Lumix Cameras - How to take pictures with the "P" mode. [Program AE Mode]
Program AE, 'P Mode' is a shooting mode where the camera sets both the aperture and shutter speed automatically based on subject brightness to achieve the correct exposure.
Select your model from the list below to learn how to use the "P" mode on your camera. If your model is not listed below, please visit our Operating Manual Lookup to view model-specific information
Instructions for model DC-FZ80
Applicable shooting mode:
Take pictures using automatic aperture values and shutter speed settings in accordance with the brightness of a subject.
Taking a picture
- Set the mode dial to [P].
- Press the shutter to take a picture.
Program Shift
- Press the shutter button halfway to display the aperture value and shutter speed value on the screen.
- If the aperture value and shutter speed flash red, you do not have the correct exposure.
- While the numeric values are displayed (approximately 10 seconds), rotate the rear dial to change the values using Program Shift.
- To cancel Program Shift, either turn off the camera or rotate the rear dial until the Program Shift indication turns off.
- Program Shift can easily be canceled by setting a function button to [One Push AE].
About Program Shift
The function for maintaining the same exposure (brightness) while changing the aperture value and shutter speed combination is called “Program Shift”. You can use “Program Shift” to take pictures by adjusting the aperture value and shutter speed even in Program AE Mode.
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
Instructions for model DC-G9
The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperture value according to the brightness of the subject. You can take pictures with greater freedom by changing various settings in the [Rec] menu.
- Set the mode dial to [P].
- Press the shutter button halfway and display the aperture value and shutter speed value on the screen.
- If the exposure is not adequate when the shutter button is pressed halfway, the aperture value and shutter speed turn red and blink.
Program Shift
In Program AE Mode, you can change the preset aperture value and shutter speed without changing the exposure (brightness). This is called Program Shift. It enables you to, for example, make the background more de-focused by decreasing the aperture value or capture a moving subject more dynamically by slowing the shutter speed.
- Set the mode dial to [P].
- Press the shutter button halfway and display the aperture value and shutter speed value on the screen.
- While the values are displayed (about 10 seconds), perform Program Shift by rotating the control, rear, or front dial. Dial will vary by model.
- To cancel Program Shift, perform either of the following operations:
- Turn off the camera.
- Rotate the control/front/rear dial until the Program Shift indication disappears.
- Program Shift can easily be canceled by setting a function button to [One Push AE].
- To cancel Program Shift, perform either of the following operations:
Program Shift is not available in the following cases
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO].
- When recording using the flash.
- When recording 4K / 6K photos.
- When recording with the Post Focus function.
Instructions for model DC-G95
Applicable Shooting Mode:
The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperture value according to the brightness of the subject. You can take pictures with greater freedom by changing various settings in the [Rec] menu.
Taking Pictures
- Set the mode dial to [Program AE].
Dial shown is from the model DC-GX850
- Press the shutter button halfway to display the aperture value and shutter speed value on the screen.
- Start recording.
- If the exposure is not adequate when the shutter button is pressed halfway, the aperture value and shutter speed turn red and blink.
Program Shift
In Program AE Mode, you can change the preset aperture value and shutter speed without changing the exposure. This is called Program Shift.
You can make the background more blurred by decreasing the aperture value or record a moving subject more dynamically by slowing the shutter speed when taking a picture in Program AE Mode.
- Press the shutter button halfway and display the aperture value and shutter speed value on the screen.
- While the values are displayed (about 10 seconds), perform Program Shift by rotating the rear dial or front dial. (Control dial for the DC-GX850)
Program Shift Indication []
]- It will switch between Program Shift operation and Exposure Compensation operation every time the rear dial is pressed while the values are displayed.
- To cancel Program Shift, turn off this unit or rotate the front/rear dial until the Program Shift indication disappears. Program Shift can easily be canceled by setting a function button to [One Push AE].
Program AE is not available in these cases:
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
Instructions for model DC-G100
Instructions for model DC-GH5
Program Shift is not available in the following cases
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO].
- When recording using the flash.
- When recording 4K / 6K photos.
- When recording with the Post Focus function.
Instructions for model DC-GH5M2
Program Shift is not available in the following cases
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO].
- When recording using the flash.
- When recording 4K / 6K photos.
- When recording with the Post Focus function.
Instructions for model DC-GH5S
Program Shift is not available in the following cases
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO].
- When recording using the flash.
- When recording 4K / 6K photos.
- When recording with the Post Focus function.
Instructions for model DC-GX9
Instructions for model DC-GX850
Program AE is not available in these cases:
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
Instructions for model DC-LX100M2
The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperture value according to the brightness of the subject. You can take pictures with greater freedom by changing various settings in the [Rec] menu.
- Turn the aperture ring to select [A] (AUTO).
- Turn the shutter speed dial to select [A] (AUTO).
- Program AE Mode is set and the recording mode icon changes to [P].
- Press the shutter button halfway and display the aperture value and shutter speed value on the screen.
- If the exposure is not adequate, the aperture value and shutter speed turn red and blink.
- While the numeric values are displayed (approximately 10 seconds), turn the control dial to change the values using Program Shift.
- To cancel Program Shift, perform either of the following operations:
- Set the camera on / off switch to [OFF].
- Rotate the control dial until the Program Shift indication disappears.
