Panasonic Dmc Fz18 Operating Instructions Manual

							Preparation
21VQT1F83
pictures with audio (P77). (The pictures 
are not enlarged.)
 When the quality is set to [RAW] or 
[RAWiJPEG], the auto review function 
works until the end of recording onto the 
card. (The picture is not enlarged.)
 The auto review setting is disabled when 
using auto bracket or burst mode, in 
motion picture mode [ ], when 
[AUDIO REC.] is set to [ON] or when the 
quality is set to [RAW] or [RAWiJPEG].
 In intelligent auto mode [ ], the auto 
review function is fixed to [1SEC.].
[POWER SAVE]
(Turning off this unit automatically.)
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
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.
[1MIN.], [2MIN.], [5MIN.], [10MIN.], [OFF]
 Press the shutter button halfway or turn 
this unit off and on to cancel power save 
mode.
 In intelligent auto mode [ ], power save 
mode is fixed to [5MIN.].
 Power save mode is not activated in the 
following cases.
– When using the AC adaptor 
(DMW-AC7PP; optional)
– When connecting to a PC or a printer
– When recording or playing back motion 
pictures
– During a slide show
[WORLD TIME] (P69)
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Set the time in your home area and travel 
destination.
[CUST. SET MEM.]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
The current camera settings are registered 
in [ ], [ ] or [ ]. (P55)
[ ], [ ], [ ]
[MONITOR/VIEWFINDER]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
You can adjust the brightness of the 
monitor or the Viewfinder in 7 steps.
[GUIDE LINE]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Set the pattern of the guide lines displayed 
when taking pictures.
You can also set whether or not to have the 
recording information and histogram 
displayed when the guide lines are 
displayed. (P36, 38)
 In intelligent auto mode [ ], the guide 
lines and histogram are not displayed.
[TRAVEL DATE] (P67)
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Set the departure date and the return date 
of the vacation.
[SET], [OFF]
[PLAY ON LCD] (P37)
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
If you selected the Viewfinder in a 
recording mode, the display will 
automatically switch to the LCD monitor 
when reviewing or playing back the 
pictures.
[ON], [OFF]
[]:Travel destination area
[]:Your home area
MENUSET
MENUSET
[REC. INFO.]: [ON]/[OFF]
[HISTOGRAM]: [ON]/[OFF]
[PATTERN]: [ ]/[ ]
MENUSET
MENUSET
MENUSET
MENUSET
MENUSET
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							Preparation
22VQT1F83
[ZOOM RESUME]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
The zoom position is stored when this unit 
is turned off. When this unit is turned on 
again, the zoom automatically returns to 
the position it was at when this unit was 
turned off. (P30)
[ON], [OFF]
[MF ASSIST] (P52)
(Recording mode only)
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
In manual focus, the assistance screen 
appears on the center of the screen to 
facilitate focusing on the subject.
[BEEP]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
This allows you to set the beep.
[AF BEEP]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
This allows you to set the AF beep.
[SHUTTER]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
This allows you to set the shutter sound.
[VOLUME]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
The volume of speakers can be adjusted in 
7 steps from level 6 to 0.
 When you connect the camera to a TV, 
the volume of the TV speakers does not 
change.
[NO.RESET]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Reset the file number of the next recording 
to 0001.
 The folder number is updated and the file 
number starts from 0001. (P112)
 A folder number between 100 and 999 
can be assigned.
When the folder number reaches 999, the 
number cannot be reset. We recommend 
formatting the card after saving the data 
on a PC or elsewhere.
 To reset the folder number to 100, format 
(P110) the built-in memory or the card first 
and then use this function to reset the file 
number.
A reset screen for the folder number will 
then appear. Select [YES] to reset the 
folder number.
[RESET]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
The [REC], [CUST. SET MEM.] or [SETUP] 
menu settings are reset to the initial 
settings.
 [FAVORITE] (P98) is fixed to [OFF] and 
[ROTATE DISP.] (P97) is fixed to [ON].
 If the [SETUP] menu settings are reset, 
the following settings are also reset.  [MF1]:The center of the screen is 
enlarged. You can adjust the 
focus while determining the 
composition of the whole of the 
screen.
[MF2]:The center of the screen is 
enlarged over the whole 
screen. This is convenient for 
adjusting the focus in wide 
angle shots for which changes 
in focus are difficult to grasp.
