The Mode Dial Notes

• used on digital cameras to change the camera's mode
• allows you to have access to manual settings
• the mode dial is located next to the flash or viewfinder hump
• less standard on point-and-shoot cameras 
• on thin cameras, located on the back linked with menu or navigation button
• manual modes: Manual (M), Program (P), Shutter priority (S), Aperture priority (A)
• automatic modes: Auto, Action, Portrait, Night portrait, Landscape, Macro
• SLR cameras have few manual modes and many automatic modes
• point-and-shoot and SLR-like digital cameras usually have a movie mode to capture videos
• manual modes include: 
• P: program mode offers the photographer partial control over shutter speed and aperture
• A: aperture value allows the photographer to control the aperture, while the shutter speed and ISO sensitivity are controlled by camera
• Sv: Sensitivity value allows the photographer to control the ISO sensitivity, while aperture and shutter speed are calculated by the camera
• M: manual mode allows the photographer to control shutter speed, aperture and ISO independently.
• In automatic modes the camera determines all aspects of exposure, choosing exposure parameters according to the application within the constraints of correct exposure
• Action or sport mode increases ISO and uses a fast shutter speed to capture action.
• Landscape mode uses a small aperture to gain depth of field
• Portrait mode widens the aperture to throw the background out of focus. 
• Night portrait mode uses an exposure long enough to capture background detail, with fill-in-flash to illuminate a nearby subject.