Panasonic Dmc Fz8 Operating Instructions Manual

							Advanced (Recording pictures)
61VQT1B25
∫Prefocus
This is a technique for focusing in advance 
on the point the pictures will be taken when 
it is difficult to focus on the subject with 
auto focus due to its quick motion. [e.g. 
[PANNING] (P64) in scene mode]
This function is suitable when the distance 
between the camera and the subject is 
certain.
∫Changing the zoom area
The magnified area can be changed while 
the screen is expanded using MF Assist. 
This is convenient when you want to 
change the focus position to take pictures.
1Display MF Assist with 3/4 on the 
joystick.
2Change the expanded area with the 
cursor buttons 3/4/2/1.
 The expansion is canceled after 
approximately 2 seconds.
 The following will return the AF area to the 
original position.
– Switching the focus to [AF] or 
[AF MACRO].
– Changing the picture size or aspect.
– Turning the camera off.
 You can also record with manual focus in 
motion picture mode [ ]. However the 
focus is fixed while recording motion 
pictures.
 If you focus on the subject in Wide and 
then rotate the zoom lever to Tele, the 
focus may not be adequate. In this case, 
focus on the subject again.
 You cannot set continuous AF (P84) when 
manual focus is set.
 The MF assistance screen does not 
appear when using the digital zoom.
 The distance to the subject displayed on 
the screen in manual focus is an 
approximation of the focus position. 
Remember that the distance is an 
approximation when taking a picture.
 Use the assistance screen for a final 
check of the focus.
 After canceling power save mode, focus 
on the subject again.
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
62VQT1B25
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.
 Refer to P63 to 69 and “About the 
information ” for details about each 
scene mode.
1Press 1 for the [SCENE MODE] 
menu.
2Press 3/4/2/1 to select the 
scene mode.
 Press 4 at A to switch to the next 
menu screen.
 You can switch menu screens from any 
menu item by rotating the zoom lever.
3Press [MENU/SET] to set.
 You can also press the center of the 
joystick to set.
 The menu screen is switched to the 
recording screen in the selected scene 
mode.
 Press [MENU/SET] and then perform 
steps 
1, 2 and 3 to change the scene 
mode.
∫About the information  
 If you press [DISPLAY] when selecting a 
scene mode in step 
2, explanations about 
each scene mode are displayed. (If you 
press [DISPLAY] again, the screen 
returns to the [SCENE MODE] menu.)
 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. 
(P44)
 When you take a picture with a scene 
mode that is not adequate for the 
purpose, the hue of the picture may differ 
from the actual scene.
 If you press 2 when selecting 
[PORTRAIT] or [STARRY SKY] in step 
2, 
the [SCENE MODE] menu [ ] is 
displayed. If you then select either the 
[REC] menu [ ] or the [SETUP] menu 
[ ], you can set the desired items. (P21)
 The following cannot be set in scene 
mode because the camera automatically 
adjusts them to the optimal setting.
– [SENSITIVITY]
– [METERING MODE]
– [COL.EFFECT]
–[PICT.ADJ.]
SCN
MENU
SCN
MENU
SCENE MODE    1
/
2
SCENE MODE    2
/
2
SET
SET SELECT
SELECT
DISPLAY
DISPLAY
21
BABY1
STARRY SKY
or
INFORMATION
CANCEL SETMENU
BABY1
Suitable for taking pictures 
of your baby. 
Age can be displayed 
with pictures if you set 
the birthday.
DISPLAY
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
63VQT1B25
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
The person stands out from the 
background and has a healthier 
complexion.
∫Technique for Portrait mode
To increase the effectiveness of this mode:
1Rotate the zoom lever as far as possible 
to Tele.
2Move close to the subject to make this 
mode more effective.
 This mode is only suitable when taking 
pictures outdoors in the daytime.
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This allows you to achieve a smoother 
appearance of the skin than in 
[PORTRAIT].
∫Technique for Soft skin mode
To make this mode more effective:
1Rotate the zoom lever as far as possible 
to Tele.
2Move close to the subject to make this 
mode more effective.
 This mode is only suitable when taking 
pictures outdoors in the daytime.
 If a part of the background etc. is a color 
close to skin color, this par t is also 
smoothed.
 This mode may not be effective when 
there is insufficient brightness.Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This allows you to take pictures of a wide 
landscape.
 Set [AF] with the focus switch button.
 The focus range is 5 m (16.4 feet) to ¶.
 The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF 
[].
 The setting on the AF assist lamp is 
disabled.
 The white balance cannot be set.
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
Set here when you want to take pictures of 
sports scenes or other fast-moving events.
 Set [AF] with the focus switch button.
 This mode is suitable for taking pictures of 
subjects 5 m (16.4 feet) or more from the 
camera.
