Panasonic Sdr S15 Operating Instructions Manual

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 indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
Recording for posting videos on YouTube (WEB Mode) 
You can record video clips in the right file sizes for uploading to the YouTube 
video sharing website.
Recording6Recording in WEB Mode/ using the video light
1Set to [].
2Press .
3Start recording.
[] displayed
 To cancel WEB Mode
  WEB Mode is canceled when the 
unit’s power is turned off.
•
Remaining recordable timeIn WEB Mode, the remaining recordable time is 
displayed instead of the elapsed recording time.
The remaining recordable time is counted down on 
the display from “9m59s” (the maximum length of 
the video clips that can be uploaded to YouTube) 
when recording starts.
The remaining recordable time appears in red 
when it falls below 1 minute.
Recording is automatically stopped before the 
recording time exceeds 10 minutes.
The thumbnails (P.58) of the motion pictures 
recorded in WEB Mode are displayed with [
].
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The remaining recordable time is counted down on the display from 9 m 58\
 s, 
57 s or 56 s down to 0 while the PRE-REC function (P. 46) setting is on.
When the remaining recordable time falls below 5 seconds while the fade-\
in/
fade-out function (P.43) setting is on, the fade-in/fade-out function is canceled.
●
●
Brightening up dark scenes for recording  
The built-in video light can be used when the subject is in dark surroun\
dings.
1Set to [] or [].2Press .
[LIGHT] icon displayed
Each time  is pressed, the icon changes as shown below.
(No icon displayed)
Permanently ON Turns ON or OFF  automatically depending 
on the brightness of the 
surroundings. OFF
In Intelligent Auto Mode, 
the light turns on when 
[
] appears.
●
The light automatically turns off at the following times: When the mode dial is set to [
] or []
When a computer is connected to the unit
During quick start standby (P.25)
In Demo Mode (P.92), the light automatically turns on.
Set the video light to off in locations where the use of a video light is prohibited 
or when the auto video light cannot be deactivated under sufficient light 
conditions.
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•
•
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Recording7Other recording options
Operation icons can be used to set effects, compensate brightness or 
perform other operations in one easy step.
 indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
While recording is paused
1Display operation icons.
1/2NEXT
Operation icons
2Change operation icons.Icons change with each 
press, as displayed 
below.
 Fade-in/Fade-out 
This function gradually fades images and audio in and out at the very be\
ginning 
and very end of recording.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
1/2NEXT1/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
 Start  recording. Stop  recording.
Cannot be used during still picture recording.
Thumbnail can be either black or white.
Setting is canceled after recording is stopped or power is switched off.
 To change the fade-in and fade-out image color to black or white
  →[ADVANCED]→[FADE COLOR]→[WHITE] / [BLACK]
●
●
●
View explanations of functions during automatic recording (Help Mode)
  
Select [] in step 1 on the previous 
page.   Select function to be 
explained.
1/2NEXTNext
Explanation is displayed
To close, select [EXIT] in step , or press the [MENU] button.
Functions cannot be set nor can pictures be taken in the Help Mode.
●
●
Icon
Function Page Icon FunctionPage
Backlight Compensation function44Face Detection function 48
Fade in/Fade out function ([] only)43PRE-REC function ([] only)46
Self-timer Recording ([] only) 44White balance
52
Help Mode 43Brightness (iris/gain)55
MagicPix function ([] only)45Shutter speed
54
Soft Skin Mode 45 Manual Focus adjustment 50
 To hide operation icons   
During motion 
picture 
recording1/2NEXT2/2NEXT3/3NEXT5/5NEXT4/4NEXT
During still  picture 
recording1/2NEXT2/2NEXT3/3NEXT5/5NEXT4/4NEXT
For Intelligent Auto Mode
In Automatic  Recording
For Manual Focus Mode (Press [MANUAL AF/MF] two times.)
For Manual Mode (Press [MANUAL AF/MF] one time.) 
						

