Panasonic Dmc Fz8 Operating Instructions Manual

							Advanced (Recording pictures)
41VQT1B25
 When the recorded picture and the 
histogram do not match each other 
under the following conditions, the 
histogram is displayed in orange.
– When the manual exposure assistance 
is other than [n0EV] during exposure 
compensation or in the manual 
exposure mode
– When the flash is activated
– In [STARRY SKY] (P67) or 
[FIREWORKS] (P68) in scene mode 
– When the flash is closed
1When the brightness of the screen is 
not correctly displayed in dark places
2When the exposure is not 
adequately adjusted
 The histogram is an approximation in 
recording mode.
 The histogram of a picture may not match 
in recording mode and playback mode.
 The histogram displayed in this camera 
does not match histograms displayed by 
picture editing software used in PCs etc.
 The histogram does not appear during the 
following.
– Simple mode [ ]
– Motion picture mode [ ]
– Multi playback
– Playback zoom
– Calendar playback
1Press [LCD MODE] A for 
1 second.
2Press 3/4 to select a mode.
Brightening the LCD Monitor
(Power LCD/High angle mode)
LCD MODE
SET
SELECTMENU
LCD
OFF
HIGH ANGLE POWER LCD
or
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
42VQT1B25
3Press [MENU/SET].
 The [POWER LCD] B or [HIGH 
ANGLE] C icon appears.
∫Canceling Power LCD or High angle 
mode
 If you press and hold [LCD MODE] again 
for 1 second the screen shown in step 
2 
is displayed. Select [OFF] to cancel Power 
LCD mode or High angle mode.
 High angle mode is also canceled if you 
turn the camera off or power save mode is 
activated.
 The brightness of the pictures displayed 
on the LCD monitor is adjusted when 
Power LCD mode or High angle mode is 
activated. Therefore, some subjects may 
look different on the LCD monitor. 
However, this does not affect the recorded 
pictures.
 The LCD monitor automatically returns to 
normal brightness after 30 seconds when 
recording in Power LCD mode. Press any 
button to make the LCD monitor bright 
again.
 If the LCD monitor screen is difficult to see 
because of light from the sun etc. shining 
on it, we recommend using your hand or 
another object to block the light when 
using the camera.
 High angle mode is not activated in the 
following cases.
– In simple mode [ ]
– In playback mode [ ]
– In print mode [ ]
– While the menu screen is displayed
– While the review screen is displayed []:
[POWER LCD]The LCD monitor 
becomes brighter and 
easier to see even when 
taking pictures outdoors.
[]:
[HIGH ANGLE]
The LCD monitor is 
easier to see when taking 
pictures with the camera 
held high above your 
head. This is useful when 
you cannot get close to 
the subject because 
there is a person in the 
way. (However it 
becomes more difficult to 
see when looked at 
straight on.)
[OFF]The LCD monitor returns 
to the normal brightness.
BC
7
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
43VQT1B25
Taking Pictures using 
the Built-in Flash
ATo open the flash
Press the [ OPEN] button.
BTo close the flash
Press the flash until it clicks.
 Be sure to close the flash when not in use.
 The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF 
[ ] while the flash is closed.
∫Switching to the appropriate flash 
setting
Set the flash to match the recording.
1Press 1 [].
2Press 3/4 to select a mode.
 You can also press 1 [ ] to select.
 For information about flash settings that 
can be selected, refer to “Available flash 
settings by recording mode”. (P44)
3Press [MENU/SET].
 You can also press the shutter 
button halfway or press the center of 
the joystick to finish.
 The menu screen disappears after 
about 5 seconds. At this time, the 
selected item is automatically set.
:AUTO
The flash is automatically activated when 
the recording conditions make it necessary.
: AUTO/Red-eye reduction¢1
The flash is automatically activated when 
the recording conditions make it necessary.
It is activated once before the actual 
recording to reduce the red-eye 
phenomenon (eyes of the subject 
appearing red in the picture) and then 
activated again for the actual recording.
 Use this when you take pictures of 
people in low lighting conditions.
: Forced ON
The flash is activated every time regardless 
of the recording conditions.
 Use this when your subject is back-lit 
or under fluorescent light.
: Forced ON/Red-eye reduction
¢1
 The flash setting is set to Forced ON/
Red-eye reduction only when you set 
[PARTY] (P65) or [CANDLE LIGHT] 
(P65) in scene mode.
: Slow sync./Red-eye reduction¢1
If you take a picture with a dark background 
landscape, this feature will slow the shutter 
speed when the flash is activated so that 
the dark background landscape will 
become bright. Simultaneously it reduces 
the red-eye phenomenon.
