White balance ensures that white objects appear white, regardless of the color of the light source. The default setting (auto white balance, or j) is recommended with most light sources; if the desired results cannot be achieved with auto white balance, choose another option as described below.
Option | Color temperature* | Description | |
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4 [Auto] | White balance is adjusted automatically for optimal results with most light sources. If an optional flash unit is used, white balance will be adjusted in accord with the conditions in effect when the flash fires. | ||
i [Keep white (reduce warm colors)] | Approx. 3500–8000 K | Eliminate the warm color cast produced by incandescent lighting. | |
j [Keep overall atmosphere] | Approx. 3500–8000 K | Partially preserve the warm color cast produced by incandescent lighting. | |
k [Keep warm lighting colors] | Approx. 3500–8000 K | Preserve the warm color cast produced by incandescent lighting. | |
D [Natural light auto] | Approx. 4500–8000 K | When used under natural light in place of 4 [Auto], this option produces colors closer to those seen by the naked eye. | |
H [Direct sunlight] | Approx. 5200 K | Use with subjects lit by direct sunlight. | |
G [Cloudy] | Approx. 6000 K | Use in daylight under overcast skies. | |
M [Shade] | Approx. 8000 K | Use in daylight with subjects in shade. | |
J [Incandescent] | Approx. 3000 K | Use under incandescent lighting. | |
I [Fluorescent] | Use under fluorescent lighting; choose the bulb type according to the light source. | ||
[Cool-white fluorescent] | Approx. 4200 K | ||
[Day white fluorescent] | Approx. 5000 K | ||
[Daylight fluorescent] | Approx. 6500 K | ||
5 [Flash] | Approx. 5400 K | Use for flash photography. | |
K [Choose color temperature] | Approx. 2500–10000 K |
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L [Preset manual] |
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D [Natural light auto] may not produce the desired results under artificial light. Choose 4 [Auto] or an option that matches the light source.
At settings other than K [Choose color temperature], white balance can be fine-tuned. Use the [White balance] items in the i menu, the photo shooting menu, or video recording menu (Fine-tuning white balance, The white balance menu: Fine-tuning).
4 [Auto] may not produce the desired results with large studio flash units. Use preset manual white balance or set white balance to 5 [Flash] and use fine-tuning to adjust white balance.
The perceived color of a light source varies with the viewer; some may have a red cast while others appear blue. Color temperature is an objective measure of the color of a light source, expressed in Kelvins (K). The lower the color temperature, the redder the cast (q); the higher the temperature, the bluer the cast (w).
In general, choose lower values if your pictures have a red cast or to intentionally make pictures bluer, higher values if your pictures are tinged blue or to intentionally make pictures redder.