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Viewfinder vs live view metering, the facts.

Started Feb 18, 2018 | Discussions
Ray UK Contributing Member • Posts: 977
Viewfinder vs live view metering, the facts.
8

There has been discussion lately about viewfinder and live view metering givin different results, a look at the cameras specification goes some way to explaining this:

80D Viewfinder metering

metering from 7,560 pixel 63 zone meter sensor
Evaluative metering linked to all AF points
Partial metering, 6% of viewfinder centre
Spot metering, 3.8% of viewfinder centre
Centre weighted average metering

80D Live view metering

metering from 24.2 megapixels image sensor
Evaluative metering 315 zones
Partial metering 6.1% of live view screen
Spot metering 2.6% of live view screen
Centre weighted average metering

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7D Mk II Viewfinder metering

metering from150,000 pixel 252 zone meter sensor
Evaluative metering linked to all AF points
Partial metering, 6% of viewfinder centre
Spot metering, 1.8% of viewfinder centre
Centre weighted average metering

7D Mk II Live view metering

metering from 20.2 megapixels image sensor
Evaluative metering 315 zones
Partial metering 10% of live view screen
Spot metering 2.6% of live view screen
Centre weighted average metering

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When photographing a scene that has various dark and light spots it stand to reason that the 2 systems may well give different results depending on where the dark and bright spots are. It looks from the above information that evaluative metering could be more error prone in this respect and centre weighted could give the more consistent results.

I think this just highlights the fact that automated metering, although good in most circumstances still requires a little intelligent input from the user.

Canon EOS 80D
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rdspear Veteran Member • Posts: 4,609
Thank you.
2

Now., how do you "fix" it so they're always the same.....

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Canon EOS 40D Canon EOS 7D Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Canon EF-S 10-22mm F3.5-4.5 USM +19 more
OP Ray UK Contributing Member • Posts: 977
Re: Thank you.

rdspear wrote:

Now., how do you "fix" it so they're always the same.....

That's easy, you get a job with Canon and re-design their cameras

Paul Stricklin Senior Member • Posts: 1,173
Re: Viewfinder vs live view metering, the facts.

Thanks for pulling it together so nicely.

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Club, Event Photographer to pay for the equipment
Nature, Landscape for the joy of life
LPS

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Canon EOS 80D Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EF-M 15-45mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM Canon EF-M 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM
Rick880 Contributing Member • Posts: 509
Re: Viewfinder vs live view metering, the facts.
1

Ray UK wrote:

I think this just highlights the fact that automated metering, although good in most circumstances still requires a little intelligent input from the user.

But is there a solution for the few people who can only operate a camera like a cookie cutter?

Dave
Dave Veteran Member • Posts: 6,231
Re: Viewfinder vs live view metering, the facts.
5

Rick880 wrote:

Ray UK wrote:

I think this just highlights the fact that automated metering, although good in most circumstances still requires a little intelligent input from the user.

But is there a solution for the few people who can only operate a camera like a cookie cutter?

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Canon EOS 80D Canon EF 135mm F2L USM Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM +10 more
WilbaW
WilbaW Forum Pro • Posts: 11,643
Re: Viewfinder vs live view metering, the facts.
1

Ray UK wrote:

I think this just highlights the fact that automated metering, although good in most circumstances still requires a little intelligent input from the user.

I would change those words around... metering just provides an input to the user, it's up to them to use it intelligently.

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Canon EOS 60D Canon EOS 7D Mark II
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