Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ30 User Manual

							Preparation
31VQT0R81
Approximate number of recordable pictures and 
the size
Aspect Ratio
Picture size (8M):
(3264k2448 pixels) (5M EZ):
(2560k1920 pixels) (3M EZ):
(2048k1536 pixels)
Quality
16 MB 037005111917
32 MB 171511122431937
64 MB 215313 3254963975
128 MB 4 31 62 7 8 51 100 12 79 150
256 MB 9 61 120 13 15 99 195 24 150 290
512 MB 19 120 240 27 30 195 380 48 300 590
1 GB 38 240 480 54 61 390 770 96 610 1180
2 GB 77 490 970 105 125 790 1530 195 1220 2360
Aspect Ratio
Picture size (2M EZ):
(1600k1200 pixels) (1M EZ):
(1280k960 pixels)
Quality
16 MB 2 14 28 3 22 41
32 MB 4 30 59 7 46 86
64 MB 10 62 120 15 94 175
128 MB 20 125 240 31 190 350
256 MB 39 240 470 61 370 690
512 MB 78 480 940 120 730 1370
1 GB 155 970 1880 240 1470 2740
2 GB 310 1920 3610 490 2920 5120
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals 
						

							Preparation
32VQT0R81
 The aspect ratio is the horizontal to vertical ratio of a picture. Refer to P84 for the aspect 
ratio.
 If you set the quality to [RAW], the picture size is fixed to the maximum picture size for 
each aspect ratio.
 If you select a larger picture size, you can print pictures clearly. When you select a 
smaller picture size, you can record more pictures. (P85)
 EZ is an abbreviation for [Extended Optical Zoom]. Selecting a picture size with EZ 
displayed, allows you to magnify the subject up to a maximum of 19.1 times when the 
digital zoom is set to [OFF]. (P34)
 Refer to P86 for information about quality.
 The numbers are approximations. (The numbers vary depending on the recording 
condition and the type of the card.)
 The number of recordable pictures varies depending on subjects.
 The remaining number of recordable pictures displayed on the screen is an 
approximation.
Aspect Ratio
Picture size (7M):
(3248k2160 pixels) (4.5M EZ):
(2560k1712 pixels) (2.5M EZ):
(2048k1360 pixels)
Quality
16 MB 0480161211019
32 MB 1 8 17 1 2 13 27 3 21 41
64 MB 2 17 35 3 4 28 55 6 44 84
128 MB 5 36 71 7 8 57 110 14 89 170
256 MB 10 70 135 15 17 110 210 27 170 330
512 MB 21 135 270 30 34 220 430 54 340 650
1 GB 43 270 540 60 69 440 860 105 680 1310
2 GB 87 560 1090 120 140 890 1700 210 1360 2560
Aspect Ratio
Picture size (5.5M):
(3072k1728 pixels) (2M EZ):
(1920k1080 pixels)
Quality
16 MB 0 5 10 1 2 13 25
32 MB 111222 42854
64 MB 3 23 46 4 9 58 110
128 MB 7 47 93 9 18 115 220
256 MB 14 92 180 18 36 230 430
512 MB 28 180 350 36 72 450 860
1 GB 57 360 710 72 145 910 1720
2 GB 115 740 1420 145 290 1800 3410
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals 
						

							Preparation
33VQT0R81
About the zoom
You can make people and subjects appear 
closer with the 12 times optical zoom, and 
landscapes can be recorded in wide angle.
∫To make subjects appear further away 
use (Wide)
∫To make subjects appear closer use 
(Tele)
A: Zoom ring
 The picture may have some distortion 
(typical example: vertical straight line bent 
outwards). This is due to the lens 
aberration, which is common to some 
extent with all photographic lenses. 
Distortion may be more visible when using 
a wider area of the zoom lens as you get 
closer to the subject.
 When using the zoom lens at high 
magnification, the quality of the picture 
can be enhanced if a tripod is used. At 
high magnification, even small 
movements can cause a slight decrease 
in picture sharpness.
 If you use the zoom function after focusing 
on the subject, focus on the subject again.
 The indicated zoom magnification is an 
approximation.
 When you rotate the zoom ring, you 
may hear some sound from the camera 
or the camera may be shaken. This is 
not a malfunction.Using the Optical Zoom
SCN1SCN2
5
1X
5
12X
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals 
						

