Panasonic Dmc G3 Owners Manual

							VQT3N56
 Before connecting, operating or adjusting this product,please read the inst ructions completely.
Owner’s Manual
for advanced features
Digital Camera
Model No. DMC-G3
until 
2011/5/11 
						

							- 2 -
Contents
Before Use
Care of the camera ................................... 5
Standard Accessories ............................... 6
Names and Functions of Components ...... 7
About the Lens ........................................ 14
Preparation
Attaching/Detaching the Lens ................. 15
Attaching the Shoulder Strap .................. 18
Charging the Battery ............................... 19• Charging ........................................... 19
• Approximate operating time and number of recordable pictures .......... 21
Inserting and Removing the Card 
(optional)/the Battery ............................... 24
About the Card ........................................ 25 • About cards that can be used with 
this unit ............................................. 25
• Approximate number of recordable  pictures and available recording 
time ................................................... 27
Setting Date/Time (Clock Set)................. 28
Basic
Selecting the Recording Mode ................ 30
Tips for taking good pictures ................... 32
Taking a Still picture ................................ 33 • How to set focus when taking a still picture (AFS/AFC) ................... 33
• Taking a Still picture .......................... 35
• Taking pictures using the Touch  Shutter function................................. 36
• Switching the Information Displayed  on the recording screen .................... 37
Taking Pictures using the Automatic 
Function (Intelligent Auto Mode) ............. 38 • Recording using Intelligent Auto Plus Mode ................................................. 41 Taking Pictures with Defocus Control 
Function...................................................42
Taking Pictures with Your Favorite 
Settings (Program AE Mode) ..................43
Recording Motion Pictures ......................45
• How to set focus when recording a motion picture (Continuous AF) .....45
• Recording Motion Pictures ................46
Playing Back Pictures/Motion Pictures ....48 • Playing Back Pictures .......................48
• Changing the information displayed 
on the playback screen .....................51
• Playing Back Motion Pictures ............52
Deleting Pictures .....................................54
Setting the Menu .....................................56 • Setting menu items ...........................56
Setting the Quick Menu ...........................59
About the Setup Menu.............................61
Recording
Optical Image Stabilizer ..........................69
Taking Pictures with the Zoom ................71
Taking Pictures using the Built-in Flash ...... 72
• Switching to the appropriate flash  setting ...............................................72
Compensating the Exposure ...................76
Taking Pictures using Burst Mode...........77
Taking Pictures using Auto Bracket ........79
Taking Pictures with the Self-timer ..........81
Taking Pictures with Auto Focus .............83
Taking Pictures with Manual Focus.........89
Adjusting the White Balance ...................92
Setting the Light Sensitivity .....................97
Using the function button.........................99 • Fixing the Focus and the Exposure 
(AF/AE Lock)...................................100
• Confirm the Effects of Aperture and  Shutter Speed (Preview Mode) .......101
Taking Pictures by Specifying 
the Aperture/Shutter Speed...................102 • Aperture-priority AE .........................102
• Shutter-priority AE ...........................102
• Manual Exposure Mode ..................103 
						

