If you are overwhelmed by all the tools you now have at your disposal you should really consider using the program mode suggested in earlier posts to start out with and also set everything else to the factory default auto settings. See page 184 of the manual if you need to reset to factory defaults which will also reset it to program mode, one of the factory default settings. That was excellent advice they gave you IMHO.
If shooting telephoto (70 to 300mm) put it in shutter priority and set the shutter speed for 1/320 to start. Again use the factory default auto focus, auto ISO and auto exposure for both shutter or program modes. Let the camera help you and do the work for you.
The camera is quite capable of giving you really decent P&S results in default settings right out of the box except you need to change from the default focus from AF-S to AF-C if shooting fast moving subjects. It is just that it is capable of making some great photos after you learn what F-stops, shutter speeds, white balance, saturation, sharpness, contrast, hue, etc can do for you. You can learn aperature and manual modes as you gain experience. Even some experienced photographers say it takes them 10,000 pictures to really get comfortable and learn how to use a new camera well so don't give up. Its a never ending learning curve.
I would not recommend shooting in manual just starting out. Before shooting manual you need to understand the relationship between WB, ISO, shutter speed, and aperature and how to adjust each of those in manual to get the proper exposure or affect you are looking for. It is for situations when you know how to set the camera up for the lighting and subject conditions. IMO it is the hardest mode to use and should be used by experienced photographers. You will be totally lost and waste a lot of shots before you take one that is good if you don't understand how the different settings interact. I have rarely used manual in 8 years of digital but it depends on the type of shooting too.
With the camera set to factory defaults until you get more experience you should be able to get decent P&S quality pictures and you will have the $1800 P&S you are looking for just like my $1800 P&S. Mine took great photos right out of the box with factory default settings after I put the lens on it
It will make you look good and you will be happy with it just like I am. It's a great P&S and and even better DSLR.
--
Don
If shooting telephoto (70 to 300mm) put it in shutter priority and set the shutter speed for 1/320 to start. Again use the factory default auto focus, auto ISO and auto exposure for both shutter or program modes. Let the camera help you and do the work for you.
The camera is quite capable of giving you really decent P&S results in default settings right out of the box except you need to change from the default focus from AF-S to AF-C if shooting fast moving subjects. It is just that it is capable of making some great photos after you learn what F-stops, shutter speeds, white balance, saturation, sharpness, contrast, hue, etc can do for you. You can learn aperature and manual modes as you gain experience. Even some experienced photographers say it takes them 10,000 pictures to really get comfortable and learn how to use a new camera well so don't give up. Its a never ending learning curve.
I would not recommend shooting in manual just starting out. Before shooting manual you need to understand the relationship between WB, ISO, shutter speed, and aperature and how to adjust each of those in manual to get the proper exposure or affect you are looking for. It is for situations when you know how to set the camera up for the lighting and subject conditions. IMO it is the hardest mode to use and should be used by experienced photographers. You will be totally lost and waste a lot of shots before you take one that is good if you don't understand how the different settings interact. I have rarely used manual in 8 years of digital but it depends on the type of shooting too.
With the camera set to factory defaults until you get more experience you should be able to get decent P&S quality pictures and you will have the $1800 P&S you are looking for just like my $1800 P&S. Mine took great photos right out of the box with factory default settings after I put the lens on it
It will make you look good and you will be happy with it just like I am. It's a great P&S and and even better DSLR.--
Don