

• Temperature: 23 °C (73.4 °F)/Humidity: 50%
when LCD monitor is on.

• Using a Panasonic SD Memory Card (32
MB).

• Using the supplied battery.

• Starting recording 30 seconds after the
camera is turned on. (When the optical image
stabilizer function is set to [AUTO].)

Number reduced if intervals longer – e.g. to approx. one quarter (75 pictures) for 2-minute intervals
under the above conditions.

Playback time Approx. 260 min

The number of recordable pictures or available recording time may vary slightly according
to battery and usage conditions.

The time required for charging varies depending on conditions of battery usage. Charging takes

●

longer at high or low temperatures and when the battery has not been used in some time.
Battery will be warm during charging and for some time thereafter.

●

Battery will run out if not used for long periods of time, even after being charged.

●

Charge the battery with the charger indoors (10 °C - 35 °C (50 °F - 95 °F)).

●

Do not leave any metal items (such as clips) near the contact areas of the power plug.

●

Otherwise, a fire and/or electric shocks may be caused by short-circuiting or the resulting heat
generated.
Frequently charging battery is not recommended.

●

(Frequently charging battery reduces maximum usage time and can cause battery to expand.)
Do not disassemble or modify the charger.

●

If available battery power is significantly reduced, battery is reaching end of lifespan. Please

●

purchase a new battery.
The battery charger is in the standby condition when the AC power is supplied.

●

The primary circuit is always “live” as long as the battery charger is connected to an electrical outlet.
When charging:

●

• Remove any dirt on connectors of charger and battery with dry cloth.

• Keep at least 1 m (3.28 feet) away from AM radio (may cause radio interference).

• Noises may be emitted from inside of charger, but this is not a fault.

• Remove charger from main socket after charging (up to 0.1 W consumed if left in place).

Do not use a damaged or dented battery (especially connectors), e.g. by dropping (can cause

●

faults).

Approx. 300 pictures

∗

A standard

By CIP

• Recording once every 30 seconds with full
flash every second recording.

• Rotating the zoom lever from Tele to Wide or
vice versa in every recording.

• Turning the camera off every 10 recordings
and leaving it until the temperature of the
battery decreases.

∗

The number of recordable pictures

decreases in Auto Power LCD Mode and
Power LCD Mode.

10 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 11

Inserting and removing the card (optional)/ the battery

Turn the camera off and slide
the release lever to [OPEN]
before opening the lid

Release lever

Lever

[OPEN] [LOCK]

Do not touch
terminal

Charged battery (check orientation)
Card (check orientation: terminals face
LCD)

■

To remove

• To remove battery: • To remove card:

move lever in
direction of arrow.

Lever

Completely insert battery
and card

• Battery: Insert until the lever locks
into place.

• Card: Insert until it clicks.

Close lid

Slide to the [LOCK] position.

press down in
center.

Always use genuine Panasonic batteries.

●

If you use other batteries, we cannot guarantee the quality of this

●

product.
Remove battery from camera after use.

●

• Store the battery in battery carrying case (supplied).

To remove the card or battery, turn the camera off and wait until

●

the LCD monitor display is completely blank. (Failure to wait may cause the camera to
malfunction and may damage the card or recorded data.)
Keep the Memory Card out of reach of children to prevent swallowing.

●

The unusable battery should be discarded in accordance with battery recycling laws.

●

Call the RBRC hotline at 1-800-822-8837 for information.

Inserting and removing the card (optional)/
the battery

Picture save destination (cards and built-in memory)

Pictures will be saved to a card if one is inserted, or to the built-in memory if not.

■

Built-in memory (approx. 40 MB)
Pictures may be copied between cards and the built-in memory (→77).

●

The access time for the built-in memory may be longer than the access time for a card.

●

[QVGA] in [REC QUALITY] only can be available to record motion pictures in the built-in memory.

●

■

Compatible memory cards (optional)

The following SD standard-based cards (Panasonic brand recommended)

Type of Card Capacity Notes

SD memory
cards

SDHC memory
cards

SDXC memory
cards

Please reformat the card with this camera if it has already been formatted with a

●

computer or another device. (→22)
If the write-protect switch is set to ‘LOCK’, the card cannot be used to record or delete

●

pictures, and it cannot be formatted.
It is recommended that you copy important pictures to your computer (as

●

electromagnetic waves, static electricity, or faults may cause data to be damaged).
Latest information:

●

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/ (This Site is English only.)

