Drive modes: single shot, burst and self-timer
Burst mode captures the peak moment of action; the self-timer prevents shake on a tripod. Learn which drive mode to use and when.
The drive mode controls what happens when you press the shutter: one photo, a burst of photos, or a delay before the photo. It is a small setting with a big effect.
Single shot
One press, one photo. Good for landscapes, products and deliberate portraits. It also keeps you from filling cards with near-duplicates.
Continuous or burst
The camera keeps shooting while you hold the button. Use bursts for sports, wildlife, kids, toasts and first kisses, where the best expression lasts a fraction of a second. Cameras like the α6700 and a7R V offer low, medium and high speeds; medium is often enough and keeps the viewfinder responsive.
Self-timer
A two-second timer stops the shake caused by pressing the shutter when the camera is on a tripod. It is essential for long exposures, real estate brackets and night photos if you do not have a remote.
Bracketing
Exposure bracketing takes several photos at different brightness levels for HDR blending. Set three or five frames at one-stop intervals for interiors with bright windows.
A tip for bursts
Shoot short bursts of three to five frames instead of holding the button for seconds. You will catch the peak moment without spending an hour culling.
Next: A beginner’s cheat sheet of camera settings for common situations
