Date Stamp on Panasonic Lumix FZ-100

I have just purchased the Panasonic Lumix FZ-100. Would anyone out there know if the date gets stamped automatically with this camera? I have really never seen a camera that doesn't stamp the date. This camera does not seem to stamp the date automatically. It seems like you have to tell it to stamp the date after each picture that you take???? If this is the case, I am quite disappointed. Is the Panasonic Lumix FZ-100 worth purchasing? I have read a lot of reviews on it and I am a little confused!!!! Is there a better camera out there with the amount of pixels and the zoom? I have already tried the Canon Powershot SX30IS and what a disappointment. All my pictures looke like the people are jaundiced.
I would certainly appreciate anyones opinions on this camera. Thanks!

Reply 1 : Date Stamp on Panasonic Lumix FZ-100

Did you not read the manual for your camera? It can record the date, but it is not automatic. Most cameras do not stamp the photos automatically. The date is embedded in the EXIF data, which is enough for most people.

There is no better camera with so many pixels and zoom range; all cameras of that type are a compromise in image quality because of those features.

Reply 2 : Date Stamp on Panasonic Lumix FZ-100

Thank you so much for that info. I undertand that it is left up to me but I have never had a digital camera that has not automatically stamped the date. My HP and my Canon Powershot did stamp the date. I am still from the old school of printing out my pictures. I seem to appreciate them a lot more if I can hold them as opposed to looking at my pictures on a computer screen. Since the date is printed I sort my pictures out in an album chronologically. That's why the stamp is a big deal for me. Call me silly!!!!

One more question if you will!!!! Can anyone explain to me in plain terms what the 14M means in the top right hand of my camera screen? If I do choose to put the date stamp this 14M changes to 3M. What does all this mean? If I get my pictures developed will a 3M picture be smaller than a 14M? Please excuse my ignorance but I just do not understand what the manual is telling me. I shouldn't feel too bad since the associates at Future Shop where I bought the camera cannot seem to figure it out either!!!

In your experienced opinion is this camera the way to go as far as picture quality etc.? By comparing it to my Canon Powershot SX30IS the Panasonic is a step up since the people in my shots are not jaundiced.

Thanks everyone for your patience! I sure hope that you can help me with these questions.

Reply 3 : Date Stamp on Panasonic Lumix FZ-100

14 megapixels is the native size of the pictures the FZ100 produces. The way I interpret the manual is that it will not imprint photos larger than 3 megapixels.

Regarding the Canon, it has gotten good reviews. From test images I have seen, the Canon produces slightly better photos than the Panasonic. I do not know how extensively you tried the SX30 IS, or where, but it sounds like either the white balance was not set correctly, or you prefer the default JPEG "signature" of the FZ100. Both cameras can be modified for color and white balance.

Reply 4 : Date Stamp on Panasonic Lumix FZ-100

This is where it belongs so you can make a choice to have it or not at the time you print the photo. If it's stamped into the photo then you have folk asking how to remove it.

Having "The date is embedded in the EXIF data" makes this flexible.
Bob