Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Zs7 Operating Instructions For Advanced Features

							30   VQT2R20VQT2R20   31
 
Basic shooting operationPlease set the Clock before shooting (→17).
Holding the camera
 Mode dial
For the operating procedures for the DMC-ZS6/DMC-ZS5 ( →32)
Shutter button
Motion picture button  • Motion pictures can be recorded immediately by pressing the 
motion picture button.
Turn on the power
Set to  
 :  Still pictures and motion  pictures can be taken.
 :  The captured still pictures and motion pictures can be 
played back.
Set to the desired Recording Mode 
Set to the mode you plan to use 
Aim the camera and shoot
Recording motion pictures
Press the motion picture button
Press the motion picture button to 
start recording
Press the motion picture button 
again to finish recording
 • Motion pictures cannot be recorded in  
([CLIPBOARD] Mode). (→110)
Taking still pictures
Press the shutter button
Gently press the shutter button
Press halfway 
(Adjust the focus)
Press and hold the shutter button 
to take the picture
Press fully
Flash AF Assist  Lamp
 • Stand with your arms close to your body and with 
your legs apart.
 • Do not touch the lens.
 • Do not block the microphone when recording audio.  (→9)
 • Do not block the flash or the lamp. Do not look at it  from close range.
 • Make sure that the camera does not move at the  moment the shutter button is pressed. 
[INTELLIGENT AUTO] 
ModeTake pictures with automatic settings ( →34).
[PROGRAM AE] Mode Record pictures with your own settings. ( →37) 
[APERTURE-PRIORITY] 
ModeDetermine aperture, then record pictures. 
(→56) 
[SHUTTER-PRIORITY] 
ModeDetermine shutter speed, then record 
pictures. (→57) 
[MANUAL EXPOSURE] 
ModeDetermine aperture and shutter speed, then 
record pictures. (→58) 
[CUSTOM] ModeRecord pictures using pre-registered settings. 
(→59) 
∗∗
[MY SCN MODE]
∗  
Sometimes referred to as  
in this manual. Take pictures in frequently-used Scene 
Modes (→71).
[SCENE MODE]Take pictures according to scene (
→61).
[CLIPBOARD] ModeTake pictures as memos (→110). 
						

							32   VQT2R20VQT2R20   33
 
Basic shooting operation
Holding the camera
 Mode dial
For the operating procedures for the DMC-ZS7 (→30)
Please set the Clock before shooting (→19).
Turn on the power
Set to  
 :  Still pictures and motion 
pictures can be taken.
 :  The captured still pictures and motion pictures can be 
played back.
Set to the desired Recording Mode 
Set to the mode you plan to use 
Aim the camera and shoot
Shutter button
Recording motion pictures 
( only)
Press the shutter button Gently press the shutter button
Press halfway 
(Adjust the focus)
Press and hold the shutter button 
to begin recording 
Press fully
Press the shutter button again to 
finish recording
Press fully
Taking still pictures
Press the shutter button
Gently press the shutter button
Press halfway 
(Adjust the focus)
Press and hold the shutter button 
to take the picture
Press fully
Flash AF Assist  Lamp
 • Stand with your arms close to your body and with 
your legs apart.
 • Do not touch the lens.
 • Do not block the microphone when recording audio.  (→10)
 • Do not block the flash or the lamp. Do not look at it  from close range.
 • Make sure that the camera does not move at the  moment the shutter button is pressed. 
[INTELLIGENT AUTO] 
ModeTake pictures with automatic settings ( →34).
[PROGRAM AE] Mode Record pictures with your own settings. ( →37) 
[APERTURE-PRIORITY] 
ModeDetermine aperture, then record pictures. 
(→56) 
[SHUTTER-PRIORITY] 
ModeDetermine shutter speed, then record 
pictures. (→57) 
[MANUAL EXPOSURE] 
ModeDetermine aperture and shutter speed, then 
record pictures. (→58) 
[CUSTOM] ModeRecord pictures using pre-registered settings. 
(→59) 
[MY SCENE MODE]Take pictures in frequently-used Scene 
Modes (→71).
[SCENE MODE]Take pictures according to scene (→61).
[MOTION PICTURE] ModeTake motion pictures (→76).
[CLIPBOARD] ModeTake pictures as memos (→110).
The illustration shows the DMC-ZS5. 
						

