Panasonic DMC-LS6 Operating Instruction

Owner’s Manual
for advanced features
Digital Camera
Model No. DMC-LS6
Before connecting, operating or adjusting this product,
please read the instructions completely.
VQT4D69
M0112KZ0
Contents
Before use
Cautions on handling this unit ............. 4
Standard Accessories ........................... 6
Names and Functions of Main Parts ....7
Cursor button ................................................7
Preparations
About the batteries ................................ 8
Guidelines for the number of recordable
pictures and operating time ...........................8
Inserting and removing the card
(optional)/the batteries ........................ 10
Remaining battery and memory capacity ....12
Picture save destination
(cards and built-in memory) ........................12
Recording capacity guidelines
(pictures/recording time) .............................13
Setting the clock .................................. 14
Basics
Taking pictures with automatic settings
[Intelligent Auto] Mode ........................ 16
Using zoom .......................................... 18
Taking motion pictures
[Motion Picture] Mode ......................... 19
Viewing your pictures
[Normal Play] .......................................20
Watching motion pictures ............................21
Viewing as list (Multi Playback) .........22
Deleting pictures .................................23
To delete multiple (up to 50)
or all pictures ...............................................23
Setting the menu .................................24
Using the [Setup] menu ...................... 26
[Clock Set] ...................................................26
[Beep] ..........................................................26
[Volume] ...................................................... 26
[Auto Power Off] ..........................................26
[Light Freq.] ................................................. 26
[Auto Review] .............................................. 27
[Reset] .........................................................27
[Version Disp.] .............................................27
[Format] .......................................................28
[Language] ..................................................28
Contents
Recording
Taking pictures with your own settings
[Normal Picture] Mode ........................ 29
Recording Mode list ....................................29
Aligning the focus ............................... 30
Changing recording information
display .................................................. 31
Taking pictures with flash ................... 32
Taking pictures with the self-timer .... 34
Taking pictures with Exposure
Compensation ...................................... 35
Taking pictures according to the scene
[Scene Mode] ....................................... 36
[Portrait] ....................................................... 37
[Self Portrait] ...............................................37
[Scenery] ..................................................... 37
[Panorama Assist] ....................................... 38
[Sports] ........................................................38
[Night Portrait] .............................................39
[Night Scenery] ............................................ 39
[Food] .......................................................... 39
[Party] ..........................................................39
[Baby] .......................................................... 40
[Sunset] ....................................................... 40
[High Sens.] ................................................. 40
[Fireworks] ................................................... 41
[Beach] ........................................................ 41
[Snow] .........................................................41
Using the [Rec] menu .......................... 42
[Picture Size] ............................................... 42
[Rec Quality] ............................................... 43
[Sensitivity] .................................................. 43
[White Balance] ........................................... 44
[AF Mode] .................................................... 45
[Digital Zoom] .............................................. 46
[Burst] ..........................................................46
[Color Mode] ................................................ 47
[Red-Eye Removal] ..................................... 47
[Stabilizer] ...................................................47
[Date Stamp] ...............................................48
[Clock Set] ...................................................48
Playback/Editing
Different playback methods
(Playback Mode) .................................. 49
[Slide Show] ................................................50
[Category Selection] ....................................51
Using the [Playback] menu................. 52
[Resize] .......................................................52
[Protect] .......................................................54
[Copy] ..........................................................55
Connecting with other devices
Using with your PC .............................. 56
Using “PHOTOfunSTUDIO” to copy pictures
to your computer .........................................58
Printing ................................................. 59
Printing multiple pictures ............................. 60
Print with date .............................................61
Making print settings on the camera ...........62
Others
List of LCD monitor displays .............. 63
Message displays ................................ 65
Q&A Troubleshooting ........................ 67
Usage cautions and notes .................. 73
Specifications ...................................... 77

