Panasonic Sdr S15 Operating Instructions Manual

							20LSQT142621LSQT1426
We recommend using Panasonic batteries. (VW-VBJ10)
If you use other batteries, we cannot guarantee the quality of this prod\
uct.
CAUTION
Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only wit\
h the 
same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used 
batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Do not heat or expose to flame.
Do not leave the battery in an automobile exposed to direct sunlight for\
 a long 
period of time with doors and windows closed.
●
●
3Insert the battery.
Ensure that battery is oriented 
correctly, and push it into the 
compartment in the direction of the 
[▲
] until it snaps into place and it is 
locked by the lever.
(To remove the battery, press the 
lever in the direction of the [
].)
5Connect the AC adaptor 
(supplied).
 Connect the AC cable to the AC 
adaptor and then to an AC outlet. Use only the AC adaptor supplied 
with the unit.
●
To AC outlet AC adaptor
AC cableÎ
Insert the battery into the unit and charge it.
Î Do not use the AC cable and AC adaptor of this unit with other devices. Also, do not use  the AC cables and AC adaptors of other devices with this unit.
Setup1Charging
The battery is not charged at the time of purchase. Be sure to charge it\
 
before use.
For charging time (P.22)
Lever
Small gap here.
1Set the mode dial to [OFF].The unit runs on AC power (status indicator lit red) and 
the battery cannot be charged when the mode dial is set 
to any position other than [OFF].
2Open the card/battery 
door.
Open the door by sliding the card/
battery door lever to the “OPEN” 
position.
4Close the card/battery 
door.
Close the card/battery door and 
slide the card/battery door lever to 
the “LOCK” position.
If the status indicator does the following:Does not flash:  Remove and reinsert the battery, and disconnect and reconnect the AC adaptor.
If the status indicator still does not flash, contact your dealer.
Flashes rapidly at approx. 0.25 seconds intervals:   The battery cannot be charged. Try doing the following:Remove and reinsert the battery, and try recharging the battery.
The battery temperature or surrounding temperature is too high/low, therefore wait until the unit and the battery are at suitable temperatures and try recharging\
 the battery.
If battery charging still does not commence, contact your dealer.
Flashes slowly at approx. 3 seconds intervals:   Charging requires time for the following reasons:The battery has been excessively discharged.
The battery temperature or ambient temperature is too high/low.
If power to the unit is activated while the battery is charging, the AC power 
supply will be used and charging interrupted.
•
•
•
•
●
6Open the terminal cover.
7Plug the DC plug into the DC 
input terminal on the unit.
Status indicatorFlashing red at approx. 1 second 
intervals: Charging  in  progress
Off:       Charging complete 
						

							22LSQT142623LSQT1426
Setup2
Charging time, recordable time and 
Remaining battery capacity indication
Charging time and recordable time
Times are given for a temperature of 25 ˚C (77 ˚F) and humidity of 60 %. 
The charging time shown in the table are approximations. In high or low \
temperatures, charging requires more time.
Supplied battery VW-VBJ10 (3.6 V, 940 mAh (minimum))
Charging time Approx. 2 h 15 min
Recordable time Maximum continuously 
recordable time Actual recordable time
Approx. 1 h 15 min Approx. 40 min
Actual recordable time includes recording and stopping, power ON/OFF 
switching, zooming and other operations.
Recordable time varies according to conditions of use. For example, the \
recordable time shortens when the [POWER LCD] setting is on while record\
ing. 
The recordable time shortens in some environments (i.e., low temperatur\
es, 
etc.), therefore it is recommended to charge a spare battery. 
Remaining battery capacity indication
The battery indication changes, as the remaining battery power decreases\
.
High Low
Flashing (Charge battery.)
●
●
●
●
Setup3
Inserting/Removing SD 
cards 
(sold separately)
SD cards are sold separately.
Preparations:  Set the mode dial to [OFF].
(Check that the status indicator is out.)
Inserting or removing an SD card with the power ON may 
damage the unit and destroy data on the card. 
Place label upwards.
While the card access lamp is lit, reading, recording, playback, deletio\
n 
or other processing is being executed. Performing the following 
operations while the lamp is lit may damage the SD card and its content \
and the unit may not function properly.
  • Switching off power
  • Removing battery or AC adaptor
  • Opening card/battery door and removing SD card
  • Rotating the mode dial
  • Shaking or impacting the unit
  • Disconnecting the USB cable
Card access lamp
The access lamp is supposed to light up while rotating the dial to selec\
t 
a mode. In this case, there is no problem.
● ●
2Insert/Remove the SD 
card.
To insert:
Face the label upwards and slide 
the card in straight until hearing it 
catch. 
To remove:
Press the center of the SD card and 
pull the card out straight.
•
•
1Open the card/battery 
door.
Open the door by sliding the card/
battery door lever to the “OPEN” 
position.
3Close the card/battery 
door.
Close the card/battery door and 
slide the card/battery door lever to 
the “LOCK” position.
If the door does not close 
completely, remove the SD card, 
check its orientation and reinsert it 
into the slot.
•
•
It has been found that counterfeit battery packs which look very similar\
 to the genuine 
product are available to purchase in some markets. Some of these battery\
 packs are 
not adequately protected to meet the requirements of appropriate safety \
standards. 
These battery packs may lead to fire or explosion. Please be advised tha\
t we are not 
liable for any accident or failure occurring as a result of use of a cou\
nterfeit battery 
pack. To ensure that safe products are used we would recommend that a genuine 
Panasonic battery pack is used. 
						

