Panasonic Dmc Fh7 Owners Manual

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Before cleaning the camera, remove the battery or the DC coupler (optional), or 
disconnect the power plug from the outlet. Then wipe the camera with a dry soft 
cloth.
•
When the camera is soiled badly, it can be cleaned by wiping the dirt off with a wrung wet cloth, 
and then with a dry cloth.
•Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, alcohol, kitchen detergents, etc., to clean the 
camera, since it may deteriorate the external case or the coating may peel off.
•When using a chemical cloth, be sure to follow the accompanying instructions.
•Do not press the LCD monitor with excessive force. Uneven colors may appear on the LCD 
monitor and it may malfunction.
•If the camera is cold when you turn it on, the picture on the LCD monitor will be slightly darker 
than usual at first. However, the picture will return to normal brightness when the internal 
temperature of the camera increases.
•Do not press the lens with excessive force.•Do not leave the camera with the lens facing the sun, as rays of light from the sun may cause it 
to malfunction. Also, be careful when placing the camera outside or near a window.
Cleaning
About the LCD monitor
Extremely high precision technology is em ployed 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 the Lens 
						

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The battery is a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Its ability to generate power comes 
from the chemical reaction that takes place inside it. This reaction is susceptible to 
the surrounding temperature and humidity. If the temperature is too high or too low, 
the operating time of the battery will become shorter.
Always remove the battery after use.
•
Place the removed battery in a plastic bag, and store or carry away from metallic objects (clips, 
etc.).
If you drop the battery accidentally, check to see if the body of the battery and the 
terminals are damaged.
•
Inserting a damaged battery in the camera will damage the camera.
Bring charged spare batteries when going out.
•Be aware that the operating time of the battery becomes shorter in low temperature conditions 
such as at a ski resort.
•When you travel, do not forget to bring the battery charger (supplied) so that you can charge 
the battery in the country that you are traveling in.
Dispose of unusable battery.
•The battery has a limited life.•Do not throw the battery into fire because it may cause an explosion.•The unusable battery should be discarded in accordance with battery recycling laws. Call the 
RBRC hotline at 1-800-822-8837 for information.
Do not allow battery terminals to come into contact with metal objects (such as 
necklaces, hairpins etc.).
•
This can cause short circuiting or heat generation and you may be badly burned if you touch a 
battery.
•If you use the battery charger near a radio, the radio reception may be disturbed.•Keep the charger 1 m (3.28 feet) or more away from radios.•The charger 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.)
•Keep the terminals of the charger and battery clean.
Battery
Charger 
						

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Do not leave the card where the temperature is high, where electromagnetic waves 
or static electricity are easily generated or exposed to direct sunlight.
Do not bend or drop the card.
•
The card may be damaged or the recorded content may be damaged or deleted.•Put the card in the card case or the storage bag after use and when storing or carrying the 
card.
•Do not allow dirt, dust or water to get into the terminals on the back of the card and do not touch 
the terminals with your fingers.
Notice for when transferring to another party, or disposing of the memory card
•“Format” or “delete” using the camera or a PC will only modify the file management information, 
and it will not erase the data in the memory card completely.
It is recommended to physically destroy the memory card or use the commercially available 
computer data deletion software to completely erase the data in the memory card before 
transferring to another party or disposing.
Management of data in the memory card is the responsibility of the user.
If a name or birthday is set for [Baby1]/[Baby2] , this personal information is kept in the 
camera and recorded in the image.
Disclaimer
•
Information including personal information may be altered or vanish due to erroneous 
operation, static electricity, accident, malfunction, repair, or other handlings.
Please note in advance that Panasonic is not liable in any way for any direct or indirect damage 
from the alteration or vanishing of information or personal information.
When requesting a repair, transferring to another party or disposing
•Reset the settings to protect the personal information.  (P39)•If there are pictures stored in the built-in memory, copy them onto the memory card  (P101) 
before formatting the built-in memory  (P40) as needed.
•Remove the memory card from the camera when requesting a repair.•Built-in memory and settings may return to factory default when camera is repaired.•Please contact the dealer where you purchased the camera or your nearest Service Center if 
above operations are not possible due to malfunction.
When transferring to another party, or disposing of the memory card, please refer to 
“Notice for when transferring to another party, or disposing of the memory card” on  
P123.
Card
About the personal information 
						

