Before using the unit

Before using the unit, always check if the built-in battery is not consumed, and then set the date/time.

The date of the internal clock of the unit resets to January 1, 2022 if the built-in battery is exhausted. This may result in the meta data of the clip not being recorded correctly, and it may not display correctly in the thumbnail screen.

Connect the AC adaptor to the main unit or attach a battery when recharging the built-in battery.

The date/time set on the main unit is maintained for approximately 4 months when left in this state for approximately 24 hours.

(Recharged even when the power is on.)

For details about setting the time zone and date/time ([TIME ZONE], [CLOCK SETTING]).

Do not use the unit in oily-smoky or dusty places.

Performance may be adversely affected if small particles or other foreign objects get inside the product.

Take extra care in environments where a special effect such as theatrical smoke is used.

When using this product during rain or snow or when at the beach, be careful that water does not get inside the camera.

Water causes damage to the camera and memory card. (Repair may be impossible)

Take care so sand and/or dust do not get inside the camera when using it at the beach, etc.

Sand and dust may damage the camera and memory card. (Be careful when inserting or removing the memory card)

AC adaptor, battery charger, and battery

It may take more time to charge or may not be able to charge when the temperature of the battery is extremely high or extremely low.

When the charging lamp continues to flash in orange, check if there is any debris, foreign object, or dirt attached to the terminal section of the battery or the battery charger, and reconnect it correctly. Always disconnect the power plug from the power outlet before removing the debris, foreign object, or dirt attached to the terminal section.

The charging lamp will flash in orange when the temperature of the battery is extremely high or low.

Then, charging will start automatically after the battery reaches chargeable temperature.

If the charging lamp continues to flash in orange even when the battery is at its optimal temperature, the battery or battery charger may be damaged. Consult the dealer.

Noise may be generated in radio when the unit is used close to a radio (especially when receiving AM). Keep a distance of 1 m or more when using.

Oscillating sound may generate inside the AC adaptor or the battery charger during the use, but this is not a malfunction.

Always disconnect the power plug from the power outlet after the use. (Power of approximately 0.1 W is consumed by the AC power itself if kept connected)

Do not get the terminal section of the AC adaptor, the battery charger, or the battery dirty. Install the device close to the power outlet so the disconnection device (power plug) can be easily reached.

Memory cards

The surface of this unit or the memory card may get slightly hot when used for a long period of time, but this is not a malfunction.

The amount of memory included on the label of the memory card is the total amount of memory below.

– Capacity to protect and manage copyright

– Capacity usable as the normal memory on the unit or a PC.

Do not give a strong impact to, bend, or drop the memory card.

Memory card data may become destroyed or erased in the following cases.

– Electrical noise or static electricity

– Malfunction of the unit or the memory card

Do not perform the following operations when accessing the memory card (the card 1 access lamp/card 2 access lamp is flashing in orange).

– Removing the memory card

– Disconnecting battery or the AC adaptor without turning off the main unit

– Apply vibration of impact

Take care not to drop the main unit when carrying the camera.

Strong impact will damage the main unit, and it may not operate properly.

Hold the handle or grip when carrying the camera, and handle it carefully.

Do not apply insecticide or volatile material to the camera.

The main unit may deform or the paint may peel off when insecticide or volatile material is applied.

Do not allow the camera to remain in contact with a rubber or vinyl object for a long period of time.

Disconnect the battery or disconnect the AC cable from the power outlet after the use.

Battery characteristics

The battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It produces electrical energy via an internal chemical reaction. This chemical reaction is effected by the ambient temperature and humidity. The usable time of the battery becomes shorter when the temperature gets higher or lower. When used in an environment with extremely low temperature, it can only be used for approximately 5 minutes.

When the battery is in an extremely hot environment, its protective function will operate and the unit cannot be used temporarily.

After using the unit, be sure to remove the battery.

Securely remove the battery from the camera.

(Minute current is consumed even if the camera is turned off when the battery is left attached)

The battery will become over discharge and may become unusable even if it is recharged when the battery is left attached for long period of time.

Do not remove the battery when the power is turned on.

Turn off the power and remove the battery after the operation lamp goes completely out.

Take proper care of the battery terminal.

Do not allow dust or foreign objects on the battery terminal.

Confirm that the battery and its terminal section is not deformed when the battery is dropped by mistake.

Do not mount the deformed battery into a camera or mount to the battery charger. This may damage the camera or the battery charger.

Cautions when throwing memory cards away or transferring them to others

Formatting memory cards or deleting data using the functions of the unit or a computer will merely change the file management information: it will not completely erase the data on the cards.

It is recommended to completely erase the data in following method when discarding/conveying.

Physically destroy the memory card itself

Completely erase the data in the memory card using a commercially available data erasing software for PC, etc.

Users are responsible for managing the data stored in their memory card.

LCD monitor and viewfinder

Condensation sometimes forms on the LCD panel of the LCD monitor in locations subject to extreme temperature differences. If this happens, wipe with a soft, dry cloth.

Do not touch the LCD monitor with your finger nails, or rub or press with strong force.

The LCD monitor will be slightly darker than normal immediately after the power is turned on when the camera is very cold. It will return to its regular brightness when the internal temperature increases.

The LCD monitor and viewfinder are managed with high precision so that at least 99.99 % of the dots are effective pixels and 0.01 % or less are invalid pixels and always lit. This is not a malfunction and it has no effect whatsoever on the recorded images.

The viewfinder for this camera uses an organic EL display. The image may burn into the screen if the same image or letters are left displayed on the screen for a long time. There is no problem with the recorded images.

Switch the screen by turning off the screen or by using the eye sensor, etc.

It may become difficult to see or difficult to recognize the touch when a LCD protection sheet is affixed.

