Digital cameras 101

[Boxgrover]

I recently acquired a new S2. My previous camera was a Canon A40. I still am definitely a very inexperienced camera user as most of my pics with the A40 were *not*  done with manual settings....I really liked this camera...reliable and easy to use. I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed with the S2  .

I want to be sure that my S2 works as intended. Is there a checklist or an organized routine which I could do with my S2 which would verify that this camera is working as intended out of the box?

[ShutterbugGail]

There is no formal checklist or organized routine but here are some suggestions.

Find out the return policy of the store where you bought the digital camera. In some countries, you have between seven to 14 days to return a digital camera if it is faulty. After that time, you must send it in for warranty work.

So, let's say you have 14 days to return it to the store where you bought it. Give the camera a thorough work out during that time. Most recommend testing using an exposure mode other than auto mode, such as P Mode. Switch from continuous autofocus, or some other concocted proprietary focus mode, to single autofocus and make sure you know how to use the 2 step shutter release button correctly.

Take photos using every mode and setting and see if most are okay (do allow for some human error). Try the zoom lens and see if it's working or if it makes a lot of noise. Take a video and check the quality.

Also check the LCD and photos for what are known as hot pixels: a bright speck that shows in the same area of every photo. All digital cameras eventually have hot pixels when taking photos at long exposures so only be concerned if they are glaringly evident at normal exposures.

Please remember to give yourself time learning how to use the S2. People have returned theirs because they claim in doesn't focus, particularly at 12X, when in fact they just haven't taken the time to learn and understand the strong and weak points of the camera (ALL digital cameras have strong and weak points!!).