Understanding the Panasonic Lumix TZ30 (ZS20) - Part3 Manual Exposure Modes
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- In this tutorial I look at the relationship between exposure, aperture and shutter speed and how the camera uses the metering circuit to give correct shutter speed when you select an aperture in Aperture priority mode, or sets and aperture if you select a shutter speed in Shutter priority mode. I then look at taking full control in the manual mode and how to use the meter and histogram feature to set your exposure. I look at ways of increasing exposure time by using ND filters with examples of the results achieved.
The next video will cover the scene modes and creative modes.
Applies to TZ10/TZ20/TZ27/TZ30/TZ31 ZS7/ZS10/ZS20
Sorry, yes. I have the Lumix ZS7 so looking through your videos for the TZ30 and FZ150 I am coming to that conclusion. So the TZ30 is the newer generation of the ZS7 and thus most of the things you say apply. At the same time, the ZS7 has those "picture type" settings like the ones you explain for the FZ150.
Thank you so very much. I think I finally know what to do with my camera thanks to your tutorials! Very professional delivery also -- no umms and fillers to distract from the message.
Another great video. Good to see it stop raining long enough for you to get outside.
The touch to shoot is now turned off. I also got an LCD hood for the camera so I can see the LCD in bright sun. And, I finally made one of those wind muffs you gave me the link to for instructions. I tested it today and ... it works! I put one on both the ZS-19 and my FZ-35. Who would imagine something so simple would correct the wind noise problem? (and fortunately today we have a very windy day here for testing purposes) Thank you again for all your help!
You are right in your assumption. With the small sensor depth of field is great even at large apertures. The P mode takes away the 'intelligent' choices the camera makes in iA mode. It normally will set the widest aperture to get the lowest iso and then adjust the shutter speed. By doing it this way Panasonic have made the camera use low iso as a means to reduce image noise. The fact you have exposure compensation/bracketing available makes this the most sensible mode followed by Manual.
Graham, thanks a bunch for making these videos. I am a novice who just got the zs20 as my first camera. I appreciate all of your detailed explanations and have learned a ton just by watching your videos. I was tempted to return the camera, but after watching your videos and making adjustments to my own technique my pictures are coming out much better and I am having fun. I cant thank you enough for all the good work you have done. Keep up the great work!
Hi Graham - many thanks for the response, it is appreciated. I think you're right, I think I'm being a bit too heavy handed. I used to a DSLR and just picked this up as an additional camera for those situations where taking a DSLR doesn't make sense. I rang the shop where I bought it as I thought I had a faulty camera at first. But I guess it's just me - I need to use the whole flat of the finger to find the bite point rather than the tip, as it was taking shots when I did this - cheers.
Yes, the new auto panorama stitching software in the camera can produce some amazing wrap around images. I will be showing a few of them in a later tutorial. Thanks for the comments, appreciated.
I am learning a lot about photography and TZ30 setting. Thank you
Yes it is true aperture will also affect the depth of field which creates the out of focus background. In P mode the camera usually selects the widest aperture anyway unless you are in very bright sunshine. You could use the A aperture priority mode and set the aperture to the lowest number at the zoom you have set and the camera will automatically set the right shutter speed.
Me too! Just got the ZS20 and I'm watching your videos so that I can learn even more to use it even better! Thanks!
Hi, no problem. Turn the dial to SCN position, then use the navigation button to get to the HS icon, press the centre OK button then select the 200fps mode. When younow press the shutter button you will record your high speed video clips.
it's done in camera charging by the usb charging cable. It has the advantage that you can charge the camera from any usb source but third party batteries and external chargers are now available too.
Hi Robyn, to turn off the touch to shoot option you just need to touch the icon on the right hand side of the screen - it looks like a button and a finger. When you touch the icon it will change to one with a cross on it - now the touch to shoot is turned off - it just focuses at any area that you touch. Hope that helps.
Hi, glad you are learning a little from the videos. That's the reason for producing them. Hope you continue to follow the series and continue to improve your photography.
Glad you found the videos useful, thanks for the reply.
