System and method for efficiently performing a white balance operation

A system and method for efficiently performing a white balance operation preferably includes an electronic camera device that captures image data using a imaging device. A color manager may then convert the captured image data into perceptual color space data. The color manager may next create a histogram of chromaticity vectors corresponding to pixels from the perceptual color space data. The color manager may then derive a neutral core vector corresponding to a neutral core peak from the histogram. The color manager may advantageously utilize the neutral core vector to identify a scene illuminant corresponding to color channel amplifier gains, and may then adjust the captured image data with the color channel amplifier gains to thereby complete the white balance operation.