Panasonic DMC-FZ30EB User Manual

Operating Instructions

Digital Camera

Model No. DMC-FZ30EB

Before connecting, operating or

adjusting this product, please read

the instructions completely.

Web Site: http://www.panasonic-europe.com

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Before Use

Dear Customer,

We would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for purchasing this Panasonic
Digital Camera. Please read these
Operating Instructions carefully and keep
them handy for future reference.

Information for Your
Safety

Before Use

• Please note that the actual controls and
components, menu items, etc. of your
Digital Camera may look somewhat
different from those shown in the
illustrations in these Operating
Instructions.

• SD Logo is a trademark.

• Other names, company names, and
product names printed in these
instructions are trademarks or registered
trademarks of the companies concerned.

WARNING
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
SHOCK HAZARD AND ANNOYING
INTERFERENCE, USE ONLY THE
RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
AND DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE. DO NOT REMOVE THE
COVER (OR BACK); THERE ARE NO
USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.

Carefully observe copyright laws.
Recording of pre-recorded tapes or
discs or other published or broadcast
material for purposes other than your
own private use may infringe copyright
laws. Even for the purpose of private
use, recording of certain material may
be restricted.

THE SOCKET OUTLET SHALL BE
INSTALLED NEAR THE EQUIPMENT
AND SHALL BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE.

CAUTION

Danger of explosion if battery is
incorrectly replaced. Replace only with
the same or equivalent type
recommended by the manufacturer.
Dispose of used batteries according to
the manufacturer’s instructions.

2

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Before Use

Digital Camera

The rating plate is on the underside of the
Digital Camera.

Caution for AC mains lead

For your safety, please read the following
text carefully.

This appliance is supplied with a moulded
three-pin mains plug for your safety and
convenience. A 5-ampere fuse is fitted in
this plug.
Should the fuse need to be replaced,
please ensure that the replacement fuse
has a rating of 5-amperes and it is
approved by ASTA or BSI to BS1362.
Check for the ASTA mark Ï or the BSI
mark Ì on the body of the fuse.

If the plug contains a removable fuse
cover you must ensure that it is refitted
when the fuse is replaced. If you lose the
fuse cover, the plug must not be used
until a replacement cover is obtained.
A replacement fuse cover can be
purchased from your local Panasonic
Dealer.

IF THE FITTED MOULDED PLUG IS
UNSUITABLE FOR THE SOCKET
OUTLET IN YOUR HOME THEN THE
FUSE SHOULD BE REMOVED AND
THE PLUG CUT OFF AND DISPOSED
OF SAFELY.
THERE IS A DANGER OF SEVERE
ELECTRICAL SHOCK IF THE CUT OFF
PLUG IS INSERTED INTO ANY 13­AMPERE SOCKET.

If a new plug is to be fitted, please
observe the wiring code as shown below.
If in any doubt, please consult a qualified
electrician.

∫ IMPORTANT

The wires in this mains lead are coloured
in accordance with the following code:
Blue: Neutral
Brown: Live
As the colours of the wires in the mains
lead of this appliance may not correspond
with the coloured markings identifying the
terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:

The wire which is coloured BLUE must be
connected to the terminal in the plug
which is marked with the letter N or
coloured BLACK.

The wire which is coloured BROWN must
be connected to the terminal in the plug
which is marked with the letter L or
coloured RED.

Under no circumstances should either of
these wires be connected to the earth
terminal of the three-pin plug, marked
with the letter E or the Earth Symbol Ó.

∫ Before Use

Remove the Connector Cover.

∫ How to replace the Fuse

The location of the fuse differ according to
the type of AC mains plug (figures A and B).
Confirm the AC mains plug fitted and
follow the instructions below.
Illustrations may differ from actual AC
mains plug.

1) Open the fuse cover with a screwdriver.

Figure A Figure B

Fuse cover

2) Replace the fuse and close or attach
the fuse cover.

Figure A Figure B

Fuse
(5 ampere)

Fuse
(5 ampere)

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3

Before Use

Information on Disposal for Users of Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment
(private households)

This symbol on the products and/or accompanying documents
means that used electrical and electronic products should not be
mixed with general household waste.
For proper treatment, recovery and recycling, please take these
products to designated collection points, where they will be accepted
on a free of charge basis. Alternatively, in some countries you may be
able to return your products to your local retailer upon the purchase
of an equivalent new product.
Disposing of this product correctly will help to save valuable

resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human
health and the environment which could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste
handling. Please contact your local authority for further details of your nearest
designated collection point.
Penalties may be applicable for incorrect disposal of this waste, in accordance with
national legislation.

For business users in the European Union

If you wish to discard electrical and electronic equipment, please contact your dealer or
supplier for further information.

Information on Disposal in other Countries outside the European Union

This symbol is only valid in the European Union.
If you wish to discard this product, please contact your local authorities or dealer and ask
for the correct method of disposal.

∫ Care for the camera

• Do not shake or cause impact to the
camera. The camera may not be

operated normally or recording of pictures
may be disabled, or the lens may be
damaged.

• Sand or dust may cause a malfunction
of the camera. When you use the

∫ About the LCD monitor/Viewfinder

• Do not press the LCD monitor strongly.
It may cause uneven colors on the LCD
monitor or a malfunction of the LCD
monitor.

• In a place with drastic temperature
changes, condensation may form on the
LCD monitor. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth.

camera on a beach etc., take care so
that sand or dust does not get into the
camera.

• When you use the camera on a rainy day
or on a beach, take care so that water
does not get into the camera.

• If seawater splashes onto the camera,
wet a soft cloth with tap water, wring it
well, and use it to wipe the camera
body carefully. Then, wipe it again with
a dry cloth.

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Before Use

• If the camera is extremely cold when you
turn the camera on, the image on the LCD
monitor/Viewfinder is slightly darker than
usual at first. However, as the internal
temperature increases, it goes back to the
normal brightness.

• When rotating the LCD monitor, be
careful not to use excessive force. This
may result in damage.

• Depending on the tripod you are using,
you may not be able to rotate the LCD
monitor.

• When not using the LCD monitor or when
using the Viewfinder, it is recommended
that you close the LCD monitor with the
screen facing inwards to prevent dirt and
scratches.

Extremely high precision technology is
employed to produce the LCD monitor/
Viewfinder screen. The result is more
than 99.99% effective pixels with a
mere 0.01% of the pixels inactive or
always lit. However, this will not be
recorded on the pictures in the card.

∫ About the Lens

• Do not direct the lens to the sun or strong
light sources. It may cause not only a
malfunction of the camera but irreversible
damage to your eye.

• Do not press the lens strongly.

• Leaving the camera with the lens facing
the sun may cause a malfunction. Be
careful when you put the camera outside
or near a window.

• When there is dirt (water, oil, and
fingerprints, etc.) on the surface of the
lens, the picture may be affected. Lightly
wipe the surface of the lens with a soft,
dry cloth before and after taking pictures.

∫ About Condensation (When the lens

or the Viewfinder is fogged up)

Condensation takes place when the
ambient temperature or humidity is
changed as follows:

Be careful of condensation since it causes
stains on the lens, fungus or malfunction.

• When the camera is brought inside from
the cold to a warm room.

• When the camera is moved from outside
to an air-conditioned car.

• When cool wind from an air conditioner or
other is directly blown onto the camera.

• In humid places

Put the camera into plastic bag until the
temperature of the camera is close to the
ambient temperature to avoid
condensation. In case of condensation,
turn the camera off and then leave it for
about 2 hours.
When the camera becomes close to the
ambient temperature, the fog disappears
naturally.

∫ If you will not be using the camera for

a long time

• Store the battery in a cool and dry place
with a relatively stable temperature.
(Recommended temperature: 15 oC to
25 oC, Recommended humidity: 40% to
60%)

• Be sure to remove the battery and the
card from the camera.

• When the battery is left inserted in the
camera for a long time, discharge takes
place even if the camera is turned off. If
you leave the battery inserted for an
extended period of time, it will be
excessively discharged and it may
become unusable even after it is charged.

• To store the battery for a long period of
time, we recommend charging it once
every year and storing it again after you
completely use up the charged capacity.

• When you keep the camera in a closet or
a cabinet, we recommend storing it with
the desiccant (silica gel).

• When storing the camera for long periods
of time, it is recommended that you close
the LCD monitor with the screen facing
inwards.

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5

Before Use

About These Operating Instructions

∫ About indications in these operating instructions

SCN

2

SCN

1

Modes indicated here allow you to use the functions or settings described on this page.
Set the Mode dial to any of the modes to use the functions or settings.

Convenient or helpful information for use of the camera is described.

∫ About illustrations in these operating instructions

Please note that the appearance of the product, the illustration or the menu screen are a
little different from those in actual use.

∫ About illustrations of the cursor button

In these operating instructions, the operations on the cursor button are described as
illustrated below.

e.g.: When you press the 4 button

REV

∫ About the front dial and rear dial

Instructions for using these dials in the operating instructions are given with illustrations
that match the screen icons.

• Rotate the front dial and rear dial slowly but surely.

AE LOCK

EVF/LCD

DISPLAY

MENU

A: Front dial
B: Rear dial

6

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Contents

Before Use

Information for Your Safety.......................2

About These Operating Instructions .........6

Preparation

Accessories ..............................................9

Names of the Components .....................10

Charging the Battery with the Charger ... 12
About the Battery (Charging/

number of recordable pictures) ...........13

Inserting/Removing the Battery ..............14

Inserting/Removing the Card ..................15

About the Card........................................16

Removing the Lens Cap/

Attaching the Strap..............................17

Attaching/Removing the Lens Hood .......18

Setting Date/Time (Clock Set) ................20

About the Setup Menu ............................21

About the LCD Monitor/Viewfinder ......... 25

Approximate number of

recordable pictures and the size .........31

About the zoom.......................................33

• Using the Optical Zoom .................... 33

• Using the Digital Zoom .....................34

• Using the Extra Optical Zoom (EZ) ... 34

Recording pictures (basic)

The Mode Dial ........................................36

Taking Pictures.......................................37

Taking Pictures in Auto Mode................. 42

Checking the Recorded Picture

(Review) ..............................................44

Taking Close-up Pictures

[AF MACRO] .......................................45

Taking Pictures with Manual Focus ........46

Taking Pictures using the

Built-in Flash .......................................49

Taking Pictures with the Self-timer .........53

Compensating the Exposure ..................54

Taking Pictures using Auto Bracket ........ 55

Optical Image Stabilizer..........................56

Taking Pictures using Burst Mode .......... 57

Playback (basic)

Playing Back Pictures .............................59

Multi Playback (9 screens,

16 screens, and 25 screens) ...............60

Using the Playback Zoom.......................61

Deleting Pictures.....................................62

Recording pictures (advanced)

Using the Mode Dial ...............................64

• Aperture-priority AE .......................... 64

• Shutter-priority AE ............................ 65

• Manual exposure .............................. 66

• Motion picture mode .........................69

• Scene mode...................................... 71

– Portrait mode.................................72

– Sports mode .................................. 72

– Food mode ....................................73

– Scenery mode ...............................73

– Night portrait mode ........................ 74

– Night scenery mode....................... 74

– Baby mode ....................................75

– Soft skin mode............................... 76

– Candle light mode.......................... 76

– Party mode ....................................77

– Fireworks mode.............................77

– Snow mode....................................78

– Starry sky mode............................. 79

– Panning mode ............................... 80

Recording Menu Settings

Using the [REC] mode menu .................. 81

• White Balance [W.BALANCE] .......... 82

• ISO Sensitivity [SENSITIVITY] ......... 84

• Aspect Ratio [ASPECT RATIO]........ 84

• Picture Size [PICT.SIZE] ..................85

• Quality [QUALITY] ............................ 86

• Audio Recording [AUDIO REC.] .......87

• Metering Mode

[METERING MODE].........................87

• AF Mode [AF MODE] ........................ 88

• Continuous AF [CONT.AF] ...............90

• AF Assist Lamp

[AF ASSIST LAMP] .......................... 90

• Digital Zoom [D.ZOOM] ....................91

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• Colour Effect [COL.EFFECT] ...........91

• Picture Adjustment [PICT.ADJ.] ....... 92

• Flip Animation [FLIP ANIM.] .............92

• Conversion Lens [CONVERSION] ... 95

• Extra Flash [EXT.FLASH] ................. 97

• Extra Flash Burst Mode

[EX.FLASH BURST]......................... 99

Playback (advanced)

Playing Back Pictures with Audio/

Motion Pictures .................................100

Using the [PLAY] mode menu .............. 101

• Playing Back with Slide Show

[SLIDE SHOW]...............................102

• Setting Favourites [FAVORITE]...... 103

• Displaying pictures in a direction
at the time of recording

[ROTATE DISP.] ............................104

• Rotating the Picture [ROTATE] ...... 105

• Setting the Picture to be Printed
and the Number of Prints [DPOF

PRINT]............................................ 106

• Preventing Accidental Erasure of

the Picture [PROTECT]..................108

• Adding Audio to Recorded Pictures

[AUDIO DUB.] ................................109

• Resizing the Pictures [RESIZE] ...... 110

• Trimming the Pictures

[TRIMMING] ...................................111

• Aspect ratio conversion

[ASPECT CONV.]........................... 113

• Clean-up [CLEAN UP] .................... 114

• Initializing the Card [FORMAT]....... 115

Playing Back Pictures on a

TV Screen .........................................116

Connecting to a PC or Printer

Before Connecting to the PC or

the Printer [USB MODE] ................... 117

Connecting to a PC...............................118

Connecting to a PictBridge-compliant

Printer................................................121

Screen Display......................................127

Cautions for Use...................................129

Message Display ..................................131

Troubleshooting .................................... 133

Specifications........................................137

Sales and Support Information

Customer Care Centre

• For customers within the UK:
08705 357357

• For customers within the Republic of
Ireland: 01 289 8333

• Visit our website for product information

• E-mail: [e-mail]

Technical Support for AV Software

• For UK, ROI: 08701 505610

Direct Sales at Panasonic UK

• Order accessory and consumable items
for your product with ease and confidence
by phoning our Customer Care Centre
Monday– Thursday 9.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.,
Friday 9.30 a.m.– 5.30 p.m.
(Excluding public holidays)

• Or go on line through our Internet
Accessory ordering application at
www.panasonic.co.uk.

• Most major credit and debit cards
accepted.

• All enquiries transactions and distribution
facilities are provided directly by
Panasonic UK Ltd.

• It couldn’t be simpler!

• Also available through our Internet is
direct shopping for a wide range of
finished products, take a browse on our
website for further details.

Others

Using the Remote Shutter ....................125

Using the MC Protector/ND Filter .........126

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Preparation

Preparation

Accessories

Before using your camera, check the contents.

12

RP-SD032B

3

DE-994A

56

K1HA08CD0007 K1HA08CD0008

78

9

10

CGR-S006E

4

RJA0053-3X

VFC4124

VYK1P30

VYQ3505

∫ Standard Accessories

1 SD Memory Card (32 MB)

(In the text, it is called the “Card”)

2Battery Pack

(In the text, it is called the “Battery”)

3 Battery Charger

(In the text, it is indicated as “Charger”)
(This can be used with multiple

product.)
4 AC Mains Lead
5 USB Connection Cable
6AV Cable
7 CD-ROM
8Strap
9 Lens Cap

10 Lens hood

∫ Optional Accessories

• Lithium Ion Battery
CGR-S006E

• Battery Charger/AC Adaptor
DMW-CAC1

• ND Filter
DMW-LND55

• MC Protector
DMW-LMC55

• SD Memory Card
2 GB: RP-SDK02
1 GB: RP-SDK01
512 MB: RP-SDK512/RP-SD512
256 MB: RP-SDH256/RP-SD256
128 MB: RP-SD128
64 MB: RP-SD064
32 MB: RP-SD032

• SD USB Reader/Writer (compatible with
MultiMediaCard)
BN-SDCAPU/1B

• SD PC Card Adaptor (compatible with
MultiMediaCard)
BN-SDABPU/1B

• Some optional accessories may not be
available in some countries.

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9

Preparation

17

Names of the Components

12 3 4

8

12

1413 15 16

1Lens (P5)
2 Front dial (P44, 60, 61, 64, 66)

3 Self-timer Indicator (P53)

AF Assist Lamp (P90)

4 Flash (P49)

119567 10

5 Diopter Adjustment Dial (P29)
6 Viewfinder (P25, 127)
7 [DISPLAY] Button (P25)
8 [EVF/LCD] Button (P25)

9 [AE LOCK] Button (P40)
10 Speaker (P100)
11 Rear dial (P39, 59, 65, 66)

12 LCD Monitor (P25, 26, 127)
13 [MENU] Button (P21)
14 Delete Button (P62)
15 Cursor Buttons

2/Self-timer Button (P53)
4/[REV] Button (P44)
1/Flash Setting Button (P49)
3/Exposure Compensation (P54)/Auto

Bracket (P55)/White Balance Fine
Adjustment (P83)/Flash Output
Adjustment (P51)/Backlight
Compensation in auto mode (P43)

Button
16 Card Door (P15)
17 LCD Monitor open knobs (P26)

10

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18 19

2

3

4

S

M

A

P

P

1

Preparation

20

18 Zoom ring (P33)
19 Focus ring (P46)
20 Shutter Button (P37)
21 Strap Eyelet (P17)
22 Microphone (P69, 87)
23 Hot Shoe (P97)
24 Mode Dial (P36)
25 Camera ON/OFF Switch (P21)
26 Power Indicator (P37)
27 Single or Burst Mode Button (P57)

2

SCAN

SCAN

28 Optical Image Stabilizer Button (P56)

23

29 30 31

C

L

N

O

E

S

P

E

O

24 25 26

27 2821 22

29 [FOCUS] Button (P47,77, 89)
30 Focus Switch (P42, 45, 46)

(AF/AF MACRO/MF)
31 Flash Open Lever (P49)
32 [REMOTE] Socket (P125)

3

33 [AV OUT/DIGITAL] Socket

(P116, 118, 121)
34 [DC IN] Socket (P118, 121)

3

3

35

• Please be sure to use genuine
Panasonic AC adaptor (DMW-CAC1;
optional).

