Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Gh2h Gh2k Gh2 Operating Instructions

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Recording
[REC] Mode: 
Setting the Method used to Focus (AF Mode)
This allows the focusing method that suits the positions and number of the subjects to be 
selected.
Also, it is possible to set the focus and exposure to the subject specified on the touch panel.Select the mode that matches the recording conditions and the composition.
Set the focus mode lever to  [AFS] or [AFC] .
Switching the auto focus mode dial.
Note
•The [ š] is disabled in the following cases.–In [FOOD] in [CLOSE-UP]–In [NIGHT SCENERY]  in Scene Mode•The AF Mode is fixed to [ Ø] when using the Digital Zoom.•AF area will be fixed to a small point in [PERIPHERAL DEFOCUS] in Scene Mode.•It will be set to [ Ø] when a recording is performed with the Touch Shutter function (P38).
The camera automatically detects the person’s face. The focus and 
exposure can then be adjusted to fit that face no matter what portion 
of the picture it is in. (max. 15 areas)
When the camera detects a person’s face, the AF area is displayed.
Ye l l o w :
When the shutter button is pressed halfway, the frame turns green 
when the camera is focused.
White:
Displayed when more than one face is detected. Other faces that are the same distance 
away as faces within the yellow AF areas are also focused.
Note
•
Position and size of the AF area can be changed. (P83)•When [š] is selected and [METERING MODE] is set to multiple [ C], the camera will adjust 
the exposure to suit the person’s face. (P121)
•Under certain picture-taking conditions including the following cases, the facial recognition 
function may fail to work, making it impossible to detect faces. The AF Mode is switched to [ ].
–When the face is not facing the camera–When the face is at an angle–When the face is extremely bright or dark–When there is little contrast on the faces–When the facial features are hidden behind sunglasses, etc.–When the face appears small on the screen–When there is rapid movement–When the subject is other than a human being–When the camera is shaking•The camera may detect the subjects other than a person as the face. In this case, switch the 
AF Mode to any modes other than [ š] and then take a picture.
About [ š] (Face Detection)
MFAFCAFS
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Focus and exposure can be adjusted to a specified subject. Focus and exposure will keep 
on following the subject even if it moves. (Dynamic tracking)
∫ When operating the touch panel
You can lock the subject by touching it. •
The AF area turns yellow while the subject is locked.•Lock is canceled when [CANCEL] is touched.
∫When operating buttons
Place the subject in the AF tracking frame, and press the shutter 
button halfway to lock the subject.
A AF tracking frame (White)
•AF area will turn green when the camera detects the subject.•The AF area turns yellow when the shutter button is released.•Lock is canceled when [MENU/SET] is pressed.
Note
•If it fails to lock, AF area will flash in red, and disappear. Try to lock again.•AF Tracking may be disabled in certain picture conditions such as when it is very dark. AF 
Mode will be switched to [ Ø] in that case.
•In the following cases, [ ] operates as [ Ø]–When the Film Mode is [STANDARD] ( ), [DYNAMIC] ( ), [SMOOTH] ( )–When My Color Mode is [MONOCHROME]–When recording motion pictures•Dynamic tracking function may  not work in the following cases:–When the subject is too small–When the recording location is too dark or bright–When the subject is moving too fast–When the background has the same or similar color to the subject–When jitter is occurring–When zoom is operated
Up to 23 points for each AF area can be focused. This is effective when the subject is not 
in the center of the screen.
(AF area frame will be same as image aspect ratio setting)
Note
•
The 23 AF areas can be divided into 9 areas and the area to be focused can be set. (P83)•When the AF Mode is set to [ š] or [ ] the AF area will be displayed as soon as the camera 
properly focuses. Also, if the Focus Mode is set to [AFC] while [ ] is selected, the AF area is 
disabled.
•The camera is focusing on all the AF areas using [ ] when multiple AF areas (max. 23 areas) 
light at the same time. If you want to determine the focus position to take pictures, switch the 
AF Mode to [ Ø].
