Being as I'm using a Sony W290, I'm limited on the amount of manual control I have. But I do tend to
use the the program auto mode almost all the time, which gives me the most control between the four
different modes.. IE: easy, intelligent auto, scene selection, and program auto.
I never use IA and easy.. And only SS on rare occasions. Like if I want a slow shutter for night using a
tripod. And that only gives me a fixed 2 seconds exposure. Can't vary the time.
I can't really choose aperature, but I can choose ISO, focus modes, white balance modes, metering
modes, overall exposure, bracket modes, and a few others. I use the different focus modes quite a bit.
For a big picture shot where I want everything to be in focus at various distances, I'll usually use the
full frame auto focus. But I can also auto focus in the center, or on a center object.. But I can also use manual
fixed distance focus modes, which I use a lot for close up stuff like flowers, insects, etc.. And if I'm driving in the
car shooting out the window at stuff, I usually use infinity. That way the AF doesn't hunt around trying to focus,
and I'm most likely to get sharp images. Ditto for video unless it's something too close for infinity..
I don't really use the manual ISO that much, and if I do, I still tend to leave it as low as I can for less grain.
I have a histograph option, but almost never use it. Instead I go by what I see in the LCD. If something is
washing out, I can usually see it and adjust.. ditto for too dark.. And I can "hold" an exposure setting with
the trigger button.. IE: say I'm shooting a landscape and I see that the bright sky is washing out.. I can tilt the
camera upwards a tad to get the sky how I want it, and hold the trigger partially to hold that exposure,
tilt back down to the scene, and fully trigger.. I also bracket three shots at a time almost all the time.
That way I get three exposures to pick from, the difference between them I can adjust.. But this also
helps ensure that I get a sharp image.. If I have one slightly out of focus, it's almost always the first shot
as I push the trigger. The second two shots are usually slightly sharper, being as the AF has made it's
final touch up decision, and I have no trigger movement on the last two.
Anyway, I generally like to control things, but I tend to use what the camera likes the best just through
experience.. IE: if the camera does something thing as good or better auto than manual, I'll often use it.
I only care about the end result. IE: it decides ISO quite well on it's own, and there is little need for me to
bother with it, being as it tends to stay fairly low. I think 80 is the lowest.. 3200 is the highest, which is
pretty grainy.. I almost never use that high, and neither does it. Most times it doesn't go over about 400 or
so auto, even in lower light.
I can choose the aspect ratio, IE 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9, but use 3:2 most of the time which mimics a 35mm.
For some reason I think it's a teeny tiny bit sharper than 4:3.. Not sure why. I use 4:3 if I need the extra
height like say tall trees, buildings, etc..
I just wish I could get more time to actually use the camera.. :/ Been pretty busy lately with work and such..
I did just buy two more extra batteries and another extra charger this past week. My old original battery
is starting to show it's age a bit, and one of my chargers flaked out to where it would work on 12v in the car,
but not plugged into the wall for 117v.. It's 117v PS went kaput..I always like to have at least two chargers.
So now I have three batteries and 2.5 chargers.. lol.. I could use an extra mem stick, but I can transfer to
my laptop if I fill up out in the boonies. And being I have an 8gb Sony stick, it will hold quite a bit unless I start
shooting a lot of HD video. That camera has to have the Sony Pro Duo sticks, or suitable clones..
So it can't use just any SD stick or whatever. The newer Sony's can use other stick types from what I hear.