35 Lens hood positioning groove (P18)
36 Battery Door Open/Close Lever (P14)
37 Battery Door (P14)
38 Tripod Receptacle

• When you use a tripod, make sure the
tripod is stable with the camera
attached to it.

36 37 38

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Preparation

Charging the Battery with the Charger

When the camera is shipped, the battery is
not charged. Charge the battery before
use.

1 Attach the battery to the charger.

2 Connect the AC mains lead.

• The AC mains lead does not fit entirely
into the AC input terminal. A gap will
remain as shown below.

3 Detach the battery after charging

is completed.

• After charging is completed, be sure to
disconnect the AC mains lead from the
electrical outlet.

• The battery becomes warm after use/
charge or during charge. The camera also
becomes warm during use. However, it is
not a malfunction.

• The battery is exhausted when it is left for
a long period of time after being charged.
Recharge the battery when it is
exhausted.

• Use the dedicated charger and battery.

• Charge the battery with the charger
indoors.

• Do not disassemble or modify the
charger.

• When the [CHARGE] indicator A lights

in green, charging starts.

• When the [CHARGE] indicator A turns

off (in about 120 minutes), charging is
completed.

12

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About the Battery

Preparation

(Charging/number of recordable pictures)

∫ Battery indication

The remaining battery power appears on
the screen.

• The battery indication turns red and
blinks.

• Recharge the battery or replace it with
fully charged battery.

[It does not appear when you use the
camera along with the AC adaptor
(DMW-CAC1; optional).]

∫ The battery life
The number of recordable pictures by
CIPA standard (In programme AE mode)

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

Number of
recordable pictures

Approx. 280 pictures
(Approx. 140 min)

Recording conditions by CIPA standard

• Temperature: 23 °C/
Humidity: 50

% when LCD monitor is on.

• Using the supplied SD Memory Card
(32 MB).

• Using the supplied battery.

• Recording starts 30 seconds after the
camera is turned on.

• Recording once every 30 seconds, with
full flash every other recording.

• Turn the camera off every 10 recordings.

The number of recordable pictures varies
depending on the recording interval time.
If the recording interval time becomes
longer, the number of recordable pictures
decreases.
(When taking a picture every
2 minutes: Approx. 75)

The number of recordable pictures
when using the Viewfinder

(Recording conditions comply with CIPA
standard.)

Number of
recordable pictures

Approx. 300 pictures
(Approx. 150 min)

Playback time when using the LCD
monitor

Playback time Approx. 300 min

The number of recordable pictures and
playback time will vary depending on the
operating conditions and storing condition
of the battery.

∫ Charging

Charging time Approx. 120 min

Charging time and the number of
recordable pictures with the optional
battery pack (CGR-S006E) are the same
as above.

• When charging starts, the [CHARGE]
indicator lights.

∫ Charging error

• If a charging error occurs, the [CHARGE]
indicator blinks in about 1 second cycles.
In this case, disconnect the AC mains lead
from the electrical outlet, remove the
battery and make sure that both room and
battery temperature are not too low or
high and then charge it again. If the
[CHARGE] indicator still blinks even if you
charge the battery for a while, consult the
dealer or your nearest servicentre.

• When the operating time of the camera
becomes extremely short even if the
battery is properly charged, the life of the
battery may have expired. Buy a new
battery.

∫ Charging conditions

• Charge the battery under temperature of
10 oC to 35 oC. (Battery temperature
should be the same.)

• The performance of the battery may be
temporarily deteriorated and the operating
time may become shorter in low
temperature conditions (e.g. skiing/
snowboarding).

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Preparation

Inserting/Removing the Battery

• Check that the camera is turned off.

• Close the flash.

1 Slide the release lever in the

direction of the arrow to open the
battery door A.

O

E

P

S

E

O

N

L

C

• Please be sure to use genuine
Panasonic batteries (CGR-S006E).

2 Insert:

Insert the charged battery until it
clicks.

Remove:
Slide the lock B to remove the
battery.

3 1 Close the battery door.

2 Slide the release lever as far as

it will go in the direction of the
arrow to close the battery door
firmly.

O

O

E

E

P

P

S

S

E

E

O

O

N

N

L

L

C

C

• If you will not be using the camera for a
long time, remove the battery.

• When a fully charged battery has been
inserted for more than 24 hours, the clock
setting is stored (in the camera) for at
least 3 months even if the battery is
removed. (The storing time may be
shorter if the battery is not charged
sufficiently.)
If more than 3 months has passed, the
clock setting will be lost. In this case, set
the clock again. (P20)

• Do not remove the card and the battery
while the card is being accessed. The
data on the card may be damaged.
(P16)

• Do not remove the battery with the
camera turned on since the settings on
the camera may not be stored properly.

• The supplied battery is designed only
for the camera. Do not use it with any
other equipment.

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Preparation

Inserting/Removing the Card

• Check that the camera is turned off.

• Close the flash.

1 Slide the card door to open it.

• The card and the data may be
damaged if it is inserted or removed
while the camera is on.

• We recommend using Panasonic’s
SD Memory Card.

2 Insert:

Insert the card fully until it clicks
and it is locked with the label
facing the front of the camera.

Remove:
Push the card until it clicks, then
pull the card out upright.

• The card may be damaged if it is not
fully inserted.

3 1 Close the card door.

2 Slide the card door to the end

to close it firmly.

• If the card door cannot be completely
closed, remove the card and insert it
again.

• Check the direction of the card.

• Do not touch the connection terminals
on the back side of the card.

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About the Card

Preparation

∫ Access to the card

When pictures are being recorded onto the
card, the card access indication

When the card access indication lights,
pictures are being read or deleted or the
card is cleaned up (P114) or formatted
(P115). do not:

• turn the camera off.

• remove the battery or the card.

• shake or impact the camera.
The card and the data may be damaged
and the camera may not operate normally.

∫ About handling a card

Transfer important pictures/motion pictures
from your card to your PC periodically
(P118). The data on the card may be
damaged or lost due to electromagnetic
wave, static electricity, breakdown of the
camera or a defective card.

• Do not format the card on your PC or
other equipment, format it with the camera
only to ensure proper operation. (P115)

∫ SD Memory Card (supplied) and

MultiMediaCard (optional)

• The SD Memory Card and
MultiMediaCard are small, lightweight,
removable external cards. The reading/
writing speed of an SD Memory Card is
fast. The SD Memory Card is equipped
with a Write-Protect switch B that can
inhibit writing and formatting a card.
(When the switch is slid to the [LOCK]
side, it is not possible to write or delete
data on the card and format it. When the

5

A

lights red.

switch is unlocked, these functions
become available.)

SD Memory Card

• On this unit, you can use SD Memory
Cards of the following capacity (from 8 MB
to 2 GB).

8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB, 64 MB, 128 MB,

256MB, 512MB, 1GB,

2GB (Maximum)

Please confirm the latest information on the
following website.

http://panasonic.

(This Site is English only.)

• This unit supports SD Memory Cards
formatted in FAT12 system and FAT16
system based on SD Memory Card
Specifications.

• This unit does not support
MultiMediaCard for recording motion
pictures.

• The reading/writing speed of a
MultiMediaCard is slower than an SD
Memory Card. When a MultiMediaCard is
used, the performance of certain features
may be slightly slower than advertised.

• After recording motion pictures using the
MultiMediaCard, the card access
indication may appear for a while, but this
is not a malfunction.

• Keep the Memory Card out of reach of
children to prevent swallowing.

co.jp/pavc/global/cs

16

VQT0S00

Preparation

Removing the Lens Cap/Attaching the Strap

∫ Remove the lens cap

1 Pinch the lens cap and remove it.

• When you turn the camera off, carry the
camera or play back the pictures, attach
the lens cap to protect the surface of the
lens.

• Detach the lens cap before taking
pictures.

• Be careful not to lose the lens cap.

∫ Attaching the strap (supplied)

1 Pass the strap through the hole at

the Strap Eyelet.

2 Pass the strap through the

stopper and fasten the strap.

A: Pull the strap 2 cm or more.

• Attach the strap to the other side of the
camera being careful not to twist it.

• Check that the strap is firmly attached to
the camera.

• Attach the strap so that you can see

UMIX” logo.

“L

17

VQT0S00

Preparation

Attaching/Removing the Lens Hood

In bright sunlight or backlight, the lens hood
will minimise lens flare and ghosting.
The lens hood cuts out excess light and
improves the picture quality.

• Check that the camera is turned off.

• Close the flash.

∫ When attaching the lens hood

1 1 Place the camera upside down.

2 Align lens hood mark A with

lens hood positioning groove
B on the unit and insert it
straight in.

• Make sure the lens hood is properly
attached.

∫ When removing the lens hood
Press lock release button C and remove
the lens hood.

∫ Temporarily storing the lens hood

(Temporary storage)

1 1 Place the camera upside down.

2 Remove the lens hood and turn

it around, aligning lens hood
mark A with lens hood
positioning groove B on the
unit, and insert it straight in.

∫ When removing the lens hood
Press lock release button C and remove
the lens hood.

18

VQT0S00

Preparation

2 Attach the lens cap.

• Ensure that the lens cap is firmly
attached.

• When temporarily storing the lens
hood, ensure that it is firmly attached
and that it is not reflected in the picture.

• When temporarily storing the lens
hood, you can detach the lens cap and
take pictures. However you cannot use
the zoom ring, focus ring, [FOCUS]
button or focus switch.

• If you use a flash when the lens hood is
attached, the light from the flash is
blocked by the lens hood. The bottom of
the screen becomes dark (vignetting) and
you cannot adjust the flash setting. We
recommend removing the lens hood
before taking pictures with a flash.

• When using the AF assist lamp in the
dark, detach the lens hood.

• For details on how to attach the MC
protector and the ND filter, refer to P126.

• When the lens hood is attached, you
cannot attach conversion lenses.

• Consult the dealer or your nearest service
centre if you lose the supplied
accessories. (You can purchase the
accessories separately.)

19

VQT0S00

Preparation

Setting Date/Time (Clock Set)

∫ Initial setting

The clock is not set when the camera is
shipped. When you turn the camera on, the
following screen appears.

PLEASE SET THE CLOCK

CLOCK SET

MENU

• When pressing the [MENU] button, the
screen shown in step 1 appears.

• The screen disappears after about
5 seconds. Turn the camera on again or
press the [MENU] button, select [CLOCK
SET] in page 2/4 of the [SETUP] menu
(P23) and set the clock in steps 1 and 2.

1 Set date and time.

CLOCK SET

11

JAN

00 00

:

• 2/1: Select the desired item.

• 3/4: Set date and time.

..

D/M/Y

SETSELECT

2005

EXIT

MENU

2 Select [D/M/Y], [M/D/Y] or [Y/M/D].

CLOCK SET

10:00111.

• Close the menu by pressing the
[MENU] button 2 times after finishing
the setting.

• Check if the clock setting is correct,
after turning the camera off and on.

• When a fully charged battery has been
inserted for more than 24 hours, the clock
setting is stored (in the camera) for at
least 3 months even if the battery is
removed. (The storing time may be
shorter if the battery is not charged
sufficiently.)
If more than 3 months has passed, the
clock setting will be lost. In this case, set
the clock again.

• You can set the year from 2000 to 2099.
The 24-hour system is used.

• When you use a photo printing service, if
the date is not set in the camera, it will not
be printed, even if the store provides a
date printing option to your photo.

• For the date print setting, refer to P107.

DEC

D/M/Y

SETSELECT

.2005

EXIT

MENU

20

VQT0S00

About the Setup Menu

Preparation

• Set the items if necessary. (Refer to P22
to 24 for each menu item.)

1 Turn the camera on.

OFF ON

• The menu items depend on the mode

selected with the mode dial (P36). In

this page, the setup menu
[MONITOR] settings in programme
AE mode [ ] are shown as an
example.

2 Press the [MENU] button.

1

SETUP

/

3

AUTO

AUTO

MENU

REC

W.BALANCE
SENSITIVITY
ASPECT RATIO

8

PICT.SIZE

M

QUALITY

MENU

SELECT

EXIT

3 Select the [SETUP] Menu.

4 Select the desired item.

SETUP

MONITOR
AUTO REVIEW
PLAY ON LCD
POWER SAVE
MF ASSIST

SELECT

SET

EXIT

5 Select the desired value.

SETUP

MONITOR
AUTO REVIEW
PLAY ON LCD
POWER SAVE
MF ASSIST

SELECT

Be sure to press 1 at the end to
store the setting.

• Close the menu by pressing the
[MENU] button after finishing the
setting. In recording mode, you can also
close the menu by pressing the shutter
button halfway.

SET

EXIT

1

MENU

1

MENU

/

4

/

4

REC

SETUP

MONITOR
AUTO REVIEW

1SEC.

PLAY ON LCD
POWER SAVE

2MIN.

MF ASSIST

SELECT

EXIT

• Rotate the front dial A to switch

between pages 1/4, 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4.

n

OFF

MF1

1

0

MENU

/

4

21

VQT0S00

Preparation

[SETUP] menu (Refer to P21 for the setting method.)

[MONITOR/VIEWFINDER]

Adjust the brightness of the LCD monitor
(when pictures appear on the LCD monitor)
or Viewfinder (when pictures appear on the
Viewfinder) in 7 steps.

[AUTO REVIEW]

[OFF]: The recorded picture does not

automatically appear.

[1SEC.]: The recorded picture

automatically appears on the
screen for about 1 second.

[3SEC.]: The recorded picture

automatically appears on the
screen for about 3 seconds.

[ZOOM]: The recorded picture

automatically appears on the
screen for about 1 second. Then
it is enlarged 4 times and appears

• When using pictures with audio, the auto
review function works while recording the
audio or the data into the card regardless
of the setting on the auto review function.
(The picture is not enlarged.)

• When the quality is set to [TIFF] or [RAW],
the auto review function works until the
end of recording onto the card. (The
picture is not enlarged.)

• The setting for the auto review function is
disabled in auto bracket, burst mode,
motion picture mode, or when
[AUDIO REC.] is set to [ON].

[PLAY ON LCD]

When Viewfinder is selected in the
recording mode while setting [PLAY ON
LCD] to [ON], the picture automatically
appears on the LCD monitor in review or

playback. (P29)
for about 1 second. This mode is
useful for confirming focus.
Pictures in auto bracket, burst
mode or pictures with audio are
not enlarged even if [ZOOM] is
selected.

• In motion picture mode [ ], auto review
function is not activated.

• When pictures are recorded in auto
bracket [ ] (P55) or any speed ([ ],
[ ] and [ ]) on burst mode (P57),
the auto review function is activated
regardless of the setting on the auto
review function. (The picture is not
enlarged.)

22

VQT0S00

Preparation

[SETUP] menu (Refer to P21 for the setting method.)

[POWER SAVE]

[1MIN.]/[2MIN.]/[5MIN.]/[10MIN.]:

The power save mode is activated
(the camera is automatically turned
off to save the battery life) if the
camera has not been used for the
time selected on the setting.

[OFF]:The power save mode is not

activated.

• Press the shutter button halfway or turn
the camera off and on to cancel the power
save mode.

• When using the AC adaptor (DMW-CAC1;
optional)/connecting to a PC or a printer/
recording motion pictures/playing back
motion pictures/during Slide Show, the
power save mode is not activated.
(However, during a manual Slide Show,
the setting for the power save mode is
fixed to [10MIN.])

[MF ASSIST]
(Recording mode only)

In manual focus, assistance screen
appears on the centre of the screen to
facilitate focusing on the subject. (P46)
[MF1]:The centre of the screen is

enlarged. You can adjust the focus
while determining the composition
of the whole of the screen.

[MF2]:The whole of the screen is enlarged.

It is convenient for adjusting the
focus in Wide.

[OFF]:The screen is not enlarged.

[BEEP]
[]:No operational sound
[]:Soft operational sound
[]:Loud operational sound

[SHUTTER]

Set to select the volume of shutter sound.

[]:No shutter sound
[]:Soft shutter sound
[]:Loud shutter sound

[VOLUME]

The volume of speakers can be adjusted in
7 steps. (LEVEL 6 to 0)

• When you connect the camera to a TV,
the volume of the speakers of the TV is
not changed.