							22LSQT142623LSQT1426
Setup2
Charging time, recordable time and 
Remaining battery capacity indication
Charging time and recordable time
Times are given for a temperature of 25 ˚C (77 ˚F) and humidity of 60 %. 
The charging time shown in the table are approximations. In high or low \
temperatures, charging requires more time.
Supplied battery VW-VBJ10 (3.6 V, 940 mAh (minimum))
Charging time Approx. 2 h 15 min
Recordable time Maximum continuously 
recordable time Actual recordable time
Approx. 1 h 15 min Approx. 40 min
Actual recordable time includes recording and stopping, power ON/OFF 
switching, zooming and other operations.
Recordable time varies according to conditions of use. For example, the \
recordable time shortens when the [POWER LCD] setting is on while record\
ing. 
The recordable time shortens in some environments (i.e., low temperatur\
es, 
etc.), therefore it is recommended to charge a spare battery. 
Remaining battery capacity indication
The battery indication changes, as the remaining battery power decreases\
.
High Low
Flashing (Charge battery.)
●
●
●
●
Setup3
Inserting/Removing SD 
cards 
(sold separately)
SD cards are sold separately.
Preparations:  Set the mode dial to [OFF].
(Check that the status indicator is out.)
Inserting or removing an SD card with the power ON may 
damage the unit and destroy data on the card. 
Place label upwards.
While the card access lamp is lit, reading, recording, playback, deletio\
n 
or other processing is being executed. Performing the following 
operations while the lamp is lit may damage the SD card and its content \
and the unit may not function properly.
  • Switching off power
  • Removing battery or AC adaptor
  • Opening card/battery door and removing SD card
  • Rotating the mode dial
  • Shaking or impacting the unit
  • Disconnecting the USB cable
Card access lamp
The access lamp is supposed to light up while rotating the dial to selec\
t 
a mode. In this case, there is no problem.
● ●
2Insert/Remove the SD 
card.
To insert:
Face the label upwards and slide 
the card in straight until hearing it 
catch. 
To remove:
Press the center of the SD card and 
pull the card out straight.
•
•
1Open the card/battery 
door.
Open the door by sliding the card/
battery door lever to the “OPEN” 
position.
3Close the card/battery 
door.
Close the card/battery door and 
slide the card/battery door lever to 
the “LOCK” position.
If the door does not close 
completely, remove the SD card, 
check its orientation and reinsert it 
into the slot.
•
•
It has been found that counterfeit battery packs which look very similar\
 to the genuine 
product are available to purchase in some markets. Some of these battery\
 packs are 
not adequately protected to meet the requirements of appropriate safety \
standards. 
These battery packs may lead to fire or explosion. Please be advised tha\
t we are not 
liable for any accident or failure occurring as a result of use of a cou\
nterfeit battery 
pack. To ensure that safe products are used we would recommend that a genuine 
Panasonic battery pack is used. 
						

