Panasonic Memory Card Camera Recorder AG-AC8P Operating Instructions

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Approximately 2 seconds at the end of the video recorded last can be played back. It will return to 
recording screen once the playback is completed.
≥Playback operation is not possible during the Recording Check.
≥ Recording Check is not possible in following cases:
jWhen the unit is turned on/off
j When the mode switch is operated
j When the setting of [REC FORMAT] is changed
j When the SD Card is inserted/removed
j During the Interval Recording
j Set [2 MEDIA FUNC.] to [BACKUP] ( l60)
The motion picture recorded last can be deleted.
Select [YES] and press the button in the center to delete.
≥ It will return to recording screen without deleting by selecting [NO].
≥ Deleted scenes cannot be restored.
≥Last Scene Delete is not possible in following cases:
jWhen the unit is turned on/off
j When the mode switch is operated
j When the setting of [REC FORMAT] is changed
j When the SD Card is inserted/removed
j During the Interval Recording
j Set [2 MEDIA FUNC.] to [BACKUP]. ( l92)
You can check if the image is level while recording motion pictures and still pictures. The 
function can also be used to estimate the balance of the composition.
It will switch every time the icon is selected.  #   #   # Setting canceled
≥ The guidelines do not appear on the images actually recorded.
≥ In Motion Picture Recording Mode, the guidelines can be set from the menu.
Parts where white saturation (color saturation) is likely to occur 
(extremely brightly lit or shiny parts) are displayed with diagonal 
lines (zebra pattern).
≥ You can record an image with little white saturation if you 
manually adjust the shutter speed or brightness (Iris/Gain) 
(l 41).
≥ The zebra pattern does not appear on the images actually 
recorded.
Recording Check
Last Scene Delete
Guidelines
Zebra
A Zebra pattern 
						

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A graph with brightness as horizontal axis and number 
of pixels at that brightness as vertical axis is 
displayed. It is possible to determine the exposure of 
the whole image by looking at the distribution in the 
graph.
Adjust the brightness using iris setting. (l41)
Displays the luminance level of the center of the screen 
(luminance display frame) in %.
It makes the adjustment of the brightness of the object easier, by 
checking the luminance level of the object, when recording 
same object in different surroundings.
Adjust the brightness using iris setting. ( l41)
≥ Luminance level is displayed between 0% and 99%. It will be 
displayed as 99%  when it is over 99%.
Histogram
Marker
∫ Example of the display
A Normal
B Dark
C Bright
50%
ALuminance display frame
B Luminance level 
						

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This function displays the horizontal/vertical tilt of the unit with the electronic level.∫To correct the tilt
≥The horizontal tilt display  A and vertical tilt display  B appear yellow when there is a tilt, and 
appear green when there is almost no tilt.
≥ The maximum tilt display angles are approximately 45 o in horizontal direction and 10 o in vertical 
direction.
≥ The electronic level does not affect the actual recorded images.
≥When [SELF SHOOT] is set to [MIRROR] while you are recording yourself or when the LCD 
monitor is closed with the screen facing out, this item is not displayed.
≥ Even when the tilt is in the corrected state, an error may occur.
≥ In the following cases, the electronic level may not be displayed correctly:
jWhen moving this unit
j When pointing this unit up or down at an angle closer to perpendicular
≥ When [LEVEL SHOT] is set to [ON], this function cannot be set.
The menu can be displayed.
Adjust the volume of the headphone while recording.
: Increase the volume
: Decrease the volume
≥ Actual volume to be recorded does not change.
Level Gauge
(Horizontal direction) (Vertical direction)
When correcting the leftward tilt When correcting the downward tilt
Menu
Headphone volume adjustment
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When you record images in different situations, this mode automatically sets optimum shutter 
speeds and apertures.
≥Switch to Manual Mode. ( l38)
≥(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.
Advanced (Recording)
Recording functions of 
[CAMERA SETUP] menus
[SCENE MODE]
: [CAMERA SETUP]  # [SCENE MODE] # desired setting
[OFF]:Cancel the setting
5Sports: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)
MENU 
						

