A
system and method for effectively utilizing a
live preview mode in an electronic device includes a capture subsystem configured to generate image data that has
luminosity characteristics that vary depending upon corresponding
exposure settings of the electronic device. A display controller of the electronic device analyzes the image data from the capture subsystem to create a
live preview representation of the foregoing
exposure characteristics of the image data. In certain embodiments, the
live preview representation may include a live preview
histogram. The display controller then displays the live preview representation on a display of the electronic device in either a manual live preview mode or an automatic live preview mode. The display controller may be utilized to adjust the
exposure settings of the capture subsystem after the live preview representation is analyzed to efficiently optimize the
luminosity characteristics of the image data. Finally, the capture subsystem may then store the optimized image data as a final captured image for subsequent use.