Panasonic RED button

Alan_W1 · Apr 7, 2019

Just curious as to how many Panny users actually use this button.

Personally speaking I find zero use for it, and think it is a wasted opportunity for Panasonic not to use the red button space/placements as a top-plate Fn button instead.

I appreciate I may be in a minority though.

Although I am speaking from my videography perspective, I would guess that most stills shooters may also find the red button redundant...but maybe not.

alcelc · Apr 7, 2019

Never used it after my Panny has M-Video. The older models like Gf3, GX1 etc need it to shoot video. That red button is for Auto video only...

Yes, it would be great if Panny allows me to customize it as an extra fn key. I don't mind to have more fn keys although there are many already.

jonno35 · Apr 7, 2019

Strange isn't it I use mine all the time. I'm mainly a stills shooter usually in A priority, so when something catches my eye I just hit the red button, never had a problem so far in quality of results even in P and M. I've still used it in slo mo.

EGuitarStar · Apr 7, 2019

I never use it on my GX80 and don't think I'll ever make use of it. But Panasonic's reason for having it may be for beginners who would expect something like a button in red as it often represents a record function.

It would be a good idea to allow it to be remapped as another function.

jonbev · Apr 7, 2019

It can be useful for taking a grab shot when there is no time to set your preferences, such as a shot from a fast moving vehicle

dbelling · Apr 7, 2019

Agreed. I never use it. If I shoot video I always use the shutter button instead. In fact, I have the red video button turned off so that I don't accidentally press it by mistake (which I have done) when I am reaching for an FN button. Wish I could reprogram it.

Regards, Dave

Pete_W · Apr 7, 2019

I kept inadvertently pressing my red button when I didn't mean to, so I've now deactivated it.

hindesite · Apr 7, 2019

I never use it.

I think it was originally a marketing device - explicitly saying "look, this camera does video!" - but unfortunately has stuck around since then, and only serves as an additional confusing option.

Of course, some like to take images while videoing (and vice versa) so I guess it won't be going away any time soon.

GodSpeaks · Apr 7, 2019

I agree with you. I have never used the Red Button, and I shoot a LOT of video.

I have my Custom save slots filled up with various shooting options. For video I use 3 slots: Full Manual, Aperture priority and Program mode. For stills I use 2: Aperture priority and Program mode.

I simply select the correct Custom Save for what I want to shoot. I don't need no stinkin' Red button.

What would be nice would be if manufactures allowed us to reprogram the red button to be a Fn button and assign a function to it. Otherwise it is just useless real estate going to waste.

ToxicTabasco · Apr 7, 2019

When shooting photos in A or S mode, and I need instant video capture, I just press the red button vs changing to video mode. It then becomes regular speed 4K video shot in A or S mode. I have the video mode dial set to HS video (4K 60P) for the straight out the camera 4K.

It's good to have many custom modes for the video features. That video shutter limits make it hard to go from photo for exposure settings in low light.

Alan_W1 · Apr 7, 2019

Thanks all,

It seems that the red button is useful for some users, and I wouldn't want Panasonic to remove something that restricts those users.

If only the button could be configurable {as mentioned by Godspeaks}…including the original purpose to trigger video, then it would be vastly more useful to more people.

Seems a no brainer to me.

Maybe this is just not feasible though {for some technical reason}, or I would have guessed that it would have been done already.

Oh well....thanks all.

JaKing · Apr 7, 2019

Alan_W1 said:
Thanks all,

It seems that the red button is useful for some users, and I wouldn't want Panasonic to remove something that restricts those users.

If only the button could be configurable {as mentioned by Godspeaks}…including the original purpose to trigger video, then it would be vastly more useful to more people.

Seems a no brainer to me.

Maybe this is just not feasible though {for some technical reason}, or I would have guessed that it would have been done already.

Oh well....thanks all.

Alan, the video record button on Olympus cameras is able to be reassigned. Both mine are assigned to ISO.