 If you take pictures of a fast-moving 
subject indoors, the ISO sensitivity 
becomes the same as when intelligent 
ISO sensitivity mode [ ] is set to a 
highest ISO sensitivity of [ISO800]. (P52)
 Digital zoom cannot be used.
[PORTRAIT]
[SOFT SKIN]
MENUSET
MENUSET
[SCENERY]
[SPORTS]
MENUSET
MENUSET
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
64VQT1B25
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
When you move the camera to follow a 
subject moving in one direction such as a 
runner or car, the background becomes a 
blur and the subject stays focused. This 
effect is called “panning”. This mode allows 
you to obtain this effect easier.
∫Technique for Panning mode
To obtain good pictures in panning mode, 
move the camera in a horizontal plane as 
you take the pictures.
1Move the camera smoothly while 
following the subject in the viewfinder.
2Press the shutter button while you are 
moving the camera.
3Move the camera continuously.
 We recommend the following:
– Using the Viewfinder. (P38)
– Selecting a subject with quick motion.
– Using prefocus. (P61)
– Use this mode with burst mode. (P51) 
(You can then select the best pictures 
from all the pictures taken.)
 The shutter speed in panning mode 
becomes slower to achieve the panning 
effect. As a result, jitter can easily occur.
 The panning function does not work well 
in the following situations.
– During very bright days in summer. We 
recommend using an ND filter 
(DMW-LND52; optional). (P118)
– When the shutter speed is faster than
1/100th.
– When you move the camera too slowly 
because the subject is moving slowly. 
(The background will not become a blur.)
 You cannot set the stabilizer function 
mode to [MODE2]. When you set it to 
[MODE1], only vertical jitters can be 
compensated in panning mode.
 The settings on the AF assist lamp and 
the continuous AF are disabled.
 The white balance cannot be set.Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
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.
 Since the shutter speed becomes slower, 
we recommend using a tripod and the 
self-timer (P47) for taking pictures.
 Keep the subject still for about 1 second 
after taking the picture.
 We recommend rotating the zoom lever to 
Wide (1k) and being about 1.5 m 
(4.92 feet) from the subject when taking a 
picture.
 The focus range is 1.2 m (3.94 feet) to 
5 m (16.4 feet). (Refer to P44 for the 
available flash range to take pictures.)
 Be sure to close the flash when not in use.
 The shutter may remain closed (max. 
about 1 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.
 When using the flash, Slow sync./Red-eye 
reduction [ ] is selected and the 
flash is activated every time.
 The continuous AF setting is disabled.
 The white balance cannot be set.
[PANNING]
MENUSET
[NIGHT PORTRAIT]
MENUSET
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
65VQT1B25
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This allows you to take vivid pictures of the 
nightscape.
∫Technique for Night scenery mode
 Set [AF] with the focus switch button.
 Since the shutter speed becomes slower 
(up to about 8 sec.) use a tripod. We also 
recommend using the self-timer (P47) for 
taking pictures.
 The focus range is 5 m (16.4 feet) to ¶.
 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.
 The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF 
[].
 The setting on the AF assist lamp and 
continuous AF are disabled.
 The white balance cannot be set.
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This mode allows you to take pictures of food 
with a natural hue without being affected by 
the ambient light in restaurants etc.
 The focus range is 5 cm (0.16 feet) 
(Wide)/2 m (6.56 feet) (Tele) to ¶.
 The white balance cannot be set.Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
Select this when you want to take pictures 
at a wedding reception, an indoor party etc. 
This allows you to take pictures of people 
and the background with near real-life 
brightness.
∫Technique for Party mode
 Open the flash. (P43)
 We recommend using a tripod and the 
self-timer (P47) for taking pictures.
 We recommend rotating the zoom lever to 
Wide (1k) and being about 1.5 m 
(4.92 feet) from the subject when taking 
pictures.
 The flash setting can be set to Slow sync./
Red-eye reduction [ ] or Forced ON/
Red-eye reduction [ ].
 The white balance cannot be set.
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This mode allows you to take pictures with 
a candle-lit atmosphere.
∫Technique for Candle light mode
 If you make the most of the candle light, 
you can take successful pictures without 
using the flash.
 We recommend using a tripod and the 
self-timer (P47) for taking pictures.
 The focus range is 5 cm (0.16 feet) 
(Wide)/2 m (6.56 feet) (Tele) to ¶.
 The flash setting can be set to Slow sync./
Red-eye reduction [ ] or Forced ON/
Red-eye reduction [ ].
 The white balance cannot be set.
