Nikon D5300 - Manual (Page 110)

90 P, S, A, and M Modes
Exposure
Metering
Choose how the camera sets exposure.
1
Display metering options.
Press the P button, then highlight the
current metering method in the information
display and press
J.
2
Choose a metering method.
Highlight an option and press J.
Method Description
L Matrix metering
Produces natural results in most situations. The camera meters a wide
area of the frame and sets exposure according to tone distribution, color,
composition, and distance.
M
Center-weighted
metering
Classic meter for portraits. Camera meters entire frame but assigns
greatest weight to center area. Recommended when using filters with
an exposure factor (filter factor) over 1×.
N Spot metering
Choose this mode to ensure that subject will be correctly exposed, even
when background is much brighter or darker. Camera meters current
focus point; use to meter off-center subjects.
A
Spot Metering
If e (Auto-area AF) is selected for AF-area mode during viewfinder photography (0 53),
the camera will meter the center focus point.
P button Information display