Auto Mode (7.0)
The Sony DSC-F828 performed well in automatic mode, making appropriate, timely, and accurate adjustments to focus, white balance, exposure, and shutter speed. By turning the mode dial to the green SLR camera icon, the Sony DSC-F828 will be set to perform automatically.
A secondary semi-automatic mode, program auto, automatically adjusts shutter speed and aperture according the brightness of an image. Additionally, these settings, and others, can be adjusted manually through the menu.
These modes are great for the point-and-shoot photographer, or the novice just getting used to a bigger, potentially more intimidating camera. The automatic modes were easy to control, and newbies can rest assured that the camera will generally make good decisions.
Program Auto-- Program auto allows the Sony DSC-F828 to automatically adjust the aperture and shutter speed of the image according the scene’s brightness. To utilize program auto, users can twist the mode dial on top of the camera to the “P.” While in program auto, users can further adjust manual settings, an option not available in full automatic mode.
Movie Mode (7.5)
I have about as much respect and use for movie modes on digital cameras as I have use and respect for still modes on camcorders. They are an included gadget that some users find useful. But as far as quality goes, don't expect too much. For ease of use, now that's another story. Users simply have to switch the mode dial to the movie mode, indicated (ironically) by a frame of celluloid. Movies are recorded in MPEG1 format, and are saved to the storage media of choice (CF or MemoryStick). Movies can be saved as 640 x 480 at 30 fps, 640 x 480 at 16 fps, and 160 x 112 at 8 fps. Users are only limited by storage space.
Drive / Burst Mode (6.0)
The Sony DSC-F828 has three burst (successive image shooting) modes: speed burst, framing burst, and multiburst. Speed burst can be accessed in any photo mode and, according to the Sony manual, shortens the between frame interval to 0.38/second. These images are not displayed on the screen after the photos are taken. The second mode, framing burst, displays the images on the screen, and has a slightly slower interval between frames at 0.42/second. Multiburst mode allows users to take 16 pictures in succession. The time interval between images can be selected from the menu when in multiburst mode, with times including 1/7.5, 1/15, and 1/30.
Both of these modes are accessed by pressing the “rectangle”/BRK button on the left side of the lens barrel. Switching between the two modes is as easy as rotating the black command dial once in “burst” mode. Burst modes are represented by a stack of rectangles with an “S” inside for speed burst, an “F” for framing burst, and an “M” for multiburst.
Placement of the buttons is good, making access a no-brainer, but the burst modes themselves are a bit overrated on a non-SLR camera. It’s more like three frame grabs from several seconds of video than a real burst of individual photos. The mode may serve a purpose for some, but if users are looking for burst modes, head over to the digital SLR section. Just beware the sticker shock.
Playback Mode (7.5)
In order to play images back, the mode dial must be set to the playback mode, indicated by a white rectangle surrounding a solid white “play” triangle. Once in playback mode, users can access photo files and scroll through the pictures on file by using the joystick/multi-selector. By pressing the menu button above the LCD when in playback mode, a series of options appear at the bottom of the LCD. They are, from left to right: folder, protect, DPOF, print, slide, resize, rotate, divide. Each menu option has its own icon, although they are somewhat cryptic. The icon ready for selection will have its name displayed above it, justified to the left. Images can be zoomed in on as well as viewed in thumbnail form. To zoom, users simply press the button below the magnifying lens icon. To delete items, simply select delete from the menu options available when menu is pressed during playback mode. The self-timer button doubles as the thumbnail view button, and allows for thumbnails to be scrolled through within the menu.
This playback mode is easy to navigate around within, as the playback mode is essentially another super easy to use menu.
Custom Image Presets (3.5)
The Sony DSC-F828 has four scene modes including twilight, twilight portrait, landscape, and portrait. These are accessed when the mode dial atop the camera is set to SCN. When in this mode, the menu button will give access to the specific scenes (with icons only). With the joystick, users can select the scene they would like to take photos in. Compared to other digital cameras on the market, especially below US $1,000, the available scene modes are pretty pathetic. But this isn't a camera for the point-and-shoot consumer, and with some practice and set up time any scene mode can be replicated with the available manual controls.