Hi, after buying the tz35 I found your channel and learning loads that I can apply to this now average camera I think, thanks for your sharing your knowledge
it's a pleasure, thanks for your comment, really appreciated.
Really appreciate the effort you have made. This is my 3rd lumix camera and I've found it to be a huge step up in functionality that I've struggled to use effectively. So thank-you for your wonderful insight.
turn the top mode dial to the creative mode ( one which looks like a painters palette) then use the DOWN navigation key to scroll down to MINI ( after TOY) you can then set up how you want the miniature effect to work by pressing the menu button and adjusting the parameters for the height of the blur etc. You can use this effect in stills and video.
Howdy Graham... it is most useful that you have started your in depth look at the TZ30 during the same week that I bought one !! .. Cheers !!.../...As the 30 has 'in camera' panarama stitching I notice that the 8.1 application disc doesn't have the 'panarama stitch' facility as does the 6.1..that came with my TZ20. so I will continue to use the 6.1...to enable stitching to my previously shot pictures.../...Keep up your fine work...Dj..S20
Hi Graham..I just aquired a TZ20 from ebay .Really pleased with it .but without your tutorials I think it would still be in its box. Thank you.looking forwards to your further vieos'
Recent subscriber to your Panasonic series Graham and have to say that you produce some very crisp and informative videos. Your casual without being too laid back is to be commended. Could I just advice you, and it may be something you would want to consider for future videos, is that in some markets e.g. here in Germany the TZ30 is known as the TZ31. Having read dozens of reviews regarding the TZ30 I was somewhat surprised when all I could find online from my favourite supplier was the TZ31.
Not directly, however I do recommend shooting night scenes whilst there is still a slight amount of daylight left in the sky- normally upto 30 minutes after sunset time. This adds a blue backdrop and accentuates the buildings rather than a noisy black one. Exposures can be just a few seconds at this level and it helps to get an better overall dynamic range.
Hi Rose, creating video with this camera is as simple as just pressing the red video record button in any mode. Ideally you want to set the recording format first either MP4 if you have an older computer or only apple imac or use the avchd if you have a newer pc. Set for 50p if you choose avchd. When you press the red record button the camera should show you a blinking red record symbol on the LCD/ You can play the video back to check it by switching to playback). Get back to me if you still not
thank u for opening my eyes on how this all works...brilliant!
Here you have to strike a balance between subject blur due to any motion in the swimmers and image noise. I would choose shutter priority at set it at 1/250 and use iso of no more than 400 and then let the camera choose the aperture. You may need + ev if your subjects are backlight from windows etc.
Thanks for the reply and yes a simple device works well, if it does look a little weird.
Hi, technology moves quickly and markets change as well. Consumers are blinded by pixel count rather than image quality so it is hard to make specific recommendations. From my own experience the FZ150 has got some great features, a sensible zoom range, external mike input and 1080p video, flip out screen etc. Image quality is good for a camera with a 1-2/3 inch sensor. I have no experience of other makes. For travel zooms again my experience is showing me the tZ30 has made better IQ with 1080p
Glad to hear that, thanks for the post.
The only way to get blurred background is to use full zoom and get as close to the subject so to fil the frame but keep the subject as far from the background as possible. It is far easier outdoors to do this.
Thanks for the response to Sunpreet, appreciated.
Enjoy the camera and thanks for the greeting, appreciated.
Thanks for the kind words, appreciated.
hi Graham - just subscribed. I really like your style of videos, very easy to follow. I am a DSLR user but have just picked up a TZ30 for convenience and this series is helping me to understand the controls of the camera, even though I am well versed with the principles of photography - cheers.