When the mode dial is set to video mode, the button reverts to video start/stop.

If Olympus can do it, I see no reason why Panasonic cannot. This also applies in reverse to other functions.

Alan_W1 · Apr 7, 2019

JaKing said:
Alan_W1 said:

Thanks all,

It seems that the red button is useful for some users, and I wouldn't want Panasonic to remove something that restricts those users.

If only the button could be configurable {as mentioned by Godspeaks}…including the original purpose to trigger video, then it would be vastly more useful to more people.

Seems a no brainer to me.

Maybe this is just not feasible though {for some technical reason}, or I would have guessed that it would have been done already.

Oh well....thanks all.

Click to expand...

Alan, the video record button on Olympus cameras is able to be reassigned. Both mine are assigned to ISO.

When the mode dial is set to video mode, the button reverts to video start/stop.

If Olympus can do it, I see no reason why Panasonic cannot. This also applies in reverse to other functions.

Ah, so that begs the question....why don't/can't Panasonic do it, or why don't they want to {blimey, that is three questions}.

It seems odd to me...given that Panasonic are generally considered to be more video-centric.

jonno35 · Apr 8, 2019

Ok, I'm taking shots of the kids running around with the dogs and all of a sudden something unexpected happens, I press the red button ,immediatly catching it on video without taking my eye from the EVF. Or I'm videoing the same scene via the red button and something happens that I want a still of = shutter button. I find it useful and know where it is again using EVF uninterupted .Simples!!

JaKing · Apr 8, 2019

jonno35 said:
Ok, I'm taking shots of the kids running around with the dogs and all of a sudden something unexpected happens, I press the red button ,immediatly catching it on video without taking my eye from the EVF. Or I'm videoing the same scene via the red button and something happens that I want a still of = shutter button. I find it useful and know where it is again using EVF uninterupted .Simples!!

That's terrific, Jonno.

This is why modern cameras are user configurable ... ;-)

We can each set them up in the way that best suits each of us.

Devvy · Apr 8, 2019

Just bought a second-hand G7, and it's exactly this button that got stuck on that camera (it doesn't react at all, and I have verified the menu option to enable / disable the button).

As a snapshot shooter I definitely would have a use for the button, but it is not really a dealbreaker as there is the dedicated movie mode.

jonno35 · Apr 9, 2019

Devvy said:
Just bought a second-hand G7, and it's exactly this button that got stuck on that camera (it doesn't react at all, and I have verified the menu option to enable / disable the button).

As a snapshot shooter I definitely would have a use for the button, but it is not really a dealbreaker as there is the dedicated movie mode.

Lucky its stuck in off and not on otherwise it would be permanently videoing.Its probably a bit of gunge got down the side of it, you might be able to suck it out gently with a vacuum cleaner held a distance away. That was recommended by some as a way of getting dust off the early bridge camera's sensors but never tried it myself.

Jorginho · Apr 9, 2019

Apart from the red one. Because I bought Panny mostly for video so all the still buttons and knobs are a waste and it would be nice if Panasonic would realise this.

JosephScha · Apr 9, 2019

I use it. I am an aging stills photographer, I rarely choose to take video. But a small group that put on a play asked me to film it. (Fortunately there was a gap in the action before 30 minutes, where I could stop and then start recording.)

Anyway, I wasn't trying to do anything fancy. I didn't want to control the shutter speed, the aperture (which I'm sure was as wide open as possible indoors) or the ISO. I wanted to let the camera do all that for me. The red button did that, and the movie files look very good.

Full disclosure: I focused on the opening number (because I knew that would work) and switched to Manual Focus to hold that focus. No seeking, no wobbling. Lovely footage.

Pete Berry · Apr 9, 2019

I shoot a lot of video, never use the Red button.

But...I can see situations where the immediacy of it could make/break the moment, and I'm glad to be reminded of its use when shooting stills.

Pete

Panasonic RED button

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Well-known member

Senior Member

Leading Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Forum Enthusiast

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts