Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15 Owner's manual

Operating Instructions
for advanced features
Digital Camera
Model No. DMC-LX15
SQW0724
M0916KZ0
Message Display →289
Please read these instructions carefully before using this product,
and save this manual for future use.
Q&A Troubleshooting →291
Finding the information you need →2
Contents →4
Contents by Function →10
Menu list →169

2SQW0724
Finding the information you need
In this “Operating Instructions for advanced features”, you can find the information you
need from the following pages.
By clicking a page number, you can jump to the linked page and quickly find the
information.
Search from “Contents” 4 -
Search from the list of function
names
“Contents by Function”
10 -
Search from “Names and
Functions of Main Parts” 16 -
Search from “List of monitor
displays” 283 -
Search from the list of
on-screen messages
“Message displays”
289 -
Search from the menu list
“Menu list” 169 -
[Rec] ............................ 169
[Motion Picture]............ 187
[Custom] ...................... 189
[Setup] ........................ 198
[Playback].................... 207
Search from “Q&A
Troubleshooting” 291 -
For details on how to use this manual,
see the next page.
Wi-Fi®function →227

3SQW0724
How to use this manual
Click this icon to jump to “Finding the information you need”.
Click this icon to jump to “Contents”.
Click this icon to jump to “Menu list”.
Click this icon to return to the previously displayed page.
Recording mode icons
Recording mode:
In Recording modes that show icons in black, you can select and execute indicated
menus and functions.
has different functions depending on the recording mode that is registered.
• Click a cross reference in the text to jump to the corresponding page.
■About the symbols in the text
Indicates that the menu can be set by pressing [MENU/SET] button.
Indicates that the Wi-Fi setting can be made by pressing [Wi-Fi] button.
Tips for skilful use and points for recording.
(→00) Indicates the reference page. Click to go to the corresponding page.
Click to view the description on the next page.
In this Operating Instructions, steps for setting a menu item are described as follows:
Example: To change the [Quality] setting from [ ] to [ ] in the [Rec] menu
→ [Rec] → [Quality] → [ ]
• In this manual, ring, dial and lever operations are illustrated as below.
Turn the control ring
Rotate the rear dial
Rotate the zoom lever

4SQW0724
Contents
■ Finding the information you need ..... 2
■ How to use this manual...................... 3
■ Before use ......................................... 13
■ Standard Accessories ...................... 15
Before Use
■ Names and Functions
of Main Parts ..................................... 16
Preparations
■ Attaching the Hand Strap................. 18
■ Charging battery ............................... 19
Inserting the battery...................................20
Charging the battery ..................................21
■ Inserting and removing the card
(optional)............................................ 24
■ About the Card .................................. 25
Formatting the card (initialisation)..............26
Estimated recording capacity
(number of pictures/recording time)...........26
■ Setting the clock ............................... 28
Changing time settings ..............................29
■ Contents by Function ....................... 10
■ Holding the camera........................... 30
■ Adjusting the angle
of the monitor.................................... 31
■ Buttons/Dials/Levers
Used for Recording........................... 32
Zoom Lever (Use Zoom)............................32
Shutter button (Taking pictures).................33
Motion picture button
(Recording motion pictures).......................34
Mode dial (Select the recording mode)......34
Control ring / Aperture ring / Rear dial .......35
Cursor button / [MENU/SET] button
(Selecting/setting items) ............................37
[DISP.] button
(Switching the display information)............37
■ Touch screen (Touch operations).... 39
Touching the screen and recording
(Touch Shutter function).............................40
Easily Optimising the Brightness for a
Specified Area ([Touch AE]).......................41
Basics
■ Setting the menu............................... 42
■ Calling frequently-used
menus instantly
(Quick Menu) ..................................... 44
Change the Quick Menu to your
preferred item ............................................45
■ Assigning frequently used
functions to the buttons
(Function buttons) ............................ 46
Using the function buttons during
recording....................................................47
Using the function buttons during
playback.....................................................48
■ Entering Text ..................................... 49