							32   VQT2R20VQT2R20   33
 
Basic shooting operation
Holding the camera
 Mode dial
For the operating procedures for the DMC-ZS7 (→30)
Please set the Clock before shooting (→19).
Turn on the power
Set to  
 :  Still pictures and motion 
pictures can be taken.
 :  The captured still pictures and motion pictures can be 
played back.
Set to the desired Recording Mode 
Set to the mode you plan to use 
Aim the camera and shoot
Shutter button
Recording motion pictures 
( only)
Press the shutter button Gently press the shutter button
Press halfway 
(Adjust the focus)
Press and hold the shutter button 
to begin recording 
Press fully
Press the shutter button again to 
finish recording
Press fully
Taking still pictures
Press the shutter button
Gently press the shutter button
Press halfway 
(Adjust the focus)
Press and hold the shutter button 
to take the picture
Press fully
Flash AF Assist  Lamp
 • Stand with your arms close to your body and with 
your legs apart.
 • Do not touch the lens.
 • Do not block the microphone when recording audio.  (→10)
 • Do not block the flash or the lamp. Do not look at it  from close range.
 • Make sure that the camera does not move at the  moment the shutter button is pressed. 
[INTELLIGENT AUTO] 
ModeTake pictures with automatic settings ( →34).
[PROGRAM AE] Mode Record pictures with your own settings. ( →37) 
[APERTURE-PRIORITY] 
ModeDetermine aperture, then record pictures. 
(→56) 
[SHUTTER-PRIORITY] 
ModeDetermine shutter speed, then record 
pictures. (→57) 
[MANUAL EXPOSURE] 
ModeDetermine aperture and shutter speed, then 
record pictures. (→58) 
[CUSTOM] ModeRecord pictures using pre-registered settings. 
(→59) 
[MY SCENE MODE]Take pictures in frequently-used Scene 
Modes (→71).
[SCENE MODE]Take pictures according to scene (→61).
[MOTION PICTURE] ModeTake motion pictures (→76).
[CLIPBOARD] ModeTake pictures as memos (→110).
The illustration shows the DMC-ZS5. 
						

							34   VQT2R20VQT2R20   35
 
Taking pictures with automatic settings
[INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode
Recording Mode: 
 
■To use flash 
Select either  (Auto) or  (Forced Flash Off).
 • When  is used, ,  (Auto/Red-Eye Reduction),  (Slow Sync./Red-Eye Reduction) and  (Slow 
Sync.) are selected automatically according to the subject 
type and brightness. For details ( →47).
 •
 and  indicate that digital red-eye correction is 
activated.
 • The shutter speed is slower in 
 and .
 
●Focus range (→51). 
●The following menu items may be set in [INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode:
 • ([REC] menu): [PICTURE SIZE] ∗1, [BURST], [COLOR EFFECT] ∗1, [FACE RECOG.] • ([MOTION PICTURE] menu) :  [REC MODE], [REC QUALITY] ∗1
 • ([TRAVEL MODE] menu): [GPS SETTING] ,[GPS AREA  SELECT] , [AREA 
INFO. SET] , [TRAVEL DATE], [AUTO CLOCK SET] , [WORLD TIME]
 • ([SETUP] menu ∗2): [CLOCK SET], [BEEP] ∗1, [LANGUAGE], [STABILIZER DEMO.]
∗1  Items that may be set differ from other Recording Modes.
∗2  Other items on the [SETUP] menu will reflect settings made in [PROGRAM AE] 
Mode, etc.
 
● According to the following conditions, different scene types may be determined for the 
same subject.
Face contrast, conditions of subject (size, distance, coloring, contras\
t, movement), 
zoom ratio, sunset, sunrise, low brightness, jitter
 
●If desired scene type is not selected, we recommend manually selecting t\
he appropriate 
Recording Mode. (Scene Mode:  →61)
 
●Backlight compensation:
Backlight refers to the light that shines from behind the subject. When \
this occurs, the 
subject appears darker, and so backlighting is automatically corrected by increasing the 
brightness of the entire image.
 
●We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer with [i NIGHT SCENERY] and 
[i NIGHT PORTRAIT].
 
●When jitter is small (e.g. using tripod) with [i NIGHT SCENERY], shutter speed can 
reach a maximum of 8 seconds. Do not move the camera.
 
