Canon Hf G30 Owners Manual

							Basic Operation of the Camcorder
31
Using the Menus
Many of the camcorder’s functions can be adjusted from the FUNC. panel and the setup menus. For 
details about the available menu options and settings, refer to the appendix Menu Options Lists 
( A 143).
FUNC. Panel
In  mode:
There are three ways to access the FUNC. panel: by touching [FUNC.] on the OLED screen, by 
pressing  F or by pushing the joystick ( Ý/Þ ) to select [FUNC.] and then pressing  S. After 
the FUNC. panel is open, select the function you want to use. You may need to scroll up and down the 
screen or touch  ã/ä  to find the control button of the desired function. In   mode, access to 
functions is limited.
In  mode:
Just like during   mode, you can open the FUNC. panel by touching [FUNC.] on the OLED screen, 
by pressing  F or by pushing the joystick ( Ý/Þ ) to select [FUNC.] and then pressing  S. 
After the FUNC. panel is open, select the function you want to use. Operating modes:
Operating modes:
Touch the control 
button of the 
desired function FUNC. panel in   mode
FUNC. panel in   mode
Touch the control 
button of the 
desired operation
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							Basic Operation of the Camcorder
32
Setup Menus
In this manual, navigating the setup menus is explained using the touch panel controls but they can 
also be navigated using the joystick and other buttons. The procedure below explains how to use both 
methods. If necessary, refer back to this section for details on using the joystick.
To use touch panel controls
1  mode only: Touch [FUNC.].
2 Touch [MENU].
3 Touch the tab of the desired menu.
4 Drag your finger up and down to bring the desired setting 
into the orange selection bar.
• You can also touch [ Í] and [ Î] to scroll up and down.
• Menu items not available appear grayed out.
• You can touch any menu item on the screen to bring it  directly into the selection bar.
5 When the desired menu item is inside the selection bar, touch [ æ].
6 Touch the desired option and then touch [ X].
• You can touch [ X] to close the menu at any time.
To use the joystick
1  mode only: Push the joystick ( Ý/Þ ) to select [FUNC.] and then press  S.
• Alternatively, you can press F .
2 Push the joystick ( Ý/Þ ) to select [MENU] and then press  S.
3 Push the joystick ( Þ) to select the desired tab and then press  S.
4 Push the joystick ( Ý) to move the selection bar to the desired setting and then press S.
• Menu items not available appear grayed out.
5 Push the joystick ( Ý/Þ ) to select the desired option and then press  S.
6 Push the joystick ( Ý/Þ ) to select [X ] and then press  S.
• You can press  F to close the menu at any time.
NOTES
• For brevity's sake, references in the text to settings in the setup menus will include only the tab of  the desired menu and the setting name. For example, "You can adjust the date and time later on 
with the  q >  [Date/Time] setting."
• You can also press  M on the wireless controller to open the setup menus.
Operating modes:
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							First Time Settings
33
First Time Settings
Setting the Date and Time
You will need to set the date and time of the camcorder before 
you can start using it. The [Date/Time] screen will appear 
automatically when the camcorder’s clock is not set.
1 Use the power switch to turn on the camcorder.
• The [Date/Time] screen will appear.
2 Touch a field you want to change (year, month, day, hours or minutes).
• You can also push the joystick (ÏÐ) to move between the fields.
3Touch [ Í] or [ Î] to change the field as necessary.
• You can also push the joystick ( ÍÎ) to change the field.
4 Set the correct date and time by changing all the fields in the same way.
5 Touch [Y.M.D], [M.D,Y] or [D.M.Y] to select the date format you prefer.
• In some screens, the date will be displayed in short form (numbers instead of month names or 
only the day and month), but it will still follow the order you selected. 
6 Touch [24H] to use 24-hour clock or leave it unselected to use 12-hour clock (AM/PM).
7 Touch [OK] to start the clock and close the setup screen.
NOTES
• You can adjust the date and time later on with the  q >  [Date/Time] setting.
• When you do not use the camcorder for about 3 mo nths, the built-in rechargeable lithium battery 
may discharge completely and the date and time setting may be lost. In such case, recharge the 
built-in lithium battery ( A171) and set the time zone, date and time again.
Operating modes:
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							First Time Settings
34
Changing the Language
The default language of the camcorder is English. You can set 
it to one of 27 languages.
1 Open the [Language ] screen.
[FUNC.] > [MENU] >  q  >  [Language ]
• Touching [FUNC.] is necessary only when performing the procedure in   mode.
2 Touch the desired language and then touch [OK].
3Touch [ X] to close the menu.
NOTES
• Some control buttons, such as [ZOOM], [FUNC.] and [MENU], will appear in English regardless of  the language selected.
Changing the Time Zone
Change the time zone to match your location. The default setting is New York. In addition, the 
camcorder is able to retain the date and time of an additional location. This is convenient when you 
travel so that you can set the camcorder to match the ti me of your home location or that of your travel 
destination.
1 Open the [Time Zone/DST] screen.
[FUNC.]  > [MENU] >  q  >  [Time Zone/DST]
• Touching [FUNC.] is necessary only when performing the procedure in   mode.
2Touch [ ] to set the home time zone, or [ #] to set the time zone of your destination 
when you are traveling.
3Touch [ Í] or [ Î] to set the desired time zone. If necessary, touch [ $] to adjust for 
daylight saving time.
4Touch [ X] to close the menu.
Operating modes:
Operating modes:
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							Using a Memory Card
35
Using a Memory Card
Memory Cards Compatible for Use with the Camcorder 
You can use the following types of commercially available Secure Digital (SD) cards with this 
camcorder. 
The movie recording function has been tested using SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards made by 
Panasonic, Toshiba and SanDisk. For the latest information on cards that can be used, visit your local 
Canon Web site.
* When using an SD memory card without a speed class rating or one rated SD Speed Class 2, you may not be able to record movies, depending on the memory card used.
** SD memory cards with a capacity of 64 MB or smaller cannot be used to record movies.
NOTES
• About the Speed Class:  Speed Class is a standard that indicates the minimum guaranteed data 
transfer speed of memory cards. When you buy a new memory card, look for the Speed Class logo 
on the package.
To record movies using a recording mode with a video quality of 28 Mbps or 35 Mbps, we 
recommend using memory cards rated SD Speed Class 6 or 10. When you record movies using 
other recording modes, we recommend using memory cards rated SD Speed Class 4, 6 or 10. To 
record movies using slow & fast motion, we recommend using memory cards rated SD Speed 
Class 10.
SDXC Memory Cards
You can use SDXC memory cards with this camcorder. When using memory cards with other devices, 
such as digital recorders, computers and card readers,  make sure that the external device is 
compatible with SDXC cards . For information about the compatibility of SDXC cards, contact the 
computer, operating system or memory card manufacturer.
IMPORTANT
• If you use an SDXC memory card with a computer OS that is not SDXC-compatible, you may be  prompted to format the memory card. In such case,  cancel the operation to prevent data loss.
• After repeatedly recording, deleting and editing scenes (fragmented memory), it will take longer to  write data on the memory card and recording may stop. Save your recordings and initialize the 
memory card.
Inserting and Removing a Memory Card
Make sure to initialize ( A36) all memory cards before using them with this camcorder.
Memory card type: . SD memory card,  / SDHC memory card, 0  SDXC memory card
SD Speed Class*:         
Capacity: 128 MB or larger**.
(as of April 2013)
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							Using a Memory Card
36
1 Turn off the camcorder.
• Make sure the POWER/CHG indicator is off.
2 Open the double memory card slot cover.
3 Insert the memory card straight, with the label facing the front of the camcorder, all the way into one of the 
memory card slots until it clicks.
• You can also use two memory cards, one in each memory 
card slot.
4 Close the double memory card slot cover.
• Do not force the cover closed if the memory card is not correctly inserted.
To remove the memory card
Push the memory card once to release it. When the memory card springs out, pull it all the way out.
IMPORTANT
• Observe the following precautions while the ACCESS indicator is flashing. Failure to do so may  result in permanent data loss.
- Do not disconnect the power source or turn off the camcorder.
- Do not remove the memory card.
• Turn off the camcorder before inserting or removing a memory card. Inserting or removing the  memory card with the camcorder on may result in permanent data loss.
• Memory cards have front and back sides that are not interchangeable. Inserting a memory card  facing the wrong direction can cause a malfunction of the camcorder. Be sure to insert the memory 
card as described in step 3.
Initializing a Memory Card
Initialize memory cards when you use them with this camcorder for the first time. You can also initialize 
a memory card to permanently delete all the recordings it contains. 
1 Power the camcorder using the compact power adapter.
• Do not disconnect the power source or turn off the camcorder until the initialization is completed.
2 Open the initialization screen for the desired memory card.
[FUNC.]  > [MENU] >   > [Initialize ]  > [6 Mem. Card A] or [ 7Mem. Card B] >  
[Initialize]
• Touching [FUNC.] is necessary only when performing the procedure in   mode.
• In the initialization screen, touch [Complete Initialization] to physically erase all the data rather than  just clear the file allocation table of the memory card.
Operating modes:
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							Using a Memory Card
37
3 Touch [Yes].
• If you selected the [Complete Initialization] option, you can touch [Cancel] to cancel the initialization while it is in progress. All recordings will be erased and the memory card can be used 
without any problem.