5SQW0724
Contents
Recording mode
■ Taking pictures with
automatic settings
(Intelligent Auto Mode) ..................... 50
Taking pictures using a handheld camera
([iHandheld Night Shot]) ............................53
Combining pictures into a single still
picture with rich gradation ([iHDR])............54
Recording images by changing the
brightness (exposure) or colour tone.........55
Defocusing the background
(Defocus control function)..........................56
■ Taking Pictures of Yourself
[Self Shot] .......................................... 57
Changing the way the shutter is
released.....................................................59
■ Taking pictures after
automatically setting the
aperture value and shutter speed
(Programme AE Mode) ..................... 61
■ Taking pictures by setting the
aperture value and shutter speed ... 62
Taking pictures by setting the aperture
value (Aperture-Priority AE Mode).............62
Taking pictures by setting the shutter
speed (Shutter-Priority AE Mode)..............63
Taking pictures by setting the
aperture value and shutter speed
(Manual Exposure Mode) ..........................64
Checking the effects of the
aperture value and shutter speed
(Preview Mode)..........................................66
Easily set aperture / shutter speed for
suitable exposure (One Push AE)..............68
■ Recording panorama pictures
(Panorama Shot Mode)..................... 69
■ Taking pictures
according to the scene
(Scene Guide Mode) ......................... 72
Types of Scene Guide Mode .....................73
■ Taking Pictures with
different picture effects
(Creative Control Mode) ................... 76
Types of picture effects..............................77
■ Recording motion pictures
by setting the aperture value/
shutter speed
(Creative Video Mode) ...................... 82
Recording Slow Motion Pictures
([High Speed Video]) .................................83
Minimising operational sounds during
motion picture recording ............................84
■ Registering your own
settings and recording
(Custom Mode).................................. 85
Registering your own settings
([Cust.Set Mem.]).......................................85
Recording using registered custom set .....86

6SQW0724
Contents
Focus, Brightness (Exposure) and Colour tone Settings
■ Taking pictures with Auto Focus..... 87
Set the focusing operation to be
performed when the shutter button is
pressed halfway (AFS, AFF, AFC) .............88
Switching [AF Mode]..................................89
Changing the position and size
of the AF area ............................................95
Optimising the focus and brightness
for a touched position ................................98
■ Taking close-up pictures
(Macro recording) ............................. 99
■ Taking pictures with
Manual Focus .................................. 100
■ Taking pictures by locking
the focus and/or exposure
(AF/AE Lock) ................................... 102
■ Taking pictures with Exposure
Compensation ................................. 103
■ Setting the ISO Sensitivity ............. 104
■ Adjusting the White Balance ......... 106
4K Photo and Drive Settings
■ Recording 4K Photos ..................... 110
Notes on the 4K Photo function............... 114
■ Selecting pictures from 4K burst
file and saving ................................. 117
■ Adjusting the focus after recording
([Post Focus]/[Focus Stacking]).... 121
Recording using [Post Focus]..................121
Select the focus point and save the
picture ([Post Focus])...............................123
Combine multiple pictures to increase
the focus range ([Focus Stacking])..........124
■ Selecting a Drive Mode................... 126
Burst function...........................................127
Taking pictures with self-timer..................129
■ Taking Pictures While
Adjusting a Setting Automatically
(Bracket Recording)........................ 130
Exposure Bracket ....................................131
Aperture Bracket......................................132
Focus Bracket..........................................132
■ Taking pictures
automatically at set intervals
[Time Lapse Shot]........................... 133
■ Creating stop motion animation
[Stop Motion Animation]................ 135

7SQW0724
Contents
Stabiliser, Zoom and Flash
■ Correcting jitter ............................... 138
■ Using Zoom ..................................... 140
Zoom types and use ................................140
Using the zoom by performing touch
operations (Touch zoom) .........................143
■ Taking pictures with flash .............. 144
■ Setting the Flash Functions........... 146
Changing Flash Mode..............................146
Setting the 2nd curtain sync ....................148
Adjusting the flash output ........................148
Recording motion pictures
■ Recording Motion Picture/
4K Motion Picture ........................... 149
Setting the format, picture size and
recording frame rate ................................151
Adjusting the focus while recording
motion pictures ([Continuous AF]) ...........153
■ Pan or zoom while recording
with the camera in a fixed position
[4K Live Cropping].......................... 154
■ Taking still pictures while
a motion picture is being
recorded........................................... 157
■ Recording Snap Movies ................. 158
Playing Back and Editing Pictures
■ Viewing your pictures..................... 161
■ Viewing motion pictures ................ 162
Capturing still pictures from motion
pictures ....................................................163
■ Switching the Playback Method .... 164
Zooming in and viewing
“Playback Zoom”......................................164
Viewing a list of pictures
“Multi Playback” .......................................164
Viewing pictures by their recording date
“Calendar Playback” ................................165
■ Viewing group pictures .................. 166
■ Deleting pictures............................. 168

