Recording Mode, DIGITAL-SUBJECT-PROGRAM Button

RECORDING MODE

DIGITAL-SUBJECT-PROGRAM BUTTON

The subject-program button (1) optimizes the camera’s performance

1for various conditions and subjects. Exposure, white-balance, and image- processing systems work in unison for

beautiful results.

Pressing the subject-program button cycles through the modes: portrait, sport action, sunset, night portrait, text, and the original exposure mode. A pointer will indicate the active subject program. The subject program will remain in effect until it is changed.

	Portrait	Optimized to reproduce warm, soft skin tones and
	Portrait	a slight defocusing of the background.
		a slight defocusing of the background.

	Sport action	Used to capture fast action by maximizing shutter
	Sport action	speeds and tracking subjects with continuous AF.
		speeds and tracking subjects with continuous AF.

	Sunset	Optimized to reproduce rich, warm sunsets.

	Night portrait	For deep, subtle night scenes. When used with
	Night portrait	flash, the subject and background are balanced.
		flash, the subject and background are balanced.

	Text	For the crisp reproduction of black text on white
	Text	backgrounds.
		backgrounds.

While camera performance is optimized for each shooting condition, some changes can be made to camera settings with subject programs. The autofocus mode can be changed (p. 80). The sport action mode uses continuous AF, the other modes use single AF. The digital effects controller can be used to compensate exposure, contrast, and color saturation (p. 62). White balance can be changed in all modes except sunset and night portrait (p. 58). Sharpness can be changed in the sport action, sunset, and text modes (p. 80). The metering mode cannot be changed.

Shooting tips

Portrait - Most portraits look best at a telephoto setting; the longer focal length does not exag- gerate facial features and the shallower depth of field softens the background. Use the built-in flash with strong direct sunlight or backlight to reduce harsh shadows.

Sport action - When using a flash, make sure the subject is within the flash range: 0.5 - 3.0m (telephoto). The flash range can be extended by changing the camera sensitivity (p. 79). A monopod is more flexible and compact than a tripod when shooting events.

Sunset - When the sun is above the horizon, do not point the camera toward the sun for pro- longed periods of time. The intensity of the sun could damage the CCD. Between exposures, turn off the camera or cover the lens.

Night portrait - When taking pictures of a landscape at night, use a tripod to eliminate blurring from camera shake. The flash can only be used with close subjects such as with a portrait of a person. When using the flash, ask your subjects not to move after the burst; the shutter will still be open for the background exposure.

Text - When taking pictures of small text on a sheet of paper, the macro mode (p. 69) can be used. Use a tripod to eliminate camera shake and ensure the sharpest images.