- When compensating the exposure, adjust it with the exposure compensation dial.
- To cancel Program Shift, perform either of the following operations:
Program Shift
You can change the preset aperture value and shutter speed without changing the exposure. This is called Program Shift. It enables you to, for example, make the background more de-focused by decreasing the aperture value or capture a moving subject more dynamically by slowing the shutter speed.
Notes
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording using the flash.
- When recording 4K photos.
- When recording with the Post Focus function.
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO].
Instructions for model DC-S1
Program AE is not available in these cases:
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
- When flash is enabled
Instructions for model DC-S1H
Program AE is not available in these cases:
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
- When flash is enabled
Instructions for model DC-S1R
Program AE is not available in these cases:
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
Instructions for model DC-ZS70
Applicable shooting mode:
Take pictures using automatic aperture values and shutter speed settings in accordance with the brightness of a subject.
Taking a picture
- Set the mode dial to [P].
- Press the shutter to take a picture.
Program Shift
- Press the shutter button halfway to display the aperture value and shutter speed value on the screen.
- If the aperture value and shutter speed flash red, you do not have the correct exposure.
- While the numeric values are displayed (approximately 10 seconds), rotate the control dial to change the values using Program Shift.
- To cancel Program Shift, either turn off the camera or rotate the control dial.
- Program Shift can easily be canceled by setting a function button to [One Push AE].
About Program Shift
The function for maintaining the same exposure (brightness) while changing the aperture value and shutter speed combination is called “Program Shift”. You can use “Program Shift” to take pictures by adjusting the aperture value and shutter speed even in Program AE Mode.
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
Instructions for model DC-ZS80
Instructions for model DMC-FX700
Applicable Recording Mode:
The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperture value according to the brightness of the subject. You can take pictures with greater freedom by changing various settings in the [Rec] menu.
- Slide the [Rec]/[Playback] selector switch to [Still Camera], and then press [Mode].
- Touch [Program AE].
- Aim the Auto Focus area at the point you want to focus on.
- Press [Shutter] halfway to focus.
- The focus indication green lights when the subject is focused.
- Fully press the [Shutter] button to take a picture.
- The access indication lights red when pictures are being recorded on the built-in memory or the card.
- You can also take pictures using the Touch Shutter function.
Instructions for model DMC-FZ300
Instructions for model DMC-FZ2500
Program AE is not available in these cases:
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
Instructions for model DMC-G7
Program Shift is not available in the following cases
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO].
- When recording using the flash.
- When recording 4K photos.
Instructions for model DMC-G85
Program AE is not available in these cases:
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
Instructions for model DMC-GF7
Instructions for model DMC-GH4
Applicable Shooting mode:
Taking Pictures with [Program AE] mode
Taking Pictures with Automatically Adjusted Aperture and Shutter Speed (Program AE Mode).
The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperture value according to the brightness of the subject. You can take pictures with greater freedom by changing various settings in the [Rec] menu.
- Set the mode dial to [P] (Program AE).
- Press the shutter button halfway. This will display the aperture value and shutter speed value on the screen.
- If the exposure is not adequate when the shutter button is pressed halfway, the aperture value and shutter speed turn red and blink.
Program Shift
Program Shift is available in all [Sensitivity] settings except [ISO].
In Program AE Mode, you can change the preset aperture value and shutter speed without changing the exposure. This is called Program Shift. You can make the background more blurred by decreasing the aperture value or record a moving subject more dynamically by slowing the shutter speed when taking a picture in Program AE Mode.
- Press the shutter button halfway and display the aperture value and shutter speed value on the screen.
- While the values are displayed (about 10 seconds), perform Program Shift by rotating the rear dial or front dial.
- To cancel Program Shift, turn off this unit or rotate the front/rear dial until the Program Shift indication disappears. Program Shift can easily be cancelled by setting a function button to [One Push AE].
Instructions for model DMC-GX85
Program AE is not available in these cases:
- Program Shift is not available in the following cases:
- When recording 4K photos
- When recording with [Post Focus]
- When the ISO sensitivity is set to [Intelligent ISO]
Instructions for model DMC-LX10
Instructions for model DMC-TS6
Applicable Mode:
The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperture value according to the brightness of the subject. You can take pictures with greater freedom by changing various settings in the record menu.
- Press [Mode].
- Button layout will vary depending on model.
- Press [▲] / [▼] / [◄] / [►] to select [Program AE] and then press [Menu/Set].
- Aim the AF area at the point you want to focus on.
- Press the shutter button halfway to focus and then press it fully to take the picture.
- Aperture value and shutter speed is displayed in red when correct exposure is not achieved. Excludes when using a flash.
Instructions for model DMC-TS30
Applicable Mode:
The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperture value according to the brightness of the subject. You can take pictures with greater freedom by changing various settings in the record menu.
- Press [Mode].
- Button layout will vary depending on model.
- Press [▲] / [▼] / [◄] / [►] to select [Normal Picture] and then press [Menu/Set].
- Aim the AF area at the point you want to focus on.
- Press the shutter button halfway to focus and then press it fully to take the picture.
- Aperture value and shutter speed is displayed in red when correct exposure is not achieved. Excludes when using a flash.
Instructions for model DMC-ZS50
Applicable shooting modes: