Manual Control Options
The Panasonic Lumix FZ3 provides plenty of manual options to the advancing photographer. In Manual mode, the user can adjust the Shutter speed and Aperture through the four-way navigational dial. The White balance, ISO, and Metering can be adjusted through the Recording menu. The White balance mode has a manual setting; using the White Set option, the user can take a picture of something truly white and set the camera’s colors relative to that hue. The Flash and Exposure compensation can be adjusted via the four-way navigational dial.
Focus
Auto Focus (6.0)
The Lumix FZ3 has five auto focus modes: Nine-area, Three-area, One-area, Spot, and Continuous AF. These functions can be turned on or off through the AF Mode and Continuous AF options on the main recording menu. The AF assist lamp can be activated through this menu also. The selections available provide automatic users some level of control over the image and work to ensure accurate focus is achieved in any shooting situation.
Manual Focus (0.0)
The FZ3 does not have manual focus.
Metering (7.5)
The Panasonic Lumix FZ3 allows for Multiple, Center-weighted and Spot metering. These options can all be found in the Recording menu and allow for some added selection and control to be asserted over the image’s exposure.
Exposure (8.0)
The FZ3 has an exposure mode for every level of user. The Simple mode works perfectly for the straightforward point-and-shoot crowd. The Program AE is a great way to break out of the automated mode. The Shutter and Aperture-priority modes provide the middle ground between Program AE and Manual. There is also a Macro mode and nine scene modes to complete the range. These modes are easily accessible through the Mode dial on top of the camera. There is an exposure compensation setting available by pressing the top of the four-way navigational dial. The left and right arrow keys can then be used to adjust the exposure from +2 to -2, moving in 1/3 steps. Flash exposure compensation is also available with the same range. A histogram display can appear during shooting and after shooting; this can aid in finding the right exposure for the situation.
White Balance (8.5)
The White balance mode can be found in the Recording menu. There are six settings, including an adjustable manual option. The following settings are Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, Flash, and Manual. The menu also includes White Set on the list of options, but it only supplements the Manual option. In each white balance setting except for Auto, adjustments can be made in Kelvin color temperature: -1500 to +1500 are available, with steps every 150 degrees. The FZ3 is missing the common Fluorescent white balance option, but the Manual option provides far more accurate color under fluorescent bulbs because of the many varieties of fluorescent light bulbs.
ISO (7.0)
The ISO can be changed via the Sensitivity option on the Recording menu of the FZ3. The options are 80, 100, 200, and 400. There is also an Auto mode selection available when users want the camera to set the appropriate sensitivity level. While this is a typical selection range, the inclusion of an ISO 80 setting will help ensure clarity when ample lighting is available.
Shutter Speed (7.5)
The FZ3 has manually adjustable shutter speeds from 8 seconds to 1/2000th of a second. This range is wide enough for most shooting situations. The camera also has a long exposure noise reduction feature that reduces noise levels in low light situations.
Aperture (8.0)
The aperture of the FZ3 can be manually adjusted from f/2.8-f/8.0. This is a common aperture range for a 12x optical zoom lens. What makes this lens unique is its ability to maintain an aperture of f/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. This lets the user zoom in low light and retain fast shutter speeds. The f/2.8 setting that is consistently available also helps increase the attainable depth of field within most shots.
