DSC-P200 Questions from New Owner

[huntnyc]

My wife are I are loving our new camera so far but being beginners are wondering a couple of things.

First, if we set the resolution to 3.2 and the quality to standard, how much difference does it make in quality when processing 4x6 prints in the store?

Also, is there a way I can set the image quality in Auto mode. I see how to set size there but only seem to be able to set image quality to standard in P Mode.

I would appreciate your help and am glad for these forums where so much information is so plentifal.

Gary

[kazaan]

My wife are I are loving our new camera so far but being beginners are wondering a couple of things.

First, if we set the resolution to 3.2 and the quality to standard, how much difference does it make in quality when processing 4x6 prints in the store?

Also, is there a way I can set the image quality in Auto mode. I see how to set size there but only seem to be able to set image quality to standard in P Mode.

I would appreciate your help and am glad for these forums where so much information is so plentifal.

Gary

Havent taken prints so cant take a guess!

you cant select image quality in auto mode.
for P Mode, you can change quality mode between Fine and Standard.

[huntnyc]

thanks for that. I guess I will have to get some test prints printed.

Gary

[KJB]

let me know of any tips you pick up! I have been pleased with my photos for the most part. Indoor shots came out well at ISO 100, aperture f2.8 and shutter speed 1/60, with flash. I haven't gotten any blurry photos at all.

What exactly is the P mode for, anyway? Just to have a bit more control than Auto, but not as much as manual?

[debtman7]

For a 4x6 print, you will notice no difference by setting it at 3.2 MP and I'd be really impressed if you noticed any difference by setting it to standard instead of fine. You should do some test prints however and make sure.

You should also leave this camera in P mode all the time. Set the Contrast and Sharpness to + (it will remember these in P mode), and the picture quality is MUCH better. You won't lose detail on high contrast scenes or parts of landscapes such as leaves or grass, which tends to happen in auto mode. Also I'd recommend playing around with the saturation in P mode, some people like the pictures better when it's set to -.

In P mode you can leave these settings but still basically have full auto point and shoot, and with the adjusted contrast and sharpness you'll get much better pictures.

[huntnyc]

Thanks for the help. I did notice a little difference in detail on fine rather than standard. So, I geuss I keep at fine. Also, Thanks for the tips for P Mode. Had been thinking of this also. And, as to suggestions about indoor shooting, I could not get quite as good results with the settings that were mentioned above but it may be just me not knowing how to use the camera well yet. Anyway, all of this tips are great help and thanks again.

Gary

[debtman7]

Indoor shots can be tricky with any compact camera, it's just a simple matter of getting enough light. The camera can do only a few things... It can use a slower shutter speed (making more blur likely), it can use a higher ISO (increases noise), or it can use a wider aperature. On pretty much every compact camera, the aperature settings are limited, so it's doing the best it can but you have to know the limitations.

For indoor shots, my camera typically uses 1/40 of a second for the shutter speed. This should be sufficient to avoid blur, but only at full wide angle. So, I'd strongly suggest not zooming indoors. When you zoom, the lens gets slower, and 1/40 will be more likely to produce blur. If you leave the camera at full wide, you should be ok. Also make sure to keep the flash on.