Program vs Manual settings...

[kaleidoscope]

I was looking at these 2 functions on my camera (canon powershot a530). They look the same to me... what's the difference?

(On a side note... I discovered it has a sepia setting. LOL But when would I want to use some of the other color settings? Like vivid? For flowers? And there's 2 skin tone settings. And neutral and positive??)

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Program is sort of automatic in that you set the aperture and it automatically sets the right shutter speed or vice-versa.

Manual requires that you set both yourself.

[kaleidoscope]

Oh, I see. Like on P I can change the ISO (auto to 800). On the M it's 80 - 800 but on the bottom (when you go back to the screen) it shows the aperture (that the number with the slash, right?) and the f-stop. I can change that one up or down (up to 1/1250) and the f-stop goes up or down depending on if I zoom in or out.

[esther_a]

Yes, that sounds right. When you zoom in the lens can't let in as much light, so that's why the f-stop changes. I found my camera manual was the best place to check what these meant. I did need a magnifying glass to read the printed copy!
Actually I now just find all those automatic settings confusing. How do I choose between candle light and indoor party when dining at a restaurant? Or baby and macro to photograph a tiny hand?! In simplifying things it seems like they've made it more complicated!

[kaleidoscope]

I thought the f-stop would be something that would be adjusted yourself if it's manual. Is it because of the kind of camera I have? Like if it was a camera that you change lenses on, do you adjust the f-stop on the lens?
Speaking of macro - I thought my camera didn't have a setting for it. But it does - it's just not on the dial, it's on the dirctional/function button. Wish I realized that when I was in the butterfly exhibit. And I finally learned today that MF means manual focus. Though at the moment all that means to me is that there's a magnified box on my screen. LOL I think I might actually be slightly closer to understanding some of what the camera manual says. (comprehension is NOT one of my strong points!)

Oh - and I also learned today after doing some searching online about photography that the " after a number means seconds! So my camera has an aperture of up to 15 seconds.

[katrinak]

Originally Posted by kaleidoscope

Oh - and I also learned today after doing some searching online about photography that the " after a number means seconds! So my camera has an aperture of up to 15 seconds.

Right about the " meaning seconds...just a minor change though, that is your shutter speed (how fast it opens) Aperture is the size of the opening and is measured as a f/# like f/1.4, f/4.0, etc.



Glad you are having fun figuring it all out!

[kaleidoscope]

Oh, thanks! I had a feeling I was getting that wrong. LOL I knew that briefly at one time in the past year, but forgot.