Panasonic Lumix DMC FX500 User Manual

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Advanced (Recording pictures)
∫About the Histogram
A histogram is a graph that displays brightness along the horizontal axis (black to white) 
and the number of pixels at each brightness level on the vertical axis.
It allows you to easily check a picture’s exposure.
1Dark areas, mid-tone, and bright areas are balanced out evenly, making it suitable to 
take a picture.
2The picture will become underexposed with more dark area. The pictures with mostly 
dark areas, such as night scenery, will also have a histogram like this.
3The picture will become overexposed with more bright areas. The pictures with mostly 
white areas will also have a histogram like this.
Examples of histogram
Note

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] or [FIREWORKS] in scene mode (P54)–When the brightness of the screen is not correctly displayed in dark places–When the exposure is not adequately adjustedThe 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.
1Properly Exposed
2Under Exposed
3Overexposed
¢Histogram
10:00  DEC.1.200810:00  DEC.1.200810:00  DEC.1.2008
100_
00011/91/9100100_000100011/9
F2.8 1/100F2.8 1/100F2.8 1/100100_
0001AWBISO100
123
100_
00011/91/9100100_000100011/9
F4.0 1/200F4.0 1/200F2.8 1/200100_
0001AWBISO100
100_
00011/91/9100100_000100011/9
F2.8 1/50F2.8 1/50F2.8 1/50100_
0001AWBISO10010:00  DEC.1.200810:00  DEC.1.200810:00  DEC.1.2008 10:00  DEC.1.200810:00  DEC.1.200810:00  DEC.1.2008 10:00  DEC.1.200810:00  DEC.1.200810:00  DEC.1.2008
¢
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
[REC] mode: ñ³±´²¿
Taking Pictures using the Built-in Flash
Set the flash to match the recording.
Move 1 [‰].
Move 3/4 to select a mode.
You can also move 1 [‰] to select.For information about flash settings that can be 
selected, refer to “Available flash settings by recording 
mode”. (P43)
Press [MENU/SET].You can also press the shutter button halfway to finish.The menu screen disappears after about 5 seconds. At this time, the selected item is 
automatically set.
¢The flash is activated twice. The subject should not move until the second flash is 
activated.APhoto flash
Do not cover it with your fingers or other objects.
Switching to the appropriate flash setting
ItemDescription of settings
‡: AUTOThe flash is automatically activated when the recording conditions make 
it necessary.
: 
AUTO/Red-eye 
reduction
¢
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 flash ON
: 
Forced ON/Red-eye 
reduction
¢
The flash is activated every time regardless of the recording conditions.Use this when your subject is back-lit or under fluorescent light.The flash setting is set to [ ] only when you set [PARTY] or 
[CANDLE LIGHT] in scene mode. (P54)
: 
Slow sync./Red-eye 
reduction
¢
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.
Œ: 
Forced flash OFFThe 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.
A
1
2
3
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
∫About the digital red-eye correction
When the flash is used with the Red-eye reduction ( [ ], [ ], [ ] ) selected, it will 
automatically detect and correct the red-eye in the image data. 
¢It may not be able to correct the red-eye depending on the recording conditions. 
∫Available flash settings by recording mode
The available flash settings depend on the recording mode.
(±: Available, —: Not available, ¥: Scene mode initial setting)
¢When [‡] is selected, [ ], [ ] or [ ] is set depending on the type of subject and 
brightness.
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
The available flash range is an approximation.