●The settings for the following functions are fixed:
 • [AUTO REVIEW]: [2 SEC.] • [SLEEP MODE]: [5 MIN.] • [GUIDE LINE]:  
 • [WHITE BALANCE]: [AWB] • [QUALITY]:  (Fine) • [INTELLIGENT ISO]  • [STABILIZER]: [AUTO] • [AF MODE]:  (Face Detection) ∗3 
 • [AF ASSIST LAMP]: [ON] • [PRE AF]: [Q-AF] • [METERING MODE]:  (Multiple)
 • [I.EXPOSURE]: [STANDARD] • [I.RESOLUTION]: [i.ZOOM]
 • [RED-EYE REMOVAL]: [ON] • [CONTINUOUS AF]: [ON] • [WIND CUT]: [OFF]
∗
3  (11-area-focusing) when face cannot be recognized 
●The following functions cannot be used:
[HISTOGRAM], [EXPOSURE], [AUTO BRACKET], [MULTI ASPECT], 
[WB ADJUST.], [DIGITAL ZOOM], [MIN. SHTR SPEED], [AUDIO REC.]
Turn on the power
Set to  
Set to  ([INTELLIGENT AUTO]  Mode)
Take a picture
Press halfway 
(press lightly to focus)Press fully 
(press the button all the  way to record)
Optimum settings are made automatically from information such as ‘fac\
e’, ‘movement’, 
‘brightness’, and ‘distance’ just by pointing the camera at the subject, meaning that clear 
pictures can be taken without the need to make settings manually.
 
■To take motion pictures  (→72)
 
■Automatic Scene Detection
Camera reads scene when pointed at subject, and makes optimum settings 
automatically.
Recognizes people [i PORTRAIT] 
Recognizes babies [i BABY] (When babies (under 3 years) that are regi\
stered with the 
Face Recognition function are recognized)
Recognizes landscapes [i SCENERY]
Recognizes night scenes and people in them [i NIGHT PORTRAIT]
(Only when  is selected)
Recognizes night scenes [i NIGHT SCENERY]
Recognizes close-ups [i MACRO]
Recognizes sunsets [i SUNSET]
Reads subject movement to avoid blurring when scene does not correspond \
to any of the 
above.
Shutter button
Focus display
(when focus aligned: 
flashing  → illuminated)
Recognized scene icon displayed in blue 
for 2 sec. 
						

							34   VQT2R20VQT2R20   35
 
Taking pictures with automatic settings
[INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode
Recording Mode: 
 
■To use flash 
Select either  (Auto) or  (Forced Flash Off).
 • When  is used, ,  (Auto/Red-Eye Reduction),  (Slow Sync./Red-Eye Reduction) and  (Slow 
Sync.) are selected automatically according to the subject 
type and brightness. For details ( →47).
 •
 and  indicate that digital red-eye correction is 
activated.
 • The shutter speed is slower in 
 and .
 
●Focus range (→51). 
●The following menu items may be set in [INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode:
 • ([REC] menu): [PICTURE SIZE] ∗1, [BURST], [COLOR EFFECT] ∗1, [FACE RECOG.] • ([MOTION PICTURE] menu) :  [REC MODE], [REC QUALITY] ∗1
 • ([TRAVEL MODE] menu): [GPS SETTING] ,[GPS AREA  SELECT] , [AREA 
INFO. SET] , [TRAVEL DATE], [AUTO CLOCK SET] , [WORLD TIME]
 • ([SETUP] menu ∗2): [CLOCK SET], [BEEP] ∗1, [LANGUAGE], [STABILIZER DEMO.]
∗1  Items that may be set differ from other Recording Modes.
∗2  Other items on the [SETUP] menu will reflect settings made in [PROGRAM AE] 
Mode, etc.
 
● According to the following conditions, different scene types may be determined for the 
same subject.
Face contrast, conditions of subject (size, distance, coloring, contras\
t, movement), 
zoom ratio, sunset, sunrise, low brightness, jitter
 
●If desired scene type is not selected, we recommend manually selecting t\
he appropriate 
Recording Mode. (Scene Mode:  →61)
 
●Backlight compensation:
Backlight refers to the light that shines from behind the subject. When \
this occurs, the 
subject appears darker, and so backlighting is automatically corrected by increasing the 
brightness of the entire image.
 
●We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer with [i NIGHT SCENERY] and 
[i NIGHT PORTRAIT].
 
●When jitter is small (e.g. using tripod) with [i NIGHT SCENERY], shutter speed can 
reach a maximum of 8 seconds. Do not move the camera.
 