 Use this when you take pictures of 
people in front of a dark background.
: Forced OFF
The flash is not activated in any recording 
conditions.
 Use this when you take pictures in 
places where the use of the flash is not 
permitted.
¢1The flash is activated twice. The 
subject should not move until the 
second flash is activated.
OPEN
FLASH
SELECTSETMENU
AUTO
AUTO/RED-EYE
FORCED FLASH ONSLOW SYNC./RED-EYEor
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
44VQT1B25
∫Available flash settings by recording 
mode
The available flash settings depend on the 
recording mode.
(±: Available, —: Not available, ¥: Initial 
setting)
¢2 It becomes Forced ON [ ], when the 
backlight compensation function is 
activated. The flash setting may change if the 
recording mode is changed. Set the flash 
setting again if necessary.
 The flash setting is memorized even if the 
camera is turned off. However, the scene 
mode flash setting is reset to the initial 
setting when the scene mode is changed.
∫The available flash range to take 
pictures
1
2
ISO sensitivity 
(P79)Available flash range
[AUTO]
Wide
30 cm (0.98 feet) to 
6 m (19.7 feet)
Te l e
1 m (3.28 feet) to 
5.4 m (17.7 feet)
[ISO100]
Wide
30 cm (0.98 feet) to 
3 m (9.84 feet)
Te l e
1 m (3.28 feet) to 
2.7 m (8.86 feet)
[ISO200]
Wide
40 cm (1.31 feet) to 
4.2 m (13.8 feet)
Te l e
1 m (3.28 feet) to 
3.8 m (12.5 feet)
[ISO400]
Wide
60 cm (1.97 feet) to 
6 m (19.7 feet)
Te l e
1 m (3.28 feet) to 
5.4 m (17.7 feet)
[ISO800]
Wide
80 cm (2.62 feet) to 
8.5 m (27.9 feet)
Te l e
1 m (3.28 feet) to 
7.7 m (25.2 feet)
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
45VQT1B25
 The available flash range is an 
approximation.
 The available focus range differs 
depending on the recording mode. (P134)
 If ISO sensitivity is set to [AUTO] or [ ] 
when using the flash, it will be 
automatically increased to a maximum of 
[ISO400].
 In motion picture mode [ ] and 
[SCENERY] (P63), [NIGHT SCENERY] 
(P65), [SUNSET] (P67), [HIGHSENS.] 
(P67), [STARRY SKY] (P67), 
[FIREWORKS] (P68) or [AERIAL PHOTO] 
(P69) in scene mode, the flash setting is 
fixed to Forced OFF [ ] even if the flash 
is opened.∫Shutter speed for each flash setting
¢[PARTY] (P65) in scene mode
 Refer to P58 for the Aperture-priority AE, 
Shutter-priority AE or Manual exposure 
mode.
 There may be differences in the above 
shutter speeds in scene mode.
– [NIGHT SCENERY] (P65):
8 seconds to 1/2000th of a second
– [STARRY SKY] (P67):
15 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds
– [FIREWORKS] (P68):
1/4th of a second, 2 seconds [ISO1250]
Wide
1 m (3.28 feet) to 
8.5 m (27.9 feet)
Te le
1 m (3.28 feet) to 
7.7 m (25.2 feet)
Flash settingShutter speed 
(Sec.)
:AUTO
1/30 to 1/2000 :AUTO/
Red-eye 
reduction
: Forced ON
: Forced ON/
Red-eye 
reduction
: Slow sync./
Red-eye 
reduction1 to 1/2000 
1/8 to 1/2000
¢
: Forced OFF1 to 1/2000
(In program AE 
mode)
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
46VQT1B25
∫Adjusting flash output
Adjust the flash output when the subject is 
small or reflection ratio is extremely high or 
low.
1Press 3 ( ) several times until 
[FLASH] appears and then press 
2/1 to set the flash output.
 Select [0] to return to the original flash 
output.
2Press [MENU/SET] to finish.
 You can adjust from [j2 EV] to [i2EV] 
in steps of [1/3 EV].
 When the flash output is adjusted, the 
flash output value appears on the upper 
left of the screen.
 The flash output setting is memorized 
even if the camera is turned off.
 The flash output cannot be adjusted in 
the following cases:
– In simple mode [ ]
– In the motion picture mode [ ]
– In [SCENERY] (P63), 
[NIGHT SCENERY] (P65), [SUNSET] 
(P67), [HIGH SENS.] (P67), 
[STARRY SKY] (P67), [FIREWORKS] 
(P68) or [AERIAL PHOTO] (P69) in 
scene mode
 Do not look directly at the flash at 
close range when it is activated.