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Recording7Other recording options
Operation icons can be used to set effects, compensate brightness or 
perform other operations in one easy step.
 indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
While recording is paused
1Display operation icons.
1/2NEXT
Operation icons
2Change operation icons.Icons change with each 
press, as displayed 
below.
 Fade-in/Fade-out 
This function gradually fades images and audio in and out at the very be\
ginning 
and very end of recording.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
1/2NEXT1/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
 Start  recording. Stop  recording.
Cannot be used during still picture recording.
Thumbnail can be either black or white.
Setting is canceled after recording is stopped or power is switched off.
 To change the fade-in and fade-out image color to black or white
  →[ADVANCED]→[FADE COLOR]→[WHITE] / [BLACK]
●
●
●
View explanations of functions during automatic recording (Help Mode)
  
Select [] in step 1 on the previous 
page.   Select function to be 
explained.
1/2NEXTNext
Explanation is displayed
To close, select [EXIT] in step , or press the [MENU] button.
Functions cannot be set nor can pictures be taken in the Help Mode.
●
●
Icon
Function Page Icon FunctionPage
Backlight Compensation function44Face Detection function 48
Fade in/Fade out function ([] only)43PRE-REC function ([] only)46
Self-timer Recording ([] only) 44White balance
52
Help Mode 43Brightness (iris/gain)55
MagicPix function ([] only)45Shutter speed
54
Soft Skin Mode 45 Manual Focus adjustment 50
 To hide operation icons   
During motion 
picture 
recording1/2NEXT2/2NEXT3/3NEXT5/5NEXT4/4NEXT
During still  picture 
recording1/2NEXT2/2NEXT3/3NEXT5/5NEXT4/4NEXT
For Intelligent Auto Mode
In Automatic  Recording
For Manual Focus Mode (Press [MANUAL AF/MF] two times.)
For Manual Mode (Press [MANUAL AF/MF] one time.) 
						