This will depend upon the zoom level you are using and the distance to the animals You have 2 options, one is to use the fully auto iA mode and let the camera decide on shutter speed/aperture etc. I would prefer to shoot in the S (shutter priority mode) and set the shutter speed to at least 1/250 second. This should eliminate any camera or subject movement. Set the iso as low as you can go with the light available but in any case don't exceed iso 400 otherwise the noise will ruin the images
Hi Graham, thanks for such a quick reply really appreciate it. When Im looking at reviews online for this camera they say one of the advantages is that it allows for 60 seconds of exposure for night shots , maybe Im getting mixed up. My old lumix allowed for it with the starry sky selection in SCN, but this newer model doesnt have it! I love taking night shots of the city and sky with long exposure... looks like i got the wrong camera. Great vids, appreciate your work!
I just checked on Amazon, the Panasonic is on sale foe 250 dollars! very good price!
the best way is to either put the sdhc card into you card reader/pc and copy the files from the private/avchd/bdmv/stream folder ( the mts files) onto your pc and then moviemaker live can access them. If you don't want to mess around this way install the photofunstudio software and it will do all the transfers for you including a preview of video and stills.
Hi, the easiest way is to take the sdhc card out from the camera and put it in a card reader attached to you computer (if it doesn't have one built in). The videos are in folder named private-avchd-bdmv-stream. you can then copy the files over to your pc. If you load photofunstudio which came with the camera you an view and automatically transfer them to your pc without this navigation nightmare.
Hi, thanks for the comment. I have standardised on 8Gb class 6 SDHC cards. You can get larger capacity but the price escalates. This size gives sufficient recording time for video of around 30 minutes at the avchd 50p mode and hundreds of full resolution jpeg images. You don't need class 10 cards which most camera shops will recommend ( they make more money!) and you really only need class 2 if you only shoot stills.
thanks again for the comment.
Hi, once you press the exposure button in manual mode the 2 yellow icon appear for aperture and shutter. To adjust aperture use the left/right navigation buttons (self timer/flash icons) and shutter the up/down keys. In A or S mode pressing the exposure key brings up the icon and the arrows tell you which of the navigation keys to use
thanks for letting me know about the TZ31. i had seen it listed in the manual as well as the TZ27. Seems panasonic have naming issues with some countries.
Thanks for the reply.
Yes the panorama mode isn't as good as say the sony hx9v which can give high def images but it still has its use, when you get the hang of the speed at which to rotate yourself to take the shots. I hope they upgrade to size in later releases of the firmware. Thanks for the info on the free stitching software.
Yup, thanks for the confirmation. I will stick to the P mode and rather play with settings like ISO80 vs ISOMAX400. Then come the picture type settings -- Sharpness, NR, Saturation, Contrast :)
thanks for the tutorial mate, learning a lot from you making my photos a hell of a lot better! :)
This has been excellent, thank you. I have had a tz20 for over a year and wondering why my wife always beats out my photos with her galaxy.
Thanks for the comment. You will find that using the iA modes will give you as good an image as any other as it can use all the post processing effects to improve the images. Or you could use the manual mode, wide angle setting iso 200 and adjust shutter speed to get the right exposure.
Hi, no shooting in 16:9 aspect ratio is the perfect solution for showing on modern HD ready TV systems. If you shoot any other aspect then the TV ends up letterboxed or with black bars on either side. You only get 12M because of the 4:3 ratio, if you cropped this to 16:9 it would be 9M anyway. I always shoot 16:9 unless I know I want photo prints at 4x6 , 8x10 etc then I use 3:2 or 4:3
I'm pleased you find the series interesting, thank you for commenting
Actually fireworks are quite bright so it is a good idea to set iso to 100 and aperture to f8 and then set the slowest shutter speed you can hold 1/15 sec? or best use a tripod or support the camera on something to get the longer exposure to include the star bursts opening. Try to zoom in enough to fill the frame with the images and then just experiment until you are happy
Thanks for the response, appreciated.
You need to be in the high speed video mode which is found on the scene menu control dial and this sets the camera to 320 x 240 pixels, 220 fps (Motion JPEG) . Its a small image size but should give you enough indication for your intended use.
Hi, this depends on where you are viewing the images. If the images look distorted in the camera then there is a real problem. It's more likely to be if you are downloading the images to your pc and editing them into a video file or watching them directly from the camera to your TV. If you are using a HD tv then 16:9 is the correct aspect ratio. If yo have the TV set to zoom to full width then if you have 4:3 images they will be stretched. Can you give me more info and I can help you more.