●The settings for the following functions are fixed:
 • [AUTO REVIEW]: [2 SEC.] • [SLEEP MODE]: [5 MIN.] • [GUIDE LINE]:  
 • [WHITE BALANCE]: [AWB] • [QUALITY]:  (Fine) • [INTELLIGENT ISO]  • [STABILIZER]: [AUTO] • [AF MODE]:  (Face Detection) ∗3 
 • [AF ASSIST LAMP]: [ON] • [PRE AF]: [Q-AF] • [METERING MODE]:  (Multiple)
 • [I.EXPOSURE]: [STANDARD] • [I.RESOLUTION]: [i.ZOOM]
 • [RED-EYE REMOVAL]: [ON] • [CONTINUOUS AF]: [ON] • [WIND CUT]: [OFF]
∗
3  (11-area-focusing) when face cannot be recognized 
●The following functions cannot be used:
[HISTOGRAM], [EXPOSURE], [AUTO BRACKET], [MULTI ASPECT], 
[WB ADJUST.], [DIGITAL ZOOM], [MIN. SHTR SPEED], [AUDIO REC.]
Turn on the power
Set to  
Set to  ([INTELLIGENT AUTO]  Mode)
Take a picture
Press halfway 
(press lightly to focus)Press fully 
(press the button all the  way to record)
Optimum settings are made automatically from information such as ‘fac\
e’, ‘movement’, 
‘brightness’, and ‘distance’ just by pointing the camera at the subject, meaning that clear 
pictures can be taken without the need to make settings manually.
 
■To take motion pictures  (→72)
 
■Automatic Scene Detection
Camera reads scene when pointed at subject, and makes optimum settings 
automatically.
Recognizes people [i PORTRAIT] 
Recognizes babies [i BABY] (When babies (under 3 years) that are regi\
stered with the 
Face Recognition function are recognized)
Recognizes landscapes [i SCENERY]
Recognizes night scenes and people in them [i NIGHT PORTRAIT]
(Only when  is selected)
Recognizes night scenes [i NIGHT SCENERY]
Recognizes close-ups [i MACRO]
Recognizes sunsets [i SUNSET]
Reads subject movement to avoid blurring when scene does not correspond \
to any of the 
above.
Shutter button
Focus display
(when focus aligned: 
flashing  → illuminated)
Recognized scene icon displayed in blue 
for 2 sec. 
						

							36   VQT2R20VQT2R20   37
Taking pictures with automatic settings
[INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode (Continued)
Recording Mode: 
 
Taking pictures with your own settings
[PROGRAM AE] Mode
Recording Mode: 
About Happy colors
If [COLOR EFFECT] is set to[Happy], both still and motion pictures are c\
learer, with more 
vivid coloring.
 • [Happy] can only be set in  [INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode. 
When setting [Happy] 
Face Detection and Face Recognition
If the camera automatically identifies the scene and determines that peo\
ple appear 
as subjects in the picture ( or ), Face Detection is activated, and the focus and 
exposure are adjusted for the recognized faces. ( →99)
 
■Face Recognition
The faces of people who are taken frequently can be registered together \
with their 
names, ages, and other information.
If pictures are taken with [FACE RECOG.] ( →78) set to [ON], priority is given to the focus 
and exposure adjustments of the faces close to those that have been regi\
stered. Also, 
the camera memorizes detected faces during Face Detection, automatically\
 recognizes 
faces which are taken frequently, and displays them on the face registration screen.
 AF Tracking
Even if a subject, where the focus was locked (AF Lock) moves, the cam\
era can continue 
to keep it in focus. 
Set [AF MODE] to AF Tracking • To cancel AF Tracking → Press ▲  again.
AF Tracking frame
Align the AF Tracking frame with the subject, and then lock. • To cancel AF Lock → Press ▲.
 • The optimum scene is detected for the subject  where the focus was locked (AF Lock).
AF Lock successful: Yellow
AF Lock failed: Red (flash)
 
●Face Recognition will be inactive while using AF Tracking. 
●If AF Lock is not successful for certain objects (→100).
 
■To take motion pictures 
(→72)
 
■To use zoom
(→39)
 
■To use flash
(→47)
 
■To adjust picture brightness
(→53)
 
■To take close-up pictures
(→49)
 
■To adjust coloring
(→98)
 
●If a warning is displayed about jitter, use 
[STABILIZER], a tripod, or [SELFTIMER].
 
