How is this mode different from Color mode and Normal B&W mode? We performed some experiments to find out.

High Contrast B&W brings out the darks and lights of the face, giving the image a cool, refined look.

In this mode, shadowing darkens faces (picture #1), but changing the shooting position can make a world of difference and help the subject stand out (picture #2). It's hard to picture the final product because the contrast enhancement is often stronger than it appears, so we recommend keeping an eye on the picture display when taking photos.

*Color and Normal B&W use color bracketing.