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Recording7
Other recording options 
(cont.)
Operation icons can be used to set effects, compensate brightness or 
perform other operations in one easy step.
 indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
 Backlight Compensation function  
Brightens objects that appear dark against backlighting.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
1/2NEXT1/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
Shutting off the power or rotating the mode dial cancels the setting.
 Self-timer 
Still pictures may be taken using the self-timer.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
1/2NEXT1/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
 Take  picture.
Picture is taken approx. 10 
seconds after [] begins to 
flash.
 To quit halfway through   
Cannot be used during motion recording.
Setting is canceled once picture is taken or power is switched off.
●
●
●
 Soft Skin Mode  
Softens skin colors when people’s faces are prominent in picture.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
2/2NEXT2/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
Background colors that are close to skin colors may also be softened.
Faces may be blurred if people in picture are distant.
Function may not be effective in locations with insufficient brightness.
The setting is not canceled even when power is shut OFF or the mode dial\
 is 
rotated.
 MagicPix function 
Colors can be brought out even in dark locations (brightness of at leas\
t 2 lx). 
(Recorded scene is seen as if frames were missed.)
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
2/2NEXT2/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
Cannot be used during still picture recording.
Normally invisible spots of light may become visible.
Using a tripod is recommended.
If focus does not successfully align automatically, adjust using manual focus 
(P.50).
The screen may appear white momentarily if using in bright locations.
Shutting OFF the power or rotating the mode dial cancels the setting.
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Recording7
Other recording options 
(cont.)
Operation icons can be used to set effects, compensate brightness or 
perform other operations in one easy step.
 indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
 Backlight Compensation function  
Brightens objects that appear dark against backlighting.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
1/2NEXT1/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
Shutting off the power or rotating the mode dial cancels the setting.
 Self-timer 
Still pictures may be taken using the self-timer.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
1/2NEXT1/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
 Take  picture.
Picture is taken approx. 10 
seconds after [] begins to 
flash.
 To quit halfway through   
Cannot be used during motion recording.
Setting is canceled once picture is taken or power is switched off.
●
●
●
 Soft Skin Mode  
Softens skin colors when people’s faces are prominent in picture.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
2/2NEXT2/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
Background colors that are close to skin colors may also be softened.
Faces may be blurred if people in picture are distant.
Function may not be effective in locations with insufficient brightness.
The setting is not canceled even when power is shut OFF or the mode dial\
 is 
rotated.
 MagicPix function 
Colors can be brought out even in dark locations (brightness of at leas\
t 2 lx). 
(Recorded scene is seen as if frames were missed.)
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
2/2NEXT2/2NEXT
Selecting again cancels setting.
Cannot be used during still picture recording.
Normally invisible spots of light may become visible.
Using a tripod is recommended.
If focus does not successfully align automatically, adjust using manual focus 
(P.50).
The screen may appear white momentarily if using in bright locations.
Shutting OFF the power or rotating the mode dial cancels the setting.
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							46LSQT142647LSQT142647LSQT1426
Recording7
Other recording options 
(cont.)
Operation icons can be used to set effects, compensate brightness or 
perform other operations in one easy step.
 indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
 PRE-REC function 
To ensure that you won’t pass up any recording opportunities, the pict\
ure 
and sound are recorded starting about 3 seconds before the record button\
 is 
pressed.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
2/2NEXT2/2NEXT
“PRE-REC” is displayed on the LCD monitor screen.
The picture and sound are recorded starting about 3 seconds before the 
record button is pressed.
Aim this unit at the subject and position it securely.
Economy Mode is not available.
Select the icon again to cancel the function.
The function is released if recording is not started within 3 hours afte\
r the 
function was set.
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●
●
●
●
●
 Start  recording.
The beep sound does not sound.
The PRE-REC function setting is released when recording is started. To use 
the function again, set it again.
Cannot be used during still picture recording.
The PRE-REC function setting is released in the following situations.
When the mode dial is rotated
When the power is turned off
When the card/battery door is opened
When the MENU button is pressed
When the unit has been connected to another device using the USB 
connecting cable
●
●
●
●
•
•
•
•
• It is not possible to set the PRE-REC function when less than one minute\
 is 
left for recording pictures.
When recording has been started within 3 seconds after the PRE-REC 
function is set, the scenes starting from the moment when the function w\
as 
first set will be recorded.
The camera shake which occurs when the record button is pressed or the 
sound of the button being operated may be recorded.
It is not possible to add any fade effects (P.43).
●
●
●
●
Self-portrait Recording function  
If you turn the LCD monitor toward the lens side, you can record picture\
s of 
yourself as you look at the LCD monitor.
 Set the mode dial to [] or [].
 Turn the LCD monitor toward you (toward the lens side).
The picture you will see displayed on the 
LCD monitor is an image of yourself with 
the left and right sides reversed just like 
when you look at your reflection in a mirror. 
(The image which is recorded is the normal 
image of yourself.)
Only part of the screen display appears. 
When [
] is displayed, turn the LCD 
monitor back in the direction of normal 
recording, and check what the message 
says.
●
●
 Start  recording.
No operation icons are displayed during Self-portrait recording even whe\
n the 
cursor buttons are pressed.
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							46LSQT142647LSQT142647LSQT1426
Recording7
Other recording options 
(cont.)
Operation icons can be used to set effects, compensate brightness or 
perform other operations in one easy step.
 indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
 PRE-REC function 
To ensure that you won’t pass up any recording opportunities, the pict\
ure 
and sound are recorded starting about 3 seconds before the record button\
 is 
pressed.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
2/2NEXT2/2NEXT
“PRE-REC” is displayed on the LCD monitor screen.
The picture and sound are recorded starting about 3 seconds before the 
record button is pressed.
Aim this unit at the subject and position it securely.
Economy Mode is not available.
Select the icon again to cancel the function.
The function is released if recording is not started within 3 hours afte\
r the 
function was set.
●
●
●
●
●
●
 Start  recording.
The beep sound does not sound.
The PRE-REC function setting is released when recording is started. To use 
the function again, set it again.
Cannot be used during still picture recording.
The PRE-REC function setting is released in the following situations.
When the mode dial is rotated
When the power is turned off
When the card/battery door is opened
When the MENU button is pressed
When the unit has been connected to another device using the USB 
connecting cable
●
●
●
●
•
•
•
•
• It is not possible to set the PRE-REC function when less than one minute\
 is 
left for recording pictures.
When recording has been started within 3 seconds after the PRE-REC 
function is set, the scenes starting from the moment when the function w\
as 
first set will be recorded.
The camera shake which occurs when the record button is pressed or the 
sound of the button being operated may be recorded.
It is not possible to add any fade effects (P.43).
●
●
●
●
Self-portrait Recording function  
If you turn the LCD monitor toward the lens side, you can record picture\
s of 
yourself as you look at the LCD monitor.
 Set the mode dial to [] or [].
 Turn the LCD monitor toward you (toward the lens side).
The picture you will see displayed on the 
LCD monitor is an image of yourself with 
the left and right sides reversed just like 
when you look at your reflection in a mirror. 
(The image which is recorded is the normal 
image of yourself.)
Only part of the screen display appears. 
When [
] is displayed, turn the LCD 
monitor back in the direction of normal 
recording, and check what the message 
says.
●
●
 Start  recording.
No operation icons are displayed during Self-portrait recording even whe\
n the 
cursor buttons are pressed.
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Recording7
Other recording options 
(cont.)
Operation icons can be used to set effects, compensate brightness or 
perform other operations in one easy step.
 indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
 Face Detection function  
The faces of subjects are detected, and adjustment is made automatically\
 so 
that the brightness of the faces and image quality are optimized.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
3/3NEXT3/3NEXT
While in Face Detection Mode, orange frames encircle the faces that have\
 
