Close quote. We can achieve that by making the shutter twice as long, or doubling ISO, or some combination of both.

The exact choice depends on your auto ISO settings at the end of the shutter speed.

Conversely, if you dial Max 1 and D, it'll shorten the shutter, lower the ISO, or both.

So yes, the camera absolutely changes its automatically controlled settings in response to exposure compensation.

Patched out program mode is slightly cleverer.

Program mode says, open quote, I'll choose both aperture and shutter. Close quote.

But Sony cameras have something called program shift.

Shift. When you turn the front ring, you're not overriding the exposure.

Instead, you're saying, open quote, I prefer a wider aperture. Close quote.

The camera then compensates automatically.

For example, it might change from F8, 160, to minus F4, to minus F50.

Notice the exposure stays identical.

You're simply choosing which combination of settings you prefer.

It's one of my favorite modes, because it lets you steer the camera without having to think too hard.

The mysterious number above the aperture.

You mentioned that when you rotate the ring, another number changes.

On the aperture...

That's all.

That's all.