Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Zs15 Owners Manual For Advanced Features

							- 131 -
Q&A  Troubleshooting
Recording (continued)
Recorded pictures are blurred. Optical Image Stabilizer ineffective. ●Shutter speed is slower in dark locations and Optical Image Stabilizer is less effective. → Hold camera firmly with both hands, keeping arms close to body
.
 ●Use a tripod and the self-timer (→56) when using slower shutter speed with [Min. Shtr Speed].
Cannot use [Auto Bracket]. ●Only enough memory for 2 pictures or fewer.
Recorded pictures appear coarse, or there is interference. ●ISO Sensitivity is high, or shutter speed is low. (Default [Sensitivity] setting is [AUTO] – interference may appear with indoor pictures.) → Lower [Sensitivity] (→81). → T

ake pictures in brighter locations.
 ●Camera set to [High Sens.] Scene mode. (Picture becomes slightly coarser in response to high sensitivity)
Striping or flicker may appear under lighting such as fluorescent lighting 
and LED lighting fixture.
 ●This is characteristic of MOS sensors which serve as the camera’ s pickup sensors. 
This is not a malfunction.
Brightness or coloring of recorded picture different from real life. ●When recording under fluorescent or LED lighting fixture etc., increasing the shutter speed may 
introduce slight changes to brightness and color. These are a result of the characteristics of the light 
source and do not indicate a malfunction.
 ●When recording subjects in extremely bright locations or recording under fluorescent lighting, LED 
lighting fixture, mercury lamp, sodium lighting etc., the colors and screen brightness may change or 
horizontal striping may appear on the screen.
Reddish horizontal streaks appear on the LCD monitor during recording. ●This is characteristic of MOS sensors which serve as the camera’ s pickup sensors. It appears when 
the subject has a bright part. Some unevenness may occur in the surrounding areas, but this is not 
a malfunction. It is recorded in motion pictures but is not recorded on still pictures.
 ●It is recommended that you take pictures while taking care not to expose the screen to sunlight or 
any other source of strong light.
Motion picture recording stops midway. ●If [Rec Quality] of [AVCHD] motion pictures is set to [FSH], you can continuously record a motion 
picture for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds.
 ●You can continuously record a motion picture in [MP4] for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds or approx. 
4 GB. (In this case, you can continuously record a motion picture  in [FHD] for up to approx. 24 minutes 
43 seconds.)
 ●With some cards, access display may appear briefly after recording, and recording may end midway. ●If recording stops even when using a card of the recommended speed class (→16), the data writing 
speed has dropped. If this happens, we recommend backing up the data on the memory card and 
formatting it (→48).
Panorama picture recording stops before finishing. ●If the pan motion of the camera is too slow, the camera assumes that the operation has been 
aborted and stops recording. 
 ●If the pan motion of the camera is too shaky when it is moved toward the recording direction, the 
camera stops recording.  
→ 
 To record panorama pictures, pan the camera in a small circular motion parallel to the recording 
direction at a speed of approx. 8 seconds per revolution (guideline).
The subject cannot be locked. (AF track fails) ●If the color of the subject is similar to that of its background,  AF Tracking may not function. Set the 
AF area to those colors specific to the subject by aligning that area with the  AF area.  
						

