Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Sz7 Owners Manual For Advanced Features

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Recording
Applicable modes: 
Using the Zoom
You can zoom in to make people and objects appear closer or zoom out to record 
landscapes in wide angle.
Setting the number of pixels to 10M or less will operate the Extended Optical Zoom to take 
zoomed pictures without affecting quality.
∫ Types of zooms
¢1 This includes the optical zoom magnification. The magnification level differs depending on 
[Picture Size] setting.
The zoom functions below can also be used  to further increase the zoom magnification.
¢2 This is 2 k magnification when [i.Resolution] in [Rec] menu is set to [i.ZOOM].
Using the Optical Zoom/Using the Extended Optical Zoom (EZ)/
Using the Intelligent Zoom/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.
FeatureOptical ZoomExtended Optical Zoom (EZ)
Maximum 
magnification 10
k 21.1k
¢1
Picture 
quality No deterioration No deterioration
Conditions None [Picture Size] with   
(P74) is 
selected.
FeatureIntelligent ZoomDigital Zoom
Maximum 
magnification 2
k  4k
¢ 2
Picture 
quality Zoom in while limiting deterioration The higher the magnification level, the 
greater the deterioration.
Conditions [i.Resolution] 
(P82) on the [Rec] menu 
is set to [i.ZOOM]. [Digital Zoom] 
(P82) on the [Rec] menu 
is set to [ON]. 
						

							Recording
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∫Screen display
•
When using the Zoom function, an estimate of the focus range will appear in 
conjunction with the zoom display bar. (Example: 0.5 m (1.6 ft.) – ¶)
Note
•The indicated zoom magnification is an approximation.• “EZ” is an abbreviation of “Extended Optical Zoom”. It is possible to take more magnified 
pictures with the optical zoom.
•The lens barrel extends or retracts according to the zoom position. Be sure not to interrupt the 
motion of the lens barrel while the zoom lever is rotated.
•When using the Digital Zoom, we recommend using a tripod and the Self-timer  (P57) for taking 
pictures.
•For details about using the zoom while recording motion pictures, refer to  P30.•The Extended Optical Zoom cannot be used in the following cases:–In [Motion Deblur] in Intelligent Auto Mode–In Macro Zoom Mode–In [High Sens.] or [Photo Frame] in Scene Mode–When [Burst] in the [Rec] menu is set to [ ]–When recording motion pictures•The Intelligent Zoom cannot be used in the following cases:–In [Motion Deblur] in Intelligent Auto Mode–In Macro Zoom Mode–In [Handheld Night Shot] or [High Sens.] in Scene Mode–When [Burst] in the [Rec] menu is set to [ ]•[Digital Zoom] cannot be used in the following cases:–In Intelligent Auto Mode–In Miniature Effect Mode–In [Handheld Night Shot], [High Sens.] and [Photo Frame] in Scene Mode–When [Burst] in the [Rec] menu is set to [ ]
A
Extended Optical Zoom indication
B Optical Zoom range
C Intelligent Zoom range
D Digital Zoom range
E Zoom magnification 
						

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Recording
Applicable modes: 
Taking Pictures Using the Built-in Flash
Set the flash to match the recording.
Press 1 [‰].
Press  3/4 to select the item and then press 
[MENU/SET].
¢ 1 This can be set only when Intelligent Auto Mode is set.
¢ 2 The flash is activated twice. The subject should not move until the second flash is 
activated. Interval until the second flash depends on the brightness of the subject.
[Red-Eye Removal]  (P84) on the [Rec] menu is set to [ON], [ ] appears on the flash 
icon. A
Photo flash
Do not cover it with your fingers or other objects.
Switching to the appropriate flash setting
ItemDescription of settings
[ ‡ ] ([Auto]) The flash is automatically activated when the recording conditions 
make it necessary.
[] ([iAuto])
¢1
[] ([Auto/Red-Eye])¢2
The flash is automatically activated when the recording conditions 
make it necessary.
It is activated once before the actual recording to reduce the 
red-eye phenomenon (eyes of the subject appearing red in the 
picture) and then activated again for the actual recording.
•Use this when you take pictures of people in low lighting 
conditions.
[ ‰ ] ([Forced Flash On]) The flash is activated every time regardless of the recording 
conditions.
•Use this when your subject is back-lit or under fluorescent 
light.
[] ([Slow Sync./
Red-Eye])
¢
2
If you take a picture with a dark background landscape, this 
feature will slow the shutter speed when the flash is activated so 
that the dark background will become bright. Simultaneously, it 
reduces the red-eye phenomenon.
•Use this when you take pictures of people in front of a dark 
background.
[ Π] ([Forced Flash Off]
)The flash is not activated in any recording conditions.•Use this when you take pictures in places where the use of 
flash is not permitted.
 
