Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Lx3 Operating Instructions

							31VQT1T27
Preparation
This allows you to select the aspect ratio of the 
pictures to suit printing or the playback method.
Switching the aspect ratio selector switch.
The ends of the recorded pictures may be cut at printing so check before printing. (P139)
Select the Aspect Ratio
[4:3][3:2] (still pictures only)[16:9]
[ASPECT RATIO] of a 4:3 TV [ASPECT RATIO] of a 
35 mm film camera [ASPECT RATIO] of a 
high-definition TV, etc.
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  31 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分 
						

							VQT1T2732
Basic
[REC] mode: ³
BasicTaking pictures with your favorite settings 
( : Program AE mode)
The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperture value according to the 
brightness of the subject.
You can take pictures with greater freedom by changing various settings in [REC] menu.

The status indicator  3 lights when you turn this unit 
on  2. (It turns off after about 1 second.) 
( 1: Shutter button)
Slide the [REC]/[PLAYBACK] 
selector switch to [ !].
Set the mode dial to  [ ].
Set the focus selector switch to [AF].To change the setting while taking pictures, 
refer to “Using the [REC] Mode Menu”   (P74) .
Hold this unit gently with both 
hands, keep your arms still at your side 
and stand with your feet slightly apart.
AAF assist lamp
Aim the AF area at the point you want to 
focus on.
Press the shutter button halfway to focus.
The focus indication  1 (green) lights when the subject 
is focused.
The AF area  2 is displayed around the subject’s face 
by the face detection function. In other cases, it is 
displayed at the point on the subject which is in focus.
The focus range is 50 cm (1.64 feet) to  ¶.If pictures are to be taken at an even closer range, 
refer to “Taking Close-up Pictures” (P49) .
Press the shutter button fully (push it in 
further), and take the picture.
The access indication lights  (P18) red when pictures 
are being recorded on the built-in memory (or the 
card).
Do not cover the flash or the AF assist lamp with your 
fingers or other objects.
OFF ON1
2
3
4
5

6
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  32 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分 
						

							33VQT1T27
Basic
∫Setting the color tone of the picture by using the [REC] mode menu   (P74)
∫ When taking pictures using the Built-in flash  (P46)
∫ When taking pictures using the zoom  (P38)
∫ To adjust the exposure and take pictures at times when the image appears too 
dark  (P51)
∫ To adjust the colors and take pictures at times when the image appears too red 
(P79)
Note

Be careful not to move the camera when you press the shutter button.Do not touch the front of the lens.
Aim the AF area at the subject, and then press the shutter button halfway.
A Focus indication
B AF area (normal)
C AF area (when using the digital zoom or when it is dark)
D Focus range
E Aperture value
¢
FShutter speed¢
GISO sensitivity
¢ If correct exposure cannot be achieved, it will be displayed in red. 
(However, it will not be displayed in red when the flash is used.)
1 Aim the AF area at the subject, and then  press the shutter button halfway to fix the 
focus and exposure.
2 Press and hold the shutter button halfway  while moving the camera as you 
compose the picture.

You can repeatedly retry the actions in step 1 
before pressing the shutter button fully.
We recommend that you use the face 
detection function when taking pictures of 
people.  (P82)
∫ Subjects and recording conditions 
which are difficult to focus

Fast-moving subjects, extremely bright subjects or subjects without contrastWhen the recordable range display has appeared in red.When recording subjects through windows or near shiny objects
Focusing
FocusWhen the subject is 
focusedWhen the subject 
is not focused
Focus indication On Blinks
AF area White>Green White >Red
Sound Beeps 2 times Beeps 4 times
When the subject is not in focus (such as when it is not in the center of 
the composition of the picture you want to take)
1/125 1/125
F2.0
F2.0ISO
ISO  80
  801/125
F2.0ISO  801/125 1/125
1/125F2.0 F2.0ISO
ISO  80
  80F2.0ISO  80
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  33 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分 
						

							VQT1T2734
Basic
When it is dark or when jitter occursWhen the camera is too close to the subject or when taking a picture of both distant and near 
subjects
When the jitter alert [ ] appears, use [STABILIZER] (P87), a tripod or the self-timer 
(P50) .

