Panasonic SDR-S7 Technical specifications

Basic Operating Instructions
SD Video Camera
Model No. SDR-S7
Before use, please read these instructions completely.
VQT1R57-1
EP
Web Site : http://www.panasonic-europe.com
Please also refer to Operating
Instructions (PDF format)
recorded on the CD-ROM
containing the Operating
Instructions (supplied).
You can learn about advanced operation methods
and check the Troubleshooting.

2VQT1R57 (ENG)
WARNING:
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK OR PRODUCT
DAMAGE,
●DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN, MOISTURE, DRIPPING
OR SPLASHING AND THAT NO OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS,
SUCH AS VASES, SHALL BE PLACED ON THE APPARATUS.
●USE ONLY THE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES.
●DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER (OR BACK); THERE ARE NO USER
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.
Warning
Risk of fire, explosion and burns. Do not disassemble, heat above 60 ˚C or
incinerate.
CAUTION!
●DO NOT INSTALL OR PLACE THIS UNIT IN A BOOKCASE, BUILT-
IN CABINET OR IN ANOTHER CONFINED SPACE. ENSURE THE
UNIT IS WELL VENTILATED. TO PREVENT RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK OR FIRE HAZARD DUE TO OVERHEATING, ENSURE THAT
CURTAINS AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS DO NOT OBSTRUCT THE
VENTILATION VENTS.
●DO NOT OBSTRUCT THE UNIT’S VENTILATION OPENINGS WITH
NEWSPAPERS, TABLECLOTHS, CURTAINS, AND SIMILAR ITEMS.
●DO NOT PLACE SOURCES OF NAKED FLAMES, SUCH AS LIGHTED
CANDLES, ON THE UNIT.
●DISPOSE OF BATTERIES IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
MANNER.
The socket outlet shall be installed near the equipment and easily
accessible.
The mains plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily operable.
To completely disconnect this apparatus from the AC Mains,
disconnect the power supply cord plug from AC receptacle.
Use only the recommended accessories.
●Do not use any other AV cables except the supplied one.
●When you use the cable which are sold separately, please make sure to use
the one whose length is less than 3 m.
Notice about the rechargeable battery
• The battery is designated recyclable.
Please follow your local recycling regulations.
Information for your safety

3VQT1R57 (ENG)
●Keep the SD Video Camera as far away as possible from electromagnetic
equipment (such as microwave ovens, TVs, video games etc.).
• If you use the SD Video Camera on top of or near a TV, the pictures and
sound on the SD Video Camera may be disrupted by electromagnetic wave
radiation.
• Do not use the SD Video Camera near cell phones because doing so may
result in noise adversely affecting the pictures and sound.
• Recorded data may be damaged, or pictures may be distorted, by strong
magnetic fields created by speakers or large motors.
• Electromagnetic wave radiation generated by microprocessors may
adversely affect the SD Video Camera, disturbing the pictures and sound.
• If the SD Video Camera is adversely affected by electromagnetic equipment
and stops functioning properly, turn the SD Video Camera off and remove
the battery or disconnect AC adaptor.
Then reinsert the battery or reconnect AC adaptor and turn the SD Video
Camera on.
●Do not use the SD Video Camera near radio transmitters or high-voltage
lines.
• If you record near radio transmitters or high-voltage lines, the recorded
pictures and sound may be adversely affected.
EMC Electric and magnetic compatibility
This symbol (CE) is located on the rating plate.

4VQT1R57 (ENG)
PRECAUTIONS
IMPORTANT
●Indemnity concerning recording content
The manufacturer shall in no event be liable for the loss of recordings due to
malfunction or defect of this unit, its accessories or recordable media.
●Carefully observe copyright laws
Whatever you have recorded and created can be used for your personal
entertainment only. Under copyright laws, other materials cannot be used
without obtaining permission from the holders of the copyrights.
For the purposes of these operating instructions
SD Memory Card and SDHC Memory Card are referred to as the “SD card”.
Camera and SD card (sold separately) temperature
After use and battery charging, the battery will be hot. Also, during use,
although the unit’s body and SD card become hot, there is nothing wrong with
the unit.
LCD monitor
Due to limitations in LCD production technology, there may be some tiny
bright or dark spots on the LCD monitor screen. However, this is not a
malfunction and does not affect the recorded picture.

