Panasonic Digital Camera Dmc Zs9 Owners Manual For Advanced Features

							30   VQT3H43VQT3H43   31
 
Taking pictures with your own settings
[Program AE] Mode
Recording Mode: 
 
Aligning the focus
 
●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.
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 button Useful when subject is not in the 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.
Return to desired composition
Press fully
AF area
 
●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.
Focus display
Focus range 
						

							32   VQT3H43VQT3H43   33
 
Taking pictures with zoom
Recording Mode:        
Zoom In/Out
Capture a 
wider area 
(wide-angle) Enlarge 
the subject 
(telephoto)
Focus 
range
Zoom ratio 
(approx.)
Zoom bar
 
●Zoom speed can be adjusted. 
Zoom slowly → turn slightly
Zoom quickly → turn completely
You can zoom in up to 16 times with “Optical Zoom”, and up to 33.8 \
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.
 
■Zoom types
Type Optical Zoom Extended Optical Zoom
Maximum 
ratio 16 ×
Up to 33.8 × 
(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 ( →70)
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])
 • When [i.Resolution] in the [Rec] menu  is set to [i.ZOOM] ( →34) When [Digital Zoom] in the [Rec] menu is 
set to [ON] (
→36)
Screen 
display
 is displayedDigital Zoom area is displayed
 
●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 14 M (equivalent to 14.1 million pixels\
) area, meaning 
that the picture can be enlarged further.
 
●The zoom ratio and the zoom bar displayed on the screen are estimates.  
●In certain Recording Modes, “Tele macro” function ( →42) 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), Scene Modes ([Transform], [High Sens.], [Hi-Speed Burst], 
[Flash Burst], [Pin Hole], [Film Grain] and [Photo Frame])
 
● [Zoom Resume] allows zoom ratio to be memorized even if power is turned \
off. 
						

							32   VQT3H43VQT3H43   33
 
Taking pictures with zoom
Recording Mode:        
Zoom In/Out
Capture a 
wider area 
(wide-angle) Enlarge 
the subject 
(telephoto)
Focus 
range
Zoom ratio 
(approx.)
Zoom bar
 
●Zoom speed can be adjusted. 
Zoom slowly → turn slightly
Zoom quickly → turn completely
You can zoom in up to 16 times with “Optical Zoom”, and up to 33.8 \
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.
 
■Zoom types
Type Optical Zoom Extended Optical Zoom
Maximum 
ratio 16 ×
Up to 33.8 × 
(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 ( →70)
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])
 • When [i.Resolution] in the [Rec] menu  is set to [i.ZOOM] ( →34) When [Digital Zoom] in the [Rec] menu is 
set to [ON] (
→36)
Screen 
display
 is displayedDigital Zoom area is displayed
 
●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 14 M (equivalent to 14.1 million pixels\
) area, meaning 
that the picture can be enlarged further.
 
●The zoom ratio and the zoom bar displayed on the screen are estimates.  
●In certain Recording Modes, “Tele macro” function ( →42) 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), Scene Modes ([Transform], [High Sens.], [Hi-Speed Burst], 
[Flash Burst], [Pin Hole], [Film Grain] and [Photo Frame])
 
● [Zoom Resume] allows zoom ratio to be memorized even if power is turned \
off. 
						

							34   VQT3H43VQT3H43   35
Taking pictures with zoom (Continued)
Recording Mode:        
 [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]Press [ / ] several times
 
●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])
 Easy Zoom: For zooming rapidly to maximum ratio
Zoom to max. T in one touch. 
Press to change zoom ratio 
Each time you press, the ratio 
changes 
 
■Change of zoom ratio
 
●When the Picture Size is 10.5 M or more 
Current recording ratio 
(or 1 X) 
Optical Zoom 
Maximum ratio ∗1
Extended Optical Zoom 
Maximum ratio ∗2
Digital Zoom 
Maximum ratio ∗3
 
●When the Picture Size is 10 M  or less 
Current recording ratio 
(or 1 X) 
Extended Optical Zoom Maximum ratio
Digital Zoom 
Maximum ratio ∗3
∗1 When [i.ZOOM] is working, the maximum ratio depends on the [i.ZOOM] set\
tings.∗2 The Picture Size temporarily becomes [3M] (), [2.5M] ( / ) or [2M] ().∗3 When [Digital Zoom] in the [Rec] menu is set to [ON].
 
