Panasonic DVX200 Camera
Getting Ready to Record
Turning the Camera On/Off
From the power switch, whilst holding down the lock release button (the white button seen in the image) turn the unit to ON. The status indicator lights up.
To turn off the camera, hold down the lock release button and turn the power switch to OFF. The status indicator goes off.
Make sure the lens cover is open before you start recording.
Selecting a Mode
At the top of the camera, open the compartment to reveal a set of buttons (THUMBNAIL, COUNTER, BARS). Press the THUMBNAIL button to toggle between the Recording Mode or the Playback Mode. NOTE: When you turn on the camera, the default will be Recording Mode.
- The Recording Mode allows you to record motion pictures and even still images.
- The Playback Mode displays clips that you shot, which can be played back in the camera.
Using the LCD Monitor/Viewfinder
Extracting the LCD Monitor
Hold the extract part of the
monitor (the part with the arrow visible) with your thumb and forefinger and pull gently straight out until it clicks into position.
Rotate the monitor to view – it can rotate up to 270 degrees toward the lens.
Retracting the LCD Monitor
Rotate the monitor until it faces downward and then gently push it back into its housing.
CAUTION – Before transporting the camera to a new location, or when the camera gets packed back into the bag, the LCD Monitor must first be retracted.
Using the LCD Monitor Touch Screen
Access to MENU and other functions can be made directly through the LCD Monitor’s touch screen. Touch and release to select an icon or picture.
Viewfinder eyepiece
There are certain advantages to using the Viewfinder eyepiece rather than the LCD monitor. For example, it's easier to get sharper focus of the lens using the eyepiece (more on Focus if you click here). But before you can focus the lens you must first adjust the clarity of the viewfinder to your eyesight. Doing so will adjust the data code that is visible in the viewfinder so that it appears sharp to the eye.
- Lift the viewfinder to find the eyepiece corrector lever (also known as the diopter), which is seen in the image below.
Whilst looking through the viewfinder, adjust the corrector lever until the data code in the viewfinder looks sharp to your eyesight. This setting will not affect images that are being recorded, nor does it affect the focus of the lens itself. Remember, when using the Viewfinder eyepiece, you must first correct the focus of the viewfinder to your eyesight and then you can focus the lens.
Recording Video
- In Recording Mode, press the red Start/Stop button to begin recording.
- REC (red) is displayed in the viewfinder
- To stop the recording, press the red Start/Stop button again.
Best Practice: Use a tripod to get rock steady shots. Focus on the subject and compose the shot and then start recording. Step back from the camera so you don’t bump it and count to 10. Then stop the camera, find another shot and repeat.
