Overview

Learn the basics of how to operate many of the commonly-used features of your point-and-shoot digital camera.

What Do All These Camera Buttons Do?

You've just bought a digital camera and turned it on, excited about all the fantastic photos you're going to take. And then you see them: a collection of buttons and corresponding menus that control different camera modes, focus, flash, and a whole host of other options. Even if you're a photography novice, don't be overwhelmed. Let's start with the basics.

Before we begin, it's a good idea to have your camera's manual available for additional reference. Different cameras vary in the way that controls are accessed, and the manual will give you specific directions on how to use the various settings we're about to cover.