Hi,,
Anyone have an idead about what the "Auto Shutter" ON/OFF preference on PC120 does?

I mean, of course i know what a shutter is but whats the use if theres no other option?

I have no specific knowledge of the PC120. But judging by the terminology used I suspect when it is set to ON the automatic exposure system holds the lens opening (f-stop) constant and adjusts the shutter speed according to the amount of light entering the lens? With it OFF it probably holds the shutter speed constant and adjusts the lens opening? By adjusting the lens opening you also affect you depth of field. If you don't want your depth of field to change then you would probably give preference to the shutter speed by setting the switch to ON?

This is pure speculation on my part.

Dave

welli thank you for your reply,,. i'll test the cam tommorrow according to your suggestions.

I can explain "Autoshutter" based on PC330E. Hope PC120 is similar.

When you are in Auto mode and if Autoshutter is off, the camera will not increase the shutter to very low values (i.e. 1/2000, 1/3000) but try to set exposure by closing the aperture. Hence, this mode may not be able to set exposure correctly in extremely bright areas. If Autoshutter is on, the camera will reduce the shutter to very low values (e.g. 1/3000) to set the exposure in addition to closing the aperture to cut down the amount of light entering the camera.

so theres no practical control of depth of field as i cannot control the aperature?

Sports mode in PC330 does this. This mode keeps aperture large as possible and reduce the shutter to a lower value to set the correct exposure level. I find the Sports mode better than the Portrait mode in this regard. I have given my findings on manual controls of PC330 in the following thread. PC120 may behave similar to this.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t29777.html

i got it. thank you for your replies.