 Do not bring the flash too close to 
objects or close the flash while it is 
activated. The objects may be 
discolored by its heat or lighting.
 If you press the shutter button halfway 
when the flash is activated, the flash icon 
turns red.
 When you take a picture beyond the 
available flash range, the exposure may 
not be adjusted properly and the picture 
may become bright or dark.
 The white balance may not be properly 
adjusted if the flash level is insufficient for 
the subject. (P77)
 When the shutter speed is fast, the flash 
effect may not be sufficient.
 It may take time to charge the flash if you 
repeat taking a picture. Take a picture 
after the access indication disappears.
 When the flash is being charged, the flash 
icon blinks red, and you cannot take a 
picture even when you press the shutter 
button fully.
 When taking a picture with the flash, 
we recommend removing the lens 
hood. In some cases it may not allow 
the scene to be illuminated properly.
 Do not close the flash soon after the flash 
is activated prior to taking pictures due to 
AUTO/Red-eye reduction etc. It causes a 
malfunction.
 The red-eye reduction effect differs 
between people. Also, if the subject was 
far away from the camera or was not 
looking at the first flash, the effect may not 
be evident.
 When using a conversion lens (optional) 
or a close-up lens (optional), the built-in 
flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF [ ]. 
 When you set burst mode or auto bracket, 
only 1 picture is recorded for every flash 
activated.
FLASH
SELECTEXITMENU
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
47VQT1B25
Taking Pictures with 
the Self-timer
1Press 2 [].
2Press 3/4 to select a mode.
 You can also press 2 [ ] to select.
 If you set [10S/3PICTURES], after 
10 seconds the camera takes 3 pictures 
at about 2 second intervals.
3Press [MENU/SET]. You can also press the shutter 
button halfway or press the center of 
the joystick to finish.
 The menu screen disappears after 
about 5 seconds. At this time, the 
selected item is automatically set.
4Press the shutter button halfway 
to focus and then press it fully to 
take the picture.
A: Press the shutter button halfway to 
foc us.
B: Press the shutter button fully to take 
the picture.
 When [10S/3PICTURES] is selected, 
the self-timer indicator blinks again after 
the first and the second pictures are 
taken and the shutter is activated 
2 seconds after it blinks. The self-timer indicator 
C blinks and the 
shutter is activated 
after 10 seconds 
(or 2 seconds).
 If you press [MENU/SET] while the 
self-timer is set, the self-timer setting is 
canceled.
 When using a tripod etc., setting the 
self-timer to 2 seconds is a convenient 
way to avoid the jitter caused by pressing 
the shutter button.
 When you press the shutter button once 
fully, the subject is automatically focused 
just before recording. In dark places, the 
self-timer indicator will blink and then may 
turn on brightly operating as an AF assist 
lamp (P85) to allow the camera to focus 
on the subject.
 In simple mode [ ], the self-timer is fixed 
to 10 seconds.
 When you set the self-timer to [2SEC.] or 
[10SEC.] in burst mode, the camera starts 
taking pictures 2 or 10 seconds after the 
shutter button is pressed. The number of 
pictures taken at one time is fixed to 3.
 We recommend using a tripod when 
recording with the self-timer.
 Depending on the recording conditions, 
the recording interval may become more 
than 2 seconds when [10S/3PICTURES] 
is selected.
 The flash output may not be constant 
when [10S/3PICTURES] is selected.
 You cannot select [10S/3PICTURES] 
when auto bracket is set.
 You cannot use the following functions 
when [10S/3PICTURES] is selected.
– Burst mode
–[AUDIO REC.]SELFTIMER
SELECTSETMENU
2SEC.OFF
10SEC.10S / 3PICTURESor
CANCELMENU
7
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
48VQT1B25
Compensating the 
Exposure
Use this function when you cannot achieve 
appropriate exposure due to the difference 
in brightness between the subject and the 
background. Look at the following 
examples.
Under exposed
Compensate the exposure towards 
positive.
Properly exposed
Over exposed
Compensate the exposure towards
negative.∫Operation with the joystick
1Select [ ] with 2 on the joystick 
and then compensate the 
exposure with 3/4.
 You can compensate from [j2EV] to 
[i2 EV] in steps of [1/3 EV].
 Select [ ] only to return to the original 
exposure (0 EV).
∫Operation with the cursor buttons
1Press 3 [ ] until [EXPOSURE] 
appears, compensate the 
exposure with 2/1.
 You can compensate from [j2EV] to 
[i2 EV] in steps of [1/3 EV].
 Select [0 EV] to return to the original 
exposure.
2Press [MENU/SET] to finish. You can also press the shutter 
button halfway to finish.
