Panasonic Dmc F3 Operating Instructions Manual

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Preparation
∫When the [CHARGE] indicator flashes• The battery temperature is too high or too low. Please charge the battery again in a 
temperature between 10 oC to 35 oC (50 oF to 95 oF).
• The terminals of the charger or the battery are dirty. In this case, wipe them with a dry cloth.
∫ Battery indication
The battery indication is displayed on the LCD monitor.
[It does not appear when you use the camera with the AC adaptor (optional) connected.]
• The indication turns red and blinks if the remaining battery power is exhausted. Recharge the  battery or replace it with a fully charged battery.
Note• The battery becomes warm after use and during and after charging. The camera also becomes 
warm during use. This is not a malfunction.
• The battery can be recharged even when it still has some charge left, but it is not  recommended that the battery charge be frequently topped up while the battery is fully 
charged. (Since characteristic swelling may occur.)
• 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. 
						

							Preparation
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Recording conditions by CIPA standard• CIPA is an abbreviation of [Camera & Imaging Products Association].
• Normal Picture Mode.
• Temperature: 23oC (73.4 oF)/Humidity: 50% when LCD monitor is on.
• Using a Panasonic SD Memory Card (32 MB).
• Starting recording 30 seconds after the camera is turned on.
• Recording once every 30 seconds  with full flash every second recording.
• Rotating the zoom lever from Tele to Wide or vice versa in every recording.
• Turning the camera off every 10 recordings and leaving it until the temperature of the battery  decreases.
The number of recordable pictures varies depending on the recording interval time. 
If the recording interval time becomes longer, the number of recordable pictures 
decreases. [For example, if you were to take one picture every two minutes, then the 
number of pictures would be reduced to approximately one-quarter of the number 
of pictures given above (based upon one picture taken every 30 seconds).]
Note
• The operating times and number of recordable pictures will differ according to the environment and the operating conditions.
For example, in the following cases, the operating times shorten and the number of recordable 
pictures is reduced.
– In low-temperature environments, such as on ski slopes.
– When using [AUTO POWER LCD], [POWER LCD] and [HIGH ANGLE]  (P24).
– When operations such as flash and zoom are used repeatedly.
• When the operating time of the camera becomes extremely short even after properly charging 
the battery, the life of the battery may have expired. Buy a new battery.
Approximate operating time and number of recordable pictures
Supplied batteryOptional battery
Capacity of the battery 740 mAh 940 mAh
Number of recordable 
pictures Approx. 220 pictures Approx. 260 pictures
Recording time
Approx. 110 min Approx. 130 min
Supplied batteryOptional battery
Playback timeApprox. 270 min Approx. 340 min 
						

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Preparation
Inserting and Removing the Card (optional)/the 
Battery
• Check that this unit is turned off.
• We recommend using a Panasonic card.
Slide the release lever in the direction 
of the arrow and open the card/battery 
door.
• Always use genuine Panasonic batteries.
• If you use other batteries, we cannot guarantee the quality of this product.
Battery: Insert until it is locked by the 
lever  A being careful about the 
direction you insert it. Pull the lever  A 
in the direction of the arrow to remove 
the battery.
Card: Push it fully until it clicks being 
careful about the direction you insert it. 
To remove the card, push the card until 
it clicks, then pull the card out upright.
B: Do not touch the connection terminals of the 
card.
• The card may be damaged if it is not fully inserted.
1:Close the card/battery door.
2:Slide the release lever in the direction of the arrow.
• If the card/battery door cannot be completely closed, remove the card, check its direction and 
then insert it again. 
						

