Panasonic Dmc Fx78 Owners Manual

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Recording
Note
•The indicated zoom magnification is an approximation.•“EZ” is an abbreviation of “Extended Optical Zoom”. It is possible to take more magnified 
pictures with the optical zoom.
•The lens barrel extends or retracts according to the zoom position. Take care not to interrupt 
the motion of the lens barrel while the zoom lever is rotated.
•When using the Digital Zoom, we recommend using a tripod and the self-timer  (P74) for taking 
pictures.
•The Intelligent Zoom cannot be used in the following cases.–In [Motion Deblur] in Intelligent Auto Mode–In Macro Zoom Mode–In [Handheld Night Shot], [High Sens.], [Hi-Speed Burst] or [Flash Burst] in Scene Mode–In [Pin Hole] in My Color Mode•The Extended Optical Zoom cannot be used in the following cases.–In [Motion Deblur] in Intelligent Auto Mode–In Macro Zoom Mode–In [Transform], [Handheld Night Shot], [High Sens.], [Hi-Speed Burst], [Flash Burst] or 
[Photo Frame] in Scene Mode
–In [Pin Hole] in My Color Mode–When recording motion pictures•[Digital Zoom] cannot be used in the following cases.–In Intelligent Auto Mode–In [Transform], [Handheld Night Shot], [High Sens.], [Hi-Speed Burst], [Flash Burst] or 
[Photo Frame] in Scene Mode
–In [Pin Hole] or [Film Grain] in My Color Mode
To u c h  [ ] .
•Zoom icon is displayed on the LCD monitor.
Touch the zoom icon on the screen.
•Zoom speed may be slower than normal in recording motion pictures.
Zooming with touch operation
[ ] The zoom positio n automatically 
moves to Tele.
[ ] The zoom positio n automatically 
moves to Wide.
•Touching the icon again during the 
move stops the move.
[L] Slow zooming
[H] Fast zooming 
						

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Shortcut setting
Shortcut setting allows you to quickly call up certain menu items.
Up to 2 frequently-used menu items can be registered per Recording/Playback Mode.
•
Read P71 for the [Rec] Mode menu, P90  for the [Motion Picture] Mode menu, and  P100 for the 
[Playback] Mode menu.
∫  Replacing or removing items
•In Step 4, drag the menu item you want to register to an item already registered. The items will 
be replaced.
•In Step 4, drag registered items out of the shortcut setting area. Registration is canceled 
leaving an empty item.
Note
•The [Setup] menu cannot be set.•You may not be able to use some of the registered items depending on the Recording Mode.
Touch [ ].
Touch [], [] or [].
Touch [ ].
Drag the menu item to register to the 
shortcut setting area.
A Shortcut setting area
B Menu item
•The registered menu item is displayed.•Exit the menu after it is set.
AB 
						

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Recording
[Rec] Mode: ¿
Taking Pictures that Match the Scene Being 
Recorded
 (Scene Mode)
When you select a Scene Mode to match the subject and recording situation, the camera 
sets the optimal exposure and hue to obtain the desired picture.
To u c h  [ ] .
To u c h  [ ] .
Touch the scene mode to set.
•The item can be switched by touching [ ]/[ ].
Note
•Scene Modes can be changed by touching [ ] from the menu screen.•The following items cannot be set in Scene Mode because the camera automatically adjusts 
them to the optimal setting.
–[Sensitivity]/[i.Exposure]/[Min. Shtr Speed]/[i.Resolution]/[Color Mode]
When taking pictures of people outdoors during t he day, this mode allows you to improve 
the appearance of the persons concerned and make their skin tones look healthier.
∫ Technique for Portrait Mode
To make this mode more effective:
1 Press and hold down the zoom lever as far as possible to Tele.
2 Move close to the subject to make this mode more effective.
Subject can be recorded either  slim or stretched, and at the same time, skin can be 
recorded smoothly.
∫ Setting the level of transform
Select the level of transform.
Note
•
Do not use the material against the public order and morals, or to offend someone.
 [Portrait]
 [Transform] 
						

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Select this to take pictures of yourself.
∫Technique for Self Portrait Mode
•
Press the shutter button halfway to focus. The self-timer indicator 
lights up when you are brought into focus. Making sure you hold 
the camera still, press the shutter button fully to take the picture.
•The subject is not focused when the self-timer indicator is 
blinking. Make sure to press the shutter button halfway again to 
focus.
•If the picture is blurry due to the slow shutter speed, we 
recommend using the 2 second self-timer.
This allows you to take pictures of a wide landscape.
You can take pictures with connections suitable for creating panorama images.
∫ Setting the recording direction
1Touch the direction to take picture.
2Touch [OK].
•The horizontal/vertical guideline will be displayed.3Take the picture.
•
You can retake the picture by selecting [Retake].
4Touch [Next].
•Part of the recorded image is displayed as a transparent image.
5Take picture after moving the camera horizontally or 
vertically so the transparent image overlaps.
•
When taking the third and later pictures, repeat steps 4 and 5.
6Touch [Exit].
Note
•
The focus, zoom, exposure, White Balance, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity are fixed to the 
settings for the first picture.
•We recommend using a tripod. When it is dark, we recommend using the self-timer for taking 
pictures.
•Shutter speed may slow down up to 8 seconds.•The shutter may remain closed (max. about 8 sec.) after taking the picture because of signal 
processing. This is not a malfunction.
•The recorded images can be combined into panorama pictures using the software 
“PHOTOfunSTUDIO” on the CD-ROM (supplied).
 [Self Portrait]
  [Scenery]
 [Panorama Assist] 
						

