Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Gh3 Owners Manual

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Taking Pictures with Auto Focus
Applicable modes: 
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 to the subject specified on the touch screen.
(Set the [Touch AF] of the [Touch Settings] in the [Custom] menu to [ON].)
1Set the focus mode lever to [AFS/AFF] or 
[AFC] (P142).
2Press [].
3Press  2/1 to select AF Mode and then press 
[MENU/SET].
•AF area selection screen is displayed when  4 is pressed while 
[ š ], [ ], [ Ø], or [ ] is selected. For operation in the AF 
area selection screen, refer to  P146.
•It cannot be set to [ š] in the following conditions.–[Clear Nightscape]/[Cool Night Sky]/[Warm Glowing Nightscape]/[Artistic Nightscape]/
[Glittering Illuminations]/[Appetizing Food]/[Cute Dessert] (Scene Guide Mode)
•The [ ] is disabled in the following cases.–[AFF]/[AFC] ([Focus Mode])•The AF Mode is fixed to [ Ø] in the following cases.
–When using the Digital Zoom–[Miniature Effect] (Creative Control Mode)
[ ]/[Fn3] button can be used in two ways, as [ ] (AF 
Mode) or as [Fn3] (function 3). At the time of purchase, it 
is initially set to 
[AF Mode].
•Refer to P42  for details about the function button.0ç10Ô
AFC
AFS/
AFF MF 
						

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¢In [AFS/AFF]  (P54) of the [Custom] menu, you can assign [AFS] or [AFF] to the [AFS/AFF] of 
the focus mode lever.
•When recording using [AFF], [AFC]–It may take time to focus on the subject when you operate the zoom from Wide to Tele or 
suddenly change the subject from a distant one to a nearby one.
–Press the shutter button halfway again when it is difficult to focus on the subject.–While the shutter button is pressed halfway, shake may be seen on the screen.
•Depending on the lens used, [AFF] and [AFC] may not operate. Refer to the website on  P19.
About the focus mode (AFS/AFF/AFC)
Item
The movement of the 
subject and the scene (recommended)
Description of settings
AFS¢Subject is still
(Scenery, anniversary 
photograph, etc.)“AFS” is an abbreviation of “Auto Focus Single”.
Focus is set automatically when the shutter button is 
pressed halfway. Focus will be fixed while it is pressed 
halfway.
AFF¢Movement cannot be 
predicted
(Children, pets, etc.)
“AFF” is an abbreviation of “Auto Focus Flexible”. In 
this mode, focusing is performed automatically when 
the shutter button is pressed halfway.
If the subject moves while the shutter button is pressed 
halfway, the focus is corrected to match the movement 
automatically.
AFC Subject is moving
(Sport, trains, etc.)
“AFC” is an abbreviation of “Auto Focus Continuous”. 
In this mode, while the shutter button is pressed 
halfway, focusing is constantly performed to match the 
movement of the subject. When the subject is moving, 
the focusing is performed by predicting the subject 
position at the time of recording. (Movement prediction)
MFSet the focus manually. 
(P148) 
						

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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.
Yellow:
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.
•
Position and size of the AF area can be changed. (P146)•When [š] is selected and [Metering Mode] is set to multiple [ ], the camera will adjust the 
exposure to suit the person’s face.  (P162)
•Under certain picture-taking conditions including the following cases, the Face Detection 
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 the facial features are hidden behind sunglasses, etc.–When the face appears small on the screen
–When there is little contrast on the faces–When there is rapid movement–When the subject is other than a human being
–When the camera is shaking
Type of the Auto Focus Mode
About [ ] ([Face Detection]) 
						

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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 buttons
Place the subject in the AF tracking frame, and press the shutter 
button halfway to lock the subject.
A AF tracking frame
•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.•Tracking AF and Face Detection will switch every time [ ] is pressed 
in the Intelligent Auto (  or  ) Mode.
∫When operating the touch screen
You can lock the subject by touching it.
•
Perform the operation after canceling the touch shutter function.•The AF area turns yellow while the subject is locked.
•Lock is canceled when [ ] is touched.
•Exposure is adjusted in accordance with the locked subject when [Metering Mode] is set to 
[].  (P162)
•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]–[Glistening Water]/[Glittering Illuminations]/[Soft Image of a Flower]/[Monochrome] (Scene 
Guide Mode)
–[Sepia]/[Dynamic Monochrome]/[Soft Focus]/[Star Filter] (Creative Control Mode)–When [Photo Style] is set to [Monochrome]
–When using [Time Lapse Shot]•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
Setting up [ ] ([AF Tracking])
A 
						