(Continued)

8 MB – 2 GB • Can be used with devices compatible with
4 GB – 32 GB
48 GB – 64 GB

the respective formats.

• Before using SDXC memory cards, check
that your computer and other devices
support this type of card.
http://panasonic.net/avc/sdcard/information/
SDXC.html

• Cards in capacities not listed at left are not
supported.

Switch (LOCK)

Remaining battery and memory capacity

Remaining battery (only when using battery)

(flashes red)

If the battery mark flashes red, recharge or replace battery. (→9)

Pictures remaining (→96)

When in operation

(Card) or (Built-in memory) are illuminated red.
This means that an operation is in progress, such as the recording, reading, deleting,
or formatting of pictures. Do not turn off the power or remove the battery, card, or AC
adaptor (optional) (this may cause damage to or loss of data).
Do not subject the camera to vibrations, impact, or static electricity. Should any of these
cause camera operation to be terminated, attempt to perform the operation again.

Displayed when no card inserted (pictures will be saved to built-in memory)

12 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 13

Setting the clock

The clock is not set when the camera is shipped.

Do not touch the lens.

Lens cover

Setting the date and time

Setting the date
display format

Setting the time display format

Open the lens cover

The power is turned on.
If [PLEASE SET THE LANGUAGE] is
displayed
→ go to step
If [PLEASE SET THE CLOCK] is displayed
→ go to step

Touch [LANGUAGE SET]

Touch the language you wish to
set

• Touch ▲▼ on the screen to change the
page. Zoom lever can also be used to
change the page.

If [PLEASE SET THE CLOCK] is displayed

Touch [CLOCK SET]
Setting date and time and display

format

• Setting the date and time
→ Touch ▲▼ on the screen to set

• Setting the date display format
→ Touch ◄► on the screen and choose

from [M/D/Y], [D/M/Y] or [Y/M/D]

• Setting the time display format
→ Touch ◄► on the screen and choose

from [AM/PM] or [24HRS]

• To cancel → Touch [CANCEL]

• When set to [AM/PM], 0:00 midnight is AM
12:00, and 0:00 noon is PM 12:00.

Touch [SET]

Touch [SET]

• To return to the previous screen
→ Touch [CANCEL]

• Turn on power again and check time
display.
(Time and date can be displayed by
pressing [DISPLAY] several times.)

■

To set local time at travel
destination

[WORLD TIME] (→54)

To change time setting

Touch [CLOCK SET] from the [SETUP] menu to change the clock settings.

• Clock settings will be saved for approx. 3 months even after battery is removed,
provided a fully-charged battery was installed in camera for the 24 hours beforehand.

Touch [CLOCK SET] from the [REC] menu or [SETUP]
menu (→18)

Set the date and time (steps and ) (→13)

Failure to set the date and time will cause the date/time to be improperly printed when

●

printing pictures in digital photo center or when using [TEXT STAMP].
Year can be set between 2000 and 2099.

●

After the time has been set, the date can be printed correctly even if the date is not

●

displayed on the camera screen.

14 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 15

Setting the menuSetting the clock (Continued)

There are a number of functions you can use and settings you can change from the
various menus to help you get more use from your camera.

Settings display may vary according to items.

●

Menu items displayed vary according to the mode.

●

Do not touch the lens.

Lens cover

Open the lens cover

The power is turned on.

Select [NORMAL PICTURE] Mode

Press the [MODE]
button.
Touch
([NORMAL
PICTURE] Mode)

• To display the [PLAYBACK] menu, press
the Playback button to switch to Playback
Mode.

Display the menu screen

Touch the type of menu (→16) to
switch between them

• When in Playback Mode, the [PLAYBACK]
menu is displayed in place of the [REC]
menu.

Menu type

[REC] menu (Recording Mode only)

:

[PLAYBACK] menu (Playback Mode only)

:

[SETUP] menu

:

Setting the menu

(Continued)

Touch a menu item

• Touch ▲▼ on the screen to change the
page. Zoom lever can be used to change
the page.

• Touch [EXIT] to return to the original screen.

Touch the settings you wish to

item

change

The setting is changed.

• The procedure for making settings varies
by menu.

Touch [EXIT]

• Also if the shutter button is pressed halfway
during an operation, the display will return to
the original screen.

settings

■

To reset default settings

[RESET] (→21)

Menu type

[REC] menu (Recording Mode only)

Changing picture preferences (→56 - 62)

• Enables you to specify color, sensitivity, pixel level, and
other settings.