●Easy Zoom does not work while recording motion pictures.
The illustration shows the DMC-ZS8/
DMC-TZ18. 
						

							34   VQT3H43VQT3H43   35
Taking pictures with zoom (Continued)
Recording Mode:        
 [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]Press [ / ] several times
 
●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])
 Easy Zoom: For zooming rapidly to maximum ratio
Zoom to max. T in one touch. 
Press to change zoom ratio 
Each time you press, the ratio 
changes 
 
■Change of zoom ratio
 
●When the Picture Size is 10.5 M or more 
Current recording ratio 
(or 1 X) 
Optical Zoom 
Maximum ratio ∗1
Extended Optical Zoom 
Maximum ratio ∗2
Digital Zoom 
Maximum ratio ∗3
 
●When the Picture Size is 10 M  or less 
Current recording ratio 
(or 1 X) 
Extended Optical Zoom Maximum ratio
Digital Zoom 
Maximum ratio ∗3
∗1 When [i.ZOOM] is working, the maximum ratio depends on the [i.ZOOM] set\
tings.∗2 The Picture Size temporarily becomes [3M] (), [2.5M] ( / ) or [2M] ().∗3 When [Digital Zoom] in the [Rec] menu is set to [ON].
 
●Easy Zoom does not work while recording motion pictures.
The illustration shows the DMC-ZS8/
DMC-TZ18. 
						

							36   VQT3H43VQT3H43   37
Taking pictures with zoom (Continued)
Recording Mode:        
 
Viewing your pictures [Normal Play]
Playback Mode: 
 [Digital Zoom]
Zoom 4 times further than Optical/Extended Optical Zoom.
(Note that, with Digital Zoom, enlarging will decrease picture quality.)
Display the [Rec] menuSelect [ON]
Select [Digital Zoom]Press [ / ] several times
When a card is in the camera, pictures are played back from the card, an\
d without a card, 
pictures are played back from the built-in memory.[DISP.]Zoom lever
Set to 
Scroll through pictures
Previous Next
Folder/File 
number
Picture number/
Total pictures
 
●Hold down to quickly scroll forwards/
backwards.
Scroll speed increases the longer you press. 
(Speed may vary according to playback 
conditions)
 
●Some pictures edited on a computer may 
not be viewed on this camera.
 
●If the REC/PLAY switch is moved from  to while the power is on, the lens barrel will 
be retracted after approx. 15 seconds.
 
●This camera is compliant with the unified 
DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) 
standard formulated by the Japan 
Electronics and Information Technology 
Industries Association (JEITA), and with Exif 
(Exchangeable image file format). Only files 
that are DCF-compliant can be played back.
 
■To enlarge (Playback Zoom)
Turn to 
T side
Current zoom position
 • Each time you turn the zoom lever  toward the T side, the magnification 
increases through four levels 
after 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, and 16x. (The 
picture quality displayed becomes 
successively lower.)
 • To reduce zoom → 
Turn lever towards W side
 • Move zoom position → ▲▼◄► 
						

							36   VQT3H43VQT3H43   37
Taking pictures with zoom (Continued)
Recording Mode:        
 
Viewing your pictures [Normal Play]
Playback Mode: 
 [Digital Zoom]
Zoom 4 times further than Optical/Extended Optical Zoom.
(Note that, with Digital Zoom, enlarging will decrease picture quality.)
Display the [Rec] menuSelect [ON]
Select [Digital Zoom]Press [ / ] several times
When a card is in the camera, pictures are played back from the card, an\
d without a card, 
pictures are played back from the built-in memory.[DISP.]Zoom lever
Set to 
Scroll through pictures
Previous Next
Folder/File 
number
Picture number/
Total pictures
 
●Hold down to quickly scroll forwards/
backwards.
Scroll speed increases the longer you press. 
(Speed may vary according to playback 
conditions)
 
●Some pictures edited on a computer may 
not be viewed on this camera.
 
●If the REC/PLAY switch is moved from  to while the power is on, the lens barrel will 
be retracted after approx. 15 seconds.
 