● If aperture and shutter speed are shown in red, you do 
not have appropriate exposure. You should either use 
the flash, change [SENSITIVITY] settings or set [MIN. 
SHTR SPEED] to a slower speed.
Aperture value Shutter speed Jitter alert 
display
Using the [REC] menu to change settings and set up your own recording en\
vironment.
Turn on the power
Set to 
Set to  ([PROGRAM AE] Mode)
Take a picture
Press halfway 
(press lightly to focus)Press fully 
(press the button all the  way to record)
Focus display
(when focus is aligned: 
flashing  → illuminated)
AF area
(aligns focus with subject; 
when complete: red  → green)
Shutter buttonZoom lever 
						

							36   VQT2R20VQT2R20   37
Taking pictures with automatic settings
[INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode (Continued)
Recording Mode: 
 
Taking pictures with your own settings
[PROGRAM AE] Mode
Recording Mode: 
About Happy colors
If [COLOR EFFECT] is set to[Happy], both still and motion pictures are c\
learer, with more 
vivid coloring.
 • [Happy] can only be set in  [INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode. 
When setting [Happy] 
Face Detection and Face Recognition
If the camera automatically identifies the scene and determines that peo\
ple appear 
as subjects in the picture ( or ), Face Detection is activated, and the focus and 
exposure are adjusted for the recognized faces. ( →99)
 
■Face Recognition
The faces of people who are taken frequently can be registered together \
with their 
names, ages, and other information.
If pictures are taken with [FACE RECOG.] ( →78) set to [ON], priority is given to the focus 
and exposure adjustments of the faces close to those that have been regi\
stered. Also, 
the camera memorizes detected faces during Face Detection, automatically\
 recognizes 
faces which are taken frequently, and displays them on the face registration screen.
 AF Tracking
Even if a subject, where the focus was locked (AF Lock) moves, the cam\
era can continue 
to keep it in focus. 
Set [AF MODE] to AF Tracking • To cancel AF Tracking → Press ▲  again.
AF Tracking frame
Align the AF Tracking frame with the subject, and then lock. • To cancel AF Lock → Press ▲.
 • The optimum scene is detected for the subject  where the focus was locked (AF Lock).
AF Lock successful: Yellow
AF Lock failed: Red (flash)
 
●Face Recognition will be inactive while using AF Tracking. 
●If AF Lock is not successful for certain objects (→100).
 
■To take motion pictures 
(→72)
 
■To use zoom
(→39)
 
■To use flash
(→47)
 
■To adjust picture brightness
(→53)
 
■To take close-up pictures
(→49)
 
■To adjust coloring
(→98)
 
●If a warning is displayed about jitter, use 
[STABILIZER], a tripod, or [SELFTIMER].
 
● If aperture and shutter speed are shown in red, you do 
not have appropriate exposure. You should either use 
the flash, change [SENSITIVITY] settings or set [MIN. 
SHTR SPEED] to a slower speed.
Aperture value Shutter speed Jitter alert 
display
Using the [REC] menu to change settings and set up your own recording en\
vironment.
Turn on the power
Set to 
Set to  ([PROGRAM AE] Mode)
Take a picture
Press halfway 
(press lightly to focus)Press fully 
(press the button all the  way to record)
Focus display
(when focus is aligned: 
flashing  → illuminated)
AF area
(aligns focus with subject; 
when complete: red  → green)
Shutter buttonZoom lever 
						

							38   VQT2R20VQT2R20   39
Taking pictures with your own settings
[PROGRAM AE] Mode (Continued)
Recording Mode: 
 
Taking pictures with zoom
Recording Mode:               
Align focus for desired composition
Useful when subject is not in center of picture.
First adjust focus according to subject
Hold down halfway
Align the AF area with the subject
AF area
 
●Subjects/environments which may 
make focusing difficult:
 • Fast-moving or extremely bright objects, or objects with no color 
contrast.
 • Taking pictures through glass or near  objects emitting light. In dark, or with 
significant jitter.
 • When too close to object or when  taking pictures of both distant and 
close objects together in the same 
picture.
 
●We recommend using the ‘Face 
Detection’ function when taking 
pictures of people ( →99).
Return to desired composition
Press fully
AF area
Orientation detection function
Still pictures taken with the camera held vertically are automatically p\
layed back vertically. 
(Only when [ROTATE DISP.] is set to [ON])
 
●Still pictures taken with the lens surface facing directly up or down an\
d still pictures 
taken on other cameras may not be rotated. Additionally, still pictures taken while 
holding the camera upside down are not rotated automatically.
 
