Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Lz8 Operating Instructions

							41VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
   
 
 
 
Histogram
A histogram is a graph that displays 
brightness along the horizontal axis and 
the number of pixels at each brightness 
level on the vertical axis.
You can see the exposure condition of the 
picture by looking at the histogram shape 
(graph distribution) for the picture taken.
If the graph forms mountain shape 
with its top located in the center A, this 
means medium parts and bright parts are 
distributed in a well-balanced manner.  
This picture is good for recording.
If the values are extremely concentrated 
on the left B, the picture is under 
exposed with too many dark parts. This 
type of histogram occurs, for example, 
when black parts such as night scenery 
occupy most of the screen.
If the values are extremely concentrated 
on the right C, the picture is overexposed 
with too many bright parts. This type of 
histogram occurs, for example, when 
white parts occupy most of the screen.
F2.8 1/100200ISOAWB
F2.8 1/200
F2.8 1/50
100100000100011/191/19
10M
100100000100011/191/19
10M
100100000100011/191/19
10M
200ISOAWB
200ISOAWB
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*
*A
B
C
10:00  JAN. 1. 200810:00  JAN. 1. 2008
10:00  JAN. 1. 200810:00  JAN. 1. 2008
10:00  JAN. 1. 200810:00  JAN. 1. 2008
A Appropriate
B Dark
C Bright ■
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The recorded picture and the histogram 
do not match each other when recording 
in a dark place, compensating the 
exposure manually or with the fl ash. The 
histogram is displayed in orange.
The histogram is an approximation in 
recording mode.
The histogram of a picture displayed 
may not match in recording mode and 
playback mode.
The histogram displayed in this camera 
does not match histograms displayed by 
picture editing software used in PCs etc.
Histogram is not displayed under the 
following conditions
In intelligent auto mode [
]
Motion picture mode [i]
Multi playback
Calendar
Playback zoom •
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							42VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
   
Making the LCD monitor easier to 
see ( LCD mode)
Press and hold [Q.MENU] until 
quick setting screen is displayed.
Q.MENU
Select indication at the right end 
(initial setting: [
]) using q, 
select mode using e/r and press 
[MENU/SET].
MENU
SET
210MAW BAUTO
MENUSELECT EXIT
1
2
Mode Uses
  AUTO 
POWER LCD
Brightness of the LCD 
monitor automatically 
changes depending 
on brightness of the 
environment.
  POWER 
LCD The LCD monitor becomes 
brighter and easier to see 
even when taking pictures 
outdoors.
   
 
HIGH 
ANGLE This is useful 
when you cannot 
get close to the 
subject because 
there is a person 
in the way.
(More diffi cult to 
see when looked  
straight on.)
The LCD monitor returns to 
the normal brightness.
You can set LCD mode in setup menu. ( P21 )High angle mode is canceled if you 
turn the camera off. (Same occurs in 
[POWER SAVE].)
The LCD monitor automatically returns to 
normal brightness after 30 seconds when 
recording in power LCD mode. Press any 
button to make the LCD monitor bright 
again.
The brightness of the pictures displayed 
on the LCD monitor is adjusted when 
power LCD mode or high angle mode 
is activated. Therefore, some subjects 
may look different on the LCD monitor. 
However, this does not affect the 
recorded pictures.
If the screen is diffi cult to see because of 
light from the sun etc. shining on it, use 
your hand or another object to block the 
light.
The number of recordable pictures 
decreases when the auto power LCD, 
power LCD or high angle mode is used.  •
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							43VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
   
Taking Pictures Using the Built-in  Flash
A
A Flash
Do not cover the photo fl ash with your 
fi ngers or any other items.
Switching to the appropriate fl ash 
setting
Set the fl ash setting of the built-in fl ash 
according to the scene to be recorded.
Press q [
						

							44VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
   
Available fl ash settings by recording modeThe available fl ash settings depend on the 
recording mode.
(Ó : Available, — : Not available, Õ : Initial 
setting)
*2
*2  When AUTO is selected, depending on 
the type of subject or brightness, fl ash 
is set i AUTO [
], i AUTO/Red-eye 
reduction [], or i Slow sync./Red-
eye reduction [].
The fl ash setting may change when you  ■
•change the recording mode. Change the 
fl ash setting again if necessary.
The fl ash setting is memorized even if 
the camera is turned off. However, the 
fl ash setting is reset to the initial setting 
when the advanced scene mode or 
scene mode is changed.
   