Setting up [ ] (AF Tracking)
About [ ] (23-area-focusing)
A
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The camera focuses on the subject in the AF area on the screen.Note
•
Position and size of the AF area can be changed. (P83)•When the subject is not in the center of the composition in [ Ø], you can bring the subject into 
the AF area, fix the focus and exposure by pressing the shutter button halfway, move the 
camera to the composition you want with the shutter button pressed halfway, and then take the 
picture. (Only when the focus mode lever is set to [AFS])
When selecting [ š], [Ø ]
Position and size of the AF area can be changed.
1Touch the subject.
•AF area setting screen is displayed.•It is also possible to move the AF area using the cursor 
button after pressing and holding the [Q.MENU] button 
until the AF area setting screen is displayed.
•The AF area returns to the center when [ ‚] is pressed.
2Touch the slide bar to change the size of AF area 
frame.
•
It can be changed to 4 different sizes.•It is also possible to rotate  the rear dial to the right to 
make it larger. Rotate it to the left to make it smaller.
3Touch [SET].
•AF area with the same function as [ Ø] is displayed in 
the touched position, when the [š ] is selected. Setting of the AF area is cleared when 
[CANCEL] is touched.
When selecting [ ]
The 23 AF areas can be divided into 9 areas and the area to be focused can be set.
Touch the screen to display the AF area setting 
screen, and select the AF area frame as shown in the 
figure on the right.
•
After releasing your finger from the touch panel for a while, 
AF area frame will disappear, and only [ i] display (center 
point of selected AF area frame) will remain on the screen.
•Press and hold the [Q.MENU] button until the AF area 
setting screen is displayed. The AF area frame can then also 
be selected by pressing the cursor button or by rotating the rear dial.
•Setting of the AF area frame is canceled when [CANCEL] is touched.
∫ Move the AF area easily with button operations
When the [DIRECT FOCUS AREA] in the [CUSTOM] menu is set to [ON] while [ š], [ ] 
or [ Ø] is selected, it is possible to move the AF area directly with the cursor button.
•
Use the Quick Menu (P56) to set the functions assigned to the cursor button, such as 
[SENSITIVITY] (P90), [WHITE BALANCE] (P87), etc.
Note
•The spot metering target can also be moved to match the AF area when using [ Ù]. (P121)•Change the size of the AF area when there is trouble focusing with a small AF area.•[DIRECT FOCUS AREA] is fixed to [OFF] in My Color Mode.
About [ Ø] (1-area-focusing)
Setting up position of the AF area/changing size of the AF area
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[REC] Mode: 
Taking Pictures with Manual Focus
Use this function when you want to fix the focus or when the distance between the lens 
and the subject is determined and you do not want to activate Auto Focus.
Set the focus mode lever to [MF].
Rotate the focus ring to focus on the subject.
•When the [MF ASSIST] in the [CUSTOM] menu is set to [ON], 
screen will be enlarged about 5 times as MF Assist. A
•MF guide B is displayed on the screen when the focus ring is 
rotated if the [MF GUIDE] in the [CUSTOM] menu is set to 
[ON]. You can check the direction of rotation of the focus ring is 
toward the near side or the far side.
∫ Displaying the MF Assist
•It is displayed by rotating the focus ring or touching the screen.•It can also be displayed by pressing and holding the [Q.MENU] button to display the setup 
screen for the enlarged area, deciding the area to enlarge using the cursor button, and 
then pressing [MENU/SET].
•It will switch to the setting screen for the enlarged area by pressing the cursor button when 
the [DIRECT FOCUS AREA] in the [CUSTOM] menu is set to [ON].
∫ Moving the enlarged area
•The enlarged area can be moved by dragging the screen (P15), or pressing the cursor 
button.