Cautions on handling this unit

Camera handling
Keep the camera away from excessive vibration, force, or pressure.
Avoid using the camera under the following conditions,
which may damage the lens, LCD monitor, or camera body. This may also cause the camera to malfunction or prevent recording.
• Dropping or hitting the camera against a hard surface
• Sitting down with the camera in your pants pocket or forcing it into a full bag
• Adding accessories to the camera strap
• Pushing with excessive force on the lens or LCD monitor
The camera is not dust resistant, splash resistant, or waterproof. Avoid using the camera in places with excessive dust or sand, or where water can come into contact with the camera.
Avoid using the camera under the following conditions,
which present a risk that sand, water, or foreign material may enter the camera through the lens or openings around buttons. Be especially careful, because these conditions may damage the camera and such damage may not be repairable.
• In extremely dusty or sandy places
• In the rain or by the shore, where the camera may be exposed to water
Condensation (lens fogging)
Condensation may occur when the camera is exposed to
sudden changes of temperature or humidity. Avoid these conditions, which may make the lens dirty, cause mold, or damage the camera. If condensation does occur, turn off the camera and wait
about two hours before using it. Once the camera adjusts to the surrounding temperature, the fogging will clear naturally.
Cautions on handling this unit
Always take a test shot first
Before important events when you will use the camera (at weddings, for example), always take a test shot to make sure that pictures and sound record correctly.
No compensation for missed shots
We cannot compensate for missed shots if technical problems with the camera or card prevent recording.
Carefully observe copyright laws
Unauthorized use of recordings which contain works with copyright for purposes other than personal use is prohibited under copyright law. Recording of certain material may be restricted even for the purpose of personal use.
Also refer to “Usage cautions and notes” (→73)

Standard Accessories

Check that all the accessories are supplied before using the camera. For details on the accessories, refer to Basic Owner’s Manual.
The accessories and their shape will differ depending on the country or area where the
camera was purchased. LR6/AA alkaline batteries or HR6/AA rechargeable Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride)
batteries is indicated as battery (or batteries) in the text. SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card and SDXC Memory Card are indicated as card
in the text. Please dispose of all packaging appropriately.
Keep small parts in a safe place out of the reach of children.
Optional accessories
• Memory cards are optional. You can record or play back pictures on the built-in memory when you are not using a card.
• If any accessories are lost, customers in the USA and Puerto Rico should contact Panasonic’s parts department at 1-800-833-9626 and customers in Canada should contact 1-800-99-LUMIX (1-800-995-8649) for further information about obtaining replacement parts.

Names and Functions of Main Parts

Cursor button

Hand strap eyelet
Shutter button (→16)
Power button (→14)
Self-timer indicator (→34)
Speaker
Microphone (→19)
Lens barrel
Lens (→4)
LCD monitor (→63)
[MODE] button (→29, 49)
Cursor button
Playback button (→20)
[
/ ] (Delete/Return) button (→23)
[MENU/SET]
(menu display/set) (→24)
Zoom button (→18)Flash (→32)
[DIGITAL] socket (→56, 59)
Up cursor button ( )
• Exposure Compensation (→35)
Tripod receptacle
• Ensure that the tripod is stable.
Card/Battery door
(→10)
We recommend using the supplied hand strap to avoid dropping the camera.
Left cursor button ( )
• Self-timer (→34)
Down cursor button ( )
• Changing information display (→31)
In this manual, the button that is used is shaded or indicated by .
The illustrations and screens in this manual may differ from the actual product.
Some methods of holding the camera may block the speaker, making it difficult to hear
the beep, etc.
Right cursor button ( )
• Flash (→32)

About the batteries

About batteries that you can use with this unit
LR6/AA alkaline batteries or optional HR6/AA rechargeable Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride) batteries can be used with this unit.
EVOLTA (EVOIA) batteries (Panasonic battery) can also be used.
The following batteries cannot be used.
Manganese batteries, lithium batteries, nickel batteries, Ni-Cd batteries, Oxyride batteries If these batteries are used, the following problems may occur: battery leakage, incorrect display of remaining battery power, failure to turn on camera, damage to data written to built-in memory or card, and other troubles. Never use batteries such as those indicated below.
Batteries with all or part of their covering peeled off, or batteries with flat poles.

