Panasonic LUMIX 4K Digital Camera User Guide

Digital Camera
Model No. DC-GX880
DVQW1627ZA

Quick Guide for 4K Photo

Using the 4K Photo function to capture the best shot of the subject ([4K Burst]/[4K Burst(S/S)] / [4K Pre-Burst])
You can select the desired moment from a burst of pictures taken at 30 frames/second and save that moment as a picture of 8 million pixels (approx.).

 Recording 4K photos
  1.  Press [ ].
  2.  Press the cursor buttons to select the recording method, and press [MENU/SET].

For capturing the best shot of a fast-moving subject (e.g., sports, aeroplanes, trains)
Burst recording is performed while the shutter button is pressed and held. The shutter sound will be heard repeatedly.
1. Press the shutter button halfway.
2. Press and hold the shutter button fully for as long as you want to perform the recording.

  • Press the button fully slightly in advance. Recording starts approximately 0.5 seconds after it has been pressed fully.
  • If you are using Auto Focus, [Continuous AF] will work during recording. The focus will be adjusted continuously.

For capturing unpredictable photo opportunities (e.g., plants, animals, children)
Burst recording starts when the shutter button is pressed and stops when pressed again. Start and stop tones will be heard.

1. Press the shutter button fully.
2. Press the shutter button fully again.

  • If you are using Auto Focus, [Continuous AF] will work during recording. The focus will be adjusted continuously.

Adding markers to select and save pictures
You can add markers if you press [Fn1] during recording. You can skip to the positions where you added markers on the slide view screen or 4K burst playback screen.

For recording as needed whenever a photo opportunity arises (e.g., the moment when a ball is thrown)
Burst recording is performed for approximately 1 second before and after the moment that the shutter button is pressed. The shutter sound will be heard only once.
1. Press the shutter button fully.

  • In situations where you want to lock focus and exposure, such as when the subject is not at the centre, use [AF/AE LOCK].
  • Recording length: Approximately 2 seconds.

Cancelling 4K Photo: In step 2, select [ ].

  • When recording 4K photos, a 4K burst file will be saved in MP4 format.
  • Use a UHS Speed Class 3 card to record 4K photos. Recording stops when the continuous recording time exceeds 5 minutes.
  • When using a microSDHC memory card, you can continue the recording of a 4K photo without interruption even if the file size exceeds 4 GB, but the 4K photo will be recorded and played back in separate burst files.
    With a microSDXC memory card, you can save a 4K photo with a burst file size exceeding 4 GB as a single file.
  • When recording 4K photos, the angle of view is narrower.
  • The camera stops operating for self-protection in the manner described below when overheated due to, for example, high ambient temperature or continuous 4K photo recording. Wait until the camera cools down.
    If you continue recording even when [ ] is flashing on the screen, a message will be displayed and the camera will turn off automatically.
  • When [] ([4K Pre-Burst]) is set, the battery drains faster and the camera temperature rises.
    Select [ ] ([4K Pre-Burst]) only when recording.

Taking pictures of yourself in 4K Photo Mode ([4K Burst (Wide-angle)])

In Self Shot Mode, you can take pictures with [4K Burst (Wide-angle)], a setting that allows you to include a wider background. (Burst speed: 15 pictures/second)

  1. Rotate the monitor to enable Self Shot Mode.
  2. Touch [ ].
  3. Touch [ ] ([4K Burst (Wide-angle)]).
  4. Decide on your poses while looking at the monitor.
  5. Press the shutter button halfway to focus and then press it fully to take the picture.
  • Even if you end burst recording after a short time, the camera may go on record for a certain period.

To record the subject with reduced blur

  1. Set the mode dial to [S].
  2. Rotate the control dial to set the shutter speed.
    •Approximate shutter speed for outdoor recording in fine weather conditions: 1/1000 seconds or faster.
    •If you increase the shutter speed, the ISO sensitivity becomes higher, which may increase the noise on the screen.

Selecting pictures from 4K burst file and saving
  1.  Press [ ].
  2.  Press the cursor buttons to select a 4K burst file.
    4K burst files are displayed with [].
  3.  Press the cursor button.
    If the image was recorded with [ ] ([4K Pre-Burst]), proceed to step5.
  4. Drag the slide bar to make a rough selection of scenes.
  5. Drag the frames to select the frame you want to save as a picture.
  6. Touch [ ] to save the picture.
    •The picture will be saved in JPEG format.

Controlling Focus After Recording (Post Focus/Focus Stacking)

The camera can perform Burst recording in the same picture quality as 4K photo recording while automatically shifting the focus to different areas. After the recording, you can select the desired area on the screen and save a picture in which the selected area is in focus.

Recording using [Post Focus]

We recommend that you use a tripod when recording images to be used for Focus Stacking.

  1.  Press [ ].
  2. Press the cursor buttons to select [ON] and then press [MENU/SET].
  3.  Press the shutter button fully to start recording. 
    Cancelling [Post Focus]: In step 2, select [OFF].
Selecting the desired focus area and saving a picture
  1. Press [ ].
  2. Select an image with the [] icon on the playback screen and press the cursor button.
  3. Touch the desired focus area.
    If a picture that is in focus is not available for the selected area, a red frame will be displayed. You cannot save a picture in this case.
  4. Touch [ ] to save the picture. The picture will be saved in JPEG format.

Using Focus Stacking and saving a picture

You can also merge multiple pictures with different focus areas to widen the focus range. (Focus Stacking)

  1.  Touch [ ] (Fn1) in step 3 of “Selecting the desired focus area and saving a picture”.
  2.  Touch the merging method.[Auto Merging]
    Automatically selects pictures that are suited to be merged, and merges them into a single picture.
    • Priority will be given to pictures with closer focus.
    • Pictures will be merged into a single picture and the resulting picture will be saved when this item is selected.
    [Range Merging]
    Merges pictures with specified focus areas into a single picture.
  3.  (When [Range Merging] is selected) Touch the desired focus area.
    • Specify at least two areas.
    • In-focus areas between the two areas will also be selected, and the combined in-focus area will be
    indicated.
    • Grey areas indicate areas that may if selected, cause the merged picture to look unnatural and areas that cannot be selected.
    • Touch the focus area again to cancel the selection.
  4. Touch [ ] to merge the pictures and save the resulting picture.
    • The picture will be saved in JPEG format.