Panasonic Hx A500 Basic Owners Manual

							21(ENG) SQT0251
4Pass the band through the band hole.
5Attach the band to the hard surface of 
the hook and loop fastener to fasten 
the band to your arm.
≥When fastening the main unit, try not to drop the 
camera unit to avoid a shock and try not to 
scratch the lens.
∫ About the Armband CaseThe Armband Case can be used as a portable holder.
≥The camera unit can be stored in the camera pocket  B, and the camera/main unit connection 
cable can be bundled with the band  A.
≥ When fastening to your arm, remove the camera unit from the Armband Case.
≥When removing the camera/main unit from the Armband Case, avoid pulling the camera/main 
unit connection cable.
≥ Do not  forcibly bend or pull the cable. Be extra careful in low temperatures, which cause the 
cable to become fairly inflexible.
≥ Optional accessories will be handy in various scenes. ( l33)

D Hard surface of the hook and loop 
fastener


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							22SQT0251 (ENG)
1Push down the lock lever of the 
Head Mount (L) to the UNLOCK side.
2Attach the Head Mount (R) to the Head Mount (L).
3Loosen the adjustment knob, and 
change the direction of the camera 
holder.
≥To loosen the adjustment knob, rotate it 
towards 1. To tighten the adjustment knob, 
rotate it towards  2.
≥ Adjust the direction as shown in the illustration, 
and tighten the adjustment knob again.
1Insert the camera unit until it clicks 
into place.
≥Insert the camera unit so that the microphone 
faces inward.
2Fit the camera/main unit connection 
cable in the cable holder.
≥Loosen the cable to make the shape of the 
Head Mount.
Assembling the Head Mount
Attaching the camera unit to the Head Mount to wear

A Lock lever




B Adjustment knob
C Camera holder

AMicrophone


BCable holder
C Camera/main unit connection 
cable
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							23(ENG) SQT0251
3Hook the Head Mount to your ears 
firmly so that the camera unit will be 
positioned on the left side of your 
face.
4Adjust the size of the Head Mount, 
and push down the lock lever to the 
LOCK side.
≥Adjust by slowly pulling the Head Mount (R) 
sideways.
≥ If you adjust in such a way that the camera unit comes into close contact with the cheek, you can 
record less blurry images.
5Hold the camera holder, and adjust 
the direction of the lens.
≥To loosen the adjustment knob, rotate it 
towards 1. To tighten the adjustment knob, 
rotate it towards  2.
≥ If the direction of the lens cannot be changed, 
loosen the adjustment knob slightly and tighten 
it after adjusting the direction of the lens.
≥ If the camera unit is shaky, tighten the 
adjustment knob.
∫ How to remove the cameraHold the camera holder as shown in the figure, and remove the 
camera unit in the direction of the arrow.
≥Do not touch the lens or pull the camera/main unit connection cable while attaching or removing.
≥ When adjusting the size of the Head Mount and the tightness of the Headband, do so slowly 
without applying too much force.
≥ If the adjustment knob comes off, attach it as indicated in the 
right figure.
We recommend you make a test recording to check the settings such as the [ANGLE OF VIEW], 
[LEVEL SHOT], [IMAGE STABILIZATION] and [WHITE BALANCE] before recording.
≥ Please refer to “Owner’s Manual (PDF format)“ for details.
Things to check after putting on this unit



D
Adjustment knob
E Camera holder
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							24SQT0251 (ENG)
≥Set this unit to the desired Recording Mode before recording.
You can record images with a variety of recording methods by changing the Recording Mode.
1Press the joystick to select the menu.
* To set this unit to [PICTURE RECORDING] with the “Image App”, tap the Motion Picture/Still  Picture toggle button.
2Start recording.
≥When recording in [SLOW MOTION], use a microSD card with an SD Speed Class Rating of 6 or 
higher.
Basic
Recording
1Press the recording start/stop button.≥If this unit is set to record a motion picture, recording 
starts.
≥ In [PICTURE RECORDING], a still picture will be 
recorded.
≥ Once recording starts, the LCD monitor will turn off 
approximately 30 seconds later. To turn it on again, 
operate the joystick.
A When you begin recording a motion picture,  ; 
changes to  ¥.
2(When recording a motion picture)Press the recording start/stop button again 
to pause recording.
Basic
Changing the Recording Mode
[RECORD SETUP]  # [RECORDING MODE]  # desired recording mode
Recording ModeiconRecording method
[NORMAL SHOOTING] Recording motion pictures.
[SLOW MOTION] This records motion pictures in slow motion by 
setting a high frame rate (increasing the number of 
frames).
[LOOP RECORDING] No matter how long you record, you can only record 
motion pictures for the last 1 hour to microSD card.
[PICTURE RECORDING] Recording still pictures.
*

