Here you can see the point-n-shoot AUTO record mode - The "8M F" represents image resolution of 8- megapixels Fine quality, and there's enough room on our SD card for "293" frames at the current image size. In the center are the auto focus target marks, and the "Wavy hand" symbol indicates that Dual IS is enables.

Rotating the Mode Dial give access to these exposure modes: Auto, Movie, Manual, Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Program AE, SP1 (Scene Position1), SP2 (Scene Position2), Natural Light, Natural Light + Flash and Picture Stabilization. Once you land on the desired mode, the camera will briefly display a short description of the modes intended purpose (like Picture Stabilization shown above).

Here you can see Picture Stabilization mode. It increases the ISO, allowing you to use fast shutter speeds, which helps reduce the effects of camera shake and motion blur.

To change the Scene mode when the mode dial is set to SP1 or SP2, press the menu button and use this menu with helpful descriptions.

Program AE is yet another user friendly exposure mode that gives you access to more advanced options like metering, white balance, AF mode, Program Shift etc. You also have access to the full record mode menu which will be explained a little further down this page.

When you half-press the shutter release the AF marks will show the intended area of focus as well as the shutter and aperture values. A "lightning bolt" indicates the flash is charged and will fire.

Depressing the "F" button calls up the F-Mode Menu. Options in all still image modes are ISO speed (Auto [Auto 400/800/1600], 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 and 6400 [4MP only]), the image size (8M Fine, 8M Normal, 3:2 aspect, 4M, 2M, 0.3M), each indicating remaining the number of images that can be stored or Color mode (B&W, Chrome [Vivid] or Standard).

Shutter-speed priority mode allows you to select the desired shutter speed value, while the camera selects the correct aperture. Select a fast shutter speed to freeze fast-moving subjects or use a slower shutter speed to capture flowing water or low-light subjects. If the selected shutter speed is too fast for the available light, the aperture setting will be highlighted in red. Shutter speed can be set in the range of 4 seconds to 1/2000 second.

Aperture priority is just the opposite, allowing you to select the desired aperture and the camera automatically sets the correct shutter speed. A small aperture (larger f/number) increases the depth of field (range of focus), where a large aperture (smaller f/number) decreases depth of field. Aperture can be set in the range of f/2.8 (full wide angle) or f/4.5 (full telephoto) to f/8.

This is Manual record mode, the user manually sets both shutter speed and aperture. Shutter speed and aperture values are set by pressing the "+/-" button then using the "up", "down", "left", and "right" buttons of the 4-way controller. You can meter the exposure by watching the display in the lower right corner and adjust the shutter speed or aperture to center the indicator. A histogram is also displayed to further assist in establishing the correct exposure (not shown).

Pressing the DISPlay button next to the LCD toggles the live image between text displayed, no text displayed, grid lines, or post shot assist, which displays the last three shots and allows you to compare the results of changing composition or exposure settings.

P/A/M/S menu options:

PHOTOMETRY Metering: Multi, Average, Spot
WHITE BALANCE Auto, Custom, Daylight, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm white), Fluorescent (Cool white), Incandescent
HIGH-SPEED SHOOTING On/Off
Continuous - Top 15 (2M), Top 15 (4M), Long period, Bracketing, Top 3, Off
FOCUSING Continuous AF, Single AF (default), MF (Manual Focus)
AF MODE Center, Multi, Area
SHARPNESS Soft, Standard, Hard
FLASH Adjust flash output intensity in 5 steps of 1/3EV, a range of ±2/3EV
BRACKETING Set the step value for bracketing: ±1/3EV, ±2/3EV or ±1.0EV
SET-UP Enter the set-up menu

On the top of the camera (see Page 2 of our review), there are two buttons that allow you to enable or disable the functions shown above. Face Detection (Red-eye removal On/Off) will help you capture great portraits by locking onto your subjects face, then selecting the proper exposure and focus for the best possible results.

Dual IS mode combines mechanical "Sensor Shift" stabilization with High ISO (Picture Stabilization) technology. This helps reduce camera shake and motion blur when you are using the long telephoto capabilities of this camera as well as when shooting in marginal lighting conditions.

The Macro focus mode allows close-up focusing from 3.9 inches to 2.6 ft (10 - 80cm) in Wide and 3.9 to 11.5 ft (1.2 - 3.5m) in Tele.

The Super Macro focus can only be used at a fixed focal length of approx 60mm (35mm equivalent), and allows close-up focusing from .4 inches to 3.9 in. (1cm - 10cm).

The Movie mode captures 640x480 or 320x240 pixel motion video with audio at 30 frames per second (fixed.) The maximum length per clip is limited only by available memory. Even though audio is recorded, you have full use of the zoom lens while recording.