[PLAYBACK] menu (Playback Mode only)

Using your pictures (→70 - 77)

• Enables you to specify picture protection, cropping, and
printing settings for pictures you have taken.

[SETUP] menu

Making the camera more convenient to use (→18 - 23)

• Enables you to specify settings related to usability.
Adjust the clock, change the beep sounds, and so on.

16 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 17

Using Quick menu

Recording menu items can be called up easily.

In Recording Mode, display the
Quick menu

Touch a menu item

Touch the settings you wish to
change

Press the
button until
the Quick
menu is
displayed

Quick menu

Settings

• Touch [EXIT] to return to the original screen.

Settings items displayed vary depending on Recording Mode.

●

Using [SETUP] menu

For details about the setting procedure in the [SETUP] menu. (→15)
Make general camera settings such as adjusting the clock, extending the battery life, and
changing the beep sounds.

[CLOCK SET], [AUTO REVIEW] and [AUTO POWER OFF] are important for clock
setting and battery life. Please check these before use.

Item Settings, notes

[CLOCK SET]

Set the date and time.
(→13)

[WORLD TIME]

Set the local time at
travel destination. (→54)

[TRAVEL DATE]

Record the number of
days elapsed in your
travels. (→53)

[BEEP]

Change or mute the
beep/shutter sounds.

[VOLUME]

Adjust volume of sound
from speakers (7 levels).

Set time, date, and display format.

[DESTINATION]: Set the local time at travel destination.

[HOME]: Set date and time at home area.

[TRAVEL SETUP]
[OFF]/[SET] (Register departure and return dates.)

[LOCATION]
[OFF]/[SET] (Input name of destination.) (→63)

[BEEP LEVEL]

/ / : Mute/Low/High

[BEEP TONE]

/ / : Change beep tone.

[SHUTTER VOL.]

/ / : Mute/Low/High

[SHUTTER TONE]

/ / : Change shutter tone.

0 • • [LEVEL3] • • [LEVEL6]

• Cannot be used to adjust TV speaker volume when
connected to TV. (We recommend setting camera
volume to 0)

18 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 19

For details about the setting procedure in the [SETUP] menu. (→15)

Item Settings, notes

[LCD MODE]

Make LCD monitor easier
to see.

[OFF]: Normal (cancel setting)

[AUTO POWER LCD]:

The brightness is adjusted automatically depending on
how bright it is around the camera.

[POWER LCD]:

Makes screen brighter than normal (for outdoor use).

[HIGH ANGLE]:

Makes screen easier to see when taking pictures from
high positions. (becomes harder to see from the front)

• [AUTO POWER LCD] is disabled in the following situations.
During Playback Mode or menu screen display, or when
connected to computer/printer.

• [POWER LCD] will be deactivated if no operations are performed
for 30 seconds while recording. (Brightness can be restored by
pressing any button)

• [HIGH ANGLE] will be canceled when power is turned off
(including [AUTO POWER OFF]).

• Brightness/color of screen in [LCD MODE] has no effect on
pictures recorded.

• Block out sunlight (with hand, etc.) if reflection makes screen
difficult to see.

• [AUTO POWER LCD] and [HIGH ANGLE] are not available in
Playback Mode.

• Selecting [AUTO POWER LCD] or [POWER LCD] will reduce the
number of pictures available and battery life.

[FOCUS ICON]

/ / / / /

Change the focus icon.

Using [SETUP] menu (Continued)

For details about the setting procedure in the [SETUP] menu. (→15)

Item Settings, notes

[AUTO POWER OFF]

The camera turns off
automatically after a
specified period of
inactivity.

[AUTO REVIEW]

Automatically display
still pictures immediately
after taking them.

[OFF]/[2 MIN.]/[5 MIN.]/[10 MIN.]

• Not used in the following situations.
When an AC adaptor (optional) is used, when connected
to a computer or printer, during motion picture recording
or playback, and during Slide Shows or demos

•

Specific periods apply in the following situations.
[INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode: [5 MIN.], and when a Slide
Show is paused: [10 MIN.]

[OFF]: No auto review
[1 SEC.]/[2 SEC.]: Automatically display for 1 or 2

[HOLD]: Auto review screen remains until a button (other

than the [DISPLAY] button) is pressed

• Fixed to [2 SEC.] in [INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode.

