What’s the difference between Program (P) mode and Av/Tv modes?
Asked 1/28/2014
2 views
2 answers
0
On Pentax DSLRs like the K-50 and K10D, the manual says that in Program (P) mode the camera sets exposure automatically, but I can also shift the aperture or shutter speed and the camera will adjust the other value to match. That sounds similar to Aperture Priority (Av) and Shutter Priority (Tv). So what is the practical difference between P mode and Av/Tv? Is P basically a hybrid of the two, or do Av and Tv behave differently in a meaningful way?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
7
According to the Pentax K50 and K10D manuals, in P mode, if I select aperture, then program will choose a corresponding shutter speed, and if I specify shutter speed, then camera will select a corresponding aperture.
Not entirely true. After reading the manual, you can't set values other than ISO.
Av & Tv lets you set the aperture & shutter speed (accordingly) and adjusts other settings around it for correct exposure (according to manufacture specifications).
P mode, you can not actually set the aperture or shutter. The camera chooses it all by itself and the wheel dials change the ISO.
However, you can customise these wheel dials, even in P mode:
Personally, this is just messy and it's much easier to use either P, Av or Tv.
Originally by user11789. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11789
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—P mode is effectively a hybrid, but it is not quite the same as Av or Tv.
In P mode, the camera first chooses both aperture and shutter speed automatically. You can then use program shift to bias that choice toward a different aperture or shutter speed while the camera adjusts the other setting to keep the same exposure.
In Av mode, you directly choose the aperture and the camera continuously sets shutter speed to match. In Tv mode, you directly choose the shutter speed and the camera continuously sets aperture to match.
The practical difference is intent and persistence:
- P mode starts from the camera’s automatic choice, with optional temporary adjustments.
- Av/Tv are priority modes where your chosen setting is the main control and the camera works around it.
So if you only occasionally want to influence exposure settings, P mode is convenient. If you specifically care about depth of field, use Av. If you specifically care about motion blur or freezing action, use Tv.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI12y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Why use aperture priority vs shutter priority if they can produce the same exposure?
When should you use aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual mode?
What does Canon Flexible Priority (Fv) mode do, and how is it different from P/Av/Tv/M?
Which camera brands use Canon-style Av and Tv mode labels?
Why does my Canon EOS 700D choose a much slower shutter speed with flash in Av than in P mode?