Nikon cameras have four modes you can choose. Automatic is the fifth mode and is just a point and shoot mode; I will not write much about it since you don’t need it and is not available on higher-end Nikon cameras. I will list the four modes below:
- Programmed Auto
- Shutter-Priority Auto
- Aperture-Priority Auto
- Manual
On Nikon cameras, these modes are listed as P, S, A, and M.
With Program mode the camera will select the aperture and shutter speed. With Nikon cameras, you can spin the dial and use flexible Program mode. This will lower the aperture down or up it depending on which way you rotate the dial. Typically, I have found Nikon cameras try to select F/8 for the aperture. This can change a lot, depending on what ISO you use. This mode is pretty good if you want the camera to handle standard stuff such as landscapes and other things that don’t have a lot of movement.
With Shutter mode, you select the shutter speed, and the camera will choose the aperture. Shutter mode is excellent if you are shooting action shots.
In Aperture mode you select the aperture, and the camera will choose the shutter speed. This mode is suitable if you want to control your depth of field. I typically use this mode since I mostly shoot landscapes and portraits on occasion, so this mode works for my workflow.
Last, there is Manual mode. You select both aperture and shutter speed. This mode is excellent if you want total control of everything. I think most of the time, manual is not necessary. The only time I use manual mode is when I do night photography or flash photography. Some new photographers believe that shooting in manual mode all the time is the best way. I think this is unnecessary since it can slow you down. It is crucial to be able to get the shot asap, and if you always have to adjust your camera, you can lose the shot.
With all these modes, you can adjust your exposure compensation on the camera. You hold down the exposure button and flick the dial to overexpose or underexpose. You do have to remember to change it back because all future shots with be over or underexposed. The Automatic mode does have the advantage in that it turns off the ability to use exposure compensation so you cannot mess up your shots.