							- 3 -
Taking Pictures that match the Scene 
being recorded (Scene Mode)............... 105• [PORTRAIT] .................................... 105
• [SOFT SKIN] ................................... 106
• [SCENERY]..................................... 106
• [ARCHITECTURE] .......................... 106
• [SPORTS] ....................................... 106
• [PERIPHERAL DEFOCUS]............. 107
• [FLOWER]....................................... 107
• [FOOD]............................................ 108
• [OBJECTS] ..................................... 108
• [NIGHT PORTRAIT]........................ 108
• [NIGHT SCENERY] ........................ 109
• [ILLUMINATIONS] .......................... 109
• [BABY1]/[BABY2] ............................ 110
• [PET] ............................................... 111
• [PARTY] .......................................... 111
• [SUNSET] ....................................... 111
Taking Pictures with different image 
effects (Creative Control Mode) ............ 112
Taking Pictures in Custom Mode .......... 113
Recording still pictures while recording 
motion pictures ...................................... 115
Taking a Picture with Face Recognition 
Function ................................................ 116
Entering Text ......................................... 122
Using the [REC] Mode Menu ................ 123 • [PHOTO STYLE] ............................. 123
• [ASPECT RATIO]............................ 124
• [PICTURE SIZE] ............................. 125
• [QUALITY]....................................... 126
• [FACE RECOG.] ............................. 126
• [FOCUS MODE].............................. 126
• [QUICK AF] ..................................... 127
• [METERING MODE] ....................... 127
• [FLASH] .......................................... 128
• [RED-EYE REMOVAL] ................... 128
• [FLASH SYNCHRO] ....................... 128
• [FLASH ADJUST.] .......................... 129
• [I.RESOLUTION]............................. 129
• [I.DYNAMIC] 
(Intelligent dynamic range control).... 129
• [ISO LIMIT SET].............................. 130
• [ISO INCREMENTS] ....................... 130
• [LONG SHTR NR] ........................... 130
• [SHADING COMP.] ......................... 131
• [EX. TELE CONV.] .......................... 131
• [DIGITAL ZOOM] ............................ 131 • [BURST RATE] ...............................131
• [AUTO BRACKET] ..........................131
• [SELF-TIMER] .................................132
• [COLOR SPACE] ............................132
• [STABILIZER]..................................132
Using the [MOTION PICTURE] 
Mode Menu ...........................................133 • [REC MODE] ...................................133
• [REC QUALITY] ..............................134
• [PICTURE MODE]...........................135
• [CONTINUOUS AF] ........................135
• [EX. TELE CONV.] ..........................135
• [WIND CUT] ....................................135
• [MIC LEVEL DISP.] .........................135
• [MIC LEVEL ADJ.] ...........................135
• [FLICKER RED.] .............................136
Using the [CUSTOM] Menu...................137
Playback/Editing
Playing Back and Editing Burst 
Pictures .................................................144
Creating Still Pictures from a Motion 
Picture ...................................................147
Using the [PLAYBACK] Mode Menu .....148 • [2D/3D SETTINGS] .........................148
• [SLIDE SHOW] ................................148
• [PLAYBACK MODE] .......................150
• [TITLE EDIT] ...................................151
• [TEXT STAMP]................................152
• [VIDEO DIVIDE] ..............................154
• [RESIZE] .........................................155
• [CROPPING] ...................................156
• [ASPECT CONV.] ...........................157
• [ROTATE]/[ROTATE DISP.]............158
• [FAVORITE] ....................................159
• [PRINT SET] ...................................160
• [PROTECT] .....................................162
• [FACE REC EDIT] ...........................163 
						

							- 4 -
Connecting to other equipment
Enjoying 3D pictures ............................. 164Playing Back Pictures on a TV Screen ..... 168
Saving the Recorded Still Pictures and 
Motion Pictures ..................................... 172• Copy by inserting the SD card into 
the recorder .................................... 172
• Copy the playback image using  an AV cable .................................... 173
• Copying to a PC using  “PHOTOfunSTUDIO” ...................... 174
Connecting to a PC ............................... 175
Printing the Pictures .............................. 178
Others
Optional accessories ............................. 182
LCD Monitor Display/Viewfinder 
Display .................................................. 185
Cautions for Use ................................... 188
Message Display ................................... 195
Troubleshooting .................................... 197 
						

							- 5 -
Before Use
Before UseCare of the camera
Do not subject to strong vibration, shock, or pressure.
•The lens, LCD monitor, or external case may be damaged if used in 
following conditions. It may also malfunction or image may not be 
recorded.
–Drop or hit the camera.–Press hard on the lens or the LCD monitor.
This camera is not dust/drip/water proof.
Avoid using the camera in a location with a lot of dust, 
water, sand, etc.
•
Liquids, sand and other foreign material may get into the space 
around the lens, buttons, etc. Be particularly careful since it may 
not just cause malfunctions, but it may become unrepairable.
–Places with a lot of sand or dust.–Places where water can come into contact with this unit such as 
when using it on a rainy day or on a beach.
Do not place your hands inside the mount of the digital 
camera body. Since the sensor unit is a precision 
apparatus, it may cause a malfunction or damage.
∫About Condensation (When the lens, the viewfinder or 
LCD Monitor is fogged up)
•
Condensation occurs when the am bient temperature or humidity 
changes. Be careful of condensation since it causes lens and LCD 
monitor stains, fungus and camera malfunction.
•If condensation occurs, turn the camera off and leave it for about 
2 hours. The fog will disappear naturally when the temperature of 
the camera becomes close to the ambient temperature. 
						

