Sony Don't you find the JPEG pictures too dark (except in Auto mode)?

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Hello guys,

I've recently bought the rx100 and I find that the JPEG pictures are too dark when using another mode than the automatic one.
For instance:
- outdoor portait in automatic mode (portrait) => good result (in my opinion)
- same one in A mode (same speed, aperture, focal) => too dark

I guess the internal post-processing enhances the colors, contrast, etc in Auto mode and not in A/P/M modes.
I should maybe try using the raw format but I'm not such an advanced user yet.
Have you noticed the same?

(Excuse me if any mistakes, I'm French).
 
It could be ISO, too. That is the only other parameter that is set by the photographer in A/P/M modes that is camera controlled in Auto. Check the EXIF data or share the photos here if you want. If you are truly using the exact same setting in Aperture Priority mode that the camer seselcted in Auto mode, the exposure should be the same (unless the lighting changed)
 
you can test it by shooting the same scene twice, once in auto and once in PASM (preferably indoors to avoid things like moving clouds changing the scene). If you then compare the ISO, shutter speed and aperture, you'll know if it's the camera settings that are different, or the way the jpeg engine works in different shooting modes.

I think it's probably one of the camera settings, since the jpeg settings usually also apply to PASM modes. If it's not exposure compensation or ISO, you might also want to check your metering mode; I don't know the RX100, but it's probably in multi metering when you use auto, and it might be another mode in PASM.
 
If it's not exposure compensation or ISO, you might also want to check your metering mode; I don't know the RX100, but it's probably in multi metering when you use auto, and it might be another mode in PASM.

I agree - I've just tested this on my RX100, and this is exactly what happened when I set the camera set to spot metering in a PASM mode, and switched to auto mode. In auto mode, spot metering is suspended until the PASM modes are re-selected.
 
Thank you for your interesting answers.
In PASM, I used multi metering and no exposure compensation.
Here is an example I quickly shot to illustrate the issue.

1st picture is taken using Auto mode. Colors looks warmer than in 2nd one.

DSC00483.JPG


2nd one in PASM, same ISO, aperture, focal (speed 1/60 vs 1/50 but doesn't change the result).
Looks a little bit under exposed in my opinion. Colors maybe more realistic.
DSC00484.JPG
 
Have you compared the histograms? These just appear to be differences in jpeg processing, and mostly colour saturation. To my mind they could both have been exposed a little higher and have had a different tone curve applied. The more saturated image will naturally look punchier and more contrasty and so can give the appearance of being brighter overall.
 
Have you compared the histograms? These just appear to be differences in jpeg processing, and mostly colour saturation. To my mind they could both have been exposed a little higher and have had a different tone curve applied. The more saturated image will naturally look punchier and more contrasty and so can give the appearance of being brighter overall.

Hi Luckypenguin,

Don't know very well how to understand the histograms. For the first image, it looks there are less dark pixels and more in high tones.
So it seems to confirm the feeling that the second image is less exposed than the first one.
I think it can come from the jpeg processing in Portrait mode in the way to improve skin tones and warm all the image.
That is perhaps why I am very often disapointed with the results in PASM vs Auto mode (I mean using JPEG).
But I've seen in the menu the global rendering can be change using creative modes.
I shall try that tomorrow.
 
Thank you for your interesting answers.
In PASM, I used multi metering and no exposure compensation.
Here is an example I quickly shot to illustrate the issue.

1st picture is taken using Auto mode. Colors looks warmer than in 2nd one.

View attachment 8126

2nd one in PASM, same ISO, aperture, focal (speed 1/60 vs 1/50 but doesn't change the result).
Looks a little bit under exposed in my opinion. Colors maybe more realistic.
View attachment 8127

From your original description, I had imagined a very dark, grossly under-exposed image, compared to a "normal" one. To me, this appears to be more of a difference in contrast and white balance, than in exposure.

Since, in Auto mode, the camera is making all the processing decisions for you, these are the kind of differences that I would expect. IMO, there's nothing wrong here.:)
 
From your original description, I had imagined a very dark, grossly under-exposed image, compared to a "normal" one. To me, this appears to be more of a difference in contrast and white balance, than in exposure.

Since, in Auto mode, the camera is making all the processing decisions for you, these are the kind of differences that I would expect. IMO, there's nothing wrong here.:)

You are right, I should have say "a little bit under-exposed"...
I just want to understand which settings are used in Auto mode to be able to have the same result in A mode.
Probably special processing applies in Auto such as DRO or other enhancement.
 
I know that some cameras allow different settings depending on the mode. Maybe the auto for the RX100 is set to warm or vivid and natural in P mode?

Yes, I think this could be the case here. I am surprised I have not seen much comments about this point before.
 
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