Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc L1k Operating Instructions

							Basic
31VQT0W82
Basic
Before Taking Pictures 
With the Viewfinder
 Hold the camera gently with both hands, 
keep your arms still at your side and stand 
with your feet slightly apart.
 When taking pictures, make sure your 
footing is stable and there is no danger of 
colliding with another person, a ball etc.
 Make sure the camera does not shake 
when you press the shutter button.
 Do not cover the AF assist lamp, IR 
sensor etc. with your fingers or other 
objects.
 When holding the camera vertically, we 
recommend holding it with the AF assist 
lamp A at the top of the camera so you do 
not cover it with your fingers.
∫Direction detection function
Pictures recorded with the camera held 
vertically are played back vertically 
(rotated). (Only when [ROTATE DISP.] 
(P91) is set to [ON])
 Pictures may not be displayed vertically if 
they were taken with the camera aimed up 
or down.
Look at the Viewfinder in a bright 
place and then rotate the diopter 
adjustment dial to where the line 
of the AF frame B is clearest.
Press [DISPLAY] to change.
C:Normal display
D: No display
E: [DISPLAY] button
F: LCD monitor
 You can also take pictures while looking at 
the LCD monitor. (Live View)
Refer to P50 for more information.
Tips for taking good pictures
A
Making the Viewfinder easier to 
see (Diopter adjustment)
Changing the information display 
on the LCD monitor
B
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Matching the Focus 
and the Exposure 
Automatically 
(AF: Auto 
Focus/Program AE mode [ ])
The camera automatically sets the aperture 
value and the shutter speed according to 
the brightness of the subject.
 Remove the lens cap.
 Turn the camera on. (P25)
 Set the drive mode lever to [
].
A: Shutter button
1Set the focus mode lever to [AFS].
 AFS is an abbreviation of “Auto Focus 
Single”. The focus is fixed when you 
press the shutter button halfway.
2Rotate the shutter speed dial to 
[A].
3Rotate the aperture ring to [A], 
while pressing the aperture ring 
button B.
 The mode becomes program AE mode 
[].
4Aim the AF frame C to the point 
you want to focus on and then 
press the shutter button halfway.
G: Viewfinder Display
 You can check the aperture value D 
and shutter speed E.
 The camera beeps and the focus 
indication F lights when the subject is 
focused.
 The focus indication blinks when the 
subject is not focused. In this case, a 
picture is not taken. Press the shutter 
button halfway to focus on the subject 
again.
 Refer to P34 for information about 
subjects that are difficult to focus on.
A
AFS
AFCAFL
AELMF
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							Basic
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 The camera focuses on any of 3 focus 
area points- left, right or center - in the 
AF frame and a lamp (AF-LED display) 
lights where the subject is focused. You 
can change the setting for the AF frame 
and the AF-LED display in the 
[CUSTOM] menu. (P84)
 Refer to P33 for information about 
Program shift.
 The focus range is 29 cm (0.95 feet) 
to ¶. (when the supplied lens is 
attached)
 If the ISO sensitivity is set to [ISO100] 
and the aperture value is set to F2.8 
(when the supplied lens is attached), 
the shutter speed is automatically set 
between about 4 seconds and 1/4000th 
of a second.
5Press the shutter button fully to 
take the picture.
 A picture is not taken until the subject is 
brought into focus.
 If you want to press the shutter button 
fully to take a picture even when the 
subject is not focused, set 
[FOCUS PRIORITY] in the [CUSTOM] 
menu to [OFF]. (P86)
 We recommend checking that the clock is 
set properly before taking pictures. (P26)
 When a time is set for power save (P28), 
the camera automatically turns off if you 
do not operate it within the set time. To 
operate the camera again, press the 
shutter button halfway or turn the camera 
off and on. To avoid picture noise, we recommend 
reducing the ISO sensitivity before taking 
pictures. (P71) (ISO sensitivity is set to 
[AUTO] when the camera is shipped. 
Therefore, when taking pictures indoors 
etc. the ISO sensitivity increases.)
 When you use a lens with no aperture 
ring, press [FUNC.1] and then rotate the 
command dial to set the aperture.