[CLOCK SET]

Change date and time. (P20)

[NO.RESET]

Set this when you want to start the file
number of the picture from 0001 on the
next recording. (The folder number is
updated, and the file number starts from

0001.)

• The folder number can be assigned from
100 to 999.
When the folder number reaches 999, you
cannot reset the file number. We
recommend formatting the card after
saving the data on a PC or elsewhere.

• To reset the folder number to 100, format
the card first and then use this function to
reset the file number.
After that, the reset screen for the folder
number appears. Select [YES] to reset the
folder number.

• Refer to P119 for detailed information
about the file number and the folder
number.

23

VQT0S00

Preparation

[SETUP] menu (Refer to P21 for the setting method.)

[RESET]

The settings on the [REC] or the [SETUP]
menu are reset to the initial settings.

• The birthday setting for [BABY] (P75) in
the scene mode is also reset when the
settings in the [SETUP] menu are reset.
[ROTATE DISP.] (P104) in the [PLAY]
mode menu is also reset to [ON].

• The folder number and the clock setting
are not changed.

[USB MODE]

Set the USB communication system.

• Set before connecting to a PC or a printer.
(P117)

[HIGHLIGHT]

When the auto review or review function is
activated, a white saturated area appears
blinking in black and white. (P29)

[VIDEO OUT]

(Playback mode only) (P116)

[NTSC]: Video output is set to NTSC

system.

[PAL]: Video output is set to PAL

system.

[SCENE MENU]

[OFF]: [SCENE MODE] menu does not

appear when setting the mode
dial to [ ] or [ ] and the
camera is operated in the scene
mode currently selected. If you
change the scene mode, Press
the [MENU] button to display the
[SCENE MODE] menu and then
select the desired scene mode.

[AUTO]: [SCENE MODE] menu appears

automatically when setting the
mode dial to [ ] or [ ].
Select the desired scene mode.

[LANGUAGE]

Set to the language on the menu screen
from the following languages.
Set to the desired language with 3/4 and
store it with 1.

[ENGLISH]: English
[DEUTSCH]: German
[FRANÇAIS]: French
[ESPAÑOL]: Spanish
[ITALIANO]: Italian
[]:Japanese

• When you set to other language by
mistake, select [ ] from the menu icons
to set the desired language.

24

VQT0S00

Preparation

About the LCD Monitor/Viewfinder

DISPLAYEVF/LCD

1 Switching the LCD monitor/

Viewfinder

Press the [EVF/LCD] button to switch the
monitor screen. (When the LCD monitor is
closed with the screen facing outwards)

A LCD monitor (LCD)
B Viewfinder (EVF)

• When the LCD monitor turns on, the
Viewfinder turns off (and vice versa).

2 Selecting the screen to be used

Press the [DISPLAY] button to change the
display.

• When the menu screen appears, the
[DISPLAY] button is not activated. During
multi playback (P60) or playback zoom
(P61) and when playing back with Slide
Show (P102), the indications on the
screen can be turned on and off.

In recording mode (P37)

5 5

BACKLIGHT

1

2
3

C Normal display
D Display with histogram
E Out-of-frame display
F No display (Recording guide line)

•In [NIGHT PORTRAIT] (P74), [NIGHT
SCENERY] (P74), [FIREWORKS]
(P77) and [STARRY SKY] (P79) in
scene mode, the lines are grey.

G No display
¢1 Backlight Compensation

(Appears only in auto mode)

¢2 Histogram
¢3 When the number of pictures remaining

is more than 1000 or the time
remaining in motion picture mode is
more than 1000 seconds, [ ] is
displayed.

25

VQT0S00

In playback mode (P59)

y

days

100_0001

Preparation

∫ LCD Monitor

Adjusting the LCD monitor makes it
possible to take pictures from various

1/5

angles.

9

months

10

10:00 1.DEC.2005

4

100_0001

ISO

F2.8 1/25

H Normal display
I Display with recorded information and

histogram

J No display
¢4 Displayed when you set birthday

setting for [BABY] (P75) in the scene
mode, and [WITH AGE] is selected at
taking pictures.

100

10:00 1.DEC.2005

∫ Taking pictures at a normal angle.

• You can switch between the LCD monitor
and the Viewfinder.

1/5

AUTO

∫ Taking pictures at a high angle
Open the LCD monitor with one of the
LCD monitor open knobs.

• You can use the LCD monitor only.

A:LCD Monitor open knobs

• This is convenient when there is someone
in front of you and you cannot get close to
the subject.

26

VQT0S00

∫ Taking pictures at a low angle
Open the LCD monitor with one of the
LCD monitor open knobs, pull the LCD
monitor fully open (approximately 120o)
and rotate it 180o.

• You can use the LCD monitor only.

LCD monitor rotation direction

Preparation

• If the LCD monitor turns on when it is
closed with the screen facing inwards, the
camera automatically switches to the
Viewfinder.

• If the LCD monitor is opened when the
Viewfinder is turned on, the camera
automatically switches to the LCD
monitor.

• Only rotate the LCD monitor after
opening it wide enough, and be careful
not to use excessive force as it may be
damaged.

• When holding the edge of the LCD
monitor, there may be some distortion,
however this is not a malfunction.
Moreover, this has no affect on the taken
pictures or playback.

• When not using the LCD monitor it is
recommended that you close it with the
screen facing inwards to prevent dirt and
scratches.

1: Maximum 180o
2: Maximum 120o

• This is convenient when taking pictures of
flowers etc. that are in a low position.

• When using a tripod, depending on the
kind of tripod the LCD monitor may not
rotate.

∫ About the Viewfinder

The Viewfinder is convenient when you
want to take pictures of a moving subject or
outdoors.

• Refer to page 29 for information about
diopter adjustment.

• When using the Viewfinder, close the LCD
monitor.

• When the LCD monitor is open, the
Viewfinder cannot be used.

27

VQT0S00

∫ Tips for taking good pictures

To take pictures without blurring:

• Hold the camera gently with both hands,
keep arms stationary at your side and
stand with your feet slightly apart.

• Make sure that camera shake does not
occur when you press the shutter button.

• Do not cover the microphone or the AF
assist lamp with your finger or other
objects.

• Do not touch the front of the lens.

When recording with LCD Monitor

When recording with Viewfinder

Preparation

∫ Direction detection function

• If you take pictures by holding the camera
vertically, the information of the rotation on
the pictures is automatically added and
recorded to the pictures.
When [ROTATE DISP.] (P104) is set to
[ON], you can rotate and display pictures
on the screen or the TV according to the
information of the rotation on the pictures.

• This function may not work properly on
pictures recorded by aiming the camera
up or down.

• You cannot use the direction detection
function in motion picture mode [ ] and
when you create flip animation.

A: When holding the camera vertically

• If you take pictures by holding the camera
vertically, use the LCD monitor at the
normal angle.

• Refer to P39 for information about jitter
(camera shake).

28

VQT0S00

Preparation

∫ Out-of-frame display

The recording information is displayed out
of the recording screen, therefore, you can
take pictures without obstruction from icons
or others on the monitor, except the zoom
and important warning indicators.

∫ Diopter adjustment

This feature is handy for users who wear
corrective lenses and prefer to use the
Viewfinder.

• Close the LCD monitor and press the
[EVF/LCD] button to display the
viewfinder.

Adjust the diopter, rotating the diopter
adjustment dial.

5

∫ Recording guide line

When you align the subject on the
horizontal and vertical guide lines or the
cross point of these lines, you can take
pictures with well-designed composition by
viewing the size, the slope and the balance
of the subject.

∫ Highlight display

When setting [HIGHLIGHT] to [ON] on the
[SETUP] menu (P24) while the auto review
or review function is activated, any white
saturated area (extremely bright or
glistening part) on the picture appears
blinking in black and white.

• If you compensate the exposure to minus,
referring to the histogram and then take a
picture again, it may result in a good
picture.

No highlight display

REVIEW1X

∫ Monitor priority

When setting [PLAY ON LCD] to [ON] on
the [SETUP] menu (P22), the LCD monitor
is turned on in the following cases.
You can save the time it takes to switch the
display to the LCD monitor even when
using the Viewfinder in recording.

• When the recording mode is switched to
playback mode.

• When reviewing pictures. (P44)

• When turning the camera on in playback
mode.

4X

DELETEEXIT

With highlight display

REVIEW1X

4X

DELETEEXIT

29

VQT0S00

∫ Histogram

• A histogram is a graph that displays
brightness along the horizontal axis (black
to white) and the number of pixels at each
brightness level on the vertical axis.

• It allows the camera user to easily check
the way a picture is being exposed.

• It is very useful if manual adjustments of
the lens aperture and shutter speed are
available, especially in those situations
where automatic exposure may be difficult
due to uneven lighting. Using the
histogram feature will allow you to get the
best performance from the camera.
A When the values are concentrated to

the left, the picture is under exposed.

B When the values in the histogram are

distributed evenly, the exposure is
adequate and the brightness is
well-balanced.

C When the values are concentrated to

the right, the picture is over exposed.

Example of histogram

100_0001

1/5

ISO

AUTO

F2.8 1/200

100

10:00 1.DEC.2005

Preparation

• When the recorded picture and the
histogram do not match each other
under the following conditions, the
histogram is displayed in orange.

– When the flash is activated
– When the flash is closed

1 When the brightness of the screen is

not correctly displayed in dark places

2 When the exposure is not

adequately adjusted

• The histogram does not appear when in
motion picture mode [ ], during multi
playback and playback zoom.

• The histogram in the recording mode is an
approximation.

• The histogram in recording and playback
may not match each other.

• The histogram in the camera does not
match the one displayed in image editing
software used with a PC, etc.

• Check white saturated areas with the
highlight display in the auto review
function or the review function. (P29)

A Under Exposed
B Properly Exposed
C Over Exposed

¢Histogram

30

VQT0S00

100_0001

F2.8 1/100

10:00 1.DEC.2005

100_0001

F2.8 1/50

10:00 1.DEC.2005

1/5

ISO

AUTO

100

1/5

ISO

AUTO

100

Preparation

Approximate number of recordable pictures and
the size

Aspect Ratio

Picture size

Quality

16 MB 037005111917

32 MB 171511122431937

64 MB 215313 3254963975

128 MB 4 31 62 7 8 51 100 12 79 150

256 MB 9 61 120 13 15 99 195 24 150 290

512 MB 19 120 240 27 30 195 380 48 300 590

1 GB 38 240 480 54 61 390 770 96 610 1180

2 GB 77 490 970 105 125 790 1530 195 1220 2360

Aspect Ratio

Picture size

Quality

16 MB 2 14 28 3 22 41

32 MB 4 30 59 7 46 86

64 MB 10 62 120 15 94 175

128 MB 20 125 240 31 190 350

256 MB 39 240 470 61 370 690

512 MB 78 480 940 120 730 1370

1 GB 155 970 1880 240 1470 2740

2 GB 310 1920 3610 490 2920 5120

(1600k1200 pixels)

(8M):

(3264k2448 pixels)

(2M EZ):

(1280k960 pixels)

(5M EZ):

(2560k1920 pixels)

(1M EZ):

(3M EZ):

(2048k1536 pixels)

31

VQT0S00

Preparation

Aspect Ratio

Picture size

Quality

16 MB 0480161211019

32 MB 1 8 17 1 2 13 27 3 21 41

64 MB 2 17 35 3 4 28 55 6 44 84

128 MB 5 36 71 7 8 57 110 14 89 170

256 MB 10 70 135 15 17 110 210 27 170 330

512 MB 21 135 270 30 34 220 430 54 340 650

1 GB 43 270 540 60 69 440 860 105 680 1310

2 GB 87 560 1090 120 140 890 1700 210 1360 2560

Aspect Ratio

Picture size

Quality

16 MB 0 5 10 1 2 13 25

32 MB 111222 42854

64 MB 3 23 46 4 9 58 110

128 MB 7 47 93 9 18 115 220

256 MB 14 92 180 18 36 230 430

512 MB 28 180 350 36 72 450 860

1 GB 57 360 710 72 145 910 1720

2 GB 115 740 1420 145 290 1800 3410

(3248k2160 pixels)

(3072k1728 pixels)

(7M):

(5.5M):

(4.5M EZ):

(2560k1712 pixels)

(2M EZ):

(1920k1080 pixels)

(2.5M EZ):

(2048k1360 pixels)

• The aspect ratio is the horizontal to vertical ratio of a picture. Refer to P84 for the aspect
ratio.

• If you set the quality to [RAW], the picture size is fixed to the maximum picture size for
each aspect ratio.

• If you select a larger picture size, you can print pictures clearly. When you select a
smaller picture size, you can record more pictures. (P85)

• EZ is an abbreviation for [Extra Optical Zoom]. Selecting a picture size with EZ displayed,
allows you to magnify the subject up to a maximum of 19.1 times when the digital zoom is
set to [OFF]. (P34)

• Refer to P86 for information about quality.

• The numbers are approximations. (The numbers vary depending on the recording
condition and the type of the card.)

• The number of recordable pictures varies depending on subjects.

• The remaining number of recordable pictures displayed on the screen is an
approximation.

32

VQT0S00

About the zoom

Preparation

Using the Optical Zoom

SCN1SCN

2

You can make people and subjects appear
closer with the 12 times optical zoom, and
landscapes can be recorded in wide angle.

∫ To make subjects appear further away

use (Wide)

5

1X

∫ To make subjects appear closer use

(Tele)

5

12X

A: Zoom ring

• The picture may have some distortion
(typical example: vertical straight line bent
outwards). This is due to the lens
aberration, which is common to some
extent with all photographic lenses.
Distortion may be more visible when using
a wider area of the zoom lens as you get
closer to the subject.

• When using the zoom lens at high
magnification, the quality of the picture
can be enhanced if a tripod is used. At
high magnification, even small
movements can cause a slight decrease
in picture sharpness.

• If you use the zoom function after focusing
on the subject, focus on the subject again.

• The indicated zoom magnification is an
approximation.

• When you rotate the zoom ring, you
may hear some sound from the camera
or the camera may be shaken. This is
not a malfunction.

33

VQT0S00

Preparation

Using the Digital Zoom

SCN1SCN

2

In the [REC] menu (P81), setting [D.ZOOM]
to [2k] or [4k] allows you to magnify a

• The indicated zoom magnification is an
approximation.

• When using the digital zoom, the AF area
is displayed with a size wider than usual
and set only to a point on the centre of the
screen. (P89)

subject up to a maximum of 48 times.
(Except when using extra optical zoom.)

W

T

Using the Extra Optical Zoom (EZ)

Normally you can make people and

W

T

subjects appear up to 12 times closer with
the optical zoom. However if you set the
picture size to [ ] [3M EZ] etc., the extra

W

1 Optical zoom

T

optical zoom is activated and the zoom is
further enhanced as shown below.

2 Digital zoom

∫ The digital zoom and extra optical

zoom can be used together.

Example: When the digital zoom is set to
[4k] and the picture size to (3M EZ), you
can use the extra optical zoom [ ] at the
same time.

WT

Picture size with the
extra optical zoom not
activated (example:
[ ] (8M))

3 When using the digital zoom [4k] and

the extra optical zoom [3M EZ
(maximum 19.1 times )] together.

SCN1SCN

2

Picture size with the
extra optical zoom
activated (example:
[] (3MEZ))

• The digital zoom is temporarily set to
[OFF] in the following cases.
– When taking pictures in auto mode

[] (P42)
– When the quality is set to [RAW] (P86)
– When [CONVERSION] on the [REC]

menu is set to [ ] (P95)

• When using the digital zoom, the picture
quality becomes deteriorated.

• When using the digital zoom, the stabilizer
function may not be effective.

• When using the digital zoom, we
recommend using a tripod and the
self-timer (P53) for taking pictures.

34

VQT0S00

∫ Picture size and maximum zoom

magnification

(±: Available, —: Not available)

Aspect

ratio

Picture

size

(8M)

(7M)

(5.5M)

(5M EZ)

(4.5M EZ)

(3M EZ)

(2M EZ)

(1M EZ)

(2.5M EZ)

(2M EZ)

Maximum

zoom

magnification

12k

15.3k

19.1k

Extra optical

zoom

—

±

∫ Extra optical zoom mechanism

• When you set the picture size to [ ]
(3M EZ) (3 million pixels), the 8M
(8 million pixels) CCD area is cropped to
the centre 3M (3 million pixels) area,
allowing a picture with a higher zoom
effect.

Preparation

• You can further enhance the zoom
magnification with the extra optical zoom
without worrying about further picture
distortion.

• If you set a picture size that activates the
extra optical zoom, the extra optical zoom
icon [ ] is displayed on the LCD monitor
when you use the zoom function.

• The zoom movement quickens near Wide
(1k) when using the extra optical zoom.

• When you rotate the zoom ring near the
Tele position, the on-screen zoom
indication may momentarily pause. This is
not a malfunction.

• Setting [D.ZOOM] in the [REC] mode
menu to [2k] or [4k] allows you to use the

digital zoom for recording an even larger
picture. However picture quality willl

deteriorate. (P34)

• In motion picture mode [ ], the extra
optical zoom does not work.

35

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Recording pictures (basic)

Recording pictures (basic)

The Mode Dial

This camera has a mode dial to suit recording of many kinds of scenes.
Select the desired mode and enjoy the variety of recording.
Rotate the mode dial slowly and securely.