						

							Recording
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∫Available Flash Settings in Recording Mode
The available flash settings depend on the Recording Mode.
(± : Available, —: Not available,  ¥: Scene Mode initial setting)
¢ [ ] is displayed.•The flash setting may change if the Recording Mode is changed. Set the flash setting again if 
necessary.
•The flash setting is memorized even if the camera is turned off. However, the Scene Mode flash 
setting is reset to the initial setting when the Scene Mode is changed.
•Flash will not be activated when recording motion picture.
∫The available flash range
‡‰Œ
±
¢——— ±
±±±±±
* + : ; ±¥± —±
,  /  ï ———— ¥
-¥— ±— ±
.——— ¥±
1 í 9± — ±— ¥
¥±± —±
WideTe l e
[AUTO] in 
[Sensitivity] 60 cm (2.0 feet) to 5.6 m (18 feet) 1.5 m (4.9 feet) to 2.9 m (9.5 feet) 
						

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Recording
∫Shutter speed for each flash setting
¢1 The shutter speed changes depending on the [Min. Shtr Speed] setting.
¢ 2 When [Min. Shtr Speed] is set to [AUTO].
¢ 3 When [ ] in [Sensitivity] is set.
•¢2, 3: The shutter speed becomes a maximum of 1 second in the following cases.–When the Optical Image Stabilizer is set to [OFF].–When the camera has determined that there is very little jitter when the Optical Image 
Stabilizer is set to [ON].
•In Intelligent Auto Mode, shutter speed changes depending on the identified scene.•In Scene Mode, shutter speed will be different from the above table.
Note
•If you bring the Flash too close to an object, th e object may be distorted or discolored by the 
heat or lighting from the Flash.
•Recording a subject from too close, or without  sufficient flash will not provide the appropriate 
level of exposure, and may result in a picture that is too white or dark.
•When the Flash is being charged, the Flash icon blinks red, and you cannot take a picture even 
when you press the shutter button fully.
•If recording a subject without sufficient flash, the White Balance may not be properly adjusted.•The effects of the flash may not be adequately achieved under the following conditions.–When [Burst] is set to [ ]–When the shutter speed is too fast•It may take time to charge the Flash if you repeatedly take pictures. Take a picture after the 
access indication disappears.
•The Red-Eye Reduction effect differs between peopl e. Also, if the subject is far away from the 
camera or was not looking at the first Flash, the effect may not be evident.
Flash settingShutter speed (Sec.)Flash settingShutter speed (Sec.)
‡ 1/60
¢1 to 1/1600 1
¢
1 to 1/1600
1 or 1/8 to 1/1600¢ 2
1 or 1/4 to 1/1600¢2, 3‰Œ 
						

							Recording
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Applicable modes: 
Taking Close-up Pictures ([AF Macro]/[Macro Zoom])
This mode allows you to take close-up pictures  of a subject, e.g. when taking pictures of 
flowers.
Press  4 [#].
Press  3/4 to select the item and then press [MENU/SET].
Note
•We recommend using a tripod and the Self-timer.•We recommend setting the flash to [ Œ] when you take pictures at close range.•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 up.
•When a subject is close to the camera, the effective focus range 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.
•Macro Mode gives priority to a subject close to the camera. Therefore, if the distance between 
the camera and the subject is far, it takes longer to focus on it.
•When you take pictures at close range, the resolution of the periphery of the picture may 
decrease slightly. This is not a malfunction.
•[Macro Zoom] cannot be set in the following cases.–When in Miniature Effect Mode–When [AF Mode] is set to [ ]–When [Burst] is set to [ ]–In 3D Photo Mode
ItemDescription of settings
[] ([AF Macro])
You can take pictures of a subject as close as 5 cm 
(0.16 feet) from the lens by rotating the zoom lever 
completely to Wide (1 k).
[]([Macro Zoom])
Use this setting to get close to the subject and then 
further enlarge when taking the picture.
You can take a picture with the Digital Zoom up to 3 k 
while maintaining the distance to the subject for the 
extreme Wide position [5 cm (0.16 feet)].
•
The image quality is poorer than during normal recording.•Zoom range will be displayed in blue. (Digital zoom range)
[OFF]
j 
						

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Recording
Applicable modes: 
Taking Pictures with the Self-timer
Press 2 [ë].
Press  3/4 to select the item and then press [MENU/SET].
Note
•When you press the shutter button once fully, the subject is automatically focused just before 
recording. In dark places, the Self-timer indi cator will blink and then may turn on brightly, 
operating as an AF Assist Lamp to allow the camera to focus on the subject.
•We recommend using a tripod when recording with the Self-timer.•The Self-timer cannot be set when recording motion pictures.
ItemDescription of settings
[] ([10sec.])
Picture is taken 10 seconds after shutter is pressed.
[]([2sec.])Picture is taken 2 seconds  after shutter is pressed.
•When using a tripod, etc., this setting is a convenient way to 
avoid the jitter caused by pressing the shutter button.
[OFF]
j
Press the shutter button halfway to focus 
and then press it fully to take the picture.
•The Self-timer indicator  A blinks and the shutter is 
activated after 10 seconds (or 2 seconds). 
						

							Recording
- 58 -
Applicable modes: 
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.
Note
•
EV is an abbreviation of [Exposure Value], a unit indicating the amount of exposure. The EV 
changes with the aperture value or the shutter speed.
•The set 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.
Underexposed Properly exposed Overexposed
Compensate the exposure 
towards positive. Compensate the exposure
towards negative.
Press 3 [È] until [Exposure] appears.
Press  2/1 to compensate the exposure and then 
press [MENU/SET].
•The exposure compensation value appears on the screen.•Select [0 EV] to return to the original exposure. 
						

							- 59 -
Recording
Applicable modes: 
Taking Pictures Using Auto Bracket
In this mode, 3 pictures are automatically recorded in the selected exposure 
compensation range each time the shutter button is pressed.
With Auto Bracket  d1EV
Note
•
When Auto Bracket is set, [ ] is displayed on the screen.•When taking pictures using Auto Bracket after setting the exposure compensation range, the 
pictures taken are based on the selected exposure compensation range.
When the exposure is compensated, the exposure compensation value appears on the lower 
left of the screen.
•The exposure may not be compensated with Auto Bracket depending on the brightness of the 
subject.
•[ Œ ] is set for the flash when Auto Bracket is set.•Setting of the Auto Bracket cannot be performed in following conditions.–In [Panorama Shot], [Handheld Night Shot] and [Photo Frame] in Scene Mode–When recording motion pictures  
1st picture 2nd picture 3rd picture
d 0EV j1EV i1EV
Press 3 [È] several times until [Auto Bracket] 
appears.
Press  2/1 to set the compensation range of the 
exposure and then press [MENU/SET].
•When you do not use Auto Bracket, select [OFF] (0). 
						

							Recording
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Recording Mode: 
Record pictures that look like dioramas 
(Miniature Effect Mode)
By creating areas that are blurred and areas that are not, the picture will look like that of a 
miniature model. Motion pictures can also be recorded with diorama effects that appear to 
be played back in fast forward.
Slide the REC/PLAY switch to [!], and then press [MODE].
Press  3/4/2/ 1 to select [Miniature Effect], and then press [MENU/
SET].
Note
•Display of the recording screen will be delayed mo re than usual and the screen will look as if 
frames are dropping.
•No sound is recorded in motion pictures.•Approximately 1/10 of the time period is recorded. (If you record for 10 minutes, the resulting 
motion picture recording will be approximately 1 minute long.)
The displayed available recording time is approximately 10 times. When switching to Recording 
Mode, please check the available recording time.
•When taking pictures of a large size, the screen may turn black after taking the picture because 
of signal processing. This is not a malfunction.