Panasonic Dmc Fx78 Owners Manual

							Owner’s Manual
for advanced features
Digital Camera
Model No. DMC-FX78
VQT3G35-1
 Before connecting, operating or adjusting this product, please read the inst ructions completely.
until 
2010/6/30 
						

							- 2 -
Contents
Before Use
Care of the camera ................................... 4
Standard Accessories ............................... 5
Names of the Components ....................... 6
How to Use the Touch Panel .................... 7
Preparation
Charging the Battery ................................. 8• Charging ............................................. 8
• Approximate operating time and 
number of recordable pictures ............ 9
Inserting and Removing the Card 
(optional)/the Battery ............................... 11
About the Built-in Memory/the Card ........ 13 • Approximate number of recordable 
pictures and available recording 
time ................................................... 15
Setting Date/Time (Clock Set)................. 16
• Changing the Clock Setting .............. 17
Basic
Selecting the [Rec] Mode ........................ 18
Taking Pictures with Your Favorite 
Settings (Normal Picture Mode) .............. 19• Tips for taking good pictures ............. 20
• Preventing jitter (camera shake) ....... 20
Taking pictures using the Touch Shutter 
function.................................................... 21
Focusing.................................................. 22
Playing Back Pictures 
([Normal Play]) ........................................ 24
Recording Motion Pictures ...................... 26
Playing Back Motion Pictures.................. 28
Taking Pictures Using the Automatic 
Function (Intelligent Auto Mode) ............. 30 •  Changing the settings ...................... 31
• Scene Detection ................................ 32
Deleting Pictures ..................................... 33 • To delete a single picture .................. 33
• To delete multiple pictures (up to 50) or all the pictures .............. 34
Selecting Application ............................... 35
Setting the Menu ..................................... 36 • Setting menu items ........................... 36
About the Setup Menu ............................ 38
Recording
About the LCD Monitor ............................46
Taking Pictures with Focus and 
Exposure Set on Subject 
(Touch AF/AE).........................................47
Taking Pictures with the Zoom ................49 • Using the Optical Zoom/
Using the Extended Optical Zoom (EZ)/
Using the Intelligent Zoom/
Using the Digital Zoom......................49
• Zooming with touch operation ...........51
Shortcut setting .......................................52
Taking Pictures that Match the Scene 
Being Recorded (Scene Mode) ...............53 •  [Portrait]............................................53
•  [Transform] .......................................53
•  [Self Portrait] ....................................54
•  [Scenery] ..........................................54
•  [Panorama Assist] ............................54
•  [Sports] .............................................55
•  [Night Portrait] ..................................55
•  [Night Scenery] .................................55
•  [Handheld Night Shot] ......................55
•  [Food] ...............................................55
•  [Party] ...............................................56
•  [Candle Light] ...................................56
•  [Baby1]/[Baby2] ................................56
•  [Pet] ..................................................57
•  [Sunset] ............................................57
•  [High Sens.]......................................57
•  [Hi-Speed Burst] ...............................57
•  [Flash Burst] .....................................58
•  [Starry Sky].......................................58
•  [Fireworks]........................................58
•  [Beach] .............................................59
•  [Snow] ..............................................59
•  [Aerial Photo]....................................59
•  [Photo Frame] ..................................59
Taking 3D pictures (3D Photo Mode) ......60
Taking pictures while changing the skin 
texture (Cosmetic Mode) .........................61
Taking pictures while adjusting color 
(My Color Mode)......................................62
Taking a Picture with Face Recognition 
Function...................................................63
• Face Settings ....................................64
Taking a still picture while recording 
a motion picture .......................................67
Useful Functions at Travel 
Destinations.............................................68 • Recording which Day of the 
Vacation and the Location of the 
Vacation ([Travel Date]) ....................68
• Recording Dates/Times at Overseas 
Travel Destinations ([World Time]) ...70 
						