S

M

A

P

P

: Programme AE mode (P37)

The exposure is automatically adjusted by
the camera.

: Aperture-priority AE (P64)

The shutter speed is automatically
determined by the aperture value you set.

: Shutter-priority AE (P65)

The aperture value is automatically
determined by the shutter speed you set.

: Manual exposure (P66)

The exposure is adjusted by the aperture
value and the shutter speed which are
manually adjusted.

: Motion picture mode (P69)

This mode allows you to record motion
pictures.

2

SCN

1

SCN

: Scene mode 1

: Scene mode 2 (P71)

This mode allows you to take pictures
depending on the recording scenes.
This mode also allows you to set [SCENE
MENU] (P24) on the [SETUP] menu to
[OFF] and set the scene modes which are
frequently used to [ ] and [ ] on the
mode dial.
It is convenient because you can select the
scene mode quickly and minimise the
operation.

: Playback mode (P59)

This mode allows you to play back
recorded pictures.

: Auto mode (P42)

Even beginners can easily take pictures.

36

VQT0S00

Taking Pictures

Recording pictures (basic)

∫ Programme AE

The camera automatically sets the shutter
speed and the aperture value according to
the brightness of the subject.

• Remove the lens cap.

1 1 Turn the camera on.

2 Set the mode dial to

programme AE mode [ ].

S

M

A

2

P

P

SCN

1

N

C

S

OFF ON

• The power indicator (green) lights.
When it blinks, the remaining battery
power is low. Insert a fully charged
battery.

2 Aim the AF area 1 to the point

you want to focus and then press
the shutter button halfway.

• A: Press the shutter button halfway to

focus.

• The focus indication 2 is lit and then
the aperture value 3, the shutter speed
4 and programme shift 5 are
displayed.

• When 9-area-focusing or
3-area-focusing (High speed) is used
for AF mode, the AF area will not
appear until the subject is brought into
focus. (P88)

• Refer to P39 for information about
Programme shift and P89 for
information about selecting the AF
area.

3 Take a picture.

1/25F2.8

• B: Press the shutter button fully to take

the picture.

When the
subject is not
focused

Focus

Blink (green) On (green)

indication

AF area White to red

or no AF area

Sound Beeps 4 times Beeps 2 times

When the
subject is
focused

Turns from
white to green

PROGRAM SHIFT

1/25F2.8

37

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Recording pictures (basic)

∫ When you want to take a subject out

of the AF area (AF/AE Lock)

5

When recording a picture of people with a
composition as the above picture, you
cannot focus on the subject because it is
out of AF area in usual operation.

In this case,

1 Aim the AF area at the subject.
2 Press the shutter button halfway to fix

the focus and the exposure.

• When the subject is focused, the focus
indication lights.

3 Keeping pressing the shutter button

halfway, move the camera as you

compose the picture.

4 Press the shutter button fully.

• You can repeatedly retry AF/AE lock
before pressing the shutter button fully.

PROGRAM SHIFT

1/25F2.8

∫ Focusing

• The focus range is 30 cm to

¶ (Wide), 2 m to ¶ (Tele).

• When you press the shutter button fully
with one stroke, pictures may be blurry or
unfocused.

• When the focus indication is blinking, the
subject is not focused. Press the shutter
button halfway and focus on the subject
again.

• If the camera will not focus after a few
tries, turn it off and on and try again.

• In the following cases, the camera will not
focus on subjects properly.
– When including both near and distant

subjects in a scene.

– When there is dirt or dust on the glass

between the lens and the subject.

– When there are illuminated or glittering

objects around the subject.
– When taking a picture in a dark place.
– When the subject is moving fast.
– When the scene has low contrast.
– When jitter occurs.
– When recording a very bright subject.
We recommend taking pictures using AF/
AE lock or prefocus (P48). In dark places,
the AF assist lamp (P90) may turn on to
focus on the subject.

• Even if the focus indication appears and
the subject is focused, it is cancelled
when you release the shutter button.
Press the shutter button halfway again.

• Please do not rotate the zoom ring during
auto focus.

38

VQT0S00

PROGRAM SHIFT

1/25F2.8

Recording pictures (basic)

∫ Jitter (camera shake)

• Be careful of jittering when pressing the
shutter button, especially when fully
zoomed into the subject.

• When jitter could occur because of slow
shutter speed, the jitter alert A appears.

PROGRAM SHIFT

1/8F2.8

• When the jitter alert appears, we
recommend using a tripod. If you cannot
use a tripod, be careful of how you hold
the camera (P28). The use of the
self-timer (P53) prevents jittering at
pressing the shutter button when you are
using a tripod.

• Especially in the following cases, the
shutter speed will be slower. Keep the
camera still from the moment you press
the shutter button until the picture appears
on the screen. We recommend using a
tripod.
– Slow sync./Red-eye reduction [ ]

(P49)
– [NIGHT PORTRAIT] (P74)
– [NIGHT SCENERY] (P74)
– [CANDLE LIGHT] (P76)
– [PARTY] (P77)
– [FIREWORKS] (P77)
– [STARRY SKY] (P79)
– When you set to a slower shutter speed

(P65, 66)

∫ Programme shift

In Programme AE mode, you can change
the preset aperture value and the shutter
speed under the same exposure. This is
called Programme shift.
By this function, you can make the
background more blurred (by decreasing
the aperture value) or record the moving
subject more dynamically (by setting to
slow shutter speed) in Programme AE
mode.

• Press the shutter button halfway and then
rotate the rear dial to activate the
Programme shift while the aperture value
and the shutter speed are displayed on
the screen (for about 10 seconds).

5

PROGRAM SHIFT

1/60F2.8

PROGRAM SHIFT

1/30F4.0

5

• When the Programme shift is activated,

the Programme shift indication B
appears on the screen.

39

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

∫ Example of Programme shift

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

2

2.8

4

(A)

5.6

8

11

1 1

1

1

1

1

1

/

/

/

2

4

8

1

/

/

/

/

15

30

60

125

(B)

1

1

/

/

250

500

14

1

1

/

/

1000

2000

(A): Aperture value
(B): Shutter speed

1 Programme shift amount
2 Programme shift line chart
3 Programme shift limit

• If the exposure is not adequate when
pressing the shutter button halfway, the
shutter speed turns red.

• When 10 or more seconds have passed
after the Programme shift becomes
effective, the status to activate the
Programme shift is cancelled and
returned to the Programme AE mode.
However, the setting on the Programme
shift is memorised.

• Programme shift is cancelled when
turning the camera off.

• The Programme shift may not be activated
depending on the brightness of the
subject.

∫ AE Lock Button

This function is convenient if you need to
change the picture composition after you
have pressed the shutter button halfway
and determined the exposure.

5

PROGRAM SHIFT

1/60F2.8

5

1/60F2.8

AE LOCK

1 Aim the camera at the subject you want

the exposure to be set for.

2 Press the shutter button halfway.
3 Press the [AE LOCK] button when the

aperture value and shutter speed are
displayed.

• The AE lock icon A appears on the

screen.

40

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

• The exposure is set, even if the brightness
of the subject changes.

• The subject can be focussed again by
pressing the shutter button halfway even
when AE is locked.

• Press the [AE LOCK] button once more to
cancel the AE lock.

• Programme shift can be set even when
AE is locked.

• The [AE LOCK] button cannot be used
with manual exposure, motion picture
mode [ ], scene mode or auto mode.

• The AE Lock function cannot be used if
you do not press the shutter button
halfway before pressing the [AE LOCK]
button.

∫ Exposure

• If you press the shutter button halfway
when the exposure is not adequate, the
indication of the aperture value and the
shutter speed turns red. (However, the
aperture value and the shutter speed do
not turn red when the flash is activated.)

• The brightness of the screen may differ
from that of recorded pictures. In
particular, when taking pictures in dark
places with slow shutter speed, the
subject looks dark on the screen, but the
actual picture is bright.

• When most of the subjects in the screen
are bright (e.g. blue sky on a clear day,
snowy field, etc.), the recorded pictures
may become dark. In this case,
compensate the exposure value on the
camera. (P54)

• When you press the shutter button, the
LCD monitor may become bright or dark
for a moment. This function allows easy
adjustment of focus and the recorded
picture will not be affected.

• We recommend making sure the clock is
set properly before taking pictures. (P20)

• When the time for power save is set (P23),
the camera is automatically turned off if
you do not operate within the set time.
When operating the camera again, press
the shutter button halfway or turn the
camera off and on.

• In some cases, if the distance between
the camera and the subject is beyond the
recordable range when you use the
camera, the picture may not be properly
focused even if the focus indication is lit.

41

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

Taking Pictures in Auto Mode

• Select [AF] or [AF MACRO] with the focus
switch.

The settings for those functions which are
easy to make mistakes with are fixed at the
time of purchase allowing pictures to be
taken with fewer mistakes.

∫ Auto Mode Settings

In auto mode the following items are fixed
at the time of purchase to prevent mistakes
being made when using the camera.

[W.BALANCE] [AUTO] P82

[SENSITIVITY] [AUTO] P84

[AUDIO REC.] [OFF] P87

[METERING
MODE]

[AF MODE] [ ]

[CONT.AF] [OFF] P90

[AF ASSIST
LAMP]

[D.ZOOM] [OFF] P91

[PICT.ADJ.] [STD.] P92

[FLIP ANIM.] Cannot be set P92

[EXT.FLASH] [PRESET] P97

[ ] (Multiple) P87

P88

(1-area-focusing)

[ON] P90

MACRO

AF

AF

MF

FOCUS

42

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

∫ The Backlight Compensation

Backlight is a situation where light comes
from the back of subjects. The subjects
such as people become dark when pictures
are recorded in backlight. If you press 3,
[ ] (compensating backlight ON
indication) appears and the backlight
compensation function is activated. This
function compensates the backlight by
brightening the whole of the picture.

5

BACKLIGHT

5

BACKLIGHT

• If you press 3 while [ ] is displayed,

[ ] disappears and the backlight
compensation function is cancelled.

• When you use the backlight compensation
function, we recommend using the flash.

• If you use the flash when the backlight
compensation function is activated, the
flash setting is fixed to Forced ON
[].

• Even if the focus switch is set to [AF] , you
can take pictures approaching the subject
at a distance of up to 5 cm from the lens
by rotating the zoom ring upmost to Wide
the same as if [AF MACRO] was selected.

• The settings for [ASPECT RATIO],
[PICT.SIZE], [QUALITY] and
[CONVERSION] in auto mode are applied
to other recording modes.

• You cannot use the following functions in
auto mode.
– White balance fine adjustment
– Exposure compensation
– Auto bracket
– [AUDIO REC.]
– Flash Output Adjustment
– [D.ZOOM]
– [COL.EFFECT]
– [PICT.ADJ.]
– AE Lock

43

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

Checking the Recorded Picture (Review)

SCN1SCN

2

1 Press 4 [REV].

REVIEW1X

4X

DELETEEXIT

• The last recorded picture appears for
about 10 seconds.

• Press the shutter button halfway or
press 4 [REV] again to cancel the
review.

• You can check other pictures by
pressing 2/1.

• When the recorded pictures are too
bright or dim, compensate the
exposure. (P54)

2 Enlarge and shift the picture.

REVIEW4X

• When you change the magnification or
the position to be displayed, the zoom
position indication A appears for about
1 second to check the enlarged area.

∫ Recorded pictures can be deleted

during the review (Quick Deletion)

DELETE SINGLE

DELETE THIS PICTURE?

NO

YES

SELECT
SET

• Once deleted, pictures cannot be
recovered.

• Multi pictures or all pictures can be
deleted. Read P62 to operate them.

MULTI/ALL

1X

•:1k>4k>8k

•:8k>4k>1k

44

VQT0S00

8X

DELETE

Recording pictures (basic)

Taking Close-up Pictures [AF MACRO]

This mode allows you to take close-up
pictures of the subject, e.g. When taking
pictures of flowers.
You can take pictures approaching the
subject at a distance up to 5 cm from the
lens by rotating the zoom ring upmost to
Wide (1k).

1 Set the focus switch to

[AF MACRO].

AF

AF

MACRO

MF

FOCUS

∫ Focus range

• We recommend using a tripod.

• When the subject is close to the camera,
the effective focus range (depth of field) is
significantly narrowed. Therefore, you will
have difficulty in focusing on the subject if
the distance between the camera and the
subject is changed after focusing on the
subject.

• When the camera lens is at a distance
beyond the available range from the
subject, the subject may not be focused
even if the focus indication lights.

• The available flash range is about 30 cm
to 7 m (Wide). (This is applied when you
set the ISO sensitivity to [AUTO].)

[AF MACRO]

T

30 cm

W

T

5 cm

W

2 m

2 m

45

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

Taking Pictures with Manual Focus

SCN1SCN

2

Use this function when you want to fix the
focus or when the distance between the
lens and the subject is determined and you
do not want to activate the auto focus.

1 Select [MF ASSIST] from the

[SETUP] menu and set it to [MF1]
or [MF2].

1

SETUP

MONITOR
AUTO REVIEW
PLAY ON LCD
POWER SAVE
MF ASSIST

SELECT

MENU

SET

• Close the menu by pressing the shutter
button halfway or the [MENU] button
after finishing the setting.

n

1SEC.

OFF

EXIT

OFF

MF1

MF2

0

MENU

/

4

2 Slide the focus switch to [MF] and

rotate the focus ring A to focus
on the subject.

3 The MF assistance appears on

the centre of the screen.

MACRO

AF

AF

MF

FOCUS

46

VQT0S00

• The MF assistance disappears about 2
seconds after you stop rotating the
focus ring.

• You can also set [MF ASSIST] to [OFF]
on the [SETUP] menu.

Recording pictures (basic)

∫ MF ASSIST

When you rotate the focus ring while
setting [MF ASSIST] to [MF1] or [MF2], the
MF assistance is activated and the screen
is enlarged. It allows you to focus on the
subject more easily.

• [MF1]: The centre of the screen is
enlarged. You can adjust the focus
while determining composition of
the whole of the screen.

• [MF2]: The whole of the screen is
enlarged. It is convenient for
adjusting the focus in Wide.

• [OFF]: The screen is not enlarged.

• The MF assistance disappears in the

following conditions.
– When about 2 seconds have passed

after you stop rotating the focus ring

– When pressing the shutter button

halfway

∫ Technique for Manual focus

1 Rotate the focus ring slowly.
2 Rotate it little more.
3 Finely focus on the subject with rotating

the focus ring reversely.

∫ One shot AF

You can focus on the subject with auto
focus by selecting [MF] with the focus
switch and then sliding down the [FOCUS]
button.
This is convenient for prefocus.

MACRO

AF

AF

MF

FOCUS

47

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

∫ Prefocus

This is a technique to focus on the point to
take pictures in advance when it is difficult
to focus on the subject with auto focus due
to its quick motion. [e.g. [PANNING] (P80)
in scene mode]

This function is suitable when the distance
between the camera and the subject is
certain.

∫ Changing the zoom area

The magnified area can be changed while
the screen is expanded using MF Assist.
This is convenient when you want to
change the focus position to take pictures.

• You can also record with manual focus in
motion picture mode [ ]. However the
screen is not expanded while recording
the motion picture.

• When you focus on the subject in Wide,
the focus may not be adequate in Tele. In
this case, focus on the subject again.

• When setting the manual focus, you
cannot set the continuous AF (P90).

• If you rotate the focus ring or zoom
ring while recording motion pictures,
recording pictures with audio or
adding audio to recorded pictures, a
grinding noise may be recorded.

• After cancelling the power save mode,
focus on the subject again.

1 Rotate the Focus ring.
2 Press 3/4/2/1 to change the

expanded area.

• The expansion is cancelled after
approximately 2 seconds.

• The following will return the AF area to the
original position.
– Changing the Focus switch to [AF] or

[AF MACRO].
– Changing the picture size or aspect.
– Turning the camera off.

48

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

Taking Pictures using the Built-in Flash

SCN1SCN

2

When you set the flash, you can take
pictures using the built-in flash according to
the recording condition.

OPEN

A To open the flash

Slide the [ OPEN] lever.

B To close the flash

Press the flash until it clicks.

• Be sure to close the flash when not in use.

• The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF
[ ] while the flash is closed.

∫ Switching to the appropriate flash

setting

For the selectable flash settings, refer to
“Available flash settings by recording
mode” on P50.

:AUTO

The flash is automatically activated
according to the recording condition.

: AUTO/Red-eye reduction

The flash is automatically activated
according to the recording condition.
It reduces the red-eye phenomenon (eyes
of the subject appear red in the picture) by
triggering the flash before actually
recording the picture. After that, the flash is
activated for actual recording again.

• The flash is activated twice. The first
flash is activated only for a preparation
of actual recording. The subject should
not move until the second flash is
finished.

• Use this when you take pictures of
people in low lighting conditions.

: Forced ON

The flash is activated every time regardless
of the recording condition.

• Use this when your subject is back-lit
or under fluorescent light.

: Forced ON/Red-eye reduction

• The flash setting is set to Forced ON/
Red-eye reduction only when you set
to [CANDLE LIGHT] (P76) and [PARTY]
(P77) in scene mode.

