In consumer digital cameras, some of the primary tasks in the image capture data path include automatic focus, automatic auto-focus is implemented using maximum contrast, ranging or sonar; white balance using color gamut determinations and 'gray value estimations', and auto- exposure using scene evaluations. We evaluate the system implications of implementing one of these task, namely auto- exposure on an embedded system - a digital camera. These include, among other things, design approach, power consumption, leverage from film cameras, and component count. Commercially available digital cameras and their choice of AE implementation are discussed where appropriate. Such an evaluation will assist, we hope, anyone designing or building a digital camera sub-system.