							- 3 -
Using the [Rec] Mode Menu.................... 71•  [Flash] .............................................. 71
•  [Selftimer] ......................................... 74
•  [Aspect Ratio]................................... 74
•  [Picture Size] .................................... 75
•  [Quality] ............................................ 76
•  [Sensitivity] ....................................... 77
•  [White Balance] ................................ 78
•  [AF Mode] ........................................ 80
•  [Macro Mode] ................................... 81
•  [Quick AF] ........................................ 82
•  [Face Recog.]................................... 82
•  [Exposure] ........................................ 83
•  [i.Exposure] ...................................... 85
•  [Min. Shtr Speed] ............................. 85
•  [i.Resolution] .................................... 86
•  [Digital Zoom] ................................... 86
•  [Burst]............................................... 87
•  [Color Mode] .................................... 87
•  [AF Assist Lamp] .............................. 88
•  [Red-Eye Removal] .......................... 88
•  [Stabilizer] ........................................ 89
•  [Date Stamp] .................................... 89
•  [Clock Set]........................................ 89
Using the [Motion Picture] Mode Menu ... 90 •  [Rec Mode] ....................................... 90
•  [Rec Quality] .................................... 91
•  [Active Mode] ................................... 92
•  [Continuous AF] ............................... 92
•  [Wind Cut] ........................................ 92
Entering Text ........................................... 93
Playback/Editing
Creating Still Pictures From a Motion 
Picture ..................................................... 94
Various methods to playback .................. 95 •  [Slide Show] ..................................... 96
•  [Filtering Play] .................................. 98
•  [Playback Album] ............................. 99
•  [Dual Play]........................................ 99
•  [Calendar] ........................................ 99
Using the [Playback] Mode Menu ......... 100 •  [Upload Set] ................................... 100
•  [Title Edit] ....................................... 101
•  [Text Stamp] ................................... 102
•  [Video Divide] ................................. 104
•  [Resize] .......................................... 105
•  [Cropping] ...................................... 106
•  [Favorite] ........................................ 107
•  [Print Set] ....................................... 108
•  [Protect].......................................... 110
•  [Face Rec Edit] .............................. 111
•  [Copy]............................................. 112
Having fun
Having Fun with Recorded Pictures ......113• [Beauty Retouch] .............................113
• [Art Retouch] ...................................115
• [My Photo Album] ............................116
Connecting to other equipment
Playing Back Pictures on a TV 
Screen ...................................................117• Playing back pictures using the AV 
cable (supplied)...............................117
• Playing back pictures on a TV with  an SD Memory Card slot.................118
• Playing back on the TV with HDMI  socket..............................................118
Playing back 3D pictures .......................122
• Playing back 3D pictures .................122
• Saving 3D pictures ..........................123
Saving the Recorded Still Pictures and 
Motion Pictures......................................124
• Copy by inserting the SD card into the recorder.....................................124
• Copy the playback image using  an AV cable.....................................125
• Copying to a PC using 
“PHOTOfunSTUDIO” ......................126
Connecting to a PC ...............................127 • Uploading the images to sharing 
sites.................................................130
Printing the Pictures ..............................131 • Selecting a single picture and 
printing it .........................................132
• Selecting multiple pictures and  printing them ...................................132
• Print Settings ...................................133
Others
Screen Display ......................................135
Cautions for Use....................................138
Message Display ...................................144
Troubleshooting.....................................146 
						

							Before Use
- 4 -
Before UseCare of the camera
Do not subject to strong vibration, shock, or pressure.
•
The lens, LCD monitor, or external case may be damaged if used in 
following conditions. 
It may also malfunction or image may not be recorded.
–Drop or hit the camera.–Sit down with the camera in your trousers pocket or forcefully 
insert it into a full or tight bag, etc.
–Attach any items such as accessories to the strap attached to the 
camera.
–Press hard on the lens or the LCD monitor.
This camera is not dust/drip/water proof.
Avoid using the camera at location with a lot of dust, water, 
sand, etc.
•
Liquids, sand and other foreign material may get into the space 
around the lens, buttons, etc. Be particularly careful since it may not 
just cause malfunctions, but it may become unrepairable.
–Places with a lot of sand or dust.–Places where water can come into contact with this unit such as 
when using it on a rainy day or on a beach.
∫About Condensation (When the lens or the LCD monitor 
is fogged up)
•
Condensation occurs when the am bient temperature or humidity 
changes. Be careful of condensation since it causes lens or LCD 
monitor stains, fungus and camera malfunction.
•If condensation occurs, turn the camera off and leave it for about 
2 hours. The fog will disappear naturally when the temperature of 
the camera becomes close to the ambient temperature. 
						