•The following will return the MF assistance to the original position.–When the Focus Mode is set to other than [MF]–Changing [ASPECT RATIO] or [PICTURE SIZE]–Turning the camera off
∫ Changing the magnification
•It is enlarged to 10 times by touching [ ] . It will return to 5 times by touching [ ].•MF Assist is enlarged from 5 times to 10 times when the rear dial is rotated right. It will 
return to 5 times by rotating the rear dial left.
∫Closing the MF Assist
•It will close when the shutter  button is pressed halfway.•It will also close by touching the [CANCEL] on the screen or pressing [MENU/SET].•When displayed by rotating the focus ring, it is closed approximately 10 seconds after the 
operation is stopped.
Note
•The MF Assist is disabled when using the Digital Zoom or recording motion pictures.•MF Assist or MF guide may not display depending on the lens used, but you can display MF 
Assist by direct operation of the camera, using the touch panel or a button.
MF ASSIST
B
A
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Recording
1Rotate the focus ring to focus on the 
subject.
2 Rotate it a little more.
3 Finely focus on the subject by rotating the 
focus ring slowly in reverse.
Note
•
If you use the zoom function after focusing on the subject, focus on the subject again.•After canceling Sleep Mode, focus on the subject again.•If you are taking close-up pictures–We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer (P80).–The effective focus range (depth of field) 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.
–The resolution of the periphery of the picture may decrease slightly. This is not a malfunction.
Technique for Manual Focus
About the focus distance reference mark
The focus distance reference mark is a mark used 
to measure the focus distance.
Use this when taking pictures with Manual Focus 
or taking close-up pictures.
A Focus distance reference mark
B Focus distance reference line
C 0.5 m (1.64 feet) (When the 
14 – 140 mm/
F4.0 – 5.8 lens supplied in DMC-GH2H is used)
D 0.3 m (0.99 feet) (When the 14 – 42 mm/
F3.5 – 5.6 lens supplied in DMC-GH2K is used) Focus range
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Recording
[REC] Mode: 
Fixing the Focus and the Exposure (AF/AE Lock)
This is useful when you want to take a picture of a subject outside the AF area or the 
contrast is too strong and you cannot achieve appropriate exposure.
Align the screen with the subject.
Press and hold [AF/AE LOCK] to fix the focus or 
exposure.
A[AF/AE LOCK] button
•If you release [AF/AE LOCK], AF/AE Lock is canceled.
While pressing [AF/AE LOCK], move the camera 
as you compose the picture and then press 
shutter button fully.
BAE lock indication
•When [AE] is set, after pressing the shutter button halfway to 
focus, press the shutter button fully.
∫AF/AE Lock
Locking of the focus and exposure can be set in [AF/AE LOCK] in the [CUSTOM] menu.
Note
•
If you set [AF/AE LOCK HOLD] in the [CUSTOM] menu to [ON], you can fix the focus and the 
exposure even if you release [AF/AE LOCK] after pressing it. (P130)
•The brightness of the image displayed on the LCD monitor/viewfinder (Live View) will be also 
locked when the AE lock is performed.
•AF Lock only is effective when taking pictures in Manual Exposure Mode.•AE Lock only is effective when taking pictures with Manual Focus.•AE Lock and AF Lock must be activated before motion picture recording begins. During motion 
picture recording only cancellation of AE/AF lock can be performed.
•The exposure is set, even if the brightness of the subject changes.•The subject can be focused again by pressing the shutter button halfway even when AE is 
locked.
•Program Shift can be set even when AE is locked.
[AE]: Only the exposure is locked.
•[AEL], aperture value, the shutter speed light when the exposure is set.
[AF]:Only the focus is locked.
•[AFL], the focus indication, aperture value, the shutter speed light when the 
subject is focused.
[AF/AE]:Both focus and exposure are locked.
•[AFL], [AEL], the focus indication, aperture value and the shutter speed light 
when the subject is focused and the exposure is set.