Guidelines for the number of recordable pictures and operating time

The number of recordable pictures or available operating time may vary according to surrounding environment and usage conditions. Figures may be reduced if flash, zoom, or other functions are used frequently, or in colder climates.
Supplied batteries or
optional Panasonic alkaline
Number of recordable pictures Approx. 160 pictures Approx. 320 pictures
Recording time Approx. 80 min. Approx. 160 min.
Playback time Approx. 480 min. Approx. 640 min.
Recording conditions by CIPA standard
• CIPA is an abbreviation of [Camera & Imaging Products Association].
• [Normal Picture] Mode.
• Temperature: 23 °C (73.4 °F)/Humidity: 50%RH when LCD monitor is on.
• Using a Panasonic SD Memory Card (32 MB).
• Using the supplied batteries
• Starting recording 30 seconds after the camera is turned on. (When the Optical Image Stabilizer function is set to [ON].)
• Recording once every 30 seconds with full flash every second recording.
• Perform a zoom operation every recording (W end → T end, or T end → W end)
• Turning the camera off every 10 recordings and leaving it until the temperature of the batteries decreases.
Number reduced if intervals are longer – e.g. to approx. one quarter for 2-minute intervals under the above conditions.
batteries
Fully-charged Panasonic Ni-MH
batteries (optional, when the
battery capacity is 1950 mAh)
About the batteries
Please note that the performance of alkaline batteries significantly decreases in low temperature conditions.
(When the temperature is 0 °C (32 °F))
Supplied batteries or
optional Panasonic alkaline
Number of recordable pictures Approx. 50 pictures Approx. 240 pictures
Recording time Approx. 25 min. Approx. 120 min.
Playback time Approx. 200 min. Approx. 500 min.
batteries
Fully-charged Panasonic Ni-MH
batteries (optional, when the
battery capacity is 1950 mAh)
The number of recordable pictures, recording time, and playback time vary, depending
on the storage and operating conditions of the batteries and the brand and type of batteries. We recommend turning off the camera frequently between recording sessions to make
the batteries last longer. If you will be using the camera for long periods of time, the use of rechargeable Ni-MH batteries is recommended. If the available battery power is significantly reduced even when fully charged Ni-MH
batteries are used, the batteries have reached the end of their life. Please purchase new batteries. Do not use a damaged or dented battery (especially connectors), e.g. by dropping (can
cause faults).

Inserting and removing the card (optional)/the batteries

Slide the card/battery door out ( ) before opening the door ( ) as illustrated
Insert the batteries and card, making sure that their orientation is correct
• Batteries: Insert the batteries all the way with correct orientation of and poles.
• Card: Insert all the way firmly until it
clicks.
Do not touch the terminal
Close the card/battery door and slide the door inward until it locks firmly
Battery (check orientation) Card ( check orientation:
terminals face LCD)
- 10 -
Inserting and removing the card (optional)/the batteries
To remove
Before removing the card or batteries, turn off the camera and wait until the indication on the LCD monitor turns off completely. (Otherwise, this unit may no longer operate normally, the card itself may become damaged or recorded pictures may be lost.)
To remove batteries: Tilt the camera and catch the batteries in your hand. Be careful not to drop them.
To remove card: Press the center of the card and pull the card straight toward you. Be sure not to drop the batteries.
Be sure to remove the batteries if you are not using the camera for a long period of
time. Batteries may be hot immediately after use. Turn off the camera and wait until the battery temperature lowers before removing them. The clock settings may reset if batteries are removed from the camera for 24 hours or
more. Always use two new batteries of the same type and brand when replacing batteries.
Keep the Memory Card out of reach of children to prevent swallowing.
The unusable battery should be discarded in accordance with battery recycling laws.
Call the RBRC hotline at 1-800-822-8837 for information.
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Inserting and removing the card (optional)/the batteries
Remaining battery
(flashes red)
If the battery mark flashes red, replace the batteries with new ones.

