Panasonic Dmc Fz18 Operating Instructions Manual

							Advanced (Recording pictures)
71VQT1F83
Using the [REC] Mode 
Menu
Increase the variety of pictures you can 
take by setting color effect, picture 
adjustment etc. The menu items that can 
be set differ depending on the recording 
mode.
∫Setting from the menu screen
Press [MENU/SET] to display the [REC] 
mode menu and then select the item to 
set. (P19)
Items that can be set
(Recording in program AE mode [ ])∫Using the quick setting
 You can use the joystick to easily set the 
following items when recording. 
(Recording in program AE mode [ ])
– [STABILIZER]
–[AF MODE]
– [METERING MODE]
– [W.BALANCE]
– [SENSITIVITY]
– [PICT.SIZE]
– [QUALITY]
1Keep pressing the joystick when 
recording.
2Tilt the joystick towards 3/4/2/
1 to select the menu item and the 
setting and then press the center 
of the joystick to finish.
 The [ ] (White Set) setting does not 
appear when using the quick setting.
Menu 
screenItem
1/4: [W.BALANCE] (P72)
: [WB ADJUST.] (P73)
: [INTELLIGENT ISO] 
(P74)
: [SENSITIVITY] (P75)
: [ASPECT RATIO] (P75)
2/4: [PICT.SIZE] (P76)
: [QUALITY] (P76)
: [AUDIO REC.] (P77)
: [METERING MODE] 
(P78)
: [AF MODE] (P78)
3/4: [STABILIZER] (P81)
: [CONT.AF] (P82)
: [AF ASSIST LAMP] 
(P82)
: [AF/AE LOCK] (P83)
: [D.ZOOM] (P31)
4/4: [COL.EFFECT] (P83)
: [PICT.ADJ.] (P84)
: [FLIP ANIM.] (P84)
: [CONVERSION] (P86)
: [CLOCK SET] (P17)
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
72VQT1F83
Press [ ] to display the [REC] mode 
menu and select the item to set. (P71)
This function allows you to reproduce a 
white color close to real life in pictures 
recorded under sunlight, halogen lighting 
etc. in which the white color may appear 
reddish or bluish. Select a setting that 
matches the recording conditions.
¢Cannot be selected when the motion 
picture mode [ ] is set.
The optimal white balance will differ 
depending on the type of halogen lighting 
being recorded under so use [AWB] or 
[].
∫Auto white balance
The available white balance range is shown 
in the following illustration. When you take 
a picture beyond the available white 
balance range, the picture may appear reddish or bluish. Even within the confines 
of the range, the auto white balance may 
not operate properly if there are many light 
sources or there is no color close to white. 
In these cases, set the white balance to a 
mode other than [AWB].
1 Auto white balance will work within this 
range.
2 Blue sky
3 Cloudy sky (Rain)
4 Shade
5 TV screen
6 Sunlight
7 White fluorescent light
8 Incandescent light bulb
9 Sunrise and sunset
10 Candlelight
KlKelvin Color Temperature
∫Setting the white balance manually 
1Select [ ] and then press [MENU/
SET].
2Select [ WHITE SET 1] or 
[ WHITE SET 2] and then press 
[MENU/SET].
 You can also use the joystick to select 
or set.
[W.BALANCE]
Adjusting the hue for a more 
natural picture
[AWB]
(Auto white 
balance)for auto setting
(Daylight)for recording outdoors 
on a bright day
(Cloudy)for recording outdoors 
on a cloudy day
(Shade)for recording outdoors 
in the shade on a 
bright day
(Flash)
¢for recording with the 
flash only
(Halogen)for recording under 
halogen lighting
(White set 1)for using the preset 
white balance
(White set 2)
(White set)for setting the white 
balance again
MENUSET
1)
2)
3)
4)5)6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
MENUSET
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
73VQT1F83
3Aim the camera at a sheet of white 
paper etc. so that the frame in the 
center is filled by the white object only 
and then press [MENU/SET] or press 
the center of the joystick.
4Press [MENU/SET] twice to close the 
menu.
 You can also press the shutter button 
halfway or press the center of the 
joystick to finish.
 When you take a picture with the flash, the 
white balance may not be properly 
adjusted if the flash level is insufficient for 
the subject.
