Panasonic Hc V550 Owners Manual

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This function detects the horizontal tilt of the unit, and automatically corrects it to the level 
position.
≥The icon changes when the tilt exceeds the correction range.
≥ When the tilt exceeds the correction range, move the unit to the position where  /  is 
displayed.
≥This functions default setting is   (Normal).
≥ The range that this icon can be displayed correctly the slope is about 45 o to the horizontal 
direction.
≥ Level Shot Function is canceled when [LEVEL GAUGE] is set to [ON]. ( l72)
≥ When recording horizontal images using a tripod, attach the unit on the tripod using [LEVEL 
GAUGE] ( l72), and then set Level Shot Function to   (Normal) or   (Strong) before 
use.
≥ When you switch the setting of the Level Shot Function, the screen may become black 
momentarily.
≥ If you set the option to   (Normal)/  (Strong), the angle of view will change.
Advanced (Recording)
Level Shot Function [HC-V550]
(When setting   (Normal)) (When setting   (Strong))
: With Level Shot Function
: Without Level Shot Function
/ When the tilt is corrected
/ / / When the tilt is above the correction range
Level Shot Function buttonEach press of this button switches Level Shot Function.
 (Normal)  #  (Strong)  # Off
 (Normal): Corrects the tilt.  (Strong): Strengthen tilt correction.
Off: Cancel the setting. 
						

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Optical Image Stabilizer can stabilize the image without decreasing the image quality as much.
∫Changing Image Stabilizer Mode
(Motion Picture Recording Mode)
(Still Picture Recording Mode)
≥The Image Stabilizer can also be turned on/off using the Touch Function. ( l60)
≥ Please refer to page 62  for details about Optical Image Stabilizer Lock.
Advanced (Recording)
Image Stabilizer Function [HC-V250]
: [RECORD SETUP] # [O.I.S.]  # [Standard] or [Active]
[Standard]:Compensates for blurring caused by hand-shake
[Active]:Compensates for even greater blurring caused by hand-shake.
: [RECORD SETUP]  # [O.I.S.]  # [MODE1] or [MODE2]
[MODE1]:The function works all the time.
[MODE2]:The function works when the   button is pressed. We recommend 
using this mode when you are recording yourself or recording with a tripod 
in Still Picture Recording Mode.
Optical Image Stabilizer buttonPress the button to turn Optical Image Stabilizer on/off. 
(Motion Picture Recording Mode)
/  #   (setting canceled)
≥ When [O.I.S.] is set to [Standard],   is displayed; when 
[O.I.S.] is set to [Active],   is displayed.
≥ When recording with a tripod in Motion Picture Recording 
Mode, we recommend that you set the Image Stabilizer 
 (off).
(Still Picture Recording Mode) /  #    (setting canceled)
≥ When [O.I.S.] is [MODE1],   is displayed. When 
[O.I.S.] is [MODE2],   is displayed.O.I.S.
MENU
MENU 
						

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1Touch the Recording Mode button icon.
2Touch the desired Recording Mode button icon.
*1 In Motion Picture Recording Mode only
*2  only
*3 In Still Picture Recording Mode only
Advanced (Recording)
Changing the Recording Mode
ModeEffect
Intelligent Auto You can switch the mode to the Intelligent Auto Mode, 
which optimizes settings to the recording environment 
you are in. (
l44)
Intelligent Auto Plus You can add manually-adjusted brightness and color 
balance settings to the Intelligent Auto Mode, and 
record. (
l46)
*1Creative Control You can record motion pictures with added effects. 
(
l 46)
Scene Mode This option allows this unit to automatically adjust the 
shutter speed and aperture, etc. according to the scene 
you want to record. (
l50)
Manual You can set the shutter speed, focus, White Balance 
and brightness (iris/gain). (
l54)
*1Endless Loop 
Recording No matter how long you record, you can only record 
scenes for the last 1 hour to SD card. (
l52)
*2, 3Stop Motion 
Animation Assist You can set a recorded still picture as the background, 
and record the next picture while looking at that 
recorded picture as the background. (l
53)
MENU
MNL
HC-V550 
						