Remaining battery and memory capacity

Estimated remaining pictures or recording time capacity (press to
Displayed when no card is inserted (pictures will be saved to built-in memory)
When in operation
(Card) or (Built-in memory) are illuminated red. While the light remains lit, an operation is taking place, such as picture writing or reading. While the light is lit, do not turn off the power or remove battery, card, as this can cause data loss or damage. Keep the camera away from vibrations, impact, or static electricity. Should any of these cause camera operation to be terminated, attempt to perform the operation again.
display on/off)

Picture save destination (cards and built-in memory)

Pictures will be saved to a card if one is inserted, or to the built-in memory if not.
Built-in memory (Approx. 10 MB) Pictures may be copied between cards and the built-in memory (→55).
The access time for the built-in memory may be longer than the access time for a card.
[QVGA] in [Rec Quality] can only be available to record motion pictures in the built-in
memory.
Compatible memory cards (optional)
The following SD standard-based cards (Panasonic brand recommended)
Type of Card Capacity Notes
SD Memory Cards 8 MB – 2 GB • Can be used with devices compatible with the
SDHC Memory Cards 4 GB – 32 GB
SDXC Memory Cards 48 GB, 64 GB
*
SD speed class refers to a specification for sustained write speeds. Confirm the SD speed by
checking the card label or other card related materials.
respective formats.
• Before using SDXC Memory Cards, check that your computer and other devices support this type of card. http://panasonic.net/avc/sdcard/information/SDXC.html
• Only the cards listed on the left with the given capacities are supported.
• Using a card of SD Speed “Class 6” recommended for recording motion pictures.
*
or above is
(Example)
- 12 -
Inserting and removing the card (optional)/the batteries
Please reformat the card with this camera if it has already been
formatted with a computer or another device. (→28) If the write-protect switch is set to “LOCK”, the card cannot be used to
record or delete pictures, and it cannot be formatted. It is recommended that you copy important pictures to your computer
(as electromagnetic waves, static electricity, or faults may cause data to be damaged). Latest information:
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/ (This Site is English only.)
Switch (LOCK)

Recording capacity guidelines (pictures/recording time)

The number of pictures you can take and the recording time varies in proportion to card capacity (and depending on recording conditions and type of card).
Recording picture capacity (still pictures)
[Picture Size] Built-in memory 2 GB 32 GB 64 GB
14M 1 270 4470 8800
5M 3 730 11940 23010
0.3M 37 7920 141620 263250
• When the number of recordable pictures exceeds 99,999, “+99999” is displayed.
Recording time capacity (motion pictures)
[Rec Quality] Built-in memory 2 GB 32 GB 64 GB
[HD] 10m50s 2h56m00s 5h51m00s
[VGA] 23m50s 6h24m00s 12h47m00s
[QVGA] 19s 1h2m00s 16h46m00s 23h59m00s
([h], [m] and [s] indicate “hour”, “minute” and “second”.)
• Motion pictures can be recorded continuously up to 2 GB. To record more than 2 GB, press the shutter button again. Remaining time for continuous recording is displayed on the screen.
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Setting the clock