[OFF]:The screen is not enlarged.
[]:No operation sound
[]:Soft operation sound
[]:Loud operation sound
[]:No AF beep
[]:Soft AF beep
[]:Loud AF beep
MENUSET
MENUSET
MENUSET
MENUSET
[]:No shutter sound
[]:Soft shutter sound
[]:Loud shutter sound
MENUSET
MENUSET
MENUSET
MENUSET
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							Preparation
23VQT1F83
– The birthday and name settings for 
[BABY1]/[BABY2] (P61) and [PET] 
(P62) in scene mode.
– The number of days that have passed 
since the departure date in 
[TRAVEL DATE]. (P67)
– The [WORLD TIME] (P69) setting.
– [ZOOM RESUME] (P30)
 The folder number and the clock setting 
are not changed.
[VIDEO OUT]
(Playback mode only)
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Set to match the color television system in 
each country.
[TV ASPECT]
(Playback mode only) (P117)
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Set to match the type of TV.
[m/ft] (P52)
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Change the unit displayed for the focus 
distance in manual focus.
[SCENE MENU] (P57, 60)
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Set the screen that will appear when the 
mode dial is set to [ ]/[ ]/[ ]/[ ]/
[].
 [DIAL DISPLAY]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Set whether or not to show the mode dial 
display when the mode dial is rotated.
[ON], [OFF]
[LANGUAGE]
Press [ ] to display the [SETUP] menu 
and select the item to set. (P19)
Set the language displayed on the screen.
[ENGLISH], [DEUTSCH], [FRANÇAIS], 
[ESPAÑOL], [ITALIANO], [ ]
¢, [ ]
¢Not displayed on DMC-FZ18P
 If you set a different language by mistake, 
select [ ] from the menu icons to set the 
desired language.
LCD Monitor/
Viewfinder Display/
Switching the LCD 
Monitor/Viewfinder 
Display
∫Screen display in program AE mode 
[ ] (at the time of purchase)
1 Recording mode [NTSC]:Video output is set to NTSC 
system.
[PAL]:Video output is set to PAL 
system.
[]:When connecting to a 16:9 
screen TV.
[]:When connecting to a 4:3 
screen TV.
[m]:The distance is displayed in 
metres.
[ft]:The distance is displayed in 
feet.
MENUSET
MENUSET
MENUSET
MENUSET
[AUTO]:The advanced scene mode 
or [SCENE MODE] menu 
screen appears.
[OFF]:The recording screen in the 
currently selected advanced 
scene mode or scene mode 
appears.
MENUSET
MENUSET
17
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							Preparation
24VQT1F83
2 Flash mode (P40)
3 AF area (P25)
 The AF area displayed is bigger than 
usual when taking pictures in dark 
places.
4 Focus (P25)
5 Picture size (P76)
6 Quality (P76)
: Jitter alert (P27)
7 Battery indication
 The indication turns red and blinks if 
the remaining battery power is 
exhausted. Recharge the battery or 
replace it with a fully charged battery.
 It does not appear when you use the 
camera with the AC adaptor 
(DMW-AC7PP; optional) connected.
8 Number of recordable pictures (P130)
9 Recording state
10 Built-in memory/Card
 The access indication lights red when 
pictures are being recorded on the 
built-in memory (or the card).
– When using the built-in memory
– When using the card
 Do not do the following when the 
access indication lamps lights. The 
card or the data on the card may be 
damaged and this unit may no longer 
operate normally.
– Turn this unit off.
– Remove the battery or the card 
(when using a card).
– Shake or bump this unit.
– Disconnect the AC adaptor 
(DMW-AC7PP; optional). (when 
using the AC adaptor)
 Do not do the above when pictures are 
being read or deleted or the built-in 
memory (or the card) is being 
formatted (P110). The access time for the built-in 
memory may be longer than the 
access time for a card.
11 AF area selection (P80)
12 Joystick operation (P27, 33, 50, 51)
13 Shutter speed (P25)
14 Aperture value (P25)
 If the exposure is not adequate, the 
aperture value and the shutter speed 
turn red. (They do not turn red when 
the flash is activated.)
15 Exposure compensation (P45)
16 Metering mode (P78)
17 Optical Image Stabilizer (P81)
 Refer to P118 for information about other 
screen displays.
