Panasonic Dmc G3 Owners Manual

							- 191 -
Others
The battery is a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Its ability to generate power comes 
from the chemical reaction that takes place inside it. This reaction is susceptible to 
the surrounding temperature and humidity. If the temperature is too high or too low, 
the operating time of the battery will become shorter.
Always remove the battery after use.
•
Place the removed battery in a plastic bag, and store or carry away from metallic objects (clips, 
etc.).
If you drop the battery accidentally, check to see if the body of the battery and the 
terminals are damaged.
•
Inserting a damaged battery in the camera will damage the camera.
Bring charged spare batteries when going out.
•Be aware that the operating time of the battery becomes shorter in low temperature conditions 
such as at a ski resort.
•When you travel, do not forget to bring the battery charger (supplied) so that you can charge 
the battery in the country that you are traveling in.
Dispose of unusable battery.
•The battery has a limited life.•Do not throw the battery into fire because it may cause an explosion.•The unusable battery should be discarded in accordance with battery recycling laws. Call the 
RBRC hotline at 1-800-822-8837 for information.
Do not allow battery terminals to come into contact with metal objects (such as 
necklaces, hairpins etc.).
•
This can cause short circuiting or heat generation and you may be badly burned if you touch a 
battery.
•If you use the battery charger near a radio, the radio reception may be disturbed. •Keep the charger 1 m (3.28 feet) or more away from radio.•The charger may generate whirring sounds when it is being used. This is not a malfunction.•After use, be sure to disconnect the power supply device from the electrical outlet. (A very 
small amount of current is consumed if it is left connected.)
•Keep the terminals of the charger and battery clean.
Battery
Charger 
						

							Others
- 192 -
∫About 3D recording
With the 3D interchangeable lens attached, do not record a subject at less than the 
minimum focus distance.
•
The 3D effects may be more pronounced, and therefore cause tiredness or discomfort.•When the 3D interchangeable lens (H-FT012; optional) is used, the minimum focus distance is 
0.6m (1.97feet).
When recording with the 3D interchangeable lens attached, be careful not to shake 
the unit.
•
Tiredness or discomfort may result if the shake is pronounced, due to riding in a vehicle or 
walking etc.
•We recommend using a tripod.
∫ About 3D viewing
Anyone who is hyper sensitive to light, suffers from heart disease or is otherwise 
unwell should avoid viewing 3D pictures.
•
Doing may have an adverse affect on such medical conditions.
If you feel tired, uncomfortable or otherwise strange when viewing 3D pictures, stop 
viewing at once.
•
Continuing to view may cause illness.•Please rest appropriately after stopping the viewing.
When viewing 3D pictures, we recommend taking a break every 30 to 60 minutes.
•Viewing for extended periods may cause eye-fatigue.
Short-sighted or long-sighted persons, those with differences in the sight of their 
right and left eyes, and those with astigmatism are advised to correct their vision by 
wearing glasses etc.
Stop viewing if you can clearly see a double image while viewing 3D pictures.
•
There are differences in the way that different  people experience 3D pictures. Please correct 
your sight appropriately before viewing 3D pictures.
•You can change the 3D setting of your television or 3D output setting of the unit to 2D.
When viewing 3D pictures on a 3D compatible television, position yourself a 
distance away that is least 3 times the effective height of the television.
•
(Recommended distance): For 42 z; approx. 1.6 m (5.25 feet), for 46 z; approx. 1.7 m (5.58 feet), 
for 50 z; approx. 1.9 m (6.23 feet), for 54 z; approx. 2.0 m (6.56 feet).
•Viewing from a distance closer than the recommended distance may lead to eye-fatigue.
About 3D 
						

							- 193 -
Others
Do not leave the card where the temperature is high, where electromagnetic waves 
or static electricity are easily generated or exposed to direct sunlight.
Do not bend or drop the card.
•
The card may be damaged or the recorded content may be damaged or deleted.•Put the card in the card case or the storage bag after use and when storing or carrying the 
card.
•Do not allow dirt, dust or water to get into the terminals on the back of the card and do not touch 
the terminals with your fingers.
Notice for when transferring to another party, or disposing of the memory card
•“Format” or “delete” using the camera or a PC will only modify the file management information, 
and it will not erase the data in the memory card completely.
It is recommended to physically destroy the memory card or use the commercially available 
computer data deletion software to completely erase the data in the memory card before 
transferring to another party or disposing.
Management of data in the memory card is the responsibility of the user.
If a name or birthday is set for [BABY1]/[BABY2]/Face Recognition function, this personal 
information is kept in the camera and recorded in the image.
Disclaimer
•
Information including personal information may be altered or vanish due to erroneous 
operation, effect of static electricity, accident, malfunction, repair, or other handlings.
Please note in advance that Panasonic is not liable in any way for any direct or indirect damage 
from the alteration or vanishing of information or personal information.
When requesting a repair, transferring to another party or disposing
•Reset the settings to protect the personal information.  (P68)•Remove the memory card from the camera when requesting a repair.•Settings may return to factory default when camera is repaired.•Please contact the dealer where you purchased the camera or your nearest Service Center if 
above operations are not possible due to malfunction.
When transferring to another party, or disposing of the memory card, please refer to 
“Notice for when transferring to another party, or disposing of the memory card” on  
P193.
Card
About the personal information 
						