8SQW0724
Contents
Wi-Fi
■ What you can do with the
Wi-Fi®function ................................ 227
■ Wi-Fi Function ................................. 228
■ Operating the camera by
connecting it to a smartphone....... 231
Installing the smartphone/tablet app
“Panasonic Image App” ...........................231
Connecting to a smartphone....................232
Taking pictures via a smartphone
(remote recording) ...................................236
Playing back pictures in the camera
on a smartphone......................................237
Saving pictures in the camera to a
smartphone..............................................237
Sending pictures in the camera to
social networking services.......................238
Adding location information to pictures
in the camera from a smartphone............238
Combining motion pictures recorded
with Snap Movie according to your
preference on a smartphone....................240
■ Displaying still pictures on a TV.... 241
■ Sending pictures............................. 242
■ Sending pictures to a
smartphone ..................................... 245
■ Wireless printing............................. 246
■ Sending pictures to AV device....... 247
■ Sending pictures to a PC ............... 248
■ Using WEB services ....................... 250
When sending images to WEB service....250
When sending images to
[Cloud Sync. Service] ..............................253
■ Using “LUMIX CLUB” ..................... 254
About the [LUMIX CLUB].........................254
■ About connections ......................... 259
Connecting via a wireless access point
([Via Network]) .........................................260
Connecting directly ([Direct]) ...................263
Connecting quickly with the same
settings as used previously
([Select a destination from History] /
[Select a destination from Favorite])........264
■ [Wi-Fi Setup].................................... 266
Using Menu Functions
■ Menu list .......................................... 169
[Rec] ........................................................169
[Motion Picture]........................................187
[Custom] ..................................................189
[Setup] .....................................................198
[Playback] ................................................207

9SQW0724
Contents
Connecting with other devices
■ Enjoying 4K motion pictures ......... 268
Viewing 4K motion pictures .....................268
Storing 4K motion pictures.......................269
■ Viewing on TV screen..................... 270
VIERA Link (HDMI) (HDAVI Control™)....272
■ Storing recorded still pictures and
motion pictures on your PC........... 273
Downloading software .............................274
Copying still pictures and motion
pictures ....................................................276
■ Storing recorded still pictures and
motion pictures in the recorder..... 278
■ Printing ............................................ 279
Printing with date and text .......................281
Others
■ Optional accessories...................... 282
Using the AC adaptor (optional)
and DC coupler (optional) instead
of the battery............................................282
■ List of monitor display ................... 283
■ Message displays ........................... 289
■ Q&A Troubleshooting.................... 291
■ Usage cautions and notes ............. 300

10 SQW0724
Contents by Function
Recording
Recording mode ...........................................34
[Preview].......................................................66
Panorama Shot Mode...................................69
Macro recording............................................99
Aperture Bracket.........................................132
Focus Bracket.............................................132
[Time Lapse Shot].......................................133
[Stop Motion Animation]..............................135
[Multi Exp.]..................................................179
[Silent Mode]...............................................189
4K Photo
[4K PHOTO]................................................ 110
[Post Focus] recording................................121
Focus (AF/MF)
Auto Focus ...................................................87
AF Mode .......................................................89
Adjusting the AF area position......................95
Manual Focus .............................................100
AF/AE Lock.................................................102
Drive
Drive Mode .................................................126
Burst function..............................................127
[Self Timer].................................................129
Recording
Exposure
[Touch AE]....................................................41
[One Push AE]..............................................68
AF/AE Lock.................................................102
Exposure Compensation ............................103
ISO sensitivity.............................................104
Exposure Bracket .......................................131
[Metering Mode]..........................................175
Picture Quality and Colour Tone
White Balance ............................................106
[Photo Style] ...............................................170
[Filter Settings]............................................172
[Picture Size] ..............................................174
[Quality] ......................................................174
[Highlight Shadow]......................................176
[i.Dynamic]..................................................177
[i.Resolution]...............................................177
[HDR]..........................................................178
[Long Shtr NR]............................................182
[Diffraction Compensation] .........................182
[Color Space]..............................................183
Flash
[Flash Mode]...............................................146
2nd curtain synchro ....................................148
[Flash Adjust.].............................................148
Motion Picture
Creative Video Mode ....................................82
[High Speed Video].......................................83
[Silent Operation]..........................................84
Motion pictures in 4K ..................................149
[Rec Format]...............................................151
[Rec Quality] ...............................................151
[4K Live Cropping] ......................................154
Taking still pictures while a motion picture
is being recorded ........................................157
[Snap Movie]...............................................158
Motion Picture
Audio
[Wind Noise Canceller] ...............................188
Screen settings
[Center Marker]...........................................193
[Zebra Pattern]............................................194
[Monochrome Live View] ............................195