●This camera is compliant with the unified 
DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) 
standard formulated by the Japan 
Electronics and Information Technology 
Industries Association (JEITA), and with Exif 
(Exchangeable image file format). Only files 
that are DCF-compliant can be played back.
 
■To enlarge (Playback Zoom)
Turn to 
T side
Current zoom position
 • Each time you turn the zoom lever  toward the T side, the magnification 
increases through four levels 
after 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, and 16x. (The 
picture quality displayed becomes 
successively lower.)
 • To reduce zoom → 
Turn lever towards W side
 • Move zoom position → ▲▼◄► 
						

							38   VQT3H43VQT3H43   39
 
Deleting pictures
Playback Mode: 
 
Changing recording information display
Select type of deletion
 • To use [Delete All] → go to step 
Select the pictures to delete 
(Repeat) • To release→  Press  [DISP.] 
again
 Picture selected
Pictures will be deleted from the card if the card is inserted, or from \
the built-in memory if 
the card is not inserted. (Deleted pictures cannot be recovered.)
Set to 
Press to delete the displayed picture
Select [Yes]
 
●Do not turn off the power during deletion. 
●Use a sufficiently charged battery or an AC adaptor (optional) and DC coupler (optional). 
●Pictures cannot be deleted in the following cases:
 • Protected pictures 
 • Card switch is in “LOCK” position. •  Pictures not of DCF standard (→37)
Delete
Select [Yes]
 • To cancel → press [MENU/SET].
 • May take time depending on number of pictures deleted.
 • You can select [All Delete Except 
] in [Delete All] if there are 
pictures that have been set as 
[Favorite].
 To delete multiple (up to 50) or all pictures
     (after step )
[DISP.] Change between different LCD monitor displays, such as Histograms.
 
■ Histogram
Displays distribution of brightness in picture
– e.g. if the graph peaks at the right, this means there 
are several bright areas in the picture. (Guide) A peak 
in the center represents correct brightness (correct 
exposure). This can be used as a reference for 
exposure correction ( →46), etc.
 • Histogram from time of recording is different to  Histogram in playback and displayed in orange, when recording with flash\
 or in dark 
locations. Also, Histogram may differ from Histograms made with image editing 
software.
 • Not displayed during 
 ([Intelligent Auto] Mode), [Photo Frame] or Playback Zoom.
 
■ Guide lines
 • Reference for composition (e.g. balance) when recording.
 • Only guide line pattern  is displayed in [Intelligent Auto] Mode.
 • When  is in use, recording information and Guide lines cannot be displayed 
simultaneously.
 
●For motion picture or Slide Show playback, the operational guidance info\
rmation is 
either displayed or not displayed on the LCD.
(Example)
OK
Dark←  → Bright
Press to change displayThe display changes every time the button is 
pressed. 
						

							38   VQT3H43VQT3H43   39
 
Deleting pictures
Playback Mode: 
 
Changing recording information display
Select type of deletion
 • To use [Delete All] → go to step 
Select the pictures to delete 
(Repeat) • To release→  Press  [DISP.] 
again
 Picture selected
Pictures will be deleted from the card if the card is inserted, or from \
the built-in memory if 
the card is not inserted. (Deleted pictures cannot be recovered.)
Set to 
Press to delete the displayed picture
Select [Yes]
 
●Do not turn off the power during deletion. 
●Use a sufficiently charged battery or an AC adaptor (optional) and DC coupler (optional). 
●Pictures cannot be deleted in the following cases:
 • Protected pictures 
 • Card switch is in “LOCK” position. •  Pictures not of DCF standard (→37)
Delete
Select [Yes]
 • To cancel → press [MENU/SET].
 • May take time depending on number of pictures deleted.
 • You can select [All Delete Except 
] in [Delete All] if there are 
pictures that have been set as 
[Favorite].
 To delete multiple (up to 50) or all pictures
     (after step )
[DISP.] Change between different LCD monitor displays, such as Histograms.
 