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Intelligent Auto
The following modes (appropriate for the condition) are set just by pointing the unit to what you want 
to record.
*1 In Motion Picture Recording Mode only
*2 In Still Picture Recording Mode only
≥Depending on the recording conditions, the unit may not enter the desired mode.
≥ In the Portrait, Spotlight, or Low Light Mode, the face will be surrounded by a white frame when 
detected. In the Portrait Mode, a subject that is bigger and close to center of the screen will be 
surrounded by an orange frame. ( l71)
≥ Using a tripod is recommended in Night Scenery Mode.
≥ Faces cannot be detected depending on the recording conditions, such as when faces are of 
certain sizes or at certain tilts or when digital zoom is used.
ModeEffect
Portrait Faces are detected and focused automatically, and the brightness is 
adjusted so it is recorded clearly.
SceneryThe whole landscape will be recorded vividly without whiting out the 
background sky, which may be very bright.
*1SpotlightVery bright object is recorded clearly.*1Low LightIt can record very clearly even in a dark room or twilight.*2Night SceneryYou can record night scenery vividly by slowing the shutter speed.*2MacroThis allows recording at very close proximity to the object of recording.*1
*2Normal
NormalIn modes other than those described above, the contrast is adjusted to 
give a clear picture. 
						

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∫
Intelligent Auto Mode
When switching to Intelligent Auto Mode, the Automatic White Balance and Auto Focus operate and 
automatically adjust the color balance and focusing.
Depending on the brightness of the subject etc., the aperture and shutter speed are automatically 
adjusted for an optimum brightness.
≥Color balance and focus may not be adjusted automatically depending on light sources or 
scenes. If so, manually adjust these settings. ( l55, 57 )
Automatic White BalanceThe illustration shows the range over which Automatic White Balance functions.
1) The effective range of Automatic White Balance adjustment 
on this unit
2) Blue sky
3) Cloudy sky (rain)
4) Sunlight
5) White fluorescent lamp
6) Halogen light bulb
7) Incandescent light bulb
8) Sunrise or sunset
9) Candlelight
If the Automatic White Balance is not functioning normally, adjust 
the White Balance manually. ( l55)
Auto FocusThe unit focuses automatically.
≥Auto Focus does not work correctly in the following situations. 
Record pictures in the Manual Focus Mode. ( l57)
j Recording distant and close-up objects at the same time
j Recording a subject behind dirty or dusty window
j Recording a subject that is surrounded by objects with glossy surfaces or by highly reflective 
objects
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
10 000K 9 000K
8 000K
7 000K
6 000K
5 000K
4 000K
3 000K
2 000K2)
1) 3)
9) 
						

							- 46 -
Intelligent Auto Plus
Please refer to page 44 for details about the effect of each mode.
(Portrait)/ (Scenery)/ (Spotlight)
*1/(Low Light)*1/
(Night Scenery)*2/ (Macro)*2/(Normal)*1/(Normal)*2
*1 In Motion Picture Recording Mode only
*2 In Still Picture Recording Mode only
≥ Change the Recording Mode to  . ( l43)
1(When adjusting the brightness)
To u c h  .
(When adjusting the color balance)
To u c h  .
≥R side: Sets the balance to a reddish tone.
B side: Sets the balance to a bluish tone.
≥ Except for when adjusting the brightness or color balance, if you do not touch the screen for a 
while, the Touch Menu will disappear. To display it again, touch  .
2 Touch  /  to adjust settings.≥Touch   while adjusting the brightness, or touch   while adjusting the color balance to make 
the display of the adjustment bar disappear.
3 Start recording.
Creative Control
≥Set [REC FORMAT] to [AVCHD]. ( l69)
≥ Change the Recording Mode to  . ( l43)
Select the desired Creative Control Mode, then touch [Enter].
≥Still pictures cannot be taken.
ModeEffect
[Miniature Effect] You can record motion pictures with a diorama effect like recording a 
miniature by intentionally creating focused area and out of focused 
area in the peripheral of the image and recording motion picture with 
an interval. (
l47)
≥ Motion pictures recorded with this function will look as if the frame 
rate is low.
[8mm movie] You can record motion pictures with a faded retro effect. ( l48)
[Silent movie] You can record motion pictures that are similar to black-and-white 
silent films by lowering the amount of incoming light. (
l48)
[Time Lapse Rec] You can record a scene that moves slowly over a long period of time 
as a short time motion picture by recording one frame at each set 
time lapse. (
l49) 
						