In [HIGH SENS.] (P58) in scene mode, the ISO sensitivity automatically switches to between 
[ISO1600] and [ISO6400] and the available flash range also differs.
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ISO sensitivityAvailable flash range
WideTel e
AUTO60 cm (1.97 feet) to 6.0 m (19.7 feet) 1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 2.8 m (9.18 feet)
ISO10060 cm (1.97 feet) to 1.9 m (6.23 feet) 1.0 m (3.28 feet)
ISO20060 cm (1.97 feet) to 2.7 m (8.85 feet) 1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 1.2 m (3.94 feet)
ISO40060 cm (1.97 feet) to 3.8 m (12.5 feet) 1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 1.8 m (5.90 feet)
ISO80080 cm (2.62 feet) to 5.4 m (17.7 feet) 1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 2.5 m (8.20 feet)
ISO16001.15 m (3.77 feet) to 7.7 m (25.3 feet) 1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 3.6 m (11.8 feet)
Wide: Approx. 1.15 m (3.77 feet) to approx. 15.4 m (50.5 feet)
Tele: Approx. 1.0 m (3.28 feet) to approx. 7.3 m (23.9 feet)
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
∫Shutter speed for each flash setting
¢1 It may vary depending on the [MIN. SHTR SPEED]  setting (P75).
¢2 When Intelligent ISO is set (P67)
¢3[SPORTS], [BABY1]/[BABY2] and [PET] in scene mode (P54)
¢2, 3: The shutter speed becomes a maximum of 1 second in the following cases.–When the optical image stabilizer is set to [OFF].–When the camera has determined that there is little jitter when the optical image stabilizer is 
set to [MODE1] or [MODE2].
Refer to P51 for the Aperture-priority AE, Shutter-priority AE or Manual exposure mode.
In Intelligent auto mode, shutter speed changes depending on the identified scene.There will be differences in the above shutter speeds in the scene modes.–[NIGHT PORTRAIT]: 1 or 1/8th of a second to 1/2000th of a second¢4
–[NIGHT SCENERY]: 8 or 1/8th of a second to 1/2000th of a second¢4
–[CANDLE LIGHT]: 1 or 1/8th of a second to 1/2000th of a second¢4
–[STARRY SKY]: 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds–[FIREWORKS]: 1/4th of a second, 2 seconds¢4
–All other scene modes: 1/8th of a second to 1/2000th of a second
¢4 The maximum shutter speed is selected when the amount of jitter is minimal while 
[STABILIZER] is set or when [STABILIZER] is set to [OFF].
Note
If you bring the flash too close to an object, the object may be distorted or discolored by the 
heat or lighting from the flash.
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.
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 [AUTO LCD OFF] is set, the LCD monitor 
turns off and the status indicator lights.
The white balance may not be properly adjusted if the flash level is insufficient for the subject.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.
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.
Flash settingShutter speed (Sec.)Flash settingShutter speed (Sec.)
‡ 
1/30th to 1/2000th 1
¢1 to 1/2000th
1 or 1/4th to 1/2000th¢2
‰
 Œ 1¢1 to 1/2000th
1 or 1/4th to 1/2000th¢2, 3
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
[REC] mode: ³±´²n
Taking Close-up Pictures 
This mode allows you to take close-up pictures of a subject, e.g. when taking pictures of 
flowers. You can take pictures of a subject as close as 5 cm (0.17 feet) from the lens by 
rotating the zoom lever  to fully wide position (1k).
Move 4 [#].
In macro mode, [ ] is displayed. To cancel, move 
4 again.
Take the pictures.
∫Focus range¢ The focus range changes in steps.
Note
We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer.We recommend setting the flash to [Œ] when you take pictures at close range.If the distance between the camera and the subject is beyond the focus range of the camera, 
the picture may not be properly focused even if the focus indication lights.
When a subject is close to the camera, the effective focus range is significantly narrowed. 
Therefore, if the distance between the camera and the subject is changed after focusing on the 
subject, it may become difficult to focus on it again.
Macro mode gives priority to a subject close to the camera. Therefore, if the distance between 
the camera and the subject is more than 1.0 m (3.28 feet) it takes longer to focus on it in macro 
mode than Program AE mode.
When you take pictures at close range, the resolution of the periphery of the picture may 
decrease slightly. This is not a malfunction.
1
2
T
W
5 cm (0.17 feet)
1 m (3.28 feet)
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
[REC] mode: ñ³±´²¿
Taking Pictures with the Self-timer
Note
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 (P76) to allow the camera to focus on the subject.
We recommend using a tripod when recording with the self-timer.The number of pictures which can be taken in [BURST] is fixed to 3.
Move 2 [ë].
Move 3/4 to select a mode.
You can also move 2 [ë] to select.
Press [MENU/SET].
You can also press the shutter button halfway to finish.The menu screen disappears after about 5 seconds. At this time, the selected item is 
automatically set.
Press the shutter button halfway to focus 
and then press it fully to take the picture.
The self-timer indicator A 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.
1
2
3
4
A
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
[REC] mode: ñ³±´²¿
Taking Pictures with Focus and Exposure Set on 
Subject 
(Touch AF/AE)
It is possible to set the focus and exposure to the subject specified on the touch panel. 
Focus will keep following the subject automatically even if it moves.
Note