11 SQW0724
Contents by Function
Playback
Picture playback .........................................161
Motion picture playback..............................162
Playback Zoom...........................................164
Multi Playback ............................................164
Delete .........................................................168
[Auto Review] .............................................196
Display/playback settings
[Slide Show]................................................208
[Rotate]/[Rotate Disp.] ........................222, 223
Edit
[Post Focus]................................................123
[Focus Stacking] .........................................124
[RAW Processing].......................................212
[4K PHOTO Bulk Saving] ...........................215
[Light Composition].....................................215
[Clear Retouch]...........................................217
[Resize].......................................................221
[Cropping] ...................................................222
Playback
Adding information
[Location Logging] ...................................... 211
[Title Edit]....................................................218
[Text Stamp]................................................219
Image settings
[Favorite].....................................................223
[Print Set]....................................................224
[Protect] ......................................................225
Basic settings
[Format] ........................................................26
[Clock Set] ....................................................28
Display switching ....................................37, 38
How to set menu items .................................42
[Q.MENU] .....................................................44
[Beep] .........................................................200
[Economy]...................................................202
[Reset] (initialisation) ..................................205
Setup/Custom
Customisation
[CUSTOM] in the Quick Menu ......................45
Function buttons ...........................................46
Custom Mode ...............................................85
[Custom] menu ...........................................189

12 SQW0724
Contents by Function
PC
Transferring images to a PC.......................273
“PHOTOfunSTUDIO”..................................274
SILKYPIX....................................................275
TV
Playing Back Pictures on a TV Screen.......270
[VIERA Link] ...............................................272
Connecting with other devices
Recorder
Dubbing ......................................................278
Printer
PictBridge ...................................................279
Connect
“Image App” ................................................231
[WPS (Push-Button)]..........................260, 263
Direct connection........................................263
Image App
Remote recording .......................................236
Saving images ............................................237
Sending images..................................238, 245
Sending and adding location information ...238
Combining motion pictures recorded with
[Snap Movie]...............................................240
Wi-Fi
In combination with other devices
Playing back pictures on a TV ....................241
Printing images...........................................246
Sending images to an AV device ................247
Sending images to a PC.............................248
Sending images to a WEB service .............250
Using [Cloud Sync. Service] .......................253

13 SQW0724
Before Use
Before use
■Camera handling
Keep the camera away from excessive vibration, force, or
pressure.
●Avoid using the camera under the following conditions, which may
damage the lens, monitor, or camera body.
This may also cause the camera to malfunction or prevent
recording.
• Dropping or hitting the camera against a hard surface
• Sitting down with the camera in your pants pocket or forcing it
into a full bag
• Adding accessories to the camera strap
• Pushing with excessive force on the lens or monitor
The camera is not dust resistant, splash resistant, or
waterproof.
Avoid using the camera in places with excessive dust or sand,
or where water can come into contact with the camera.
●Avoid using the camera under the following conditions, which
present a risk that sand, water, or foreign material may enter
the camera through the lens or openings around buttons. Be
especially careful because these conditions may damage the
camera, and such damage may not be repairable.
• In extremely dusty or sandy places
• In the rain or by the shore, where the camera may be exposed
to water
■Condensation (When the lens or the monitor is fogged up)
●Condensation may occur when the camera is exposed to sudden changes of
temperature or humidity. Avoid these conditions, which may make the lens or monitor
dirty, cause mould, or damage the camera.
●If condensation does occur, turn off the camera and wait about two hours before using
it. Once the camera adjusts to the surrounding temperature, the fogging will clear
naturally.

14 SQW0724
Before Use
Before use
■Always take a test shot first
Before important events when you will use the camera (at weddings, for example), always
take a test shot to make sure that pictures and sound record correctly.
■No compensation for missed shots
We cannot compensate for missed shots if technical problems with the camera or card
prevent recording.
■Carefully observe copyright laws
Unauthorised use of recordings that contain works with copyright for purposes other than
personal use is prohibited under copyright law. Recording of certain material may be
restricted even for the purpose of personal use.
■Also refer to “Usage cautions and notes” (→300)
■Before using the camera, make sure all accessories specified in the attached
“Basic Operating Instructions” are supplied.
For details on optional accessories (→282)

15 SQW0724
Before Use
Standard Accessories
Check that all the accessories are supplied before using the camera.
●The accessories and their shape will differ depending on the country or area where the
camera was purchased.
For details on the accessories, refer to “Basic Operating Instructions”.
●Battery Pack is indicated as battery pack or battery in the text.
●SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card and SDXC Memory Card are indicated as card
in the text.
●Please dispose of all packaging appropriately.
●Keep small parts in a safe place out of the reach of children.
■Optional accessories
• Cards are optional.

