Auto Mode
The auto mode is easily accessible on the main mode dial and works just like it should – automatically. Once it is activated, users can choose to change some settings such as exposure compensation, but all essential shooting settings work amply in auto mode, making the SD500 an easy to use point-and-shoot digital camera.

Movie Mode
The Canon PowerShot SD500 has an impressive movie mode that offers three resolution sizes – 640 x 480, 320 x 240, and 160 x 120 at 30 frames per second. Like the previous PowerShot SD200 and SD300, the SD500 offers a Fast Frame Rate movie feature that records motion video at 60 frames per second at 320 x 240 resolution. The Fast Frame video recording function will capture up to 1 minute of video. Like most digital cameras, there is no optical zoom available while recording in movie mode. While digital zoom is offered, and somewhat of a progression from previous movie modes, who's really willing to sacrifice video quality for a magnified perspective? Movies can be played back with audio in the camera in several ways. They can be viewed frame by frame, in slow motion, or normally.

Drive / Burst Mode
Reaching 2 frames per second, the Canon PowerShot SD500 has an average burst rate. While it doesn’t reach the 3-frame-per-second pace that some compact cameras pack, it’s still faster than many lower-end compact models.

Playback Mode
The Playback mode is easy to find on the SD500, as it is situated on the main mode dial. Once it is selected, users can view single images, automatically rotated to the correct direction via Canon’s Intelligent Orientation technology. The individual frames can then be viewed closely with the playback zoom. Histograms are also available to check lighting and exposure. The camera can locate image files according to date or file type (JPEG or MPEG-4). The pictures can be viewed in 9-thumbnail index slides, played back normally, frame by frame, or in slow motion with sound. The clips, which are only limited to the capacity of the memory card, can even be edited in-camera. In the Playback mode, the following menu options are available: Protect, Rotate, Sound Memo, Erase All, Slide Show, Print Order, and Transfer Order.

Custom Image Presets
There are six selectable scene modes included on the Canon SD500. Most point-and-shoot digital cameras in the same price range generally offer about 10 scenes and some even reach 20. This likely reflects the SD500’s appeal to more engaged consumers who prefer more control and rely less on presets. The SD500 does include night and portrait scene modes, but lacks the fundamental landscape mode. The following scene modes are available: Digital Macro, Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor and Underwater.