Flash compensation is used to alter flash output by from –3 EV to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV, changing the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter, or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections. In general, choose positive values to make the main subject brighter, negative values to make it darker.

To choose a value for flash compensation, press the W (M) button and rotate the sub-command dial until the desired value is displayed in the control panel.

W (M) button

Sub-command dial

±0 EV (W/M button pressed)

–0.3 EV

+1.0 EV

At values other than ±0.0, a Y icon will be displayed in the control panel and viewfinder after you release the W (M) button. The current value for flash compensation can be confirmed by pressing the W (M) button.

Normal flash output can be restored by setting flash compensation to ±0.0. Flash compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off.

See Also

For information on:

  • Choosing the size of the increments available for flash compensation, see A > Custom Setting b3 (Exp./flash comp. step value, 0 Exp./Flash Comp. Step Value).
  • Choosing whether flash compensation is applied in addition to exposure compensation when the flash is used, see A > Custom Setting e3 (Exposure comp. for flash, 0 Exposure Comp. for Flash).
  • Automatically varying flash level over a series of shots, see “Bracketing” (0 Bracketing).