Panasonic Hdc Hs250 Operating Instructions

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Intelligent contrast control:
≥ If there are extremely dark or bright parts or the 
brightness is insufficient, the effect may not be 
clear.
Intelligent exposure:
≥ If there are extremely dark parts or the 
brightness is insufficient, the effect may not be 
clear.
Fade:
≥ The thumbnails of scenes recorded using fade 
in become black (or white).
Soft skin mode:
≥ If the background or anything else in the scene 
has colors similar to the skin color, they will 
also be smoothed.
≥ If the brightness is insufficient, the effect may 
not be clear.
≥ If you record a person in the distance, the face 
may not be recorded clearly. In this case, 
cancel Soft Skin mode or zoom in on the face 
(close-up) to record.
Tele macro:
≥ The tele macro function is canceled when the 
zoom magnification becomes lower than 12 k.
MagicPix:
≥ Recorded scene is seen as if frames were 
missed.
≥ If set in a bright place, the screen may become 
washed out for a while.
≥ Bright dots that are usually invisible may be 
seen, but this is not a malfunction.
≥ Using a tripod is recommended.
≥ In darker areas, Auto Focus may focus a bit 
slower. This is normal. Self-timer:
≥ The Self-timer Standby Mode is canceled when 
you press the recording start/stop button to 
start motion picture recording.
≥ Setting the self-timer to  Ø2 is a good way to 
prevent image shake when the   button is 
pressed while using a tripod etc.
Built-in flash:
≥ Set the flash to   where using a flash is 
prohibited.
≥ If the  ß indication etc. flashes when the   
button is pressed halfway, the flash is not 
activated.
≥ The available range of the flash is approx. 1 m 
to 2.5 m (3.3 feet to 8.2 feet) in dark places.
≥ Using the flash fixes a shutter speed to 1/500 
or slower.
Red eye reduction:
≥ The flash is activated 2 times.
≥ Red eye phenomenon may appear depending 
on the recording conditions.
≥ When faces are detected in the Intelligent Auto 
Mode, the red eye reduction is set to on.
Red eye reductionReduces the phenomena where human eyes become red 
from flashes.
≥In Motion Picture Recording Mode, set this function from the 
menu.
FunctionEffect
≥A conversion lens (optional) can block the flash 
and may cause a vignetting effect.
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Recording
Recording 
(Advanced)
2
Recording functions of 
menus
FunctionEffect/Setting method
Scene ModeWhen you record images in different situations, this mode 
automatically sets optimum shutter speeds and apertures.
≥Change the mode to   or  .
Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [SCENE MODE]  # desired setting
5 Sports:
To make fast moving scenes less shaky with slow playback and 
pause of playback  Portrait:
To make people stand out against the background
 Spotlight:
Improved quality when subjec t is brightly illuminated.
  Snow:
Improved image quality when shooting in snowy locations.  Beach:
To make blue in the sea or sky vibrant
 Sunset:
To make red in the sunrise or sunset vibrant  Fireworks:
To capture the fireworks in the night sky beautifully  Scenery:
For spatial scenery
 Low light:
For dark scenes, such as at dusk
(In Motion Picture Recording Mode only)
 Night scenery:
To capture the evening or night scenery beautifully.
(In Still Picture Recording Mode only)
 Night portrait:
To capture a person and the background brightly.
(In Still Picture Recording Mode only)
≥ Set [SCENE MODE] to [OFF] to cancel the function.
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FunctionEffect/Setting method
Guide lineYou can check if the image is level while recording or playing 
back motion pictures and still pictures. The function can also 
be used to estimate the balance of the composition.
≥Change the mode to   or  .
≥ The Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off. ( l40)
Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [GUIDE LINES]  # desired setting
(When motion picture playback is selected while the mode is set to  . (l 74))
[VIDEO SETUP]  # [GUIDE LINES]  # desired setting
≥ The guide lines do not appear on the images actually recorded.
≥ Set to [OFF] to cancel the guide line.
