Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Gx8 Owners Manual For Advanced Features

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5. Focus and Brightness (Exposure) Settings
•If the camera detects stars in the night sky after displaying [], Starlight AF will be 
activated. When focus is achieved, the focus indication [ ] and  AF areas in focus are 
displayed.
(Detection with Starlight AF works only for approximately 1/3 o f the center area of the 
screen.)
•If you zoom in/out after focusing on a subject, the focus may l ose its accuracy. In that case, 
re-adjust the focus.
•When the Focus Mode is set to [AFF] or [AFC].
–A beep will be emitted when focus is first achieved during the  pressing halfway.–If AF Mode is set to [Custom Multi], such as [ ] or [ ], the AF a rea is displayed for a 
moment only when focus is achieved for the first time by pressi ng the shutter button halfway.
Subjects and recording conditions which are difficult to focus
•
Fast-moving subjects, extremely bright subjects or subjects wit hout contrast.
•When recording subjects through windows or near shiny objects.•When it is dark or when jitter occurs.•When the camera is too close to the subject or when taking a pi cture of both distant and near 
subjects.
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Applicable modes: 
The method for achieving focus when the shutter button is pressed halfway is set.
Set the focus mode lever to [AFS/AFF] or [AFC].
Selecting the Focus Mode (AFS/AFF/AFC)
Item
The movement of the 
subject and the scene (recommended)
Description of settings
[AFS/
AFF]
[AFS](Auto 
Focus 
Single) Subject is still
(Scenery, anniversary 
photograph, etc.) “AFS” is an abbreviation of 
“Auto Focus Single”.
Focus is set automatically 
when the shutter button is 
pressed halfway. Focus will be 
fixed while it is pressed halfway.
[AFF]
(Auto 
Focus 
Flexible) Movement cannot be 
predicted
(Children, pets, etc.) “AFF” is an abbreviation of 
“Auto Focus Flexible”.
In this mode, focusing is 
performed automatically when 
the shutter button is pressed 
halfway.
If the subject moves while the shutter button is 
pressed halfway, the focus is corrected to match 
the movement automatically.
[AFC]
(Auto Focus 
Continuous) Subject is moving
(Sport, trains, etc.) “AFC” is an abbreviation of 
“Auto Focus Continuous”.
In this mode, while the shutter 
button is pressed halfway, 
focusing is constantly 
performed to match the movement of the subject.
When the subject is moving, the focusing is 
performed by predicting the subject position at the 
time of recording. (Movement prediction)
[MF]
Set the focus manually.  (P158) 
						

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5. Focus and Brightness (Exposure) Settings
∫About [AFS/AFF] of the focus mode lever
In [AFS/AFF] in the [Rec] menu or the [Motion Picture] menu, yo u can assign [AFS] or 
[AFF] to [AFS/AFF] of the focus mode lever.
•
When the brightness is insufficient for [AFF] or [AFC], the cam era will operate as if [AFS] has 
been set. In this case, the display will change to the yellow [AFS].
•The focus mode [AFF] or [AFC] operates as [AFS] in the followin g cases:–Creative Video Mode–Panorama Shot Mode
–When recording with [ ] ([4K Burst(S/S)]) of the 4K Photo functi on
Not available in these cases:
•
Depending on the lens used, [AFF] and [AFC] may not operate.
Refer to the website for compatible lenses.
•[AFF] is not available when recording 4K photos. [Continuous AF ] works during recording.
When recording using [AFF], [AFC]
•
It may take time to focus on the subject when you operate the zoom from Wide to Tele or 
suddenly change 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.
•While the shutter button is pressed halfway, shake may be seen  on the screen. 
						

