How to adjust the Focus and the Exposure (AF/AE Lock) - LUMIX Cameras

This is useful when you want to take a picture of a subject outside the AF area or the contrast is too strong and you cannot achieve appropriate exposure.

1. Point the camera at the subject.
2. Press and hold [AF / AE LOCK] to fix the focus or exposure.
   • If you release [AF / AE LOCK], AF / AE Lock is cancelled.
   • Only the exposure is locked in the default setting.
3. While pressing [AF / AE LOCK], move the camera as you compose the picture and then press shutter button fully to take the photo.

Setting the functions of [AF/AE LOCK] button

Press [MENU] → [ Custom Settings ] → [ Focus / Release Shutter ] → [AF / AE LOCK]

• When the exposure is set, [AEL], aperture value, and shutter speed are displayed.

• When the subject is focused, [AFL], focus, aperture value, and shutter speed are displayed.

• [AFL], [AEL], focus, aperture value, and shutter speed are displayed when the focus and the exposure are optimized.

Program Shift can be set even when AE is locked.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-FZ80

Applicable Shooting modes

AF / AE Lock is useful when you want to take a picture of a subject outside the AF area or the contrast is too strong and you cannot achieve appropriate exposure.

Fixing the focus and exposure (AF / AE Lock)

1. Align the screen with the subject.
2. Press and hold [AF / AE LOCK] to fix the focus or exposure.
   • If you release [AF / AE LOCK], AF / AE Lock is canceled.
   • Only the exposure is locked in the default setting.
3. While pressing [AF / AE LOCK], move the camera as you compose the picture and then press the shutter button fully.

How to set AF / AE Lock Functions

Press [MENU] → [ Custom ] → [AF / AE LOCK]

Notes:

• AF Lock is only effective when taking pictures in Manual Exposure Mode.
• AE Lock is only effective when taking pictures with Manual Focus.
• The subject can be focused again by pressing the shutter button halfway even when AE is locked.
• Program Shift can be set even when AE is locked.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-FZ80DK

Applicable Shooting modes

The AF/AE Lock function is convenient, for example, when there is too much contrast with the subject and you cannot get appropriate exposure (AE Lock) or when you want to take a still picture composed with the subject outside the AF area (AF Lock).

1. Point the camera at the subject
2. Lock the focus and/or exposure while you press and hold [AF/AE LOCK] button
   • When you release [AF/AE LOCK] button, the focus and/or exposure lock is canceled.
3. While you press and hold [AF/AE LOCK] button, move the camera to compose the picture you want to take and fully press the shutter button

Notes:

• AF Lock is only effective when taking pictures in Manual Exposure Mode.
• AE Lock is only effective when taking pictures with Manual Focus.
• Program Shift can be set even when AE is locked.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-G100, DC-G100D

Applicable Shooting modes

How to set AF / AE Lock Functions

Press [MENU] → [ Custom ] → [ Focus / Release Shutter ] → [AF / AE LOCK]

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-G9

Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-G95

Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-GH5

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-GH5S

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-GH6

Applicable Shooting modes

Applicable Recording modes

Lock the focus and exposure in advance to take pictures with the same focus and exposure settings while changing the composition. This is useful when you want to bring an edge of the screen into focus or there is a backlight, for example.

1. Register[AE LOCK], [AF LOCK], or [AF / AE LOCK] to the Fn button.
   • These cannot be registered to [Fn4] to [Fn8].
2. Lock focus and exposure.
   • Press and hold the Fn button.
   • If focus is locked, then the AF lock icon will be displayed (AFL).
   • If exposure is locked, then the AE lock icon will be displayed (AEL).
   • You can maintain lock even without pressing and holding the Fn button. View page 552 in the Owner's Manual for more information
   • You can make fine manual adjustments to the focus during AF lock. View page 553 in the Owner's Manual for more information
3. Hold the Fn button to decide on the composition and then perform recording.
   • Press the shutter button fully.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-GH7

Applicable Shooting modes

Applicable Recording modes

Lock the focus and exposure in advance to take pictures with the same focus and exposure settings while changing the composition. This is useful when you want to bring an edge of the screen into focus or there is a backlight, for example.

1. Register[AE LOCK], [AF LOCK], or [AF / AE LOCK] to the Fn button.
   • These cannot be registered to [Fn4] to [Fn8].
2. Lock focus and exposure.
   • Press and hold the Fn button.
   • If focus is locked, then the AF lock icon will be displayed (AFL).
   • If exposure is locked, then the AE lock icon will be displayed (AEL).
   • You can maintain lock even without pressing and holding the Fn button. View page 634 in the Owner's Manual for more information
   • You can make fine manual adjustments to the focus during AF lock. View page 635 in the Owner's Manual for more information
3. Hold the Fn button to decide on the composition and then perform recording.
   • Press the shutter button fully.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-GX850

Applicable Shooting modes

Fixing the Focus and the Exposure (AF/AE Lock)

This is useful when you want to take a picture of a subject outside the AF area or the contrast is too strong and you cannot achieve appropriate exposure.

1. Assign [AF / AE LOCK] to a function button.
   • You can assign [AF / AE LOCK] only to [Fn1], [Fn2], or [Fn3].
2. Point the camera at the subject.
3. Press and hold the function button to fix the focus or exposure.
   • If you release the function button, AF/AE Lock is cancelled.
   • Only the exposure is locked in the default setting.
4. While pressing [AF / AE LOCK], move the camera as you compose the picture and then press shutter button fully to take the photo.

