The Camera's Mode Dial is usually on the top of the Camera next to the shutter release button, it can also be located on the rear of the Camera next to the LCD display. The latest Mode Dials control three categories: Exposure Modes, Scene or Situation Modes and Movie Mode.
The Exposure Modes:
(1) Program (P): The camera selects the aperture, the shutter speed, and focuses the lens as the shutter release button is depressed.
(2) Aperture Priority (A)or (AV): You select the Aperture the Camera selects the shutter speed and focuses the lens as the shutter release button is depressed
(3) Shutter Priority (S) or (TV): You select the shutter speed, the Camera selects the matching Aperture and focuses the lens as the shutter release button is depressed.
(4) Manual (M): The photographer is in full control of Exposure, selecting Aperture and Shutter speed manually.
See the Post on Exposure dated 12/26/2008.
The Scene or Situation Modes:(Full automatic Modes)
(1)Portrait: The Icon shows the head and shoulder of a person, in this Mode the Camera selects a Aperture that makes the subject sharp but renders the background out of focus.
(2) Landscape: The Icon shows two pointy mountains with a small cloud over the shorter mountain. In this Mode the Camera selects a small aperture so the picture is in sharp focus, foreground and background.
(3) Action: The Icon shows a figure running, in this Mode the Camera selects a fast shutter speed to freeze the action of fast moving subjects.
(4) Night Portrait: The Icon shows the head and shoulders of a person in the foreground, the background is black with a star at the top. In this Mode the Camera selects a slow shutter speed to expose the background while using the flash unit to expose the foreground.