 The white balance setting is memorised 
even if the camera is turned off. However, 
the white balance setting for the advanced 
scene mode or the scene mode returns to 
[AWB] when the advanced scene mode or 
the scene mode is changed.
 The white balance cannot be set in the 
following cases.
– In [OUTDOOR PORTRAIT] and 
[INDOOR PORTRAIT] in [PORTRAIT] 
mode
– In [SCENERY] mode
– In [OUTDOOR SPORTS] and [INDOOR 
SPORTS] in [SPORTS] mode
– In [NIGHT PORTRAIT] mode
– In [FOOD], [PARTY], [CANDLE LIGHT], 
[SUNSET], [PANNING], [STARRY SKY], 
[FIREWORKS], [BEACH], [SNOW] and 
[AERIAL PHOTO] in scene modePress [ ] to display the [REC] mode 
menu and select the item to set. (P71)
You can adjust the white balance finely 
when you cannot acquire the desired hue 
by setting the white balance.
1Press 3/4/2/1 to finely adjust 
the white balance.
2: A (AMBER: ORANGE)
1: B (BLUE: BLUISH)
3:G_ (GREEN: GREENISH)
4:M` (MAGENTA: REDDISH)
2Press [MENU/SET] to finish.You can also press the center of the 
joystick to finish.
 If you finely adjust the white balance to 
A (amber), the white balance icon on 
the LCD monitor/Viewfinder will change 
to orange. If you finely adjust the white 
balance to B (blue), the white balance 
icon on the LCD monitor/Viewfinder will 
change to blue.
 If you finely adjust the white balance to 
G_ (green) or M` (magenta), [_] (e.g.: 
) or [`] (e.g.:  ) appears beside 
the white balance icon on the LCD 
monitor/Viewfinder.
 Select the center point if you are not 
finely adjusting the white balance.
MENUSET
[WB ADJUST.]
Finely adjusting the white balance
MENUSET
or
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
74VQT1F83
 You can finely adjust the white balance 
independently for each white balance 
item.
 The white balance fine adjustment setting 
is reflected in the picture when using the 
flash.
 You cannot finely adjust the white balance 
when [COL.EFFECT] (P83) is set to [B/
W], [SEPIA], [COOL] or [WARM].
 The white balance fine adjustment setting 
is memorized even if the camera is turned 
off.
 The fine adjustment levels in [ ] or [ ] 
return to the standard setting (center 
point) if you reset the white balance in 
[].
 You cannot finely adjust the white balance 
in the following cases.
– In [OUTDOOR PORTRAIT] and 
[INDOOR PORTRAIT] in [PORTRAIT] 
mode
– In [SCENERY] mode
– In [OUTDOOR SPORTS] and [INDOOR 
SPORTS] in [SPORTS] mode
– In [NIGHT PORTRAIT] mode
– In [FOOD], [PARTY], [CANDLE LIGHT], 
[SUNSET], [PANNING], [STARRY SKY], 
[FIREWORKS], [BEACH], [SNOW] and 
[AERIAL PHOTO] in scene mode
Press [ ] to display the [REC] mode 
menu and select the item to set. (P71)
The camera will automatically set the 
optimal ISO sensitivity and the shutter 
speed to the movement of the subject and 
the surrounding brightness.
 One of the following maximum ISO 
sensitivity levels can be selected. The 
higher the value set for the ISO sensitivity, 
the more the jitter is reduced but the 
greater the amount of picture noise. Jitter is avoided when taking pictures 
indoors of a moving subject by increasing 
the ISO sensitivity and making the shutter 
speed faster. 
 Noise is avoided when taking pictures 
indoors of a subject with no movement by 
decreasing the ISO sensitivity.
 When you press the shutter button 
halfway, [ ] A appears. When you 
press the shutter button fully, the shutter 
speed and the ISO sensitivity appear for a 
while.
 When the flash is activated, the ISO 
sensitivity is automatically increased to 
maximum ISO sensitivity level.
 Depending on the brightness and how fast 
the subject is moving, jitter may not be 
avoided.
[INTELLIGENT ISO]
Automatically setting the optimal 
ISO sensitivity and shutter speed
MENUSET
ItemSettings
OFFIntelligent ISO does not work.
