I'm only 4 weeks into a camera that has more than a set ISO100 and only having a couple of clicks +/- on exposure as settings. I think I am/was confused on what ISO settings are and just assumed you always wanted low outside/lot of light and higher inside/lower light. Thus, I have been setting in P and forcing ISO high for inside and low outside. Occasionally, I specifically set the shutter speed faster because anything slower than 1/10000000000000 and my 4 year old is just a blur going by
. Seems my camera, since it is an inexpensive non-dSLR but with manual control, only likes to keep the largest aperture (f/3.5).
I think ISO and what you want to set is starting to click in my head for me now. It's not as simple as low for good light and high for low light. I think the correct ISO will allow me to make more adjustment on aperture and shutter speed, so I'm going to start paying attention to the histogram and play more with manual mode.
As far as focus, it's complete auto for me. I have to remove my camera from my eye to either use both hands holding one button while working the zoom control to manual focus or cramp my right hand up to be able to hold the button with one finger while working the focus control with another. Both "techniques" pull the camera away from it's shooting position and would mess it up anyways. Fine maybe for using a tripod, but since I'm looking into the viewfinder, it makes it difficult to see what I'm focusing on when it's away from my face to be able to hit the controls.