							Preparation
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Note• Remove the battery after use. Store the removed battery in the battery case (supplied).
• Do not remove the battery until the LCD monitor turns off as the settings on the camera may not be stored properly.
• The supplied battery is designed only for the camera. Do not use it with any other equipment.
• The battery will be exhausted if left for a long period of time after being charged.
• Turn the camera off and wait for the “LUMIX” display on the LCD monitor to clear before  removing the card or battery. (Otherwise, this unit may no longer operate normally and the card 
itself may be damaged or the recorded pictures may be lost.)
∫ Using an AC adaptor (optional) and a DC coupler (optional) instead of the battery
Ensure that the AC adaptor (optional) and DC 
coupler (optional) are purchased as a set. Do not 
use if sold separately.
1 Open the card/battery door.
2 Insert the DC coupler, being careful of the 
direction.
3 Close the card/battery door.
• Ensure that the card/battery door is closed.4Open the DC coupler cover  A.• If it is difficult to open, push open the coupler cover 
from the interior with the card/battery door in an 
open state.
5 Plug the AC adaptor into an electrical outlet.
6 Connect the AC adaptor  B to the [DC IN] socket 
C of the DC coupler.
D Align the marks, and insert.
• Ensure that only the AC adaptor and DC coupler for this  camera are used. Using any other equipment may 
cause damage.
Note• Always use a genuine Panasonic AC adaptor (optional).
• When using an AC adaptor, use the AC cable supplied with the AC adaptor.
• Some tripods cannot be attached when the DC coupler is connected.
• This unit cannot stand upright when the AC adaptor is connected. When operating it on a flat surface, we recommend placing it on a soft cloth.
• Make sure to unplug the AC adaptor when you open the card/battery door.
• If the AC adaptor and DC coupler are not necessary, then remove them from the digital  camera. Also, please keep the DC coupler cover closed.
• Also read the operating instructions for the AC adaptor and DC coupler.
• We recommend you use a battery with sufficient battery power or the AC adaptor when  recording motion pictures.
• If while recording motion pictures using the AC adaptor and the power supply is cut off due to a 
power outage or if the AC adaptor is disconnected etc., the motion picture being recorded will 
not be recorded.

 
						

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Preparation
About the Built-in Memory/the Card
• You can copy the recorded pictures to a card. (P95)
• Memory size: Approx. 40 MB
• Recordable motion pictures: QVGA (320 k240 pixels) only
• The built-in memory can be used as a temporary storage device when the card being used  becomes full.
• The access time for the built-in memory may be longer than the access time for a card.
The following operations can be performed using this unit.• When a card has not been inserted: Pictures can be recorded in  the b uilt-in  memory and p layed back.
• When a card has been inserted: Pictures can be recorded on the 
card and played back.
• When using the built-in memory k
>ð  (access indication¢)
• When using the card †  (access indication
¢)
¢ The access indication lights red when pictures are being recorded 
on the built-in memory (or the card).
Built-in Memory 
						

							Preparation
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The following cards which conform to the SD video standard can be used with this unit.
(These cards are indicated as card in the text.)
• Only cards bearing the SDHC logo (indicating that the card conforms to SD video standards) 
may be used as 4 GB to 32 GB cards.
• Only cards bearing the SDXC logo (indicating that the card conforms to SD video standards)  may be used as 48 GB to 64 GB cards.
• Use a card with SD Speed Class
¢ with “Class 6” or higher when recording motion pictures.
¢ SD speed class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.
• Please confirm the latest information on the following website.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/(This Site is English only.)
Note• Do not turn this unit off, remove its battery or card, or disconnect the AC adaptor  (optional) when the access indication is lit [when pictures are being written, read or 
deleted, or the built-in memory or the card is being formatted  (P26)]. Furthermore, do not 
subject the camera to vibration, impact or static electricity.
The card or the data on the card may be damaged, and this unit may no longer operate 
normally.
If operation fails due to vibration, impact or static electricity, perform the operation 
again.
• Write-Protect switch 
A provided (When this switch is set to the [LOCK] position, 
no further data writing, deletion or formatting is possible. The ability to write, delete 
and format data is restored when the switch is returned to its original position.)
• The data on the built-in memory or the card may be damaged or lost due to 
electromagnetic waves, static electricity or breakdown of the camera or the card. 
We recommend storing important data on a PC etc.
• Do not format the card on your PC or other equipment. Format it on the camera 
only to ensure proper operation. (P26)
• Keep the Memory Card out of reach of children to prevent swallowing.
Card
Type of card which can be  used with this u nitRemarks
SD Memory Card (8 MB to 
2GB) • SDHC Memory Cards and SDXC Memory Cards can be 
used only in equipment that is compatible with their 
respective formats.
• Check that the PC and other equipment are compatible when  using the SDXC Memory Cards.
http://panasonic.net/avc/sdcard/information/SDXC.html
SDHC Memory Card (4 GB to 
32 GB)
SDXC Memory Card (48 GB 
to 64 GB)
2
A 
						

							- 17 -
Preparation
Setting Date/Time (Clock Set)
• The clock is not set when the camera is shipped.
Turn the camera on.
A[MENU/SET] button
B Cursor buttons
• If the language select screen is not displayed, proceed 
to step
4.
Press [MENU/SET].
Press  3/4  to select the language, and press [MENU/SET].
• The [PLEASE SET THE CLOCK] message appears. (This message does not appear in 
[PLAYBACK] Mode.)
Press [MENU/SET]. 
						

