Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Gf3 Owners Manual

							VQT3Q95
Owner’s Manual
for advanced features
Digital Camera
Model No. DMC-GF3
until 
2011/7/12
 Before connecting, operating or adjusting this product, please read the inst ructions completely. 
						

							- 2 -
Contents
Before Use
Care of the camera ................................... 5
Standard Accessories ............................... 6
Names and Functions of Components ...... 7
About the Lens ........................................ 12
Preparation
Changing the Lens .................................. 13
Attaching the Shoulder Strap .................. 16
Charging the Battery ............................... 17• Charging ........................................... 17
• Approximate operating time and 
number of recordable pictures .......... 19
Inserting and Removing the Card (optional)/
the Battery................................................ 22
About the Card ........................................ 23 • About cards that can be used with this unit ............................................. 23
• Approximate number of recordable  pictures and available recording time ...... 25
Setting Date/Time (Clock Set)................. 26
Basic
Selecting the Recording Mode ................ 28
Tips for taking good pictures ................... 30
Taking a Still picture ................................ 31 • How to set focus when taking a still 
picture (AFS/AFC) ............................ 31
• Taking a Still picture .......................... 33
• Taking pictures using the Touch 
Shutter function................................. 34
• Switching the Information Displayed  on the recording screen .................... 34 Taking Pictures using the Automatic 
Function (Intelligent Auto Mode) .............35
Easily adjust and record
(Intelligent Auto Plus Mode) ....................39
Taking Pictures with Defocus Control 
Function...................................................41
Taking Pictures with Your Favorite Settings 
(Program AE Mode)....................................42
Recording Motion Picture ........................44 • How to set focus when recording a motion picture (Continuous AF) ........44
• Recording Motion Picture ..................45
Playing Back Pictures/Motion Pictures.......47
• Playing Back Pictures .......................47
• Changing the information displayed  on the playback screen .....................50
• Playing Back Motion Pictures ............51
• Creating Still Pictures from a Motion  Picture ...............................................53
Deleting Pictures .....................................54
Setting the Menu .....................................56 • Setting menu items ...........................57
Setting the Quick Menu ...........................59
About the Setup Menu.............................61
Recording
Optical Image Stabilizer ..........................69
Taking Pictures with the Zoom ................71
Taking Pictures using the Flash ..............72
• Switching to the appropriate flash setting ...............................................72
Compensating the Exposure ...................76
Taking Pictures using Burst Mode...........77
Taking Pictures using Auto Bracket ........79
Taking Pictures with the Self-timer ..........81
Taking Pictures with Auto Focus .............83
Taking Pictures with Manual Focus.........89
Adjusting the White Balance ...................92
Using the function button.........................97 • Fixing the Focus and the Exposure (AF/AE Lock).....................................98
• Confirm the Effects of Aperture and  Shutter Speed (Preview Mode) .........99 
						