Digital cinemaUse this function to record an image with vivid color, like an 
image on a movie film.
≥Change the mode to  .
≥ The Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off. ( l40)
≥ Set the recording mode to HA or HG. ( l46)
Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [DIGITAL CINEMA]  # [ON]
≥ The shutter speed is 1/48 or more. (When [AUTO SLOW SHTR] is 
[ON], it is 1/24 or more.)
≥ In Digital Cinema Mode, the images are recorded at a rate of 24 
frames per second so the images may not appear smooth.
Auto Ground-
Directional Standby 
(AGS)If the unit continues to be tilted upside down from the normal 
horizontal position while recording motion pictures, it is 
automatically put into recording pause.
≥Change the mode to  .
Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [AGS]  # [ON]
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Auto slow shutterYou can record bright pictures even in dark places by slowing 
the shutter speed.
≥Change the mode to  .
≥ The Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off. ( l40)
Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [AUTO SLOW SHTR]  # [ON]
≥ The shutter speed is set to 1/30 or more depending on the 
surrounding brightness.
Automatic face 
framing
[OFF]:
Not display
[PRIMARY]:
Only the prioritized face 
framing is displayed.
[ALL]:
All face detection framings 
are displayed. In the Intelligent Auto Mode, detected faces appear with 
frames.≥
Change the mode to   or  .
Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [FACE FRAMING]  # desired setting
≥ This function’s default setting is [ALL].
≥ Up to 15 frames are indicated. Larger faces and faces nearer to 
the center of the screen take preference over others.
∫ Prioritized face framing
Prioritized face framing is displayed in orange. Focus and adjustment of 
brightness will be performed against  the prioritized face framing.
≥Focus will be set to prioritized face framing when the   button 
is pressed halfway when recording still pictures. Prioritized face 
framing will turn to green when the focus is set.
Digital cinema colorRecording motion pictures with more vivid colors, using 
x.v.Color™ technology.
≥Change the mode to  .
≥ The Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off. ( l40)
Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [Digital Cinema Color]  # [ON]
≥ For more realistic colors, use an HDMI mini cable with a TV that 
supports the x.v.Color
™.
Wind noise reductionThis is for reducing the wind noise coming into the built-in 
microphones depending on the wind strength.
≥Change the mode to  .
≥ The Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off. ( l40)
Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [WIND CUT]  # [ON]
≥ This function’s default setting is [ON].
FunctionEffect/Setting method
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Microphone setup
[SURROUND]:
Sound is recorded with 
5.1 ch surround microphone.
[ZOOM MIC]:
Directivity of the microphone 
is synchronized with the 
zoom operation. Sounds 
near the front of the unit are 
recorded more clearly if you 
zoom in (close-up) and 
surrounding sounds are 
recorded more realistically if 
you zoom out (wide angle).
[FOCUS MIC]:
Directivity of the center is 
enhanced for recording audio 
near the front of the unit 
more clearly.Directivity (sound sensitivity direction) of the built-in 
microphones can be adjusted.≥
Change the mode to  .
≥ The Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off. ( l40)
Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [MIC SETUP]  # desired setting
≥ This function’s default setting is [SURROUND].
FunctionEffect/Setting method
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Microphone level
[AUTO]:
AGC is activated, and the 
recording level is adjusted 
automatically.
[SETr ]/[SET]:
The desired recording level 
can be set.
AGC: Auto Gain Control When recording, the input level from the built-in microphones 
can be adjusted.≥
Change the mode to  .
≥ The Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off. ( l40)
1Select the menu. ( l28)
[RECORD SETUP]  # [MIC LEVEL]  # [SETr]/[SET]
2Touch  /  to adjust the microphone input 
level.
ACenter
B Front left
C Back left
D Front right
E Back right
F Microphone input level
≥ Touch   to activate/disactivate AGC. 
When AGC is activated, the icon is surrounded by yellow and the 
amount of sound distortion can be reduced. When AGC is 
disactivated, natural recording can be performed.
≥ A gain value for each of the 5 directions is displayed. (The input 
level of the microphones cannot be set individually.)
≥ Adjust the microphone input level so that the last 2 bars of the 
gain value are not red. (Otherwise, the sound is distorted.) Select 
a lower setting for microphone input level.
3Touch [ENTER] to determine the microphone 
input level and then touch [EXIT].
G Microphone input level meter
FunctionEffect/Setting method
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Hi-speed burst 
shooting
[24 frames/sec]:
72 still pictures are recorded 
continuously at the rate of 24 
per second.
The picture size is   
(1920k1080).
[60 frames/sec]:
180 still pictures are 
recorded continuously at the 
rate of 60 per second.
The picture size is   
(1280k 720). Recording is done continuously at the rate of 24 or 60 still 
pictures per second.
Use this function to record an object with fast movement.
It is recorded in Motion Picture Recording Mode, since still 
pictures are generated from motion picture.
≥
Change the mode to  .
≥ The Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off. ( l40)
1Select the menu. ( l28)
[PICTURE]  # [HI-SPEED BURST]  # desired setting
2Press the   button.
≥  flashes in red during recording.
≥ First press the   button halfway, then press it fully to set the 
focus and record. It will automatically  focus if you press fully once, 
so it is convenient when recording objects moving back and forth.
3Touch [Record] or [Delete].
[Record]: Pictures are stored.
[Delete]: All pictures are deleted.
4(Only when [Record] is selected in step 3)
Touch [REC ALL] or [SELECT].
[REC ALL]: All pictures are stored.
[SELECT]: Pictures are stored by specifying range.
5(Only when [SELECT] is selected in step 4)
Touch the range of pictures that will be stored.
A Start point*
BFinish point
≥ Previous (Next) page is displayed by touching  / .
* Only select the picture for start point if only 1 picture is to be  stored.
A confirmation message is displayed when [ENTER] is touched 
after selecting the start point and finish point. 
Touch [YES] to store the pictures.
≥ Set [HI-SPEED BURST] to [OFF] to cancel the function.
FunctionEffect/Setting method
2.1M
0.9M
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Scene Mode:
5Sports
≥ During normal playback, the image movement 
may not look smooth.
≥ Color and screen brightness may change 
under indoor lighting.
≥ If the brightness is insufficient, the Sports Mode 
does not function. The  5/ display 
flashes.
≥ The shutter speed is 1/8 or more in Still Picture 
Recording Mode.
 Portrait
≥ Color and screen brightness may change 
under indoor lighting.
≥ The shutter speed is 1/8 or more in Still Picture 
Recording Mode.
 Spotlight
≥ The shutter speed is 1/8 or more in Still Picture 
Recording Mode.
 Snow
≥ The shutter speed is 1/8 or more in Still Picture 
Recording Mode.
 Beach
≥ The shutter speed is 1/8 or more in Still Picture 
Recording Mode.  
Sunset
≥ The shutter speed is 1/30 or more. (When 
[DIGITAL CINEMA] is [ON], it is 1/24 or more.)
≥ Image may get blurry when a close object is 
recorded.
≥ The shutter speed is 1/8 or more in Still Picture 
Recording Mode.
 Fireworks
≥ The shutter speed is 1/30. (When [DIGITAL 
CINEMA] is [ON], it is 1/24.)
≥ Image may get blurry when a close object is 
recorded.
≥ Image may get washed out when recorded in 
bright surroundings.
 Scenery
≥ Image may get blurry when a close object is 
recorded.
≥ The shutter speed is 1/8 or more in Still Picture 
Recording Mode.
 Low light
≥ The shutter speed is 1/30 or more. (When 
[DIGITAL CINEMA] is [ON], it is 1/24 or more.)
 Night scenery
≥ The shutter speed is 1/2 or more.
≥ Image may get blurry when a close object is 
recorded.
≥ Using a tripod is recommended.
AF assist lampIlluminating the subject makes it easier for the camera to focus 
when recording in low light conditions that make focusing 
difficult.
≥Change the mode to  .
≥ The Intelligent Auto Mode is set to off. ( l40)
Select the menu. ( l28)
[PICTURE]  # [AF ASSIST LAMP]  # [AUTO]
≥ This function’s default setting is [AUTO].
≥ The available distance of the AF assist lamp is approx. 1.5 m 
(5 feet).
Shutter soundYou can add a shutter sound when recording still pictures.
≥Change the mode to   or  .
Select the menu. ( l28)
[PICTURE]  # [SHTR SOUND]  # [ON]
≥ This function’s default setting is [ON].
FunctionEffect/Setting method
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 Night portrait
≥ The shutter speed is 1/2 or more.
≥ The flash is set to [ON].
≥ Using a tripod is recommended.
Digital cinema:
≥ Motion pictures recorded while this setting is 
turned [ON] may not be played back properly 
with a player that cannot support 24p video 
signal playback.
Auto Ground-Directional Standby
≥ The AGS function may activate and cause the 
unit to pause the recording if you are recording 
a subject right above or right below you.
Auto slow shutter:
≥ When the shutter speed becomes 1/30, the 
screen may be seen as if frames are missed 
and afterimages may appear.
Digital cinema color:
≥ When motion pictures recorded while this 
function is turned [ON] are played back 
with a TV not compatible with x.v.Color
™, 
colors may not be reproduced properly.
≥ To play back images recorded in Digital cinema 
color with vivid colors of wider color ranges, a 
device compatible with x.v.Color
™ is required. 
When these images are played back with 
devices other than ones compatible with 
x.v.Color
™, it is recommended to record the 
images after this function is turned [OFF].
≥ x.v.Color
™ is a name for devices that are 
compatible with the xvYCC format, an 
international standard for expanded color in 
motion pictures, and that follow the rules for 
signal transmission.
Wind noise reduction:
≥ When the Intelligent Auto Mode is set to on, 
[WIND CUT] is set to [ON], and the setting 
cannot be changed.
≥ The sound quality may be changed if this 
function is activated in strong winds.
Microphone setup:
≥ If you wish to record higher quality sound and 
maintain realism even when zooming in, for 
instance, when recording a music recital, we 
recommend setting [MIC SETUP] to 
[SURROUND]. Microphone level:
≥
When the Intelligent Auto Mode is on, the 
setting is fixed to [AUTO] and cannot be 
changed.
≥ When [MIC SETUP] is [ZOOM MIC], the 
volume will be different depending on the zoom 
rate.
≥ The microphone input level meter shows the 
largest volume for the microphones.
≥ You cannot record with the audio completely 
muted.
Hi-speed burst shooting:
≥ If you turn off the power or change the mode to 
, this function is canceled.
≥ The maximum number of times you can record 
on a media is 15.
(In the case of SD cards it is the maximum 
number of recordable scenes per card.)
≥ Color balance and brightness on the screen 
may change with some light sources such as 
fluorescent lamps.
≥ Image quality is different from ordinary still 
picture recording.
AF assist lamp:
≥ A conversion lens (optional) can block the AF 
assist lamp, and it will become harder to adjust 
the focus.
≥ When the Intelligent Auto Mode is on, the 
setting is fixed to [AUTO] and cannot be 
changed.
≥ Set to [OFF] when you would not like the AF 
assist lamp to illuminate in dark environment, 
such as when you are recording subjects in 
dark locations. It will become harder to adjust 
the focus.
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Recording
Recording 
(Advanced)
3
Manual recording
Touch the operation icon to adjust white balance, shutter speed, iris and manual focus.
¬Change the mode to   or  .
Press the MANUAL button.
≥  appears on the screen.
Perform the setting by touching the desired item to be set.
≥Touch  1 to change the page and touch 
 to display/not-display the operation 
icon.
MNL
MANUAL
FIRISSHTRWBMF
White balance ( l71)
Manual shutter speed ( l72)
Aperture adjustment ( l72)
Manual focus ( l73)WB
SHTR
IRIS
FF
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