Panasonic Lumix DMC FX500 User Manual

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Advanced (Recording pictures)
Slide bar can be hidden by touching [ ].
Touch the aperture value, shutter speed or exposure display to change the settings.

Slide bar will be hidden during Touch AF/AE as well.
[REC] mode: ±´²
Aperture Value and Shutter Speed
∫Aperture-priority AE
∫Shutter-priority AE
Hide the slide bar
Available Aperture Value
(Per 1/3 EV)Shutter Speed (Sec)
F8.0 8 to 1/2000
F7.1 F6.3 F5.6 8 to 1/1600
F5.0 F4.5 F4.0 8 to 1/1300
F3.5 F3.2 F2.8 8 to 1/1000
Available Shutter Speed (Sec) (Per 1/3 EV)Aperture Value
8654
F2.8 to F8.0 3.2 2.5 2 1.6
1.3 1
1/1.3 1/1.6
1/2 1/2.5 1/3.2 1/4
1/5 1/6 1/8 1/10
1/13 1/15 1/20 1/25
1/30 1/40 1/50 1/60
1/80 1/100 1/125 1/160
1/200 1/250 1/320 1/400
1/500 1/640 1/800 1/1000
1/1300
F4.0 to F8.0
1/1600F5.6 to F8.0
1/2000F8.0
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
∫Manual exposure
Note

The aperture values given in the table above are values when the zoom position is at maximum 
Wide.
Depending on the zoom magnification, some of the aperture values cannot be selected.
[REC] mode: ³±´¿n
Compensating the Exposure
Use this function when you cannot achieve correct exposure due to the difference in brightness 
between the subject and the background. Look at the following examples.
Note
EV is an abbreviation of [Exposure Value]. It refers to the amount of light given to the CCD by 
the aperture value and the shutter speed.
The exposure compensation value appears on the lower left of the screen.The set exposure value is memorized even if the camera is turned off.The compensation range of the exposure will be limited depending on the brightness of the 
subject.
Exposure can also be compensated by touching the exposure compensation set bar when in 
aperture-priority AE or shutter-priority AE.
Available Aperture Value
(Per 1/3 EV)Available Shutter Speed (Sec)
(Per 1/3 EV)
F2.8 to F3.5 60 to 1/1000
F4.0 to F5.0 60 to 1/1300
F5.6 to F7.1 60 to 1/1600
F8.0 60 to 1/2000
Under exposed Properly exposed Overexposed
Compensate the exposure 
towards positive.Compensate the exposure 
towards negative.
Move 3 [È] until [EXPOSURE] appears, 
compensate the exposure with 2/1.
Select [0 EV] to return to the original exposure.
Press [MENU/SET] to finish.You can also press the shutter button halfway to finish.
1
2
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							53VQT1Q36
Advanced (Recording pictures)
[REC] mode: ³±´²¿
Taking Pictures using Auto Bracket
In this mode, 3 pictures are automatically recorded in the selected exposure compensation 
range each time the shutter button is pressed. You can select the picture with the desired 
exposure from the 3 pictures with different exposures.
With auto bracket d1 EV
Note

