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Metering modes
Automatic exposure is a standard feature on all digital cameras. The metering system measures the amount of light in a frame and determines the best exposure. Many cameras have more than one metering mode and each evaluates a scene in a different way.
Center-weighted metering
Currently the most common digital camera metering system. Center-weighted is the metering system of choice on digicams that do not offer other metering modes.
Exposure metering is averaged over the entire frame with emphasis placed on the central area. Used for general and portrait photography.
Matrix (evaluative) metering
A complex metering system whereby a scene is split up into a series of zones. Overall exposure is based on evaluating each zone individually and taking an average of the total light readings.
Spot metering
Spot metering covers just under 4% of the viewfinder area. It takes a precise exposure reading only at the very center of the frame and disregards the rest. A spot meter is used when a subject is backlit or has bright light upon it and the background is dark, ie. when there are extremes in brightness in a scene.
Spot metering can also be useful for macro photography.
Partial metering
Partial metering is similar to spot metering but covers a larger area of the viewfinder, about 13.5%. It is useful for taking portrait photos when the subject is backlit. Underexposure is minimized by metering on the face.
Both spot and partial metering are considered advanced settings. They give the skilled photographer more control over exposure than do matrix and center-weighted metering.