							- 132 -
Q&A  Troubleshooting
LCD monitor 
Brightness is unstable. ●Aperture value is set while shutter button is pressed halfway.   (Does not affect recorded picture.) This symptom may also occur when the brightness changes 
because the zoom is operated or the camera is moved. This is the automatic aperture operation of 
the camera and is not a malfunction.
Monitor flickers indoors. ●The LCD monitor may flicker for a few seconds after turning on.  This is an operation to correct 
flicker caused by lighting such as fluorescent lights, LED lights etc. and is not a malfunction.
Monitor is too bright/too dark. ●[LCD Mode] is activated (→43) ●Use [LCD Display] to adjust the brightness of the LCD monitor. (→43)
Black/blue/red/green dots or interference appears. Monitor looks distorted when 
touched.
 ●This is not a fault, and will not be recorded on the actual pictures.
Flash
No flash emitted. ●Flash set to  [Forced Flash Off] (→52). ●The flash becomes unavailable in the following cases : • [Auto Bracket] • [Burst] (However, when  [Flash Burst] is selected, the flash is fixed to  [Forced Flash On].) • Scene Modes ([Scenery] [Panorama Shot] [Night Scenery] [Handheld Night Shot] [HDR] [Sunset]  [Glass Through])
 • [3D Photo Mode] • [Creative Control] Mode
Multiple flashes are emitted. ●Red-eye reduction is active (→52). (Flashes twice to prevent eyes appearing red.) ●[Burst] is set to [Flash Burst] (→72).  
						

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Q&A  Troubleshooting
Playback
Pictures have been rotated. ●[Rotate Disp.] is activated (→48)
Cannot view pictures. There are no recorded pictures. ●REC/PLAY switch is not set to  (play). ●No pictures in built-in memory or card (pictures played from card if inserted, from built-in memory if 
not).
 ●Has the file name of the picture been changed on a computer? If so, it cannot be played back on the 
camera.
 ●The [Playback Mode] has been changed. → Set [Playback Mode] to [Normal Play] (→95).
Folder/file number displayed as [-]. Picture is black. ●Picture edited on computer or taken on different device. ●Battery removed immediately after picture taken, or picture taken with low battery . → Use [Format] to delete (→48).
Incorrect date displayed in Calendar Playback. ●Picture edited on computer or taken on different device. ●[Clock Set] is incorrect (→18). 
(Incorrect date may be displayed in Calendar Playback on pictures copied to computer and then 
back to camera, if computer and camera dates differ.)
White round spots like soap bubbles appear on the recorded picture. ●If you take a picture with the flash in a dark place or indoors, white round spots may 
appear on the picture caused by the flash reflecting particles of dust in the air. This is 
not a fault. A characteristic of this is that the number of round spots and their position 
differ in every picture.
[Thumbnail is displayed] is shown on the screen. ●The pictures may have been recorded on another device. If so, they may be displayed with poor 
picture quality.  
						

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Q&A  Troubleshooting
Playback (continued)
Blacken red areas of recorded pictures. ●When digital red-eye correction (, ) is operating, if a subject is recorded that has skin-
colored areas with red areas inside, the digital red-eye correction function may blacken the red 
areas.
 →  We recommend

 setting the flash to 
,  or , or [Red-Eye Removal] to [OFF] before 
recording.
Sounds of camera operations such as zoom will be recorded in motion pictures. ●Camera operation sounds may be recorded as camera automatically adjusts lens aperture during 
motion picture recording; this is not a fault.
Motion pictures taken by this camera cannot be played in other cameras.  ●When motion pictures recorded in [AVCHD] or [MP4] are played back, they may be displayed with 
poor picture quality or sound quality or may not be played back at all even if an  AVCHD or MP4 
compatible device is used. Also, there might be a case that a recording information does not display 
correctly.
TV, computer, printer
No image appears on TV. Image blurred or not colored. ●Not connected correctly (→110). ●The television has not been switched to auxiliary input. 
TV screen display different to LCD monitor. ●Aspect ratio may be incorrect or edges may be cut off with certain televisions.
Cannot play motion pictures on TV. ●Card is inserted into TV. →  Connect with  AV cable (optional) or HDMI mini cable (optional) and play on camera (→110).
Picture is not displayed on full TV screen. ●Check [TV Aspect] settings (→47).
VIERA Link (HDMI) is not working. ●Is the HDMI mini cable (optional) connected correctly? (→110) → Check that the HDMI mini cable (optional) is fully inserted. ●Is the camera’s [VIERA Link] setting set to [ON]? (→47) →  The input setting may not be able to be changed automatically with certain television HDMI 
sockets. In this case, please change the input setting with your television’ s remote control 
(consult your television’
s operating instructions for details).
 → Check the VIERA Link (HDMI) settings on the device you are connecting to. → T

urn the camera’s power off and on again.
 →  Turn the “VIERA

 Link control (HDMI device control)” setting on your television (VIERA) to off and 
then to on again. (Consult your VIERA’s operating instructions for details.)  
						