: Slow sync./Red-eye reduction

When you take a picture with a dark
background landscape, this feature makes
the shutter speed slow when the flash is
activated, so that the dark background
landscape will become bright.
Simultaneously it reduces the red-eye
phenomenon.

• Use this when you take pictures of
people in front of a dark background.

: Forced OFF

The flash is not activated in any recording
condition.

• Use this when you take pictures in
places where the use of the flash is not
permitted.

49

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

∫ Available flash settings by recording mode

The available flash settings depend on the recording mode.
(±: Available, —: Not available)

¢Not available in backlight compensation
∫ The available flash range to take pictures

ISO sensitivity

Available flash control range

Wide Tele

AUTO 30 cm to 7.0 m 30 cm to 5.3 m

ISO80 30 cm to 3.2 m 30 cm to 2.4 m

ISO100 30 cm to 3.5 m 30 cm to 2.6 m

ISO200 40 cm to 5.0 m 40 cm to 3.8 m

ISO400 60 cm to 7.0 m 60 cm to 5.3 m

• The available flash range is an approximation.

• Refer to P38 for the focus range.

• Refer to P84 for the ISO sensitivity.

• If the ISO sensitivity is set to [AUTO], it is automatically adjusted from [ISO80] to
[ISO400] when you use the flash.

• To avoid picture noise, we recommend setting [NOISE REDUCTION] in [PICT.ADJ.] to
[HIGH] or setting the items except [NOISE REDUCTION] to [LOW] to take pictures. (P92)

• In motion picture mode [ ] and [SCENERY] (P73), [NIGHT SCENERY] (P74),
[FIREWORKS] (P77) or [STARRY SKY] (P79) in scene mode, the flash setting is fixed to
Forced OFF [ ] even if the flash is opened.

50

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

∫ Shutter speed for each flash setting

Flash setting Shutter speed (Sec)

: AUTO 1/30 to 1/2000

: AUTO/Red-eye reduction 1/30 to 1/2000

: Forced ON
: Forced ON/Red-eye reduction

: Slow sync./Red-eye reduction 1 to 1/2000

: Forced OFF

• Refer to P68 for the Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-priority AE or Manual exposure mode.

• There may be differences in the above shutter speeds in scene mode.
– [NIGHT SCENERY] mode: 8 to 1/2000th
– [BABY] mode (when using the flash): 1/30th to 1/2000th
– [STARRY SKY] mode: 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds

1/30 to 1/2000

1/4 to 1/2000
(In auto mode)

1 to 1/2000
(In programme AE mode)

∫ Adjusting flash output

Adjust the flash output when the subject is
small or reflection ratio is extremely high or
low.

1 Press 3 ( ) several times until

[ FLASH] appears and then set
the flash output.

FLASH

SELECT

• You can adjust this from j2EV to
i2 EV in steps of 1/3 EV.

• The flash output setting is memorised
even if the camera is turned off.

EXIT

• In motion picture mode [ ], auto
mode [ ] and [SCENERY] (P73),
[NIGHT SCENERY] (P74),
[FIREWORKS] (P77) or [STARRY SKY]
(P79) in scene mode, you cannot adjust
the flash output.

51

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Recording pictures (basic)

• Do not stare at the photo flash from
close proximity.

• Do not bring the flash too close to
objects or close the flash while it is
activated. The objects may be
discoloured by its heat or lighting.

• Do not cover the photo flash with your
fingers or any other items.

• The flash icon turns red when activating
the flash and pressing the shutter button
halfway.

• When you take a picture beyond the flash
control range, the exposure may not be
adjusted properly and the picture may
become bright or dark.

• When you repeat taking a picture,
recording may be disabled even if the
flash is activated. Take a picture after the
access indication disappears.

• When the jitter alert appears, we
recommend using the flash.

• When you set to burst mode or auto
bracket, only 1 picture is recorded for
every flash activated.

• When the flash is being charged, the flash
icon blinks red, and you cannot take a
picture even when you press the shutter
button fully.

• When taking a picture with the flash,
we recommend removing the lens
hood. In some cases it may not allow
the scene to be illuminated properly.

• Do not close the flash soon after the flash
is activated prior to taking pictures due to
AUTO/Red-eye reduction etc. It causes a
malfunction.

• When taking a picture with the flash, the
white balance will be automatically
adjusted [except for [ ] (Daylight) and
[ ] (Flash)], but the white balance may
not be properly adjusted if the flash level
is insufficient.

• When the shutter speed is fast, the flash
effect may not be sufficient.

• Refer to P97 for information about extra
flashes.

• When using a conversion lens, the built-in
flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF [ ].

52

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Recording pictures (basic)

Taking Pictures with the Self-timer

SCN1SCN

2

1 Select the self-timer mode.

: Self-timer set to 10 seconds

: Self-timer set to 2 seconds

No display: cancelled

;

;

2 Take the picture.

MENU

CANCEL

• The self-timer indicator

C blinks and the
shutter is activated
after 10 seconds (or
2 seconds).

5

5

• If you press the [MENU] button when
the self-timer is set, the self-timer
setting is cancelled.

• When using a tripod or in other cases,
setting the self-timer to 2 seconds is a
convenient way to avoid the jitter caused
by pressing the shutter button.

• When you press the shutter button fully
with one stroke, the subject is
automatically focused just before the
recording. In dark places, the self-timer
indicator blinks and then it may turn on
brightly to work as the AF assist lamp
(P90) for focusing on the subject.

• When you set the self-timer in the burst
mode, the camera starts taking a picture 2
or 10 seconds after the shutter button is
pressed. The number of pictures taken at
a time is fixed to 3.

• We recommend using a tripod when
recording with the self-timer.
(When you use a tripod, make sure the
tripod is stable with the camera attached
to it.)

• A: Press the shutter button halfway to

focus.

• B: Press the shutter button fully to take

the picture.

53

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Recording pictures (basic)

Compensating the Exposure

SCN1SCN

2

Use this function when you cannot achieve
appropriate exposure due to the difference
of brightness between the subject and the
background. Check the following for
examples.

Under exposed

Compensate the exposure toward positive.

Properly exposed

Over exposed

1 Press 3 ( ) several times until

[ EXPOSURE] appears and
then compensate the exposure.

EXPOSURE

SELECT

• You can compensate from j2EV to
i2 EV in steps of 1/3 EV.

• EV is an abbreviation for Exposure Value,
and it is the amount of light given to the
CCD by the aperture value and the shutter
speed.

• The compensation range of the exposure
will be limited depending on the
brightness of the subject.

• The exposure compensation value
appears on the lower left of the screen.

• The set exposure value is memorised
even if the camera is turned off.

• Exposure cannot be compensated when
using [STARRY SKY] (P79) in scene
mode.

EXIT

Compensate the exposure toward negative.

54

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

Taking Pictures using Auto Bracket

SCN1SCN

2

In this mode, 3 pictures are automatically
recorded by each press of the shutter
button according to the compensation
range of the exposure.
You can select the desired exposure
among the 3 types of pictures.

1 Press 3 ( ) several times until

[ AUTO BRACKET] appears
and then set the compensation
range of the exposure.

AUTO BRACKET

SELECT

• You can select the exposure from

j1EV to i1 EV in steps of 1/3 EV.

• When you do not use auto bracket,
select [OFF].

• When setting the auto bracket, the auto
bracket icon appears on the lower left of
the screen.

EXIT

• If the remaining number of recordable
pictures is 2 or less, you cannot take
pictures by setting auto bracket.

• When taking pictures using auto bracket
after the exposure compensation, the
pictures are based on the compensated
exposure.
When the exposure is compensated, the
compensated exposure value appears on
the lower left of the screen.

• When the flash is activated or [STARRY
SKY] (P79) in scene mode is selected,
you can take only 1 picture.

• When the auto bracket is activated,
[AUDIO REC.] cannot be used.

• When setting the quality to [TIFF] or
[RAW], you cannot take pictures with the
auto bracket.

• When setting auto bracket and the burst
mode simultaneously, auto bracket will be
performed.

• The exposure may not be compensated
with auto bracket depending on the
brightness of the subject.

• When setting the auto bracket, the auto
review function is activated regardless of
the setting on the auto review function.
(The picture is not enlarged.) Moreover,
the settings for the auto review function on
the [SETUP] menu are disabled.

• The auto bracket setting is not cancelled
after turning the camera off.

• In shutter-priority AE and manual
exposure, if the shutter speed is set to
more than 1 second auto bracket is
disabled.

55

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

Optical Image Stabilizer

SCN1SCN

2

This mode recognises and compensates
jitter. You can reduce blurring caused by
jitter especially when you take pictures with
the optical zoom set to Tele or when you
take pictures indoors where the shutter
speed is slowed down.

1 Press the optical image stabilizer

button A until [STABILIZER]
appears and then select the
stabilizer function mode.

STABILIZER

OFF
MODE1
MODE2

MENU

SELECT DEMO.

MODE1
()

MODE2
()

OFF
()

The stabilizer operates
continuously and can assist
during photo composition.

The stabilizer function is in
standby and activates at the
moment the shutter captures the
image. This mode offers a
greater degree of stabilization.

When image stabilization is not
needed or when using the
camera with a tripod.

SET

∫ Demonstration of the optical image

stabilizer (Demonstration Mode)

When you press the [MENU] button, the
demonstration appears. After the
demonstration ends, the screen returns to
the stabilizer function mode selection
menu. If you want to exit the demonstration
halfway through, press the [MENU] button
again.
While the demonstration is displayed, you
cannot take pictures.
While the demonstration is displayed, set
the optical zoom to Wide (1k).

• The stabilizer function may not work
sufficiently in the following cases.
– When too much jitter occurs.
– When using the digital zoom.
– When taking pictures while following

subjects in motion.

– When the shutter speed is extremely

slow due to dark conditions or other

reasons.
Be careful of jittering when pressing the
shutter button.

• In [STARRY SKY] (P79) in scene mode,
the stabilizer function is fixed to [OFF] and
the stabilizer function menu does not
appear.

• In motion picture mode [ ] and
[PANNING] (P80) in scene mode,
[MODE2] cannot be selected.

56

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

Taking Pictures using Burst Mode

SCN1SCN

2

1 Select the burst mode.

: High speed

;

: Low speed

;

1

: Unlimited

No display: cancelled

¢1 Depending on the memory size,

battery power, picture size and
quality (compression)

• Hold down the shutter button fully to
activate the burst mode.

¢

;

∫ Number of pictures recorded in burst

mode

Burst speed

(pictures/

second)

¢2

5

3

¢2

2

approx. 2

Number of recordable

pictures (pictures)

max. 5 max. 9

max. 5 max. 9

Depends on remaining
capacity of the card

¢2 The burst speed is constant regardless

of the transfer speed of the card.

• When the shutter speed is higher than
1/60 and the flash is not activated.

• When the burst mode setting is set to
Unlimited

– You can take pictures until the capacity

of the card becomes full.

– Depending on the transfer speed of the

card, the burst speed may become
slower halfway.

• The focus is fixed at taking the first
picture.

• When using the self-timer or an extra flash
with burst mode, the number of recordable
pictures is fixed at 3.

• When the burst mode is activated, [AUDIO
REC.] cannot be used.

• When the flash is activated or [STARRY
SKY] (P79) in scene mode is selected,
you can take only 1 picture.

• When setting auto bracket and the burst
mode simultaneously, auto bracket will be
performed.

• You cannot take pictures in burst mode
when the quality is set to [TIFF] or [RAW].

57

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (basic)

• The ways to control the exposure and the
white balance vary depending on the burst
mode setting. When the burst speed is set
to [ ], they are fixed to the values set
for the first picture. When the burst speed
is set to [ ] or [ ], they are adjusted
each time you take a picture.

• When setting the burst mode, the auto
review function is activated regardless of
the setting on the auto review function.
(The picture is not enlarged.) Moreover,
the settings for the auto review function on
the [SETUP] menu are disabled.

• Burst mode is not cancelled when the
camera is switched off.

• Burst mode will not perform as described
if a MultiMediaCard is used in place of an
SD Memory Card. The reading/writing
speed of a MultiMediaCard is slower than
that of an SD Memory Card.

58

VQT0S00

Playback (basic)

Playback (basic)

Playing Back Pictures

1 Select the picture.

100_0001

1/5

10:00 1.DEC.2005

• 2/ : Play back the previous

• 1/ : Play back the next picture.

• The last recorded picture will be played
back first.

• When [ROTATE DISP.] (P104) is set to
[ON], pictures recorded by holding the
camera vertically are played back
vertically.

∫ Fast forwarding/Fast rewinding

When you keep pressing 2/1 during
playback, the file number and the page
number are updated. If you release 2/1
when the number of the desired picture
appears, you can play back the picture.

1: Fast forward
2: Fast rewind

• When you keep pressing 2/1, the

number of files forwarded/rewound at a
time is increased.

picture.

• If you release 2/1 and press them again,

the files will be forwarded/rewound one by
one.

• In review playback in the recording mode
or multi playback, the picture can only be
forwarded or rewound one by one.

• When you forward or rewind a large
number of pictures, release 2/1 once
before reaching the picture to be played
back, then press 2/1 to forward/rewind
pictures little by little.

• You can also select the previous or next
picture with the rear dial.

• This camera is based on the DCF
standard (Design rule for Camera File
system) which was established by the
Japan Electronics and Information
Technology Industries Association
(JEITA).

• When changing the folder name or file
name on a PC, the pictures will not be
played back.

• The file format that can be played back
with the camera is JPEG. (Even JPEG
pictures cannot be played back in some
cases.)

• When playing back pictures that have
been recorded with other equipment, the
picture quality may deteriorate or the
pictures may not play back.

• When playing back a non-standard file,
the folder/file number is indicated by [—]
and the screen may turn black.

• An interference fringe may appear on the
screen depending on the subject. This is
called moire. This is not a malfunction.

59

VQT0S00

Playback (basic)

Multi Playback

(9 screens, 16 screens, and 25 screens)

1 Rotate the front dial to the left to

display multiple pictures.

(Screen when 9 screens are displayed)

1.DEC.

2005

1/14

MENU

CANCEL

recorded pictures, [ ] a favourite,
[ ] a motion picture, [ ] in [BABY]
in scene mode, age in months, age in
years etc. are displayed.

∫ Examples of 16 screens and

25 screens

1.DEC.

2005

1/20

MENU

CANCEL

• : 1 screen>9 screens>
16 screens>25 screens

• After switching to multi screen, rotate

the front dial further to display
16 screens then 25 screens. Rotate the
front dial to the right to return to the
previous screen.

• When you switch to multi screen, the

scroll bar A appears. From all the
recorded pictures, the location of the
displayed picture can be confirmed.

2 Select the pictures.

1.DEC.

2005

5/14

MENU

CANCEL

• The selected picture’s recording date

and number, the total number of

60

VQT0S00

2005

1.DEC.
1/30

MENU

CANCEL

B: 16 screens
C: 25 screens

∫ To return to the normal playback

Rotate the front dial towards the right or
press the [MENU] button.

• The picture framed in orange appears.

∫ To delete a picture during a multi

playback

Press the [ ] button.
When the confirmation screen appears,
press 4 to select [YES], and press 1.
(P62)

• Pictures will not be displayed in the
rotated direction even if [ROTATE DISP.] is
set to [ON] (P104).

• You can switch whether you turn the
indications on the LCD monitor on or off
by pressing the [DISPLAY] button.

Playback (basic)

Using the Playback Zoom

1 Rotate the front dial towards the

right to enlarge the picture.

2X

• When you move the position to be
displayed, the zoom position indication
is displayed for about 1 second.

∫ To delete a picture during playback

zoom

Press the [ ] button.
When the confirmation screen appears,
press 4 to select [YES], and press 1.
(P62)

4X
CANCEL

• When you rotate the front dial towards the
left after the picture is enlarged, the
magnification becomes lower. When you
rotate the front dial towards the right, the
magnification becomes higher.

• When you change the magnification, the
zoom position indication A appears for
about 1 second to check the position of
the section enlarged.

• When you press the [MENU] button, the
magnification reverts to 1k.

DELETE

2 Shift the picture.

2X

4X

DELETECANCEL

• The more the picture is enlarged, the
more its quality deteriorates.

• The playback zoom may not operate if
pictures have been recorded with other
equipment.

• Even if the indications on the screen are
turned off in normal playback mode (P26),
the magnification and enabled operations
appear on the screen when the playback
zoom is activated. You can switch whether
you turn the indications on the LCD
monitor on or off by pressing the
[DISPLAY] button. When you set the
magnification to 1k, the indications on the
LCD monitor are displayed as in normal
playback mode.

61

VQT0S00

Deleting Pictures

Playback (basic)

∫ To delete [MULTI DELETE]/

[ALL DELETE]

∫ To delete a single picture

1 Select the picture to be deleted.

100_0001

1/25

10:00 1.DEC.2005

• 2: Play back the previous picture.

• 1: Play back the next picture.

2 Delete the picture.

DELETE SINGLE

DELETE THIS PICTURE?

NO

YES

SELECT
SET

MULTI/ALL

1 Select [MULTI DELETE] or

[ALL DELETE].

MULTI/ALL DELETE

MULTI DELETE
ALL DELETE

SELECT

2 times

• If you selected [MULTI DELETE], do
steps 2 and 3. (P63)

• If you selected [ALL DELETE], do step

3. (P63)

CANCEL

• While deleting the picture, [ ] appears
on the screen.