16 SQW0724
Before Use
Names and Functions of Main Parts
1Shutter button (→33)
2Zoom lever (→32)
3Motion picture button (→34)
4Rear dial (→35)
5Camera [ON/OFF] switch (→28)
6Mode dial (→34)
7Stereo microphone (→30)
Be careful not to cover the microphone
with your finger. Doing so may make
sound difficult to record.
8Flash open lever (→144)
9Flash (→144)
10 Strap eyelet (→18)
11 Aperture ring (→35)
12 Control ring (→35)
13 Lens barrel
14 Lens
15 Self-timer indicator (→129)/
AF Assist Lamp (→191)
1 2 3
45678 9
10
11
121314
15

17 SQW0724
Before Use
Names and Functions of Main Parts
10 Strap eyelet (→18)
16 Charging lamp (→22)/
Wi-Fi®connection lamp (→228)
17 [ ] ([Post Focus]) button (→121)/
[Fn2] button (→46)
18 [Q.MENU/ ] (Cancel) button (→44)/
[ ] (Delete) button (→168)/
[Fn3] button (→46)
19 [ ] (4K photo mode) button (→110)/
[Fn1] button (→46)
20 [ ] (Playback) button (→161)
21 Cursor button (→37)
[ ] (Exposure compensation) ( )
(→103)
[ ] (White Balance) ( ) (→106)
[ ] (Drive Mode) ( ) (→126)
[ ] (Focus Mode) ( ) (→87, 99, 100)
22 [MENU/SET] button (→37)
23 [DISP.] button (→37)
24 [HDMI] socket (→270)
25 [USB/CHARGE] socket (→21, 276, 279)
26 Release lever (→20)
27 DC coupler cover (→282)
When using an AC adaptor, ensure that
the Panasonic DC coupler (optional) and
AC adaptor (optional) are used.
28 Card/Battery door (→20, 24)
29 Tripod mount (→303)
Do not attach this unit to tripods that
have screws with a length of 5.5 mm
(0.22 inch) or more. Doing so may
damage this unit or the unit may not be
secured properly on the tripod.
30 Touch screen (→39)/ monitor (→283)
31 Speaker (→30)
■Function buttons [Fn4] to [Fn8]
• Buttons [Fn4] to [Fn8] (→46)are
touch icons. They can be displayed by
touching the [ ] tab on the recording
screen.
23
17
18
19
21
20
22
16
24
25
262728293031
10

18 SQW0724
Preparations
Attaching the Hand Strap
We recommend attaching the hand strap when using the camera to prevent it from
dropping.
Strap eyelet

19 SQW0724
Preparations
Charging battery
Always use the dedicated AC adaptor (supplied), USB connection cable (supplied), and
battery for this camera.
•Always charge before first use! (battery shipped uncharged)
•Charge the battery while it is in the camera.
Camera status Charge
Turn off Yes
Turn on No
About batteries that you can use with this unit
It has been found that counterfeit battery packs which look very similar to the
genuine products 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 recommend
that a genuine Panasonic battery pack is used.

20 SQW0724
Preparations
Charging battery
Inserting the battery
To charge the battery, insert it into the camera.
1Slide the release lever to the
[OPEN] position and open the
card/battery door
Release lever
[OPEN] [LOCK]
2Insert the battery all the way
• Insert the battery all the way firmly and
check that it is locked by lever.
3Close the card/battery door
and then slide the release
lever to the [LOCK] position
Make sure to insert the battery in the
correct orientation.
Lever
■To remove battery
Move the lever in the card/battery
compartment in the direction of the arrow.
●Always use genuine Panasonic batteries.
●If you use other batteries, we cannot guarantee the quality of this product.
●To remove the battery, turn the camera off and wait until the LUMIX indicator on the screen goes
off. (Failure to wait may cause the camera to malfunction and may damage the card or recorded
data.)
●Remove battery from camera after use.
• Keep the battery in a plastic bag, making sure that it is kept away from metallic objects (such as
clips) when carrying or storing it.