							24LSQT142625LSQT1426
Setup4
Turning power ON/OFF
(Selecting modes)Rotate the mode dial to motion picture recording/playback, still picture\
 
recording/playback or power OFF.
Set to icon of desired mode.
Power OFF
Motion picture recording mode 
(P.32)
Motion picture playback mode 
(P.58)
Still picture recording mode 
(P.34)
Still picture playback mode 
(P.61)
Rotate the mode dial slowly but surely to the desired position.The very first time that power is turned ON, a message appears prompting\
 
you to set the date and time. (P.28)
During use, the main unit and SD card become hot, but this is normal and\
 not 
indicative of a malfunction.
●
● Status indicator
When power is ON: Lit red
(When selecting 
   )
When power is OFF: Off
•
•
Turning power ON/OFF from the LCD monitorWhen [] or [] is selected, power turns ON when the LCD monitor is 
opened and OFF when it is closed. (During motion picture recording, pow\
er 
does not turn OFF when the LCD monitor is closed.)
•   When [QUICK START] (next page) is [ON], the unit goes on quick start 
standby when the LCD monitor is closed.
•   When not in use, set the mode dial to [OFF].
 Quick starts
Quick starts are available when the mode is set to [] and []. 
When [QUICK START] is [ON], the unit responds as follows to LCD monitor 
operations:
LCD monitor  operation Unit response Status 
indicator
When opened
Shooting can start in approx. 0.6 seconds.Lit red
When closed The unit goes on quick start standbyÎ.Flashing green
Î  
The unit consumes about half as much power as when recording is stopped.\
 Setting [QUICK START]
Select settings from the 
menus. (P.26)
→[SETUP]→
[QUICK START] →[ON]
(To turn OFF, select [OFF].)
[QUICK START] is [ON] at the time of purchase.•
The quick start standby is canceled and power shuts OFF (status indicat\
or 
out) in the following situations.  When quick start standby mode continues for more than about 5 minutes
When the mode dial is rotated
When the white balance has been set to the automatic adjustment (during\
 
automatic recording or when it is set to [
] during manual recording) 
and quick start has been initiated, quick start may take longer if a dif\
ferent 
light source is used from the one prior to initiating quick start: This happens 
because the automatic adjustments are performed again.
Starting may require more time than usual if the unit is impacted.
Zoom magnification becomes 1x after quick starts.
If [ECONOMY] (P.92) is set to [5 MINUTES] and the unit automatically goes 
on quick start standby, close and reopen the LCD monitor.
●
•
•
●
●
●
● 
						

							24LSQT142625LSQT1426
Setup4
Turning power ON/OFF
(Selecting modes)Rotate the mode dial to motion picture recording/playback, still picture\
 
recording/playback or power OFF.
Set to icon of desired mode.
Power OFF
Motion picture recording mode 
(P.32)
Motion picture playback mode 
(P.58)
Still picture recording mode 
(P.34)
Still picture playback mode 
(P.61)
Rotate the mode dial slowly but surely to the desired position.The very first time that power is turned ON, a message appears prompting\
 
you to set the date and time. (P.28)
During use, the main unit and SD card become hot, but this is normal and\
 not 
indicative of a malfunction.
●
● Status indicator
When power is ON: Lit red
(When selecting 
   )
When power is OFF: Off
•
•
Turning power ON/OFF from the LCD monitorWhen [] or [] is selected, power turns ON when the LCD monitor is 
opened and OFF when it is closed. (During motion picture recording, pow\
er 
does not turn OFF when the LCD monitor is closed.)
•   When [QUICK START] (next page) is [ON], the unit goes on quick start 
standby when the LCD monitor is closed.
•   When not in use, set the mode dial to [OFF].
 Quick starts
Quick starts are available when the mode is set to [] and []. 
When [QUICK START] is [ON], the unit responds as follows to LCD monitor 
operations:
LCD monitor  operation Unit response Status 
indicator
When opened
Shooting can start in approx. 0.6 seconds.Lit red
When closed The unit goes on quick start standbyÎ.Flashing green
Î  
The unit consumes about half as much power as when recording is stopped.\
 Setting [QUICK START]
Select settings from the 
menus. (P.26)
→[SETUP]→
[QUICK START] →[ON]
(To turn OFF, select [OFF].)
[QUICK START] is [ON] at the time of purchase.•
The quick start standby is canceled and power shuts OFF (status indicat\
or 
out) in the following situations.  When quick start standby mode continues for more than about 5 minutes
When the mode dial is rotated
When the white balance has been set to the automatic adjustment (during\
 
automatic recording or when it is set to [
] during manual recording) 
and quick start has been initiated, quick start may take longer if a dif\
ferent 
light source is used from the one prior to initiating quick start: This happens 
because the automatic adjustments are performed again.
Starting may require more time than usual if the unit is impacted.
Zoom magnification becomes 1x after quick starts.
If [ECONOMY] (P.92) is set to [5 MINUTES] and the unit automatically goes 
on quick start standby, close and reopen the LCD monitor.
●
•
•
●
●
●
● 
						