400The ISO sensitivity 
automatically increases up to 
the set value according to the 
movement and brightness of 
the subject. 800
1600
ISOMAX400ISOMAX800
ISOMAX1600
1/125 ISO800
1/30 ISO200
A
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
75VQT1F83
 The camera may not be able to detect the 
movement of the subject in the following 
cases.
– When the moving subject is small
– When the moving subject is at the edge 
of the screen
– When the subject starts moving the 
instant the shutter button is pressed fully
 If picture noise becomes a problem, we 
recommend that you take pictures after 
lowering the maximum ISO sensitivity 
level, increasing the setting for 
[NOISE REDUCTION] under [PICT.ADJ.], 
or lowering the setting for each of the 
items other than [NOISE REDUCTION]. 
(P84)
 The digital zoom cannot be used.
Press [ ] to display the [REC] mode 
menu and select the item to set. (P71)
ISO is a measure of sensitivity to light. The 
higher the sensitivity is set, the less light is 
needed to take a picture so the camera 
becomes more suitable for recording in 
dark places.
 When setting to [AUTO], the ISO 
sensitivity is automatically adjusted from 
[ISO100] to [ISO200] according to the 
brightness. (It can be adjusted from 
[ISO100] to [ISO400] when using the 
flash.)
 The ISO sensitivity cannot be set to 
[AUTO] in Manual exposure.
 The sensitivity automatically switches to 
between [ISO1600] and [ISO6400] in 
[HIGH SENS.] in scene mode.
 If picture noise becomes a problem, we 
recommend that you take pictures after 
lowering the maximum ISO sensitivity 
level, increasing the setting for 
[NOISE REDUCTION] under [PICT.ADJ.], 
or lowering the setting for each of the 
items other than [NOISE REDUCTION]. 
(P84)
 The setting is not available when 
[INTELLIGENT ISO] is being used. 
([ ] is displayed)
 For information on the shutter speed, refer 
to P52.
Press [ ] to display the [REC] mode 
menu and select the item to set. (P71)
By changing the aspect ratio, you can 
select an angle of view that matches the 
subject.
[SENSITIVITY]
Setting the light sensitivity
ISO sensitivity100 1600
Use in bright 
places
(e.g. outdoors)
Suitable Not suitable
Use in dark 
placesNot suitable Suitable
Shutter speedSlow Fast
NoiseLess Increased
MENUSET
[ASPECT RATIO]
Setting the aspect ratio of pictures
Select to take pictures with the 
same aspect ratio as a 4:3 TV or a 
PC monitor.
MENUSET
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
76VQT1F83
 In motion picture mode [ ], you cannot 
select [ ].
 The ends of the recorded pictures may be 
cut at printing. (P128)
Press [ ] to display the [REC] mode 
menu and select the item to set. (P71)
A digital picture is made of numerous dots 
called pixels. Although you cannot see the 
difference on the camera’s screen, the 
more pixels the finer the picture will be 
when it is printed on a large piece of paper 
or displayed on a PC monitor. Picture 
quality refers to the compression rate when 
saving digital pictures.AMany pixels (Fine)
BFew pixels (Rough)
¢These pictures are examples to show 
the effect.
∫Number of pixels
You can print pictures more clearly when a 
large picture size [ ] (8M) is selected.
When a smaller picture size [ ] 
(0.3M EZ) is selected, you can record more 
pictures and attach them to an e-mail or 
post them on a website because their file 
size is small.
∫When the aspect ratio is [ ].
¢This item cannot be set in the intelligent 
auto mode [ ].
∫When the aspect ratio is [ ].
∫When the aspect ratio is [ ]. Select to take pictures with the 
same 3:2 aspect ratio as 35 mm 
film.
This is suitable for landscapes etc. 
where a wide view is preferable. 
This is also suitable for playing 
back pictures on a wide-screen 
TV, high-definition TV etc.
[PICT.SIZE]/[QUALITY]
Setting a picture size and quality that 
match your use of the pictures
MENUSET
 (8M)3264k2448 pixels
 (5M EZ)2560k1920 pixels
 (3M EZ)2048k1536 pixels
 (2M EZ)
¢1600k1200 pixels
 (0.3M EZ)640k480 pixels
 (7M)3264k2176 pixels
 (4.5M EZ)2560k1712 pixels
 (2.5M EZ)2048k1360 pixels
 (6M)3264k1840 pixels
 (3.5M EZ)2560k1440 pixels
 (2M EZ)1920k1080 pixels
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
77VQT1F83
∫Quality
¢If you delete a RAW file from the 
camera, the corresponding JPEG 
image will also be deleted.