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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)
•
The 23 AF areas can be divided into 9 areas and the area to be focused can be set. 
(P146)
The camera focuses on the subject in the AF area on the center of the screen.
•
Position and size of the AF area can be changed.  (P146)•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] is set to [AFS].)
You can achieve a more  precise focus on a point that is smaller than [ Ø].
•
The focus position can be set on an enlarged screen.  (P147)•Pressing the shutter button halfway displays the screen for checking the focus position 
enlarged to approximately 5 times original size.
The time for which the display is enlarged can be set using [Pinpoint AF Time]  (P54) in the 
[Custom] menu.
•The size of the AF area displayed when the camera has achieved focus may change according 
to the subject.
•In the following cases, [ ] operates as [ Ø]
–When recording motion pictures
About [ ] ([23-Area])
About [ ] ([1-Area])
About [ ] ([Pinpoint]) 
						

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•Perform the operation after canceling the touch shutter function.
When selecting [š], [Ø ]
Position and size of the AF area can be changed.
1Select [ š] or [Ø ] and press  4.
•AF area setting screen is displayed.
2Press  3/4 /2 /1  to move the AF area.
•AF area can also be moved by touching the subject.•Press [DISP.] to return the AF area to the center of the screen.
3Rotate the rear dial to change the size of AF area frame.
•It can be changed to 4 different sizes.•The area size can also be changed by pinching out/pinching in 
(P15)  on the screen.
4Press [MENU/SET] to set.
•AF area with the same function as [ Ø] is displayed, when the 
[ š ] is selected. Setting of the AF area is cleared when [MENU/SET] is pressed or [ ] is 
touched.
When selecting [ ]
The 23 AF areas can be divided into 9 areas and the area to be focused can be set.
1Select [ ] and press  4.
•AF area setting screen is displayed.
2Press  3/4 /2 /1  to select the AF area frame.
•AF area frame can also be selected by touching the 
screen.
3Press [MENU/SET] to set.
•Only [i ] display (center point of selected AF area frame) 
will remain on the screen.
•Setting of the AF area frame is cleared when [MENU/SET] is pressed or [ ] is touched.
Setting up position of the AF area/changing size of the AF area 
						

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When selecting [ ]
You can set the focus position precisely by enlarging the screen.
•
The focus position cannot be set at the edge of the screen.
1Select [ ] and press 4.
2Press  3/4 /2 /1  to set the focus position and then press 
[MENU/SET].
•
The assist screen is enlarged to approximately 5 times original 
size.
•The assist screen can also be displayed by touching the subject.
3Press  3/4 /2 /1  to align the subject on the cross point of the crosshair in the 
center of the screen.
• The focus position
 can also be set by dragging the screen.•Press [DISP.] to return the focus position to the center of the screen.
•On the assist screen, it is also possible to record a picture by touching [ ].
∫ Move the AF area easily with [Direct Focus Area] function
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.
With [ ], you can move the enlarged position.
•
The spot metering target can also be moved to match the AF area when the [Metering Mode] 
(P162)  is set to [ ]. At the edge of the screen, the metering may be affected by the brightness 
around the AF area.
•[Direct Focus Area] is fixed to [OFF] in Creative Control Mode.
•When using digital zoom, the position and size of the AF area cannot be changed. 
						

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Recording
Taking Pictures with Manual Focus
Applicable modes: 
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.
1Set the focus mode lever to [MF].
2Rotate the focus ring on the lens to focus 
on the subject.
AApproximate indicator of  ¶ (infinity)
•When the focus ring is rotated, display is switched to the assist 
screen and the image is enlarged (MF Assist  B). You can 
change the display method of the MF Assist at [MF Assist] in 
the [Custom] menu.
•MF guide  C 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.
AFC
AFS/
AFF MF
B
A
C 
						

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∫Displaying the MF Assist
•It is displayed by rotating the focus ring or touching the screen. (In the Creative Control Mode 
[Miniature Effect], MF Assistance cannot be displayed by touching the screen)
•It can also be displayed by pressing [ ] 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].
∫ Changing the display of the MF Assist
You can switch the magnification factor between approx. 4 times, 5 times and 10 times. In 
the case of 4 times magnification, the central region is magnified. In the case of 5 and 10 
times magnification, the whole screen is magnified.
•
To change the magnification, rotate the rear dial or touch [ ]/[ ].
∫ 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 assi stance to the original position.–When the [Focus Mode] is set to other than [MF]–Changing [Aspect Ratio] or [Picture Size]
–Turning the camera off–Pressing [DISP.] when the setting screen for determining the area to be enlarged is displayed.
∫Closing the MF Assist
•It will close when the shutte r button is pressed halfway.
•You can also close MF Assist by pressing [MENU/SET] or touching [Exit].•When displayed by rotating the focus ring, it is closed approximately 10 seconds after the 
operation is stopped.
•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 screen or a button.
MF ASSIST 
						

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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.
•
If you zoom in/out after focusing on a subject, the focus may lose its accuracy. In that case, 
re-adjust the focus.
•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  (P157).–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 0.25 m (0.82 feet) [When the 
interchangeable lens 
(H-HS12035) is used]
D 0.5 m (1.6 feet) [When the 
interchangeable lens 
(H-VS014140) is used]
Focus range