Why does the jitter symbol always come on my Panasonic DMC FZ20?

[denisdev]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and new to the better digital cameras in general. Used this site's reviews and several others to finally select the Panasonic DMC FZ20. Just read the manual (somewhat confusing) and turned the camera on to take some pictures. No matter what I did - hand-held, used a tripod, or even set the camera on a table - the jitter symbol came on in red when I pressed the shutter button half-way to focus. Is this normal for this camera or is something wrong with it? The manuel says it will come on if jitter is likely, and to use a tripod if it comes on. To me, that means that I should always use a tripod which doesn't make sense, especially when I did and the jitter symbol came on anyway. I'm a real novice at this, my previous camera was an HP C-200 - very simple to use, no frills. Can anyone tell me if I have a defective camera, or what to do? Thanks.

[PhilR.]

The jitter symbol comes on when the camera sees a setting that might make an exposure time too long to handhold (for the average person). The camera does not know if there is a tripod stuck to it's butt, or where it happens to be sitting. It only knows to do what it does based on what comes in through the lens. If you take the camera outside and shoot in light bright enough to provide high shutter speeds, you will see the jitter symbol go away.

The warning it provides does not mean you need to use a tripod - in fact it does not mean you have to do anything at all. The symbol is merely a warning, and you can do as you wish. If you are good at handholding long exposures, then you don't need a tripod.

PhilR.

[denisdev]

Thanks for the response PhilR. I am really green at this - first real camera I've ever owned. Will probably have a million questions before I finally figure everything out. I've got a lot to learn. I'm going outside to try what you said now. Thanks again!

[Jeff Keller]

Please post your question in one forum only. Since we already have another thread going, please respond there (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4497). I am locking this thread.