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Recording
Set here when you want to take pictures of sports scenes or other fast-moving events.Note
•
Shutter speed may slow down up to 1 second.•This mode is suitable for taking pictures of subjects at distances of 5 m (16.4 feet) or more.
This allows you to take pictures of a  person and the background with near real-life 
brightness.
∫ Technique for Night Portrait Mode
•
Use the flash. (You can set to [ ].)•Ask the subject not to move while taking a picture.
Note
•We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer for taking pictures.•Shutter speed may slow down up to 8 seconds.•The shutter may remain closed (max. about 8 sec.) after taking the picture because of signal 
processing. This is not a malfunction.
•Noise may become visible when you take pictures in dark places.
This allows you to take vivid pictures of the nightscape.
Note
•
We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer for taking pictures.•Shutter speed may slow down up to 8 seconds.•The shutter may remain closed (max. about 8 sec.) after taking the picture because of signal 
processing. This is not a malfunction.
•Noise may become visible when you take pictures in dark places.
This mode allows you to record multiple pict ures of night scenes at high speed, which are 
all combined to make a single picture. It will reduce the jitter and noise from the picture 
even when recording with the camera in your hand.
∫ Picture size and aspect ratio
Select the picture size of 3M (4:3), 2.5M (3:2), 2M (16:9) or 2.5M (1:1).
Note
•
Take pictures in sequence and combine them into one picture.•Do not move the camera while recording pictures continuously.•Noise may become visible when you take pictures in dark places or take pictures of moving 
subjects.
This mode allows you to take pictures of  food with a natural hue without being affected by 
the ambient light in restaurants etc.
 [Sports]
 [Night Portrait]
 [Night Scenery]
 [Handheld Night Shot]
 [Food] 
						

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Select this mode when you want to take pictures at a wedding reception or an indoor party 
etc. This allows you to take pictures of people and the background with near real-life 
brightness.
∫Technique for Party Mode
•
Use the flash. (You can set to [ ] or [ ].)•We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer for taking pictures.•We recommend moving the zoom lever to Wide (1 k) and being about 1.5 m (4.92 feet) from 
the subject when taking pictures.
This mode allows you to take pictures with a candle-lit atmosphere.
∫ Technique for Candle Light Mode
•
This is more effective when taking pictures without using the flash.
Note
•We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer for taking pictures.•Shutter speed may slow down up to 1 second.
This takes pictures of a baby with a healthy complexion. When you use the flash, the light 
from it is weaker than usual.
It is possible to set different birthdays and  names for [Baby1] and [Baby2]. You can select 
to have these appear at the time of playback, or have them stamped on the recorded 
image using [Text Stamp]  (P102).
∫ Birthday/Name setting
1Touch [Age] or [Name].2Touch [SET].
3Enter the birthday or name.
•
When the birthday or name is set, [Age] or [Name] is automatically set to [ON].•If [ON] is selected when the birthday or name has not been registered, the setting screen 
appears automatically.
4Touch [Exit] to finish.
∫ To cancel [Age] and [Name]
Select the [OFF] setting in step 
2.
Note
•
The age and name can be printed out using the “PHOTOfunSTUDIO” bundled software on the 
CD-ROM (supplied).
•If [Age] or [Name] is set to [OFF] even when the birthday or name has been set, the age or 
name will not be displayed. Before taking pictures, set [Age] or [Name] to [ON].
•Shutter speed may slow down up to 1 second.
 [Party]
 [Candle Light]
 [Baby1]/[Baby2]
Birthday: Touch [ 3]/[4 ] for each item to set 
year/month/day, and touch [Set].
Name: For details on how to enter characters,  refer to “Entering Text” on P93 . 
						

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Recording
Select this mode when you want to take pictures of a pet such as a dog or a cat.
You can set your pet’s birthday and name.
For information about [Age] or [Name], refer to [Baby1]/[Baby2] on P56.
Select this mode when you want to take pictures of a sunset view. This allows you to take 
vivid pictures of the red color of the sun.
This mode minimizes the jitter of the subjects , and enables you to take pictures of these 
subjects in dimly lit rooms.
∫ Picture size and aspect ratio
Select the picture size of 3M (4:3), 2.5M (3:2), 2M (16:9) or 2.5M (1:1).
This is a convenient mode for shooting rapid movement or a decisive moment.
∫ Picture size and aspect ratio
Select the picture size of 3M (4:3), 2.5M (3:2), 2M (16:9) or 2.5M (1:1).
•
Still pictures are taken continuously while the shutter button is pressed fully.
•The Burst speed changes according to the recording conditions.•The number of Burst recording pictures are limited by the picture-taking conditions and the type 
and/or status of the card used.
•The number of Burst recording pictures may increase when you use a card with fast writing 
speed or card is formatted.
Note
•The focus, zoom, exposure, White Balance, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity are fixed to the 
settings for the first picture.
•The ISO sensitivity is automatica lly adjusted. However, the ISO sensitivity is increased to make 
the shutter speed become high-speed.
•Depending on the operating conditions, it may take time to take the next picture if you repeat 
taking a picture.
 [Pet]
 [Sunset]
 [High Sens.]
 [Hi-Speed Burst]
Maximum Burst speed approx. 10 pictures/second (Speed priority)
approx. 6 pictures/second (Image priority)
Number of recordable 
picturesapprox. 15 to 100 pictures 
						

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Still pictures are taken continuously with flash. It is convenient to take continuous still 
pictures in dark places.
∫Picture size and aspect ratio
Select the picture size of 3M (4:3), 2.5M (3:2), 2M (16:9) or 2.5M (1:1).
•
Still pictures are taken continuously while the shutter button is pressed fully.
Note
•The focus, zoom, exposure, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and flash level are fixed to the 
settings for the first picture.
•Number of recordable pictures will be fixed to 5 pictures when the self-timer is used.
This allows you to take vivid pictur es of a starry sky or a dark subject.
∫ Setting the shutter speed
Select a shutter speed of [15 sec.], [30 sec.] or [60 sec.].
•
Press the shutter button fully to display the countdown screen. 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.
∫ Technique for Starry Sky Mode
•The shutter opens for 15, 30 or 60 seconds. Be sure to use a tripod. We also recommend 
taking pictures with the self-timer.
This mode allows you to take beautiful pictures of fireworks exploding in the night sky.
∫ Technique for Fireworks Mode
•
Since the shutter speed becomes slower, we recommend using a tripod.
Note
•This mode is most effective when the subject is 10 m (32.8 feet) or more away.•The shutter speed is fixed to 1/4th of a second or 2 seconds.•You can change the shutter speed by compensating the exposure.
 [Flash Burst]
Number of recordable 
pictures max. 5 pictures
 [Starry Sky]
 [Fireworks] 
						

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Recording
This allows you to take even more vivid pictures of the blue color of the sea, sky etc. It also 
prevents underexposure of people under strong sunlight.
Note
•
Do not touch the camera with wet hands.•Problems caused by sand, seawater and fresh water are not covered by the product warranty.
This allows you to take pictures that show t he snow as white as possible at a ski resort or 
a snow-covered mountain.
This mode allows you to take pictures through an airplane window.
∫ Technique for Aerial Photo Mode
•
We recommend using this technique if it is difficult to focus when taking pictures of clouds etc. 
Aim the camera at something with high contrast, press the shutter button halfway to fix the 
focus and then aim the camera at the subject and press the shutter button fully to take the 
picture.
Record the image with a frame around it.
∫ Setting the frame
Select from 3 types of frames.
Note
•
The color of the frame displayed on the screen and the color of the frame around the actual 
image may differ, but this is not a malfunction.
 [Beach]
 [Snow]
 [Aerial Photo]
 [Photo Frame] 
						

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[Rec] mode: 
Taking 3D pictures (3D Photo Mode)
Pictures are recorded continuously while moving the camera horizontally, and two picutres 
selected automatically are combined to make a single 3D picture.
To view 3D pictures, a television that suppor ts 3D is required (This unit will playback in 
2D).
Refer to  P122 for details about the playback method.
To u c h  [ ] .
To u c h  [ ] .
•Description of recording method is displayed. To exit, 
touch [OK].
Take a picture with the subject to the right 
of the screen.
Move the camera horizontally straight 
from left to right while recording.
•A guide is displayed while recording.•Move the camera approximately 10 cm (0.33 feet) within approximately 4 seconds 
using the guide.
Note
•You cannot record 3D pictures in vertical orientation.•The 3D pictures are saved in MPO format (3D).•Zoom position is fixed to Wide.• The picture size is fixed to 2M (16:9).•The ISO sensitivity is automatica lly adjusted. However, the ISO sensitivity is increased to make 
the shutter speed become high-speed.
•Motion pictures cannot be recorded during 3D Photo Mode.•3D effect may not be achieved or the recorded picture may be warped with the 3D recording 
depending on the recording environment, such as in the following:
–When the subject is too dark/the brightness changes–When the subject is moving
∫ Technique for taking 3D pictures
–Take a picture of a subject that is not moving–Take a picture in a well-lit place, such as outdoors, etc.–Fix the focus and exposure by pressing the shutter button halfway, then press the shutter 
button fully and move the camera