■ Histogram
Displays distribution of brightness in picture
– e.g. if the graph peaks at the right, this means there 
are several bright areas in the picture. (Guide) A peak 
in the center represents correct brightness (correct 
exposure). This can be used as a reference for 
exposure correction ( →46), etc.
 • Histogram from time of recording is different to  Histogram in playback and displayed in orange, when recording with flash\
 or in dark 
locations. Also, Histogram may differ from Histograms made with image editing 
software.
 • Not displayed during 
 ([Intelligent Auto] Mode), [Photo Frame] or Playback Zoom.
 
■ Guide lines
 • Reference for composition (e.g. balance) when recording.
 • Only guide line pattern  is displayed in [Intelligent Auto] Mode.
 • When  is in use, recording information and Guide lines cannot be displayed 
simultaneously.
 
●For motion picture or Slide Show playback, the operational guidance info\
rmation is 
either displayed or not displayed on the LCD.
(Example)
OK
Dark←  → Bright
Press to change displayThe display changes every time the button is 
pressed. 
						

							40   VQT3H43VQT3H43   41
 
Taking pictures with flash
Recording Mode:         
Display [Flash]
Select the desired type
Type, operationsUses[Auto]
 • Automatically judges whether or not to flash Normal use
[Auto/Red-Eye]∗1 • Automatically judges whether or not to flash 
(reduce red-eye) Taking pictures of subjects in dark 
places
[Forced Flash On]
 • Always flash Taking pictures with backlight or 
under bright lighting (e.g. fluorescent)
[Forced On/Red-Eye]∗1 • Always flash (reduce red-eye)[Slow Sync./Red-Eye]∗1 • Automatically judges whether or not to flash 
(reduce red-eye; slow shutter speed to take 
brighter pictures) Taking pictures of subjects against a 
nightscape (tripod recommended)
[Forced Flash Off]
 • Never flash Places where flash use is prohibited
∗1  
Two flashes will be emitted. Do not move until after the second flash. In\
terval between flashes varies 
according to brightness of subject.
If [Red-Eye Removal] on the [Rec] menu is [ON], the 
 appears with the flash icon, red-eye 
is automatically detected and still picture data is corrected. (Only wh\
en [AF Mode] is  (Face 
Detection))
 
■ Available types in each mode (○: Available, –: Not available, : Default setting)
       ○∗2○○ ○ ○–○–––––○–○○ ○– – – –––––○–○○ ○ ○–○––○○–○––– – – – –○○–––––○–– –○–○○––○–○○○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○○–○○○
∗2  Set to , ,  or  depending on the subject and brightness. • The flash cannot be used when recording motion pictures, Scene Modes , , , , , ,  or . 
 
■The available flash range when [Sensitivity] setting is [AUTO]
W side (Max.) Approx. 60 cm (1.97 feet) - 5.0 m (16.4 feet)
T side (Max.) Approx. 1.0 m (3.28 feet) - 2.8 m (9.18 feet)
 
 
●Shutter speeds are as follows:
 •, , ,  : 1/60 ∗3 - 1/4000th
 •,  : 1 ∗3,∗4 - 1/4000th
∗3 Varies according to [Min. Shtr Speed] setting. 
∗4  When [Min. Shtr Speed] is set to [AUTO], and a jitter is detected when [Stabilizer] is 
turned to [ON], the maximum speed is 1/4 second. Also varies according to [Intelligent 
Auto] Mode, [Scene Mode], zoom position.
 
●The effect of Red-Eye Reduction varies depending on the subject and is affected by 
factors such as distance to the subject, whether the subject is looking \
at the camera 
during preliminary flash, and so on. In some cases, the effect of Red-Eye Reduction 
may be negligible.
 
●Do not put your hands over the light-emitting area of the flash ( →8) or look at it 
from close range (a few centimeters away).
Do not use the flash at close distances to other subjects (heat/light m\
ay damage subject). 
●Flash settings may be changed when changing Recording Mode. 
●Scene Mode flash settings are restored to default when Scene Mode is cha\
nged. 
●Edges of picture may become slightly dark if using flash at short distan\
ces without 
using zoom (close to max. W). This may be remedied by using a little zoom. 
 
●No pictures may be taken if these marks (e.g. ) are flashing (flash is charging). 
●Insufficient light may prevent appropriate exposure or White Balance. 
●Flash charging may take time if battery is low, or if using flash repeatedly.