●Motion pictures are not displayed vertically.
Zoom In/Out
Capture a 
wider area 
(wide-angle) Enlarge 
the subject 
(telephoto)
W side (wide-angle) T side (telephoto)
Focus 
range
Zoom ratio 
(approx.)
Zoom bar
 
●Zoom speed can be adjusted. 
Zoom slowly → turn slightly
Zoom quickly → turn completely
 
●Adjust the focus after adjusting the zoom.
You can zoom in up to 12 times with ‘Optical Zoom’, and up to 23.4 \
times with ‘Extended 
Optical Zoom’ (pictures only) with lower picture quality. To zoom further, you can use 
[i.ZOOM] or [DIGITAL ZOOM]. 
Do not block the lens barrel movement 
while zooming.
 
●The focus display flashes and beep sounds when focus is not 
aligned.
Use the focus range displayed in red as a reference.
Even if the focus display is lit, the camera may be unable to 
bring the subject into focus if it is out of range.
 
●AF area is displayed larger in dark conditions or when using 
Digital Zoom.
 
●Most displays are temporarily cleared from screen when the 
shutter button is pressed halfway.
Focus display
Focus range
 
■Zoom types
Type Optical Zoom Extended Optical Zoom
Maximum 
ratio 12 ×
Up to 23.4 × (Depending on the picture 
size)
Picture quality 
deterioration No
No
(However, the picture size is reduced)
Operation 
conditions None
Set [PICTURE SIZE] in the [REC] menu 
to a setting for which 
 is displayed ( →95)
Screen 
display
 is displayed
Type i.Zoom Digital Zoom
Maximum 
ratio Approx. 1.3 × the Optical Zoom or 
Extended Optical Zoom Up to 4 × the original zoom ratio
Picture quality 
deterioration Almost none
Yes
Conditions, 
etc. i.Zoom functions in the following cases.
 •
 ([INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode)
 • Scene Mode (except for [HIGH  SENS.], [HI-SPEED BURST], [FLASH 
BURST], [PIN HOLE])
 •
 ([CLIPBOARD] Mode)
 • When [I.RESOLUTION] in the [REC]  menu is set to [i.ZOOM] ( →41)When [DIGITAL ZOOM] in the [REC] 
menu is set to [ON] (
→43)
Screen 
display
 is displayedDigital Zoom area is displayed 
						

							38   VQT2R20VQT2R20   39
Taking pictures with your own settings
[PROGRAM AE] Mode (Continued)
Recording Mode: 
 
Taking pictures with zoom
Recording Mode:               
Align focus for desired composition
Useful when subject is not in center of picture.
First adjust focus according to subject
Hold down halfway
Align the AF area with the subject
AF area
 
●Subjects/environments which may 
make focusing difficult:
 • Fast-moving or extremely bright objects, or objects with no color 
contrast.
 • Taking pictures through glass or near  objects emitting light. In dark, or with 
significant jitter.
 • When too close to object or when  taking pictures of both distant and 
close objects together in the same 
picture.
 
●We recommend using the ‘Face 
Detection’ function when taking 
pictures of people ( →99).
Return to desired composition
Press fully
AF area
Orientation detection function
Still pictures taken with the camera held vertically are automatically p\
layed back vertically. 
(Only when [ROTATE DISP.] is set to [ON])
 
●Still pictures taken with the lens surface facing directly up or down an\
d still pictures 
taken on other cameras may not be rotated. Additionally, still pictures taken while 
holding the camera upside down are not rotated automatically.
 
●Motion pictures are not displayed vertically.
Zoom In/Out
Capture a 
wider area 
(wide-angle) Enlarge 
the subject 
(telephoto)
W side (wide-angle) T side (telephoto)
Focus 
range
Zoom ratio 
(approx.)
Zoom bar
 
●Zoom speed can be adjusted. 
Zoom slowly → turn slightly
Zoom quickly → turn completely
 
●Adjust the focus after adjusting the zoom.
You can zoom in up to 12 times with ‘Optical Zoom’, and up to 23.4 \
times with ‘Extended 
Optical Zoom’ (pictures only) with lower picture quality. To zoom further, you can use 
[i.ZOOM] or [DIGITAL ZOOM]. 
Do not block the lens barrel movement 
while zooming.
 