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≥(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.
≥ (Night Scenery)
jThe shutter speed is 1/2 or more in Still Picture Recording Mode.
j Using a tripod is recommended.
You can add manually-adjusted brightness and color balance settings to the Intelligent Auto Mode, 
and record.
Please refer to page  30 for details about the effect of each mode.
(Scenery)/ (Spotlight)
*1/ (Low Light)*1/(Macro)*2/ (Normal)*1/
(Normal)*2
*1 In Motion Picture Recording Mode only
*2 In Still Picture Recording Mode only
≥ Switch to Intelligent Auto Mode. ( l30)
1 Select the menu.
2 Select the desired setting items and press the button in the center.
≥(When adjusting the color balance)
R side: Sets the balance to a reddish tone.
B side: Sets the balance to a bluish tone.
3 Adjust settings using the cursor button right or left.
4 Select [ENTER] and press the button in the center.
≥Select [EXIT], then press the button in the center or press the MENU button to complete the 
setting.
[Intelligent Auto Plus]
: [CAMERA SETUP]  # [Intelligent Auto Plus]  # [SET]
[EXPOSURE]:Adjust the exposure.
[COLOR]:Adjust the color balance.
MENU 
						

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Adjust the quality of the image while recording.
Adjust by outputting to a TV while adjusting the quality of the image.
≥This setting is retained when you change between Motion Picture Recording Mode and 
Still Picture Recording Mode.
≥ Switch to Manual Mode. ( l38)
1 Select the menu.
2 Select the desired setting items and press the button in the center.
3 Adjust settings using the cursor button right or left.
4 Select [ENTER] and press the button in the center.
≥Select [EXIT] and press the button in the center or press the MENU button to complete the 
settings.
≥  appears on the screen.
[PICTURE ADJUST]
: [CAMERA SETUP]  # [PICTURE ADJUST]
[SHARPNESS]:Sharpness of the edge
[COLOR]:Depth of the color of the image
[EXPOSURE]:Brightness of the image
[WB ADJUST]:Picture color balance
MENU 
						

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This function detects the horizontal tilt of the unit, and automatically corrects it to the level 
position before recording.
≥Select [EXIT] and press the button in the center or press the MENU button to complete the 
settings.
≥ Icon is displayed in  A position.
j When the tilt is corrected: 
j When the tilt is above the correction range:  /
≥ When the tilt exceeds the correction range, move the unit 
to the position where   is displayed.
≥The range that this icon can be displayed correctly the slope is about 45 o to the vertical direction.
≥ The image may move while zooming depending on the tilt of this unit.
≥ To record a level image with a tripod, attach this unit by using “Level Gauge” ( l53), and then use 
Level Shot Function.
This function allows you to record color images in very low light situations. (Minimum 
required illumination: approx. 1 lx)
≥ Switch to Manual Mode. ( l38)
≥ Select [EXIT] and press the button in the center or press the MENU button to complete the 
settings.
≥Recorded scene is seen as if frames were missed.
≥ If set in a bright place, the screen may become washed out for a while.
≥ Bright dots that are usually invisible may be seen, but this is not a malfunction.
≥ This function cannot be used when [TIME LAPSE REC] is used.
≥ Using a tripod is recommended.
≥ In darker areas, Auto Focus may focus a bit slower. This is normal.
[LEVEL SHOT]
: When this function is set to on.
: When this function is set to off.
: [CAMERA SETUP]  # [LEVEL SHOT] # [ON]
MENU
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[COLOR NIGHT REC]
: [CAMERA SETUP]  # [COLOR NIGHT REC]  # [ON]MENU 
						

							- 58 -
A more impressive image can be obtained by focusing on the object only in close-up and 
shading off the background.
≥Select [EXIT] and press the button in the center or press the MENU button to complete the 
settings.
≥ The unit can focus on the subject at a distance of approx. 60 cm (24 q).
≥ When the Tele Macro is set with the zoom magnification less than 26 k in Motion Picture 
Recording Mode, it will automatically be set to 26 k.
≥ When the aspect ratio is [4:3], [3:2] during the Still Picture Recording Mode and Tele Macro is set 
with the zoom magnification less than 21k , the zoom magnification will automatically be set to 
21 k. When the aspect ratio is [16:9], the zoom magnification will be 26 k.
≥ The Tele Macro function is automatically canceled when the zoom magnification becomes lower 
than 26 k in Motion Picture Recording Mode.
≥ Tele Macro function is automatically canceled w hen the zoom magnification becomes lower than 
the size below in Still Picture Recording Mode: 
j Less than 21 k (when the aspect ratio is [4:3] or [3:2])
j Less than 26 k (when the aspect ratio is [16:9])
[TELE MACRO]
: [CAMERA SETUP]  # [TELE MACRO] # [ON]MENU 
						