been detected.
Up to five faces can be detected at a time, and priority is given to the\
 face 
appearing larger or nearer the center of the screen.
Faces that are not fully shown on the screen are not detected.
 To display the face detection frames
   →[ADVANCED]→[FACE FRAMING] →[ON]
• Default setting at the time of purchase is [ON].
●
●
●
In the following and similar situations, it may not be possible to detec\
t the 
faces of subjects under certain recording conditions.When a subject’s face is not facing the camera
When a subject’s face is tilted at an angle
When a subject’s face is extremely bright or dark
When there is very little shading on the face
When a subject’s face is hidden behind sunglasses, etc.
When a subject’s face appears too small on the screen
When a subject is moving quickly
When camera shake occurs
When the digital zoom is used
When the unit has been tilted at an angle
●
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• In the following situations, the Face Detection function may not work pr\
operly 
under certain recording conditions even when faces are detected. At times like 
these, cancel the Face Detection function:
When a subject other than a person is recognized as a human face
When the image quality fails to be adjusted clearly when recording extre\
mely 
dark scenes or when the areas around or behind a person’s face are 
extremely bright
The brightness and other aspects of the overall image are adjusted so th\
at the 
subject’s face will appear clearly, so the brightness may change suddenly or 
the image may flicker under certain recording conditions.
If the face detection frames have been cleared as a result of zooming, f\
or 
instance, the brightness may change suddenly or the image may flicker.
●
•
•
●
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							48LSQT142649LSQT142649LSQT1426
Recording7
Other recording options 
(cont.)
Operation icons can be used to set effects, compensate brightness or 
perform other operations in one easy step.
 indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
 Face Detection function  
The faces of subjects are detected, and adjustment is made automatically\
 so 
that the brightness of the faces and image quality are optimized.
 Display operation icons. Select  [].
3/3NEXT3/3NEXT
While in Face Detection Mode, orange frames encircle the faces that have\
 