							Before Use
- 6 -
Standard Accessories
Check that all the accessories are supplied before using the camera.
•
The accessories and their shape will differ depending on the country or area where the camera 
was purchased.
For details on the accessories, refer to Basic Owner’s Manual.
•Battery Pack is indicated as battery pack or battery  in the text.•Battery Charger is indicated as battery charger  or charger in the text.•SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card and SDXC Memory Card are indicated as  card in the 
text.
•The card is optional.•Description in this owner’s manual is based on the interchangeable lens (H-FS014042).•If any accessories are lost, customers in the USA and Puerto Rico should contact Panasonic’s 
parts department at 1-800-833-9626 and customers in Canada should contact 1-800-99-LUMIX 
(1-800-995-8649) for further information about obtaining replacement parts. 
						

							- 7 -
Before Use
Names and Functions of Components
∫Camera body
1 Sensor
2Flash  (P72)
3 Self-timer indicator  (P81)/
AF Assist Lamp  (P140)
4 Lens fitting mark (P15)
5 Mount
6 Lens lock pin
7 Lens release button  (P16)
8 [LVF/LCD] button (P11)
9 Diopter adjustment dial  (P11)
10 Viewfinder  (P11)
11 Playback button (P48 , 52)
12 Motion picture button  (P46)
13 Camera ON/OFF switch  (P28)
14 Rear dial (P13)
15 [DISP./Fn1] button  (P37, 51,  99)
16 Eye Cup  (P189)
17 Touch panel/LCD monitor  (P9, 12)
18 [Q.MENU/Fn2] button  (P59, 99) /
Delete/Return button
19 [MENU/SET] button (P13 , 56)
20 Cursor buttons  (P13)
3 /ISO  (P97)
1 /WB (White Balance)  (P92)
2 /AF Mode button (P83)
4 /[DRIVE MODE] button
This button in picture record mode will allow the user to select between the following 
options.
Single
  (P35)/Burst  (P77)/Auto bracket  (P79)/Self-timer  (P81)
13
45 6 7 2
10 11
178912 13
20
14 15
161819 
						

							Before Use
- 8 -
21 Shoulder strap eyelet (P18)
•Be sure to attach the shoulder strap when 
using the camera to ensure that you will not 
drop it.
22 [REMOTE] socket  (P184)
23 [HDMI] socket  (P168)
24 [AV OUT/DIGITAL] socket  (P168, 173 , 176, 
178)
25 Focus distance reference mark  (P91)
26 Stereo microphone
27 Shutter button  (P35)
28 Speaker  (P64)
29 Flash open lever  (P72)
30 Hot shoe  (P182)
31 Mode dial  (P30)
32 Status indicator  (P28)
33 Intelligent Auto button  (P38)
34 Tripod receptacle (P194)
35 DC coupler cover •
When using an AC adaptor, ensure that the 
Panasonic DC coupler (optional) and AC 
adaptor (optional) are used.  (P184)
36 Release lever (P24)
37 Card/Battery door  (P24)
23
22
21
24
293332
25
27
313028
26
35343637 
						

							- 9 -
Before Use
∫Lens
38 Tele
39 Lens surface
40 Focus ring  (P89)
41 Wide
42 Zoom ring (P71)
43 Contact point
44 Lens fitting mark (P15)
45 [O.I.S.] switch  (P69)
At the time when this camera is purchased, the LCD monitor is stowed in the camera body. 
Bring out the LCD monitor as shown below.
1 Open the LCD monitor. (Maximum 180 o)
2 It can be rotated 180 o forward.
3 Return the monitor to its original position.
•
Only rotate the LCD monitor after opening it wide enough, and be careful not to use 
excessive force as it may be damaged.
H-FS014042
(LUMIX G VARIO 14 – 42 mm/F3.5 – 5.6 
ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.) H-FS045200
(LUMIX G VARIO 45 – 200 mm/F4.0 – 5.6/
MEGA O.I.S.)
LCD Monitor
38 39 40 41 42 43 4440
41
42
45
393843 44 
						

							Before Use
- 10 -
The LCD monitor can be rotated to suit your needs. This is convenient as it allows you to 
take pictures from various angles by adjusting the LCD monitor.
•
Do not cover the AF Assist Lamp with your fingers or other objects.
∫ Taking pictures at a high angle
•This is convenient when there is someone in front of you and you cannot get close to the 
subject.
•It can only be rotated 90 o towards you.
∫ Taking pictures at a low angle
•This is convenient when taking pictures of flowers etc. that are in a low position.
•It can be rotated 180 o forward.
Note
•When not using the LCD monitor it is recommended that you close it with the screen facing 
inward to prevent dirt and scratches.