							Preparation
34VQT0R81
In the [REC] menu (P81), setting [D.ZOOM] 
to [2k] or [4k] allows you to magnify a 
subject up to a maximum of 48 times. 
(Except when using extended optical 
zoom.)
1Optical zoom
2Digital zoom
∫The digital zoom and extended optical 
zoom can be used together.
Example:When the digital zoom is set to 
[4k]and the picture size to (3M EZ), you 
can use the extended optical zoom [ ] at 
the same time.
3When using the digital zoom [4k]and 
the extended optical zoom   [3M EZ 
(maximum19.1times )] together.
 The digital zoom is temporarily set to 
[OFF] in the following cases.
– When taking pictures in auto mode 
[] (P42)
– When the quality is set to [RAW] (P86)
– When [CONVERSION] on the [REC] 
menu is set to [ ] (P95)
 When using the digital zoom, the picture 
quality becomes deteriorated.
 When using the digital zoom, the stabilizer 
function may not be effective. When using the digital zoom, we 
recommend using a tripod and the 
self-timer (P53) for taking pictures.
 The indicated zoom magnification is an 
approximation.
 When using the digital zoom, the AF area 
is displayed with a size wider than usual 
and set only to a point on the center of the 
screen. (P89)
Normally you can make people and 
subjects appear up to 12 times closer with 
the optical zoom. However if you set the 
picture size to [ ] [3M EZ] etc., the 
extended optical zoom is activated and the 
zoom is further enhanced as shown below.
Using the Digital Zoom
SCN1SCN2
W
W
WT
T T
WT
Using the Extended Optical Zoom 
(EZ)
Picture size with the 
extended optical zoom 
not activated (example: 
[ ] (8M))Picture size with the 
extended optical zoom 
activated (example: 
[] (3MEZ))
SCN1SCN2
35 mm
420 mm668 mm
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals 
						

							Preparation
35VQT0R81
∫Picture size and maximum zoom 
magnification
(±: Available, —: Not available)
∫Extended optical zoom mechanism
 When you set the picture size to [ ] 
(3M EZ) (3 million pixels), the 8M 
(8 million pixels) CCD area is cropped to 
the centre 3M (3 million pixels) area, 
allowing a picture with a higher zoom 
effect.
 You can further enhance the zoom 
magnification with the extended optical 
zoom without worrying about further 
picture distortion.
 If you set a picture size that activates the 
extended optical zoom, the extended 
optical zoom icon [ ] is displayed on the 
LCD monitor when you use the zoom 
function.
 The zoom movement quickens near Wide 
(1k) when using the extended optical 
zoom.
 When you rotate the zoom ring near the 
Tele position, the on-screen zoom 
indication may momentarily pause. This is 
not a malfunction.
 Setting [D.ZOOM] in the [REC] mode 
menu to [ON] allows you to use the digital 
zoom for recording an even larger picture. 
However picture quality willl deteriorate. 
(P34)
 In motion picture mode [ ], the 
extended optical zoom does not work.
Aspect 
ratioPicture 
sizeMaximum 
zoom 
magnificationExtended 
optical 
zoom
(8M)
12k
—(7M)
(5.5M)
(5M EZ)
15.3k
±
(4.5M EZ)
(3M EZ)
19.1k (2M EZ)
(1M EZ)
(2.5M EZ)
(2M EZ)
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals 
						

							Recording pictures (basic)
36VQT0R81
Recording pictures (basic)
The Mode Dial
This camera has a mode dial to suit recording of many kinds of scenes.
Select the desired mode and enjoy the variety of recording.
Rotate the mode dial slowly and securely.
: Program AE mode (P37)
The exposure is automatically adjusted by 
the camera.
: Aperture-priority AE (P64)
The shutter speed is automatically 
determined by the aperture value you set.
: Shutter-priority AE (P65)
The aperture value is automatically 
determined by the shutter speed you set.
: Manual exposure (P66)
The exposure is adjusted by the aperture 
value and the shutter speed which are 
manually adjusted.
: Motion picture mode (P69)
This mode allows you to record motion 
pictures.: Scene mode 1
: Scene mode 2 (P71)
This mode allows you to take pictures 
depending on the recording scenes.
This mode also allows you to set [SCENE 
MENU] (P24) on the [SETUP] menu to 
[OFF] and set the scene modes which are 
frequently used to [ ] and [ ] on the 
mode dial.
It is convenient because you can select the 
scene mode quickly and minimize the 
operation.
: Playback mode (P59)
This mode allows you to play back 
recorded pictures.
: Auto mode (P42)
Even beginners can easily take pictures.
P
A
SM
SCN2
SCN1
P
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals 
						

							Recording pictures (basic)
37VQT0R81
Taking Pictures
∫Program AE
The camera automatically sets the shutter 
speed and the aperture value according to 
the brightness of the subject.
 Remove the lens cap.
11Turn the camera on.
2Set the mode dial to program 
AE mode [ ].
 The power indicator (green) lights. 
When it blinks, the remaining battery 
power is low. Insert a fully charged 
battery.
2Aim the AF area 1 to the point 
you want to focus and then press 
the shutter button halfway.
A: Press the shutter button halfway to 
focus.
 The focus indication 2 is lit and then 
the aperture value 3, the shutter speed 
4 and program shift 5 are displayed.
 When 9-area-focusing or 
3-area-focusing (High speed) is used 
for AF mode, the AF area will not 
appear until the subject is brought into 
focus. (P88)
 Refer to P39 for information about 
Program shift and P89 for information 
about selecting the AF area.
3Take a picture.
B: Press the shutter button fully to take 
the picture.
PASM
SCN2S
C
N1P
OFF ON
1/25F2.8PROGRAM SHIFT
When the 
subject is not 
focusedWhen the 
subject is 
focused
Focus 
indicationBlink (green) On (green)
AF area White to red 
or no AF areaTurns from 
white to green
Sound Beeps 4 times Beeps 2 times
1/25F2.8
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals 
						