							Others
- 194 -
•Store the battery in a cool and dry place with a relatively stable temperature: (Recommended 
temperature:15oC to 25 oC (59 oF to 77 oF), Recommended humidity: 40%RH to 60%RH)
•Always remove the battery and the card from the camera.•If the battery is left inserted in the camera, it will discharge even if the camera is turned off. If 
the battery continues to be left in the camera, it will discharge excessively and may become 
unusable even if charged.
•When storing the battery for a long period of time, we recommend charging it once a year. 
Remove the battery from the camera and store it again after it has completely discharged.
•We recommend storing the camera with a desiccant  (silica gel) when you keep it in a closet or 
a cabinet.
•Check all the parts before taking pictures when you have not used the camera for a long 
period of time.
•Recorded data may be damaged or lost if the camera breaks down due to inappropriate 
handling. Panasonic will not be liable for any damage caused due to loss of recorded data.
•When you use a tripod, make sure the tripod is stable when this unit is attached to it.•You may not be able to remove the card or the battery when using a tripod or unipod.•Make sure that the screw on the tripod or unipod is not at an angle when attaching or detaching 
the camera. You may damage the screw on the camera if you use excessive force when 
turning it. Also, the camera body and the rating label may be damaged or scratched if the 
camera is attached too tightly to the tripod or unipod.
•When using this unit with a large-diameter lens, the lens may come into contact with the 
pedestal depending on the tripod/unipod. Tightening the screw with the lens and pedestal in 
contact with each other may damage this unit or the lens. Therefore it is recommended to 
attach the tripod adaptor (DMW-TA1; optional) before mounting on the tripod/unipod.
•Read the operating instructions for the tripod or unipod carefully.
•If you attach a heavy interchangeable lens (more than about 1 k g/35.3 oz) to the camera body, 
do not carry the camera by the shoulder strap. Hold the camera and the lens when carrying 
them.
When not using the camera for a long period of time
About the picture data
About tripods or unipods
About the shoulder strap 
						

							- 195 -
Others
Message Display
Confirmation messages or error messages will be displayed on the screen in some cases.
The major messages are described below as examples.
[THIS PICTURE IS PROTECTED]
>Delete the picture after canceling the protect setting.  (P162)
[THIS PICTURE CANNOT BE DELETED]/[SOME PICTURES CANNOT BE DELETED]
•
This feature can only be used with pictures that comply with the DCF standard.
> If you want to delete some pictures, format the card after saving necessary data on a PC 
etc.  (P68)
[CANNOT BE SET ON THIS PICTURE]
•
[TITLE EDIT], [TEXT STAMP] or [PRINT SET] cannot be set for pictures not based on the 
DCF standard.
[MEMORY CARD ERROR
FORMAT THIS CARD?]
•
It is a format that cannot be used with this unit.
> Insert a different card.
> Format the card again with the camera after saving necessary data on a PC etc.  (P68) 
Data will be deleted.
[LENS NOT FOUND, OR   SHOOT W/O LENS IS SET TO OFF.]
•
When using a Leica lens mount adaptor (DMW-MA2M, DMW-MA3R; optional), set 
[SHOOT W/O LENS]  (P143) to [ON] in the custom menu.
[THE LENS IS NOT ATTACHED PROPERLY. DO NOT PUSH LENS RELEASE 
BUTTON WHILE LENS IS ATTACHED.]
•
Detach the lens once, and then attach it again without pressing the lens release button.  (P15) 
Turn on the power again, and if it is still displaying, contact the dealer.
[Lens attachment failed.
Please check connection for dirt.]
•
Detach the lens from the camera body and gently wipe the contacts on the lens and the 
camera body using a dry cotton swab. Attach the lens, turn on the power again, and if it is still 
displaying, contact the dealer.
[MEMORY CARD PARAMETER ERROR]/[THIS MEMORY CARD CANNOT BE USED]
> Use a card compatible with this unit.  (P25)•SD Memory Card (8 MB to 2 GB)•SDHC Memory Card (4 GB to 32 GB)•SDXC Memory Card (48 GB, 64 GB) 
						

