Compact Camera Auto Bracketing Mode

The Auto Bracketing Mode appears on many compact cameras and we'd guess few owners actually  use the feature.

A bracket usually refers to exposure (some cameras now do focus brackets) and is a sequence of shots taken at various exposure levels. An auto bracket is done in rapid sequence with one frame under the suggested exposure setting, one at the suggested setting and one over the suggested setting. From these you can pick the best exposed shot and delete the two others. In the days of film it was an essential tool in many conditions where the camera could be fooled by the light. With digital you can shoot, view the result and reshoot, so this mode is less important.


The three shots above where taken in an exposure bracket  sequence. The left one was what the camera thought was correct, middle was one stop under and right was one stop over.

What auto bracketing is good for
The most useful time is on quick grab shots where  you wouldn't get a second chance - such as family member passing in a street parade, the confetti shot at a wedding, an award ceremony presentation etc. If the suggested exposure was wrong that special moment would be missed.

Good points
Ensures a correct exposure
Good for fast response

Bad points
Three shots used up
Minor delay between shots The correct exposure might be the one taken when the person blinks

Compact cameras with auto bracketing

Canon Powershot G1 Canon Powershot G9 Canon Powershot G10 Canon Powershot G11 Canon PowerShot S45 Canon PowerShot S90 Contax TVS Digital Fujifilm FinePix E550 Fujifilm FinePix E900 Kodak Z885 Kodak Z8612 Kodak Z1285 Konica Minolta Dimage S304 Konica Minolta Dimage S404 Konica Minolta Dimage G400 Konica Minolta Dimage F100 Leica D-LUX 3 Leica D-LUX 4 Nikon Coolpix 4500 Nikon Coolpix 5400 Nikon Coolpix 5900 Nikon Coolpix 7900 Nikon Coolpix 8080 Nikon Coolpix 8400 Nikon Coolpix 8800 Nikon Coolpix P4 Nikon Coolpix P80 Nikon Coolpix P90 Nikon Coolpix P5000 Nikon Coolpix P5100 Nikon Coolpix P6000 Olympus Camedia C-3030 Zoom Olympus C5050 Zoom Olympus C5060 Wide Zoom Olympus C730UZ Olympus Camedia C-700 Olympus C765UZ Olympus C-8080 Olympus SP-310 Olympus SP-320 Olympus SP-350 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1   Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3A Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 Ricoh CX1 Ricoh CX2 Ricoh Caplio R7 Ricoh Caplio R8 Ricoh Caplio GX-200 Ricoh GR Digital III Samsung A503 Samsung DigiMax ES10 Samsung ES55 Samsung HZ15W Samsung Digimax L85 Samsung L301 Samsung L201 Samsung NV3 Samsung NV11 Samsung S850 Samsung S1050 Samsung TL320 Samsung V3 Samsung V4 Samsung V5 Samsung V700 Samsung V800 Samsung WB500 Samsung WB550 Sigma DP1 Sigma DP2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-828 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F707 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F717 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-V3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T200 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T70 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 Sony Cyber-shot DSC W2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC W80    Sony Cyber-shot W90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W150 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300

Have we missed a camera? Let us know we will add any we've missed.