White Balance

White balance (WB) is for making the white areas look white. Normally, the Auto [Auto white balance] (Ambience priority) or [Auto: White priority] (White priority) setting will obtain the correct white balance. If natural-looking colors cannot be obtained with Auto, you can select the white balance to match the light source or set it manually by shooting a white object.

In Basic Zone modes, [Auto white balance] (Ambience priority) is set automatically. ([Auto: White priority] (White priority) is set in Food mode.)

  1. Select [Shooting: White balance].

  2. Select an option.

    • Turn the Dial dial to select a white balance option.

Note

  • For [Auto white balance] and [Auto: White priority] setting instructions, see [Auto white balance] Auto White Balance.
  • To set your preferred color temperature, select [Color temperature] in [Shooting: White balance], press the [AF point selection] button, then turn the Dial dial.
(Approx.)
Display Mode Color Temperature (K: Kelvin)
Auto white balance Auto (Ambience priority) 3000–7000
Auto: White priority Auto (White priority)
Daylight Daylight 5200
Shade Shade 7000
Cloudy Cloudy, twilight, sunset 6000
Tungsten light Tungsten light 3200
White fluorescent light White fluorescent light 4000
Flash When using Flash Automatically set*
Custom Custom 2000–10000
Color temperature Color temperature 2500–10000

Applicable with Speedlites having a color temperature transmission function. Otherwise, it will be fixed to approx. 6000K.

White Balance

The human eye adapts to changes in lighting so that white objects look white under all kinds of lighting. Cameras determine white from the color temperature of lighting and, based on this, apply image processing to make color tones look natural in your shots.

[Auto white balance] Auto White Balance

With [Auto white balance] (Ambience priority), you can slightly increase the intensity of the image's warm color cast when shooting a tungsten-light scene.

If you select [Auto: White priority] (White priority), you can reduce the intensity of the image's warm color cast.

  1. Select [Shooting: White balance].

  2. Select [Auto white balance].

    • With [Auto white balance] selected, press the AF point selection button.

  3. Select an option.

Caution

  • Precautions when set to [Auto: White priority] (White priority)

  • The warm color cast of subjects may fade.
  • When multiple light sources are included in the scene, the warm color cast of the picture may not be reduced.
  • When using flash, the color tone will be the same as with [Auto white balance] (Ambience priority).

[Custom] Custom White Balance

With custom white balance, you can manually set the white balance for the specific light source of the shooting location. Make sure to perform this procedure under the light source at the actual location of the shoot.

Registration from an image on a card

  1. Shoot a white object.

    • Aim the camera at a plain white object, so that white fills the screen.
    • Set the camera to manual focus () and shoot so that the white object has standard exposure.
    • You can use any of the white balance settings.

Caution

  • Correct white balance may not be obtained if the exposure of your image differs greatly from standard exposure.
  • These images cannot be selected: images captured with the Picture Style set to [Monochrome], images that are cropped or have a Creative filter applied, or images from other cameras.

  1. Select [Shooting: Custom White Balance].

  2. Import the white balance data.

    • Use the Left keyRight key keys to select the image captured in step 1, then press the Quick Control/Set button.
    • Select [OK] to import the data.

  3. Select [Shooting: White balance].

  4. Select [Custom].

Shooting and registering white balances

  1. Press the Quick Control/Set button.

  2. Select a white balance setting.

    • Press the Up keyDown key keys for selection.

  3. Select [Shoot to set WB].

    • Turn the Dial dial to select [Custom], then press the MENU button.

  4. Shoot a white object.

    • Aim the camera at a plain white object, so that white fills the screen.
    • Set the camera to manual focus () and shoot so that the white object has standard exposure.
    • The custom white balance is registered to the camera.

Caution

  • Correct white balance may not be obtained if the exposure of your image differs greatly from standard exposure.

Note

  • Instead of shooting a white object, you can also shoot a gray card or standard 18% gray reflector (commercially available).

[Color temperature] Color Temperature

A value can be set representing the white balance color temperature.

  1. Select [Shooting: White balance].

  2. Select a color temperature.

    • With [Color temperature] selected, press the AF point selection button.

  3. Set the color temperature.

    • Turn the Dial dial to set a color temperature, then press the Quick Control/Set button.
    • The color temperature can be set from approx. 2500K to 10000K in 100K increments.

Note

  • When setting the color temperature for an artificial light source, set the white balance correction (magenta or green bias) as necessary.
  • When setting [Color temperature] to a value measured with a commercially available color temperature meter, take some test shots in advance and adjust the setting as needed to compensate for any difference between the color temperature meter and the camera.