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•Store the battery in a cool and dry place with a relatively stable temperature: [Recommended 
temperature: 15oC to 25 oC (59 oF to 77 oF), Recommended humidity: 40%RH to 60%RH]
•Always remove the battery and the card from the camera.•If the battery is left inserted in the camera, it will discharge even if the camera is turned off. If 
the battery continues to be left in the camera, it will discharge excessively and may become 
unusable even if charged.
•When storing the battery for a long period of time, we recommend charging it once a year. 
Remove the battery from the camera and store it again after it has completely discharged.
•We recommend storing the camera with a desiccant  (silica gel) when you keep it in a closet or 
a cabinet.
Recorded data may be damaged or lost if the camera breaks down due to inappropriate 
handling. Panasonic will not be liable for any damage suffered due to loss of recorded 
data.
•
When you use a tripod, make sure the tripod is stable when this unit is attached to it.•You may not be able to remove the card or the battery when using a tripod or unipod.•Make sure that the screw on the tripod or unipod is not at an angle when attaching or detaching 
the camera. You may damage the screw on the camera if you use excessive force when 
turning it. Also, the camera body and the rating label may be damaged or scratched if the 
camera is attached too tightly to the tripod or unipod.
•Read the operating instructions for the tripod or unipod carefully.•Some tripods or unipods cannot be attached when the DC coupler (optional) and AC adaptor 
(optional) are connected.
•Some tripods or unipods may block the speaker, making it difficult to hear operating sounds etc.
When not using the camera for a long period of time
About the picture data
About tripods or unipods 
						

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Message Display
Confirmation messages or error messages will be displayed on the screen in some cases.
The major messages are described below as examples.
[This picture is protected]
>Delete the picture after canceling the protect setting.  (P100)
[Some pictures cannot be deleted]/[This picture cannot be deleted]
•
Pictures not based on the DCF standard cannot be deleted.
> If you want to delete some pictures, format the card after saving necessary data on a PC 
etc.  (P40)
[Cannot be set on this picture]
•
[Text Stamp] or [Print Set] cannot be set for pictures not based on the DCF standard.
[Not enough space on built-in memory]/[Not enough memory on the card]
•
There is no space left on the built-in memory or the card.•When you copy pictures from the built-in memory to the card (batch copy), the pictures are 
copied until the capacity of the card becomes full.
[Some pictures cannot be copied]/[Copy could not be completed]
•
The following pictures cannot be copied.–When a picture with the same name as the picture to be copied exists in the copy 
destination. (Only when copying from a card to the built-in memory.)
–Files not based on the DCF standard.•Moreover, pictures recorded or edited by other equipment may not be copied.
[Built-In Memory Error 
Format built-in memory?]
•
This message will be displayed when y ou format the built-in memory on a PC.
> Format the built-in memory on the camera again.  (P40) The data on the built-in memory 
will be deleted.
[Memory card error. 
This card cannot be used in this camera. 
Format this card?]
•
It is a format that cannot be used with this unit. > Insert a different card.
> Format the card again with the camera after saving necessary data on a PC etc.  (P40) 
The data on the card will be deleted. 
						

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[Please turn camera off and then on again]/[System Error]
•
This message appears when the camera is not operating properly.> Turn the camera off and on. If the message persists, contact the dealer or your nearest 
Service Center.
[Memory card parameter error]/[This memory card cannot be used]
>Use a card compatible with this unit.  (P16)–SD Memory Card (8 MB to 2 GB)–SDHC Memory Card (4 GB to 32 GB)–SDXC Memory Card (48 GB, 64 GB)
[Insert SD card again]/[Try another card]
•
An error has occurred accessing the card.
> Insert the card again.
> Insert a different card.
[Read Error/Write Error 
Please check the card]
•
It has failed to read or write data.
> Remove the card after turning the power [OFF]. Insert the card again, turn the power on, 
and try to read or write the data again.
•The card may be broken.
> Insert a different card.
[Motion recording was cancelled due to the limitation of the writing speed of the 
card]
•
Use a card with SD Speed Class with “Class 6”  or higher when recording motion pictures.•In the event that it stops even after using a “Class 6” card or higher, the data writing speed has 
deteriorated so it is recommended to make a backup and then format  (P40).
•Depending on the type of the card, motion picture recording may stop in the middle.
[A folder cannot be created]
•
A folder cannot be created because there are no remaining folder numbers that can be used.
> Format the card after saving necessary data on a PC etc.  (P40)
[Picture is displayed for 16:9 TV]/[Picture is displayed for 4:3 TV]
•
Select [TV Aspect] in the [Setup] menu if you want to change the TV aspect. (P39)•This message also appears when the USB connection cable is connected to the camera only.
In this case, connect the other end of the USB connection cable to a PC or a printer.  (P106, 
11 0 ) 
						

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Troubleshooting
First, try out the following procedures (P127–134).
•
The battery is exhausted. Charge the battery.•If you leave the camera on,  the battery will be exhausted.
> Turn the camera off frequently by using the [Sleep Mode] etc.  (P38)
•Is the mode set to [Rec] Mode? (P21)•Is there any memory remaining on the built-in memory or the card?
> Delete the pictures which are not necessary to increase the available memory.  (P32)
•The picture can become whitish if there is dirt e.g. fingerprints on the lens.
> If the lens is dirty, turn on the camera, eject the lens barrel and gently wipe the lens surface 
with a soft dry cloth.
> Check that the exposure is correctly compensated.  (P80)
> Set [Burst]  (P82) of the [Rec] Mode menu to [OFF].
•Has [Hi-Speed Burst]  (P59) or [Flash Burst]  (P60) in Scene Mode been set?
•The focus range varies depending on the Recording Mode.
> Set to the proper mode for the distance to the subject.
•The subject is beyond the focus range of the camera.  (P26)•There is camera shake (jitter) or the subject is moving slightly.  (P20)
If the problem is not resolved, it may be improved by selecting [Reset] (P39) on the 
[Setup] menu.
Battery and power source
The camera cannot be operated even when it is turned on.
The camera turns off immediately after it is turned on.
Recording
The picture cannot be recorded.
The recorded picture is whitish.
The recorded picture is too bright or dark.
Multiple pictures are taken at one time.
The subject is not focused properly. 
						