• Auto review occurs immediately after still pictures taken
in [BURST] mode and in the Scene Modes [SELF
PORTRAIT], [HI-SPEED BURST], [FLASH BURST], and
[PHOTO FRAME], regardless of settings.

• Motion pictures cannot be automatically reviewed.

seconds.

20 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 21

For details about the setting procedure in the [SETUP] menu. (→15)

Item Settings, notes

[RESET]

Reset to the default
settings.

[USB MODE]

Select communication
method for when
connecting camera to a
computer or printer with
USB connection cable.

[RESET REC. SETTINGS?]
[YES]/[NO]

[RESET SETUP PARAMETERS?]
[YES]/[NO]

• Resetting the setup parameters will also reset the
following.

- Age in years/months and names in Scene Modes

[BABY] and [PET]

- [TRAVEL DATE]

- [WORLD TIME]

- [FAVORITE] in [PLAYBACK] menu (set to [OFF])

- [ROTATE DISP.] (set to [ON])

• Folder numbers and clock settings will not be reset.

• Camera movement may be audible as the lens function
is reset. This is not a fault.

[SELECT ON CONNECTION]:

Select [PC] or [PictBridge (PTP)] each time you connect to
a computer or PictBridge-compatible printer

[PictBridge (PTP)]: Select when connecting to a

PictBridge-compatible printer

[PC]: Select when connecting to a computer

Using [SETUP] menu (Continued)

For details about the setting procedure in the [SETUP] menu. (→15)

Item Settings, notes

[VIDEO OUT]

Change the video output
format when connected
to a TV, etc. (Playback
Mode only).

[TV ASPECT]

Change the aspect ratio
when connected to a
TV, etc. (Playback Mode
only).

[VERSION DISP.]

Check the version of the
camera firmware.

[FORMAT]

Use when [BUILT-IN
MEMORY ERROR]
or [MEMORY CARD
ERROR] appears, or
when formatting the built­in memory or card.

When a card/built-in
memory is formatted,
the data cannot be
restored. Check the
content of the card/
built-in memory
carefully before
formatting.

∗

PAL video out is not available on the version DMC-FP3P sold in the U.S. and the version
DMC-FP3PC sold in Canada.

∗

[NTSC]/[PAL]

• Operates when AV cable is connected.

/

• Operates when AV cable is connected.

Current version is displayed.

[YES]/[NO]

• This requires a sufficiently charged battery (→9) or AC
adaptor (optional). When formatting the built-in memory,
remove any cards.
(Only inserted card will be formatted if present; built-in
memory will be formatted if no card is inserted.)

• Always format cards with this camera.

• All picture data including protected pictures will be
deleted. (→76)

• Do not turn off power or perform other operations during
formatting.

• Formatting the built-in memory may take several
minutes.

• Consult your nearest Service Center if format cannot be
successfully completed.

22 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 23

For details about the setting procedure in the [SETUP] menu. (→15)

Item Settings, notes

[LANGUAGE]

Set the language displayed on the screen.

Change display
language.

[DEMO MODE]

View demonstration of
functions.

[STABILIZER DEMO.]: (Only during recording)
Indicates the extent of jitter detected by the camera
(Estimate)

Large ← Small → Large

Extent of jitter
Extent of jitter after stabilization

• When the demo screen is displayed, touch [STABILIZER]
to switch the Optical Image Stabilizer between [ON] and
[OFF].

• Cannot be displayed in Playback Mode.

• To stop → Touch [EXIT]

• Recording and zoom cannot be performed during demo.

[AUTO DEMO]: View introductory Slide Show
[OFF]/[ON]

• To close → Press [MENU]

• If the camera is left switched on while connected to the
AC adaptor (optional) and with no card inserted, the
demo will automatically begin whenever no operations
are performed for approx. 2 minutes.

• [AUTO DEMO] cannot be displayed on external devices
such as TVs.

Sequence of Recording

Please set the clock before recording. (→13)

Do not touch the lens.

Lens cover

Power button

Playback button

[MODE] button

button

Open the lens cover

The power is turned on.

Select the desired Recording
Mode and record

■

To use settings automatically selected by
the camera

Press the button.

■

To select the Recording Mode manually

Press the [MODE] button.
Touch the desired Recording Mode.

Press the Playback button and
view pictures (→32)

■

To return to the Recording Mode

Press the Playback button again.

• The camera returns to the previous
Recording Mode.