∫Switching the screen display
You can change the screen display by 
pressing [DISPLAY]. This allows you to 
display information while taking pictures 
such as the picture size or the number of 
recordable pictures or take pictures without 
displaying any information. Refer to P36 for 
details.
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							Basic
25VQT1F83
Basic
Taking Pictures
The camera automatically sets the shutter 
speed and the aperture value according to 
the brightness of the subject.
 The power lamp 3 lights when you turn 
this unit on 2. 
(1: Shutter button)
1Hold this unit gently with both 
hands, keep your arms still at 
your side and stand with your feet 
slightly apart.
AAF assist lamp
BWhen holding the camera vertically
2Aim the AF area at the point you 
want to focus on.
3Press the shutter button halfway 
to focus.
 The focus indication 2 lights green and 
the AF area 1 turns from white to 
green.
(3: Aperture value, 4: Shutter speed)
 The subject is not focused in the 
following cases.
– The focus indication blinks (green).
– The AF area turns white to red or 
there is no AF area.
– The focus sound beeps 4 times.
 If the subject is not in focus, an estimate 
of the focus range will appear in red at 
the bottom of the screen.
 If the distance is beyond the focus 
range, the picture may not be properly 
focused even if the focus indication 
lights.
4Press the halfway pressed 
shutter button fully to take a 
picture.
 When you press the shutter button, the 
LCD monitor may become bright or dark 
for a moment however the recorded 
picture will not be affected. 
 Be careful not to move the camera when 
you press the shutter button.
 Do not cover the microphone or the AF 
assist lamp with your fingers or other 
objects.
 Do not touch the front of the lens.
 When taking pictures, make sure your 
footing is stable and there is no danger of 
colliding with another person, a ball etc.
∫Exposure (P45)
 The exposure is automatically adjusted to 
the appropriate exposure on this unit 
(AE=Auto Exposure). However, 
depending on the recording conditions 
such as when there is backlight, the 
recorded picture will be dark.
OFF ON
CUSTOM
AB
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							Basic
26VQT1F83
In this case, compensate the exposure. 
This allows you to take bright pictures.
∫Focusing (P26, 48, 54)
 The picture is automatically focused on 
this unit (AF=Auto Focus). However, the 
picture may not be properly focused in the 
following cases. The focus range is 30 cm 
(0.98 feet) to ¶ (Wide), 2 m (6.56 feet) to 
¶ (Tele).
– When there are both near and distant 
subjects in a scene.
– When there is dirt or dust on glass 
between the lens and the subject.
– When there are illuminated or glittering 
objects around the subject.
– When taking a picture in dark places.
– When the subject is moving fast.
– When the scene has low contrast.
– When recording a very bright subject.
– When taking close-up pictures of a 
subject.
– When jitter occurs.
Try using prefocus, the AF/AE lock 
technique or [AF MACRO].
For information on the face detection 
function, read P78.
∫Color (P72, 73)
 The color of the subject will differ if the 
color of the light surrounding it differs such 
as when the light comes from sunlight or 
halogen lighting. However, this unit 
automatically adjusts the hue to one close 
to real life. (auto white balance)
Set the white balance if you want to 
change the hue you get with auto white 
balance.
Adjust the white balance finely for 
additional white balance adjustment. 
∫When you want to take a picture of a 
subject outside the AF area (AF/AE 
Lock)
When recording a picture of people with a 
composition like the following picture, you 
will not be able to focus the camera on the subject because the people are outside the 
AF area.
In this case,
1Aim the AF area at the subject.
2Press the shutter button halfway to 
fix the focus and the exposure.
 The focus indication lights when the 
subject is focused.
3Press and hold the shutter button 
halfway while moving the camera as 
you compose the picture.
4Press the shutter button fully.
 You can repeatedly retry AF/AE lock 
before pressing the shutter button fully.
We recommend that you use the face 
detection function when taking pictures 
of people. (P78)
∫Direction detection function
Pictures recorded with the camera held 
vertically are played back vertically 
(rotated). (Only when [ROTATE DISP.] 
(P97) is set to [ON])
 Pictures may not be displayed vertically if 
they were taken with the camera aimed up 
or down.
 Pictures cannot be displayed vertically 
when recording motion pictures or 
creating flip animations.
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							Basic
27VQT1F83
∫Preventing jitter (camera shake)
 Be careful of jittering when pressing the 
shutter button.
