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Point And Shoot Like A Pro

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Why à la modes?

Which Cameras Have What?

Canon's subject programs are called Basic Zone Modes. Available in the EOS 30D, EOS Digital Rebel XTi and EOS Digital Rebel XT, among current models, they're selected by rotating the mode dial to the appropriate icon. The Basic Zone Modes include Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports, Night Portrait and Flash-Off. The mentioned cameras also offer A-DEP (Automatic Depth of Field) AE, which detects the closest and most-distant subjects to fall under any of the camera's AF points, then sets the focus distance and aperture to provide enough depth of field to get both sharp (when possible with the current ISO setting, lens and light level). While classified as an Advanced rather than Basic Zone mode by Canon, A-DEP serves the function of a subject mode and thus is included here.

Nikon's subject programs are called Digital Vari-Programs. They're available in the D80, D40x and D40, among current models, and are selected by rotating the mode dial to the appropriate icon. The Digital Vari-Programs include Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports, Night Portrait, Flash-Off and (D40 and D40x only) Child (for snapshots of kids being kids).



Olympus' subject programs are called Scene Programs. They're available in the EVOLT E-330, E-410, E-500 and E-510, among current models, and are selected by rotating the mode dial to the appropriate icon. The Scene Programs include Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sport and Night Portrait. Each camera also provides additional Scene Select modes, accessed by rotating the mode dial to SCENE, then choosing the desired mode from those displayed on the LCD monitor. The E-500 offers 15 Scene Select modes, the other models 20; these include such modes as High Key, Low Key, Candlelight, Sunset, Fireworks, Documents, Children and more.

Pentax calls its subject programs Picture Modes. They're available on all current models except the top-of-the-line K10D and are accessed by rotating the mode dial to the appropriate icon. The Picture Modes include Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait and Flash-Off. In Auto Picture Mode, the camera automatically selects Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object or Night Scene Portrait mode to suit the subject/scene being photographed. The cameras also offer Scene modes, which are accessed by rotating the mode dial to SCN, then choosing the desired mode from the menu on the LCD monitor. The Scene modes include Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Text, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight and Museum.

Samsung calls its subject programs Scene Modes. They're available on the GX-1S and GX-1L models and are accessed by rotating the mode dial to the appropriate icon. In Auto Scene Mode, the camera will automatically select Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object or Night Scene Portrait mode to suit the subject/scene being photographed.

 

Sony calls its subject programs Scene Modes. Available on the DSLR-A100, they're accessed by rotating the mode dial to the appropriate icon. The Scene modes include Portrait, Landscape, Sunset and Night View/Night Portrait.

Note: Current Fujifilm, Leica, Panasonic and Sigma D-SLRs don't offer subject programs, nor do pro models from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Samsung.

 

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