Close the lens cover

The power is turned off.

• The power can also be turned off by
pressing the Power button.

■

Recording Mode list

[INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode Take pictures with automatic settings. (→26)
[NORMAL PICTURE] Mode Take pictures with your own settings. (→28)

[MY SCENE MODE]
[SCENE MODE] Take pictures according to scene. (→42)

[MOTION PICTURE] Mode Take motion pictures. (→51)

Take pictures in commonly used Scene
Modes.

(→50)

24 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 25

■

Holding the camera

Flash

AF assist lamp

• If jitter becomes noticeable, use both hands, keep your
arms close to your body, and stand with your feet at
shoulder width.

• Do not touch the lens.

• Do not block the microphone when recording motion
picture. (→7)

• Do not block the flash or the AF assist lamp. Do not look
at it from close range.

• Try to hold the camera steady when you press the
shutter button.

Convenient ways to turn the power on

Besides opening the lens cover, you can also turn the power on as follows.

■

To turn the power on in Playback Mode

Hold

Pictures on the card or built-in memory are
displayed.

■

With the lens cover opened and the power off

Hold

The camera will turn on in Recording Mode.

• When the Power button is held with the lens cover
closed, a message [PLEASE OPEN THE LENS
COVER] is displayed.

Taking pictures with automatic settings

[INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode

Recording Mode:

Optimum settings are made automatically from information such as ‘face,’ ‘movement,’
‘brightness,’ and ‘distance’ just by pointing the camera at the subject, meaning that clear
pictures can be taken without the need to make settings manually.

Open the lens cover

The power is turned on.

Select [INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode

Take pictures

• Press again to return to the
previous Recording Mode.

Recording Mode icon (see below)

Press halfway

(press lightly to focus)

Focus display

Shutter button

The type of scene detected is indicated by a
blue icon for two seconds

■

Automatic scene detection

Camera identifies scene when pointed at subject, and makes optimum settings
automatically.

[i PORTRAIT]: People are detected

[i SCENERY]: Scenery is detected
[i MACRO]: A close-up shot is detected [i SUNSET]: A sunset is detected

Reads subject movement to avoid blurring when scene does not correspond to any of the
above.

If the camera automatically identifies the scene and determines that people appear
as subjects in the picture ( or ), Face Detection is activated, and the focus and
exposure are adjusted for the recognized faces.

[i NIGHT PORTRAIT]: People and night
scenery are detected (Only when
is selected)
[i NIGHT SCENERY]: Night scenery is
detected

(when focus aligned:
flashing → illuminated)

Press fully

(press the button all

the way to record)

26 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 27

■

To use flash

Touch on the Quick menu (→17)

• You can also set by touching [FLASH] in the [REC]
menu

Touch

• If you are not going to use flash, touch .

• Touch [EXIT] to return to the original screen.

• When
are selected automatically according to the subject type and

brightness. (For details (→37))

•
activated.

• The shutter speed is slower in

In addition to automatic scene detection, [ ] in [SENSITIVITY] and backlight

●

compensation will operate automatically.
The following menu items may be set in [INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode.

●

• ([REC] menu): [FLASH], [SELFTIMER], [PICTURE SIZE]

• ([SETUP] menu

1

∗

2

∗

According to the following conditions, different scene types may be determined for the

●

same subject.
Face contrast, conditions of subject (size, distance, coloring, contrast, movement),
zoom ratio, sunset, sunrise, low brightness, jitter
If desired scene type is not selected, we recommend manually selecting the appropriate

●

Recording Mode. (Scene Mode: (→42))
Backlight compensation

●

Backlight refers to the light that shines from behind the subject. When this occurs, the
subject appears darker, and so backlighting is automatically corrected by increasing the
brightness of the entire image.
We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer with [i NIGHT SCENERY] and

●

[i NIGHT PORTRAIT].
When jitter is small (e.g. using tripod) with [i NIGHT SCENERY], shutter speed can

●

reach a maximum of 8 seconds. Do not move the camera.
The settings for the following functions are fixed.

●

• [AUTO REVIEW]: [2 SEC.] • [AUTO POWER OFF]: [5 MIN.]

• [WHITE BALANCE]: [AWB] • [STABILIZER]: [AUTO]

• [AF MODE]: (Face Detection)

3

∗

The following functions cannot be used.

●

[EXPOSURE], [DIGITAL ZOOM]

1

∗

MODE]
[STABILIZER DEMO.]

