Panasonic Lumix FZ80 User Manual

Contents

The Panasonic Lumix FZ80/82 User’s Guide 13Taking Images Using the Program Auto Exposure Mode (P)In the iA+ mode we have seen that the camera attempts to recognise a scene type and set exposureparameters which would enhance that mode.In landscape mode, for example, the camera may select a small aperture to increase the depth of fieldrecorded, if the lighting situation allows. It also enhances blues and greens in the subject giving better skyand ground contrast.If we turn the top mode dial to the “P” position we still have automaticcontrol of the exposure being determined by the camera however, scenedetermination is turned off.Using this mode may eliminate some of the incorrectly exposed imagesthat sometimes happen in the iA+ mode when scene determination fails toselect the appropriate type.In this mode, the exposure is determined by the camera metering system and depending upon scenebrightness will set an exposure for this image.Metering can be set to the most appropriate type for the scene being recorded. I will cover metering laterin this guide.The camera will normally select a wide aperture to keep exposure times fast. This is to eliminate, ifpossible, hand shake and subject motion blur.If you wanted to change this aperture/shutter speed combination to increase depth of field for example byselection a smaller aperture, then this can be achieved using a feature referred to as “program shift”.When you half depress the shutter button to activate focus and metering then as the aperture/shutterspeed combination is being displayed on the LCD screen (in yellow) if you then rotate the back control dialyou will enter this mode.You can adjust the combination of aperture and shutter speed and the aperture will stay locked in at thisvalue until you either turn off the camera or rotate the control wheel until the indication turns off.The camera adjusts exposure by changing the shutter speed. This value of aperture remains in memoryeven if you select another mode and then return to the “P” mode.Essentially you have set the camera into “Aperture priority mode”Program shift is indicated by a double headed arrow visible on the lcd screen.When using the longer focal lengths the maximum aperture will only be f5.9 so program shift range islimited to f5.9 to f8. I would not recommend using program shift other than at the lower zoom settings upto 50mm where the range will be f3.9 to f8.Program Shift is not available in the following cases:When recording 4K photosWhen recording with [Post Focus]When the ISO sensitivity is set to [ ]