62

VQT0S00

Playback (basic)

2 Select the pictures to be deleted.

(Only when selecting
[MULTI DELETE])

MULTI DELETE

7

10

SELECT
MARK/UNMARK

• Repeat the above procedure.

• The selected pictures appear with [ ].

When 4 is pressed again, the setting is
cancelled.

• After selecting pictures, press [ ] to
delete.

• The icon [ ] blinks red if the selected
picture is protected and cannot be
deleted. Cancel the protect setting
(P108), then delete the picture.

8 9

11

DELETE

EXIT

12

MENU

3 Delete the pictures.

(Screen when selecting
[MULTI DELETE])

• When [FAVORITE] (P103) is set to [ON],
[ALL DELETE EXCEPT ] appears in the
[MULTI/ALL DELETE] screen. All the
pictures not set as favourites can be
deleted if you select [ALL DELETE
EXCEPT ] and use the same steps as
[ALL DELETE]. However, if none of the
pictures have [ ] displayed, you cannot
select [ALL DELETE EXCEPT ] even if
[FAVORITE] is set to [ON].

• Once deleted, pictures cannot be
recovered. Please double-check before
deleting pictures.

• Do not turn off the camera while deleting.

• When you delete pictures, use a battery
with sufficient battery power (P13) or use
the AC adaptor (DMW-CAC1; optional).

• It is possible to delete up to 50 pictures at
once using [MULTI DELETE].

• The more pictures these are the longer it
will take to delete.

• Pictures that are protected [ ] (P108) or
do not conform to the DCF standard (P59)
will not be deleted even if [ALL DELETE]
or [ALL DELETE EXCEPT ] are
selected.

MULTI DELETE

DELETE THE PICTURES
YOU MARKED?

NO

YES

SELECT SET

• When using [ALL DELETE], [DELETE
ALL PICTURES?] is displayed.

63

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

Recording pictures (advanced)

Using the Mode Dial

Aperture-priority AE

When you want the background to be in
sharp focus, set the aperture value to a
higher number. The higher the aperture
value is the smaller the aperture opening
will be. For a soft focus background, set the
aperture value to a lower number which
corresponds to a larger aperture opening.

1 Set the aperture value and take

the picture.

ISO

100

F2.8

5

• Refer to P68 for the available range of the
aperture value and the shutter speed.

• If the subject is too bright, set to a larger
aperture value, if too dim, set to a smaller
aperture value.

• The brightness of the screen may differ
from that of the actual pictures. Check it
using review function or setting to the
playback mode.

• The ISO sensitivity cannot be set to
[AUTO]. (P84) (When the recording mode
is switched to Aperture-priority AE, the
ISO sensitivity is automatically set to
[ISO100] even though it was set to [AUTO]
beforehand. You can also change ISO
setting from [ISO80], [ISO200] or
[ISO400] on the menu.)

• When the exposure is not adequate, the
aperture value and the shutter speed on
the screen turn red.

64

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

Shutter-priority AE

When you want to take a sharp picture of a
fast moving subject, set with a faster
shutter speed. When you want to create a
trail effect, set to a slower shutter speed.

1 Set the shutter speed and take

the picture.

5

1/30

• Refer to P68 for the available range of the
aperture value and the shutter speed.

• The brightness of the screen may differ
from that of the actual pictures. Check it
using review function or setting to the
playback mode.

• You cannot set the following items in
Shutter-priority AE.
– Slow sync./Red-eye reduction [ ]

(P49)

– [AUTO] in ISO sensitivity (P84) (When

the recording mode is switched to
Shutter-priority AE, the ISO sensitivity is
automatically set to [ISO100] even
though it was set to [AUTO] beforehand.
You can also change ISO setting from
[ISO80], [ISO200] or [ISO400] on the
menu.)

• When the exposure is not adequate, the
aperture value and the shutter speed on
the screen turn red.

• When the shutter speed is slow, we
recommend using a tripod.

65

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

Manual exposure

Decide on an exposure by setting the
aperture value and the shutter speed
manually.

1 Set the aperture value and the

shutter speed.

5

F2.8 1/30

• : Aperture value

• : Shutter speed

2 Press the shutter button halfway.

3 Take the picture.

1/125F5.6

∫ Manual Exposure Assistance

The exposure is
adequate.

Set to faster shutter
speed or larger aperture
value.

Set to slower shutter
speed or smaller
aperture value.

• The manual exposure assistance is an
approximation. We recommend taking
pictures and then checking them using the
review function.

1/125F4.0

• Indication for the condition of exposure

A (manual exposure assistance)
appears for about 10 seconds.

• When the exposure is not adequate, set
the aperture value and the shutter
speed again.

66

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

• Refer to P68 for the available range of the
aperture value and the shutter speed.

• The brightness of the screen may differ
from that of the actual pictures. Check it
using review function or setting to the
playback mode.

• If the exposure is not adequate, the
aperture value and the shutter speed turn
red when pressing the shutter button
halfway.

• You cannot set the following items in
manual exposure.
– Slow sync./Red-eye reduction [ ]

(P49)

– [AUTO] in ISO sensitivity (P84) (When

the recording mode is switched to
Manual exposure, the ISO sensitivity is
automatically set to [ISO100] even
though it was set to [AUTO] beforehand.
You can also change ISO setting from
[ISO80], [ISO200] or [ISO400] on the
menu.)

– Exposure compensation (P54)

• Please set [HIGHLIGHT] to [ON] on the
[SETUP] menu (P24) while the auto
review or review function is activated. Any
white saturated area on the picture will
appear blinking in black and white. Adjust
the aperture value or shutter speed to
compensate for a better exposure.

67

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

∫ Aperture Value and Shutter Speed
Aperture-priority AE

Available Aperture Value

(Per 1/3 EV)

Shutter Speed (Sec)

F8.0 to F11.0 8 to 1/2000

F7.1 F6.3 F5.6 8 to 1/1600

F5.0 F4.5 F4.0 8 to 1/1300

F3.6 F3.2 F2.8 8 to 1/1000

Shutter-priority AE

Available Shutter Speed (Sec)

(Per 1/3 EV)

Aperture Value

8654

3.22.521.6

1.3 1 1/1.3 1/1.6

1/2 1/2.5 1/3.2 1/4

1/5 1/6 1/8 1/10

1/13 1/15 1/20 1/25

1/30 1/40 1/50 1/60

1/80 1/100 1/125 1/160

1/200 1/250 1/320 1/400

1/500 1/640 1/800 1/1000

1/1300 F4.0 to F11.0

1/1600 F5.6 to F11.0

1/2000 F8.0 to F11.0

F2.8 to F11.0

Manual exposure

Available Aperture Value

(Per 1/3 EV)

Available Shutter Speed (Sec)

(Per 1/3 EV)

F2.8 to F3.6 60 to 1/1000

F4.0 to F5.0 60 to 1/1300

F5.6 to F7.1 60 to 1/1600

F8.0 to F11.0 60 to 1/2000

• The aperture values in the table above are the values when the zoom ring is rotated to
Wide at maximum.

• Some of the aperture values cannot be selected depending on the zoom magnification.

68

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

Motion picture mode

This mode allows you to record motion
pictures with audio.

1 Select [PICT.MODE].

1

REC

/

2

W.BALANCE
PICT.MODE
METERING MODE
AF MODE
CONT.AF

SELECT

MENU

SET

• Close the menu by pressing the shutter
button halfway or the [MENU] button
after finishing the setting.

Picture size

30fpsVGA
10fpsVGA 10

30fpsQVGA
10fpsQVGA

640k480 pixels

320k240 pixels

• You can record smoother motion
pictures with [30fpsVGA] and
[30fpsQVGA].

• You can record motion pictures for
longer periods with [10fpsVGA] and
[10fpsQVGA] although the picture
quality is lower.

• Since the file size of [10fpsQVGA] is
small, it is suitable for e-mails.

• fps (frame per second); This refers to
the number of frames used in 1 second.

AUTO

EXIT

MENU

fps

(frame/

second)

30

30

10

2 Press the shutter button halfway.

• When the subject is focused, the focus

indication A lights.

3 Press the shutter button fully to

start the recording.

12S

• The remaining recording time B

(approx.) is displayed.

• The audio recording starts
simultaneously from the built-in
microphone of the camera.

• By pressing the shutter button fully
again, the recording stops.

• If the card becomes full during
recording, the camera stops
automatically.

69

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

∫ Available recording time (seconds)

SD Memory

Card

16 MB 5 25 25 82

32 MB 16 58 58 175

64 MB 38 120 120 360

128 MB 82 250 250 740

256 MB 160 490 490 1440

512 MB 320 980 980 2870

1 GB 660 1970 1970 5700

2 GB 1350 4020 4020 11700

Picture quality setting

30fps

10fps

VGA

30fps

QVGA

VGA

10fps

QVGA

• The recordable time is an approximation.
(It varies depending on the recording
condition and the types of SD memory
Card.)

• The recording time changes with subjects.

• The available recording time displayed on
the LCD monitor may not reduce regularly.

• This unit does not support
MultiMediaCard for recording motion
pictures.

• The motion pictures cannot be recorded
without audio.

• The settings for auto focus and the
aperture value are fixed to what they are
when recording starts (in the first frame).

• Depending on the type of card, the card
access indication appears for a while after
recording motion pictures. However, this is
not a malfunction.

• When you set the picture quality to
[30fpsVGA], we recommend using a high
speed SD Memory Card with “10MB/s” or
greater displayed on the package.

• Depending on the type of SD Memory
Card and how many times it has been
recorded onto or deleted, recording
may stop in the middle. If something
like this happens, clean-up may be
effective. We recommend you clean up
the card using the camera in advance.
(P114)

70

VQT0S00

• We recommend using Panasonic’s SD
Memory Card.

• When motion pictures recorded with the
camera are played back on other
equipment, the quality of pictures and
sounds may be deteriorated or it may not
be possible to play them back.

• Motion pictures recorded with setting to
[30fpsVGA], [30fpsQVGA] or [10fpsVGA]
on this camera cannot be played back on
equipment which does not support these
settings.

• In motion picture mode [ ], you cannot
use the direction detection function and
the review function.

• You cannot set [MODE2] on the optical
image stabilizer function.

• If you rotate the focus ring or zoom
ring while recording motion pictures, a
grinding noise may be recorded.

Recording pictures (advanced)

Scene mode

SCN

1

SCN

2

Press the [MENU] button to display the
[SCENE MODE] menu. When [AUTO] is
setting for [SCENE MENU] (P24) on the
[SETUP] menu, setting the mode dial to
[ ] or [ ] will display to menu
automatically.

Menu items

SCENE MODE

PORTRAIT

SPORTS

FOOD

SETSELECT

MENU

• When you press 2, the explanations for

each scene mode are displayed. (When
you press 1, the screen returns to the
[SCENE MODE] menu.)

• Rotate the front dial to switch between
pages 1/5, 2/5, 3/5, 4/5 and 5/5.

• If you press the [MENU] button while the
[SCENE MODE] menu is displayed, you
can set the [REC] mode menu (P81) and
the [SETUP] menu (P21).

• This mode also allows you to set [SCENE
MENU] (P24) on the [SETUP] menu to
[OFF] and set the scene mode which are
frequently used to [ ] and [ ] on the
mode dial. It is convenient because you
can select the scene mode quickly and
minimise the operation.

MENU

1

/

MENU

5

: [PORTRAIT] (P72)

: [SPORTS] (P72)

: [FOOD] (P73)

: [SCENERY] (P73)

: [NIGHT PORTRAIT] (P74)

: [NIGHT SCENERY] (P74)

: [BABY] (P75)

: [SOFT SKIN] (P76)

: [CANDLE LIGHT] (P76)

: [PARTY] (P77)

: [FIREWORKS] (P77)

: [SNOW] (P78)

: [STARRY SKY] (P79)

: [PANNING] (P80)

• The camera automatically determines the
appropriate focus in each scene mode
and this is not affected by the focus switch
setting. (Even if the focus switch is set to
[AF MACRO], the AF MACRO icon does
not appear.) Depending on the scene, the
camera may not focus properly when you
take close-up pictures. Select the
appropriate scene for the recording
situation.

• When you take pictures with a scene
mode which is not adequate for the
purpose, the hue may differ from the
actual scene.

• When you want to change the brightness
of the picture to be recorded, compensate
the exposure (P54). (However, the
exposure cannot be compensated in
[STARRY SKY].)

• When you use a flash in scene mode, use
the built-in flash.

• The following functions cannot be set in
scene mode.
– White balance (P82)
– ISO sensitivity (P84)
– Colour effect (P91)
– Picture adjustment (P92)

71

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

[SCENE MODE] menu (Refer to P71 for information about how to select the menu.)

Portrait mode

Select this mode when you want to take
pictures of people.
This mode allows you to make the subject
stand out from an unfocused background
and adjust the exposure and the hue to
achieve a healthy complexion on the
subject.

5

∫ Technique for Portrait mode

To make this mode more effective:
1 Rotate the zoom ring to Tele as far as

possible.

2 To maximise the effect, select a

background as far as possible from the
camera, and get closer to the subject.

• This mode is only suitable for outdoors in
the daytime.

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

Sports mode

This mode allows you to take pictures of a
fast moving subject. (e.g. When taking
pictures of outdoor sports.) Set the focus
switch to [AF].

5

∫ Technique for Sports mode

To take a sharp picture of a fast moving
subject, the shutter speed becomes faster
than usual. This mode is more effective
when taking pictures in the daytime on a
clear day.

• This mode is suitable for outdoors in the
daytime, keeping 5 m or more away from
the subject.

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

72

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Recording pictures (advanced)

[SCENE MODE] menu (Refer to P71 for information about how to select the menu.)

Food mode

Select this mode when you want to take
pictures of food without being affected by
the ambient light, such as at restaurants.
This mode allows you to take pictures of
food in a natural hue.

5

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

Scenery mode

This mode allows you to take a picture of a
wide landscape. The camera focuses on a
distant subject preferentially. Set the focus
switch to [AF].

5

• The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF
[].

• The focus range is 5 m to ¶.

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

• The setting on the AF assist lamp is
disabled.

73

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

[SCENE MODE] menu (Refer to P71 for information about how to select the menu.)

Night portrait mode

This mode allows you to take pictures
against a night landscape. The subject can
be recorded with brightness in real life by
using the flash and slowing down the
shutter speed.

5

∫ Technique for Night portrait mode

• Use the flash. (P49)

• Since the shutter speed becomes slow,
we recommend using a tripod and the
self-timer (P53) for taking pictures.

• Keep the subject still for about 1 second
when taking a picture.

• We recommend taking pictures with zoom
set to Wide (1k) and a distance of about

1.5 m from the subject.

• The focus range is 1.2 m to 5 m.
(Refer to P50 for the flash control range.)

• Be sure to close the flash when not in use.

• The shutter may be kept closed (max.
about 1 sec.) after taking a picture
because of signal conditioning, but it is not
a malfunction.

• When you take pictures in dark places,
noise may become visible.

• When the flash is set, the flash setting is
fixed to Slow sync./Red-eye reduction
[ ] and the flash is always activated.

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

• The setting on the continuous AF is
disabled.

Night scenery mode

This mode allows you to take a picture of a
nightscape. The landscape can be
recorded vividly by slowing down the
shutter speed. Set the focus switch to [AF].

5

∫ Technique for Night scenery mode

• Since the shutter speed becomes slow
(max. about 8 sec.), use a tripod. We also
recommend using the self-timer (P53) for
taking pictures.

• The focus range is 5 m to ¶.

• The shutter may be kept closed (max.
about 8 sec.) after taking a picture
because of signal conditioning, but it is not
a malfunction.

• When you take pictures in dark places,
noise may become visible.

• The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF
[].

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [ISO80].

• The settings on the AF assist lamp and
the continuous AF are disabled.

74

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

[SCENE MODE] menu (Refer to P71 for information about how to select the menu.)

Baby mode

Select this mode when you want to take
pictures of baby. Exposure and hue are
adjusted to achieve a healthy complexion
on the baby. When the flash is used, the
light is weaker than usual.

• When playing back pictures, baby’s age
can be displayed.

• The age can also be printed on each
picture by using the software [LUMIX
Simple Viewer] or
[PHOTOfunSTUDIO-viewer-] in the

Birthday setting
1 Select [BIRTHDAY SET.] and press 1.
2 When a message [PLEASE SET THE

BIRTHDAY OF THE BABY] appears,
select items (year, month and day) using
2/1, and set using 3/4.

3 Press the [MENU] button to finish the

setting.

• If you select [WITH AGE] without setting
birthday in advance, a message is
displayed. Press the [MENU] button, and
set birthday following the above steps 2
and 3.

CD-ROM (supplied). (For information
about printing, refer to the separate
operating instructions for connecting to a
PC.)

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

• After turning on the camera in [BABY] or
switching to [BABY] from other modes, the

5

age and current date and time are
displayed for about 5 seconds at the
bottom of the screen.

• The age display style differs depending on

months

10

days

9

10:00 1.DEC.2005

the language setting in the recording
mode.

