Exposure, color and light conditions
Good exposure for your photos requires the right amount of light. The camera automatically detects and adjusts to ambient light conditions.
Different exposures are required, for example, when taking photos of faces, moving objects or in low light.
You can also record videos in HDR to add brightness and contrast for a more realistic effect. See To record a video in HDR.
Optimizing light conditions
- Look for light with direction and color that gives a scene shape and depth. This type of light occurs just before sunrise and at sunset. Natural light from a window is also good.
- For higher quality photos in low light, you need to keep the camera steady. You can place the camera on a solid surface and use the self-timer.
- Even if light conditions are poor, try to take photos with and without the flash. Sometimes the quality is better without the flash.
To use the flash
- When using the camera, tap the flash icon displayed on the screen, for example
(Auto flash icon). - If required, change the flash setting.
- Press the camera key or tap the shutter button to take a photo or record a video.
Note
Available settings depend on the capturing mode selected.
Hint
When the background is brighter than the object, use Fill flash to remove unwanted dark shadows.
Color, brightness and exposure value
Your camera automatically adjusts the color, brightness and exposure value by detecting the light conditions and estimating the color temperature of ambient light. Digital cameras can only estimate the color temperature, so you may need to adjust the settings to get it correct.
If you experience yellow-colored photos in indoor environments or bluish photos when using the flash, try adjusting the color.
To achieve better exposures in low-light environments, change the brightness for photos and videos. If you are using Manual mode for photos, change the exposure value.
To adjust the color and brightness
- When using the camera, tap
(Color and brightness icon). - Drag the sliders to adjust the color and brightness.
- Press the camera key or tap the shutter button to take a photo or record a video.
- Tap
(Cancel icon) to reset and close the color setting.
To adjust the exposure value
- When using the camera, tap Mode >
(Manual mode icon). - Tap EV and drag the slider to adjust the exposure value.
- Close the settings menu. The setting is saved.
- Press the camera key or tap the shutter button to take a photo.
Shutter speed
Shutter speed refers to how long the shutter is open and the camera sensor is exposed to light.
A fast shutter speed helps to freeze motion, while a slow shutter speed can create an effect called "motion blur", where moving objects appear blurred along their line of motion.
The shutter speed is automatically adjusted, but it can also be set manually. You can set an exposure of up to 30 seconds to enjoy more creative control over your photos.
To adjust the shutter speed
- When using the camera, tap Mode > (Manual mode icon).
- Tap SS and drag the slider to adjust the shutter speed.
- Close the settings menu. The setting is saved.
- Press the camera key or tap the shutter button to take the photo.
Note
This setting is only available for the main camera.
ISO
ISO determines how sensitive your camera is to light. A low ISO number means lower sensitivity, and a high ISO number means higher sensitivity. Higher sensitivity can add blur to your photos.
Choose a higher ISO value when taking photos of moving objects or when taking photos in low light without the flash.
If there is too much light, use the lowest ISO setting to achieve a higher image quality.
ISO is automatically adjusted when taking photos and videos.
To adjust the ISO value
- When using the camera, tap Mode > (Manual mode icon).
- Tap ISO and drag the slider to adjust the ISO value.
- Close the settings menu. The setting is saved.
- Press the camera key or tap the shutter button to take a photo.
Note
This setting is only available for the main camera.
Strong backlight (HDR)
Strong backlight (HDR) is automatically adjusted when taking photos. You can also adjust for strong backlight manually in Manual mode.
To adjust towards a strong backlight
- When using the camera, tap Mode > (Manual mode icon).
- Tap
(HDR icon) and select On. - Press the camera key or tap the shutter button to take a photo.
HDR video recording
Enable HDR (High Dynamic Range) to make your videos appear more dramatic and closer to what you see in real life.
To record a video in HDR
- When using the camera, swipe the screen to select
(Record icon). - Tap (HDR icon) and select On.
Note
This setting is only available when 
(Settings icon) > Video size is set to 4K or Full HD.
White balance
White balance is automatically adjusted when taking photos and videos. In
To adjust the white balance
- When using the camera, tap Mode > (Manual mode icon).
- Tap WB and select one of the pre-defined light conditions, for example
(Cloudy white balance icon). - Close the settings menu. The setting is saved.
- Press the camera key or tap the shutter button to take a photo.
White balance settings
 | (Auto white balance icon) Adjust the color balance automatically |
| (Cloudy white balance icon) Adjust the color balance for a cloudy sky |
 | (Daylight white balance icon) Adjust the color balance for sunny outdoor conditions |
 | (Fluorescent white balance icon) Adjust the color balance for fluorescent lighting |
 | (Incandescent white balance icon) Adjust the color balance for warm lighting conditions, such as under light bulbs |
Optimizing exposure
Exposure metering measures the amount of light that strikes an object, to optimize exposure.
Exposure metering is automatically adjusted when taking photos and videos. You can adjust the exposure manually in Manual mode, for example for a specific part of a photo.
To adjust the exposure with metering
- When using the camera, tap Mode > (Manual mode icon).
- Tap (Settings icon) > Metering.
- Select an exposure option and close the settings menu. The setting is saved.
- Press the camera key or tap the shutter button to take a photo.
Note
This setting is only available for the main camera.
Metering settings
Face
Measures the amount of light on a face, and adjusts the exposure so that the face is neither too dark nor too bright
Multi
Divides the image into several parts, and measures each part to optimize the exposure
Center
Determines the center of the image, and sets the exposure based on the brightness of the object
Spot
Adjusts the exposure for a very small part of the object