 [RAW] images are recorded with a smaller 
data volume than [RAWiJPEG].
 The following functions can be used for 
[RAWiJPEG].
–[CATEGORY]
–[FAVORITE]
–[DPOF PRINT]
– You can print pictures directly from the 
camera on a PictBridge compatible 
printer (P113).
 You can enjoy more advanced picture 
editing if you use RAW files. You can save 
RAW files in a file format (JPEG, TIFF 
etc.) that can be displayed on your PC 
etc., develop them and edit them using the 
software “SILKYPIX Developer Studio” by 
Ichikawa Soft Laboratory on the CD-ROM 
(supplied).
 The number of pixels that can be selected 
differs depending on the aspect ratio. If 
you change the aspect ratio, set the 
picture size.
 “EZ” is an abbreviation of 
“Extended optical Zoom”. The extended optical zoom does not work 
in [HIGH SENS.] in scene mode so the 
picture size for [EZ] is not displayed.
 Pictures may appear mosaic depending 
on the subject and the recording 
conditions. 
 Refer to P130 for information about the 
number of recordable pictures.
 If a RAW picture is recorded with the 
built-in memory, it will take time to write 
the picture data.
[QUALITY] settings cannot be set in 
intelligent auto mode [].
 The quality cannot be set to [RAW] or 
[RAWiJPEG] in [HIGH SENS.] in scene 
mode.
 You cannot select the following functions 
when the quality is set to [RAW] or 
[RAWiJPEG].
– [D.ZOOM]
– Auto bracket
– Burst mode
–[AUDIO REC.]
– [TITLE EDIT]
– [TEXT STAMP]
–[AUDIO DUB.]
–[RESIZE]
–[TRIMMING]
– [ASPECT CONV.]
Press [ ] to display the [REC] mode 
menu and select the item to set. (P71)
You can record audio with the still picture if 
this is set to [ON]. This means you can 
record the conversation that took place 
when you were recording or an explanation 
of the picture.
 [ ] appears on the screen when you set 
[AUDIO REC.] to [ON].
 Focus on the subject and press the 
shutter button to start recording. 
Recording will automatically stop about 
5 seconds later. There is no need to press 
and hold the shutter button. Fine (Low compression):
This gives priority to picture 
quality. Picture quality will be high.
Standard (High compression):
This gives priority to the number 
of recordable pictures. Standard 
quality pictures are recorded.
RAW file:
Set to process images in 
high-resolution on a PC. The 
maximum picture size for each 
aspect ratio setting is fixed to 
([ ]/[ ]/[ ]).
¢
RAWiJPEG file:
In addition to the [RAW] settings, 
a standard-equivalent JPEG 
image is simultaneously created.
[AUDIO REC.] 
Recording still pictures with audio
MENUSET
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
78VQT1F83
 Audio is recorded from the built-in 
microphone on the camera.
 If you press [MENU/SET] during audio 
recording, the audio recording is 
canceled. The audio is not recorded.
 You cannot take pictures with audio in the 
following cases:
– Auto bracket
– Burst mode
– When the quality is set to [RAW] or 
[RAWiJPEG]
– [STARRY SKY] in scene mode
 You cannot use the following functions 
with pictures with audio.
– [TEXT STAMP]
–[RESIZE]
–[TRIMMING]
– [ASPECT CONV.]
Press [ ] to display the [REC] mode 
menu and select the item to set. (P71)
You can switch to the following metering 
modes.
 Metering mode is fixed to multiple [ ] in 
intelligent auto mode [ ].
 When multiple [ ] is selected and the 
AF mode is set to [ ], the camera will 
adjust the exposure to suit the person’s 
face.
Press [ ] to display the [REC] mode 
menu and select the item to set. (P71)
Select the mode that matches the 
recording conditions and the composition.
[METERING MODE]
Deciding the method to measure 
brightness
Multiple:
This is the method in which the 
camera measures the most suitable 
exposure by judging the allocation of 
brightness on the whole screen 
automatically. Usually, we 
recommend using this method.