• The date of birth is displayed as [0 month

BABY

WITH AGE

WITHOUT AGE

BIRTHDAY SET.

MENU

MENU

SETSELECT

Age display setting

• If you want to display the age, set birthday
in advance, select [WITH AGE] and press

1.

0day].

• If the age is not properly displayed, check
the clock and birthday settings.

• If the camera is set to [WITHOUT AGE],
the age is not recorded even the time and
birthday are set. This means that the age
cannot be displayed even if you set the
camera to [WITH AGE] after taking
pictures.

• For resetting the birthday setting, use
[RESET] in the [SETUP] menu (P24).

• If you do not want to display the age,

select [WITHOUT AGE] and press 1.

75

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

[SCENE MODE] menu (Refer to P71 for information about how to select the menu.)

Soft skin mode

Select this mode when you want to take a
bust image of the subject. In this mode,
camera detects a skin-colour area, such as
face, to achieve a smooth appearance of
the skin.

5

∫ Technique for Soft skin mode

To make this mode more effective:
1 Rotate the zoom ring to Tele as far as

possible.

2 To maximise the effect, select a

background as far as possible from the
camera, and get closer to the subject.

• This mode is only suitable for outdoors in
the daytime.

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [ISO80].

• If there is a colour close to the skin colour
in the background, that part is also
smoothened.

• This mode may not be effective in
insufficient brightness.

Candle light mode

Use this mode when you want to take
photos with a candle light atmosphere.

5

∫ Technique for Candle light mode

• By making the most of the candle light,
you can take successful pictures without
using the flash.

• We recommend using a tripod and the
self-timer (P53) for taking pictures.

• The flash setting can be set to Slow sync./
Red-eye reduction [ ] or Forced ON/
Red-eye reduction [ ].

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

76

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

[SCENE MODE] menu (Refer to P71 for information about how to select the menu.)

Party mode

This mode allows you to take a picture
according to the atmosphere of the
situation (e.g. a wedding reception, a party
in a dark room, etc.).
Both the people and the background can
be recorded with brightness in real life by
using the flash and slowing down the
shutter speed.

5

∫ Technique for Party mode

• Open the flash. (P49)

• Since the shutter speed becomes slow,
we recommend using a tripod and the
self-timer (P53) for taking pictures.

• We recommend taking pictures with zoom
set to Wide (1k) and a distance of about

1.5 m from the subject.

• The flash setting can be set to Slow sync./
Red-eye reduction [ ] or Forced ON/
Red-eye reduction [ ].

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

Fireworks mode

This mode allows you to take beautiful
pictures of fireworks exploding in the night
sky. The shutter speed or the exposure is
automatically adjusted for taking pictures of
fireworks.

5

∫ Technique for Fireworks mode

We recommend following the prefocus
procedure below to ensure that you do not
miss the chance to take pictures.

1 Set the focus switch to [MF] (P46).
2 Aim the camera at an object (such as

illumination on a building), which is
roughly the same distance as the point of
fireworks.

3 Press the [FOCUS] button until the focus

indication (P37) lights.

4 Aim the camera at the direction where

the fireworks will be exploding.

5 Press the shutter button fully when

fireworks are exploding.

• When you zoom away from or towards the
subject, repeat steps 2 to 5 since the
focus position becomes misaligned.

• We recommend using a tripod.

77

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

[SCENE MODE] menu (Refer to P71 for information about how to select the menu.)

• The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF
[].

• When the auto focus is activated, the
available recording range is 5 m to ¶. (We
recommend following steps 1 to 5 on the
previous page to take pictures with
prefocus.)

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

• The settings on the AF assist lamp and
the continuous AF are disabled.

Snow mode

This mode allows you to take a picture in
locations such as skiing resorts and
locations near snowy mountains. The
exposure and the white balance are
adjusted to make the white colour of the
snow stand out.

5

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO].

78

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

[SCENE MODE] menu (Refer to P71 for information about how to select the menu.)

Starry sky mode

This mode allows you to take beautiful
pictures of a starry sky or a dark subject
that you could not take with [NIGHT
SCENERY]. It is possible to take clear
pictures of stars in the night sky by making
the shutter speed slower. Select a shutter
speed of [15 SEC.], [30 SEC.] or [60 SEC.].

• If you press the [MENU] button while the
picture is being taken, the picture will stop
being taken.

∫ Technique for Starry sky mode

• The shutter opens for 15, 30 or 60
seconds. Be sure to use a tripod.
Moreover, taking pictures with the
self-timer is recommended. (P53)

5

Setting the shutter speed

Press 3/4 to select the exposure time and
press 1.

STARRY SKY

15 SEC.

30 SEC.

60 SEC.

MENU

MENU

SETSELECT

15

MENU

CANCEL

• Press the shutter button until the
countdown screen is displayed. Do not
move the camera after this screen is
displayed. When countdown finishes,
[PLEASE WAIT] is displayed for the same
length of time as the set shutter speed for
signal processing.

• The optical image stabilizer function is
fixed to [OFF].

• The setting on the continuous AF is
disabled.

• The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF
[].

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [ISO80].

• You cannot compensate the exposure or
set auto bracket, burst mode or [AUDIO
REC.].

• Histograms are always displayed in
orange. (P30)

79

VQT0S00

Recording pictures (advanced)

[SCENE MODE] menu (Refer to P71 for information about how to select the menu.)

Panning mode

When you take a picture following the
motion of a subject which moves in a
certain direction such as a runner or a car,
the background will show some motion blur.
This special effect is called “panning”. This
mode allows you to obtain this effect easier.

• In panning mode, the shutter speed
becomes slower than usual to achieve the
panning effect. As a result, jitter can easily
occur.

• Panning function does not work well in the
following situations.
– Very bright scenes such as daytime in

summer. We recommend using an ND

5

filter (DMW-LND55; optional). (P126)

– When the shutter speed is faster than

1/100th.

– When the subject moves slowly and the

tracking speed is too slow. (The
background cannot be recorded

∫ Technique for Panning mode

To achieve good pictures in panning mode,
pick a horizontal plane – and then pan as
you fire shots.

dynamically.)

• You cannot set the stabilizer function
mode to [MODE2]. When [MODE1] is
selected, only vertical jitters can be
compensated in panning mode.

• The ISO sensitivity is fixed to [ISO80].

• The settings on the AF assist lamp and
the continuous AF are disabled.

1 Move the camera smoothly while

tracking a subject in motion.

2 Press the shutter button while moving

the camera.

3 Keep moving the camera continuously.

• Be careful of the following:
– Use the Viewfinder. (P25)
– Select a subject with quick motion.
– Prefocus to the point where the subject

will arrive. (P48)

– Use this mode with burst mode. (P57)

Select the best picture from the pictures
taken.

80

VQT0S00

Recording Menu Settings

Recording Menu Settings

Using the [REC] mode menu

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2

Setting the hue, picture quality adjustment,
etc. allows you to create wide variations on
taking pictures.

• Set the mode dial to the desired recording
mode.

Menu items

1

REC

/

3

W.BALANCE

AUTO

SENSITIVITY
ASPECT RATIO
PICT.SIZE
QUALITY

MENU

SELECT SET

MENU

EXIT

• Rotate the front dial to switch between
pages 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3.

• When an extra flash is attached, the
pages switch between 1/4, 2/4, 3/4 and
4/4.

• Close the menu by pressing the shutter
button halfway or the [MENU] button after
finishing the setting.

: [W.BALANCE] (P82)

: [SENSITIVITY] (P84)

: [ASPECT RATIO] (P84)

: [PICT.SIZE] (P85)

: [QUALITY] (P86)

: [AUDIO REC.] (P87)

: [METERING MODE] (P87)

: [AF MODE] (P88)

: [CONT.AF] (P90)

: [AF ASSIST LAMP] (P90)

: [D.ZOOM] (P91)

: [COL.EFFECT] (P91)

: [PICT.ADJ.] (P92)

: [FLIP ANIM.] (P92)

: [CONVERSION] (P95)

: [EXT.FLASH] (P97) (Displayed

when an extra flash is attached)

: [EX.FLASH BURST] (P99)

(Displayed when an extra flash is
attached)

81

VQT0S00

Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

White Balance [W.BALANCE]

∫ Auto White Balance

Use of auto white balance adjustment in
inappropriate lighting conditions may result

in reddish or bluish pictures. Where the
This function allows you to reproduce a
white colour closer to the tone in real life on
the pictures recorded under sunlight,
halogen lighting, etc. in which the white
colour may appear reddish or bluish.

AUTO for auto setting (auto

white balance)

(Daylight) for recording outdoors

on a bright day

(Cloudy) for recording outdoors

on a cloudy day

(Halogen) for recording under

halogen lighting

(Flash) for taking a picture

with flash only

(

White set

(

White set

1)

for using the preset
white balance

2)

subject is surrounded by many light

sources, auto white balance adjustment

may not operate properly.

In this case, set the white balance to a

mode except [AUTO] manually.

1 The range that is controlled by the auto

white balance adjustment mode of the

camera
2 Blue sky
3 Cloudy sky (Rain)
4 TV screen
5 Sunlight
6 White fluorescent light
7 Incandescent light bulb
8 Sunrise and sunset
9 Candlelight

(White set) for setting the white

balance again (P83)

1)

• When setting the white balance to the
mode except [AUTO], you can finely
adjust the white balance.

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

9)

82

VQT0S00

KlKelvin colour Temperature

Recording Menu Settings

∫ Setting the White Balance manually

(White set )

Use this mode when you want to set the
white balance manually.
1 Set to [ ] (White set), select

[WHITESET1] or
[ WHITE SET 2] and then press 1.

2 Aim the camera at a sheet of white paper

or a similar white object so that the frame
in the centre is filled by the white object
only and then press 1.

WHITE SET

WHITE SET 1

WHITE SET 2

MENU

SELECT

EXIT

SET

WHITE SET

CANCEL

MENU

∫ Finely Adjusting the White Balance

(White Balance Fine Adjustment )

When you cannot acquire the desired hue
by setting the white balance, you can adjust
the white balance finely.

1 Set the white balance to [ ]/[ ]/

[ ]/[ ]/[ ]/[ ]. (P82)

2 Press 3 ( ) several times until

[WB ADJUST.] appears.

WB ADJUST.

BLUERED

SELECT

EXIT

3 Finely adjust the white balance.

• 1 [BLUE]: Press when the hue is

reddish.

• 2 [RED]: Press when the hue is

bluish.

About the white balance

• In auto mode [ ], the white balance is
fixed to [AUTO].

• When taking a picture with the flash, the
white balance will be automatically
adjusted [except for [ ] (Daylight) and
[ ] (Flash)], but the white balance may
not be properly adjusted if the flash level
is insufficient.

About the white balance fine adjustment

• The white balance icon on the screen
turns red or blue.

• You can set the value independently for
each of the modes in white balance.

• The setting on the fine adjustment of the
white balance is reflected to the picture
when taking a picture with the flash.

• When you set the white balance using the
White set [ ], the adjustment level is
set to “0”.

• When the colour effect is set to any of
[COOL], [WARM], [B/W] or [SEPIA] (P91),
you cannot finely adjust the white balance.

83

VQT0S00

Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

ISO Sensitivity [SENSITIVITY]

ISO sensitivity represents the sensitivity to
light in values. If you set the ISO sensitivity
higher, the camera becomes more suitable
for recording in dark places.

• When setting to [AUTO], the ISO
sensitivity is automatically adjusted from
[ISO80] to [ISO200] according to the
brightness. (It can be adjusted from
[ISO80] to [ISO400] when using the flash.)

ISO sensitivity 80 400

Use in bright
places

Suitable

(e.g. outdoors)

Use in dark
places

Not

suitable

Shutter speed Slow Fast

Noise Less Increased

• In auto mode [ ], motion picture mode
[ ] and scene mode (P71), ISO
sensitivity is fixed to [AUTO]. (In [NIGHT
SCENERY] (P74), [SOFT SKIN] (P76),
[STARRY SKY] (P79) and [PANNING]
(P80) in scene mode, it is fixed to
[ISO80].)

• You cannot select [AUTO] in
Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-priority AE
and Manual exposure mode.

• To avoid picture noises, we recommend
reducing the ISO sensitivity, setting
[NOISE REDUCTION] in [PICT.ADJ] to
[HIGH] or setting the items except [NOISE
REDUCTION] to [LOW] to take pictures.
(P92)

• Refer to P68 for the shutter speed.

Not

suitable

Suitable

Aspect Ratio [ASPECT RATIO]

SCN1SCN

2

The aspect ratio is the horizontal to vertical
ratio of a picture.
You can select from three aspect ratios
depending on a purpose.

Normal ratio.

The screen becomes slight oblong
in shape. Pictures are taken using
the 3:2 aspect ratio, the same as
for 35 mm film.

The picture is horizontally long.
This is suited for landscapes and
other subjects that you prefer a
wide view. This is also suited for
playing back on wide-screen TVs
and high-definition TVs.

• The ends of the recorded pictures may be
cut at printing. Check the picture in
advance. (P135)

84

VQT0S00

Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

Picture Size [PICT.SIZE]

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2

When you select a larger picture size [ ]
(8M), you can print pictures clearly.
If a small number of pixels [ ] (1M EZ) is

• The number of recordable pictures
depends on the subject.

• The number of remaining pictures
displayed on the screen may not
correspond with recorded frames.

• Refer to P31 for the number of recordable
pictures.

selected, the size of the data will be small,
so more images can be recorded. When
attaching pictures to e-mail or using them
on websites, resize the picture with
[RESIZE] (P110).

∫ When the aspect ratio is [ ].

(8M) 3264k2448 pixels
(5M EZ) 2560k1920 pixels
(3M EZ) 2048k1536 pixels
(2M EZ) 1600k1200 pixels
(1M EZ) 1280k960 pixels

∫ When the aspect ratio is [ ].

(7M) 3248k2160 pixels
(4.5M EZ) 2560k1712 pixels
(2.5M EZ) 2048k1360 pixels

∫ When the aspect ratio is [ ].

(5.5M) 3072k1728 pixels
(2M EZ) 1920k1080 pixels

• EZ is an abbreviation for [Extra Optical
Zoom]. Selecting a picture size with EZ
displayed, allows you to magnify the
subject up to a maximum of 19.1 times
when the digital zoom is set to [OFF].
(P34)

• In the motion picture mode [ ], the
picture size is fixed to 640k480 pixels
(VGA) or 320k240 pixels (QVGA).

• When a flip animation is created, the
picture size is fixed to 320k240 pixels.

• Pictures may appear like a mosaic
depending on the subject or the recording
condition.

85

VQT0S00

Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

Quality [QUALITY]

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2

You can select 4 types of quality
(compression level) according to the usage
of the picture.

TIFF (Uncompressed):
This type is suitable when editing
and processing pictures with retouch
software.

Fine (Low compression):
This type gives priority to picture
quality. Picture quality will be high.

Standard (High compression):
This type gives priority to the
number of recordable pictures and
records standard quality pictures.

RAW file:

RAW

Set this when altering the pictures
on a PC.

• The following functions cannot be used for
pictures recorded in [TIFF] or [RAW].
– [AUDIO DUB.]
–[RESIZE]
–[TRIMMING]

• The following functions cannot be used
when the quality is set to [TIFF] or [RAW].
– Auto bracket
– Burst mode
– [AUDIO REC.]

• Refer to P31 for the number of recordable
pictures.

• The software
[PHOTOfunSTUDIO-viewer-] or ArcSoft
[PhotoImpression] in the CD-ROM
(supplied) allows you to develop RAW files
and save them as JPEG format pictures.

• For more information about a software
application’s support for DMC-FZ30 RAW
files, refer to the company’s home page.

Adobe Systems Inc. (Photoshop CS etc.)

–

http://www.adobe.com

• When the quality is set to [RAW], the
digital zoom cannot be used.

• When the quality is set to [TIFF], a JPEG
picture with the quality equal to Standard
is created at the same time.

• When the quality is set to [RAW]
– A JPEG file is also created

simultaneously. Its quality is equal to
FINE and its size is fixed to ([ ],
[], []).

– When the RAW file is deleted on the

camera, the created JPEG file is also
deleted.

• Pictures may appear like a mosaic
depending on the subject or the recording
condition.

• The number of recordable pictures
depends on the subject.

• The number of remaining pictures
displayed on the screen may not
correspond with recorded frames.

86

VQT0S00

Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

Audio Recording [AUDIO REC.]

SCN1SCN

2

You can take a picture with audio.

• When you set [AUDIO REC.] to [ON],
[ ] appears on the screen.

• When you start recording by focusing on
the subject and pressing the shutter
button, the audio recording will be
automatically stopped in about 5 seconds.
There is no need to keep pressing the
shutter button.

• Audio is recorded from the built-in
microphone of the camera.

• If you press the [MENU] button during the
audio recording, the audio recording will
be cancelled. The audio cannot be
recorded.

• You cannot record pictures with audio in
burst mode or with the auto bracket when
the quality is set to [TIFF] or [RAW] or in
[STARRY SKY] (P79) in scene mode.

• When audio is recorded with each picture,
the total number of pictures that can be
stored on each card will slightly decrease.

• If you rotate the focus ring or zoom
ring, a grinding noise may be recorded.

Metering Mode

[METERING MODE]

You can switch to the following metering
modes.

