Instant Overexposure Problem: I could use some advice. I was using my Panasonic DMC-ZS7 camera. All was well, and then, suddenly, all the shots came out overexposed. I've attached two...

jimmiwhistle

I could use some advice. I was using my Panasonic DMC-ZS7 camera. All was well, and then, suddenly, all the shots came out overexposed. I've attached two pictures that were taken one after the other. The first is fine, the second demonstrates the problem. This now happens on all outdoor shots regardless of setting, ie. auto, programmed, shutter, or aperature controlled. Indoor pics are fine, only the outdoor shots come out looking like a dusty white blanket. Does anyone know what went wrong and if there is a solution to this problem shy of buying a new camera?

(Download)

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

- 1st photo
Date Time Original: 2014:06:18 09:24:48
Exposure Time: 1/200
F Number: f / 4
Exposure Program: Landscape mode
ISO Speed Ratings: 80
Metering Mode: Pattern
Light Source: Unknown
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length: 4.10mm
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 25mm
Scene Type: Directly photographed
Custom Rendered: Normal process
White Balance: Auto white balance
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Gain Control: None
Contrast: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Make: Panasonic
Model: DMC-ZS7
Software: Ver.1.2

- 2nd photo
Date Time Original: 2014:06:18 09:25:11
Exposure Time: 1/100
F Number: f / 4
Exposure Program: Normal program
ISO Speed Ratings: 80
Metering Mode: Pattern
Light Source: Unknown
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length: 4.10mm
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 25mm
Scene Type: Directly photographed
Custom Rendered: Normal process
White Balance: Auto white balance
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Gain Control: None
Contrast: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Make: Panasonic
Model: DMC-ZS7
Software: Ver.1.2

jvance Loc: Granbury, Texas

jimmiwhistle wrote:

I could use some advice. I was using my Panasonic... (show quote)

have you tried powering the camera down ? sometimes that works.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

When looking at the image as a thumbnail, notice the banding in the middle above and below the waterline.

When looking at the image as a (Download), notice the banding throughout the image.

jimmiwhistle

Thanks for your response. Yes, I powered on/off many times since this problem started. I also went through many setup procedures to double check that the camera hadn't somehow been programmed to overexpose in the auto, aperature or shutter priority settings. All the settings are nuetral. White balance is automatic. I played around w/the white balance settings, but only the tone (from red to blue) of the overexposure changed, not the overexposure itself. I fear a sensor is the problem.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

My assumption would be a failure of the light meter, camera buffer or SD Card. Have you tried replacing the last?

jimmiwhistle

St3v3M wrote:

My assumption would be a failure of the light meter, camera buffer or SD Card. Have you tried replacing the last?

Yes, the problem continues with a different SD card. The SD card taken from the Panasonic works fine w/other cameras. Would indoor pictures properly expose if either the light meter or camera buffer was the problem? As I mentioned, the camera works fine indoors.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

jimmiwhistle wrote:

Yes, the problem continues with a different SD card. The SD card taken from the Panasonic works fine w/other cameras. Would indoor pictures properly expose if either the light meter or camera buffer was the problem? As I mentioned, the camera works fine indoors.

To be honest I do not know. The camera buffer can be removed from the list assuming you take a photo then wait and take another. The light meter, or the camera itself, are basically left. To know it works well indoors leads me to the light meter.

About your two shots. Did you take one immediately after the other, or did you move the camera in-between. Was there anything different between the two photos other than the shutter speed? Anything?

David Mineer Loc: Parowan, Utah

This happened to me. It turned out that my camera had been set to automatic "Bracketing" without me knowing it. Once that was turned off it solved the problem.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

David Mineer wrote:

This happened to me. It turned out that my camera had been set to automatic "Bracketing" without me knowing it. Once that was turned off it solved the problem.

Smart. Check your menu settings and at the worst reset it to factory specs.

jimmiwhistle

St3v3M wrote:

To be honest I do not know. The camera buffer can be removed from the list assuming you take a photo then wait and take another. The light meter, or the camera itself, are basically left. To know it works well indoors leads me to the light meter.

About your two shots. Did you take one immediately after the other, or did you move the camera in-between. Was there anything different between the two photos other than the shutter speed? Anything?

I took the pics one after the other from a spot along the lake shore.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

jimmiwhistle wrote:

I took the pics one after the other from a spot along the lake shore.

Metering should not have changed then although your shutter speed did.

jimmiwhistle

David Mineer wrote:

This happened to me. It turned out that my camera had been set to automatic "Bracketing" without me knowing it. Once that was turned off it solved the problem.

Thanks for your response. I don't know what braketing is. I do know that I can't find a setting for it on the problematic Panasonic. I went through every setup menu I could find...no bracketing option.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

jimmiwhistle wrote:

Thanks for your response. I don't know what braketing is. I do know that I can't find a setting for it on the problematic Panasonic. I went through every setup menu I could find...no bracketing option.

Access the menu, and then go to the setup menu, and look for factory default, factory reset or reset.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Try using your camera in manual mode. In particular set the iso at 200 and see what happens.