If Touch  AF/AE fails, AF area will flash in red, and disappear. Touch the screen again.Frame showing touch possible area is displayed when you touch outside the possible area. The 
touch is invalid when it is outside the touch possible area. 
If there is a subject which has the same color as the touched subject at the periphery, dynamic 
tracking might follow a different subject from the touched subject
Most appropriate scene is selected for the touched subject in the Intelligent auto mode.Only focus can be adjusted during manual exposure.Dynamic tracking function may not work depending on the recording conditions such as the 
ones below.
–When the subject is too small–When the recording location is too dark–When the subject is moving too fast–When the background has the same or similar color to the subject.–When jitter is occurring–When using the zoomTouch AF/AE will not operate in the following conditions. [AF MODE] will be recorded in [•] 
under these conditions.
–When the subject is lost–When the subject is not selected–When Touch AF/AE has failed[QUICK AF] will not operate during touch AF/AE.
Touch [ ].
Touch the subject.
AF area will be displayed when the subject is recognized, 
and the focus will follow the movement of the subject. 
(Dynamic tracking)
Touch AF/AE is canceled by touching [CANCEL].
Take the pictures.
1
2
3
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
[REC] mode: ±
Taking Pictures with Set Aperture 
(±: Aperture-priority AE)
Set the aperture value to a higher number when you want a sharp focus background. Set 
the aperture value to a lower number when you want a soft focus background.
Note

Refer to P51 for the available aperture values and the shutter speed.Slide bar can be hidden (P51).Brightness of the LCD monitor may differ from the actual picture recorded. Please confirm in 
playback mode.
If the exposure is not adequate, the aperture value and the shutter speed turn in red when the 
shutter button is pressed halfway.
Set the aperture value larger if it is too bright, and set the aperture value smaller if it is too dark.We recommend using a tripod when the shutter speed is slow.
Slide the [REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector switch to [¦/!], and then 
press [MODE].
Touch [APERTURE PRIORITY].
Touch the aperture set bar.
AAperture Set Bar
BExposure Compensation Set Bar
Exposure (P52) can be compensated by touching the 
exposure compensation set bar. Touch the exposure 
compensation value you want to set.
Take the pictures.
1
2
3B
4
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
[REC] mode: ´
Taking Pictures with Set Shutter Speed 
(´: Shutter-priority AE)
When you want to take a sharp picture of a fast moving subject, set to a faster shutter 
speed. When you want to create a trail effect, set to a slower shutter speed.
Note

Refer to P51 for the available aperture values and the shutter speed.Slide bar can be hidden (P51).Brightness of the LCD monitor may differ from the actual picture recorded. Confirm in playback 
mode.
If the exposure is not adequate, the aperture value and the shutter speed turn in red when the 
shutter button is pressed halfway.
We recommend using a tripod when the shutter speed is slow.
Slide the [REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector switch to [¦/!], and then 
press [MODE].
Touch [SHUTTER PRIORITY].
Touch the shutter speed set bar.
AShutter Speed Set Bar
BExposure Compensation Set Bar
Exposure (P52) can be compensated by touching the 
exposure compensation set bar. Touch the exposure 
compensation value you want to set.
Take the pictures.
1
2
3B
4
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
[REC] mode: ²
Taking Pictures with Exposure Set Manually (²: Manual exposure)
Determine the exposure by manually setting the aperture value and the shutter speed.
∫Manual Exposure Assistance

Manual exposure assistance is an approximation. It is recommended to record by confirming in 
playback mode.
Note
Refer to P51 for the available aperture values and the shutter speed.Brightness of the LCD monitor may differ from the actual picture recorded. Please confirm in 
playback mode.
If the exposure is not adequate, the aperture value and the shutter speed turn red when the 
shutter button is pressed halfway.
[AUTO] of [SENSITIVITY] cannot be set.[SENSITIVITY] will be [ISO100] if you switch the recording mode to manual exposure when 
[SENSITIVITY] is set to [AUTO], and setting of [I.EXPOSURE] will be switched off.
Slide the [REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector switch to [¦/!], and then 
press [MODE].
Touch [MANUAL EXPOSURE].
Touch the aperture set bar A or shutter 
speed set bar B.
Press the shutter button halfway.
The manual exposure assistance C appears for about 
10 seconds to indicate the exposure.
Set the aperture value and the shutter speed again when 
the exposure is not adequate.
Take the pictures.
The exposure is adequate.
Set to faster shutter speed or larger aperture value.
Set to slower shutter speed or smaller aperture value.
1
2
3A
B
4
C5
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