							- 5 -
Before Use
Standard Accessories
Check that all the accessories are supplied before using the camera.
•
The accessories and their shape will differ depending on the country or area where the camera 
was purchased.
For details on the accessories, refer to Basic Operating Instructions.
•Battery Pack is indicated as battery pack or battery  in the text.•Battery Charger is indicated as battery charger  or charger in the text.•SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card and SDXC Memory Card are indicated as  card in the 
text.
•The card is 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. 
						

							Before Use
- 6 -
Names of the Components
1Flash (P20)
2 Lens  (P4, 139)
3 Self-timer indicator  (P74)
AF Assist Lamp  (P88)
4 Touch panel/LCD monitor  (P7, 46,  135)
5 Speaker  (P38)
6 Microphone
7 Camera ON/OFF switch (P16)
8 Motion picture button  (P26)
9 Shutter button  (P19, 30)
10 Zoom lever  (P49)
11 Strap eyelet •
Be sure to attach the strap when using 
the camera to ensure that you will not 
drop it.
12 Lens barrel
13 [HDMI] socket  (P118, 120)
14 [AV OUT/DIGITAL] socket (P117 , 125, 
128,  131)
15 Tripod receptacle
16 Card/Battery door  (P11)
17 Release lever  (P11)
18 DC coupler cover (P12) •
When using an AC adaptor, ensure that 
the Panasonic DC coupler (optional) and 
AC adaptor (optional) are used. For 
connection details, refer to  P12.
123
910
87654
13
14
12


11
OPEN LOCK
1516
1718 
						

							- 7 -
Before Use
How to Use the Touch Panel
This touch panel is a type that detects pressure.Note
•
If you use a commercially available liquid crystal protection 
sheet, please follow the instructions that accompany the 
sheet. (Some liquid crystal protection sheets may impair 
visibility or operability.)
•Apply a little extra pressure  when touching if you have a 
commercially available protection sheet affixed or if you feel it 
is not responding well.
•Touch panel will not operate properly when the hand holding 
this unit is pressing on the touch panel.
•Do not press using anything with a sharp tip or anything hard, except for the supplied stylus 
pen.
•Do not operate with your fingernails.•Wipe the LCD monitor with dry soft cloth when it gets dirty with finger prints and others.•Do not scratch or press the LCD monitor too hard.•For information about the icons displayed on the touch panel, refer to “Screen Display” on 
P135 .
∫About the Stylus pen
It is easier to use the stylus pen (supplied) for detailed 
operation or if it is hard  to operate with your fingers.
•
Do not place it where small children can reach.•Do not place the stylus pen on the LCD monitor when storing. 
LCD monitor may break when the stylus pen is pressed 
strongly against the LCD monitor.
Touch the screen
To touch and release the touch panel.Drag
A movement without releasing the touch 
panel.
Use this to perform tasks such as selecting 
icons or images displayed on the touch 
panel.
•
It may not operate properly when multiple 
icons are touched simultaneously, so try to 
touch the center of the icon.
This is used when performing tasks such as 
moving to the next image by dragging 
horizontally, or changing the range of the 
displayed image.
This can also be used to perform tasks such 
as switching the screen by operating the 
slide bar. 
						

							Preparation
- 8 -
PreparationCharging the Battery
∫About batteries that you can use with this unit
•
Use the dedicated charger and battery.
•The battery is not charged when the camera is shipped. Charge the battery before use.•Charge the battery with the charger indoors.
It has been found that counterfeit battery packs which look very similar to the 
genuine product are made available to purchase in some markets. Some of these 
battery packs are not adequately protected with internal protection to meet the 
requirements of appropriate safety standards. There is a possibility that these 
battery packs may lead to fire or explosion. Please be advised that we are not 
liable for any accident or failure occurring as a result of use of a counterfeit 
battery pack. To ensure that safe products are used we would recommend that a 
genuine Panasonic battery pack is used.
Charging
Attach the battery paying 
attention to the direction of the 
battery.
Connect the charger to the 
electrical outlet.
•Disconnect the charger from the 
electrical socket and detach the battery 
after charging is completed.
plug-in type
inlet type 
						