							- 135 -
Q&A  Troubleshooting
TV, computer, printer (continued)
Cannot communicate with the computer. ●Not connected correctly (→119). ●Check whether computer has recognized camera. ●Set [USB Mode] to [PC] (→46). ●Turn the camera off, then on again immediately after charging has completed.
Computer does not recognize card (only reads built-in memory). ●Disconnect USB connection cable (supplied) and reconnect with card in place.
Computer does not recognize card. (When using an SDXC Memory Cards) →  Check whether your computer is compatible with SDXC Memory Cards. 
http://panasonic.net/avc/sdcard/information/SDXC.html
 →  A message prom

pting you to format the card may appear when you connect it. Do not format the 
card.
 →  If the [Access] indicator on the LCD m

onitor does not go off, turn off the camera’s power before 
disconnecting the USB connection cable.
Uploading to YouTube or Facebook cannot be performed properly. →  Confirm that the login information (login ID, user name, e-mail address and password) is correct. →  Confirm that the computer is connected to the Internet. →  Confirm that the resident software (such as anti-virus software and the firewall, etc.) is not 
blocking access to 

YouTube or Facebook.
 →  Check the Y

ouTube or Facebook site.
Cannot print when connecting to printer. ●Printer not compatible with PictBridge. ●Set [USB Mode] to [PictBridge(PTP)] (→46). 
The edges of pictures are cut off when printing. ●Release any trimming or edgeless printing settings on printer before printing. (Consult printer operating manual.) ●The pictures were recorded in  aspect ratio. → If printing in shop, check if 16:9 sizes can be printed.
Cannot print panorama pictures successfully. ●The aspect ratio of panorama pictures is different from that of regular still pictures, and some 
panorama pictures may not be printed correctly.
 → Use a printer with support for panorama pictures. (Refer to the instruction manual for the printer
 .)
 →  We recommend

 adjusting the size of a picture in accordance with print paper using the 
“PHOTOfunSTUDIO” software on the CD-ROM (supplied).  
						

							- 136 -
Q&A  Troubleshooting
Others
Menu not displayed in desired language. ●Change [Language] setting (→49).
Camera rattles if shaken. ●This sound is made by the lens movement and is not a fault.
Red lamp illuminated when pressing shutter button halfway in dark locations. ●[AF Assist Lamp] is set to [ON] (→88).
AF Assist Lamp is not illuminated. ●[AF Assist Lamp] is set to [OFF] (→88). ●Not illuminated in bright locations.
Camera is hot. ●Camera may become a little warm during use, but this does not affect performance or quality.
Lens makes a clicking noise. ●When brightness changes, the lens may make a clicking noise and the monitor brightness may also 
change, but this is due to aperture settings being made.
 (Does not af

fect recording.)
Clock is incorrect. ●Camera has been left for a long period. → Reset the clock (→19). ●A long time was taken to set the clock (clock will be behind by the same lapse of time).
When using zoom, picture becomes slightly warped and the edges of the subject 
become colored.
 ●Pictures may be slightly warped or colored around the edges, depending on the zoom ratio, but this 
is not a fault.
Zoom movement stops momentarily. ●The zoom movement stops momentarily during Extended Optical Zoom operation, but this is not a 
malfunction.
Zoom does not reach the maximum ratio. ●If the zoom ratio stops at 3 x, [Macro Zoom] has been set. (→54)
File numbers are not recorded in sequence. ●File numbers are reset when new folders are created (→120).
File numbers have jumped backwards. ●Battery was removed/inserted with power on. (Numbers may jump backwards if folde r/file numbers are not correctly recorded.)
When no operation is performed for a while, the demo is suddenly displayed. ●This is the Automatic Demo Mode that introduces the features of this camera.  
Press [MENU/SET] to return to the previous screen.  
						