							Others
- 196 -
[INSERT SD CARD AGAIN]/[TRY ANOTHER CARD]
•
An error has occurred accessing the card.> Insert the card again.
> Insert a different card.
[READ ERROR/WRITE ERROR
PLEASE CHECK THE CARD]
•
It has failed to read or write data.
> Remove the card after turning the power [OFF]. Insert the card again, turn the power on, 
and try to read or write the data again.
•The card may be broken.
> Insert a different card.
[CANNOT RECORD DUE TO INCOMPATIBLE FO RMAT (NTSC/PAL) DATA ON THIS 
CARD.]
> If you want to delete some pictures, format the card after saving necessary data on a PC 
etc.  (P68)
> Insert a different card.
[MOTION RECORDING WAS CANCELLED DUE TO THE LIMITATION OF THE 
WRITING SPEED OF THE CARD]
•
Use a card with SD Speed Class with “Class 4” or higher when recording motion pictures in 
[AVCHD]. 
Also, use a card with SD Speed Class with “Class 6” or higher when recording motion pictures 
in [MOTION JPEG].
•In the event that it stops even after using a “Class 4” card or higher, the data writing speed has 
deteriorated so it is recommended to make a backup and then format  (P68).
•Depending on the type of the card, motion picture recording may stop in the middle.
[A FOLDER CANNOT BE CREATED]
•
A folder cannot be created because there are no remaining folder numbers that can be used.
> Format the card after saving necessary data on a PC etc.  (P68) If you execute 
[NO.RESET] in the [SETUP] menu after formatting, the folder number is reset to 100. 
(P68)
[PICTURE IS DISPLAYED FOR 16:9 TV]/[PICTURE IS DISPLAYED FOR 4:3 TV]
•
Select [TV ASPECT] in the [SETUP] menu if you want to change the TV aspect.  (P66)•This message also appears when the USB connection cable is connected to the camera only.
In this case, connect the other end of the USB connection cable to a PC or a printer.  (P176, 
178)
[EDITING OPERATION CANNOT PROCEED AS INFORMATION PROCESSING IS 
ONGOING.]
When a card with pictures deleted or file names changed using a PC or other device is 
inserted into this unit, it will automatically retrieve new information and reconstruct the 
burst groups. The currently retrieving information icon [ ] may be displayed in the 
playback screen for long period of time when there are many image files, and deletion or 
[PLAYBACK] Mode menu cannot be used during this time.
•
If you switch the power switch to [OFF] while information is being retrieved, the pictures for 
which information was retrieved up to that point will be saved as a burst group. When you 
switch on again, the information retrieval will restart from the same point. 
						

							- 197 -
Others
Troubleshooting
First, try out the following procedures (P197–207).
•
The battery is exhausted.•Charge the battery.•If you leave the camera on,  the battery will be exhausted.
> Turn the camera off frequently by using the [ECONOMY] Mode etc.  (P65)
•If you connect to a TV compatible with VIERA Link with a HDMI mini cable (optional) and turn 
off the power on the TV with the remote control for the TV, the power on this unit also turns off. 
> If you are not using VIERA Link, set [VIERA Link] to [OFF].  (P67)
•Is the subject focused?
> [FOCUS PRIORITY] is set to [ON] at the time of purchase, and so you cannot take pictures 
until the subject is in focus. If you want to be able to take a picture when you press the 
shutter button fully even if the subject is not focused, set [FOCUS PRIORITY] in the 
[CUSTOM] menu to [OFF]. (P139)
•Picture might look whitish when lens or image  sensor gets dirty with fingerprints or similar.
> If the lens is dirty turn the camera off and then gently wipe the lens surface with a soft dry 
cloth.
> Refer to  P189 when the image sensor gets dirty.
If the problem is not resolved,  it may be improved by selecting [RESET]  (P68) on the 
[SETUP] menu .
Battery and power source
The camera cannot be operated even when it is turned on.
The camera turns off immediately after it is turned on.
This unit is turned off automatically.
Recording
Taking pictures is not possible.
The shutter will not operate immediately when the shutter button is pressed.
The recorded picture is whitish. 
						