							- 3 -
Taking Pictures by Specifying the Aperture/
Shutter Speed......................................... 100
• Aperture-priority AE ........................ 100
• Shutter-priority AE ........................... 100
• Manual Exposure Mode .................. 101
Taking Pictures that match the Scene 
being recorded (Scene Mode)............... 103 • [PORTRAIT] .................................... 103
• [SOFT SKIN] ................................... 104
• [SCENERY]..................................... 104
• [ARCHITECTURE] .......................... 104
• [SPORTS] ....................................... 104
• [PERIPHERAL DEFOCUS]............. 105
• [FLOWER]....................................... 105
• [FOOD]............................................ 106
• [OBJECTS] ..................................... 106
• [NIGHT PORTRAIT]........................ 106
• [NIGHT SCENERY] ........................ 107
• [ILLUMINATIONS] .......................... 107
• [BABY1]/[BABY2] ............................ 108
• [PET] ............................................... 109
• [PARTY] .......................................... 109
• [SUNSET] ....................................... 109
Taking Pictures with different image effects 
(Creative Control Mode)............................ 110
Taking Pictures in Custom Mode .......... 113
Taking a Picture with Face Recognition 
Function ................................................ 115
Entering Text ......................................... 121
Using the [REC] Mode Menu ................ 122 • [PHOTO STYLE] ............................. 122
• [ASPECT RATIO]............................ 123
• [PICTURE SIZE] ............................. 124
• [QUALITY]....................................... 125
• [SENSITIVITY] ................................ 126
• [ISO LIMIT SET].............................. 127
• [ISO INCREMENTS] ....................... 127
• [FACE RECOG.] ............................. 127
• [FOCUS MODE].............................. 127
• [QUICK AF] ..................................... 128
• [METERING MODE] ....................... 128
• [FLASH] .......................................... 129
• [RED-EYE REMOVAL] ................... 129
• [I.RESOLUTION]............................. 129 • [I.DYNAMIC] 
(Intelligent dynamic range control).....130
• [LONG SHTR NR] ...........................130
• [SHADING COMP.] .........................131
• [EX. TELE CONV.] ..........................131
• [DIGITAL ZOOM] ............................131
• [BURST RATE] ...............................131
• [AUTO BRACKET] ..........................131
• [SELF-TIMER] .................................132
• [COLOR SPACE] ............................132
• [STABILIZER]..................................132
Using the [MOTION PICTURE] 
Mode Menu ...........................................133 • [REC MODE] ...................................133
• [REC QUALITY] ..............................134
• [CONTINUOUS AF] ........................135
• [EX. TELE CONV.] ..........................135
• [WIND CUT] ....................................135
• [MIC LEVEL DISP.] .........................135
• [MIC LEVEL ADJ.] ...........................136
• [FLICKER RED.] .............................136
Using the [CUSTOM] Menu...................137
Playback/Editing
Using the [PLAYBACK] Mode Menu .....144 • [2D/3D SETTINGS] .........................144
• [SLIDE SHOW] ................................144
• [PLAYBACK MODE] .......................146
• [TITLE EDIT] ...................................147
• [TEXT STAMP]................................148
• [VIDEO DIVIDE] ..............................150
• [RESIZE] .........................................151
• [CROPPING] ...................................152
• [ASPECT CONV.] ...........................153
• [ROTATE]/[ROTATE DISP.]............154
• [FAVORITE] ....................................155
• [PRINT SET] ...................................156
• [PROTECT] .....................................158
• [FACE REC EDIT] ...........................159 
						

							- 4 -
Connecting to other equipment
Enjoying 3D pictures ............................. 160Playing Back Pictures on a TV Screen ..... 164
Saving the Recorded Still Pictures and 
Motion Pictures ..................................... 168• Copy by inserting the SD card into 
the recorder .................................... 168
• Copy the playback image using an  AV cable ......................................... 169
• Copying to a PC using  “PHOTOfunSTUDIO” ...................... 170
Connecting to a PC ............................... 171
Printing the Pictures .............................. 174
Others
Optional accessories ............................. 178
LCD Monitor Display ............................. 179
Cautions for Use ................................... 182
Message Display ................................... 189
Troubleshooting .................................... 191 
						

							- 5 -
Before Use
Before UseCare of the camera
Do not subject to strong vibration, shock, or pressure.
•The lens, LCD monitor, or external case may be damaged if used in 
following conditions. It may also malfunction or image may not be 
recorded.
–Drop or hit the camera.–Press hard on the lens or the LCD monitor.
This camera is not dust/drip/water proof.
Avoid using the camera in a location with a lot of dust, 
water, sand, etc.
•
Liquids, sand and other foreign material may get into the space 
around the lens, buttons, etc. Be particularly careful since it may 
not just cause malfunctions, but it may become unrepairable.
–Places with a lot of sand or dust.–Places where water can come into contact with this unit such as 
when using it on a rainy day or on a beach.
Do not place your hands inside the mount of the digital 
camera body. Since the sensor unit is a precision 
apparatus, it may cause a malfunction or damage.
∫About Condensation (When the lens or the LCD monitor 
is fogged up)
•
Condensation occurs when the am bient temperature or humidity 
changes. Be careful of condensation since it causes lens and LCD 
monitor stains, fungus and camera malfunction.
•If condensation occurs, turn the camera off and leave it for about 
2 hours. The fog will disappear naturally when the temperature of 
the camera becomes close to the ambient temperature. 
						

							Before Use
- 6 -
Standard Accessories
Check that all the accessories are supplied before using the camera.
•
The accessories and their shape will differ depending on the country or area where the camera 
was purchased.
For details on the accessories, refer to Basic Owner’s Manual.
•Battery Pack is indicated as battery pack or battery  in the text.•Battery Charger is indicated as battery charger  or charger in the text.•SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card and SDXC Memory Card are indicated as  card in the 
text.
•The card is optional.•Description in this owner’s manual is based on the interchangeable lens (H-H014).
About unavailable functions such as [STABILIZER]  (P69), Direction Detection Function  (P30), 
description in this owner’s manual is based on the interchangeable lens (H-FS014042).
•If any accessories are lost, customers in the USA and Puerto Rico should contact Panasonic’s 
parts department at 1-800-833-9626 and customers in Canada should contact 1-800-99-LUMIX 
(1-800-995-8649) for further information about obtaining replacement parts. 
						