∫Program shift
In program AE mode, you can change the 
preset aperture value and shutter speed 
without changing the exposure. This is 
called program shift.
You can make the background more blurred 
by decreasing the aperture value or record 
a moving subject more dynamically by 
slowing the shutter speed when taking a 
picture in program AE mode.
 Press the shutter button halfway and then 
press 3/4 or rotate the command dial A 
to activate program shift while the aperture 
value and the shutter speed are displayed 
on the Viewfinder (about 10 seconds).
 The program shift indication B appears 
on the screen if program shift is activated.
 To cancel program shift, turn the camera 
off or rotate the command dial up and 
down until the program shift indication 
disappears.
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∫Example of program shift when using 
the supplied lens
(A): Aperture value
(B): Shutter speed
1Program shift amount
2Program shift line chart
 If the exposure is not adequate when the 
shutter button is pressed halfway, the 
aperture value and the shutter speed on 
the LCD monitor (information display 
screen) turn red. The aperture value and 
the shutter speed blink on the Viewfinder. 
(They do not blink when the flash is 
activated.)
 Program shift is canceled and the camera 
returns to normal program AE mode if 
more than 10 seconds pass after program 
shift is activated. However, the program 
shift setting is memorized.
 Depending on the brightness of the 
subject, program shift may not be 
activated.∫Focusing
The focus range with auto focus is 
29 cm (0.95 feet) to ¶. (when the 
supplied lens is attached)
 If the distance between the camera and 
the subject is beyond the focus range of 
the camera, the picture may not be 
properly focused even if the focus 
indication lights.
 The camera will not focus on subjects 
properly in the following cases.
– When there are both near and distant 
subjects in a scene.
– When there is dirt or dust on glass 
between the lens and the subject.
– When there are illuminated or glittering 
objects around the subject.
– When taking a picture in dark places.
– When the subject is moving fast.
– When the scene has low contrast.
– When jitter occurs.
– When recording a very bright subject.
– When taking pictures of objects with a 
repeated pattern e.g. the windows on a 
building.
We recommend taking pictures using AF/
AE lock (P63). In dark places, the AF 
assist lamp (P82) may turn on for focusing 
on the subject.
 Even when the focus indication appears 
and the subject is focused, it is canceled if 
you release the shutter button. Press the 
shutter button halfway again.
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Taking good pictures 
						

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∫Preventing jitter (camera shake)
 Be careful of jittering when pressing the 
shutter button.
 We recommend using a tripod. Also, be 
careful how you hold the camera (P31). 
Using the self-timer (P67) or the remote 
shutter (DMW-RSL1; optional) (P107) 
prevents jittering caused by pressing the 
shutter button when you are using a 
tripod.
 Shutter speed will be slower particularly in 
the following cases. Keep the camera still 
from the moment the shutter button is 
pressed until the picture is taken. We 
recommend using a tripod.
– Slow sync. (P59)
– Slow sync./Red-eye reduction (P59)
– When you set to a slow shutter speed 
(P36, 38)
∫Exposure
 If you press the shutter button halfway 
when the exposure is not adequate, the 
aperture value A and the shutter speed 
B turn red. The aperture value and the 
shutter speed blink on the Viewfinder. 
(They do not blink when the flash is 
activated.)
 When most of the subject is bright, such 
as during fine weather or snow, the 
recorded pictures may become dark. In 
these cases, compensate the exposure 
towards positive. (P40)This mode allows you to compose a picture 
more easily by continuously focusing on the 
movement of the subject while the shutter 
button is pressed halfway.
When taking pictures of a moving subject, the 
camera predicts the movement of the subject 
and focuses on it. (motion prediction)
 Check that the camera is set to taking 
pictures with the Viewfinder. When taking 
pictures with Live View, press [LIVE VIEW] 
to switch the setting so the camera is set to 
taking pictures with the Viewfinder. (P50)
Set the focus mode lever to 
[AFC].
 AFC is an abbreviation of “Auto Focus 
Continuous”. The camera is continuously 
focusing on the subject while the shutter 
button is pressed halfway.
 It may take time to focus on the subject if 
you rotate the zoom ring 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.
 Refer to P65 for information about 
focusing on the subject in burst mode.
 [AFC] in focus mode is not activated when 
taking pictures with Live View.