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Applicable modes: 
This allows the focusing method that suits the positions and number of the subjects to be 
selected.
1Press  2 ().
2Press  2/1 to select AF Mode and then press 
[MENU/SET].
Selecting the Auto Focus Mode
([Face/Eye 
Detection]) The camera automatically detects the person’s face 
and eyes.
An eye closer to the camera will be in focus, while 
the exposure will be optimized for the face.
(When [Metering Mode] is set to [ ])•Up to 15 faces can be detected. Eyes that can be 
detected are only those of the face that is in focus.
•You can change the eye to be in focus. 
(P146)•Position and size of the AF area can be changed.  (P151)
([Tracking])The camera focuses on the subject you specify.
The exposure will be optimized for the subject.
(When [Metering Mode] is set to [ ].)
Focus and exposure will keep on following the 
subject even if it moves. (Dynamic tracking) 
(P147)
([49-Area])Up to 49 AF areas can be focused.
This is effective when a subject is not in the center 
of the screen.•You can select areas to be in focus. 
(P151)
, etc.
([Custom Multi]) From among 49 AF areas, you can freely set the 
optimum shape of the AF area for the subject. 
(P148) 
						

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5. Focus and Brightness (Exposure) Settings
∫Restrictions on Auto Focus Mode
•The AF Mode is fixed to [Ø ] in the following cases.
–When using the Digital Zoom–[Miniature Effect] (Creative Control Mode)
([Face/Eye Detection])
•Under certain picture-taking conditions including the following  cases, the Face/Eye Detection 
Function may fail to work, making it impossible to detect faces . The AF Mode operates as [ ].
–When the face is not facing the camera–When the face is at an angle–When the face is extremely bright or dark
–When the facial features are hidden behind sunglasses, etc.–When the face appears small on the screen–When there is little contrast on the faces
–When there is rapid movement–When the subject is other than a human being–When the camera is shaking
([1-Area])The camera focuses on the subject in the AF area 
on the screen.•Position and size of the AF area can be changed. 
(P151)
([Pinpoint]) You can achieve a more precise focus on a point 
that is smaller than [
Ø].
If you press the shutter button halfway, the screen 
that lets you check the focus will be enlarged.•The focus position can be set on an enlarged 
screen.  (P152)
Pressing the shutter button halfway to adjust the composition
When the subject is not in the center of the composition in [ Ø], you can bring the 
subject into the AF area, fix t he focus and exposure by pressin g the shutter button 
halfway, move the camera to the composition you want with the shutter button pressed 
halfway, and then take the picture.
(Only when the focus mode is set to [AFS].) 
						

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([Tracking])•[ ] cannot be used with [Time Lapse Shot].
•In the following cases, [ ] operates as [Ø].–[Sepia]/[Monochrome]/[Dynamic Monochrome]/[Rough Monochrome]/[S ilky Monochrome]/
[Soft Focus]/[Star Filter]/[Sunshine] (Creative Control Mode)
–[Monochrome] ([Photo Style])•Dynamic Tracking function may not work in the following cases:–When the subject is too small
–When the recording location is too dark or bright–When the subject is moving too fast–When the background has the same or similar color to the subjec t
–When jitter is occurring–When zoom is operated
([Pinpoint])
•In the following case, [ ] operates as [ Ø].–When recording motion pictures
–When recording 4K photos•It cannot be set to [ ] in the following cases.–[AFF]/[AFC] (focus mode)
When the camera detects a face, the AF area and the mark 
indicating the eye to be in focus are displayed.
A The eye to be in focus
Yellow:
When the shutter button is pressed halfway, the frame turns 
green when the camera is focused.
White:
Displayed when more than one face is detected. Other faces 
that are the same distance away as faces within the yellow AF a reas are also focused.
∫ Changing the eye to be in focus
Touch the eye to be in focus.
•Touch the eye in the yellow frame. If you touch any other 
location, the AF area setting screen will be displayed.  (P151)
•If you touch [ ] or press [MENU/SET], the eye focus setting 
will be canceled.
•If the yellow frame moves to another face or the frame 
disappears after you change the composition or do something sim ilar, the eye focus setting will 
be canceled.
About [ š] ([Face/Eye Detection])
A 
						

