Setting up the Panasonic FZ300 Part 3 Managing iA Mode

FZ300

Like most  modern digital cameras the FZ300 has a Mode Dial setting which provides a highly automated level of control over exposure and focussing.This is [iA].  On other brands of camera the equivalent is indicated as “Auto”, green camera icon  or similar.

On the FZ300 [iA] provides JPG output only, no RAW.

When set to [iA] many of the buttons and dials are disabled and the menus (other than Setup) provide a reduced set of options.

Let us look at the menus for still photos first

Rec Menu  gives access to some quite sophisticated features

* Aspect Ratio.  I recommend leaving this at the native 4:3. However you can set 3:2, 16:9, or 1:1. Be aware that the camera does not have a multi aspect ratio sensor. Anything other than 4:3 is a simple crop.

* Picture size.  Always set this to L = 12 Mpx. The sensor is not overburdened with pixels and can ill afford to lose any.

* AFS/AFF. There is much discussion about this on user forums.

The Operating Instructions for Advanced features has a description of the difference on page 129.

My own experience is that at some focal lengths AFF produces a pulsating jitter indicating the focus has not locked.

I therefore use AFS.

* Burst Rate. For checking the internal motion of an otherwise static subject, for instance a golf swing, you can use Burst H or SH which fix focus on the first frame.

But if you want the camera to follow focus on a moving subject select Burst M which provides autofocus, autoexposure and live view on each frame.

* 4K Photo. This is fully described in the Operating Instructions pages 164-177.  Access this by pressing the Down Cursor Button to access Drive Mode then scrolling across to the 4K icon, then press the Up Cursor Button for more options.

* Self Timer. I find 2 seconds enough to allow the camera to settle down after pressing the shutter. For the photographer to get back into the picture, 10 seconds I more useful.  Access this as above via the Down Cursor Button leading to Drive Mode.

* Post Focus. This is a feature which utilises the capabilities of 4K Photo. The camera takes a series of pictures at different focus points allowing the photographer to pick the best later. It might be useful for some macro work.

* iHandheld Night Shot.  You can set this ON and leave it. It is a fully automatic function which is activated when the camera detects the appropriate conditions. The camera makes a series of exposures, typically six, then combines them into a single JPG file.

It works as advertised but I am yet to convince myself that the results are good enough to recommend the feature.

* iHDR is another automatic function which is triggered when the camera detects a scene with high subject brightness range. The camera makes three shots at different exposures then combines them to a single JPG file.

You can set this feature ON and leave it.

* Time Lapse Shot.  This is described in detail on pages 182-184 of the Instructions.

* Stop Motion Animation is a similar idea described on pages 185-188 of the Instructions.

* Face recognition is one of those terribly clever  features which I have never actually used or even thought I wanted. You can read all about it on pages 192-194 of the instructions.

FZ300

Custom Menu  Most items on the main Custom Menu are not available in [iA]

You can have

* Silent Mode which uses the e-Shutter and cancels all beeps. It is indeed spooky silent although if you put your ear close to the lens you can hear the OIS and AF mechanisms operating.

* Guide line which I find quite handy for keeping uprights correctly oriented in the frame. I use the bottom of the three options with the lines crossing in the center of the frame.

* Remaining disp. Indicates the number of still photo shots available on the memory card or the number of minutes of video at the current settings.

Dial and button operation

Many of the buttons have no function in [iA] and the control dial does nothing.

The zoom lever in front of the shutter button and the zoom slider switch on the left side of the lens barrel  both work as expected and the Movie button works.

The AFS/AFC/MF lever works. You can operate manual focus with the little wheel on the left side of the lens barrel. Focus assist and peaking operate. You might have to press the little button below the wheel first.

The Disp. and Playback buttons function normally.

Q Menu is available but with a reduced feature set.

The Down cursor button brings up the Drive Mode screen which provides access to burst mode, 4K photo, bracketing and self timer.

What about [iA+] Mode ?

You can select this from the [iA] icon at the top of the menu list.

Presumably Panasonic intends it to be a bridge between [iA] and the P, A, S, M modes.

[iA+] gives access to more functions and menu items than [iA]

However My experience is that [iA+] provides most of the complexity of the P, A, S, M modes without their functionality so I do not use or recommend it.