Sony ILCA-77M2 - Manual (Page 89)

Menu item details
Multi (default setting):
Measures light on each area after dividing the total area into multiple areas and determines the proper
exposure of the entire screen (Multi-pattern metering).
Center:
Measures the average brightness of the entire screen, while emphasizing the central area of the screen
(Center-weighted metering).
Spot:
Measures only the central area (Spot metering). This function is useful when the subject is backlit or
when there is strong contrast between the subject and the background.
Note
[Multi] is selected when using the following functions:
[Intelligent Auto] or [Superior Auto]
[Scene Selection]
Zoom functions other than optical zoom
[97] How to Use Using shooting functions Adjusting the exposure
AE lock
When the contrast between the subject and background is high, such as when shooting a backlit subject
or a subject near a window, meter the light at a spot where the subject appears to have the appropriate
brightness and lock the exposure before shooting. To reduce the brightness of the subject, meter the
light at a spot brighter than the subject and lock the exposure of the entire screen. To make the subject
brighter, meter the light at a spot darker than the subject and lock the exposure of the entire screen.
1. Adjust the focus on the spot at which the exposure is adjusted.
2. Press the AEL button.
The exposure is locked, and (AE lock) lights up.
3. Keep pressing the AEL button and focus on the subject again, then shoot the picture.
Keep holding the AEL button down while taking a shot if you want to continue shooting with the
fixed exposure. Release the button to reset the exposure.