							Recording pictures (basic)
38VQT0R81
∫When you want to take a subject out 
of the AF area (AF/AE Lock)
When recording a picture of people with a 
composition as the above picture, you 
cannot focus on the subject because it is 
out of AF area in usual operation.
In this case,
1Aim the AF area at the subject.
2 Press the shutter button halfway to fix 
the focus and the exposure.
 When the subject is focused, the focus 
indication lights.
3 Keeping pressing the shutter button 
halfway, move the camera as you 
compose the picture.
4Press the shutter button fully.
 You can repeatedly retry AF/AE lock 
before pressing the shutter button fully.∫Focusing
 The focus range is 30 cm (0.98 feet) to 
¶ (Wide), 2 m (6.56 feet) to ¶ (Tele).
 When you press the shutter button fully 
with one stroke, pictures may be blurry or 
unfocused.
 When the focus indication is blinking, the 
subject is not focused. Press the shutter 
button halfway and focus on the subject 
again.
 If the camera will not focus after a few 
tries, turn it off and on and try again.
 In the following cases, the camera will not 
focus on subjects properly.
– When including both near and distant 
subjects in a scene.
– When there is dirt or dust on the glass 
between the lens and the subject.
– When there are illuminated or glittering 
objects around the subject.
– When taking a picture in a dark place.
– When the subject is moving fast.
– When the scene has low contrast.
– When jitter occurs.
– When recording a very bright subject.
We recommend taking pictures using AF/
AE lock or prefocus (P48). In dark places, 
the AF assist lamp (P90) may turn on to 
focus on the subject.
 Even if the focus indication appears and 
the subject is focused, it is canceled when 
you release the shutter button. Press the 
shutter button halfway again.
 Please do not rotate the zoom ring during 
auto focus.
5
1/25F2.8
1/25F2.8
PROGRAM SHIFT
PROGRAM SHIFT
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals 
						

							Recording pictures (basic)
39VQT0R81
∫Jitter (camera shake)
 Be careful of jittering when pressing the 
shutter button, especially when fully 
zoomed into the subject.
 When jitter could occur because of slow 
shutter speed, the jitter alert A appears.
 When the jitter alert appears, we 
recommend using a tripod. If you cannot 
use a tripod, be careful of how you hold 
the camera (P28). The use of the 
self-timer (P53) prevents jittering at 
pressing the shutter button when you are 
using a tripod.
 Especially in the following cases, the 
shutter speed will be slower. Keep the 
camera still from the moment you press 
the shutter button until the picture appears 
on the screen. We recommend using a 
tripod.
– Slow sync./Red-eye reduction [ ] 
(P49)
– [NIGHT PORTRAIT] (P74)
– [NIGHT SCENERY] (P74)
– [CANDLE LIGHT] (P76)
– [PARTY] (P77)
– [FIREWORKS] (P77)
– [STARRY SKY] (P79)
– When you set to a slower shutter speed 
(P65, 66)∫Program shift
In Program AE mode, you can change the 
preset aperture value and the shutter 
speed under the same exposure. This is 
called Program shift.
By this function, you can make the 
background more blurred (by decreasing 
the aperture value) or record the moving 
subject more dynamically (by setting to 
slow shutter speed) in Program AE mode.
 Press the shutter button halfway and then 
rotate the rear dial to activate the Program 
shift while the aperture value and the 
shutter speed are displayed on the screen 
(for about 10 seconds).
 When the Program shift is activated, the 
Program shift indication B appears on 
the screen.
1/8F2.8PROGRAM SHIFT
1/60F2.8
1/30F4.0
PROGRAM SHIFT
5
5
PROGRAM SHIFT
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals 
						

							Recording pictures (basic)
40VQT0R81
∫Example of Program shift
(A): Aperture value
(B): Shutter speed
1Program shift amount
2Program shift line chart 
3Program shift limit 
 If the exposure is not adequate when 
pressing the shutter button halfway, the 
shutter speed turns red.
 When 10 or more seconds have passed 
after the Program shift becomes effective, 
the status to activate the Program shift is 
canceled and returned to the Program AE 
mode. However, the setting on the 
Program shift is memorized.
 Program shift is canceled when turning 
the camera off.
 The Program shift may not be activated 
depending on the brightness of the 
subject.∫AE Lock Button
This function is convenient if you need to 
change the picture composition after you 
have pressed the shutter button halfway 
and determined the exposure.
1Aim the camera at the subject you want 
the exposure to be set for.
2Press the shutter button halfway.
3Press the [AE LOCK] button when the 
aperture value and shutter speed are 
displayed.
 The AE lock icon A appears on the 
screen.
1  2 3  4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1 1
/
2 1
/
4 1
/
8 1
/
15 1
/
30 1
/
60 1
/
125 1
/
250 1
/
500 1
/
1000 1
/
2000
2 
2.8 
4 
5.6 
8 
11
(B)
(A)
14
14
1/60F2.8
1/30F4.0
PROGRAM SHIFT
5
5
AE LOCK
Downloaded From camera-usermanual.com Panasonic Manuals