B
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[REC] Mode: 
Adjusting the White Balance
In sunlight, under incandescent lights or in other such conditions where the color of white 
takes on a reddish or bluish tinge, this item adjusts to the color of white which is closest to 
what is seen by the eye in accordance with the light source.
Press  1 ().
Touch the White Balance to select.
Touch [SET].
¢ It will operate as [AWB] during motion picture recording.
∫ Auto White Balance
Depending on the conditions prevailing when pictur es are taken, the pictures may take on 
a reddish or bluish tinge. Furthermore, when a multiple number of light sources are being 
used or there is nothing with a color close to white, Auto White Balance may not function 
properly. In a case like this, set the White Balance to a mode other than [AWB].
1 Auto White Balance will work within this range.
2 Blue sky
3 Cloudy sky (Rain)
4 Shade
5 Sunlight
6 White fluorescent light
7 Incandescent light bulb
8 Sunrise and sunset
9 Candlelight
Kl Kelvin Color Temperature
ItemRecording conditions
[AWB] Automatic adjustment
[ V ] When taking pictures outdoors under a clear sky
[ Ð ] When taking pictures outdoors under a cloudy sky
[ î ] When taking pictures outdoors in the shade
[ Ñ ] When taking pictures under incandescent lights
[]
¢When taking pictures with the flash only
[] /[] /[] /[] When
 using the preset White Balance
[]
When using the preset color temperature setting
12234
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
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Recording
Note
•The optimal White Balance will differ depending on the type of fluorescent lighting being 
recorded under so use [AWB], [ ], [ ], [ ] or [ ].
•The White Balance is only calculated for subjects within the range of the camera’s flash.•The White Balance is memorized even if the camera is turned off, but [WHITE BALANCE] for 
the Advanced Scene Mode or the Scene Mode is set to [AWB] when the Advanced Scene 
Mode or the Scene Mode is changed.
•White Balance is fixed to [AWB] in following conditions.–In Intelligent Auto Mode–In [OUTDOOR PORTRAIT] and [INDOOR PORTRAIT] in [PORTRAIT]–In [SCENERY]–In [FOOD] in [CLOSE-UP]–In [NIGHT PORTRAIT], [NIGHT SCENERY], [SUNSET] or [PARTY] in Scene Mode–My Color Mode•When [DIRECT FOCUS AREA] (P83) is set to [ON], the operations on the cursor buttons 
translate to movements of the AF area. Set using the Quick Menu (P56).
∫ Setting the White Balance manually
Set the White Balance value. Use to match the condition when taking photographs.
1Select the white set icon (such as [ ]), and then touch [SELECT WHITE SET].
•The white set selecting screen can also be displayed by pressing the cursor button toward 3.
2Select [ ], [ ], [ ] or [ ] and then touch [WHITE SET].
•The White Balance setting screen can also be displayed by pressing the cursor button 
toward  3.
3Aim the camera at a sheet of white paper etc. so 
that the frame in the center is filled by the white 
object only and then touch [SET].
Note
•
White Balance may not be set when the subject is too bright or too dark. Set the White Balance 
again after adjusting to appropriate brightness.
∫ Setting the color temperature
You can set the color temperature manually for  taking natural pictures in different lighting 
conditions. The color of light is measured  as a number in degrees Kelvin. As the color 
temperature increases, the pi cture becomes more bluish. As the color temperature 
decreases, the picture becomes more reddish.
1Select [ ] and then touch [WB K SET].
•The color temperature setting screen can also be 
displayed by pressing the cursor button toward  3.
2Touch the color temperature setting bar.
•It is also possible to set the values by touching [3]/[4] 
or pressing 3/4 of the cursor button.•You can set a color temperature from [2500K] to 
[10000K].
3To u c h  [ S E T ] .
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1
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∫Finely adjusting the White Balance
You can finely adjust the White Balance  when you cannot acquire the desired hue by 
setting the White Balance.
1Select the White Balance and then touch [ADJUST.].
•The White Balance adjust screen can also be displayed by pressing the cursor button 
toward  4.
