Nikon Camera D3300 Reference Manual

101
P, S, A, and M Modes
A
Shutter Speed and Aperture
Shutter speed and aperture are shown in the viewfinder and 
information display.
Shutter speed
Aperture
Fast shutter speeds (
1/1600
s in this 
example) freeze motion. Slow shutter speeds (here 1 s) blur 
motion.
Large apertures (such as f/5.6; 
remember, the lower the f-number, 
the larger the aperture) blur details  in front of and behind the main  subject. Small apertures (f/22 in this case) 
bring both background and  foreground into focus. 

102P, S, A, and M Modes
Mode 
P (Programmed Auto)
This mode is recommended 
for snapshots or whenever 
you want to leave the camera 
in charge of shutter speed and 
aperture.
 The camera 
automatically adjusts shutter 
speed and aperture for 
optimal exposure in most 
situations.
To take pictures in programmed auto mode, rotate the mode 
dial to  P.
Mode dial 

103
P, S, A, and M Modes
A
Flexible Program
In mode  P, different combinations of shutter speed and aperture can 
be selected by rotating the command dial (“flexible program”).
 Rotate 
the dial right for large apertures (low f-numbers) and fast shutter 
speeds, left for small apertures (high f-numbers) and slow shutter 
speeds.
 All combinations produce the same exposure.
Rotate right to blur background details or 
freeze motion.
Command dial
Rotate left to increase  depth of field or blur 
motion....

104P, S, A, and M Modes
Mode 
S (Shutter-Priority Auto)
This mode lets you control shutter speed: choose fast shutter 
speeds to “freeze” motion, slow shutter speeds to suggest 
motion by blurring moving objects.
 The camera automatically 
adjusts aperture for optimal exposure.
To choose a shutter speed:
1
Rotate the mode dial to  S.Fast shutter speeds (e.g., 
1/1600
s) 
freeze motion.  Slow shutter speeds (e.g., 1 s) blur 
motion.
Mode dial 

105
P, S, A, and M Modes
2
Choose a shutter speed.
Rotate the command dial to choose 
the desired shutter speed: rotate right 
for faster speeds, left for slower 
speeds.
Command dial 

106P, S, A, and M Modes
Mode 
A (Aperture -Priority Auto)
In this mode, you can adjust aperture to control depth of field 
(the distance in front of and behind the main subject that 
appears to be in focus).
 The camera automatically adjusts 
shutter speed for optimal exposure.
To choose an aperture:
1
Rotate the mode dial to  A.
Large apertures (low f-numbers, e.g. 
f/5.6) blur details in front of and  behind the main subject. Small apertures (high f-numbers, e.g. 
f/22) bring the foreground and...

107
P, S, A, and M Modes
2
Choose an aperture.
Rotate the command dial left for 
larger apertures (lower f-numbers), 
right for smaller apertures (higher f-
numbers).
Command dial 

108P, S, A, and M Modes
Mode 
M (Manual)
In manual mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture.
 
Shutter speeds of “Bulb” and “Time ” are available for long time-
exposures of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks 
( 0 110).1
Rotate the mode dial to  M.
Mode dial 

109
P, S, A, and M Modes
2
Choose aperture and shutter speed.
Checking the exposure indicator (see below), adjust shutter 
speed and aperture.
 Shutter speed is selected by rotating the 
command dial (right for faster speeds, left for slower).
 To  
adjust aperture, keep the  E (N ) button pressed while 
rotating the command dial (left for larger apertures/lower 
f-numbers and right for smaller apertures/higher f-numbers).
Shutter speed
Command dial
Aperture
E (N ) button Command dialAThe Exposure...

110P, S, A, and M Modes
Long Time-Exposures (M Mode Only)Select the following shutter speeds for 
long time-exposures of moving lights, 
the stars, night scenery, or fireworks.
•Bulb ( A ): The shutter remains open 
while the shutter-release button is 
pressed all the way down.
 To prevent 
blur, use a tripod or an optional 
wireless remote controller ( 0308) or 
remote cord ( 0309).
• Time ( &): Start the exposure using the shutter-release button 
on the camera or on an optional remote control, remote...