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							25(ENG) SQT0251
Motion pictures or still pictures stored in this unit are played back with the smartphone.
≥For more information, refer to the [Help] in the “Image App” menu.
1Ta p  .≥The thumbnails of motion pictures or still pictures recorded on this unit will be displayed.
2Ta p   ( ) .≥To play back a motion picture, tap  ; to play back a still picture, tap  .
3Tap the thumbnail of motion picture or still picture you want to play back.≥The playback screen will be displayed.
≥ If you have tapped a still picture, you can play back the previous or next picture by dragging 
(swiping) the screen left or right.
4(For playing back motion pictures)Tap the playback icon on the screen to play back 
motion pictures.
≥Tapping or dragging the slide bar will start playback from the 
desired position of a motion picture file.
Basic
Playback using a smartphone
Preparation:
1 Install the smartphone application “Image App” on your smartphone. ( l26)
2 Set up a Wi-Fi connection between this unit and the smartphone, and perform the 
remote operation. (l 27)
00:20 03:10

ASlide bar
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							26SQT0251 (ENG)
To provide a Wi-Fi connection example, this basic owner’s manual describes the procedures from 
setting up a direct connection between this unit and a smartphone to getting them ready for remote 
operation.
≥Please refer to the owner’s manual (PDF format) of this unit for details about the setting/operating 
of this unit.
≥ Please refer to the operating instructions of the device in use for details about the setting/
operating of the wireless access point or smartphone.
∫ This unit is NFC-compatibleUsing the NFC (Near Field Communication) function, you can easily transfer data necessary for a 
Wi-Fi connection between this unit and the smartphone.
This function can be used with the NFC compatible device with Android
™ (OS version 2.3.3 or 
later). (Except for some models)
Install the “Image App”
* The supported OS versions are current as of April 2014 and subject to change.
≥ Use the latest version.
≥ The service may not be able to be used properly depending on the type of smartphone being 
used. For information on the “Image App”, check the support website below.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/e_cam/index.html
(This Site is English only.)
≥ When downloading the app on a mobile network, high packet communication fees may be 
incurred depending on the details of your contract.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi® function
About the “Image App”
The “Image App” is an application provided by Panasonic.
For Android appsFor iOS apps
OS Android 2.3.3 or later*iOS 5.0 or later*
Installation 
procedure1 Connect your Android 
device to a network.
2 Select “Google Play™ 
Store”.
3 Enter “Panasonic Image  App” into the search 
box.
4 Select “Panasonic 
Image App” and install 
it.
≥The icon will be added 
to the menu.
1 Connect your iOS 
device to a network.
2 Select “App Store
SM”.
3 Enter “Panasonic Image  App” into the search 
box.
4 Select “Panasonic  Image App” and install 
it.
≥The icon will be added 
to the menu.
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							27(ENG) SQT0251
Using remote operation with a direct connection 
([Smartphone Direct Connect])
∫Preparations before using remote operation
1Install the smartphone application “Image App” on your smartphone. ( l26)
2Check if the smartphone is an Android (NFC-compatible), Android (non-NFC-
compatible), or iOS device.
≥If your smartphone is NFC-compatible, a message asking you to touch the NFC mark on the 
device will be displayed when starting up the “Image App”.
∫ If the device is Android (NFC-compatible)≥Set the NFC function of the smartphone to on.
1Start up the smartphone application “Image App”.
2Touch the smartphone on   of this unit.≥Touch the NFC mark while a message asking you to touch the NFC 
mark on the device is displayed on the smartphone screen. 
≥ If this is the first time the smartphone is connecting to this unit, the 
message is displayed on the screen of this unit. Select [YES], press 
the joystick, and then touch the smartphone on   of this unit again.
≥ If the unit is not recognized even when touching the smartphone, 
change positions and try again.
≥ You cannot set up a connection when recording an image with this unit or the menu screen is 
displayed.
≥ When the connection is complete, images of this unit is displayed on the smartphone screen.
∫ If the device is Android (non-NFC-compatible) or iOS≥This operation is not possible while this unit is recording.
1Press the joystick to select the menu.
2Select the [Smartphone Direct Connect], press the joystick, then start up the 
[Smartphone Direct Connect].
≥A Wi-Fi mode icon ( ) will be displayed on the screen.
3On the smartphone, select the SSID displayed on this unit from the Wi-Fi 
setup menu.
4Enter the Password displayed on this unit’s screen on the smartphone.
5Start up the smartphone application “Image App”.≥When the connection is complete, images of this unit is displayed on the smartphone screen.
[Wi-Fi SETUP] # [Wi-Fi MODE]
Confirming that the Wi-Fi connection is complete
j  is displayed on the screen
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							28SQT0251 (ENG)
If the Wi-Fi connection cannot be established
≥Please refer to the operating instruction of the device in use for details about the setting of the 
wireless access point or smartphone.
Reset Wi-Fi settings
