Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-AC8P Operating Instructions

							- 31 -
∫
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. ( l40, 42 )
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. ( l40)
Auto FocusThe unit focuses automatically.
≥Auto Focus does not work correctly in the following situations. 
Record pictures in the Manual Focus Mode. ( l42)
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) 
						

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≥You can also perform operations by touch operation. ( l19)
1Change the mode to  .
2Select the play mode select icon  A  using 
the cursor button, then press the button 
in the center.
3Select the media type  B and press the 
button in the center.
4Select the still picture  C or the 
recording format of the motion picture 
D  you wish to play back and press the 
button in the center.
≥ Select [ENTER] and press the button in the center.
5Select the scene or the still picture to be 
played back and press the button in the 
center.
≥The recording format is displayed in the thumbnail 
display of the motion pictures. ( ,  , etc.)
≥ Next (previous) page can be displayed by using  /
.
Basic
Motion picture/Still picture playback
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							- 33 -
6Select the playback operation by selecting the operation icon and press the 
button in the center.
* If 6/5  is selected during fast rewinding/fast forwarding and the center of the cursor button is 
pressed again, the fast rewind/fast forward speed will increase. (The screen display changes to  /.)
∫Change the thumbnail display
While the thumbnail is displayed, the thumbnail display changes in 
the following order if the zoom lever or sub zoom lever is operated to 
 side or   side.
20 scenes  () 9 scenes  () 1 scene  () Scene information 
display
*
* Detailed information of the scene is displayed when playing back  motion pictures. Following information is displayed.
jSTART TC
j START UB
j DATE
j TIME ZONE
j DURATION
j FORMAT
≥ 9 scenes display returns if the unit is turned off or the mode is changed.
≥ By displaying in 1 scene, recording date and time are displayed when playing back motion 
pictures, and recording date and file number when playing back still pictures. E
Operation icon
≥ Operation icons and screen display will disappear when 
no operation is performed for a specific period of time. To 
display them again, press the cursor button.
Motion picture playbackStill picture playback
5 : Fast forward playback *
6 : Fast rewind playback *
∫ : Stops the playback and shows the 
thumbnails.
1/ ;: Playback/Pause ;1
: Plays back the next picture.
2; : Plays back the previous picture.
∫ : Stops the playback and shows the 
thumbnails.
1/ ;: Slide show (playback of the still 
pictures in numerical order) start/
pa us e.
TC  00:00:00:00 TC  00:00:00:00
TC  00:00:00:00

TT
WWWW
TT
WW 
						

							- 34 -
∫
Speaker/Headphone volume adjustment
Operate the volume lever or the sub zoom lever to adjust the 
speaker/headphone volume during Motion Picture Playback 
Mode.
≥Sound will be heard only during normal playback.
≥ If pause play is continued for approx. 5 minutes, the screen returns to the thumbnails.
≥ When played back with [ALL AVCHD] selected, the screen may become black momentarily at the 
time the scene switches.
≥ The speaker of this unit does not output sounds when connected to a TV.
To w a r d s  “ r”:Increases the volume
To w a r d s  “ s”:Decreases the volume
T T
W
W
T
T
W
W
W
W
Motion picture compatibility
≥ This unit is based on AVCHD Progressive/AVCHD format.
≥ Even if the devices used have compatible standards, when playback of motion pictures 
recorded using another device is performed using this unit, or when motion pictures recorded 
using this unit is played back in another device, playback may not proceed normally, or may 
not be possible. (Please check compatibility in the operating instruction of your device.)
Still picture compatibility≥This unit is compliant with the unified standard DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) 
established by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association).
≥ The file formats of still pictures supported by this unit is JPEG. (Not all JPEG formatted files 
will be played back.)
≥ This unit may degrade or not play back still pictures recorded or created on other products 
and other products may degrade or not play back still pictures recorded on this unit. 
						

							- 35 -
∫
About the zoom bar
The zoom bar is displayed during the zoom operation.
∫About the zoom speed
≥The zoom speed varies depending on the range over which the zoom lever is moved.
≥ Zoom speed of the sub zoom lever will vary depending on the setting of [SUB ZOOM]. ( l99)
Advanced (Recording)
Using the zoom
Zoom lever/Sub zoom leverT side:
Close-up recording (zoom in)
W side:
Wide-angle recording (zoom out)TT
WW
TT
WWWW
6WT6WT

A Zoom bar
≥ Maximum zoom ratio for recording motion pictures can 
be set with [ZOOM MODE]. ( l62)

TWB Motion Picture Recording Mode: i.Zoom OFF (White)
Still Picture Recording Mode: Optical Zoom (White)
C Motion Picture Recording Mode:  i.Zoom/Digital zoom (Blue)
Still Picture Recording Mode:  Extra Optical Zoom (Blue) 
						