5VQT1R57 (ENG)
• SDHC Logo is a trademark.
• miniSD Logo is a trademark.
• Microsoft®and Windows®are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
the Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
• Other names of systems and products mentioned in these instructions are
usually the registered trademarks or trademarks of the manufacturers who
developed the system or product concerned.
Contents
Before usingSetupRecordingPlaybackOthers
Information for your safety........ 2
PRECAUTIONS ........................... 4
Before using
Accessories ................................ 6
Parts identification and
handling....................................... 6
Using the hand strap
(supplied) ................................... 8
Using the LCD monitor............... 8
How to use the lens cover open
lever ........................................... 8
Optional accessories.................. 9
Applicable SD cards
(sold separately)......................... 9
Setup
Charging.................................... 10
Charging time, recordable time
and Remaining battery capacity
indication................................... 12
Inserting/Removing SD cards
(sold separately)....................... 13
Turning the unit ON/OFF
(Selecting modes)..................... 14
Quick starts .............................. 15
Setting from the menu, changing
the display language
.................. 16
Setting the date and time......... 18
Recording
Automatic recording
(motion pictures) ...................... 19
Automatic recording
(still pictures)............................ 20
Zoom.......................................... 21
Other recording options .......... 22
PRE-REC function ................... 23
Playback
Viewing motion pictures/
Viewing still pictures................ 24
Deleting one picture at a time .. 25
Others
With other products ................. 26
Reading the Operating
Instructions (PDF format) ........ 27
LCD monitor displays .............. 28
Specifications ........................... 30

6VQT1R57 (ENG)
Accessories
Make sure all of the following
accessories were included in the
product package.
• Battery pack
VW-VBJ10
• AC adaptor
VSK0695
• AC cable
K2CQ2CA00006
• AV cable
K2KZ9CB00002
• Hand strap
VFC4308
• USB cable
K2KZ4CB00011
• CD-ROM
Software
• CD-ROM
VFF0420
Operating Instructions
Parts identification
Optional accessories (P.9)
Audio-video output
terminal [A/V]
USB terminal [ ]
DC input terminal
[DC IN 5.0 V]
Battery slot
[BATTERY]
Card slot
[SD CARD]
Card access lamp
[ACCESS]
Card/battery door lever
[]
Card/Battery door
Tripod mounting hole
For tripod (sold separately) mounting
instructions, see the user’s guide of
the tripod. (With some tripods, the
card/battery door cannot be opened
when the unit is mounted on the tripod.
In such case, insert the SD card and
battery before mounting the unit on the
tripod.)
•Do not use any other AC adaptors
except the supplied one.

7VQT1R57 (ENG)
and handling
LCD monitor
Speaker
When recording: Zoom button
[T/W]
During playback: Volume button
[+VOL–]
Mode dial
: Motion picture
recording
: Motion picture
playback
: Still picture recording
: Still picture playback
: Turning the unit OFF
Status indicator
Record button
Menu button
[MENU]
Cursor buttons
Delete button
[]
Manual button
[MANUAL AF/MF]
Sub record button
(Same as record button)
Lens
Microphone
(built-in, stereo)
White balance sensor
Auto button
[AUTO]
Terminal cover
Lens cover open lever
Strap fixture

8VQT1R57 (ENG)
Using the hand strap (supplied)
Using as strap
Fit over your wrist and adjust the
length of the strap.
Using the LCD monitor
Images can be checked on the LCD monitor when recording.
Open the LCD monitor. Adjust the angle.
Up to 180 ˚
Up to 90 ˚
●Forcing the LCD monitor open or rotating it past the angle to which it can be
rotated will cause trouble or malfunctioning.
●Brightness and colour density can be adjusted.
How to use the lens cover open lever
Before recording, open the
lens cover.
Open the lens cover by sliding
the lens cover open lever to the
[] position.
●In order to protect the lens, slide
the lens cover open lever to the
[] position when the unit is not
in use, and close the lens cover.
Parts identification and handling (cont.)