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 appears on the screen. We recommend 
using a tripod.
–Slow sync./Red-eye reduction–In [NIGHT PORTRAIT], [NIGHT SCENERY], [PARTY], [CANDLE LIGHT], [STARRY SKY] or 
[FIREWORKS] in scene mode  (P62)
–When the shutter speed is slowed in [MIN. SHTR SPEED]
Pictures recorded with the camera held vertical ly are played back vertically (rotated). (Only 
when [ROTATE DISP.] (P104)  is set to [ON])

Pictures may not be displayed vertically if they were taken with the camera aimed up or down.Motion pictures taken with the camera held vertically are not displayed vertically.
This unit will remember the focus point during the recording, and it can be enlarged with 
that point as a center.
Press [FOCUS] during image playback
Focus point may not be the center of enlargement when it is 
at the edge of the image. 
Refer to “Using the Playback Zoom”  (P41)  for operation 
during zooming.
It will return to the original enlargement if [FOCUS] is 
pressed again during zooming. 
Focus point is enlarged during zoom in auto review.Following pictures cannot be enlarged because there is no focus point:–Picture that was taken without focusing–Picture that was taken with manual focus–Picture that was taken with a different camera
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 use the joystick to activate program shift while the 
aperture value and the shutter speed are displayed on the screen (about 10 seconds).
The program shift indication A appears on the screen when program shift is activated.
Preventing jitter (camera shake)
Direction detection function
Enlarge the focus point at the center (display focus point)
Program shift
1/301/30F4.0F4.0
66
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  34 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分 
						

							35VQT1T27
Basic
Program shift is canceled if the camera is turned off or the joystick is moved up and down until 
the program shift indication disappears.
∫Example of program shift
(A): Aperture value
(B): Shutter speed
1 Program shift amount
2 Program shift line chart
3 Program shift limit
Note

If the exposure is not adequate when the shutter button is pressed halfway, the aperture value 
and shutter speed turns red.
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.
[REC] mode: ñ
Taking pictures using the automatic function 
(ñ: Intelligent Auto Mode)
The camera will set the most appropriate settings to match the subject and the recording 
conditions so we recommend this mode for beginners or those who want to leave the 
settings to the camera and take pictures easily.

The following functions are activated automatically.–Scene detection /[STABILIZER] /[INTELLIGENT ISO]/ Face detection / [QUICK AF]/
[I.EXPOSURE]/ Digital Red-eye Correction/Backlight Compensation
Slide the [REC]/[PLAYBACK] 
selector switch to [ !].
A Mode dial
B [REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector switch
Set the mode dial to  [ ñ].
[MF] cannot be set in [ñ]  (P58).
(B)
(A)
1  2 3 4  5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13    14
1 1
/
2  1
/
4  1
/
8  1
/
15  1
/
30  1
/
60  1
/
125  1
/
250  1
/
500  1
/
1000  1
/
2000
2
2.8 4
5.6 8
11
9ÔX9Õ
1
2
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  35 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分 
						

							VQT1T2736
Basic
∫To adjust the exposure and take pictures at times when the image appears too 
dark  (P51)
When the camera identifies the optimum scene, the icon of the scene concerned is 
displayed in blue for 2 seconds, after which its color changes to the usual red.

[¦] is set if none of the scenes are applicable, and the standard settings are set.If a tripod is used, for instance, and the camera has judged that camera shake is minimal when 
the scene mode has been identified as [ ], the shutter speed will be set to a maximum of 
8 seconds.Take care not to move the camera while taking pictures.
An optimum scene for the s pecified subject will be chosen when set to AF tracking (P83).
∫ Face detection
When [ ] or [ ] is selected, the camera automatically detects a person’s face, and it will 
adjust the focus and exposure  (P82).
Note

