Never shoot in "P" Program mode. As smart as the camera, it cannot possibly tell what you are shooting, and what YOUR "vision" is. Put the camera in "A" Aperture mode, and select the proper aperture for the situation.
In General: Shooting people at different distances from you, select f/8 of so (but watch that your shutter speed does not drop too low)
Shooting sports, select a smaller number to isolate the subject and freeze motion.
In either case, if there is not enough light, you will need to increase the ISO a tad (or add flash)
I dream of a WORLD where the CHICKEN can cross the ROAD without its motives being questioned