The clock is not set when the camera is shipped.
Press the Power button
The power is turned on. If the language select screen is not displayed, proceed to step .
Power button
Press [MENU/SET] while the message is displayed
Press to select the language, and press [MENU/SET]
Press [MENU/SET]
[MENU/SET]
Press to select the items (year, month, day, hour, minute, display order or time display format), and press to set
Select the
setting
item
Change
the values
and
settings
• To cancel → Press [ / ].
Select the display order for the day, month, and year ([M/D/Y], [D/M/Y], or [Y/M/D]).
Select either [24hrs] or [AM/PM] for the time display format.
Press [MENU/SET]
Confirm the setting and press [MENU/SET]
• To return to the previous screen, press [ / ].
• Turn on power again and check time display. (Time and date can be displayed by pressing several times.)
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Setting the clock
To change time setting
Select [Clock Set] from [Setup] or [Rec] menu, perform
• If approximately 5 hours have elapsed after installing the batteries in the camera, the clock settings will be retained for about 24 hours even if the batteries are removed.
and .
If the clock is not set, the correct date cannot be printed when you order a photo studio
to print the picture, or when you stamp the date on the pictures with [Date Stamp]. If the clock is set, the correct date can be printed even if the date is not displayed on
the screen of the camera.
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Taking pictures with automatic settings
[Intelligent Auto] Mode
Recording Mode:
Optimum settings are made automatically from information such as “face,” “brightness,” and “distance” just by pointing the camera at the subject, meaning that clear pictures can be taken without the need to make settings manually.
Shutter button
Focus display
( When focus is aligned: illuminated
When focus is not aligned: flashing)
Display the screen for Recording Mode selection
Select [Intelligent Auto] Mode
Take pictures
The type of scene detected is indicated by a blue icon for two seconds
Holding the camera
Microphone
Speaker
Flash
To set flash
Select either or .
• When is selected, the type of flash automatically changes according to the subject and brightness. (→32)
• activated.
• The shutter speed is slower in
Press halfway
(press lightly to
focus)
• To avoid camera shake, hold it with both hands keeping your arms close to your body and standing with your feet slightly apart.
• Do not touch the lens.
• Do not block the flash. Do not look at it from close range.
• Try to hold the camera steady when you press the shutter button.
Be careful not to block the microphone or the
speaker.
• We recommend the use of the hand strap to avoid dropping the camera.
and indicate that the Red-Eye Reduction function is
and .
Press fully
(press the button all
the way to record)
- 16 -
Taking pictures with automatic settings [Intelligent Auto] Mode
Automatic Scene Detection
Camera identifies the scene when pointed at the subject, and makes optimum settings automatically.
People are detected
Scenery is detected
A close-up shot is detected
People and night scenery are detected (Only when is selected)
Night scenery is detected
When the scene does not correspond to any of the conditions above
When or is detected, Face Detection is activated, and the focus and exposure are adjusted for the recognized faces.
Depending on recording conditions, different scene types may be determined for the
same subject. If undesired scene type is selected, we recommend manually selecting the
appropriate Recording Mode. We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer with and .
The following menu items may be set in [Intelligent Auto] Mode:
• [Rec] menu: [Picture Size]
• [Setup] menu
1
*
Items that may be set differ from other Recording Modes.
2
*
Other items in the [Setup] menu will reflect settings made in other Recording Modes.
The settings for the following functions are fixed:
• [Auto Power Off]: [5 MIN.] • [Auto Review]: [ON] • [Sensitivity]: [AUTO]
• [White Balance]: [AWB] • [AF Mode]: (Face Detection)
• [Red-Eye Removal]: [ON] • [Stabilizer]: [ON]
3
*
(9-area-focusing) when face cannot be recognized
The following functions cannot be used:
[Exposure], [Digital Zoom]
2
*
: [Clock Set], [Beep], [Light Freq.], [Language]
1
*
, [Burst], [Color Mode]
1
*
3
*
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Using zoom

Recording Mode:
“Optical Zoom” offers 5 x magnification. You can zoom in even closer without the loss of picture quality by lowering the picture size and using “Extended Optical Zoom.” For zooming in even closer, “Digital Zoom” (→46) is available.
Zoom In/Out
Capture a
wider area
(wide-angle)
Focus range
Zoom ratio (approx.)
Zoom bar
Focus after adjusting the zoom.
Optical Zoom and Extended Optical Zoom (EZ)
Automatically switches to “Optical Zoom” when using maximum Picture Size (→42), and to “Extended Optical Zoom” (for further zooming) otherwise. (EZ is short for “Extended Optical Zoom.”)
• Optical Zoom • Extended Optical Zoom
Enlarge the subject (telephoto)
Extended Optical Zoom system
When the recording pixel level is set to [3 M ] (corresponding to 3 million pixels), 3 million pixels of the available pixel level in the center of the CCD are used in recording, enabling higher magnification. The zoom ratio and the zoom bar displayed on the screen are estimates.
Extended Optical Zoom cannot be used in the following cases:
Motion Picture, [High Sens.] in Scene Mode
- 18 -

Taking motion pictures [Motion Picture] Mode

Recording Mode:
Display the screen for Recording Mode selection
Select [Motion Picture] Mode
Microphone
Start recording
Press halfway
(adjust the focus)
• Immediately release the shutter button after pressing it all the way.
• The focus and zoom will remain as they were at the beginning of recording.
Remaining recording time (approx.)
Elapsed recording time
Do not block the microphone.
Depending on the type of card used, a card-access display may appear for a while after
motion picture recording. This is not a fault. In [AF Mode], (9-area-focusing) is fixed.
[Stabilizer] does not function while recording motion pictures.
When there is no space left to store the motion picture, recording automatically ends.
Additionally, recording in progress may be stopped, depending on the card used.
End recording
Press fully
Press fully
(start recording)
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Viewing your pictures [Normal Play]