About Condensation (When the lens, the viewfinder or LCD Monitor is fogged up)

Condensation occurs when there is a change in temperature or humidity, such as when the unit is taken from outside or a cold room to a warm room. Please be careful, as it may cause the lens, the viewfinder or LCD monitor to become soiled, moldy, or damaged.

When taking the unit to a place which has a different temperature, if the unit is accustomed to the room temperature of the destination for about 1 hour, condensation can be prevented. (When the difference in temperature is severe, place the unit in a plastic bag or the like, remove air from the bag, and seal the bag.)

When condensation has occurred, remove the battery and/or the AC adaptor and leave the unit like that for about 1 hour. When the unit becomes accustomed to the surrounding temperature, fogginess will disappear naturally.

Caution regarding laser beams

The MOS sensor may be damaged if the MOS sensor is subjected to light from a laser beam.

Take sufficient care to prevent laser beams from striking the lens when shooting in an environment where laser devices are used.

Treatment of clips

Clips recorded with devices other than this unit are not supported by this unit.

Regarding system frequencies

You can change the system frequency (59.94 Hz/50.00 Hz) for this unit by using the menu. ([FREQUENCY])

When AVCHD clips are recorded, it is not possible to use the same memory card with different system frequencies. When the system frequency is changed, use a different memory card.

Note the following points.

If you prepare to record important images, always shoot some advance test footage to verify that both pictures and sound are being recorded normally.

Panasonic will not assume liability when video or audio recording fails due to a malfunction of the unit or the memory card during the use.

Set the calendar (datetime of the internal clock) and the time zone, or check the setting before recording. This will have an effect on the management of the recorded contents.

Exemption of liability

Panasonic is not liable in any way regarding following.

1. Incidental, special, or consequential damages caused directly or indirectly by the unit

2. Damages, breakage of the unit, etc., caused by misuse or carelessness of the customer

3. When disassembly, repair, or modification (including the software) of the unit is performed by the customer

4. Inconveniences, damnification, or damages by not being able to record and/or display the video due to any reasons including failure or malfunction of the unit and recording media

5. Inconveniences, damnification, or damages resulting from malfunction of the system combining with any third party equipment

6. A liability claim or any claim for a privacy violation by an individual or a group that was the subject of the video that the customer has shot (including recording) that became public by any reason (including using with the network user authentication turned OFF)

7. The registered information is lost due to any reason (including initializing this unit because the authentication information such as user name or password is forgotten)

Be careful with regard to copyrights

Under copyright law, you may not use the images and audio you have recorded for other than personal enjoyment without the permission of the copyright holder.

Cautions regarding network

Since this unit is used connected to a network, following mischief may occur.

1. Leaking or divulging of information through the unit

2. Fraudulent operation of the unit by a malicious third party

3. Obstruction and/or stopping of the unit by a malicious third party

It is customer’s responsibility to take sufficient network security measures including the following to prevent damage caused by such mischief. Please note that Panasonic is not liable in any way for damage caused by such mischief.

Use the unit on a network where safety is secured by using a firewall, etc.

When using the unit on a system where a computer, tablet, smartphone, or other device is connected, make sure that checking and cleaning of infection by computer virus and malicious program is performed periodically.

In order to prevent malicious attacks, use text strings that have 8 characters or more including 3 or more character types for the authentication information (such as user name and password) so that a third party cannot guess your authentication information.

Set and store the authentication information (user name, password, etc.) appropriately so it is not visible to the third party.

Periodically change the authentication information (user name, password, etc.) and do not use the same authentication information as other accounts.

To prevent the setting information in the unit to leak to the network, execute measure such as restricting the access with user authentication, etc.

Do not install in a location where the unit, cable, etc., can be easily damaged.

Security

Take caution in handling the unit or memory card so it is not stolen, lost or neglected, and handle with care when discarding or providing. Note that Panasonic is not liable to leakage, falsification, or loss of information caused by them.

When requesting repairs, or when transferring ownership/disposing of the product

After first taking note of personal information, make sure you delete information in this unit that includes personal information, including the wireless LAN connection settings, etc., that you have registered or set in this unit, using the following menu settings:

– [NETWORK] menu [UTILITY] [NETWORK INITIALIZE]

– [OTHERS] menu [MENU INITIALIZE]

Remove the Memory Card from this unit when requesting a repair.

Settings may return to factory default when this unit is repaired.

Please contact the dealer where you purchased this unit or Panasonic if above operations are not possible due to malfunction.

Cautions for use

Keep this unit as far away as possible from electromagnetic equipment (such as microwave ovens, TVs, video games etc.).

If you use this unit on top of or near a TV, the pictures and/or sound on this unit may be disrupted by electromagnetic wave radiation.

Do not use this unit near cell phones because doing so may result in noise adversely affecting the pictures and/or 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 this unit, disturbing the pictures and/or sound.

If this unit is adversely affected by electromagnetic equipment and stops functioning properly, turn this unit off and remove the battery or disconnect AC adaptor. Then reinsert the battery or reconnect AC adaptor and turn this unit on.

Do not use this unit near radio transmitters or high-voltage lines.

If you record near radio transmitters or high-voltage lines, the recorded pictures and/or sound may be adversely affected.

When this unit is turned on, do not use it in direct contact with the skin for a long period of time.

When using this unit for a long period of time, use a support such as a tripod. Low temperature burns may result if any high temperature part of this unit or hot air from the ventilation openings on the front side of the hand strap of this unit is in direct contact with the skin for a long period of time.

Caution regarding the lens and the viewfinder

Do not aim the lens or the viewfinder at the sun or strong light. Doing so may cause the unit to malfunction.

About using a headphone

Excessive sound pressure from earphones and headphones can cause hearing loss.

Listening at full volume for long periods may damage the user’s ears.