Center weighted:
This is the method used to focus on 
the subject on the center of the 
screen and measure the whole 
screen evenly.
MENUSET
Spot:
This is the method to measure the 
subject in the spot metering target 
A.
[AF MODE]
Setting the focus method
 Face detection:
The camera 
automatically detects 
the person’s face. The 
focus and exposure 
can then be adjusted to 
fit that face no matter 
what portion of the picture it is in.
 Multi-area-focusing:
The camera focuses on 
any of the selected 
areas. This is effective 
when the subject is not 
in the center of the 
screen.
MENUSET
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
79VQT1F83
∫About face detection
This function detects a person’s face in the 
image area so that the focus can be 
adjusted properly. This is particularly 
effective in preventing errors such as when 
the focus is on the background when taking 
a commemorative photograph. 
 When the camera detects a person’s face, 
the following color AF area is displayed.
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 areas are also focused.
 Up to 15 AF areas are displayed. Under certain picture-taking conditions 
including the following cases, the facial 
detection function may fail to work, 
making it impossible to detect faces. 
[AF MODE] is switched to [ ].
– When the face is not facing the camera
– When the face is at an angle
– When the face is extremely bright or 
dark
– When there is little contrast on the faces
– When the facial features are hidden 
behind sunglasses, etc.
– When the face appears small on the 
screen
– When there is rapid movement
– When the subject is other than a human 
being
– When the camera is shaking
– When digital zoom is used
∫About [ ] or [ ]
 You can focus on the subject more quickly 
than other AF modes.
 The picture may stop moving for a 
moment before being brought into focus 
when you press the shutter button 
halfway. This is not a malfunction.
 The AF area displayed is bigger than 
usual when taking pictures in dark places 
or when using the digital zoom.
 The camera is focusing on all the AF 
areas when multiple AF areas (max. 
5 areas) light at the same time.
The focus position is not predetermined. It 
is set to a position automatically 
determined by the camera at the time of 
focusing. If you want to determine the 
focus position to take pictures, switch the 
AF mode to [ ], [ ] or [ ].
 If the AF mode is set to [ ] or [ ], 
the AF area is not displayed until the 
picture is brought into focus.
 Switch the AF mode to [ ] or [ ] if it 
is difficult to focus using [ ].  3-area-focusing (High speed):
The camera quickly 
focuses on any of 
3 focus areas points – 
left, right or center. 
This is effective when 
the subject is not in the 
center of the screen.
 1-area-focusing (High speed):
The camera quickly 
focuses on the subject 
in the AF area on the 
center of the screen.
 1-area-focusing:
The camera focuses on 
the subject in the AF 
area on the center of 
the screen.
 Spot-focusing:
The camera focuses on 
a limited narrow area in 
the screen.
1/601/60F5.0F5.0
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
80VQT1F83
 It is not possible to set [ ] in the 
following cases.
– In [NIGHT SCENERY], 
[ILLUMINATIONS] and [CREATIVE 
NIGHT SCENERY] in [NIGHT 
PORTRAIT] mode.
– In [FOOD], [PANNING], [STARRY SKY], 
[FIREWORKS] and [AERIAL PHOTO] in 
scene mode.
– In motion picture mode [ ].
 The camera may detect the subjects other 
than a person as the face. In this case, 
switch the AF mode to any modes other 
than [ ] and then take a picture.
∫About AF area selection
You can select the AF area when [ ], 
[ ], [ ] or [ ] is selected.
1Set the focus to AF or AF macro.
2Select AF area with 1 on the joystick 
and then press the center of the 
joystick.
3Move the AF area with the cursor 
buttons or 3/4/2/1 on the joystick.
4Press [MENU/SET] or press the center 
of the joystick to set.When selecting [ ], [ ] or [ ]
You can select 1 AF area from the 
11 areas.
When selecting [ ]
You can select AF areas as shown in the 
following illustration by tilting the joystick 
towards 3/4/2/1.
 The spot metering target can also be 
moved to match the AF area when using 
[].
 The following operations will return the AF 
area to the previous position.
– When the mode dial is set to intelligent 
auto mode [ ]
– When the power save mode is activated
– When this unit is turned off
or
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