Playback Mode:
When a card is in the camera, pictures are played back from the card, and without a card, pictures are played back from the built-in memory.
Speaker
Zoom button
Press the Playback button
• Press again to enter the Recording Mode.
Scroll through pictures
Picture number/Total pictures
Previous Next
File number
• Press the shutter button to switch to Recording Mode.
To enlarge (Playback Zoom)
Press the T side of the zoom button
• Each time the T side of the zoom button is pressed, the magnification increases. It moves through four levels after 1x: 2x, 4x, 8x, and 16x. (The picture quality displayed becomes successively lower.)
• To reduce zoom → Press the W side of the zoom button
• Move zoom position →
Current zoom position (displayed for 1 sec.)
Some pictures edited on a computer may not be viewed on this camera.
This camera is compliant with the unified DCF (Design rule for Camera File system)
standard formulated by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), and with Exif (Exchangeable image file format). Only files that are DCF-compliant can be played back.
- 20 -
Viewing your pictures [Normal Play]

Watching motion pictures

Select the motion picture and start playback
Motion picture recording time
*
When playback starts, the elapsed playback time is displayed in the top right of the
screen. Example: After 3 minutes and 30 seconds: [3m30s]
Operations during Motion Picture Playback
: Pause/Play
[MENU/SET]: Stop
: Fast rewind (2 steps)
Single-frame rewind (while paused)
: Fast forward (2 steps)
Single-frame forward (while paused)
• Press
• The volume can be adjusted with the zoom button.
Motion pictures recorded on other devices may not be played correctly.
Motion pictures can be viewed on your computer using “PHOTOfunSTUDIO” on the
supplied CD-ROM or “QuickTime.”
during fast rewind or fast forward to return to the normal playback speed.
*
- 21 -

Viewing as list (Multi Playback)

Playback Mode:
You can view 12 (or 30) pictures at once (Multi Playback).
Press the Playback button
Set to multiple screen display
Date recorded Picture no.
The display
changes
each time
the W side
To restore
Press the T side of the zoom button
To change from 12/30-screen display to single­screen display
Select picture with
and press
[MENU/SET]
is pressed
(12 screens)
(30 screens)
Total no.
Scroll bar
Pictures displayed with [!] cannot be played back.
- 22 -

Deleting pictures

Playback Mode:
Pictures will be deleted from the card if the card is inserted, or from the built-in memory if the card is not inserted. (Deleted pictures cannot be recovered.)
Press to delete the displayed picture
Select [Yes]
• Do not turn off the power during deletion.

To delete multiple (up to 50) or all pictures

(after step )
Select type of deletion
• To use [Delete All] → go to step
Select [OK]
Select the pictures to delete
(Repeat)
• To release → Press
[MENU/ SET] again
Picture selected
Use batteries with sufficient power.
Pictures cannot be deleted in the following cases:
• Protected pictures
• Card switch is in “LOCK” position.
• Pictures not of DCF standard (→20)
- 23 -
Press to select [Yes], and then press [MENU/ SET]
• May take time depending on number of pictures deleted.

Setting the menu

Displaying the menu screen
Selecting the menu type
Select the item
Changing the settings
Exiting the menu screen
About the menu screen
Buttons used in menu operations
: [MENU/SET] : Cursor button : [ / ] (Delete/Return) button
Menu screen configuration
: Menu description : Menu items : Operation guide
Menu operation flow
Menu type
[Setup] menu
Making the camera more convenient to use
• Enables you to specify clock settings, sound volume, and so on to make the camera easier to use.
[Rec] menu (Recording Mode only)
Changing picture preferences
• Enables you to specify color, sensitivity, pixel level, and other settings.
[Playback] menu (Playback Mode only)
Using your pictures
• Enables you to specify picture protection, resizing, and other settings for pictures you have taken.
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