Exposure; Metering - Nikon D5100 Reference Manual

Exposure

Metering

Choose how the camera sets exposure in P, S, A, and M modes (in other modes, the
camera selects the metering method automatically).
Method
Produces natural results in most situations. Camera uses 420-pixel RGB sensor
to meter a wide area of the frame and set exposure according to tone
Matrix
L
distribution, color, composition, and, with type G or D lenses (0 198), distance
metering
information (3D color matrix metering II; with other CPU lenses, the camera uses
color matrix metering II, which does not include 3D distance information).
Center- Camera meters entire frame but assigns greatest weight to center area. Classic
M meter for portraits; recommended when using filters with an exposure factor
weighted
metering (filter factor) over 1×.
Camera meters current focus point; use to meter off-center subjects (if e Auto-
Spot area AF is selected for AF-area mode during viewfinder photography as
t
N
described on page 42, camera will meter center focus point). Ensures that subject
metering
will be correctly exposed, even when background is much brighter or darker.
1
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button.
Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.
2
Display metering options.
Highlight the current metering method in the
information display and press J.
3
Choose a metering method.
Highlight an option and press J. To return to
shooting mode, press the shutter-release button
halfway.
68
Information display
Description
P button