 If jitter could occur because of slow 
shutter speed, the jitter alert A appears.
 When the jitter alert appears, we 
recommend using a tripod. If you cannot 
use a tripod, be careful how you hold the 
camera. The use of the self-timer prevents 
jittering caused by pressing the shutter 
button when you are using a tripod (P44).
 Shutter speed will be slower particularly in 
the following cases. Keep the camera still 
from the moment the shutter button is 
pressed until the picture appears on the 
screen. We recommend using a tripod.
– Slow sync./Red-eye reduction
– [NIGHT PORTRAIT] and [NIGHT 
SCENERY] in [NIGHT PORTRAIT] 
mode (P58)
– [PARTY], [CANDLE LIGHT], 
[STARRY SKY] and [FIREWORKS] in 
scene mode (P59)
– When you set to a slow shutter speed
∫Program shift
In program AE mode, you can change the 
preset aperture value and shutter speed 
without changing the exposure. This is 
called program shift.
You can make the background more blurred 
by decreasing the aperture value or record 
a moving subject more dynamically by 
slowing the shutter speed when taking a 
picture in program AE mode.
 Press the shutter button halfway and then 
use the joystick to activate program shift 
while the aperture value and the shutter 
speed are displayed on the screen (about 
10 seconds). The program shift indication A appears 
on the screen when program shift is 
activated.
 Program shift is canceled if the camera is 
turned off or the joystick is moved up and 
down until the program shift indication 
disappears.
∫Example of program shift
(A): Aperture value
(B): Shutter speed
1Program shift amount
2Program shift line chart
3Program shift limit
 If the exposure is not adequate when the 
shutter button is pressed halfway, the 
aperture value and shutter speed turns 
red.
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1  2 3  4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1 1
/
2 1
/
4 1
/
8 1
/
15 1
/
30 1
/
60 1
/
125 1
/
250 1
/
500 1
/
1000 1
/
2000
2 
2.8 
4 
5.6 
8 
11
(B)
(A)
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							Basic
28VQT1F83
 Program shift is canceled and the camera 
returns to normal program AE mode if 
more than 10 seconds pass after program 
shift is activated. However, the program 
shift setting is memorized.
 Depending on the brightness of the 
subject, program shift may not be 
activated.
Taking pictures using 
the automatic function 
(Intelligent Auto Mode)
The camera will set the most appropriate 
settings to match the subject and the 
recording conditions so we recommend this 
mode for beginners or those who want to 
leave the settings to the camera and take 
pictures easily.
The following functions work automatically 
in the intelligent auto mode [ ].
∫Stabilizer function (P81)
Jitter is detected and stabilized.
∫Intelligent ISO sensitivity (P74)
The camera will automatically set the 
appropriate ISO sensitivity and the shutter 
speed to the movement of the subject and 
the surrounding brightness.
∫Face detection (P78)
The camera can automatically detect a 
person’s face and will adjust the focus and 
exposure to fit that face no matter what 
portion of the picture it is in.
∫Scene detection
The camera will distinguish the scene that 
matches the subject and the recording 
conditions.
([ ] is set if none of the scenes are 
applicable.) The camera may distinguish different 
scenes for the same subject depending on 
the recording conditions.
∫Continuous AF (P82)
In order for the camera to adjust the focus 
as normal without pressing the shutter 
button halfway, focus adjustment is quicker 
when the shutter is pressed.
∫Changing the settings
Press [MENU/SET] to display the [REC] 
mode menu or the [SETUP] menu, and 
then select the item to set. (P19)
Items that can be set
 The available settings for the following 
items will differ when used with other 
[REC] modes.
– [PICT.SIZE]
– [STABILIZER]
– [COL.EFFECT]
 The settings for [CLOCK SET], 
[WORLD TIME], [TRAVEL DATE], 
[BEEP], and [LANGUAGE] in the 
intelligent auto mode [ ] will also be 
reflected in other [REC] modes.
Determined scene
:[i-PORTRAIT]
: [i-SCENERY]
:[i-MACRO]
: [i-NIGHT PORTRAIT]
: [i-NIGHT SCENERY]
MenuItem
[REC] mode 
menu[ASPECT RATIO] (P75)
[PICT.SIZE] (P76)
[STABILIZER] (P81)
[COL.EFFECT] (P83)
[SETUP] 
menu[CLOCK SET] (P17)
[WORLD TIME] (P69)
[TRAVEL DATE] (P67)
[BEEP] (P22)
[LANGUAGE] (P23)
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							Basic
29VQT1F83
 The settings for [CLOCK SET], 
[WORLD TIME], [MONITOR/
VIEWFINDER], [TRAVEL DATE], 
[ZOOM RESUME], [BEEP], [AF BEEP], 
[SHUTTER], [NO.RESET], [DIAL 
DISPLAY], and [LANGUAGE] in the 
[SETUP] menu (P20) will also be reflected 
in the intelligent auto mode [ ].
∫Other settings in intelligent auto 
mode [ ]
In intelligent auto mode [ ], other 
settings are fixed as follows. For more 
information about each setting, refer to the 
page indicated.
 [AUTO REVIEW] (P20):
[1SEC.]
 [POWER SAVE] (P21):
[5MIN.]
 Self-timer (P44):
10 seconds
 [W.BALANCE] (P72):
[AWB]
 [QUALITY] (P76):
[]
( (0.3M EZ): set to [ ])
 [AF MODE] (P78):
[]
(Set to [ ] when a face cannot be 
detected)
 [CONT.AF] (P82):
[ON]
 [AF ASSIST LAMP] (P82):
[ON]
 [METERING MODE] (P78):
[]
 You cannot use the following functions.
– [GUIDE LINE]
– Exposure compensation
– Flash output adjustment
– Auto bracket
–[D.ZOOM]
– Out-of-frame display
 You cannot set the following items.
– [ZOOM RESUME]
– [CONVERSION]∫Focus range in intelligent auto mode 
[]
 The indicated zoom magnification is an 
approximation.
 The zoom magnification values will 
change when using the extended optical 
zoom.
 Refer to P49 for the tele-macro.
∫The Backlight Compensation
Backlight refers to when light comes from 
the back of a subject.
In this case, the subject, such as a person, 
will become dark so this function 
compensates the backlight by brightening 
the whole of the picture.
Press 3. When the backlight compensation 
function is activated, [ ] 
(compensating backlight ON indication 
A) appears. Press 3 again to cancel 
this function.
1 cm (0.03 feet)
2 m (6.56 feet)
1 m (3.28 feet)
A
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							Basic
30VQT1F83
 It is possible to select either AUTO 
[ ] or Forced OFF [ ] depending 
upon whether the flash is open or closed. 
When AUTO [ ] is selected, AUTO 
[ ], AUTO/Red-eye reduction 
[ ] or Slow sync./Red-eye reduction 
[ ] is set depending on the type of 
subject and brightness.
 When AUTO [ ] is selected, 
[i-NIGHT SCENERY] scene mode is not 
identified.
 When Forced OFF [ ] is selected, 
[i-NIGHT PORTRAIT] scene mode is not 
identified.
 If a tripod is used, for instance, and the 
camera has judged that camera shake is 
minimal when the scene mode has been 
identified as [i-NIGHT SCENERY], the 
shutter speed will be set to a maximum of 
8 seconds. Take care not to move the 
camera while taking pictures.
Taking Pictures with 
the Zoom
You can make people and objects appear 
closer and landscapes can be recorded in 
wide angle with the 18k optical zoom. 
(35 mm film camera equivalent: 28 mm to 
504 mm)
∫To make subjects appear closer use 
(Tele)
Rotate the zoom lever towards 
Te l e .
∫To make subjects appear further away 
use (Wide)
Rotate the zoom lever towards 
Wide.
∫Changing the zoom speed
You can operate the zoom at 2 speeds 
depending on the rotation angle of the 
zoom lever.
The zoom speed becomes slower when the 
rotation angle is small and the zoom speed 
becomes faster when the rotation angle is 
large.
AFast
BSlow
CZoom lever
∫Storing the zoom position (Zoom 
resume)
If [ZOOM RESUME] (P22) in the [SETUP] 
menu is set to [ON], the zoom position is 
stored when this unit is turned off. When 
this unit is turned on again, the zoom 
position automatically returns to the 
position it was at when this unit was turned 
off.
 The focus position is not stored.
 If you use the zoom function after focusing 
on the subject, focus on the subject again.
 The indicated zoom magnification is an 
approximation.
 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.
Using the Optical Zoom
WT
WT
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