When setting auto bracket, [ ] appears on the screen.When taking pictures using auto bracket after setting the exposure compensation range, the 
pictures taken are based on the selected exposure compensation range.
When the exposure is compensated, the exposure compensation value appears on the lower 
left of the screen.
The auto bracket setting is canceled if you turn the camera off or [POWER SAVE] is activated.When auto bracket is set, the auto review function is activated regardless of the auto review 
setting. (The picture is not enlarged.) You cannot set the auto review function in the [SETUP] 
menu.
The exposure may not be compensated with auto bracket depending on the brightness of the 
subject.
In shutter-priority AE and manual exposure, if the shutter speed is set to longer than 1 second 
auto bracket is disabled.
[Œ] is set for the flash when auto bracket is set.Burst is canceled when auto bracket is set. 
1st picture 2nd picture 3rd picture
d0EVj1 EVi1 EV
Move 3 [È] until [AUTO BRACKET] 
appears, set the compensation range of the 
exposure with 2/1.
When you do not use auto bracket, select [OFF] (0).
Press [MENU/SET] to finish.You can also press the shutter button halfway to finish.
1
2
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							VQT1Q3654
Advanced (Recording pictures)
[REC] mode: ¿
Taking pictures that match the scene being 
recorded
 (¿: Scene mode)
When you select a scene mode to match the subject and recording situation, the camera 
sets the optimal exposure and hue to obtain the desired picture.
Slide the [REC]/[PLAYBACK] selector switch to [¦/!], and then 
press [MODE].
Touch [SCENE MODE].
Touch the scene mode to select.
Menu screen can be switched by touching [2]/[1] in 
left and right of the screen.
The menu screen is switched to the recording screen 
in the selected scene mode.
∫About the information feature   
If the information is [ON], explanations about the selected 
scene mode will be displayed when the scene mode is 
touched in step 
3.
Note
If you touch [SCN] during the recording screen of the scene mode, the screen will be returned 
to the one described in above step 3.Refer to P44 for information about the shutter speed.The scene mode flash setting is reset to the initial setting when the scene mode is changed.When you take a picture with a scene mode that is not adequate for the purpose, the hue of the 
picture may differ from the actual scene.
The following items cannot be set in scene mode because the camera automatically adjusts 
them to the optimal setting.
–[INTELLIGENT ISO]/[SENSITIVITY]/[METERING MODE]/[I.EXPOSURE]/
[COLOR EFFECT]/[PICT.ADJ.]
Touch AF/AE can be used except for following scene modes.–[STARRY SKY]/[FIREWORKS][I.EXPOSURE] is activated automatically except for following scene modes.–[NIGHT SCENERY]/[FOOD]/[PET]/[HI-SPEED BURST]/[STARRY SKY]/[FIREWORKS]/
[BEACH]/[SNOW]/[AERIAL PHOTO]
When taking pictures of people outdoors during the daytime, this mode allows you to 
improve the appearance of the persons concerned and make their skin tones look healthier.
∫Technique for Portrait mode
To make this mode more effective:
1Rotate the zoom lever to maximum Tele position.
2Move close to the subject to make this mode more effective.
Note

The initial setting for [AF MODE] is [š].
* [PORTRAIT]
1
2
3
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
When taking pictures of people outdoors during the daytime, this mode enables the texture 
of their skin to appear even softer than with [PORTRAIT]. (It is effective when taking 
pictures of people from the chest up.)
∫Technique for Soft skin mode
To make this mode more effective:
1Rotate the zoom lever to maximum Tele position.
2Move close to the subject to make this mode more effective.
Note

If a part of the background etc. is a color close to skin color, this part is also smoothed.This mode may not be effective when there is insufficient brightness.The initial setting for [AF MODE] is [š].
Select this to take pictures of yourself.
∫Technique for Self portrait mode

Press the shutter button halfway to focus. The self-timer indicator 
lights up when you are brought into focus. Making sure you hold 
the camera still, press the shutter button fully to take the picture.
The subject is not focused when the self-timer indicator is 
blinking. Make sure to press the shutter button halfway again to 
focus.
The recorded picture automatically appears on the LCD monitor 
for reviewing.
If the picture is blurry due to the slow shutter speed, we 
recommend using the 2 second self-timer.
Note
The focus range is about 30 cm (0.99 feet) to 70 cm (2.29 feet).You can take a picture of yourself with audio (P76). If you do this, the self-timer indicator will 
light up while recording the audio.
The zoom magnification is automatically moved to Wide (1k).The self-timer can only be set to off or 2 seconds. If it is set to 2 seconds, this setting will 
remain until the camera is turned off, the scene mode is changed or [REC] mode or 
[PLAYBACK] mode is selected.
The stabilizer function mode is fixed to [MODE2]. (P75)The initial setting for [AF MODE] is [š].
This allows you to take pictures of a wide landscape.
Note

The focus range is 5 m (16.4 feet) to ¶ (infinity).
Set here when you want to take pictures of sports scenes or other fast-moving events.
Note

This mode is suitable for taking pictures of subjects at distances of 5 m (16.4 feet) or more.[INTELLIGENT ISO] is activated, and maximum ISO sensitivity level becomes [ISO800].
+ [SOFT SKIN]
0 [SELF PORTRAIT]
, [SCENERY]
- [SPORTS]
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							VQT1Q3656
Advanced (Recording pictures)
This allows you to take pictures of a person and the background with near real-life 
brightness.
∫Technique for Night portrait mode

Use the flash. (You can set to [ ].)Since the shutter speed becomes slower, we recommend using a tripod and the self-timer for 
taking pictures.
Keep the subject still for about 1 second after taking the picture.We recommend rotating the zoom lever to Wide (1k) and being about 1.5 m (4.92 feet) from 
the subject when taking a picture.
Note
The focus range is 1.2 m (3.94 feet) to 5 m (16.4 feet).The shutter may remain closed (max. about 1 sec.) after taking the picture because of signal 
processing. This is not a malfunction.
Noise may become visible when you take pictures in dark places.The initial setting for [AF MODE] is [š].
This allows you to take vivid pictures of the nightscape.
∫Technique for Night scenery mode