Setting the functions of [AF/AE LOCK] button

Press [MENU] → [ Custom Settings ] → [AF / AE LOCK]

• When the exposure is set, [AEL] is displayed.

• When the subject is focused, [AFL] is displayed.

• [AFL] and [AEL] are displayed when the focus and the exposure are optimized.

• The subject can be focused again by pressing the shutter button halfway even when AE is locked.
• Program Shift can be set even when AE is locked.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-GX9

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-LX100M2

Applicable Shooting modes

Fixing the Focus and the Exposure (AF/AE Lock)

This is useful when you want to take a picture of a subject outside the AF area or the contrast is too strong and you cannot achieve appropriate exposure.

1. Point the camera at the subject.
2. Press and hold [AF / AE LOCK] to fix the focus or exposure.
   • If you release [AF / AE LOCK], AF/AE Lock is cancelled.
3. While pressing [AF / AE LOCK], move the camera as you compose the picture and then press shutter button fully to take the photo.

Setting the functions of [AF/AE LOCK] button

Press [MENU] → [ Custom Settings ] → [ Focus / Release Shutter ] → [AF / AE LOCK]

• When the exposure is set, [AEL] is displayed.

• When the subject is focused, [AFL] is displayed.

• [AFL] and [AEL] are displayed when the focus and the exposure are optimized.

• Program Shift can be set even when AE is locked.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-ZS70

Applicable Shooting modes

The AF/AE Lock function is convenient, for example, when there is too much contrast with the subject and you cannot get appropriate exposure (AE Lock) or when you want to take a still picture composed with the subject outside the AF area (AF Lock).

To execute the AF/AE Lock function, it is necessary to register [AF / AE LOCK] to the function button.

1. Point the camera at the subject.
2. Lock the focus and/or exposure while you press and hold the function button.
   • When you release the function button, the focus and/or exposure lock is cancelled.
3. While you press and hold the function button, move the camera to compose the picture you want to take and fully press the shutter button.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-ZS80

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-ZS200

Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-S1

Applicable Shooting modes

Applicable Recording modes

Lock the focus and exposure in advance to take pictures with the same focus and exposure settings while changing the composition. This is useful when you want to bring an edge of the screen into focus or there is a backlight, for example.

1. Register[AE LOCK], [AF LOCK], or [AF / AE LOCK] to the Fn button.
   • These cannot be registered to [Fn3] to [Fn7].
2. Lock focus and exposure.
   • Press and hold the Fn button.
   • If focus is locked, then the AF lock icon will be displayed (AFL).
   • If exposure is locked, then the AE lock icon will be displayed (AEL).
   • You can maintain lock even without pressing and holding the Fn button by pressing: [MENU] → [ Settings ] → [ AF Menu ] → [AF/AE Lock Hold]
3. Hold the Fn button to decide on the composition and then perform recording.
   • Press the shutter button fully.

Exposure Tools for Video - DC-S1H Tutorial

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-S1H

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-S1R

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DC-S5

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-CM1

Applicable Shooting modes

This is useful when you want to take a picture of a subject outside the AF area or the contrast is too strong and you cannot achieve appropriate exposure.

Setting the functions of [AF/AE LOCK] button

Press [MENU] → [ Custom Settings ] → [AF / AE LOCK]

• When the exposure is set, [AEL] is displayed.

• When the subject is focused, [AFL] is displayed.

• [AFL] and [AEL] are displayed when the focus and the exposure are optimized.

• The subject can be focused again by pressing the shutter button halfway even when AE is locked.
• Program Shift can be set even when AE is locked.

1. Point the camera at the subject.
2. Tap [AF / AE LOCK] to fix the focus or exposure.
   • If you tap [AF / AE LOCK] once again, AF / AE Lock is cancelled.
3. While pressing [AF / AE LOCK], move the camera as you compose the picture and then press shutter button fully to take the photo.

Not available in the following case:

• When recording motion pictures.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-FZ1000

DMC-FZ1000 Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-FZ2500

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-FZ300

Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-G7

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-G85

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-GF7

Applicable Shooting modes

This is useful when you want to take a picture of a subject outside the AF area or the contrast is too strong and you cannot achieve appropriate exposure.

Fixing the Focus and the Exposure (AF/AE Lock)

Note: [AF / AE LOCK] can only be assigned to [Fn1].

1. Point the camera at the subject.
2. Adjust the focus and/or exposure while you press the function button.
   • AF/AE Lock is canceled by pressing function button again.
   • Only the exposure is locked in the default setting.
3. While you press the function button, move the camera to compose the picture you want to take and then press the shutter button fully.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-GH4

Applicable Shooting modes

Maintaining / Removing the lock when [AF/AE LOCK] is released

Press [MENU] → [ Custom ] → [AF / AE LOCK HOLD] → [ON] / [OFF]

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-GX85

Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-LX10

Applicable Shooting modes

This is useful when you want to take a picture of a subject outside the AF area or the contrast is too strong and you cannot achieve appropriate exposure.

Fixing the Focus and the Exposure (AF/AE Lock)

1. Point the camera at the subject.
2. Adjust the focus and/or exposure while you press the function button.
   • Press and hold the function button to lock the focus and / or exposure.
   • Only the exposure is locked in the default setting.
3. While you press the function button, move the camera to compose the picture you want to take and then press the shutter button fully.

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-LX100

Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-ZS50

Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-ZS60

Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual

For model DMC-ZS100

Applicable Shooting modes

To view more AF / AE Lock information for this model, please click here to view the Operating Manual