Kodak Z981 User Manual

							Taking pictures/videos
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 15
Using the Drive button
Using the self-timer
Use the self-timer when you want to be included in a picture, or to ensure a steady 
Shutter button press. Place the camera on a tripod or flat surface.
1In any picture-taking mode, press the Drive button until the desired self-timer icon 
is displayed on the LCD.
10 seconds—A picture is taken after a 10-second delay (so you have time 
to get into the scene).
2 seconds—A picture is taken after a 2-second delay (for a steady, shutter 
release on a tripod).
2 shot—The first picture is taken after a 10-second delay. A second picture 
is taken 8 seconds later.
2Press the Shutter button halfway to focus and set exposure, then completely 
down to take the pictures.
The camera takes the picture(s) after the delay.
Use the same procedure to take a 2- or 10-second self-timer video, but press the 
Shutter button completely down.
Press the Drive button repeatedly to scroll through 
self-timer and burst modes. 
The current flash mode appears on the LCD or EVF.
10
2
2x
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							16www.kodak.com/go/support Taking pictures/videos
Taking burst pictures
1In most Still modes, press the Drive button until the desired burst icon is displayed 
on the LCD.
2Press the Shutter button halfway to focus and set exposure, then press and 
hold it completely down to take the pictures.
The camera stops taking pictures when you release the Shutter button, when the 
pictures are taken, or when there is no more storage space.
NOTE:  During quickview, you can delete all pictures in the burst series. To delete selectively, do so in 
Review (see page 29). Burst is unavailable in Portrait, Night Portrait, Night Landscape, Backlight, 
Fireworks, and Panorama modes, and when taking pictures in the RAW format.
ModeIconDescriptionExample
BurstCamera takes 0.9 picture per 
second, up to 3 pictures (at full 
resolution at Standard 
compression) while the Shutter 
button is pressed.A child blowing out birthday 
candles.
High-
speed
BurstCamera takes 8 pictures per 
second, up to 9 pictures, while the 
Shutter button is pressed. (Picture 
sizes are 3 MP.)A person swinging a golf club.
Press the Drive button repeatedly to scroll through 
self-timer and burst modes. 
The current flash mode appears on the LCD or EVF.
8/s
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 17
Using the Focus button
IMPORTANT: Focus mode availability varies by picture-taking mode.
1Press the Focus button until the desired focus icon is displayed on the LCD.
2Press the Shutter button halfway to focus and set exposure, then completely 
down to take the picture.
ModeIconFor
Normal AFNo icon Normal picture taking.
Infinity AFDistant scenery or for taking pictures through a window.
Macro AFSubjects that are 3.9–39.4 in. (10–100 cm) from the lens.
Super Macro AFSubjects that are 0.4–11.8 in. (1–30 cm) from the lens.
Manual Focus The focus icon shows the direction and distance of the focus 
(to infinity).   
Press  to magnify the central area of focus. During 
magnification, press   to adjust focal length.
Press the Focus button repeatedly to scroll through 
Normal, Infinity, Macro, and Super Macro modes. 
The current flash mode appears on the LCD or EVF.
MF
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							18www.kodak.com/go/support Taking pictures/videos
Taking panoramic pictures
Use panorama to “stitch” up to 3 pictures into a panoramic scene.
NOTE:  Individual picture sizes are approximately 3 MP (but may vary depending on scene content). 
Individual pictures are not saved, even if panorama capture is cancelled before stitching occurs. 
(Exposure Compensation, White Balance, Exposure Metering, AF Zone, AF Control, Color Mode, and 
Sharpness are set with the first picture. The flash is set to Off.) You can use the self-timer (2- and 
10-second delays) while taking panoramic pictures. See page 15.
1Turn the Mode dial to Panorama  .
2Press   to choose Panorama Left-Right or Panorama Right-Left (depending on 
the direction you want to pan), then press OK.
3Take the first picture.
After a quickview, the LCD or EVF displays the liveview and an “overlay” from the first 
picture.
4Compose the second picture. Make the overlay from the first picture cover the 
same portion in the new picture. 
5If you are taking only 2 pictures, press OK to stitch them together. 
After you take 3 pictures, the pictures are automatically stitched together.
Take 2 or 3 pictures.
Get 1 panoramic picture.
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 19
P, A, S, and M modes
Use these modes when you want more control over your camera and pictures.
NOTE:  Settings you change in P, A, S, or M modes apply only to pictures taken in those modes. The settings, 
including Flash, are maintained for P, A, S, and M modes—even when you change modes or turn off 
the camera. Use Reset Camera (page 45) to reset P, A, S, or M modes to their default settings. 
ModeWhen to usePress Jog dial to control
Program m o d e  o f f e r s  t h e  e a s e  o f  a u t o  s h o o t i n g  w i t h  
full access to all menu options. The camera 
automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture 
(f-stop) based on the scene lighting.Exposure compensation (how 
much light enters the 
camera), flash compensation, 
and ISO speed
Aperture Priority mode controls depth of field (the 
range of sharpness). The aperture setting may be 
affected by optical zoom.Aperture, exposure 
compensation, flash 
compensation, and ISO speed
Shutter Priority mode controls shutter speed. The 
camera automatically sets the aperture for proper 
exposure. (To prevent blur, use a tripod for slow 
shutter speeds.)Shutter speed, exposure 
compensation, and flash 
compensation
Manual mode offers the highest level of creative 
control. (To prevent blur, use a tripod for slow shutter 
speeds.)Aperture, shutter speed, flash 
compensation, and ISO speed
Jog dial
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Changing P, A, S, or M mode settings
PASM modes control the aperture (f-number, also known as f-stop), shutter speed, 
exposure compensation, flash compensation, and ISO. Use the Menu  button to 
control all other settings.
1Turn the Mode dial to P, A, S, or M.
2Turn the Jog dial   to choose a setting, then press it to edit the setting. 
Turn the Jog dial   to change a setting, then press it to save it.
ISO—adjust the camera’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO indicates greater sensitivity. 
NOTE:  A higher ISO may produce unwanted “noise” in a picture. ISO 3200 and 6400 are available only in 
3 MP and lower picture sizes. (In Smart Capture mode, ISO 1600 is the maximum.)
Flash Compensation—adjust flash brightness.
Exposure Compensation—adjust the exposure. If the scene is too light, decrease 
the setting; if it’s too dark, increase the setting.
Shutter speed—control how long the shutter stays open. (Use a tripod for slow 
shutter speeds.)
Aperture—(also known as f-stop) control the size of the lens opening, which 
determines the depth of field. 
■Smaller aperture numbers indicate a larger lens opening; good for low-light.
■Larger aperture numbers indicate a smaller lens opening; keeps the main subject 
sharp; good for landscapes and well-lit conditions.
ApertureShutter speedExposure compensationISO
Flash compensation
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 21
Using exposure compensation to adjust brightness
In P, A, S, and Panorama modes, you can adjust exposure compensation before you 
take a picture to make your pictures darker or lighter. Only the first picture in 
Panorama mode can be adjusted—that adjustment is applied to the remaining 
pictures. (For more about the Jog dial and Exposure Compensation, see page 20.)
1Turn the Jog dial   to choose Exposure Compensation, then press it to edit the 
setting. Turn the Jog dial   to change the setting, then press it to save it. 
An exposure compensation level is shown on the LCD or EVF, and the image gets darker 
or lighter.
2Take the picture when you are satisfied with the exposure compensation level.
Using exposure compensation with exposure bracketing
You can use exposure compensation in conjunction with exposure bracketing to get 
the best exposure. 
If the exposure 
compensation is set to:And if the exposure bracketing 
interval is set to 0.3 steps:Then the exposures
taken are:
0.0
+1.0
–1.0Set the Exposure Bracketing Interval 
in the Capture menu (page 42).–0.3, 0.0, +0.3
+0.7, +1.0, +1.3
–1.3, –1.0, –0.7
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							22www.kodak.com/go/support Taking pictures/videos
Using the histogram to view picture brightness
Use the histogram to evaluate the distribution of light before or after you take a 
picture. Optimal exposure is achieved when the peak is in the middle of the 
histogram. The flash may affect a picture’s light and shadow.
In P, A, S, M modes, press the Menu  button, then   to choose Histogram. 
In Review, press Menu  button, then   to choose Properties.
Understanding the picture-taking icons
Know when your batteries need charging
The battery level icon works like the gas gauge in your car, but appears only when the 
batteries require your attention. Charge the batteries when necessary.
Purchase extra batteries for your special eventwww.kodak.com/go/z981accessories
Dark picture Balanced picture Bright picture
Battery level Capture mode
Pictures/time remaining
Zoom slider
Ta g  n a m e Self timer/Burst
Flash mode
Focus mode
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							www.kodak.com/go/support 23
3Sharing and tagging pictures
Sharing pictures through social networks
It’s never been easier to share pictures on your favorite social networking sites.
IMPORTANT: 
To use the camera’s social networking features, you need to download 
KODAK Software. (See page 46.)
1Press the Review  button, then   to find a picture.
2Press the Share button.
If it’s your first time, a Help screen appears.
3Press   to choose a social networking site, then press OK.
A check mark appears. Repeat this step to choose more sites. (Press OK again to remove 
a check mark.)
4Press   to choose Done, then press OK.
The picture is displayed with the Share icon. When you transfer the picture to your 
computer, it will be sent to the networking site(s) that you chose.
Tip: Do you send pictures to the same sites each time?
Find a picture, then press and hold the Share button for about 1 second. 
The camera applies the networking choice that you used previously and adds the Share 
icon to the picture.
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							24www.kodak.com/go/support Sharing and tagging pictures
Choose which social networking sites to display on your camera
You can show/hide social networking sites on your camera so that only your favorite 
sites appear.
1In Review, press the Menu   button.
2Press   to choose the Setup tab, then   to choose Share Button Settings, 
then press OK.
3Press   to choose a social networking site, then press   to choose Show or 
Hide. Repeat this step until you have chosen Show/Hide for each social network.
4When finished, press   to choose Done, then press OK.
To return to picture-taking mode, press the Shutter button halfway down. When you 
are in Review and press the Share button, only chosen sites are shown.
Manage email addresses and KODAK PULSE Digital Frames
You can add, edit, or delete email addresses and KODAK PULSE Digital Frames on 
your camera.
1In Review, press the Share button. Press   to choose Manage Email 
Addresses, then press OK. 
2To add an email address or Frame, press   to choose Add Email or Add Frame, 
then press OK. Use the on-screen keyboard to make the addition. 
(Example: [email protected])
To edit an email address or a KODAK PULSE Digital Frame, press   to choose 
the address’s nickname or the frame, then press OK. Use the on-screen keyboard 
to make edits. 
To delete an email address or frame, choose Delete Email or Delete Frame then 
press OK. Press   to choose the address or frames, then press OK so that a 
check mark appears. Press   to choose Delete, then press OK.
3When finished, press   to choose Done, then press OK.
To return to picture-taking mode, press the Shutter button halfway down. 
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