been detected.
Up to five faces can be detected at a time, and priority is given to the\
 face 
appearing larger or nearer the center of the screen.
Faces that are not fully shown on the screen are not detected.
 To display the face detection frames
   →[ADVANCED]→[FACE FRAMING] →[ON]
• Default setting at the time of purchase is [ON].
●
●
●
In the following and similar situations, it may not be possible to detec\
t the 
faces of subjects under certain recording conditions.When a subject’s face is not facing the camera
When a subject’s face is tilted at an angle
When a subject’s face is extremely bright or dark
When there is very little shading on the face
When a subject’s face is hidden behind sunglasses, etc.
When a subject’s face appears too small on the screen
When a subject is moving quickly
When camera shake occurs
When the digital zoom is used
When the unit has been tilted at an angle
●
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• In the following situations, the Face Detection function may not work pr\
operly 
under certain recording conditions even when faces are detected. At times like 
these, cancel the Face Detection function:
When a subject other than a person is recognized as a human face
When the image quality fails to be adjusted clearly when recording extre\
mely 
dark scenes or when the areas around or behind a person’s face are 
extremely bright
The brightness and other aspects of the overall image are adjusted so th\
at the 
subject’s face will appear clearly, so the brightness may change suddenly or 
the image may flicker under certain recording conditions.
If the face detection frames have been cleared as a result of zooming, f\
or 
instance, the brightness may change suddenly or the image may flicker.
●
•
•
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Recording8
Recording manually 
(motion/still pictures)Focus, coloring, shutter speed and brightness can be manually adjusted. indicates functions used with motion pictures and  functions used with 
still pictures.
1Set to [] or [].
2Select Manual Recording.
4/4NEXT
MNL displayed
Operation icons
Adjusting focus manually (Manual Focus Adjustment)  
Manually focus the subject if it cannot be brought into focus by automat\
ic focus. 
For example, focusing is hard in the following situations:
  • Mixture of close and distant objects       • Objects behind unclear glass
 • Bright peripheral lights                     • Dark locations
 • Fast-moving objects                        • Objects with little contrast
After steps 
1 and 2
 Display  MF. Adjust  focus.
5/5NEXT
MF displayed
5/5NEXT
Focuses adjusted on wide-angle settings may become unaligned when 
zooming in. Focuses adjusted when zoomed in will be unaffected when 
zooming back out.
  To return to Automatic Focus    or 
●
Using situation-specific settings (Scene Mode)  
Prearranged settings can be used.   After  steps 1 and 2 (previous page)
 
→[BASIC]→[SCENE MODE]→select from the five modes below:
SportsFor fast-moving scenes
Avoids blurring during slow-motion playback or playback pause. (In Norma\
l 
Playback, image movement may not look smooth.)
Avoid fluorescent, mercury, and sodium lighting. Such lighting conditions 
may affect coloring and brightness.
Vertical bands of light may appear during playback on shiny or highly 
reflective objects.
This function may not work if lighting is insufficient ([
] flashes).
Screen may flicker if using indoors.
•
•
•
•
•
PortraitBlurs background to make people stand out
Screen may flicker if using indoors.
Vertical bands of light may appear during playback on shiny or highly 
reflective objects.
•
•
Low lightBrightens dark scenes such as evening skies
May not function successfully in extremely dark scenes.
•
SpotlightFor people beneath spotlights, etc.
Pictures may appear white when object is extremely bright. Peripheries m\
ay 
also appear extremely dark.
•
Surf & snowFor bright locations such as beaches and ski slopes
Pictures may appear white when object is extremely bright.
•
The icon of the selected Scene Mode 
appears on the LCD monitor.
   To cancel the setting
  →[BASIC]→[SCENE MODE]→[OFF] or 
 To return to Automatic Recording
  
 To hide operation icons