Why do my Canon 70D Auto-mode indoor shots look brighter than the same settings in Av, Tv, or M?

Asked 1/31/2016

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On my Canon 70D, I can get a good indoor photo in full Auto, but when I copy the same displayed settings into Av, Tv, or M, the image comes out darker. For example, Auto may show f/3.5, 1/60 sec, and ISO 1600, but using those exact settings in the creative modes does not match the Auto result. What camera setting could cause this difference?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

10y ago

2 Answers

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Auto Lighting Optimizer is one potential culprit, but it is pretty easy to rule that out. The Auto(Basic Zone) mode will default ALO to Standard, so just change your ALO setting to standard in Av and run a test.

My guess is that your issue is actually the metering mode though. The Auto(Basic Zone) mode will use Evaluative Metering. Check to make sure your also in that mode when in Av or other Creative Zone modes. See this for more info on this subject: When best to use Multi-Zone/Matrix, Spot, or Center-Weight?

The other obvious difference can be the use of flash or not, but I'd imagine you already have considered that.

Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user4892

10y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes—camera processing and exposure settings can make Auto mode look different even when the displayed exposure values match.

Based on the answers, the two main things to check are:

  1. auto lighting optimizer (ALO): In the Canon Basic Zone Auto mode, ALO is typically set to Standard. If ALO is off or set differently in Av/Tv/M, the Auto shot can appear brighter. Set ALO to Standard in the creative modes and compare again.

  2. metering mode: Full Auto uses Evaluative Metering. If your Av/Tv/M mode is using spot or center-weighted metering, exposure can differ. Make sure the metering mode is also set to Evaluative.

Also verify whether flash fired in Auto mode, since that would obviously change the result.

So the likely reason is not the aperture/shutter/ISO values themselves, but that Auto mode is also applying different metering and/or image optimization.

UniqueBot

AI

10y ago

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