The available fl ash range to take pictures
ISO sensitivity Available fl ash range
AUTO 50 cm (1.64 feet) to 
6.8 m (22.31 feet) (Wide)
1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
3.8 m (12.47 feet) (Tele)
ISO100 50 cm (1.64 feet) to
 2.1 m (6.88 feet) (Wide)
1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
1.2 m (3.94 feet) (Tele)
ISO200 50 cm (1.64 feet) to 
3.0 m (9.84 feet) (Wide)
1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
1.7 m (5.58 feet) (Tele)
ISO400 60 cm (1.97 feet) to 
4.3 m (14.11 feet) (Wide)
1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
2.4 m (7.88 feet) (Tele)
ISO800 80 cm (2.62 feet) to 
6.0 m (19.69 feet) (Wide)
1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
3.4 m (11.16 feet) (Tele)
ISO1600 1.15 m (3.77 feet) to 
8.6 m (28.22 feet) (Wide)
1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
4.8 m (15.75 feet) (Tele)
The available focus range differs 
depending on the recording mode.
When you use the fl ash when you 
have set ISO sensitivity to [AUTO], ISO 
sensitivity automatically becomes a 
maximum of [ISO1000].
The edges of the picture may appear 
dark if you shoot a very close subject with 
the fl ash while the zoom lever is close to 
the W side. Zoom in slightly if this occurs.
Available fl ash range varies depending 
on ISO sensitivity in [HIGH SENS.].
W: approximately 1.15 m (3.77 feet) to 
17.2 m (56.43 feet)
T: approximately 1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
9.6 m (31.49 feet) •
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							45VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
The available fl ash range to take 
pictures in Intelligent ISO are as 
follows:
ISO LIMIT  Available fl ash range
ISO MAX400 60 cm (1.97 feet) to 
4.3 m (14.11 feet) (Wide)
1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
2.4 m (7.88 feet) (Tele)
ISO MAX800 80 cm (2.62 feet) to 
6.0 m (19.69 feet) (Wide)
1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
3.4 m (11.16 feet) (Tele)
ISO MAX
16001.15 m (3.77 feet) to 
8.6 m (28.22 feet) (Wide)
1.0 m (3.28 feet) to 
4.8 m (15.75 feet) (Tele)
   