Multiple:
This is the method in which the
camera measures the most suitable
exposure by judging the allocation of
brightness on the whole screen
automatically. Usually, we
recommend using this method.

Centre weighted:
This is the method used to focus on
the subject on the centre of the
screen and measure the whole
screen evenly.

Spot:
This is the method to measure the
subject in the spot metering target
A.

87

VQT0S00

Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

AF Mode [AF MODE]

SCN1SCN

2

Spot-focusing:
The camera focuses on the limited
and narrow area in the screen.

9-area-focusing:
The camera focuses on any of
9 focus areas. You can record a
picture in free composition without
limiting the position of the subject.

∫ High speed AF (H) mode

• When you select 3-area-focusing (High
speed) or 1-area-focusing (High speed),
the auto focus is activated in high speed
and you can focus on the subject more

3-area-focusing (High speed):
The camera focuses on any of the
left, centre and right of the screen.

quickly.

• When you press the shutter button
halfway, a picture may become still for a
moment in the condition before being
focused. However, it is not a malfunction.
If you do not want to make pictures still
during the auto focus, use the AF mode
other than 3-area-focusing (High speed)

1-area-focusing (High speed):
Adjust the AF area to match the

mode and 1-area-focusing (High speed)
mode.

subject.

1-area-focusing:
Adjust the AF area to match the
subject

88

VQT0S00

Recording Menu Settings

∫ Selecting the AF area

When selecting 1-area-focusing or
1-area-focusing (High speed), the AF area
can be selected as shown in the following
figure. When using spot-focusing you can
also move the spot metering target to
match the AF area.

FOCUS

FOCUS FOCUS

1 Set the Focus switch to [AF] or

[AF MACRO].

2 Press the [FOCUS] button.
3 While pressing the [FOCUS] button, use

3/4/2/1 to move the AF area.

4 Release the [FOCUS] button to set.

• The following operations will return the AF
area to the previous one
– Setting the mode dial to auto mode

[].

– Turning the camera off.

• When using the digital zoom or when you
take pictures in dark places, the AF area
is displayed on the centre of the screen
with a size wider than usual.

PROGRAM SHIFT

1/60F5.0

• When multiple AF areas (max. 9 areas)
light at the same time, the camera is
focusing on all the AF areas.
The focus position is not predetermined
because it is set to the position that the
camera automatically determines at the
time of focusing. If you want to determine
the focus position to take pictures, switch
the AF mode to 1-area-focusing mode or
Spot-focusing mode.

89

VQT0S00

Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

Continuous AF [CONT.AF]

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2

This mode allows you to compose a picture
more easily by always focusing on the
subject.
When the AF mode is set to
1-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing (High
speed) or spot-focusing, the time required
for focusing when pressing the shutter
button halfway will be reduced.

• When it is set to [ON], the [ ] indication
appears.

• The battery may be consumed faster than
usual.

• It may take time to focus on the subject
after rotating the zoom ring from Wide to
Tele or suddenly changing the subject
from a distant one to a nearby one.

• Press the shutter button halfway again
when it is difficult to focus on the subject.

• In auto mode [ ], the [CONT.AF] setting
is fixed to [OFF].

AF Assist Lamp

[AF ASSIST LAMP]

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2

Illuminating the subject with the AF assist
lamp allows the camera to focus on the
subject in low light conditions.
When you press the shutter
button halfway in dark
places or other situations,
an AF area wider than usual
appears and the AF assist
lamp A turns on.

ON The AF assist lamp turns on under

low light conditions. In this time, the
AF assist lamp icon [ ] appears
on the screen. The effective range
of the AF assist lamp is 1.5 m.

OFF The AF assist lamp does not turn

on.

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Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

• Be sure of the following points when the
AF assist lamp is in use.
– Do not look into the AF assist lamp.
– Detach the lens hood.
– Do not cover the AF assist lamp with

your fingers when taking a picture.

– The battery may be consumed faster

than usual when using the AF assist
lamp.

• In auto mode [ ], the [AF ASSIST
LAMP] setting is fixed to [ON].

• You cannot use the AF assist lamp in
[SCENERY] (P73), [NIGHT SCENERY]
(P74), [FIREWORKS] (P77) and
[PANNING] (P80) in scene mode.

• When you do not want to use the AF
assist lamp (e.g. when you take a picture
of a subject in a dark place), set the [AF
ASSIST LAMP] to [OFF]. In this case, it
becomes difficult to focus on the subject.

• The AF area is set only to a point on the
centre of the screen when the AF assist
lamp is turned on.

• A vignetting effect may appear on the
circumference of the AF assist lamp
because the AF assist lamp may be
obscured by the lens, however, this does
not cause a problem with the performance
of the camera.

Digital Zoom [D.ZOOM]

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2

In the [REC] menu (P81), setting [D.ZOOM]
to [2k] or [4k] allows you to magnify a
subject up to a maximum of 48 times.
(Except when using extra optical zoom.)
Refer to P34 for details.

Colour Effect [COL.EFFECT]

You can use 4 types of colour effects
depending on the atmosphere of the
picture.

COOL The picture becomes bluish.

WARM The picture becomes reddish.

B/W The picture becomes black and

SEPIA The picture becomes sepia.

white.

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Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

Picture Adjustment [PICT.ADJ.]

Use this function according to the recording
situation and the atmosphere of the picture.

CONTRAST HIGH

SHARPNESS HIGH

SATURATION HIGH

NOISE
REDUCTION

Increases the
difference between the
brightness and the
darkness in the picture.

LOW

Decreases the
difference between the
brightness and the
darkness in the picture.

The picture is sharply
defined.

LOW

The picture is softly
focused.

The colours in the
picture become vivid.

LOW

The colours in the
picture become natural.

HIGH

The noise reduction
effect is enhanced.
The resolution of the
picture may be slightly
deteriorated.

LOW

The noise reduction
effect is reduced.
You can obtain pictures
with higher resolution.

Flip Animation [FLIP ANIM.]

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2

This camera allows you to create motion
picture files up to 20 seconds long by
connecting images recorded in flip
animation mode.

Example:
When capturing images of the subject in
sequence moving the camera little by little
and aligning the images, the subject looks
as if it is moving.

• When you take pictures in dark places,
noise may become visible. To avoid
picture noise, we recommend setting
[NOISE REDUCTION] in [PICT.ADJ.] to
[HIGH] or setting the items except [NOISE
REDUCTION] to [LOW] to take pictures.

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• You can play back created flip animations
with the same method used to play back
motion pictures. (P100)

Recording Menu Settings

MENU

1 Select [FLIP ANIM.].

3

REC

/

3

D.ZOOM
COL.EFFECT

OFF

OFF

PICT.ADJ.
FLIP ANIM.

EXIT

OFF

MENU

CONVERSION

SELECT

MENU

2 Select [PICTURE CAPTURE].

FLIP ANIM.

PICTURE CAPTURE

CREATE MOTION PICTURE

DELETE STILL PICTURES

MENU

SELECT

• The picture size is 320k240 pixels.

EXIT

3 Capture images for flip animation.

8

REMAIN

92

EXIT

• You can check the recorded image with

4 and the previous or following image
with 2/1.

• Delete unnecessary images with [ ]
button.

• You can record up to 100 pictures. The
number of recordable pictures
displayed is an approximation.

4 Select [CREATE MOTION

PICTURE].

FLIP ANIM.

PICTURE CAPTURE

CREATE MOTION PICTURE

DELETE STILL PICTURES

SELECT

MENU

EXIT

MENU

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Recording Menu Settings

5 Select [FRAME RATE] and set the

number of frames.

CREATE MOTION PICTURE

FRAME RATE

CREATE MOTION PICTURE

SELECT SET

10fps

EXIT

5fps

MENU

5fps 5 frames/sec.
10fps 10 frames/sec. (The motion

pictures become smoother.)

6 Select [CREATE MOTION

PICTURE] and create a flip
animation.

CREATE MOTION PICTURE

FRAME RATE

CREATE MOTION PICTURE

5fps

∫ Deleting all still images used to create

flip animation

When selecting [DELETE STILL
PICTURES] in [FLIP ANIM.] menu, a
confirmation screen appears. Select [YES]
with 4 and then press 1.

• You cannot use the direction detection
function, burst mode, auto bracket and
[AUDIO REC.].

• The images in each frame do not appear
in normal review. (P44)

• If you execute [CREATE MOTION
PICTURE], flip animation is made from all
pictures recorded for flip animation.
Delete unnecessary pictures.

• Audio cannot be recorded.

• You cannot record audio using the audio
dubbing. (P109)

• Play back may not be possible on other
equipment. You may also hear noise
during play back on other equipment
which does not have a mute function.

MENU

SELECT

EXIT

MENU

3 times

• The file number appears after creating
a flip animation.

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Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

Conversion Lens

[CONVERSION]

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2

The tele conversion lens (DMW-LT55;
optional) allows you to record pictures
zooming in much more (1.7 times). The
wide conversion lens (DMW-LW55;
optional) allows you to record pictures with
wider range of focus than usual (0.7 times).

1 Remove the lens cap and attach

the tele conversion lens 1 or
wide conversion lens 2.

• Conversion lens cannot be used
together with the ND filter
(DMW-LND55) and the MC protector
(DMW-LMC55).
Always detach the ND filter or MC
protector before attaching the
conversion lens.

• Rotate the lens slowly and carefully.

2 Turn the camera on and select

[CONVERSION].

3

REC

/

3

EXIT

OFF

OFF

OFF

MENU

D.ZOOM
COL.EFFECT
PICT.ADJ.
FLIP ANIM.
CONVERSION

SELECT

MENU

3 Set to [ ] or [ ].

CONVERSION

OFF

SELECT

• [OFF]:
When you do not attach the conversion
lens.

•[ ]:
When you attach the wide conversion
lens.

•[ ]:
When you attach the tele conversion
lens.

• Close the menu by pressing the shutter
button halfway or the [MENU] button
after finishing the setting.

SET

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Recording Menu Settings

420

300

35

(3

50

4 Set to Tele or Wide.

5

1X

T(420) W(35)

A: Zoom ring

• Always set to Tele when using a tele
conversion lens and to Wide when
using a wide conversion lens.

• The conversion icon ([ ] or [ ])
changes from red (blinking) to white.

• When using a conversion lens, ensure
the conversion icon is white when
taking pictures. If pictures are taken
when it is blinking, performance will not
be up to specification.

∫ Recordable range when using the

conversion lens

Tele conversion lens

Indication 12

Actual magnification 20.4k

35 mm film camera equivalent 714 mm

Wide conversion lens

Indication 1

Actual magnification 0.7k

35 mm film camera equivalent 24.5 mm

¢The actual magnification when using

digital zoom (P34) and extra optical zoom
(P34) is 1.7k that of the Tele display.

k

k

• Focus range is from 14 cm to ¶ (wide
conversion lens) and from 5.5 m to ¶ (tele
conversion lens).

• Digital zoom cannot be used when using a
wide conversion lens.

• When there is dirt (water, oil, and
fingerprints, etc.) on the surface of the
lens, the image may be affected. Lightly
wipe the surface of the lens with a soft,
dry cloth before and after taking pictures.

• Ensure that [CONVERSION] is set to
[OFF] when not using a conversion lens.

• When using the conversion lens:

– The built-in flash cannot be activated.
– If you set [CONVERSION] to [OFF], the

performance of the conversion lens will
not be optimal.

• When using the tele conversion lens:

– We recommend using a tripod.
– The stabilizer function may not work

sufficiently.

– The focus indication may light due to the

jitter even if the subject is not focused.

– The time required for focusing may

become longer than usual.

• If you use an extra flash when a
conversion lens is attached, we
recommend setting the extra flash to
manual mode. Refer to the operating
instructions of the extra flash for details.

• If you set [CONVERSION] to [ ] or [ ],

¢

you cannot use the AF assist lamp. (P90)

• Read the operating instructions of the
conversion lens for details.

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Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

Extra Flash [EXT.FLASH]

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2

After installing the extra flash (DMW-FL28;
optional), the effective range will be
increased when compared to the camera’s
built in flash.

1 Attach the extra flash to the hot

shoe A and turn the camera and
the extra flash on.

2 Select [PRESET] or [MANUAL].

4

REC

/

4

EXT.FLASH
EX.FLASH BURST

SELECT

MENU

SET

• Close the menu by pressing the shutter
button halfway or the [MENU] button
after finishing the setting.

∫ Switch the extra flash forced off

setting

Press 1 to switch the setting.

Icon Setting

or

or

Extra flash Forced
ON

Extra flash Forced
OFF

PRESET

MANUAL

EXIT

MENU

• Tighten the lock screw B of the extra

flash firmly.

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Recording Menu Settings

∫ Settings on the extra flash

• [PRESET]
– When setting to [PRESET] and

attaching the extra flash, the aperture
value and the ISO sensitivity are
respectively set to [F4] and [ISO100] on
the camera regardless of the recording
mode. Set the extra flash to [AUTO] and
set the same value as the settings on
the camera.

– We recommend setting to [PRESET] for

normal use.

•[MANUAL]
– When setting to [MANUAL], you can set

the aperture value, the shutter speed
and the ISO sensitivity on the camera
even if the extra flash is attached.

– When setting to [MANUAL], set to the

Aperture-priority AE or the Manual
exposure on the camera and then set
the same aperture value and the ISO
sensitivity on the extra flash. (The extra
flash cannot control the light adequately
due to the change in aperture value on
Shutter-priority AE and Programme AE.)

• Some commercial extra flashes have
synchro terminals with high-voltage or
reversed polarity.
Using such extra flashes may cause a
malfunction or the camera may not
operate normally.
Be sure to use Panasonic’s extra flash
(DMW-FL28).

• If using other extra flash units, please
make sure the flash is designed for use
with a digital camera and the trigger
voltage is based on ISO 10330 (less than
24 volts).

• The available flash range is about 10 m in
DMW-FL28. (When setting to [ISO100])

• When attaching the extra flash, the shutter
speed becomes 1/30th to 1/250th in
normal mode, 1 to 1/250th in [NIGHT
PORTRAIT] (P74) in scene mode.

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• Even if the extra flash is turned off, the
camera may enter flash mode when the
extra flash is attached. When you are
not using the extra flash, detach it or
set it to Forced OFF.

• When attaching the extra flash, the built-in
flash cannot be activated.

• Do not open the built-in flash when an
extra flash is attached.

• When attaching the extra flash, the
camera will become unstable.

• Detach the extra flash when carrying the
camera.

• When attaching the extra flash, do not
hold only the extra flash because it may
detach from the camera.

• If you use the extra flash when the white
balance is set to [ (Flash)] finely adjust
the white balance depending on the
picture quality. (P82)

• If you take pictures close to the subject in
Wide, a vignetting effect may appear on
the bottom of the recorded picture.

• Read the operating instructions of the
extra flash for details.

Recording Menu Settings

[REC] mode menu (Refer to P81 for the setting method.)

Extra Flash Burst Mode
[EX.FLASH BURST]

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2

This mode allows you to take multiple
pictures at one time when the extra flash is
attached.

• Set [EX.FLASH BURST] to [ON].

• Press the Single/Burst Mode Button to
switch the burst mode setting.

• You can take up to 3 pictures by keeping
the shutter button pressed down.

∫ Number of pictures recorded in burst

mode

Burst speed

(pictures/

second)

3

2

Approx. 2

• Depending on the extra flash you use or
the recording conditions, you cannot take
pictures in this mode or the amount of
light may become insufficient for the
second or subsequent pictures.

Number of recordable

pictures (pictures)

max. 3

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Playback (advanced)

Playback (advanced)

Playing Back Pictures with Audio/Motion Pictures

Fast forwarding/Fast rewinding

During motion picture playback, keep

∫ Pictures with audio
Select the picture with audio icon [ ]

play back the audio

and

.

100_0001

PLAY AUDIO

1/5

pressing 2/1.

1: Fast forward
2: Fast rewind

• When releasing the button, it turns to
normal motion picture playback.

To pa u se

Press 3 during motion picture playback.

•Press 3 again to cancel pause.

10:00 1.DEC.2005

∫ Motion pictures
Select the picture with the motion
picture icon [ ]/[ ]/[ ]/
[ ] and play back the motion
pictures.

100_0001

PLAY MOTION
PICTURE

10:00 1.DEC.2005

1/5

• The cursor displayed during

playback corresponds to 3/4/
2/1.

• Motion picture playback stops and the
normal playback is restored by pressing

4.

• Sound can be heard through the speaker.
Refer to [VOLUME] (P23) for information
about how to adjust the volume on the
[SETUP] menu.

• Pictures with audio and motion images
cannot be resized (P110) or trimmed
(P111).

• You cannot use the zoom function while
playing back or pausing motion pictures.

• The file format that can be played back
with the camera is QuickTime Motion
JPEG.

• Some QuickTime Motion JPEG files
recorded by a PC or other equipment may
not be played back with the camera.

• When playing back motion pictures that
have been recorded with other equipment,
the quality of images may be deteriorated
or it may not be possible to play them
back.

• When using a high capacity card, it is
possible that fast rewinding may be slower
than usual.

• When playing back pictures recorded with
this unit on a PC, use the software
[QuickTime] in the CD-ROM (supplied).

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