							Others
- 198 -
>Check that the exposure is correctly compensated.  (P76)•Is the AE Lock (P100) applied incorrectly?
> Unset the settings of White Balance Bracket  (P96).
•The subject is beyond the focus range of the camera.  (P34)•There is camera shake (jitter) or the subject is moving slightly.  (P70)•Is [FOCUS PRIORITY] in the [CUSTOM] menu set to [OFF]? (P139)
In this case, the picture may not be properly focused even if [AFS] or [AFC] in [FOCUS MODE] 
is set.
•Is [SHUTTER AF] in the [CUSTOM] menu set to [OFF]?  (P139)•Is the AF Lock (P100) applied incorrectly?
•The shutter speed will become slower and the Op tical Image Stabilizer function may not work 
properly when taking pictures especially in dark places. > We recommend holding the camera firmly with both hands when taking pictures.  (P32)
> We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer  (P81) when taking pictures with a slow 
shutter speed.
•Are you using a lens which supports the Stabilizer function?  (P69)
•Is there any memory remaining on the card?
•Is the ISO sensitivity high or the shutter speed slow?
(ISO sensitivity is set to [AUTO] when the camera is shipped. Therefore, when taking pictures 
indoors etc. noise will appear.)
> Decrease the ISO sensitivity.  (P97)
> Increase the setting for [NOISE REDUCTION] in [PHOTO STYLE] or lower the setting for 
each of the items other than [NOISE REDUCTION].  (P124)
> Take pictures in bright places.
> Set the  [LONG SHTR NR]  to [ON].  (P130)
•Is the [PICTURE SIZE]  (P125)  or the [QUALITY]  (P126)  set low?•Is the [DIGITAL ZOOM] set?  (P71)
The recorded picture is too bright or dark.
Multiple pictures are taken at one time.
The subject is not focused properly.
The recorded picture is blurred.
The Optical Image Stabilizer is not effective.
Taking pictures using White Balance Bracket is not possible.
The recorded picture looks rough.
Noise appears on the picture. 
						

							- 199 -
Others
•When recording under fluorescent or LED lighting fixture etc., increasing the shutter speed may 
introduce slight changes to brightness and color. These are a result of the characteristics of the 
light source and do not indicate a malfunction.
•When recording subjects in extremely bright locations or recording under fluorescent lighting, 
LED lighting fixture, mercury lamp, sodium lighting etc., the colors and screen brightness may 
change or horizontal striping may appear on the screen.
•This could be an inactive pixel. Perform [PIXEL REFRESH] (P143) in the [CUSTOM] menu.
•Are you in Exposure Compensation operation?
> Press the rear dial to switch to Exposure Compensation operation.  (P76)
•Set the AF area to the distinctive color of the subject if there is a part that is different from the 
surrounding color. (P85)
Striping or flicker may appear under lighting such as fluorescent lighting and 
LED lighting fixture.
•
This is characteristic of MOS sensors which serve as the camera’s pickup 
sensors.
This is not a malfunction.
•When you see noticeable flicker or stripi ng while recording a motion picture, 
you can reduce the flicker or striping by setting up [FLICKER RED.]  (P136) 
and fixing the shutter speed. It is possible to select a shutter speed from 
[1/50], [1/60], [1/100], or [1/120].
The brightness or the hue of the recorded picture is different from the actual 
scene.
Bright spot not in subject is recorded.
You cannot compensate the exposure.
Subject cannot be locked.
(AF tracking not possible) 
						

							Others
- 200 -
•You may not be able to record for a short while after turning the power [ON] when using a large 
capacity card.
•Use a card with SD Speed Class with “Class 4” or higher when recording motion pictures in 
[AVCHD]. 
Also, use a card with SD Speed Class with “Class 6” or higher when recording motion pictures 
in [MOTION JPEG].
•Depending on the type of the card, recording may stop in the middle.> If motion picture recording stops during use of a card of at least “Class 4” or if you use a 
card on which recording and deleting have been repeated many times, or a card that has 
been formatted on a PC or other equipment, the data-writing speed is lower. In such cases, 
we recommend that you make a backup of the data and then format  (P68) the card in this 
unit.
•When recording a motion picture, the screen may go dark after a certain period to reduce 
battery consumption, but this will not affect the recorded motion picture.
•The screen may be blacked out momentarily, or the unit may record noise due to static 
electricity or electromagnetic waves etc. depending on the environment of the motion picture 
recording.
•Object seems to be warped slightly when the object moves across the image very fast, but this 
is because the unit is using MOS for the image sensor. This is not a malfunction.
•With recording in a quiet environment, depending on the lenses used, the sound of aperture 
and focus actions may be recorded in motion pictures. This is not a malfunction. Focus 
operation while recording motion pictures can be set to [OFF] with [CONTINUOUS AF] (P45) .
•Be careful while recording motion pictures because the sounds of the zoom operations, buttons 
and dial operation etc. may be recorded.
Motion pictures
Recording motion pictures is not possible.
Motion picture recording stops in the middle.
When recording a motion picture, the screen may go dark.
The screen may be blacked out momentarily, or the unit may record noise.
Object seems to be warped.
In motion pictures, abnormal clicking and buzzing sounds are recorded.