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5. Focus and Brightness (Exposure) Settings
Aim the AF tracking frame over the subject, and press 
the shutter button halfway.
AAF tracking frame
•AF area will turn green when the camera detects the subject.
•The AF area turns yellow when the shutter button is released.•Lock is canceled when [MENU/SET ] is pressed.
Touch the subject.
•Perform the operation after canceling the touch shutter functio n.•The AF area turns yellow while the subject is locked.
•Lock is canceled when [ ] is touched.
•If it fails to lock, AF area will flash in red, and disappear. Try to lock again.
•When AF tracking fails, [Ø] is set.
Locking the subject to be tracked ( [Tracking])
Button operation
Touch operation
A 
						

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Selecting from 49 AF areas, you can freely set the optimum shape of the AF area for the 
subject.
1Press  2 ().
2Select a Custom Multi icon ([ ], etc.), and press 3.
•If you press  4, the AF area setting screen will be displayed.
3Press  2/1  to select a setting.
•The current shape of the AF area  A is displayed on the 
bottom left of the screen.
4Press  4.
•AF area setting screen is displayed.
5Select AF areas.
•The selected AF areas are displayed in yellow.
Setting the shape of the AF area ([Custom Multi])
([Horizontal 
Pattern]) Horizontal line
This shape is 
convenient for taking 
panning shots or 
similar shots.
([Vertical 
Pattern]) Vertical line
This shape is 
convenient for 
recording objects, 
such as buildings.
([Central 
Pattern])Cluster placed at the 
center
This shape is 
convenient when you 
want to bring the 
center area into focus.
([User 
Defined]) User-defined shape
/
([Custom1]/ [Custom2]) You can select a customized setting.
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5. Focus and Brightness (Exposure) Settings
When selecting [ ]/[ ]/[ ]
You can adjust the size and position of the area in the 
vertical direction for [ ], in the horizontal direction for 
[ ], and in all directions for [ ].
When selecting [ ]/[ ]/[ ]
Drag your finger over the parts you want to set as AF 
areas.
•
If you touch one of the selected AF areas, the selection of 
the area will be canceled.
Press 3/4/2 /1  to select the AF area, and then press [MENU/SET] to set (repea t).
•The setting is canceled when [MENU/SET] is pressed again.•If you press [DISP.], all the  selections will be canceled.
6Press [Fn2] ([Q.MENU]).AFunction button [Fn2]
∫Registering the set AF area to [ ] or [ ]
1On the screen in step 3 on  P148 , press 3.2Press  3/4  to select a destination to which the setting will be registere d, and 
press [MENU/SET].
•
Confirmation screen is displayed. It is executed when [Yes] is  selected.
•Settings registered to []/[] will be stored even after this unit is turned off.
•Turning off this unit will return the setting adjusted with [ ]/[ ]/[ ]/[] back to the default 
setting.
•If you press a cursor button when [Direct Focus Area] in the [C ustom] menu is set to [ON], the 
AF area setting screen will be displayed.
Button operationTouch 
operationDescription of  operation
3/4/ 2/1Touching Moves the 
position
/Pinching in/out
Changes the size
(3 levels)
[DISP.][Reset]Restores the 
default setting
Touch operation
Button operation
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Applicable modes: 
When [š], [ ], [ Ø], or [ ] in Auto Focus Mode  is selected, you can change the 
position and size of the AF area.
•
Perform the operation after canceling the touch shutter functio n.
•When setting with touch operation, set [Touch AF] in [Touch Settings] of the [Custom] menu to 
[AF].
•The spot metering target can also be moved to match the AF area  when the [Metering Mode] 
(P171)  is set to [ ].
At the edge of the screen, the metering may be affected by the  brightness around the AF area.
Not available in these cases:
•
When using digital zoom, the position and size of the AF area c annot be changed.
Setting up position of the AF area/changing size of the AF area
Moving/not moving the AF area with the cursor button
> [Custom]  > [Direct Focus Area]  > [ON]/[OFF]
When [ š], [ ], or [ Ø] is selected, the AF area can be moved; when  [ ]  is selected, 
the enlarged position can be moved.
•
To set the items that use the cursor buttons like [Drive Mode],  [White Balance], or 
[Sensitivity], use the Quick Menu  (P66) instead.
•[Direct Focus Area] is fixed to [OFF] in the following case.–Creative Control Mode
MENU