If you switch the focus mode lever to 
[AFC], the message [SWITCH TO AFS] 
appears and [AFC] in focus mode is set.PPSTANDARDSTANDARD
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Continuously focusing on a 
subject (AFC)
(When taking pictures with the 
Viewfinder)
AFS
AFCAFL
AELMF 
						

							Basic
36VQT0W82
Aperture-priority AE 
[]
Set the aperture value to a higher number 
when you want a sharp focus background. 
Set the aperture value to a lower number 
when you want a soft focus background.
1Rotate the shutter speed dial to 
[A].
2Rotate the aperture ring to set the 
aperture value.
A:  [2.8] to [22]
 When changing from [A], rotate the 
aperture ring while pressing the 
aperture ring button B.
 The mode becomes Aperture-priority 
AE mode [ ].
3Take a picture.
 If you press the shutter button halfway 
when the exposure is not adequate, the 
aperture value and the shutter speed turn 
red. The aperture value and the shutter 
speed blink on the Viewfinder. (They do 
not blink when the flash is activated.)
 When most of the subject is bright, such 
as during fine weather or snow, the 
recorded pictures may become dark. In 
these cases, compensate the exposure 
towards positive. (P40)
 The ISO sensitivity cannot be set to 
[AUTO]. (The ISO sensitivity is 
automatically set to [ISO100] when you 
switch from [AUTO] to Aperture-priority 
AE.)
 When you use a lens with no aperture 
ring, press [FUNC.1] and then rotate the 
command dial to set the aperture.
Shutter-priority AE 
[]
When you want to take a sharp picture of a 
fast moving subject, set with a faster 
shutter speed. When you want to create a 
trail effect, set to a slower shutter speed.
1Rotate the aperture ring to [A] 
while pressing the aperture ring 
button A.
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2Rotate the shutter speed dial to 
set the shutter speed.
B: [2-60s/B] to [1000-4000]
 The mode becomes Shutter-priority AE 
mode [ ].
 If the shutter speed dial is set to [2-60s/
B] or [1000-4000], press 3/4 or rotate 
the command dial C to set the shutter 
speed.
 You can set from 1/2 of a second to 
60 seconds in steps of [1/3 EV] if the 
shutter speed dial is set to [2-60s/B].
 You can set from 1/1000th of a second 
to 1/4000th of a second in steps of 
[1/3 EV] if the shutter speed dial is set 
to [1000-4000].
 If you set [DIREC. EX. COMP.] (P85) to 
[ON], you cannot use the command 
dial.
3Take a picture.
 When the flash is activated, the shutter 
speed becomes slower than 1/160th of a 
second regardless of the shutter speed 
setting. (P60)
 If you press the shutter button fully when 
the shutter speed is slow, the shutter 
speed on the screen counts down.
 We recommend using a tripod when the 
shutter speed is slow.
 If you press the shutter button halfway 
when the exposure is not adequate, the 
aperture value and the shutter speed turn 
red. The aperture value and the shutter 
speed blink on the Viewfinder. (They do 
not blink when the flash is activated.)
 When most of the subject is bright, such 
as during fine weather or snow, the 
recorded pictures may become dark. In 
these cases, compensate the exposure 
towards positive. (P40)
 The ISO sensitivity cannot be set to 
[AUTO]. (The ISO sensitivity is 
automatically set to [ISO100] when you 
switch from [AUTO] to Shutter-priority AE.)
 You cannot set Slow sync. [ ] and 
Slow sync./Red-eye reduction [ ] on 
the built-in flash.
 When you use a lens with no aperture 
ring, press [FUNC.1] and then rotate the 
command dial to set the aperture.
ON
OFF
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Manual Exposure [ ]
Determine the exposure by manually 
setting the aperture value and the shutter 
speed.
1Set the aperture value and the 
shutter speed.
Rotate the aperture ring to set the 
aperture value.
A: [2.8] to [22]
 When changing from [A], rotate the 
aperture ring while pressing the 
aperture ring button B.
Rotate the shutter speed dial to 
set the shutter speed.
C: [2-60s/B] to [1000-4000]
 The mode becomes manual exposure 
mode [ ].