When the camera is set to [STABILIZER] and there is little jitter, or if [STABILIZER] is set to 
[OFF], shutter speed may slow down up to 8 seconds. We recommend using the tripod and the 
self-timer for taking a picture.
Note
The focus range is 5 m (16.4 feet) to ¶ (infinity).The shutter may remain closed (max. about 8 sec.) after taking the picture because of signal 
processing. This is not a malfunction.
Noise may become visible when you take pictures in dark places.
This mode allows you to take pictures of food with a natural hue without being affected by 
the ambient light in restaurants, etc.
Note

The focus range becomes the same as macro mode. [5 cm (0.17 feet) (Wide)/1 m (3.28 feet) 
(Tele) to ¶ (infinity)]
Select this when you want to take pictures at a wedding reception, an indoor party etc. 
This allows you to take pictures of people and the background with near real-life 
brightness.
∫Technique for Party mode

Use the flash. (You can set to [] or [].)We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer for taking pictures.We recommend rotating the zoom lever to Wide (1k) and being about 1.5 m (4.92 feet) from 
the subject when taking pictures.
Note
The initial setting for [AF MODE] is [š].
. [NIGHT PORTRAIT]
/ [NIGHT SCENERY]
1 [FOOD] 
2 [PARTY]
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							57VQT1Q36
Advanced (Recording pictures)
This mode allows you to take pictures with a candle-lit atmosphere.
∫Technique for Candle Light mode

This is more effective when taking pictures without using the flash.We recommend using a tripod and the self-timer for taking pictures.
Note
The focus range becomes the same as macro mode. [5 cm (0.17 feet) (Wide)/1 m (3.28 feet) 
(Tele) to ¶ (infinity)]
The initial setting for [AF MODE] is [š].
This takes pictures of a baby with a healthy complexion. When you use the flash, the light 
from it is weaker than usual.
It is possible to set different birthdays and names for [BABY1] and [BABY2]. You can select 
to have these appear at the time of playback, or have them stamped on the recorded 
image using [TEXT STAMP] (P92).
∫Birthday/Name setting
1Touch [SET] of [AGE] or [NAME].2Enter the birthday / name
Birthday: Touch [3]/[4] for each item to set year/
month/day, and touch [SET].
Name: For details on how to enter characters, read 
the [TITLE EDIT] section on P88.

When the birthday or name is set, [AGE] or [NAME] is 
automatically set to [ON].
If [ON] is selected when the birthday or name has not been registered, the setting screen 
appears automatically.
3Touch [EXIT] to finish.
∫To cancel [AGE] and [NAME]
Select the [OFF] setting in step 
1 of the “Birthday/Name setting” procedure.
Note

The age and name can be printed out using the “PHOTOfunSTUDIO-viewer-” bundled software 
on the CD-ROM (supplied).
If [AGE] or [NAME] is set to [OFF] even when the birthday or name has been set, the age or 
name will not be displayed. Before taking pictures, set [AGE] or [NAME] to [ON].
The focus range becomes the same as macro mode. [5 cm (0.17 feet) (Wide)/1 m (3.28 feet) 
(Tele) to ¶ (infinity)]
[INTELLIGENT ISO] is activated, and maximum ISO sensitivity level becomes [ISO400].If the camera is turned on with [BABY1]/[BABY2] set, the age and name are displayed at the 
lower left of the screen for about 5 seconds, along with the current date and time.
If the age is not properly displayed, check the clock and birthday settings.The birthday setting and name setting can be reset with [RESET].The initial setting for [AF MODE] is [š].
3 [CANDLE LIGHT]
: [BABY1]/; [BABY2]
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							VQT1Q3658
Advanced (Recording pictures)
Select this when you want to take pictures of a pet such as a dog or a cat.
You can set your pet’s birthday and name. You can select to have these appear at the time 
of playback, or have them stamped on the recorded image using [TEXT STAMP] (P92).
For information about [AGE] or [NAME], refer to [BABY1]/[BABY2] on P57.
Note

The initial setting for the AF assist lamp is [OFF].[INTELLIGENT ISO] is activated, and maximum ISO sensitivity level becomes [ISO800].The initial setting for [AF MODE] is [Ø].Refer to [BABY1]/[BABY2] for other information about this mode.
Select this when you want to take pictures of sunset view. This allows you to take vivid 
pictures of the red color of the sun.
This mode minimizes the jitter of the subjects, and enables you to take pictures of these 
subjects in dimly lit rooms. (Select this for high-sensitivity processing. The sensitivity 
automatically switches to between [ISO1600] and [ISO6400].)
∫Picture size and aspect ratio
Touch the picture size and aspect ratio to select.

