Evaluative metering was first introduced by Nikon in the FA camera of 1983. Nikon called it “matrix metering*,” and it broke the scene up into 5 segments, which it evaluated individually. Supposedly it compared the scene with thousands of photographic scenes programmed into its memory and selected a final exposure which would take into account unusual elements such as bright or dark subjects, backgrounds, and backlighting.

Matrix metering revolutionized photographic light metering, and all cameras of all brands now use a version of it. But it seems that, even with this sophisticated tool at our disposal, we must still override the meter and depend on our our photographic judgement and experience in order to get the best possible exposure out of our cameras in many situations.

*The FA had what Nikon called AMP, or “automatic multi-pattern” metering. As it was improved and incorporated into additional camera models, Nikon rechristened it “matrix metering,” which is a trademarked term. Other brands have to use different names for their versions of evaluative metering.