							- 36 -
Ring zoom
Zoom operation can be done using the multi manual ring.
You can set your preferred rotational directions for the zoom operation in [ZOOM RING].
In Manual Mode, use the CAMERA FUNCTION button to set the ring operation icon to ZOOM. 
(l 95)
≥ This function’s default setting is [DOWN TELE].
≥ The zoom speed varies depending on the speed you rotate the ring.
Zoom ratio during the Still Picture Recording Mode
The zoom ratio can be expanded up to 50 k without degrading the picture quality for the Still Picture 
Recording Mode. (Extra Optical Zoom)
≥ Extra Optical Zoom ratio varies depending on the setting of [PICTURE SIZE] and [ASPECT 
RATIO]. ( l63, 64 )
≥If you take your finger off the zoom lever during zoom operation, the operation sound may be 
recorded. When returning the zoom lever to the original position, move it quietly.
≥ When the zoom magnification is at its maximum, the subjects are focused at about 1.5 m 
(4.9 feet) or more.
≥ When the zoom magnification is 1 k, this unit can focus on a subject approx. 3 cm (1.2 q) away 
from the lens.
[ZOOM RING]
Rotational direction of the ring[DOWN TELE][UP TELE]
A side Wide-angle recording
(zoom out) Close-up recording
(zoom in)
B side Close-up recording
(zoom in) Wide-angle recording
(zoom out)
A
B 
						

							- 37 -
Use the Image Stabilizer to reduce the effects of shake during recording.
This unit is equipped with Hybrid Optical Image Stabilizer.
Hybrid Optical Image Stabilizer is a hybrid of Optical and Electrical Image Stabilizer.
∫Changing Image Stabilizer Mode
(Motion Picture Recording Mode)
When set to [ON], you can further improve image stabilization for recording while walking, or 
holding the unit and recording a distant subject with zoom.
≥This function’s default setting is [ON].
(Still Picture Recording Mode)
Advanced (Recording)
Image Stabilizer Function
: [RECORD SETUP] #  [HYBRID O.I.S.] # [ON] or [OFF]
: [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 [HYBRID O.I.S.] is [ON],   is 
displayed. When [OFF],   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 
						

							- 38 -
The operation sequence differs for the multi manual ring and manual icons.
≥The Manual Focus, White Balance, Shutter Speed, Brightness (Iris and Gain) settings, 
Zoom operation are retained when you change between Motion Picture Recording Mode 
and Still Picture Recording Mode.
Set the iA/MANUAL/FOCUS switch to manual mode.≥  is displayed in the Manual Mode.
∫When using the multi manual ring
1Press the 
CAMERA FUNCTION button 
to select the desired item.
≥Selected item changes whenever the 
CAMERA FUNCTION button is 
pressed.
≥ The selected ring operation icon is 
displayed in area  C.
3Rotate the multi manual ring 
to select the setting.
≥When a manual icon is displayed, 
operation using the multi manual ring is 
not possible.
Advanced (Recording)
Manual recording
MNL
MANUAL
FOCUS
ZOOM ZOOM
ZOOM


A CAMERA FUNCTION button
B Multi manual ring
CRing operation icons
FOCUS
*1Focus ( l42)
WB White Balance ( l40)
SHUTTER Manual Shutter Speed (l 41)
IRIS Iris/Gain Adjustment ( l41)
ZOOM
*2Zoom ( l35)
*1 This can be set only in Manual Focus Mode.
*2 This can also be operated in Intelligent Auto  Mode. 
						

							- 39 -
∫
When using the manual icons
1Press the cursor button to display the manual icons on the screen.
2Select the desired item to be set and press the button in the center.
3Select an icon on the screen, and adjust the 
setting to the desired level.FOCUS
WBSHTRIRIS

A Manual icons
Focus ( l42)
White Balance ( l40)
Manual Shutter Speed ( l41)
Iris/Gain Adjustment ( l41)
FOCUS
WB
SHTR
IRIS 
						

							- 40 -
White Balance
Automatic White Balance function may not reproduce natural colors depending on the scenes or 
lighting conditions. If so, you can adjust the White Balance manually.
≥Set the iA/MANUAL/FOCUS switch to Manual Mode.
≥ For how to perform the settings when using the manual icons, refer to page  39.
1Select [ WB] pressing the CAMERA FUNCTION 
button.
2Select white balance mode using the multi manual 
ring.
≥To return to auto setting, set to   or set the iA/MANUAL/FOCUS switch to Intelligent Auto 
Mode.
∫ To set the White Balance manually
1 Select   using the multi manual ring, fill the screen with 
a white subject.
2 Pressing and holding the CAMERA FUNCTION button.
≥ When operating with the cursor button, select the flashing   
display and press the button in the center.
≥ When the screen turns black instantly and the   display stops 
flashing and then lights constantly, the setting is complete.
≥ If the   display continues flashing, the White Balance cannot be set. In this case, use other 
White Balance Modes.
≥When the   display flashes, the Manual White Balance previously adjusted is stored. 
Whenever recording conditions change, re-set the White Balance.
≥ When setting both the White Balance and the iris/gain, set the White Balance first.
WB WB
WB
AW B
IconMode/Recording conditions
Automatic White Balance adjustment
Sunny mode:
Outdoors, under a clear sky
Cloudy mode:
Outdoors, under cloudy sky
Indoor mode 1:
Incandescent light, video lights like in the studio, etc.
Indoor mode 2:
Color fluorescent lamps, sodium lamps in gymnasiums etc.
Manual adjustment mode:
≥Mercury-vapor lamps, sodium lamps, some fluorescent lights
≥ Lights used for wedding receptions at hotels, stage spotlights in theaters
≥ Sunrise, sunset, etc.
AW B
AW B
WBWBWB