Hi Graham, thanks for the response. I am getting errors when trying to respond so I have put an entry in your guestbook. Hope that is OK, Thanks again, terry Blom
On my channel one of the latest videos is how to do this with a typical compact camera, that should help you understand how to do it
Thank you so much, Graham!! Fantastic explanation, great info on the video thru equasions etc. Thank you so much. Since you mention, there is not much depth of field you can do with this little camera, it it worth playing with A mode at all? The way I view it, you can just use the P mode all the time and stick to the widest aperture setting to get the best picture quality, right?
Hi, are you confusing this camera with another? I'm not aware of a facility to alter the sharpness NR etc, much as I would like too as with the sony HX series of cameras. If i'm wrong please let me know, I can then add this to the tutorials.
Yes, that's the thing I want to turn off, but I cannot find it in the manual. (maybe I'm just blind) :) I should have been clearer with my question. I realize I cannot completely turn off the screen, I just want to turn off the touch to shoot part. Hoping even though you no longer have the camera you will know how to do that.
Sorry to make another reply, but I wanted to throw out another option. The Sony HX20V. While i am not a fan of its "painted" photo quality, the video quality is great. In low light stills, the Canon is best overall. Sony and Panasonic have some bloom from bright light, but Sony retains more detail. In low light video the Sony has similar image quality to the Canon, but with the more fluid 60FPS like the Panasonic. And the mics are equal to the Panasonic. If video is more important, try the Sony.
Thank you I will give that a try :)
Thank you Sir.
I really need some expertise on taking a good night pictures of car light trails with manual exposure, the kind where you're over-looking a freeway. I tried with my ZS15, but it seems like it will automatically jack the exposure all the way up to the brightest it can get at the sight of cars on a freeway. I think the best I can do with my camera is f6.3, but anything longer than 2 seconds just overexposes the streaks.
Sunpreet, i am in the same boat as you are. I just picked up the SX260HS on a sale i couldnt pass up. Ive been researching both heavily, and here is what i have found in regards to your question...
From samples i have seen around the web of both, the Canon appears to have the better low light video performance. The TZ30 seems to loses detail quickly, and get muddy. In daylight, the TZ30 is superior @60fps.
The mics on the TZ30 are superior...by a lot. The Canon mics are garbage, very poor.
The horizontal car streak shots are fine, but if I'm overlooking the freeway on an overpass and the cars are going vertically, it's a nightmare. Otherwise, my night pictures turn out great with any Lumix I've had, but it's this kind of night shot that I can't figure out. I wonder if I'd have to get a more expensive camera. My camera has a 13 second exposure and I do think f6.5 is enough for what I'm looking for, but it turns the streaks into a giant field of white light.
I don't think so, the only function you can turn off id the touch to shoot as far as i am ware. I don't have the camera anymore so I can't investigate further.
hi Graham, really very thank you for the videos for the TZ30,
I just bought this camer 1 week and still am leanring.
my concern is taking a personal photos with blurry background which didnt work for me yet, i tried the S,P, M mode and keep playing with shutter speed and aprture size but still no chance,
just in simple steps how to take the blurry background photos
Example picture of baby or someone standing.
please the steps and much thankful
Abdulla, Dubai, UAE
The only way you are going to get long exposures is to use the manual "M" mode then use the exposure button to allow you to dial up to 15 seconds. The problem will be the over exposure even setting the iso to 100 will still give over exposed images, painting with light is usually done in very low light.
I really want to thank you for helping me get to know this camera. I've just been to a concert and found that using the shutter priority was best. Cause the person was constantly moving i set it to at least 1/60 and then just altered the iso to get good results. A quick question, while i was getting great pictures the camera readings were coming up red (shutter aperture) saying to me something was not right but the pictures were great. Is this normal??
Hi Graham, first thanks for the excellent videos. Could you please tell me what is the best setup for making a photo of a highlighted building at night, besides the mode Nightshot by hand. Thank you very much. Kind regards, Jurgen.