Items that may be set differ from other Recording Modes.
Other items in the [SETUP] menu will reflect settings made in other Recording

Modes.

(9-area-focusing) when face cannot be recognized

2

∗

): [CLOCK SET], [WORLD TIME], [BEEP]

is used, , (Auto/red-eye reduction),

(Slow sync./red-eye reduction) and (Slow sync.)

and indicate that digital red-eye correction is

and .

1

∗

, [BURST], [COLOR

1

∗

, [LANGUAGE],

3

∗

• [AF ASSIST LAMP]: [ON]

Taking pictures with your own settings

[NORMAL PICTURE] Mode

Recording Mode:

Using [REC] menu to change settings and set up your own recording environment.

Shutter button

■

To use zoom

(→30)

■

To use flash

(→36)

■

To adjust picture
brightness

(→41)

■

To take close-up pictures

(→38)

■

To adjust coloring

(→61)

Open the lens cover

The power is turned on.

Display the screen for Recording
Mode selection

Touch [NORMAL PICTURE]

Take a picture

Press halfway

(press lightly to focus)

AF area
(aligns focus with subject;
when complete: red → green)

Press fully

(press the button all

the way to record)

Focus display

(when focus aligned:
flashing → illuminated)

If a warning is displayed about jitter, use

●

[STABILIZER], a tripod, or [SELFTIMER].
If aperture value or shutter speed is displayed in red,

●

correct exposure has not been achieved. Use flash or
change [SENSITIVITY] settings.

Aperture value Shutter speed

Jitter alert
display

28 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 29

Align focus for desired composition

Useful when subject is not in center of picture.

First adjust focus according to subject

Align the AF

area with the

subject

Hold down

halfway

AF area

Subjects/environments which may

●

make focusing difficult:

•

Fast-moving or extremely bright objects,
or objects with no color contrast.

• Taking pictures through glass or near
objects emitting light. In dark, or with
significant jitter.

•

When too close to object or when
taking pictures of both distant and close
objects together in the same picture.

We recommend using the ‘Face

●

Detection’ function when taking
pictures of people (→58).

Return to desired composition

Press fully

AF area

The focus display flashes and beep sounds when focus is not

●

aligned.
Use the focus range displayed in red as a reference.
Even if the focus display is lit, the camera may be unable to bring
the subject into focus if it is out of range.
AF area is displayed larger in dark conditions or when using

●

Digital Zoom.
Most displays are temporarily cleared from screen when the

●

shutter button is pressed halfway.

Focus range

Direction detection function

Still pictures taken with the camera held vertically are automatically played back vertically.
(Only when [ROTATE DISP.] is set to [ON])

Still pictures taken with the lens surface facing directly up or down and still pictures

●

taken on other cameras may not be rotated. Additionally, still pictures taken while
holding the camera upside down are not rotated automatically.
Motion pictures are not displayed vertically.

●

Taking pictures with zoom

Recording Mode:

‘Optical Zoom’ offers 4 x magnification. At a lower recording pixel level, ‘Extended Optical
Zoom’ can be used to zoom up to 8.4 x. For zooming in even closer, ‘Digital Zoom’ is
available.

Zoom In/Out

Capture a wider
area (wide-angle)

W side (wide-angle):
1 x

Adjust the focus after adjusting the zoom.

●

T side (telephoto):
up to 4 x

Enlarge the subject
(telephoto)

Zoom bar

Focus range

Zoom ratio
(approx.)

Optical Zoom and Extended Optical Zoom (EZ)

Automatically switches to ‘Optical Zoom’ when using maximum picture size (→56), and
to ‘Extended Optical Zoom’ (for further zooming) otherwise. (EZ is short for ‘Extended
Optical Zoom’.)

• Optical Zoom • Extended Optical Zoom

Zoom bar

Maximum zoom ratios by picture size

●

Optical Zoom Extended Optical Zoom
[PICTURE SIZE] 14 M - 10.5 M
Max. enlargement 4 x 4.7 x 6.8 x 8.4 x

Extended Optical Zoom system

●

When the recording pixel level is set to [3 M ] (corresponding to 3 million pixels), 3
million pixels of the available pixel level in the center of the CCD are used in recording,
enabling higher magnification.
The enlargement ratio displayed in the bar on screen is an estimate.

●

10 M

( displayed)

5 M 3 M or less

30 VQT2P49 VQT2P49 31