Due to conditions such as the ones below, a different scene may be identified for the same 
subject.
–Subject conditions: When the face is bright or dark, The size of the subject, The distance to 
the subject, The contrast of the subject, When the subject is moving, When zoom is used
–Recording conditions: Sunset, Sunrise, Under low brightness conditions, When the camera is 
shaken
To take pictures in an intended scene, it is recommended that you take pictures in the 
appropriate recording mode.
∫ Backlight compensation
Backlight refers to when light comes from the back of a subject.
In this case, the subject will become dark, so this function compensates the backlight by 
brightening the whole of the picture automatically. 
Press the shutter button halfway to focus.
The focus indication  1 (green) lights when the subject 
is focused.
The AF area  2 is displayed around the subject’s face 
by the face detection function. In other cases, it is 
displayed at the point on the subject which is in focus.
The focus range is 1 cm (0.04 feet) (Wide)/30 cm 
(0.99 feet) (Tele) to  ¶.
Press the shutter button fully (push it in 
further), and take the picture.
The access indication  (P18) lights red when pictures are 
being recorded on the built-in memory (or the card).
Scene detection
¦
 >[i-PORTRAIT]
[i-SCENERY]
[i-MACRO]
[i-NIGHT PORTRAIT] 
Only when [
‡] is selected
[i-NIGHT SCENERY] Only when [
Œ] is selected
3
4
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  36 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分 
						

							37VQT1T27
Basic
It is possible to set the focus to the specified subject. Focus will keep following the subject 
automatically even if it moves. Refer to  P83 for details.

Set the [AF TRACKING] in the [REC] mode menu to [ON]. ([ ] is displayed on the screen.)
Bring the subject to the AF tracking frame, and press 
[AF/AE LOCK] to lock the subject.

AF tracking frame will turn yellow.An optimum scene for the specified subject will be chosen. Press [AF/AE LOCK] again to cancel.
Open the flash when the flash is to be used.  (P46)When [‡] is selected, [ ], [ ] or [ ] is set depending on the type of subject and 
brightness.
When [ ] or [ ] is set, digital red-eye correction  (P47) will turn on and flash is 
activated twice.
Flash modes cannot be switched using  1 (‰ ) in the intelligent auto mode.
Only the following functions can be set in this mode.
[REC] mode menu
–[PICTURE SIZE]¢ (P76) /[AF TRACKING]  (P83)
¢ The settings which can be selected are different from when other [REC] modes are used.
[SETUP] menu
–[CLOCK SET]/[WORLD TIME]/[TRAVEL DATE]/[BEEP]/[LANGUAGE]The settings of the following items are fixed.
AF Tracking Function
About the flash
Settings in Intelligent auto mode
ItemSettings
[Fn BUTTON SET]  (P24)o
[GUIDE LINE]  (P25)  ([REC. INFO.]: [OFF])
[ECONOMY] 
([POWER SAVE])  (P26)[5MIN.]
[AUTO REVIEW]  (P26)[2SEC.]
Focus range The focus range becomes the same as AF macro mode.
[1 cm (0.04 feet) (Wide)/30 cm (0.99 feet) (Tele) to ¶] (P49)The maximum close-up distance (the shortest distance at 
which the subject can be taken) differs depending on the 
zoom magnification.
Self-timer (P50) 10 seconds
[FILM MODE]  (P74) [STANDARD]
[QUALITY]  (P77) A (Set to [ ›] when picture size is [ ] (0.3M ))
[INTELLIGENT ISO]  (P78)[ON] (The maximum ISO sensitivity: ISO800)
[ISO LIMIT SET]  (P79)800
[WHITE BALANCE]  (P79)[AWB]
AF/AE
LOCK
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  37 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分 
						

							VQT1T2738
Basic
The following functions cannot be used.–Flash output adjustment / Auto bracket/ Multi aspect /White balance fine adjustment/[AF/
AE LOCK]/[MULTI. EXPO.]/[DIGITAL ZOOM]/[AUDIO REC.]/[MIN. SHTR SPEED]/
[HISTOGRAM]/[HIGHLIGHT]
The other items on the [SETUP] menu can be set in a mode such as program AE mode. What 
is set will be reflected in the Intelligent auto mode.
[REC] mode: 
Taking Pictures with the Zoom
You can zoom-in to make people and objects appear closer or zoom-out to record 
landscapes in wide angle. To make subj ects appear even closer [maximum of 4.5k], do 
not set the picture size to the highest setting for each aspect ratio (4:3/3:2/16:9).
Even higher levels of magnification are possible when [DIGITAL ZOOM] is set to [ON] in 
[REC] menu. [METERING MODE] 
(P81)
C
[AF MODE] (P82) š (Set to [ ] when a face cannot be detected)
[PRE AF]  (P84)
[I.EXPOSURE] (P85) [STANDARD]
[STABILIZER]  (P87)[AUTO]
[AF ASSIST LAMP]  (P88)[ON]
[FLASH SYNCHRO]  (P89)[1ST]
Using the Optical Zoom/Using the Extended Optical Zoom (EZ)/Using 
the Digital Zoom 
To make subjects appear closer use (Tele)
Rotate the zoom lever towards Tele.
To make subjects appear further away use (Wide)
Rotate the zoom lever towards Wide.
M
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  38 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分 
						