							26LSQT142627LSQT1426
1Display the menu.
The menu displayed differs 
according to mode.
2Select the top menu.
(Top menu for [] and [] 
modes)
3Enter the top menu.
or
4Select a submenu.
5Enter the selected 
submenu.
or
6Select an item.
7Enter the selected item.
Do not rotate the mode dial while menus appear on the LCD monitor.
You cannot record or perform other operations while menus appear on the 
LCD monitor.
●
●
Using the cursor buttonsThe cursor buttons are used to select and enter items on menus or 
thumbnail displays.
Upwards
Downwards
Left
RightTo move the cursor
The cursor moves in the direction of the 
respective cursor buttons 
 
when pressed.
●
Pressing the center enters the selection.
●
Setup5
Setting from the menu, 
changing the display languageThe cursor buttons are used to select functions, execute operations and \
make menu settings.
 To return to the previous screen
  
   To quit an operation halfway 
through
  
The menu cannot be displayed during recording or playback.
For menu items (P.90 “Menu List”)
8Close the menu.
 Changing the display language
The display and menu language can be changed.
    →[LANGUAGE] 
						

							26LSQT142627LSQT1426
1Display the menu.
The menu displayed differs 
according to mode.
2Select the top menu.
(Top menu for [] and [] 
modes)
3Enter the top menu.
or
4Select a submenu.
5Enter the selected 
submenu.
or
6Select an item.
7Enter the selected item.
Do not rotate the mode dial while menus appear on the LCD monitor.
You cannot record or perform other operations while menus appear on the 
LCD monitor.
●
●
Using the cursor buttonsThe cursor buttons are used to select and enter items on menus or 
thumbnail displays.
Upwards
Downwards
Left
RightTo move the cursor
The cursor moves in the direction of the 
respective cursor buttons 
 
when pressed.
●
Pressing the center enters the selection.
●
Setup5
Setting from the menu, 
changing the display languageThe cursor buttons are used to select functions, execute operations and \
make menu settings.
 To return to the previous screen
  
   To quit an operation halfway 
through
  
The menu cannot be displayed during recording or playback.
For menu items (P.90 “Menu List”)
8Close the menu.
 Changing the display language
The display and menu language can be changed.
    →[LANGUAGE] 
						

							28LSQT142629LSQT1426
After setting the date and time, summer time can be set as in “Settin\
g home 
city and region” of the world time function (P.56).
If [
] is displayed for the date and time, the built-in lithium battery has r\
un 
down. Charge the battery and set the time as follows. The built-in lithium 
battery is charged when the AC adaptor is connected to the unit or when a 
battery is inserted into the unit. If charged for about 24 hours, the da\
te and 
time can be saved in memory for about 6 months. (The battery is charged\
 
even if the power is turned OFF.)
 Adjusting the LCD monitor
LCD monitor color and brightness can be adjusted. (Settings do not affect 
recorded images.) For settings from the menu see P.26.
The LCD monitor cannot be adjusted for self-portrait recording (P.47).
1Select the desired menu.
   If the LCD monitor is hard to 
see in bright or dark places 
(POWER LCD)
Adjust the brightness of the LCD 
monitor.
    →[SETUP]→
[POWER LCD]
[AUTO] :
           The LCD monitor brightness 
is automatically adjusted 
in line with the ambient 
brightness.
 :     The LCD monitor brightens 
more.
 :  The LCD monitor brightens.
 :    Normal brightness
 :  The LCD monitor darkens.
[
] is automatically selected 
when the AC adaptor is used.
•
  →[SETUP]→
[LCD SET]→[YES]
2Select and adjust the 
item.
Select an item.To adjust
The bar moves.
[BRIGHTNESS]: Adjusts brightness.
[COLOR]: Adjusts color density.
●
●
Setup6Setting the date and time  and adjusting the LCD monitor
1Set to [] or [].
2Select the desired menu.
    →[BASIC]→
[CLOCK SET]→[YES]
3Set the date and time.
To select settingsTo change 
numerical values
The year is displayed up to 2099 
and the 12-hour system is used 
to display the time.
4Enter the date and time.
The clock function starts at [00] 
seconds.
After pressing the [MENU] 
button and closing the menu, 
check the date and time 
displays.
•
•
  
To change the date and time 
display
To change an item
  
   →[SETUP]→
[DATE/TIME]
[OFF]   :    Date and time are not 
displayed.
[D/T]    :    Date and time are 
displayed.
[DATE] :  Only the date is displayed.
To change the date format
  
   →[SETUP]→
[DATE FORMAT]
Format 
indication Appearance on 
LCD monitor
[Y/M/D] 2009.DEC.15
[M/D/Y] DEC.15.2009
[D/M/Y] 15.DEC.2009
●
●
 Setting the date and time
Before recording, check that the date and time have been set.
The very first time that power is turned ON, a message appears prompting\
 you 
to set the date and time. Select [YES], press the center of the cursor b\
uttons 
and proceed to step 
3. 
						

