Auto Mode (7.5)
The GX-1S's Auto mode controls aperture, shutter speed, and white balance. ISO defaults to automatic, but can be manually set. Metering and autofocus patterns can be manually set, as can file resolution and quality, but image parameters including saturation, contrast, and sharpening are automated. This mode is included in the scene modes. It's called “Normal.”
Custom Image Presets (7.5)
The GX-1S has seven scene modes, including Normal. This is a reasonably sizable selection for DSLRs, and should accommodate most users graduating from compact cameras.
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Normal
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Standard full auto
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Portrait
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Reduces depth of field, may decrease sharpening
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Landscape
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Increases depth of field, sharpening, and saturation
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Macro
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Increases sharpening
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Moving Object
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Increases shutter speed to freeze motion
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Night Scene Portrait
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Combines flash with long exposure time
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Flash OFF
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Like Normal, but without flash
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One particularly nice feature on the GX-1S is that the self timer engages the mirror lockup. When users depress the shutter with the self timer on, the mirror automatically locks up and begins the countdown. This is an incredibly simple and logical feature that we wish all cameras included.
Playback Mode (7.5)
The GX-1S's playback mode benefits enormously from the camera's excellent LCD. At 2.5 inches and 210,000 pixels, it provides clear text and a very good view of images. The GX-1S can show 9 thumbnail images at a time, 1 image, full-frame, 1 image with shooting data, or an image magnified up to 12x. Images can be deleted one at a time, in groups, by selecting them from the thumbnail display, or all at once. The GX-1S also allows the user to protect images from deletion. Slideshow view displays all the images on the SD card in succession, at an interval which can be set anywhere from 3 to 30 seconds.
Movie Mode (0.0)
The GX-1S does not offer a movie mode, as conventional DSLRs are not capable of shooting video.