9VQT1R57 (ENG)
Optional accessories
Some optional accessories may not be available in some countries.
Battery pack (VW-VBJ10) Tripod (VW-CT45E)
SD Memory card / SDHC Memory card
(→Applicable SD cards)
DVD burner (VW-BN1)
●Keep the Memory Card out of reach of children to prevent swallowing.
The following SD and SDHC Memory Cards can be used.
Type of card Capacity
SD Memory Card
(SD speed Class 2 or higher recommended)
256 MB
512 MB
1 GB
2 GB
SDHC Memory Card
(Use cards bearing the logo.)
4 GB
8 GB
16 GB
• 8 MB and 16 MB SD Memory Cards are for still picture recording only.
• With 32 MB, 64 MB and 128 MB SD Memory Cards, still pictures can be
recorded, but motion picture recording may stop during use.
• Multimedia cards cannot be used.
Recommended Panasonic SD/SDHC Memory Cards
(as of February 2008)
The following Panasonic SD/SDHC Memory Cards and SD speed Class 2 or
higher Memory Cards are recommended for this unit. With other types of SD
cards, motion picture recording may stop during use.
SD Memory Card SD/SDHC Memory Card
High Speed Class 2 Class 4 Class 6
256 MB RP-SDH256 RP-SDR256 ――
512 MB RP-SDK512 RP-SDR512 ――
1 GB RP-SDH01G RP-SDR01G ―RP-SDV01G
2 GB RP-SDK02G RP-SDR02G RP-SDM02G RP-SDV02G
4 GB ―RP-SDR04G RP-SDM04G RP-SDV04G
8 GB ―――RP-SDV08G
16 GB ―――RP-SDV16G
●Please confirm the latest information on the following website. (This website
is in English only.)
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/e_cam
Applicable SD cards (sold separately)

10 VQT1R57 (ENG)
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.
To AC outlet
AC adaptor
AC cable＊
The unit is in the standby condition when the AC adaptor is connected. The
primary circuit is always “live” as long as the AC adaptor is connected to an
electrical outlet.
Insert the battery into the unit and charge it.
＊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.
Setup 1Charging
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.
Lever

11VQT1R57 (ENG)
The battery is not charged at the time of purchase. Be sure to charge it
before use.
For charging time (P.12)
We recommend using Panasonic batteries. (VW-VBJ10)
If you use other batteries, we cannot guarantee the quality of this product.
CAUTION
Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with 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.
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 indicator
Flashing red at approx. 1 second intervals
: Charging in progress
Off : Charging complete

12 VQT1R57 (ENG)
Setup 2
Charging time, recordable time and
Remaining battery capacity indication
Charging time and recordable time
Times are given for a temperature of 25 ˚C 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, 1000 mAh)
Charging time Approx. 2 h 15 min
Recordable time
Maximum continuously
recordable time Actual recordable time
Approx. 1 h 10 min Approx. 40 min
●Actual recordable time includes recording and stopping, turning the unit ON/
OFF, 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
recording.
●The recordable time shortens in some environments (i.e., low temperatures,
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.)
It has been found that counterfeit battery packs which look very similar to genuine
product are made available to purchase in some markets. Some of these battery packs
are not adequately protected with internal protection to meet the requirements of
appropriate safety standards. There is a possibility that these battery packs may lead
to fire or explosion. Please be advised that we are not liable for any accident or failure
occurring as a result of use of a counterfeit battery pack. To ensure that safe products
are used we would recommend that the genuine Panasonic battery pack is used.
●Be aware that many batteries sold at extremely cheap prices or in situations where it
is difficult to verify the actual products before purchase have proven to be counterfeit.

13VQT1R57 (ENG)
Setup 3Inserting/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.
●While the card access lamp is lit, reading, recording, playback, deletion
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.
• Turning off the unit
• Removing battery or AC adaptor
• Opening card/battery door and removing SD card
• Rotating the mode dial
• Shaking or impacting the unit
Card access lamp
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 centre 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.
Place label upwards.

14 VQT1R57 (ENG)
Setup 4Turning the unit ON/OFF
(Selecting modes)
Set to icon of desired mode.
Turning the unit OFF
Motion picture recording mode
Motion picture playback mode
Still picture recording mode
Still picture playback mode
Rotate the mode dial slowly but surely to the desired position without turning it
recklessly.
●The very first time that power is turned ON, a message appears prompting
you to set the date and time. (P.18)
Status indicator
• When turning the unit ON: Lit red
(When selecting )
• When turning the unit OFF: Off
Turning the unit ON/OFF from the LCD monitor
When [ ] or [ ] is selected, the unit turns ON when the LCD monitor is
opened and OFF when it is closed. (During motion picture recording, the unit
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].