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Usage cautions and notes
When in use
 ●Camera may become warm if used for long periods of time, but this is not a fault. ●Keep this unit as far away as possible from electromagnetic equipment (such as microwave 
ovens, TVs, video games etc.).
 • If you use this unit on top of or near a TV
, the pictures and/or sound on this unit may be disrupted 
by electromagnetic wave radiation. 
 • Do not use this unit near cell phones because doing so may result in noise adversely affecting the  pictures and/or sound. 
 • Recorded data may be damaged, or pictures may be distorted, by strong magnetic fields created by speakers or large motors. 
 • Electromagnetic wave radiation generated by microprocessors may adversely affect this unit, disturbing the pictures and/or sound. 
 • If this unit is adversely affected by electromagnetic equipment and stops functioning properly, turn this unit of

f and remove the battery or disconnect AC adaptor (supplied). Then reinsert the battery 
or reconnect AC adaptor and turn this unit on. 
 Do not use this un

it near radio transmitters or high-voltage lines.
 • If you record near radio transmitters or high-voltage lines, the recorded pictures and/or sound may be adversely affected.
 ●Do not extend the supplied cord or cable. ●Do not allow camera to come into contact with pesticides or volatile substances (can cause surface 
damage or coating to peel).
 ●Never leave the camera and the battery in a car or on a car hood in the summer . 
It may cause leakage of the battery electrolyte, a generation of heat, and may cause a fire and the 
battery to burst due to the high temperature.
Caring for your camera
To clean your camera, remove the battery or disconnect the power plug from the outlet, and wipe with 
a soft, dry cloth.
 ●Use a damp cloth to remove stubborn stains, before wiping with a dry cloth. ●Do not use benzine, thinners, alcohol, or kitchen detergent, as these may damage the outer casing 
and finish of the camera.
 ●If using a chemically-treated cloth, read the supplied instructions carefully . ●Do not touch the lens barrier. 
When not using for a while
 ●Turn off camera power before removing battery and card (ensure that battery is removed to prevent 
damage through over-discharge).
 ●Do not leave in contact with rubber or plastic bags. ●Store together with a drying agent (silica gel) if leaving in drawer, etc. Store batteries in cool (15 °C 
to 25 °C (59 °F to 77 °F)) places with low humidity (40%RH - 60%RH) and no major temperature 
changes.
 ●Charge battery once per year and use completely before storing again.  
						

							- 138 -
Usage cautions and notes
Memory cards
 ●To prevent damage to cards and data • Avoid high temperatures, direct sunlight, electromagnetic waves, and static electricity. • Do not bend, drop, or expose to strong impacts. • Do not touch terminals on reverse of card or allow them to become dirty or wet. ●When disposing of/transferring memory cards • If using the “format” or “delete” functions on your camera or computer, this only changes the file management information, and does not completely delete the data from within the memory card. 
When disposing of or transferring your memory cards, we recommend physically destroying the 
memory card itself, or using commercially available computer data erasing software to completely 
delete the data from the card. Data within memory cards should be managed responsibly .
LCD Monitor
 ●Do not press hard on the LCD monitor. This may cause uneven display and damage the monitor.  ●In cold climates or other situations when the camera becomes cold, the LCD monitor may appear 
slightly darker than normal immediately after the camera is turned on. Normal brightness will return 
once the internal components have warmed up.
Extremely high precision technology is employed to produce the LCD monitor screen. However 
there may be some dark or bright spots (red, blue or green) on the screen. This is not a 
malfunction. The LCD monitor screen has more than 99.99% effective pixels with a mere 0.01% of 
the pixels inactive or always lit. The spots will not be recorded on pictures on the built-in memory 
or a card.
About charging the battery
 ●The time required for charging varies depending on conditions of battery usage. Charging takes 
longer at high or low temperatures and when the battery has not been used in some time.
 ●Battery will be warm during charging and for some time thereafter . ●Battery will run out if not used for long periods of time, even after being charged. ●Do not leave any metal items (such as clips) near the contact areas of the power plug.   
Otherwise, a fire and/or electric shocks may be caused by short-circuiting or the resulting heat 
generated.
 ●Frequently charging up battery is not recommended. 
(Frequently charging battery reduces maximum usage time and can cause battery to expand.)
 ●If available battery power is significantly reduced, battery is reaching end of lifespan. Please 
purchase a new battery.
 ●When charging: • Wipe dirt from the battery terminal with a dry cloth. • Keep at least 1 m (3.3 feet) away from AM radio (may cause radio interference). ●Do not use a damaged or dented battery (especially connectors), e.g. by dropping (can cause 
faults).  
						

							- 139 -
Usage cautions and notes
About AC adaptor (supplied)
 ●Keep at least 1 m (3.3 feet) away from AM radio (may cause radio interference). ●The AC adaptor (supplied) may generate whirring sounds when it is being used. This is not a 
malfunction.
 ●After use, be sure to disconnect the power supply device from the electrical outlet. (A very small 
amount of current is consumed if it is left connected.)
Lens
 ●If lens is dirty:  
Images may appear slightly white if lens is dirty (fingerprints, etc.).  Turn the power on, hold the 
extracted lens barrel with your fingers, and gently wipe the lens surface with a soft, dry cloth.
 ●Do not leave the lens exposed to direct sunlight. ●Do not touch the lens barrier, as this may damage lens. Be careful when removing camera from 
bag, etc.
When using a tripod or unipod
 ●Do not apply excessive force or tighten screws when they are crooked. (This may damage the 
camera, screw hole, or label.)
 ●Ensure that the tripod is stable. (Refer to the tripod instructions.) ●You may not be able to remove the card or the battery when using a tripod or unipod.
About 3D viewing
 ●Anyone who is hypersensitive to light, suffers from heart disease or is otherwise unwell should avoid 
viewing 3D pictures.
 • Viewing 3D pictures may have an adverse ef

fect to the individual.
 ●If you feel tired, uncomfortable or otherwise strange when viewing 3D pictures, stop viewing at once. • Continuing to view may cause illness. • After stopping viewing, please rest appropriately. ●When viewing 3D pictures, we recommend taking a break every 30 to 60 minutes. • Viewing for extended periods may cause eye-fatigue. ●Short-sighted or long-sighted persons, those with differences in the sight of their right and left eyes, 
and those with astigmatism are advised to correct their vision by wearing glasses etc.  
Stop viewing if you can clearly see a double image while viewing 3D pictures.
 • There are differences in the way that dif

ferent people experience 3D pictures. Please correct your 
sight appropriately before viewing 3D pictures.
 • You can change the 3D setting of your television or 3D output setting of the unit to 2D.  
						

							- 140 -
Usage cautions and notes
Personal Information
If names or birthdays are set in [Baby] Mode or in the [Face Recog.] function, keep in mind that the 
camera and recorded pictures will contain personal information.
 ●Disclaimer • Data containing personal information can be altered or lost due to malfunction, static electricity, accidents, breakdowns, repairs, or other operations. 
Panasonic will not be liable for any damage that occurs, direct or indirect, as a result of the 
alteration or loss of data containing personal information.
 ●When ordering repairs or transferring/disposing of the camera • To protect your personal information, please reset the settings. (→46) • If any pictures are contained in the built-in memory, copy (→109) them to a memory card if necessary

, and then format (→48) the built-in memory.
 • Remove the memory card from the camera. • When ordering repairs, the built-in memory and other settings may be returned to the initial purchase state.
 • If the above operations cannot be performed because of a camera malfunction, consult with the dealer or nearest Service Center.
When transferring or disposing of your memory card, see “When disposing of/transferring 
memory cards” in the previous section. (→138)