Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 User Manual page 75

Here we routinely use the feature called exposure compensation to
counter act the way the camera has reacted to this scene.
(●)
is the symbol for the multiple area method
Centre weighted. When we know that the central area of the image is the
most important area from which to evaluate the exposure without the
result being influenced by brighter, or darker, areas outside this central
area we can use this method to our advantage for example if shooting a
portrait of someone or where there is a predominance of sky in a
landscape scene.
( ) is the symbol for the centre weighted method
Centre weighted metering
Spot Metering. Spot metering uses a very small central area from which
the camera evaluates the exposure.
It is very much dependent upon the placement of the cross hair sighting
as to how the camera evaluates the exposure.
It is extremely useful if the subject is relatively small in relation to its
surroundings which may influence centre weighted readings.
For example if you were to be photographing the moon both multiple area
and centre weighted methods would force the moon to be a white orb,
rather than have rich detail.
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