[NIGHT SCENERY]
[FOOD] 
MENUSET
MENUSET
[PARTY]
[CANDLE LIGHT]
MENUSET
MENUSET
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
66VQT1B25
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This takes pictures of a baby with a healthy 
complexion. When you use the flash, the 
light from it is weaker than usual.
You can set two different birthdays by using 
[BABY1] and [BABY2]. You can display the 
set age when playing back the pictures and 
stamp the age on the recorded pictures 
with [DATE STAMP] (P100).
 The age can also be printed on each 
picture by using the software [LUMIX 
Simple Viewer] or 
[PHOTOfunSTUDIO-viewer-] in the 
CD-ROM (supplied). (For information 
about printing, refer to the separate 
operating instructions for PC connection.)
∫Age display setting
 To have the age displayed, first set the 
birthday and then be sure to set 
[WITH AGE] before taking the pictures.
∫Birthday setting
1Press 34 to select [BIRTHDAY SET.] 
and then press [MENU/SET].
2When a message appears, press 2/1 
to select items (Year/Month/Day) and 
then press 3/4 to set them.
3Press [MENU/SET] to finish the setting.
 The focus range is 5 cm (0.16 feet) 
(Wide)/2 m (6.56 feet) (Tele) to ¶.
 The ISO sensitivity becomes the same as 
when intelligent ISO sensitivity mode 
[ ] is set to a highest ISO sensitivity of 
[ISO400]. (P52)
 If you turn on the camera in [BABY1]/
[BABY2], the age and current date and 
time are displayed for about 5 seconds on 
the bottom of the screen.
 The age display style differs depending on 
the language setting in the recording 
mode.
 The display style when printing may differ 
slightly from the display style on the 
screen.
 If the age is not properly displayed, check 
the clock and birthday settings.
 If the camera is set to [WITHOUT AGE], 
the age is not recorded even if the time 
and birthday are set. This means the age 
cannot be displayed even if camera is set 
to [WITH AGE] after taking the pictures.
 The birthday setting can be reset with 
[RESET]. (P24)
 Digital zoom cannot be used.[BABY1]/
[BABY2]1
2
MENUSET
BABY1
WITHOUT AGE
BIRTHDAY SET.WITH AGE
SELECTSETMENUCANCEL
1
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
67VQT1B25
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
Select this when you want to take pictures 
of a pet such as a dog or a cat.
This allows you to set the birthday of your 
pet.
You can display the set age when playing 
back the pictures and stamp the age on the 
recorded pictures with [DATE STAMP] 
(P100).
 The age can also be printed on each 
picture by using the software [LUMIX 
Simple Viewer] or 
[PHOTOfunSTUDIO-viewer-] in the 
CD-ROM (supplied). (For information 
about printing, refer to the separate 
operating instructions for PC connection.)
Refer to [BABY1]/[BABY2] (P66) for 
information about age display setting and 
birthday setting.
 The initial setting for the AF assist lamp is 
[OFF]. (P85)
 Refer to [BABY1]/[BABY2] for other 
information about this mode.
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This allows you to take vivid pictures of the 
red color of the sun.
 The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF 
[].
 The setting on the AF assist lamp is 
disabled.
 The white balance cannot be set.Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
Select this mode for high-sensitivity 
processing. You can take pictures at ISO 
3200 sensitivity.
 The resolution of the recorded picture 
significantly decreases because of high 
sensitivity processing. This is not a 
malfunction.
 The focus range is 5 cm (0.16 feet) 
(Wide)/2 m (6.56 feet) (Tele) to ¶.
 You can take pictures suitable for 4qk6q/
10k15 cm printing.
 The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF 
[].
 The quality cannot be set to [RAW].
 The extended optical zoom and digital 
zoom cannot be used.
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This allows you to take vivid pictures of a 
starry sky or a dark subject.
∫Setting the shutter speed
 Select a shutter speed of [15 SEC.], 
[30 SEC.] or [60 SEC.].
1Press 34 to select the number of 
seconds and then press [MENU/SET].
 If you want to change the number of 
seconds, press [MENU/SET] and then 
press 1 again to select 
[STARRY SKY].
[PET]
[SUNSET]
MENUSET
MENUSET
[HIGH SENS.]
[STARRY SKY]
MENUSET
MENUSET
STARRY SKY
30 SEC.
60 SEC.15 SEC.
SELECTSETMENUCANCEL
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
68VQT1B25
2Taking Pictures.
 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.
 Press [MENU/SET] to stop taking the 
picture while the countdown screen is 
displayed.
∫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. (P47)
 We recommend using prefocus (P61) to 
focus in advance on a subject, such as a 
bright star or a distant light, that is easy to 
focus on.
 The LCD monitor automatically becomes 
darker.
 Histograms are always displayed in 
orange. (P40)
 The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF 
[].
 The optical image stabilizer function is 
fixed to [OFF].