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>The shutter speed becomes slower when pictures are taken in dark places so hold the 
camera firmly with both hands to take the pictures.  (P20)
> When taking pictures at a slow shutter speed, use the Self-timer.  (P71)
•Is the ISO sensitivity high or the shutter speed slow?
(ISO sensitivity is set to [ ] when the camera is shipped. Therefore, when taking pictures 
indoors etc. noise will appear.)
> Decrease the ISO sensitivity.  (P74)
> Set [Color Mode] to [Natural].  (P83)
> Take pictures in bright places.
•Has [High Sens.] or [Hi-Speed Burst] in the Scene Mode been set? If so, the resolution of the 
recorded picture decreases slightly because of high sensitivity processing, but this is not a 
malfunction.
•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.
•Use a card with SD Speed Class with “Class 6” or higher when recording motion pictures.•Depending on the type of the card, recording may stop in the middle.
> In the event that it stops even after using a “Class 6” card or higher or if you use a card that 
has been formatted on a PC or other equipment, the data writing speed has deteriorated so 
it is recommended to make a backup and then format  (P40).
•If the subject has different colors as the periphery, set the AF area to those colors specific to 
the subject by aligning that area with the AF area.  (P78)
The recorded picture is blurred. The Optical Image Stabilizer is not effective.
The recorded picture looks rough. Noise appears on the picture.
The brightness or the hue of the recorded picture is different from the actual 
scene.
When recording pictures or half-pressing the shutter button, reddish stripes may 
appear on the LCD monitor. Alternatively, part or all of the LCD monitor may turn 
a reddish color.
•
This is a characteristic of CCDs, and 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 when you take pictures you take care not to 
expose the screen to sunlight or any other source of strong light.
Motion picture recording stops in the middle.
The subject cannot be locked. (AF track fails) 
						

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•This phenomenon appears when you press the shutter button halfway to set the aperture value 
and does not affect the recorded pictures.
•This phenomenon also appears when the brightness changes when the camera is zoomed or 
when the camera is moved. This is because of operation of the automatic aperture of the 
camera, and it is not a malfunction.
•The LCD monitor may flicker for a few seconds after the power is switched on. This is an 
operation to correct flicker caused by lighting such as fluorescent lights, LED lights etc. and is 
not a malfunction.
•Is [LCD Mode] active? (P38)
•This is not a malfunction.
These pixels do not affect the recorded pictures.
•In dark places, noise may appear to maintain the brightness of the LCD monitor. This does not 
affect the pictures you are recording.
•Is the flash setting set to [ Œ]?
> Change the flash setting.  (P68)
•Flash Mode is not available when [Burst]  (P82) in [Rec] Mode menu has been set.
•The flash is activated twice when Red-Eye Reduction  (P68) has been set.•Has [Flash Burst]  (P60) in Scene Mode been set?
LCD monitor
The LCD monitor becomes darker or brighter for a moment.
The LCD monitor flickers indoors.
The LCD monitor is too bright or dark.
Black, red, blue and green dots appear on the LCD monitor.
Noise appears on the LCD monitor.
Flash
The flash is not activated.
Flash is activated several times. 
						

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•[Rotate Disp.] (P40) is set to [ ] or [ ].
•Is the mode set to [Playback] Mode?  (P28)•Is there a picture on the built-in memory or the card?
> The pictures on the built-in memory appear when a card is not inserted. The picture data on 
the card appears when a card is inserted.
•Is this a folder or picture which was processed in the PC? If it is, it cannot be played back by 
this unit.
> It is recommended to use the “PHOTOfunSTUDIO” software in the CD-ROM (supplied) to 
write pictures from PC to card.
•Has [Filtering Play] been set for playback?
> Change to [Normal Play].  (P86)
•Is this a non-standard picture, a picture whic h has been edited using a PC or a picture which 
was taken by another maker of digital cameras?
•Did you remove the battery immediately after pict ure-taking or did you take the picture using a 
battery with a low remaining charge?
> Format the data to delete the pictures mentioned above.  (P40)
(Other pictures will be deleted as well and it will not be possible to restore them. 
Therefore, check well before formatting.)
•
Is the clock in the camera set properly?  (P18)•When pictures edited using a PC or pictures taken by other equipment are searched, they may 
display dates different from the actual dates on which the pictures were taken.
Playback
The picture being played back is rotated and displayed in an unexpected 
direction.
The picture is not played back.
The recorded pictures are not displayed.
The folder number and the file number are displayed as [—] and the screen turns 
black.
With a Calendar Search, pictures display dates different from the actual dates on 
which the pictures were taken.