							- 59 -
Switch the picture quality and recording format of the motion pictures to record.
AImage quality prioritized
B Recording time prioritized
* This option allows you to record in 1080/60p (1920 k1080/60 progressive), which is the highest 
picture quality for this unit.
≥ [i] and [p] of the frame rate means interlace and progressive respectively.
Interlace (interlacing scanning)
Video signal that divides the effective scanning lines to half and send them alternatively
Progressive (progressive scanning)
High density video signal sending the effective scanning lines simultaneously (It will be higher 
quality image than the interlace)
≥ Recordable time using the battery ( l14)
≥ This function’s default setting is [PH 1080/60i] mode.
≥ Please refer to page 122 for details about approximate recordable time.
≥ When the unit is moved a lot or moved quickly, or when a fast-moving subject is recorded 
(particularly when recording in [HE 1080/60i] mode), mosaic-type noise may appear at playback.
Advanced (Recording)
Recording functions of 
[RECORD SETUP] menus
[REC FORMAT]
: [RECORD SETUP] # [REC FORMAT]  # desired setting
[PS 1080/60p]*:
Set the recording format to 1080/60p.
[PH 1080/60i]/[HA 1080/60i]/[HG 1080/60i]/[HE 1080/60i]:
Set the recording format to 1080/60i.
[PM 720/60p]:
Set the recording format to 720/60p.
[SA 480/60i]:
Set the recording format to 480/60i.
MENU
 
						

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You can set the relay recording and backup recording.
≥Insert SD cards to card slot 1 and card slot 2.
∫ Relay recording
It is possible to continuously record on the SD card in the other card slot even when the available 
capacity of the SD card runs out during the reco rding. Note that there will be a momentary pause in 
the sound when recording media is switched.
≥  is displayed on the media to record the motion picture.   will disappear when the recording 
media is switched and the relay recording is started.
≥ Relay recording can only be performed once.
≥ Combine the scenes that were relay-recorded using the [RELAY SCENE COMBINE] into 
the external drive. ( l80)
≥ If [DELETE RELAY SCENE] or [RELAY INFO CANCEL] is performed after [RELAY SCENE 
COMBINE] is performed, Relay Recording will be available again. If [RELAY SCENE COMBINE] 
is not performed and [Relay(AutoSw)] in [2 MEDIA FUNC.] is selected, a message will be 
displayed. You will be able to perform Relay Recording by selecting [YES] and press the button in 
the center, but you will not be able to perform the [RELAY SCENE COMBINE] after that.
≥ If an SD card containing the first portion of a relay-recorded scene is inserted into a card slot 
when [Relay(AutoSw)] is set, a message confirming whether to cancel the relay information is 
displayed. Selecting [YES] will cancel the relay information from the scene, while selecting [NO] 
will set [Relay(AutoSw)] to [OFF].
∫ Backup recording
Same motion picture can be recorded on two SD cards.
≥  is displayed on the cards the motion pictures is recorded.
≥ If [SD CARD 1] has been selected as a recording destination for motion pictures in [MEDIA 
SELECT] ( l26), the backup will be recorded on [SD CARD 2].
≥ It is recommended to record on the SD cards that are same speed class and same capacity when 
performing the backup recording.
(Relay recording)
≥After Relay Recording, a recording destination for still pictures will also be switched to the other 
media.
(Backup recording)
≥ Backup recording will not be performed for still pictures.
≥ When performing backup recording, even in the case where an error has occurred in one of the 
media and recording has stopped, recording can be continued using the other media.
≥ When one of the media reaches its maximum recording time, the backup recording stops. If free 
space on the other media is still available, the recording will continue.
[2 MEDIA FUNC.]
: [RECORD SETUP] # [2 MEDIA FUNC.]  # desired setting
[OFF]:Cancel the setting.
[Relay(AutoSw)]:Set the relay recording.
[BACKUP]:Set the backup recording.
MENU