Can you pls. Show me how to take great live concert with this camera, I just bought one specifically for that purpose. Thanks.
Hi Graham. firstly thanks for the excellent video series. Can you help me with a problem? I stopped using the 16:9 mode on my TZ30 as every now and then the photos appeared stretched or squashed. It has now started to happen using 4:3 mode. Any ideas on what I can do to rectify this ?
Wow.Your videos on the Lumixes are awesome and HIGHLY informative!
I recently purchased my first camera (Olympus VR340). Though it has a wide range of 'presets' the cam has no manual settings :( I only discovered the exposure concept after seeking ways to improve.
This led me to begin hunting for one that does and the ZS20 is drawing me in. I'm going to stick to improving with the Olympus it but really want the ZS20.
Is there another compact you recommend or would the ZS20 (or ZS19?) do?
I'm sorry, I'm a bit of a novice so please bear with me. I cannot locate or figure out what I have to do to achieve the high speed setting. How do I access the scene menu dial. I've gone around the dial located on top next to the wide angle adjustment, but don't see where I can change the setting. Cheers!
Hi graham, need to ask you a question if you don't mind again. Can you tell if there any much disadvantage selecting aspect ratio to 16.9 which therefore gives you 9m shots instead of 12mp. Reason I do this is i like to view my photos in full screen on my television or mobile phone which are 16.9 . Thanks in advance
I've also just bought the TZ35 so have watched your series to learn how to use it thoroughly. I take it - there isn't much difference between the two cameras? I think I'll have to practise using it but thanks for the useful videos.
Yes they are basically the same camera as far as the menu and structure are concerned so the videos are relevant to learning the features
I have no experience of using this camera in such situations, I would only be guessing if I was to make a suggestion for you here/
Hi Graham... I got the ZS-19 for Christmas. I have looked everywhere in the manual and cannot find the answer to my question. So I've come to the expert. Is there a way to turn off the touch screen so I can strictly use just the buttons? Thanks in advance.
Hi I am finding the same with the new TZ40. Out of camera standard mode jpegs are soft and a liitle under saturated. I switched to Vivid mode which boosts both sharpness and saturation and just needs a little knocking back in post. IR does seem to help but I'm wondering if it over exaggerates on some images - I'm still testing that and shooting with -.7 may be Ok I'v been having to go +.3 for most shots with this camera for some strange reason, normally I always under expose to keep highlights
Hi thaks for the quick reply
So now way to take blurry for personal photos
So its only zooming trick
Q2: What about the speed shutter
And Aaprture and bla bla bla :)
Those doesn't do anything except the light and shrpnes of the picture ?
Tnx again and I ll keep watching reset of other videos to learn more
Waiting for your reply...
I don't think anything has changed the button is a 2 stage press. If you lightly press the shutter button you should see the camera focus and beep, and at this point the shutter speed/aperture etc should be displayed. As you continue to press the second stage of the button fires the shutter. Maybe you are just pressing too hard on the button. With the camera off just very lightly press the button you should feel some resistance and then you should be able to depress it a little further.
What do you think is the best setting for indoor swimming lessons during the day?
Hi graham,
I wondered if you could assist please. I've just got a TZ30 and have it on aperture mode. In your video it shows you taking an exposure reading by pressing down the shutter button half way down. As soon as I touch the shutter button it takes the picture and does not allow me to review the speed - do I need to turn something on or off on the menu system? I have no idea what I'm doing wrong!
Hello again kind Sir, What would you suggest for the next step up from travel zoom? also with the new 2012 Travel Zoom models which one is King? Last year it was Sony DSCHX-9V, Panasonic is no light weight in cameras, look at DMZ FZ-150 with RAW, & your thoughts on Sony clear Zoom? for 2012
Hi Graham do you address how to make long exposure night shots in any of your videos?
At my lumix zx3 i can not change the aperture, i dont have the exposure buton. The aperture is changed automaticaly just when i make zoom.