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1Touch   to adjust the horizontal position of 
the in-focus portion.
≥If you touch the screen, you can adjust the horizontal 
position of the in-focus portion.
≥ When no touch operations are performed for approximately 
1 second, [Reset], [SIZE], and [ENTER] are displayed. If 
you touch the screen, you can readjust the horizontal 
position of the in-focus portion.
≥ Position of the in-focus portion will return to original position when you touch [Reset].
2 To u c h  [ S I Z E ] .≥The size of the in-focus portion is switched every time you touch [SIZE].
Medium size  # Large size  # Small size
≥ If you touch the screen, you can adjust the horizontal position of the in-focus portion.
≥ If you touch [Reset], the in-focus portion is reset to  the original position and [SIZE] is reset to the 
medium size.
3 Touch [ENTER].
4
(When adjusting the brightness)
To u c h  .
≥ The level of brightness is switched every time you touch the icon.
(Standard)  # (Bright)  # (Dark)
5(When adjusting the vividness)
To u c h  .≥The level of vividness is switched every time you touch the icon.
(Standard)  # (Vivid)  # (Most vivid)
6Start recording.≥It will record with an interval. 1 second will be recorded for approximately every 6 seconds of 
recording.
≥To make the Miniature Effect easier to gain, record objects incorporating a distant view or those 
that can provide depth or a skewed perspective. Also, use a tripod and avoid zooming.
≥ You may see a lot of noise in the in-focus portion when recording dark subjects such as night 
scenes.
≥ Audio cannot be recorded.
≥ [REC MODE] is set to [HA].
≥ The maximum recordable time is 12 hours.
≥ Motion pictures recorded with this function will look as if the frame rate is low.
[Miniature Effect]MINI 
						

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1(When adjusting the brightness)To u c h  .≥The level of brightness is switched every time you touch the icon.
(Standard)  # (Bright)  # (Dark)
2(When adjusting the color balance)
To u c h  .
≥The level of color balance is switched every time you touch the icon.
(Blue)  # (Red)  # (Yellow)
3 Start recording.
≥The sound is monaural.
1(When adjusting the brightness)
To u c h  .≥The level of brightness is switched every time you touch the icon.
(Standard)  # (Bright)  # (Dark)
2Start recording.
≥Audio cannot be recorded.
[8mm movie]
[Silent movie]
8mm
SILN 
						

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Touch the desired setup time.
≥Touch [ENTER].
≥ A frame is recorded with a set recording interval. 30 frames will make up motion picture of 1 
second.
≥ “h” is an abbreviation for hour, “min” for minute and “s” for second.
≥ These times are approximations.
≥ Maximum recordable time is 12 hours.
≥Audio cannot be recorded.
≥ [REC MODE] is set to [HA].
≥ The shortest motion picture recording time is 1 second.
≥ The color balance and focus may not be adjusted automatically depending on the light source or 
scene. If so, manually adjust those settings. ( l55, 57 )
≥ When recording for a long time, we recommend recording with the AC adaptor connected.
[Time Lapse Rec]
[1 SECOND]/[10 SECONDS]/[30 SECONDS]/[1 MINUTE]/[2 MINUTES]
Setup exampleSetup time 
(recording  interval)Recording timeRecorded time
Sunset 1s1h2min
Blooming 30 s3 h12 s
INTV 
						

							- 50 -
Scene Mode
≥Change the Recording Mode to  . ( l43)Touch the desired Scene Mode.
≥Touch [ENTER].
≥(Sports/Portrait/Soft Skin/Spotlight/Snow/Beach/Sunset/Scenery)
jThe shutter speed is 1/8 or more in Still Picture Recording Mode.
≥ (Sunset/Low Light)
jThe shutter speed is 1/30 or more in Motion Picture Recording Mode.
≥ (Sunset/Scenery/Fireworks/Night Scenery)
jImage may get blurry when close object is recorded.
≥ (Sports)
jDuring normal playback, the image movement may not look smooth.
j Color and screen brightness may change under indoor lighting.
j If the brightness is insufficient, the Sports Mode does not function. The   display flashes.
≥ (Portrait)
jColor and screen brightness may change under indoor lighting.
≥ (Soft Skin)
jIf the background or anything else in the scene has colors similar to the skin color, they will also 
be smoothed.
j If the brightness is insufficient, the effect may not be clear.
j If you record a person in the distance, the face  may not be recorded clearly. In this case, cancel 
Soft Skin Mode or zoom in on the face (close-up) to record.
≥ (Fireworks)
jThe shutter speed is 1/30.
j Image may get washed out when recorded in bright surrounding.
ModeEffect
5 Sports: To make fast moving scenes less shaky with slow playback and 
pause of playback
Portrait:To make people stand out against the background
Soft Skin:To makes skin colors appear softer for a more attractive 
appearance
Spotlight:Improved quality when subject is brightly illuminated.
Snow:Improved image quality when shooting in snowy locations.
Beach:To make blue in the sea or sky vibrant
Sunset:To make red in the sunrise or sunset vibrant
Scenery:For spatial scenery
Fireworks:To capture the fireworks in the night sky beautifully
Night Scenery:To capture the evening or night scenery beautifully
Low Light:For dark scenes, such as at dusk
(In Motion Picture Recording Mode only)