 If the shutter speed dial is set to [2-60s/
B] or [1000-4000], press 3/4 or rotate the command dial D to set the shutter 
speed.
 You can set from 1/2 of a second to 
60 seconds in steps of [1/3 EV] if the 
shutter speed dial is set to [2-60s/B]. 
The next setting after 60 seconds is [B] 
(Bulb). Refer to P39 for information 
about the B (Bulb) setting.
 You can set from 1/1000 of a second to 
1/4000 of a second in steps of [1/3 EV] 
if the shutter speed dial is set to 
[1000-4000].
 If you set [DIREC. EX. COMP.] (P85) to 
[ON], you cannot use the command 
dial.
2Press the shutter button halfway.
E: Viewfinder Display
 Manual exposure assistance F 
appears for about 10 seconds to show 
an approximation of the exposure 
condition.
 If the exposure is not adequate, check 
the aperture value and the shutter 
speed that have been set.
3Press the shutter button fully to 
take the picture.
B
A
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∫Manual Exposure Assistance
 The manual exposure assistance is an 
approximation. We recommend checking 
the pictures using Auto Review.
∫About [B] (Bulb)
If you set the shutter speed to [B], the 
shutter stays open while the shutter button 
is pressed fully (up to about 8 minutes).
The shutter closes if you release the 
shutter button.
Use this when you want to keep the shutter 
open for a long time to take pictures of 
fireworks, a night scene etc.
 If you set the shutter speed to [B], [ ] 
is displayed on the Viewfinder and [B] is 
displayed on the LCD monitor. 
 When you take pictures with the shutter 
speed set to [B], use a sufficiently charged 
battery. (P19)
 We recommend using a tripod or the 
remote shutter (DMW-RSL1; optional) 
when you take pictures with the shutter 
speed set to [B]. Refer to P107 for 
information about the remote shutter.
 When you take pictures with the shutter 
speed set to [B], noise may become 
visible. To avoid picture noise, we 
recommend setting [LONG SHUTTER 
NR] in the [CUSTOM] menu to [ON] 
before taking pictures. (P87)
 The manual exposure assistance does not 
appear.
 If you press the shutter button fully when 
the shutter speed is slow, the shutter 
speed on the screen counts down.
 We recommend using a tripod when the 
shutter speed is slow.
 If the exposure is not adequate, the 
aperture value and the shutter speed turn 
red when the shutter button is pressed 
halfway. The aperture value and the 
shutter speed blink on the Viewfinder. 
(They do not blink when the flash is 
activated.)
 You cannot set the following items in 
manual exposure.
– AUTO [  ], AUTO/Red-eye 
reduction [  ], Slow sync. [  ] 
and Slow sync./Red-eye reduction 
[  ] on the built-in flash
– [AUTO] in ISO sensitivity (The ISO 
sensitivity is automatically set to 
[ISO100] when you switch from [AUTO] 
to Manual exposure.)
– Exposure compensation
 When you use a lens with no aperture 
ring, press [FUNC.1] and then rotate the 
command dial to set the aperture. The exposure is 
adequate.
Set to faster shutter 
speed or larger aperture 
value.
Set to slower shutter 
speed or smaller 
aperture value. 
						

							Basic
40VQT0W82
Compensating the 
Exposure
Use this function when you cannot achieve 
appropriate exposure due to the difference 
in brightness between the subject and the 
background. Look at the following 
examples.
Under exposed
Compensate the exposure towards 
positive.
Properly exposed
Over exposed
Compensate the exposure towards
negative.∫If you are using [FUNC.2] to 
compensate the exposure
([FUNC.2] is set for compensating the 
exposure at the time of purchase.)1Press [FUNC.2] A.
B: When taking pictures with Live View
2Rotate the command dial C to 
compensate the exposure.
D: Viewfinder Display
E: When taking pictures with Live View
 Rotate the command dial upwards to 
compensate the exposure towards 
negative and rotate the command dial 
downwards to compensate the 
exposure towards positive.
 You can compensate from [j2EV] to 
[i2 EV] in steps of [1/3 EV].
 Select [0] to return to the original 
exposure.
 [ ] and the selected exposure 
compensation value are displayed on 
the Viewfinder.
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