P, S, A, and M modes

In , , , and modes, you can set exposure (combination of shutter speed and f‑number) according to the shooting conditions. Also, you can achieve greater control when shooting images by setting the shooting menu options.

Shooting mode	Description
Programmed auto	You can let the camera adjust the shutter speed () and f‑number (). The combination of shutter speed and f‑number can be changed by rotating the command dial () (flexible program). While the flexible program is in effect, (flexible program mark) is displayed on the upper left of the screen (). To cancel the flexible program, rotate the command dial in the opposite direction than when you set it until is no longer displayed. It is also canceled if you change the shooting mode or turn off the camera.
Shutter-priority auto	Rotate the command dial () to set the shutter speed (). The camera automatically determines the f‑number ().
Aperture-priority auto	Rotate the multi selector () to set the f‑number (). The camera automatically determines the shutter speed ().
Manual	Set both the shutter speed () and f‑number (). Rotate the command dial () to set the shutter speed. Rotate the multi selector () to set the f‑number (Exposure indicator (when in mode)). You can use the Bulb setting or Time setting to capture images with a long time-exposure.

The allocations of the controls for setting the exposure can be changed in the setup menu [Toggle Av/Tv selection] (Toggle Av/Tv selection).

Tips for setting exposure

The sense of dynamism and amount of background defocus in subjects vary by changing the combinations of shutter speed and f‑number even if the exposure is the same.

Effect of the shutter speed

The camera can make a fast-moving subject appear static at a fast shutter speed, or highlight the motion of a moving subject at a slow shutter speed.

Faster
1/1000 s

Slower
1/30 s

Effect of the f‑number

The camera can blur the subject’s background intentionally, or bring the subject, foreground, and background into focus.

Small f-number (larger aperture)
f/2.8

Large f-number (smaller aperture)
f/8

Shutter speed and f‑number

The control range of the shutter speed differs depending on the zoom position, f‑number, or ISO sensitivity setting.
The f‑number of this camera also changes depending on the zoom position.
When zooming is performed after the exposure is set, exposure combinations or the f‑number may be changed.
Large apertures (expressed by small f-numbers) let more light into the camera, and small apertures (large f-numbers) let less light. The smallest f-number represents the largest aperture, and the largest f-number represents the smallest aperture.
The closer the lens is to the telephoto zoom position, the smaller the aperture range becomes. The f-number is fixed at f/8.0 when the zoom is in a telephoto position beyond the focal length equivalent to that of a 2800 mm lens (in 35mm [135] format).

Setting exposure when recording movies

When recording movies in , , , , or , the shutter speed and f-number that you set are not applied. When the mode dial is rotated to (Movie manual), you can set the exposure for movie recording.

Notes about setting exposure

When the subject is too dark or too bright, it may not be possible to obtain the appropriate exposure. In such cases, the shutter speed indicator or f‑number indicator flashes when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway (except when the mode is used). Change the shutter speed setting or f-number.

Exposure indicator (when in mode)

The degree of deviation between the adjusted exposure value and the optimal exposure value measured by the camera is displayed in the exposure indicator on the screen. The degree of deviation in the exposure indicator is displayed in terms of EV (-2 to +2 EV in increments of 1/3 EV).

Notes about ISO sensitivity

When [ISO sensitivity] (ISO sensitivity) is set to [Auto] (default setting) or [Fixed range auto], the ISO sensitivity in mode is fixed at ISO 100.

Functions available in , , , and modes

Flash mode (Flash mode)
Self-timer (Self-timer)
Smile timer (Smile timer)
Focus mode (Selecting the focus mode)
Exposure compensation (Exposure compensation)
Shooting menu (The shooting menu (common across shooting modes), The shooting menu (P, S, A, M, or U mode))
Functions that can be set using the button (Using the Fn (function) button)

Focus area

The focus area for autofocus varies depending on the setting in the shooting menu [AF area mode] (AF area mode). When set to [Target finding AF] (default setting), the camera detects the main subject and focuses on it. If a human face is detected, the camera automatically sets focus priority on it.

The control range of the shutter speed (P, S, A, and M modes)

The control range of the shutter speed differs depending on the zoom position, f‑number, or ISO sensitivity setting. Additionally, the control range changes in the following continuous shooting settings.

Setting		Control range (second)
ISO sensitivity¹	Auto², Fixed range auto²	1/4000^{3, 4}–1 s (, , and modes) 1/4000^{3, 4}–30 s ( mode)⁵
	ISO 100	1/4000^{3, 4}–8 s (, , and modes) 1/4000^{3, 4}–30 s ( mode)⁵
	ISO 200	1/4000^{3, 4}–4 s (, , and modes) 1/4000^{3, 4}–8 s ( mode)
	ISO 400	1/4000^{3, 4}–4 s
	ISO 800	1/4000^{3, 4}–2 s
	ISO 1600	1/4000^{3, 4}–1 s
	ISO 3200	1/4000^{3, 4}–1/2 s
	ISO 6400	1/4000^{3, 4}–1/2 s
Continuous	Continuous H, Continuous L	1/4000^{3, 4}–1/30 s
	Pre-shooting cache, Continuous H: 120 fps	1/4000–1/125 s
	Continuous H: 60 fps	1/4000–1/60 s
	Intvl timer shooting	Same as when [Single] is set

The ISO sensitivity setting is restricted depending on the continuous shooting setting (Functions that cannot be used simultaneously when shooting).
In mode, the ISO sensitivity is fixed at ISO 100.
The maximum shutter speed when the f‑number is set to the largest value (smallest aperture) at the maximum wide-angle zoom position. The closer the zoom position is to telephoto, or the smaller the f‑number (larger aperture) is, the slower the maximum shutter speed becomes.
The exposure may vary when capturing the same subject multiple times with a shutter speed faster than 1/2000 second.
Bulb setting and Time setting (Shooting with the Bulb setting or Time setting (when in M mode)) are available.