Camera Metering Modes Explained: Spot, Center-Weighted, Evaluative
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Learn what is metering mode on a camera and how spot metering mode, center-weighted, and evaluative metering mode work. Includes Canon, Nikon, and Sony metering modes, practical recipes, and a simple workflow.
What is metering mode on a camera
Metering tells the camera where and how to measure light to set or suggest exposure.
Choosing the right pattern helps avoid washed skies, blocked shadows, and off skin tones.
The core camera metering modes are evaluative, center-weighted, and spot.
Evaluative metering mode (Matrix, Multi)
Often the default. The camera samples many zones, considers the active focus point and sometimes face detection, then recommends a balanced exposure.
Best for
Mixed or average scenes, travel, street, everyday portraits
Backlit portraits when exposure links to the focus point
Watch for
Can protect highlights and darken subjects. If faces are dim, add +0.3 to +1.0 exposure compensation.
Center-weighted metering mode
Reads the whole frame with emphasis near the center. It is simpler than evaluative and very predictable.
Best for
Static portraits, products on seamless, interviews on a tripod
Scenes where the subject stays near the middle
Watch for
Reframing after metering can shift brightness. Use AE-L to lock exposure or meter again after composing.
Spot metering mode
Measures a very small area around the focus point or center, usually 1 to 5 percent of the frame. It exposes for that spot.
Best for
Concerts and stage lighting, subjects under a spotlight
Birds against bright sky, moon shots, small subjects in high contrast
Snow, sand, or strong backlight where you need precision
How to use
Place the spot on a mid-tone area of the subject, half-press to meter, lock exposure, recompose, shoot.
Metered from lighter than mid-tone → reduce exposure slightly.
Metered from darker than mid-tone → increase slightly.
Camera metering modes overview
Use this table as a summary of the definitions above.
Mode | How it measures | Best for | Watch for | How to use |
Evaluative (Matrix, Multi) | Many zones across the frame, often considers focus point and faces | Travel, street, everyday portraits, general mixed scenes; backlit portraits when AF linkage is active | Can darken subjects to protect bright skies | Start here. If faces look dim, add +0.3 to +1.0 exposure compensation |
Center-weighted | Whole frame with emphasis on the central area | Static portraits, product, interviews, subjects near the middle | Reframing after metering can shift exposure | Meter, press AE-L to lock, then compose and shoot |
Spot | Tiny area around AF point or center, about 1–5% of the frame | Stage lights, birds against sky, moon, snow or sand, strong backlight | Exposure jumps if the spot moves off the target | Put the spot on a mid-tone on the subject, lock exposure, reframe, shoot |
Camera metering modes by brand (Canon, Nikon, Sony)
Brand | Mode names you will see | Default behavior | Tips |
Canon metering modes | Evaluative, Partial, Spot, Center-weighted average | Evaluative links exposure to AF point on many bodies | Partial is a larger spot, useful for faces; try Face Detect with Evaluative for portraits |
Nikon metering modes | Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot, Highlight-weighted | Matrix is intelligent and often protects skin | Highlight-weighted is great for concerts and events with spotlights |
Sony metering modes | Multi, Center, Spot (Standard or Large), Entire Screen Avg, Highlight | Multi is like evaluative, ties into face/eye AF | Entire Screen Avg gives stable exposure for video and interviews |
Menu path varies by camera. Look for the metering icon in the quick menu or Custom 1 settings. On many models you can assign metering to a custom button for fast switching.
Camera metering modes in practice: a simple workflow
Start safe
Begin with Evaluative or Multi for general use. Confirm your focus point is on the subject.
Check for bias
If faces are a little dark, add +0.3 to +0.7 EC (exposure compensation). If the sky is losing color, try −0.3 to −1.0.
Escalate to precision
For extreme contrast or small subjects, switch to spot metering mode, meter on a mid-tone area of the subject, lock exposure, then compose.
Stabilize when needed
Use Center-weighted for static scenes on a tripod or product shots where the subject sits near center.
Lock and shoot
Learn AE-L (Automatic Exposure Lock). Meter, lock, reframe, shoot. This prevents the reading from changing as you compose.
Common mistakes and easy fixes
Everything looks a bit dark on bright days
Evaluative tries to protect highlights. Add +0.3 to +0.7 EC or meter closer to the subject.
Subject is a silhouette against the sky
Use Spot on the subject, add positive EC if needed.
Snow and sand look gray
Add +1.0 to +1.7 EC in Evaluative or use Spot on mid-tone.
Exposure jumps when you recompose
Use AE-L to lock the reading before reframing. Or use Center-weighted for more stable behavior.
FAQs
What is metering mode on a camera?
It controls where the camera reads light to decide exposure.
Which mode should I leave on by default?
Evaluative, Matrix, or Multi. It balances most scenes and works with subject detection.
When should I switch to spot metering mode?
Use Spot for small subjects or extreme contrast, like stage lighting or birds in the sky.
Is center-weighted still useful?
Yes. It is predictable for centered subjects and tripod work.
Start with evaluative for balance, use center-weighted when you want stability in centered scenes, and switch to spot for precision in high-contrast situations. Assign metering mode and AE-L (Automatic Exposure Lock) to custom buttons so you can adapt quickly in the field.