Shutter speed for each fl ash mode
Flash mode Shutter speed (sec.)
 : AUTO1/30 to 1/2000
 : AUTO/
Red-eye 
reduction1/30 to 1/2000
 : Forced 
FLASH ON
 : Forced 
ON/Red-eye 
reduction1/30 to 1/2000
 : Slow sync./
Red-eye 
reduction1/8 or
1 to 1/2000*1
1/8 to 1/2000*2
 : Forced 
FLASH OFF1/8 to 1/2000
1/8 or 1 to 1/2000*1
1/4 or 1 to 1/2000*3
*1  [NIGHT PORTRAIT] or [CANDLE 
LIGHT] mode
*
2 [PARTY] mode
*3  Intelligent ISO/ [SPORTS], [NIGHT 
PORTRAIT], [CANDLE LIGHT], [BABY], 
and [PET] mode
The shutter speed reaches the maximum 
of 1 second for *1 and *3 when:
Optical Image Stabilizer is [OFF]
In intelligent auto mode [
] or when 
the Optical Image Stabilizer is set to 
[MODE1] or [MODE2] and the camera 
determines that there is minimum 
possibility of blurring.
Refer to  P50  for details in aparture-priority 
AE, shutter-priority AE and manual exposure.
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•The shutter speed will be different from 
that shown in the table in the following 
scene modes.
[NIGHT SCENERY]: 
8 seconds or 
1/8th of a second to 
1/2000th of a second
[STARRY SKY]: 
15 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds
[FIREWORKS]: 
1/4th of a second, 2 seconds
In program AE mode [   ], the highest 
shutter speed value varies depending on 
the setting in [MIN. SHTR SPEED].
Do not look directly at the fl ash at 
close range when it is activated.
Do not bring the fl ash too close to 
objects or close the fl ash while it 
is activated. The objects may be 
discolored by its heat or lighting.
While the fl ash is charged, the LCD 
monitor turns off and you cannot take 
pictures. The status indicator lights up.
If the remaining battery power is low, 
the screen may be turned off for a 
longer period of time.
When you take a picture beyond the 
available fl ash range, the exposure may 
not be adjusted properly and the picture 
may become bright or dark.
When the fl ash icon blinks, the fl ash is 
being charged and you cannot take a 
picture even when you press the shutter 
button fully.
The white balance may not be properly 
adjusted if the photo fl ash is insuffi cient.
When the shutter speed is fast, the fl ash 
effect may not be suffi cient.
When you repeat taking a picture, 
recording may be disabled even if the 
fl ash is activated. Take a picture after the 
access indication disappears.
The red-eye reduction effect differs 
between people. Also, if the subject was far 
away from the camera or was not looking at 
the fi rst fl ash, the effect may not be evident.
In burst mode or auto bracket mode, you 
cannot use the fl ash. •
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							46VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
This mode allows you to take close-up 
pictures of the subject, e.g. when taking 
pictures of fl owers.
You can take pictures approaching the 
subject at a distance up to 5 cm (0.17 feet) 
from the lens by rotating the zoom lever 
upmost to Wide (1 ×).
Press r (w)
Macro shooting starts.
  Focus range
T W
5 cm
(0.17 feet)
1.0 m
(3.28 feet) Changes gradually
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Use a tripod and the self-timer for best 
results.
When the subject is close to the camera, 
the effective focus range (depth of fi eld) 
is signifi cantly narrowed. Therefore, 
you will have diffi culty in focusing on 
the subject if the distance between the 
camera and the subject is changed after 
focusing on the subject.
When the camera lens is at a distance 
beyond the available range from the 
subject, the subject may not be focused 
even if the focus indication lights.
Macro shooting gives priority to a subject 
close to the camera. Therefore, if the 
distance between the camera and the 
subject is more than 50 cm (1.64 feet) 
it takes longer to focus on it in macro 
shooting than normal shooting.
The available fl ash range is about 50 cm 
(1.64 feet) to 6.8 m (22.31 feet) (Wide). 
(This is applied when you set the ISO 
sensitivity to [AUTO].) We recommend 
setting the fl ash to Forced OFF [
] when 
you take pictures at close range.
When you take pictures at close range, 
the resolution of the periphery of the 
picture may decrease slightly. This is not 
a malfunction. •
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Taking Close-up Pictures (AF w  Macro Shooting)
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							47VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
   
Taking Pictures with the  Self-timer
Press w [].
Select shutter speed using e/r 
or w [].


