I cannot see through my viewfinder to take a picture, but can take pictures on the LCD monitor on my DMC-FZ50 digital camera. Joan

Hi Joan,

this behavior is not normal. I suggest you take it to service. I doubt there is everything ok with it. I own a service manual for my FZ 50, there is nothing like that described. Have it fixed before it dies completely.

If ECONOMY is set to off in that case monitor (LCD) would be brightest, it should not be dark, it would be at lowest if you set it to LEVEL2. Monitor sub-menu in the setup menu gives you option to increase or decrease brightness of the monitor (LCD).

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-FZ50K for pdf version of manual. The K or S means the color of camera you have...black or silver. My wife has that camera, there is no way to display the date/time on the pictures themselves, you will have to look at the properties of the image. All images now contain certain data that is hard for the novice to change and might be able to be used in certain courts...good luck, hope it's not too late.

Hi,

when you are replaying your pictures you use the front turning switch, not the manual focus ring.

Hope I helped, please rate my answer if you like it.
Vladimir

does the LCD monitor work when taking a picture? if not press the evf/lcd button to toggle between the viewfinder and the LCD screen

Is the battery dead? Try taking it out and charging it, then put it back into the camera.

Also, you can try using another battery of the same type.

THE LCD HINGE MAY NEED REPLACING.

my camera just did that to me yesterday..i had t for like a week.. did u have a warranty on it or something like that?? i have to take mine back to the place were i got it and go talk to them about it.. my screen is like shot or something..

CAN YOU SEND EXAMPLE PICTURES, OR DESCRIBE THE FAULT IN DETAIL.

Since the viewfinder sees the subject different than the picture taking lens, we recommend using the LCD monitor screen for taking macro pictures. The image previewed on the LCD monitor will be the exact image that is taken.