●The focus display flashes and beep sounds when focus is not 
aligned.
Use the focus range displayed in red as a reference.
Even if the focus display is lit, the camera may be unable to 
bring the subject into focus if it is out of range.
 
●AF area is displayed larger in dark conditions or when using 
Digital Zoom.
 
●Most displays are temporarily cleared from screen when the 
shutter button is pressed halfway.
Focus display
Focus range
 
■Zoom types
Type Optical Zoom Extended Optical Zoom
Maximum 
ratio 12 ×
Up to 23.4 × (Depending on the picture 
size)
Picture quality 
deterioration No
No
(However, the picture size is reduced)
Operation 
conditions None
Set [PICTURE SIZE] in the [REC] menu 
to a setting for which 
 is displayed ( →95)
Screen 
display
 is displayed
Type i.Zoom Digital Zoom
Maximum 
ratio Approx. 1.3 × the Optical Zoom or 
Extended Optical Zoom Up to 4 × the original zoom ratio
Picture quality 
deterioration Almost none
Yes
Conditions, 
etc. i.Zoom functions in the following cases.
 •
 ([INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode)
 • Scene Mode (except for [HIGH  SENS.], [HI-SPEED BURST], [FLASH 
BURST], [PIN HOLE])
 •
 ([CLIPBOARD] Mode)
 • When [I.RESOLUTION] in the [REC]  menu is set to [i.ZOOM] ( →41)When [DIGITAL ZOOM] in the [REC] 
menu is set to [ON] (
→43)
Screen 
display
 is displayedDigital Zoom area is displayed 
						

							40   VQT2R20VQT2R20   41
Taking pictures with zoom (Continued)
Recording Mode:               
 
●The enlargement ratio displayed in the bar on screen is an estimate.  
●In certain Recording Modes, ‘Tele macro’ function ( →49) is activated when maximum 
zoom ratio is reached.
 
●A greater degree of distortion may be generated by taking wider-angled pi\
ctures of 
close objects, while using more telescopic zoom may result in more color\
ing appearing 
around the outlines of objects.
 
●The camera may make a rattling noise and vibrate when the zoom lever is \
operated - 
this is not a fault.
 
●Extended Optical Zoom cannot be used in the following cases:
[MACRO ZOOM], motion picture, [TRANSFORM], [HIGH SENS.], [HI-SPEED BURST\
], 
[FLASH BURST], [PIN HOLE], and [PHOTO FRAME] Scene Modes
 
●Digital Zoom cannot be used in the following modes: ([INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode),  ([CLIPBOARD] Mode), Scene Modes 
([TRANSFORM], [HIGH SENS.], [HI-SPEED BURST], [FLASH BURST], [PIN HOLE]\
, 
[FILM GRAIN] and [PHOTO FRAME])
 
●  [ZOOM RESUME] ( →25) allows zoom ratio to be memorized even if power is turned off.
 
●Maximum zoom ratios by picture sizeOptical Zoom Extended Optical Zoom 
[PICTURE 
SIZE]
12 M 8 M 5 M 3 M 0.3 M 
11.5 M7.5 M 4.5 M 2.5 M 0.3 M 
10.5 M 7 M 4.5 M 2 M 0.2 M 
Max. enlargement 12 x 14.7 x ∗
18.8 x∗
23.4 x
∗ When the picture aspect ratio is  
●What is Extended Optical Zoom (EZ)?
If, for example, set to ‘3M ’ (equivalent to 3 million pixels), a picture will only be taken 
of a 3M-sized central part of a 12 M (equivalent to 12.1 million pixels\
) area, meaning 
that the picture can be enlarged further.
 [i.ZOOM]
The camera uses super resolution technology to increase the zoom ratio. \
Using super 
resolution technology, the zoom ratio can be increased up to about 1.3 times higher than 
the original zoom ratio with almost no deterioration of picture quality.
Display the [REC] menuSelect [i.ZOOM] 
Select [I.RESOLUTION]Close the menu 
 
●When [I.RESOLUTION] is set to [i.ZOOM], super resolution technology is a\
pplied to the 
picture.
 
●The i.Zoom functions in the following cases.
 • ([INTELLIGENT AUTO] Mode)
 • Scene Mode (except for [HIGH SENS.], [HI-SPEED BURST], [FLASH BURST], [\
PIN  HOLE])
 •
 ([CLIPBOARD] Mode)