							Preparation
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Press 2/1  to select the items (year, month, 
day, hour, minute, display sequence or time 
display format), and press  3/4 to set.
A: Time at the home area
B: Time at the travel destination (P68)
‚: Cancel without setting the clock
• Select either [24HRS] or [AM/PM] for the time display 
format.
• AM/PM is displayed when [AM/PM] is selected.
• When [AM/PM] is selected as the time display format, midnight is displayed as AM 
12:00 and noon is displayed as PM 12:00. This display format is common in North 
America and elsewhere.
Press [MENU/SET] to set.
Press [MENU/SET].
•Press [‚ ] to return to the settings screen.
• After completing the clock settings, turn the camera off. Then turn the camera back on,  switch to Recording Mode, and check that the display reflects the settings that were 
performed.
• When [MENU/SET] has been pressed to complete the settings without the clock having  been set, set the clock correctly by following the “Changing the clock setting” procedure 
below.
Select [CLOCK SET] in the [REC] or [SETUP] menu, and press  1. (P20)• It can be changed in steps 5, 6 and 7 to set the clock.
• The clock setting is maintained for 3 months using the built-in clock battery even 
without the battery. (Leave the charged battery in the unit for 24 hours to charge the 
built-in battery.)
Note• The clock is displayed when [DISPLAY] is pressed several times during recording.
• You can set the year from 2000 to 2099.
• If the clock is not set, the correct date cannot be printed when you stamp the date on the pictures with [TEXT STAMP]  (P86) or order a photo studio to print the pictures.
• If the clock is set, the correct date can be printed even if the date is not displayed on the screen  of the camera.
Changing the clock setting
:
: 
						

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Preparation
Setting the Menu
The camera comes with menus that allow you to choose the settings for taking pictures 
and playing them back just as you like and menus that enable you to have more fun with 
the camera and use it more easily.
In particular, the [SETUP] menu contains some important settings relating to the camera’s 
clock and power. Check the settings of this menu before proceeding to use the camera.
A[REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector switch
Note• Due to the camera’s specifications, it may not be possible to set some of the functions or some 
functions may not work in some of the conditions under which the camera is used.
!  [REC] Mode menu  (P70 to 78)(  [PLAYBACK] Mode menu  (P85 to 95)
• The menu lets you set  the Colouring, 
Sensitivity or number 
of pixels, etc. of 
pictures you are 
recording. • This menu lets you 
set the Protection or 
Print Settings, etc. of 
recorded pictures.
 [SETUP] menu  (P23 to 26)
• This menu lets you perform the clock settings, beep sound volume  settings and other settings which make it easier for you to operate the 
camera.
• The [SETUP] menu can be set from either the [REC] Mode or  [PLAYBACK] Mode. 
						

							Preparation
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This section describes how to select the Normal Picture Mode settings, and the same 
setting can be used for the [PLAYBACK] menu and [SETUP] menu as well.
Example: Setting [AF MODE] from [
Ø] to [š] in the Normal Picture Mode
Setting menu items
Turn the camera on.
A [MENU/SET] button
B [REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector switch
C [MODE] button
Slide the [REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector 
switch to [ !], and then press [MODE].
• When selecting the [PLAYBACK] Mode menu settings, 
set the [REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector switch to [ (], and 
proceed to step
4.
Press  3/4  to select [NORMAL PICTURE], 
and then press [MENU/SET].
Press [MENU/SET] to display the menu.
• You can switch menu screens from any menu item by  rotating the zoom lever.
Press  3/4  to select [AF MODE].
• Select the item at the very bottom, and press  4 to 
move to the second screen.
Press  1.
• Depending on the item, its setting may not appear or it 
may be displayed in a different way.
Press  3/4  to select [ š].