You can change the Wi-Fi setting back to the default condition. The “LUMIX CLUB” Login ID can 
also be deleted.
1 Press the joystick to select the menu.
2
(To delete the Login ID of the “LUMIX CLUB”)Select [YES], then press the joystick.
ProblemCheck points
The Wi-Fi connection is 
not possible between this 
unit and a smartphone.
≥ Make sure the smartphone is properly connected to this unit 
by checking the Wi-Fi settings of the smartphone.
≥ Make sure the SSID and Password have been correctly input.
≥ Make sure the smartphone is not connected to the wireless 
access point. If it is connected to the wireless access point, 
change the Wi-Fi access point using the smartphone’s Wi-Fi 
set up.
It takes long time every 
time to connect to a 
smartphone.
≥ It may take longer time to connect depending on the Wi-Fi 
connection setting of the smartphone, but it is not a 
malfunction.
This unit is not displayed 
in the Wi-Fi setting screen 
of the smartphone.
≥ Try switching the on/off of the Wi-Fi function in the Wi-Fi 
settings of the smartphone.
The Wi-Fi connection is 
di sconne cte d imme dia te ly.
≥ If there is a setting for avoiding poor connections in the Wi-Fi 
setting menu of the Android device 4.0 or later version, turn it 
off.
Cannot be connected 
us ing NFC.
≥ Make sure your smartphone is compatible with NFC. This unit 
can be used with NFC-compatible terminals via Android (OS 
version 2.3.3 or later).
≥ Make sure the NFC function of your smartphone is on.
≥ Make sure this unit is turned on.
≥ Some smartphones cannot be easily checked simply by 
touching. If this unit is not recognized even after touching, 
change positions and try again by touching slowly.
≥ Touch again if it does not connect after touch.
If a connection still cannot be established, shut down the 
“Image App”, turn off this unit and try to establish a 
connection again.
≥ If the amount of time this unit is in contact with the 
smartphone is too short, this unit may not  recognize the 
smartphone. Touch and hold the smartphone.
[Wi-Fi SETUP]  # [RESET Wi-Fi SETTINGS]  # [YES]
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							29(ENG) SQT0251
∫It is not a malfunction in following cases
Please refer to “Owner’s Manual (PDF format)“ for details.
Others
Troubleshooting
The lens or LCD monitor 
fog up. ≥
This is due to condensation. It is not a malfunction. Please 
refer to page 9.
The alert sound and 
shutter sound are low. ≥
This is for ensuring the waterproof performance of this unit, 
and not a malfunction. Opening and closing the side cover will 
restore the original volume.
ProblemCheck points
This unit cannot be turned 
on.
This unit does not stay on 
long enough.
Battery runs down quickly. ≥
Charge the battery again to ensure it is sufficiently charged. 
(l 14)
≥ In cold places, the battery using time becomes shorter.
≥ If the operating time is very short even after the battery has 
been recharged sufficiently, the battery has worn out. Consult 
with your dealer.
The power l amp flas he s 
for approximately 
5 seconds, and the unit 
turns off approximately 
30 seconds later. ≥
The temperature has become high. Please wait until the 
temperature of this unit decreases.
Color balance of images is 
strange when recording in 
a place such as a 
gymnasium. ≥
In a place with multiple light sources, such as a gymnasium or 
a hall, set the White Balance setting to   (Indoor 2). If you 
cannot record clearly with the   (Indoor 2), set it with 
[CUSTOM].
Recorded motion pictures 
flicker.
Horizontal lines appear in 
recorded movies. ≥
If you record an image with [1280 k720/120fps] or [848 k480/
240fps] in [SLOW MOTION], flickering or horizontal lines may 
appear under fluorescent lighting.
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							30SQT0251 (ENG)
When disposing of your used products, remove the battery built into this unit after 
performing [RESET Wi-Fi SETTINGS] (l28), and please cooperate in recycling of the 
battery. Please refer to page 31 about how to remove the battery.
≥ Please make sure that the battery is disposed of at an officially assigned location, if there is one in 
your country.
This is the rechargeable battery for this unit. 
Do not use other than with this unit.
Do not charge the rechargeable battery 
when it has been removed.
≥ Do not place in fire or heat it.
≥ Do not puncture with nails, subject it to 
impact, disassemble or modify it.
≥ Do not touch metal to the  r and  s terminals.
≥ Do not store or carry together with necklaces 
or hairpins, etc.
≥ Do not heat in microwaves or ovens, etc.
≥ Do not charge, use or leave in hot places 
such as next to fires or in extremely hot 
weather.
≥ Do not put into water.
This may cause leaking, overheating, fire or 
rupture.
≥ If a leak should occur, by no means touch the 
liquid with bare hands.
If the liquid gets on the body or clothes, wash 
well with water. If the liquid gets into your 
eyes, there is a danger of blindness. Do not 
rub the eyes; after washing immediately with 
clean water, consult your physician.
Keep removed screws etc. out of the reach 
of small children.
If accidentally ingested there will be adverse 
physical effects.
≥ Should you suspect that such an object has 
been ingested, consult your physician 
immediately.
Battery used for this unit
Others
Requests when disposing of this unit
Do not disassemble this unit other than when disposing of this unit.
Name: Lithium ion (Li-ion) 
rechargeable battery
Nominal voltage: DC 3.7 V
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