 EV is an abbreviation of “Exposure Value”. 
It refers to the amount of light given to the 
CCD by the aperture value and the shutter 
speed.
 The exposure compensation value 
appears on the lower left of the screen.
 The set exposure value is memorized 
even if the camera is turned off.
 The compensation range of the exposure 
will be limited depending on the 
brightness of the subject.
 Exposure cannot be compensated when 
using [STARRY SKY] in scene mode.
7
EXPOSURE
SELECTEXITMENU
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
49VQT1B25
Taking Pictures using 
Auto Bracket
In this mode, 3 pictures are automatically 
recorded in the selected exposure 
compensation range each time the shutter 
button is pressed. You can select the 
picture with the desired exposure from the 
3 pictures with different exposures.
1Press 3 [ ] several times until 
[AUTO BRACKET] appears, set 
the compensation range of the 
exposure with 2/1.
 You can select [OFF] (0), [d1/3 EV], 
[d2/3 EV] or [d1EV].
 When you do not use auto bracket, 
select [OFF] (0).
2Press [MENU/SET] to finish.
 You can also press the shutter 
button halfway to finish.
 When setting auto bracket, the auto 
bracket icon [ ] appears on the lower 
left of the screen.
 When taking pictures using auto bracket 
after setting the exposure compensation 
range, the pictures taken are based on the 
selected exposure compensation range.
When the exposure is compensated, the 
exposure compensation value appears on 
the lower left of the screen. The auto bracket setting is canceled if you 
turn the camera off or power save mode is 
activated.
 When setting auto bracket and burst mode 
simultaneously, auto bracket will be 
performed.
 When auto bracket is set, the auto review 
function is activated regardless of the auto 
review setting. (The picture is not 
enlarged.) You cannot set the auto review 
function in the [SETUP] menu.
 When auto bracket is activated, 
[AUDIO REC.] cannot be used. 
 The exposure may not be compensated 
with auto bracket depending on the 
brightness of the subject.
 When setting the quality to [RAW], you 
cannot take pictures with the auto bracket.
 In shutter-priority AE and manual 
exposure, if the shutter speed is set to 
more than 1 second auto bracket is 
disabled.
 When the flash is activated or the number 
of recordable pictures is 2 or less, you can 
take only 1 picture.
 Auto bracket cannot be set in 
[STARRY SKY] in scene mode.
AUTO BRACKET
SELECTEXITMENU
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
50VQT1B25
Optical Image 
Stabilizer
This mode detects jitter and compensates 
for it.
1Press and hold the optical image 
stabilizer button until 
[STABILIZER] appears.
2Press 34 to select the 
stabilizer function mode and then 
press [MENU/SET].
 You can also use the joystick to select.
∫About the jitter/movement detection 
demonstration screen
Press 1 on the screen shown in step 
2 to 
display the jitter/movement detection 
demonstration screen. (You cannot take 
pictures while the demonstration screen is 
displayed.)
Press 1 to exit the demonstration screen.
A: Jitter detection demonstration
B: Movement detection demonstration
 The camera automatically detects the 
jitter and the movement of the subject and 
displays these on the indicator.
 We recommend using a bright subject 
with high contrast for the subject 
movement demonstration.
 The jitter/movement detection 
demonstration screen is an approximation.
 The camera also detects the movement of 
the subject when automatically setting the 
ISO sensitivity in intelligent ISO sensitivity 
mode [ ] (P52) and [SPORTS] (P63), 
[BABY1]/[BABY2] (P66) and [PET] (P67) 
in scene mode.
 The stabilizer function may not be 
effective in the following cases.
– When there is a lot of jitter.
– When the zoom magnification is high.
– In digital zoom range.
– When taking pictures while following a 
moving subject.
– When the shutter speed becomes 
slower to take pictures indoors or in dark 
places.
Be careful of camera jitter when you press 
the shutter button.
 In simple mode [ ], the setting is fixed to 
[MODE1] and in [STARRY SKY] (P67) in 
scene mode it is fixed to [OFF]. The 
stabilizer function mode selection menu 
does not appear.
 In motion picture mode [ ] or 
[PANNING] in scene mode, [MODE2] 
cannot be set. [MODE1]
()The stabilizer operates 
continuously and can assist 
during photo composition.
[MODE2]
()The jitter is compensated for 
when the shutter button is 
pressed. There is a greater 
stabilizing effect.
[OFF]
()When the stabilizer is not 
desired.
STABILIZEROFF
MODE2
DEMO.
SELECTSETMENU
MODE1
MENUSET
EXIT JITTER, SUBJ. MOVE DEMO.
CANNOT BE DISPLAYED
IN REC MODE
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