3M (4:3), 2.5M (3:2) or 2M (16:9) is selected as the picture 
size.
Note
[QUALITY] is automatically fixed to [›].You can take pictures suitable for 4qk6q/10k15 cm printing.The focus range becomes the same as macro mode. [5 cm (0.17 feet) (Wide)/1 m (3.28 feet) 
(Tele) to ¶ (infinity)]
í [PET]
ï [SUNSET]
9 [HIGH SENS.]
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Advanced (Recording pictures)
This is a convenient mode for shooting rapid movement or a decisive moment.
∫Picture size and aspect ratio
1Touch the picture size and aspect ratio to select.
2M (4:3), 2.5M (3:2) or 2M (16:9) is selected as the 
picture size.
2Take pictures.
Still pictures are taken continuously while the shutter 
button is pressed fully.
The burst speed changes according to the recording conditions.The number of burst recording pictures are limited by the picture-taking conditions and the type 
and/or status of the card used.
The number of burst recording pictures increase immediately after formatting.
Note
[QUALITY] is automatically fixed to [›].You can take pictures suitable for 4qk6q/10k15 cm printing.The shutter speed becomes 1/8th of a second to 1/2000th of a second.The focus range becomes the same as macro mode. [5 cm (0.17 feet) (Wide)/1 m (3.28 feet) 
(Tele) to ¶ (infinity)]
The focus, zoom, exposure, white balance, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity are fixed to the 
settings for the first picture.
The ISO sensitivity automatically switches to between [ISO500] and [ISO800]. However, the 
ISO sensitivity is increased to make the shutter speed become high-speed.
This allows you to take vivid pictures of a starry sky or a dark subject.
∫Setting the shutter speed
Select a shutter speed of [15 SEC.], [30 SEC.] or [60 SEC.].
1Touch the number of seconds to select.
It is also possible to change the number of seconds 
using the quick menu. (P22)
2Take pictures.
Press the shutter button fully to display the countdown 
screen. Do not move the camera after this screen is 
displayed. When countdown finishes, [PLEASE WAIT...] 
is displayed for the same length of time as the set 
shutter speed for signal processing.
Press [MENU/SET] to stop taking the picture while the 
countdown screen is displayed.
∫Technique for Starry sky mode
The shutter opens for 15, 30 or 60 seconds. Be sure to use a tripod. We also recommend 
taking pictures with the self-timer.
Note
The optical image stabilizer function is fixed to [OFF].ISO sensitivity is fixed to [ISO100].
ô [HI-SPEED BURST]
Maximum Burst speedapprox. 6 pictures/second
Number of recordable 
picturesapprox. 20 (built-in memory)/approx. 20 to 100¢ (card)
¢the maximum is 100.
5 [STARRY SKY]
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							VQT1Q3660
Advanced (Recording pictures)
This mode allows you to take beautiful pictures of fireworks exploding in the night sky.
∫Technique for Fireworks mode

Since the shutter speed becomes slower, we recommend using a tripod.
Note
This mode is most effective when the subject is 10 m (32.8 feet) or more away.The shutter speed becomes the following.–When [OFF] is set on the optical image stabilizer function: Fixed to 2 seconds–When [MODE1] or [MODE2] is set on the optical image stabilizer function: 1/4th of a second 
or 2 seconds (The shutter speed becomes 2 seconds only when the camera has determined 
that there is little jitter such as when using a tripod etc.)
–You can change the shutter speed by compensating the exposure.The AF area is not displayed.ISO sensitivity is fixed to [ISO100].
This allows you to take even more vivid pictures of the blue color of the sea, sky etc. It also 
prevents under exposure of people under strong sunlight.
Note

The initial setting for [AF MODE] is [š].Do not touch the camera with wet hands.Sand or seawater will cause the camera to malfunction. Make sure that sand or seawater does 
not get into the lens or the terminals.
Problems caused by sand or seawater are not covered by the product warranty.
This allows you to take pictures that show the snow as white as possible at a ski resort or 
a snow-covered mountain.
This mode allows you to take pictures through an airplane window.
∫Technique for Aerial photo mode

We recommend using this technique if it is difficult to focus when taking pictures of clouds etc. 
Aim the camera at something with high contrast, press the shutter button halfway to fix the 
focus and then aim the camera at the subject and press the shutter button fully to take the 
picture.
Note
The focus range is 5 m (16.4 feet) to ¶ (infinity).Turn the camera off when taking off or landing.When using the camera, follow all instructions from the cabin crew.Be careful about the reflection from the window.
4 [FIREWORKS]
6 [BEACH]
8 [SNOW]
7 [AERIAL PHOTO] 
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