							28LSQT142629LSQT1426
After setting the date and time, summer time can be set as in “Settin\
g home 
city and region” of the world time function (P.56).
If [
] is displayed for the date and time, the built-in lithium battery has r\
un 
down. Charge the battery and set the time as follows. The built-in lithium 
battery is charged when the AC adaptor is connected to the unit or when a 
battery is inserted into the unit. If charged for about 24 hours, the da\
te and 
time can be saved in memory for about 6 months. (The battery is charged\
 
even if the power is turned OFF.)
 Adjusting the LCD monitor
LCD monitor color and brightness can be adjusted. (Settings do not affect 
recorded images.) For settings from the menu see P.26.
The LCD monitor cannot be adjusted for self-portrait recording (P.47).
1Select the desired menu.
   If the LCD monitor is hard to 
see in bright or dark places 
(POWER LCD)
Adjust the brightness of the LCD 
monitor.
    →[SETUP]→
[POWER LCD]
[AUTO] :
           The LCD monitor brightness 
is automatically adjusted 
in line with the ambient 
brightness.
 :     The LCD monitor brightens 
more.
 :  The LCD monitor brightens.
 :    Normal brightness
 :  The LCD monitor darkens.
[
] is automatically selected 
when the AC adaptor is used.
•
  →[SETUP]→
[LCD SET]→[YES]
2Select and adjust the 
item.
Select an item.To adjust
The bar moves.
[BRIGHTNESS]: Adjusts brightness.
[COLOR]: Adjusts color density.
●
●
Setup6Setting the date and time  and adjusting the LCD monitor
1Set to [] or [].
2Select the desired menu.
    →[BASIC]→
[CLOCK SET]→[YES]
3Set the date and time.
To select settingsTo change 
numerical values
The year is displayed up to 2099 
and the 12-hour system is used 
to display the time.
4Enter the date and time.
The clock function starts at [00] 
seconds.
After pressing the [MENU] 
button and closing the menu, 
check the date and time 
displays.
•
•
  
To change the date and time 
display
To change an item
  
   →[SETUP]→
[DATE/TIME]
[OFF]   :    Date and time are not 
displayed.
[D/T]    :    Date and time are 
displayed.
[DATE] :  Only the date is displayed.
To change the date format
  
   →[SETUP]→
[DATE FORMAT]
Format 
indication Appearance on 
LCD monitor
[Y/M/D] 2009.DEC.15
[M/D/Y] DEC.15.2009
[D/M/Y] 15.DEC.2009
●
●
 Setting the date and time
Before recording, check that the date and time have been set.
The very first time that power is turned ON, a message appears prompting\
 you 
to set the date and time. Select [YES], press the center of the cursor b\
uttons 
and proceed to step 
3. 
						

							30LSQT142631LSQT142631LSQT1426
Recording1Before recordingRecord motion and still pictures onto the SD card.
Recorded motion and still pictures are referred to as “scenes” wit\
h this unit.
Hold the unit firmly 
with both hands
Be careful not to block 
microphone or sensor Using the “sub record” 
button can be helpful 
when recording at 
waist height
Stand with legs slightly 
apart for stabilityStand with back 
to sun to avoid 
subject being in 
shadow
Do not perform any of the following operations while the SD card 
is being accessed (card access lamp illuminated). Performing 
these actions may damage the card and its data.
• Switching off power
• Removing battery or AC adaptor
•  Opening card/battery door and removing 
SD card
•  Rotating the mode dial
•  Shaking or impacting the unit
•  Disconnecting the USB cable
Card access lamp
Card/battery door
Keep elbows close to 
body
Microphone
Note
Basic stanceRecording can be done in two ways: “Automatic Recording” 
or “Manual Recording”.
Automatic Recording (motion/still pictures)
(This is the default setting at the time of purchase)
To have coloring, focus, and brightness settings made 
automatically
● See
P

.32-35
Manual Recording (motion/still pictures)
(Manually adjust settings such as focus, white balance, shutter speed, \
iris/gain, etc.)
To record with your own settings
When automatic recording is unsatisfactory
To use settings for particular scenes (Scene Mode)
●
●
● See
P

.50-55
For SD cards applicable with this unit (P.18)
●
Before recording, open the lens cover

.
●