15VQT1R57 (ENG)
Rotate the mode dial to motion picture recording/playback, still picture
recording/playback or turning the unit 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 second. Lit red
When closed The unit goes on quick start standby＊.Flashing green
＊The unit consumes about half as much power as when recording is stopped.
Setting [QUICK START]
Make settings from the
menus. (P.16)
→[SETUP]→
[QUICK START]→[ON]
(To turn OFF, select [OFF].)
• [QUICK START] is [ON] at the time of purchase.
●The quick start standby is cancelled and the unit turns OFF (status indicator
out) in the following situations.
• When quick start standby mode continues for more than about 5 minutes
• When the mode dial is rotated
●When white balance is set to [ ], quick starts require more time if the light
source differs from that prior to quick starting, because automatic adjustments
are performed. (However, automatic adjustments are not performed when
using the Colour night view function.)
●Starting may require more time than usual if the unit is impacted.
●Zoom magnification becomes 1x after quick starts.
●If [POWER SAVE] is set to [5 MINUTES] and the unit automatically goes on
quick start standby, close and reopen the LCD monitor.

16 VQT1R57 (ENG)
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
Setup 5Setting from the menu,
changing the display language
To return to the previous screen
To quit an operation halfway
through
The menu cannot be displayed during recording or playback.

17VQT1R57 (ENG)
The cursor buttons are used to select functions, execute operations and
make menu settings.
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 buttons
The cursor buttons are used to select and enter items on menus or
thumbnail displays.
Upwards
Downwards
Left Right
●To move the cursor
The cursor moves in the direction of the
respective cursor buttons
when pressed.
●Pressing the centre enters the selection.
8Close the menu.
Changing the display language
The display and menu language can be changed.
→[LANGUAGE]

18 VQT1R57 (ENG)
1Set to [ ] or [ ].
2Select the desired menu.
→[BASIC]→
[CLOCK SET]→[YES]
3Set the date and time.
To select settings To change
numerical values
The year is displayed up to 2099
and the 24-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] 2008.12.15
[M/D/Y] 12.15.2008
[D/M/Y] 15.12.2008
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 centre of the cursor buttons
and proceed to step 3.
Setup 6Setting the date and time

19VQT1R57 (ENG)
Recording 1Automatic recording
(motion pictures)
1Set to [ ].
2Press .
3Start recording.
Recording
mode Time elapsed
Time remaining (flashes
red when under 1 minute)
Recording in
progress (red)
Recording continues even if the
LCD monitor is closed.
4Stop recording.
Paused (green)
The unit is still recording if [ ] is
red. Do not move the unit.
●When the unit is running on battery power, the unit is automatically turned
OFF to conserve battery life if no operations are performed for about 5
minutes. To reuse the unit, set the mode dial to [OFF] and then reselect a
mode.
To prevent the unit from turning OFF automatically: ([POWER SAVE])
●The interval between starting and stopping recording is recorded as one single
scene. The counter is reset to “0h00m00s” after each scene.
To change aspect ratio to 4:3
→[ADVANCED]→
[REC ASPECT]→[4:3]
Default aspect ratio at the time of
purchase is set to 16:9 (widescreen).
To remove sound when record
button is pressed
→[SETUP]→
[BEEP SOUND]→[OFF]
To remove on-screen display
→[SETUP]→
[DISPLAY]→[OFF]
To ensure that you won’t pass
up any recording opportunities
PRE-REC function (P.23)
Before recording, open the lens cover.

20 VQT1R57 (ENG)
Recording 2Automatic recording
(still pictures)
1Set to [ ].
2Press .
3Take picture.
Picture
resolution
Picture
quality
Pictures remaining
(flashes red when zero)
Focus is aligned to object in
centre of shot.
●Sound is not recorded.
●Recorded still pictures are referred to as “scenes” with this unit.
To remove shutter sound
→[ADVANCED]→[SHTR
EFFECT]→[OFF]
To remove on-screen display
→[SETUP]→
[DISPLAY]→[OFF]
Before recording, open the lens cover.