							- 9 -
Preparation
∫ About the [CHARGE] indicator
The [CHARGE] indicator turns on:
The [CHARGE] indicator 
A is turned on during charging.
The [CHARGE] indicator turns off:
The [CHARGE] indicator 
A will turn off once the charging has completed without any 
problem.
•
When the [CHARGE] indicator flashes–The battery temperature is too high or too low. It is recommended to charge the battery again 
in an ambient temperature of between 10 oC to 30 oC (50 oF to 86 oF).
–The terminals of the charger or the battery are dirty. In this case, wipe them with a dry cloth.
∫ Charging time
•
The indicated charging time is for when the battery has been discharged completely. 
The charging time may vary depending on how the battery has been used. The charging 
time for the battery in hot/cold environments or a battery that has not been used for long 
time may be longer than normal.
Note
•Do not leave any metal items (such as clips) near the contact areas of the power plug. 
Otherwise, a fire and/or electric shocks may be caused by short-circuiting or the 
resulting heat generated.
•The battery becomes warm after using it and during and after charging. The camera also 
becomes warm during use. This is not a malfunction.
•The battery can be recharged even when it still has some charge left, but it is not 
recommended that the battery charge be frequently topped up while the battery is fully 
charged. (Since characteristic swelling may occur.)
∫ Battery indication
The battery indication is displayed on the LCD monitor.
•
The indication turns red and blinks if the remaining battery power is exhausted. Recharge the 
battery or replace it with a fully charged battery.
Charging time Approx. 120 min
Approximate operating time and number of recordable pictures 
						

							Preparation
- 10 -
∫Recording still pictures
Recording conditions by CIPA standard
•
CIPA is an abbreviation of [Camera & Imaging Products Association].•Temperature: 23 oC (73.4 oF)/Humidity: 50%RH when LCD monitor is on.•Using a Panasonic SD Memory Card (32 MB).•Using the supplied battery.•Starting recording 30 seconds after the camera is turned on. (When the Optical Image 
Stabilizer function is set to [ON].)
•Recording once every 30 seconds  with full flash every second recording.•Changing the zoom magnification from Tele  to Wide or vice versa in every recording.•Turning the camera off every 10 recordings and leaving it until the temperature of the battery 
decreases.
The number of recordable pictures varies depending on the recording interval time. 
If the recording interval time becomes longer, the number of recordable pictures 
decreases. [For example, if you were to take one picture every two minutes, then the 
number of pictures would be reduced to approximately one-quarter of the number 
of pictures given above (based upon one picture taken every 30 seconds).]
∫Recording motion pictures
•
These times are for an ambient temperature of 23 oC (73.4 oF) and a humidity of 50%RH. 
Please be aware that these times are approximate.
•Actual recordable time is the time available  for recording when repeating actions such as 
switching the power supply [ON]/[OFF], starting/stopping recording, zoom operation etc.
•Maximum time to record motion pictures continuously with [FSH] in [AVCHD] is 29 minutes 
59 seconds.
•Motion picture recorded continuously in [Motion JPEG] is up to 2 GB. Only the maximum 
recordable time for 2 GB is displayed on the screen.
∫ Playback
Note
•
The operating times and number of recordable pictures will differ according to the 
environment and the operating conditions.
For example, in the following cases, the operating times shorten and the number of recordable 
pictures is reduced.
–In low-temperature environments, such as on ski slopes.–When using [LCD Mode].–When operations such as flash and zoom are used repeatedly.•When the operating time of the camera become s extremely short even after properly charging 
the battery, the life of the battery may have expired. Buy a new battery.
Number of recordable  pictures Approx. 200 pictures
By CIPA standard in Normal Picture 
Mode
Recording time Approx. 100 min
[AVCHD]
(Recording with picture quality  set to [FSH])[Motion JPEG]
(Recording with picture quality  set to [HD])
Recordable time Approx. 60 min Approx. 65 min
Actual recordable timeApprox. 30 min Approx. 33 min
Playback time Approx. 150 min