 The following functions cannot be used.
– [EXPOSURE]
– [AUTO BRACKET]
– Burst mode
– [AUDIO REC.]
–[CONT.AF]
– [W.BALANCE]Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This mode allows you to take beautiful 
pictures of fireworks exploding in the night 
sky.
∫Technique for Fireworks mode
We recommend performing the following 
steps to prefocus on the point the pictures 
will be taken so that you do not miss taking 
pictures of the fireworks when they are 
fired.
1Aim the camera at an object, such as a 
distant light, that is about the same 
distance from the camera as the point 
where the fireworks will rise.
2Press the shutter button halfway until the 
focus indication (P27) lights.
3
Switch the focus switch button to [MF]. (P59)4Aim the camera in the direction that the 
fireworks will be fired and wait.
5Press the shutter button fully to take the 
picture when the fireworks are fired.
 If zoom was used, the focus position will 
not be correct. Perform steps 2 to 5 again.
 We recommend using a tripod.
 The focus range is 5 m (16.4 feet) to ¶ in 
AF mode. (We recommend performing 
steps 1 to 5 above for prefocus.)
 The shutter speed becomes the following.
– When [OFF] is set on the optical image 
stabilizer function: Fixed to 2 second
– When [MODE1] or [MODE2] is set on 
the optical image stabilizer function:
1/4th or 2 second (The shutter speed 
becomes 2 second only when the 
camera has determined that there is 
little jitter such as when using a tripod 
etc.)
 Histograms are always displayed in 
orange. (P40)
 The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF 
[].
 The setting on the AF assist lamp and 
continuous AF are disabled.
 The white balance cannot be set.
15
CANCELMENU
[FIREWORKS]
MENUSET
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
69VQT1B25
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This allows you to take even more vivid 
pictures of the blue color of the sea, sky 
etc. It also prevents under exposure of 
people under strong sunlight.
 Do not touch the camera with wet hands.
 Sand or seawater will cause the camera to 
malfunction. Make sure that sand or 
seawater does not get into the lens or the 
terminals.
 Problems caused by sand or seawater are 
not covered by the product warranty.
 The white balance cannot be set.
Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
This allows you to take pictures that show 
the snow as white as possible at a ski 
resort or a snow-covered mountain.
 The white balance cannot be set.Press [ ] to display the [SCENE MODE] 
menu and select a scene mode. (P62)
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.
 Turn the camera off when taking off or 
landing.
 When using the camera, follow all 
instructions from the cabin crew.
 Be careful about the reflection from the 
window.
 The flash setting is fixed to Forced OFF 
[].
 The setting on the AF assist lamp is 
disabled.
 The white balance cannot be set.
[BEACH]
[SNOW]
MENUSET
MENUSET
[AERIAL PHOTO]
MENUSET
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							Advanced (Recording pictures)
70VQT1B25
Motion Picture Mode
1Press the shutter button halfway 
to focus and then press it fully to 
start recording.
A: Audio recording
 The available recording time B is 
displayed on the top right and the 
elapsed recording time C is displayed 
on the bottom right of the screen.
 When the subject is focused, the focus 
indication lights.
 The focus, zoom and aperture value are 
fixed to the setting when recording 
starts (the first frame).
 The audio is also recorded 
simultaneously from the built-in 
microphone on this unit. (Motion 
pictures cannot be recorded without 
audio.)
 When using the stabilizer function, it is 
fixed to [MODE1].
2Press the shutter button fully to 
stop recording.
 If the built-in memory or the card 
becomes full in the middle of recording, 
the camera stops recording 
automatically.
∫Changing the settings for the aspect 
ratio and the picture quality
1Press [MENU/SET].
2Press 34 to select 
[ASPECT RATIO] and then press 
1.
3Press 34 to select the item and 
then press [MENU/SET].
4Press 34 to select 
[PICT.MODE] and then press 1.
5Press 34 to select the item and 
then press [MENU/SET].
If you selected [ ] on the screen 
shown in step 2
If you selected [ ] on the screen 
shown in step 
2
 fps “frames per second”; This refers to 
the number of frames used in 1 second.
R 50
:
3
:
ItemPicture sizefps
[30fpsVGA]
640k480 pixels30
[10fpsVGA]10
[30fpsQVGA]320k240 pixels30[10fpsQVGA]10
ItemPicture sizefps
[30fps16:9]
848k480 pixels30
[10fps16:9]10
REC1/3AWBWB ADJUST.
PICT.MODEW.BALANCE
1010METERING MODESELECTSETMENU
ASPECT RATIO
REC1/3AWBWB ADJUST.W.BALANCE
1010METERING MODESELECTSETMENU
ASPECT RATIOPICT.MODE
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