Hi! Please could you help me with settings so I can take a decent pic of a full moon, so it's more than just a shiny ball! Hand held night shot and iA don't seem to do the trick. Thanks so much and kind regards
Graham what do you think of these settings I use on my tz25. I feel auto gives poor colours and contrast so I use p mode . Pic size 9mp for 16.9 .iso sensitivity auto. Wb auto.af mode focus subject. Meetering is multi. I exposure off. Shutt speed auto.ir resolution on.color mode vivid . Af assist lamp on. Ev is -7. What do you think of these Graham so far really happy with results nice and vivid. Would really appreciate your advice
Thanks very much for your quick reply. I just tried to send you a reply privately and was very long winded, clicked send and I got a message you do not accept messages. I will try redo the information and add to a video . Thanks again .really liking my new panasonic tz25 so far and may still purchase the Sony hx20v again purely for the video quality which sounds crazy buying a digital camera mainly for video but as you will probably know it beats most hd camcorders under £500 hands down
Sir,
I just want to use the camera to take ultra slow motion movies for golf swings....how do I set this camer ZS20?
My old ZS7 had a 60 second exposure option under Manual mode, but does this ZS20 really only do 15 seconds? That's really disappointing because I love taking night photos.
Hi Graham, since finding your video's I have have had much better results photographing jewellery for my website. I use a light box and have used the P mode to good results and the M mode. I have bit better understanding now as I was a complete beginner. What settings would you recommend for shooting in AF Macro to get sharp well exposed images please? I use the TZ30 and don't use a tripod as I have to take various views and time spent on each item has to be minimal. Thanks very much for making things so much easier!
how does one transfer a video from this camera to work with in windows movie maker?
Hi I have a Lumix tz30, but I don't know how to upload videos onto my computer, it only seems to have an option for you tube. I don't want to upload my videos to youtube though, I want to put them on my computer so I can make a video with them on windows moviemaker, how do I do this?
Hello Sir,can you help me find the minture on my TZ30.
Thank you.
Hi Graham
Thankyou for your videos. I am finding difficult to film through my camera Lumix tz30. I have read all the instructions but dont get it. and didnt find any videos of yours how to make a video klip....I am on food business and would love to make some for the you tube. can I get any help please...ps I not in my youth so u understand its not easy...
Rose
sweden
Hi Graham, First of all thanks for your videos, I really like it.
I am from Argentina and I am traveling to the states in 2 weeks, I have a Canon dslr camera and an old elph canon p&s. I was looking to replace the p&s and the ZS20 seems to be a great deal for 160usd. I read some reviews where complains about noise issues even at ISO 200, I saw your videos and everything seems to be OK. Since my budget is 180usd I don't think that is better camera for this price (Canon Elph 330 is a good option too). Do you think that in 2014 the SZ20 is still a great deal for 160usd?? Do you have any feedback about the Canon Elph 330? Thanks in advance.
I have no knowledge of the ELPH 330 so I cannot compare. I had the Zs20 sold it for the ZS30 and then bought another ZS20 because its performance was better. i still use it as it gives very good stills and video at this price range.
Thanks Graham!!!, I ll go with the ZS20, your test are good enough for me :) . Thanks again and keep your great videos that really help a lot of people!!!
Santiago Del Bono thanks for the reply, appreciated.
Thanks yes it is really difficult to get out and film relevant material, everyday it's raining at some point. My 'cambrooly' is getting good use, LOL.
can you change the language of these cameras?
Why i can't get blur background? Though i use Aperture 8 or 2,8. can you help me please?, i set Aperture 8 or 2,8 the picture is same, i have lumix FZ62. Danke 😊
Hi Wi. You are talking Depth of Field (DOF) here. DOF is very large at short focal lengths at any aperture - even f2,8. The only way to bget a blurred background is to use the longer focal lengths (more zoom towards the x24) set the camera to macro AF and it will let you get to 1 metre away. Also keep the subject as far from the background and you will get some really nice defocussed backgrounds.
Hi Graham, thx vor your help, after many time experiment, i get it, thx so much 😄
***** thank you.