Can a digital camera's EV be adjusted in Manual mode?

Question

I just got a Sony DSC-H50 and noticed the EV cannot be manually adjusted while in Manual Mode. It's able to be adjusted in P, S, and A modes. But in Manual Mode, only shutter, aperture, flash, focus, ISO, etc. can be adjusted except for EV. The EV in my camera is Automatically adjusted while in manual mode, yes automatically in manual mode (doesn't this defeat the purpose of manual mode?)

Is this common with all digital cameras in Manual Mode?

I read in this article they can't:

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/ev-compensation-explained/

.. but after reading some comments at the bottom of the article, it seems like some Nikon Cameras are able to adjust EV in Manual Mode. I'm confused.

Answer 1

I can see your confusion ... Yes, all my Nikon's EV's can be adjusted in any mode but in manual.  This because you are manually adjusting the camera and using the viewfinders meter reading, you can choose the over or under exposure you want of each shot.

From your link ... "NB: You cannot use the EV button to under or overexpose your photo in M (manual) mode since you control both the shutter speed and aperture manually."

Answer 2

When you are in Manual Mode you control both shutter speed and aperture. Whatever you set is what will be used, whether its right or wrong. Suppose your meter tells you that at f8 and 1/125 sec. you'll have correct exposure. However, you decide that shooting at f8 and 1/250 sec. (1 stop under-exposed) will give better results. Or you decide that shooting at f8 and 1/60 (1 stop over-exposed) is closer to what you want. In Manual Mode you can achieve those settings independent of the camera.

Now when you're in Aperture  Preferred, if your meter reading is f8 and 1/125 sec. and you change the aperture to f11 your camera will automatically change the shutter speed to 1/60 sec. Here is where you'd use -1 EV to under-expose or +1 EV to over-expose. In Shutter Preferred if you change the shutter speed the camera will automatically change the f-stop. Again, you'd use -1 or +1 EV to vary the exposure from what the camera's meter considers a correct exposure.