Semi-Automatic Exposure Modes - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 User Manual

Semi-automatic Exposure Modes

We have seen how useful the iA mode is to new users to the Panasonic
Lumix FZ200, however as we have seen as this relies on the camera
processor deciding which one of the 8 automatic scene modes to
categorise your image in order to produce a correctly exposed image.
If it fails to assign a category it defaults to what effectively is the P or
"program auto mode".
In the P mode the camera will decide how to make the exposure, not by
analysing the scene type but, by analysing the information coming from
the metering facility of the camera sensor.
It will set an Aperture and Shutter speed according to the amount of light
being detected by the sensor and the value of the ISO, if you have set it
manually or if you have the ISO set to the Auto ISO setting. The P mode
will give you an exposure even if you are in the i-ISO (intelligent ISO
mode) however you will not be able to access the most important feature
that the P mode has and that is "Program Shift".
Program Shift allows you to change the combination of aperture and
shutter speed set by the camera.
P mode is activated by turning the top mode control dial so
that the P is aligned with the index mark on the top plate.
The Program auto mode
When you select the P mode and then when you point the camera at the
subject and half press the shutter release button and release it the
camera will display the aperture and shutter speed, highlighted in yellow.
The LCD screen showing
the camera set to the P
mode, and after the shutter
button has been half
depressed and then
released. (note the aperture
and shutter speed
combination in yellow
highlight)
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