What is Auto Exposure Lock (AEL) and when should it be used?

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AEL (Auto Exposure Lock), also called AE Lock, is a camera function that locks the current exposure settings so the brightness of the image does not change while shooting.

This function is useful when recomposing a scene, shooting in difficult lighting conditions, or capturing multiple images that should maintain the same exposure.

What does AEL do?

Normally, the camera continuously adjusts exposure based on the scene's brightness.

When AEL is enabled, the camera locks the current exposure values, such as:

• Shutter speed
• Aperture
• ISO sensitivity

This allows you to move or reframe the camera without the image brightness changing unexpectedly.

When should AEL be used?

Recomposing a shot

AEL is useful when your subject is not positioned in the center of the frame.

1. Point the camera at the subject.
2. Lock the exposure using AEL.
3. Recompose the image.
4. Take the picture.

This keeps the exposure consistent even after reframing the shot.

Backlit scenes

In scenes with strong backlighting, such as a person standing in front of a window or at a sunset, the camera may expose for the bright background, making the subject appear too dark.

Using AEL allows you to lock the exposure on the subject before recomposing. L is especially useful when shooting multiple images for a panorama.

Without AEL, exposure may vary between shots, resulting in visible brightness differences when stitching the images together.

Using AEL ensures all photos maintain the same exposure, helping the final panorama look like a single continuous image.

Scenes with changing brightness

AEL can also help in situations where the camera exposure changes frequently, such as:

• Concerts or stage lighting
• Snow or beach scenes
• Indoor scenes with bright windows
• High-contrast environments

How to use AEL

Most Sony Alpha cameras include a dedicated AEL button.

1. Point the camera at the subject or area you want to expose correctly.
2. Press the AEL button to lock the exposure.
3. Recompose the shot if needed.
4. Press the shutter button to take the picture.

NOTE: An asterisk (*) appears on the LCD screen when AEL is active.

AEL menu settings

There are two AEL operation modes available in the camera menu:

• Hold: Press and hold the AEL button to keep exposure locked. Release the button to cancel AEL.
• Toggle: Press the AEL button once to lock exposure. Press it again to cancel AEL.

Difference between AEL and focus lock

AEL locks the exposure settings, while focus lock locks the focus distance.

Additional information

AEL is most commonly used in:

• Aperture Priority mode
• Shutter Priority mode
• Program Auto mode

In Manual exposure mode, exposure settings are already fixed manually, so AEL may be less necessary.