Camera Program functions

I can finally use the various functions on the dial switch ( I have an *istDL by the way ). But one is confusing me and the manual doesn't seem to affer much assistance.

What is the difference between "Normal" and "Auto Pict"?
Normal mode seems to allow the camera to judge what it thinks are the best parameters for the cirmstances and Auto seems to do the same

I read on another thread ( regarding a newer camera ) that the Green position is for users who should have bought a digital compact camera but still can't see how that differs from the "Normal" mode.

( Maybe I should have bought the compact:roll

I'm not sure what you mean by "normal" so I'm guessing you mean "P" (Program) mode. In which case it will seem to be acting in a similar fashion to auto, but the camera will let you override its decisions in "P" whereas you can't in auto. For instance, if you change the aperture the camera will adjust the shutter to match, or vice-versa.

If you're not talking about Program mode then I have no idea!

Auto Pict automatically selects from Normal, Portrait, Landscape, Macro and Moving Object modes. How it knows what mode is best to use, I don't know, and I wouldn't trust it. That selection needs the intelligence of a human being, really.

Normal mode is just like P mode (Program), except that certain settings are disabled to you and preset by the camera. See what's greyed out in the menus while Normal is selected.

Auto Pict, Normal and all the scene modes are best saved for beginners and emergencies. You get a fair amount of automation with P, Tv, and Av, yet some control as well.

"Normal" is the smiley face symbol on the dial. It is effectively Program mode with some other settings taken over by the camera.

Fair enough, I've never owned one with scene modes so I'm happy to stand corrected

Take Iceblinker's advice. Ignore all dummy-modes. You'll never learn anything that way.

G

Thanks guys, I knew you'd know

To be honest, the mode I mostly use is Av, although I do ocassionaly use Normal

What I could do with is a H C-B or an AA mode. So I can stand the camera on the tripod and leave it to take decent shots for me