Most digital cameras provide a facility to change the way its metering system evaluates a scene. Some also have a feature that take several images simultaneously at different settings. This is known as bracketing and a common use would be three shots at half stop variations above and below a correct exposure; useful for a difficult scene of high contrast or action that cannot be repeated.

A digital camera will offer at least three different choices for metering a scene - the most common being matrix, centre-weighted and spot. Matrix is where the view is divided into 49 segments (7 x 7), and each segment evaluated, but the photographer wishing to take a little artistic control will select one of the remaining two options.

Spot (not to be confused with the technique of spot-metering) concentrates the evaluation on a central section of the camera screen, sometimes indicated by a circle or rectangle. It is a little unforgiving if the photographer does not accurately pinpoint the area for precise metering; best used for difficult light of extreme high contrast.

In between spot and matrix is centre-weighted and it does what it says, concentrates the reading on the central area, but taking into consideration the outer portions of a scene. The percentage between the two will vary between cameras of different makes.

Centre-weighted metering is best for the technique of spot-metering, see separate entry for more information