							- 7 -
Before Use
Names and Functions of Components
∫Camera body
1 Sensor
2Flash  (P72)
3 Self-timer indicator  (P81)/
AF Assist Lamp  (P140)
4 Lens fitting mark  (P14)
5 Mount
6 Lens lock pin
7 Lens release button  (P13)
8 Flash open button  (P72)
9 Touch panel/LCD monitor  (P10)
10 Playback button  (P47, 51)
11 [Q.MENU/Fn] button  (P59, 97) /
Delete/Return button
12 [MENU/SET] button (P11 , 57)
13 Control dial  (P11)
14 Cursor buttons  (P11)
3 /Exposure Compensation button  (P39, 76, 
100,  101)
1 /WB (White Balance)  (P92)
2 /AF Mode button (P83)
4 /[DRIVE MODE] button
This button in picture record mode will allow the 
user to select between the following options.
Single
  (P33)/Burst  (P77)/Auto bracket  (P79)/Self-timer  (P81)
123
45 67
8
91011121314 
						

							Before Use
- 8 -
15 Shoulder strap eyelet (P16)
•Be sure to attach the shoulder strap when 
using the camera to ensure that you will not 
drop it.
16 [HDMI] socket  (P164)
17 [AV OUT/DIGITAL] socket  (P164, 169 , 172, 
174)
18 Microphone •
Do not cover the microphone with your 
fingers.
19 Shutter button  (P33)
20 Motion picture button  (P45)
21 Speaker  (P64)
•
Do not cover the speaker with your fingers.22 Focus distance reference mark  (P91)
23 Intelligent Auto button  (P35)
24 Camera ON/OFF switch  (P26)
25 Status indicator  (P26)
26 Tripod receptacle  (P188)
27 Card/Battery door  (P22)
28 DC coupler cover •
When using an AC adaptor, ensure that the 
Panasonic DC coupler (optional) and AC 
adaptor (optional) are used.  (P178)
29 Release lever (P22)
15
16
17
22
21 23 24 20
19
18
25
LOCK
OPEN
27 28 2926 
						

							- 9 -
Before Use
∫Lens
 30 Lens surface
31 Focus ring  (P89)
32 Contact point
33 Lens fitting mark  (P14)
34 Tele
35 Wide
36 Zoom ring (P71) H-H014
(LUMIX G 14 mm/F2.5 ASPH.) H-FS014042
(LUMIX G VARIO 14 – 42 mm/F3.5 – 5.6 
ASPH./MEGA O.I.S.)
32 33
31303134 35 36 32 3330 
						

							Before Use
- 10 -
This touch panel is a type that detects pressure.Note
•
If you use a commercially available liquid crystal protection sheet, 
please follow the instructions that accompany the sheet. (Some 
liquid crystal protection sheets may impair visibility or operability.)
•If a commercially available protection sheet is used,  a little extra 
pressure  may be required if you notice that the touch panel is not 
responsive.
•Avoid having the hand holding the camera accidently apply 
pressure to the touch panel. Doing so may affect the touch panel 
operation.
•Do not press on the LCD monitor with hard pointed tips, such as 
ball point pens.
•Do not operate with your fingernails.•Wipe the LCD monitor with dry soft cloth when it gets dirty with finger prints and others.•Do not scratch or press the LCD monitor too hard.•For information about the icons displayed on the touch panel, refer to “LCD Monitor Display” on 
P179 .
∫About the Stylus pen
It is easier to use the stylus pen (supplied) fo r detailed operation or if it is hard to operate 
with your fingers.
•
Only use the supplied stylus pen.•Do not place it where small children can reach.
Touch Panel
Touch the screenTo touch and release the touch panel.
DragA movement without releasing the touch 
panel.
Use this to perform tasks such as selecting 
icons or images displayed on the touch 
panel.
•
When selecting features using the touch 
panel, be sure to touch the center of the 
desired icon.
This is used to move the AF area, operate 
the slide bar, etc.
This can also be used to move to the next 
image during playback, etc.