4 Touch [OK] and then touch [ X].
IMPORTANT
• Initializing a memory card will permanently erase all recordings. Lost original recordings cannot be  recovered. Make sure you save important recordings in advance using an external device ( A108).
Selecting the Movie Format (AVCHD/MP4)
You can choose to record movies in AVCHD or MP4 format. AVCHD movies are ideal for playback with 
fantastic picture quality. MP4 movies are versatile and can easily be played back on smartphones and 
tablets or uploaded to the Web.
1 Open the [Movie Format] screen.
[FUNC.]  > [MENU]  >   > [Movie Format]
2 Select the desired movie format.
3Touch [ X].
Selecting the Memory Card for Recordings
Movies and photos are recorded on a memory card. You can select on which memory card your 
movies and photos will be recorded.
1 Open the [Recording Media] screen.
[FUNC.]  > [MENU]  >   > [Recording Media]
2 Touch the desired memory card ([ 6 Mem. Card A] or [ 7 Mem. Card B]) for recording 
movies ([ v Rec Media for Movies]) or for taking photos ([ { Rec Media for Photos]).
3Touch [ X].
• After closing the menu, the icon of the memory card selected for recording movies will appear on 
the screen.
Operating modes:
Operating modes:
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							Recording Movies and Photos
38
Recording
Recording Movies and Photos
You can select the memory card that will be used to record movies and photos (A37). For details on 
recording audio, refer to Recording Audio  (A 78).
POINTS TO CHECK
• Before you begin recording,  make a test recording first to check that the camcorder is operating 
correctly.
Preparing to Record
1 Attach a charged battery pack to the camcorder  (A 21).
2 Insert a memory card into a memory card slot.
• To use relay recording or dual recording ( A47), insert 
memory cards into both memory card slots.
3 Open the lens barrier.
• Set the lens barrier switch to OPEN.
4 If you need to use the viewfinder, pull it out and adjust it,  if necessary.
• You can use the dioptric adjustment lever and tilt the 
viewfinder 45 degrees upward.
Lens barrier switch
3
Recording
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							Recording Movies and Photos
39
Recording in AUTO Mode
When you use   mode to shoot video and take photos, the camcorder will automatically adjust 
various settings for you.
1 Set the mode switch to N.
2 Set the power switch to CAMERA.
To record video
Press  Y  to begin recording.
• During recording,  Ü will appear on the screen. 
• The ACCESS indicator will flash from time to time while the  scene is being recorded.
• Press  Y  again to pause the recording.  Ü will 
change to Û  and the scene will be recorded on the memory 
card selected for recording movies.
• You can also press Y  on the wireless controller.
To take photos
Touch [PHOTO].
• In the lower center of the screen, a green icon ( g) will appear. Also, in the upper right of the screen, 
{Ð  will appear with the icon of the memory card selected for recording photos. The ACCESS 
indicator will flash as the photo is being recorded.
• You can record photos simultaneously while recording a movie. In that case, the green icon will not  appear.
• You can also press Z  on the wireless controller.
When you have finished recording
1 Set the lens barrier switch to CLOSED to close the lens barrier.
2 Make sure that the ACCESS indicator is off.
3 Set the power switch to OFF.
4 Close the OLED panel and return the viewfinder to its retracted position. Operating modes:
[PHOTO]
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							Recording Movies and Photos
40
Smart AUTOIn   mode, the camcorder will automatically detect certain characteristics of the subject, 
background, lighting conditions, etc. It will then adjust various settings (focus, exposure, color, 
image stabilization, image quality, among others), selecting the best settings for the scene you 
want to shoot. The Smart AUTO icon will change to one of the icons in the following table.
Smart AUTO icons 
1The icon in parentheses appears under backlight conditions.2This icon will appear under tele macro conditions. Tele macro is activated automatically when you 
zoom toward the telephoto end and close in on the subject. Tele macro allows you to get closer 
shots of small subjects and adds a soft focus to the background, so the subject not only looks 
larger but also stands out more.
Background (color of the icon) →Bright1
(gray)
Blue skies1
(light blue)
Vivid colors1
(yellow/green/red)Sunsets1
(orange)Subject  ↓
People (stationary)
(  )(  )(  )—
People (moving)
(  )(  )(  )—
Subjects other than people, 
such as landscapes
(  )(  )(  )
Close objects/2
( /2)
/2
( /2)
/2
( /2)—
Background (color of the icon) →Dark (dark blue)
Subject ↓SpotlightNight scene
People (stationary)——
People (moving)——
Subjects other than people, such as 
landscapes
Close objects/2——
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