The interface of the DMC-FZ20 is
relatively similar to those of other cameras from Panasonic.
The interface is clear and uses pleasant colours that improve
its legibility.
Just like it is on most current Panasonic cameras, the Setup menu is accessible,
and the same, from all modes:
Monitor: serves to adjust the brightness of the EVF or the
LCD monitor separately (± 3 steps).
Auto Review: displays, or not, the image immediately after
capture for a set period of time, or zooms the image 4X to ascertain
sharpness.
Play on LCD: selects whether the image will be displayed on
the LCD monitor post capture, or the EVF.
Power Save: sets the delay before the camera automatically
shuts down after a period of inactivity (1, 2, 5 or 10 minutes).
MF Assist: On or Off. When On, the centre portion
of the frame is magnified on the EVF or the LCD screen to
assist focusing.
Beep has three settings: Soft, Loud or Off.
Shutter: sets the volume of the shutter sound produced
by the FZ20, Soft, Loud, or Off.
Volume: to adjust the playback volume for recorded
sounds or video clips over 7 levels.
Clock Set: to set the internal clock and calendar
of the camera.
No. Reset: resets the file numbering system of the
camera.
Reset: returns all options to their original factory
settings.
USB Mode: to select the USB protocol, either PC
(to connect to a computer) or PictBridge (to connect to a
PictBridge compatible printer and print photos).
Highlight: On or Off. When On the option causes
potentially overexposed part of a just captured image to
flash on the screen during review.
Video Out : sets the output signal, NTSC or PAL.
Scene Menu : to select if the Scene menu is shown
automatically or not when the Mode dial is turned to SCN1
or SCN2.
Language: to select the interface language (English,
French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese or Simplified
Chinese).
A thin manual is included with the DMC-FZ20, but the instructions
it provides for the use of the camera and its features are clear
and easy to follow. Moreover, it is easy to locate information
simply by looking up the pages that graphically show the parts
of the camera, identifying the area of interest, and then looking
up the relevant page number.
Software
A single CD is included with the
DMC-FZ20. It contains Panasonic's SD Viewer 2.0 (Windows),
ArcSoft PhotoImpression 5, Panorama Maker 3 and PhotoBase 4.5, Acrobat
Reader (for Windows and Macintosh), QuickTime (for
Windows and Macintosh) and the USB drivers necessary for older
versions of Windows.
Panasonic SD Viewer 2.0 is a multi-purpose program that serves to
organize, print, create slide shows or rotate images.
Photos are presented as an index
or contact sheet with variable size thumbnails with folders showing
on the left side of the programs window. images can be reframed
before printing, and the photo's capture date can be superimposed
on the top left, bottom left, or top/bottom right sides as desired.
All types of files contained within a folder can be seen, and it is possible
to specify that only JPEG, or TIFF, or MOV files will be shown. Image editing
however relies on an another program.
PhotoImpression 5 is the
software included to edit images, making it possible to adjust
photos for brightness, contrast, or sharpness. In addition,
the program can be used to resize or crop photos, adjust their
colour tone, or eliminate red-eye. Moreover, it is possible
to add borders or graphics to photos prior to printing them.
Panorama Maker 3 is
designed to make it easy to assemble images into panoramic
photos.
PhotoBase 4.5 is a tool to organize photos or videos.
And QuickTime serves to see the MOV video clip files captured
with the FZ20.
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Interface & Software
