Exposure Compensation

Exposure compensation can brighten (increased exposure) or darken (decreased exposure) the standard exposure set by the camera.

Exposure compensation is available in Program AE, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, and Manual exposure modes. For details on exposure compensation when Manual exposure mode and ISO Auto are both set, see Exposure Compensation with ISO Auto.

  1. Check the exposure.

    • Press the shutter button halfway and check the exposure level indicator.

  2. Set the compensation amount.

    Increased exposure, to brighten images

    Decreased exposure, to darken images

    • Set with the Quick control dial dial.
    • The exposure compensation range is ±3 stops in Live View shooting, movie recording, and when [Display level settings: Shooting screen] is set to [Guided].
    • The exposure compensation range is ±5 stops in viewfinder shooting when [Display level settings: Shooting screen] is set to [Standard].
    • The exposure compensation amount displayed in the viewfinder goes up to only ±2 stops.

  3. Take the picture.

    • To cancel exposure compensation, set the exposure level to the standard exposure index Standard exposure index.

Caution

  • If [Shooting: Auto Lighting Optimizer] () is set to any setting other than [Disable], the image may still look bright even if a decreased exposure compensation for a darker image is set.

Note

  • Setting the power switch to Power off clears any compensation amount that was set. To retain the setting even after the power switch is set to Power off, set [5: Exposure comp. auto cancel] in [Set-up: Custom Functions(C.Fn)] to [1:Disable].
  • [Left end of the exposure level indicator] or [Right end of the exposure level indicator] is shown at the ends of the exposure level indicator if the exposure compensation amount exceeds ±3 stops (or in the viewfinder, ±2 stops).
  • To set compensation beyond ±2 stops, consider using the Quick Control () screen or [Shooting: Exposure comp./AEB setting] ().