1. READ YOUR CAMERA MANUAL before taking any photographs.

2. Check your batteries. Make sure to either recharge or replace them if you haven’t used your camera as yet or for an extended period. (highly recommend recharable batteries)

3. Insert your storage media card in the appropriate slot. If you forget to insert your media card, you’ll get a "No Card" message.

4. Remove the lens cap.

5. Turn the camera on by either an on-off switch or a sliding lens cover.

6. Turn off the LCD. (See your camera manual for instructions)

7. Make sure your camera is set for automatic mode. Set the image quality to the size image desired–HQ (high quality) or less (to take more pictures on the same card).

8. Bring the camera up to your eye and look through the viewfinder. Positioning the target mark in the center of the viewfinder on your subject will assure that it will be in focus.

9. Push the zoom lever toward W (wide angle) to shoot wide-angle shots or push it toward the T (telephoto) to zoom in.

10. Press the shutter button half way down gently and confirm that the green light next to the viewfinder is illuminated.

11. Press the shutter button all the way down. You’ll hear a beep when you take a picture. Wait until the green light stops flashing before taking another one. Remember, digital cameras have a slight delay that traditional cameras don’t since it takes a second to save the image to your camera’s storage media card. Your new photograph should appear on your camera’s LCD screen.

12. Turn off the camera.

TIPS:

1. Use the viewfinder to compose your photograph, not the LCD screen, which will severely drain your battery power. Use your LCD screen only when shooting close-up photographs.

2. Hold your camera steady. Sometimes, the least amount of movement will cause your photo to be slightly blurred. Purchase a very small tripod so that you can provide extra stability for your camera. Also, if there isn’t enough light (indoors or outdoors), make sure to use your camera’s flash.

3. Experiment with your camera’s features and take notes so that you can learn what works for you. Do this before you plan to use it for an important family event or trip.

Digital Photography Versus Film

So which is better, digital photography or film? Compare the advantages of each:

Digital Photography Advantages
• Digital cameras are usually smaller than film cameras.
• Digital cameras can embed metadata into the image file (time, date, camera settings, etc.).
• Digital image files can be backed up and copied.
• Digital images can be altered with editing software for specific effects.
• Digital photography enables you to experiment without concern for time or the cost of developing flawed pictures.
• Digital printing can be done from a home computer with either a standard or digital printer.
• LCD screens on digital cameras allow for instant picture review and deletion.
• Many digital cameras have AV-out capabilities for television viewing.
• Photographers can print certain pictures and not others.
• Some digital cameras allow you to lock files to avoid accidental deletion.

Advantages of Film Cameras
• Film cameras are less expensive than digital cameras of the same quality.
• Film cameras are more durable in outdoor environments and adverse conditions.
• Film cameras can work without batteries.
• Film is harder to manipulate than digital images, ensuring the integrity of the original images.
• Some film types (infrared film, for example) have no digital counterpart.