							39VQT1T27
Basic
∫Types of zooms

When using the zoom function, an estimate of the focus range will appear in conjunction 
with the zoom display bar. (Example: 0.5 m (1.64 ft.) –¶ )
¢ 1 The magnification level differs depending on [PICTURE SIZE] and [ASPECT RATIO] setting.
¢ 2 The on-screen zoom indication may momentarily stop moving when you rotate the zoom 
lever to the extreme Tele position. You can enter the digital zoom range by continuously 
rotating the zoom lever to Tele or releasing the zoom lever once and then rotating it to Tele 
again.
∫ Extended optical zoom mechanism
When you set the picture size to [ ] (3 million pixels), the 10M (10.1 million pixels) CCD 
area is cropped to the center 3M (3 million pixels) area, allowing a picture with a higher 
zoom effect.
Note

The digital zoom cannot be set when õ  has been selected.The indicated zoom magnification is an approximation.“EZ” is an abbreviation of “Extended optical Zoom”.The optical zoom is set to Wide (1k) when the camera is turned on.If you use the zoom function after focusing on the subject, focus on the subject again.The lens barrel extends or retracts according to the zoom position. Take care not to interrupt 
the motion of the lens barrel while the zoom lever is rotated.
When using the digital zoom, [STABILIZER] may not be effective.When using the digital zoom, we recommend using a tripod and the self-timer  (P50) for taking 
pictures.
FeatureOptical zoomExtended optical zoom 
(EZ)Digital zoom
Maximum 
magnification 2.5k
4.5k
¢1 10 k [including optical zoom 
2.5 k]
17.9 k [including extended 
optical zoom 4.5 k]
Picture 
quality No deterioration No deterioration The higher the magnification 
level, the greater the 
deterioration.
Conditions None [PICTURE SIZE] with   
(P76)
 is selected. [DIGITAL ZOOM]  
(P87) on the 
[REC] menu is set to [ON].
Screen 
display A
 [ ] is displayed.B
The digital zoom range is 
displayed.
The AF area becomes larger 
when the shutter button is 
pressed halfway in the digital 
zoom range
¢ 2.
TWTW
A
TWTW
B
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  39 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分 
						

							VQT1T2740
Basic
[PLAYBACK] mode: ¸
Playing back Pictures ([NORMAL PLAY])
Press 2/1 to select the picture.
A File number
B Picture number
Speed of picture forwarding/rewinding 
changes depending on the playback status.
∫Fast forwarding/Fast rewinding
Press and hold 2/ 1 during playback.

The file number  A and the picture number  B only change one by one. Release 2 /1  when the 
number of the desired picture appears to play back the picture.
If you keep pressing  2/1, the number of pictures forwarded/rewound increases.
You can confirm the picture in [REC] mode. You can also move between pictures using  2/
1 , use zoom playback (P41) , or delete pictures (P42).
1 Select the [Fn BUTTON SET] on the [SETUP] menu, and then press  1.
2 Press  3/4  to select [REVIEW] and then press [MENU/SET] to set.

You can review by pressing  4 in [REC] mode if it is set.
Slide the [REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector 
switch A to [(].
Normal playback is set  automatically in the 
following cases.
–When the mode was switched from the [REC] 
to [PLAYBACK].
–When the camera was turned on while the 
[REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector switch was at 
[ ( ].
2: Play back the previous picture
1 : Play back the next picture
2 : Fast rewind
1 : Fast forward
Confirm the picture in [REC] mode (Review)
1
AB2
P.PC_DMC-LX3_eng.book  40 ページ  ２００８年７月８日　火曜日　午後１０時１３分