2Touch within the frame to finely adjust.
•You can finely adjust also by touching [G_]/[M`]/[A]/
[B], or pressing 3 /4/ 2/1 of the cursor button.
3Touch [SET].
Note
•
If you finely adjust the White Balance to A (amber), the White Balance icon on the screen will 
change to orange. If you finely adjust the White Balance to B (blue), the White Balance icon on 
the screen will change to blue.
•If you finely adjust the White Balance to G_  (green) or M` (magenta), [ _] (green) or [ `] 
(magenta) appears beside the White Balance icon on the screen.
•Press [DISPLAY] to return to the center point.•Select the center point if you are not finely adjusting the White Balance.•The White Balance fine adjustment setting is reflected in the picture when using the flash.•You can finely adjust the White Balance independently for each White Balance item.•The White Balance fine adjustment setting is memorized even if the camera is turned off.•The White Balance fine adjustment level returns to the standard setting (center point) in the 
following cases.
–When you reset the White Balance in [ ], [ ], [ ] or [ ]–When you reset the color temperature manually in [ ]
∫ White Balance Bracket
Bracket setting is performed based on the adjustment values for the White Balance fine 
adjustment, and 3 pictures with different colors are automatically recorded when the 
shutter button is pressed once.
1Finely adjust the White Balance in step 2 of the “Finely 
adjusting the White Balance” procedure, and touch [ ]/
[ ] to set the bracket.
•
Bracket settings can also be made by rotating the rear dial.
[ ] or rear dial right: Horizontal (A to B)
[ ] or rear dial left: Vertical (G i to Mj)
2Touch [SET].
Note
•
[ ] is displayed in White Balance icon in the screen when the White Balance Bracket is set.•The White Balance Bracket setting is released when the power has been turned off (including 
Sleep Mode).
•You will only hear the shutter sound once.•[ ], [ ] or [ ] for [QUALITY] cannot be set.•The White Balance Bracket feature is disabled during motion picture recording.
2  : A (AMBER: ORANGE)
1  : B (BLUE: BLUISH)
3  :
G_ (GREEN: GREENISH)
4 :M` (MAGENTA: REDDISH)
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Recording
[REC] Mode: 
Setting the Light Sensitivity
This allows the sensitivity to light (ISO sensitivity) to be set. Setting to a higher figure 
enables pictures to be taken even in dark places  without the resulting pictures coming out 
dark.
Press 3 ().
Touch the ISO sensitivity to select.
Touch [SET].
¢ When the [ISO LIMIT SET] of [REC] Mode menu (P123) is set to anything except [OFF], 
it is set automatically within the value set in [ISO LIMIT SET].
It is set as following when the [ISO LIMIT SET] is set to [OFF].
[When the 3D interchangeable lens (optional) is attached, it may become higher than the 
following settings.]
•When [AUTO] is selected, ISO sensitivity is adjusted automatically depending on 
brightness within a maximum setting of [ISO400].
•When setting to [ ], ISO sensitivity will adjust automatically depending on brightness 
within the maximum setting of [ISO800]. ([ISO400] when the flash is used)
•The ISO sensitivity will be set to [AUTO] (for motion pictures) when recording motion pictures. 
Also, the [ISO LIMIT SET] will not operate.
•Setting items below will be selectable in Creative Motion Picture Mode.
[AUTO]/[160] to [3200]
ISO sensitivity160 12800
Recording location 
(recommended) When it is light (outdoors) When it is dark
Shutter speed Slow Fast
Noise Less Increased
ISO sensitivitySettings
AUTO¢The ISO sensitivity is automatically adjusted according to the 
brightness.
¢
(Intelligent) The ISO sensitivity is adjusted according to the movement of 
the subject and the brightness.
160/200/250/320/400/500/640/
800/1000/1250/1600/2000/2500/
3200/4000/5000/6400/8000/
10000/12800 The ISO sensitivity is fixed to various settings.
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