SELFTIMER
SELECT  SET
OFF10SEC.
2SEC.
Press [MENU/SET].You can also press the shutter button 
halfway to set.
When 5 seconds pass without any 
operation, the setting selected at the time 
is automatically adopted.
Press the shutter button halfway 
to focus and then press it fully to 
take a picture.
MENU
10M
1919P
CANCEL
The self-timer indicator 
A blinks and the 
shutter is activated 
after 10 seconds (or 2 
seconds).
If you press [MENU/
SET] when the self-
timer is being  set, the 
self-timer setting is canceled.
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When using a tripod or in other cases, 
setting the self-timer to 2 seconds is 
a convenient way to stabilize the jitter 
caused by pressing the shutter button.
When you press the shutter button 
fully with one stroke, the subject is 
automatically focused just before the 
recording. In dark places, the self-timer 
indicator blinks and then it may turn on 
brightly to work as the AF assist lamp for 
focusing on the subject.
In Intelligent auto mode [
], [10 SEC.] 
or [OFF] is selectable.
In [SELF PORTRAIT] mode, [2 SEC.] or 
[OFF] is selectable.
When you set the self-timer in burst 
mode, the camera starts taking a picture 
2 or 10 seconds after the shutter button 
is pressed. The number of pictures taken 
at one time is fi xed to 3.
We recommend using a tripod when 
setting the self-timer.
You cannot use the self-timer in [HI-
SPEED BURST]. •
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							48VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
Use this function when you cannot achieve 
appropriate exposure due to the difference 
of brightness between the subject and the 
background.
Compensate the exposure 
toward positive. Compensate the exposure 
toward negative.
Properly Exposed
Under exposed Over exposed
Press e [C] to display 
[EXPOSURE] and press w/q to 
compensate the exposure.
MENU
EXPOSURE
SELECT  EXIT
A
A The exposure compensation value
You can compensate from -2 EV to +2 
EV in steps of 1/3 EV.
Select [0 EV] to return to the original 
exposure.
Press [MENU/SET] to fi nish. You can also press the shutter 
button halfway to fi nish.
EV is an abbreviation of “Exposure 
Value”, and it is the amount of light given 
to the CCD by the aperture value and the 
shutter speed.
The exposure compensation value 
appears on the lower left of the screen.
The exposure value is memorized even if 
the camera is turned off.
The compensation range of the exposure 
will be limited depending on the 
brightness of the subject.
You cannot compensate the exposure in 
[STARRY SKY] mode.
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Compensating the Exposure
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							49VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
   
 
Auto Bracket Recording
3 pictures are taken in succession, 
automatically changing the exposure. 
The pictures are based on the selected 
compensation range after setting the 
exposure 
( P48 ).
Press e (C) several times to 
display [AUTO BRACKET] and 
set the compensation range of 
the exposure using w/q.
AUTO BRACKET
SELECT  EXIT
You can select OFF, ±1/3 EV, ±2/3 EV 
or ±1 EV. (When you do not use auto 
bracket, select [OFF].)
Press [MENU/SET] to apply.When setting auto bracket, the auto 
bracket icon [B] appears on the 
screen.
Press the shutter button to take 
pictures.
The auto review function is activated 
after taking pictures.
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The auto bracket setting is canceled if 
you turn the camera off. (Same occurs in 
[POWER SAVE].)
You cannot use auto bracket in [STARRY 
SKY] and [HI-SPEED BURST] mode.
The number of recordable pictures is 2 or 
less, auto bracket cannot be activated.
The exposure may not be compensated 
with auto bracket depending on the 
brightness of the subject.
When auto bracket is activated, [FLASH] 
is set to Forced OFF [
].
Auto bracket is deactivated when the 
shutter speed is set longer than 1 second 
in the shutter-priority AE mode or the 
manual exposure mode.
Burst mode setting is canceled, when 
[AUTO BRACKET] is activated. •
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							50VQT1L86
Advanced-Shooting
   
Set Aperture/Shutter Speed/Exposure (A/S/M)
Set the recording/playback switch to 
REC 
[] side. ( P18 )You can take your favorite pictures by 
setting each item manually.
See 
 P51  for values that can be set.
Turn the mode dial to match 
[A/S/M].
Select  mode with e/r and press 
[MENU/SET].
SELECT SET
A/S/M MODE
APERTURE-PRIORITY
A:   
 
Aperture-priority AE
To align focus of the background, set 
large aperture value. To defocus the 
background, set small aperture value.
Press [EXPOSURE] and determine the 
aperture value with w/q.
10M
1919A
F3.5F3.5
If it is too bright, set large value
S:   
 
Shutter-priority AE
When recording stopped movement, set 
fast shutter speed.  When you want to 
express the movement, set slow shutter 
speed.
Press [EXPOSURE] and set the shutter 
speed with e/r.
1
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10M
1919S
1/301/30
M:  Manual exposure
Determine the exposure by adjusting the 
aperture value and shutter speed.
1  Press [EXPOSURE], set the aperture 
value with w/q and set the shutter 
speed with e/r.
10M
1919M
F3.5F3.51/301/30
ISOISO100100
2  Press the shutter button halfway and 
confi rm the manual exposure assist 
value (displayed approx. 10 sec.).
Appropriate
Set large aperture 
value or set fast 
shutter speed.
Set small aperture 
value or set slow 
shutter speed.
Take a picture. 3
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