Selecting the AF Area

AF Area

This section describes AF area operation with [Autofocus: Subject tracking] set to [Off].

: Spot AF

The camera focuses in a narrower area than 1-point AF.

: 1-point AF

The camera focuses using a single AF point [].

: Expand AF area:

Focuses using one AF point [] and the AF area outlined here in blue. Effective for moving subjects, which are difficult to track with 1-point AF.

Focusing on your preferred subject is easier than with Flexible Zone AF.

When Servo AF is used, first you will focus using an AF point [].

: Expand AF area: Around

Focuses using one AF point [] and the surrounding AF area outlined here in blue, which makes it easier to focus on moving subjects than with Expand AF area: .

When Servo AF is used, first you will focus using an AF point [].

: Flexible Zone AF 1 (default)

With Flexible Zone AF 1, you can freely set the size of the Zone AF frame [] ().

Uses auto selection AF in Zone AF frames to cover a larger area than Expand AF area, which makes focusing easier than with 1-point AF/Expand AF area and effective for moving subjects.

By default, a square Zone AF frame is set.

Focusing areas are determined not only based on the nearest subject but also based on a variety of other conditions such as faces (of people or animals), vehicles, subject motion, and subject distance.

Pressing the shutter button halfway displays [1-point AF] over AF points in focus.

: Flexible Zone AF 2

With Flexible Zone AF 2, you can freely set the size of the Zone AF frame [] ().

Uses auto selection AF in Zone AF frames to cover a larger area than Expand AF area, which makes focusing easier than with 1-point AF/Expand AF area and effective for moving subjects.

By default, a vertical rectangular Zone AF frame is set.

Focusing areas are determined not only based on the nearest subject but also based on a variety of other conditions such as faces (of people or animals), vehicles, subject motion, and subject distance.

Pressing the shutter button halfway displays [1-point AF] over AF points in focus.

: Flexible Zone AF 3

With Flexible Zone AF 3, you can freely set the size of the Zone AF frame [] ().

Uses auto selection AF in Zone AF frames to cover a larger area than Expand AF area, which makes focusing easier than with 1-point AF/Expand AF area and effective for moving subjects.

By default, a horizontal rectangular Zone AF frame is set.

Focusing areas are determined not only based on the nearest subject but also based on a variety of other conditions such as faces (of people or animals), vehicles, subject motion, and subject distance.

Pressing the shutter button halfway displays [1-point AF] over AF points in focus.

: Whole area AF

Uses auto selection AF in a whole-area AF frame to cover a larger area than Flexible Zone AF, which makes focusing easier than with 1-point AF/Expand AF area/Flexible Zone AF and effective for moving subjects.

Focusing areas are determined not only based on the nearest subject but also based on a variety of other conditions such as faces (of people or animals), vehicles, subject motion, and subject distance.

Pressing the shutter button halfway displays [] over AF points in focus.

Selecting the AF Area

You can select the AF area to suit the shooting conditions or subject.

If you prefer to focus manually, see Manual Focus.

  1. Select [Autofocus: AF area].

  2. Select the AF area.

    • The screen above is displayed when [Autofocus: Orientation linked AF point] () is set to [Separate AF pts: Area+pt]. Set separate AF areas after choosing vertical and horizontal orientations.

Note

  • To set the AF area, you can also press the AF point selection button and then the Multi-function button.
  • The following descriptions apply to the camera with AF operation set to [Servo AF] (). Once a subject is in focus with [One-Shot AF] (), the AF point turns green.

Subject Tracking

Among the subjects detected, a tracking frame [] is displayed over the main subject.

If the subject moves, the tracking frame [] also moves to track it.

You can set [Autofocus: Eye detection] to [Enable] to shoot with the subject's eyes in focus ().

  1. Select [Autofocus: Subject tracking].

  2. Select an option.

Caution

  • No tracking frame is displayed when [Autofocus: Subject tracking] is set to [Off], regardless of the [Autofocus: Subject to detect] setting.

Manually selecting a subject for focus

  1. Check the tracking frame.

    • A tracking frame [AF point] appears over detected subjects.
    • Unless the tracking frame [AF point] overlaps an AF point, it is displayed in gray.
    • Once the tracked subject is behind or inside an AF point, the tracking frame turns white (distinguishing it as an active frame), enabling selection as the main subject.
    • Tracking frames are also white outside of an AF point as long as part of a subject is detected in the AF point and part of the subject (such as eyes, face, or head) lies within the range of Whole area AF.
    • Gray display of tracking frames [] does not apply in movie recording.

  2. Focus and shoot/record.

    • Once you press the shutter button halfway and the subject is in focus, the AF point turns blue.

      An orange AF point indicates that the camera could not focus on subjects.

    • Subjects are tracked across the entire screen as you press the shutter button halfway or completely.

Note

  • Selecting a subject manually after pressing the M-Fn 2 button changes the tracking frame to [Tracking subject] and locks on to that subject for tracking across the entire screen regardless of the specified AF area.
  • Selecting a subject by touch with [Autofocus: AF area] set to [Whole area AF] changes the tracking frame to [Tracking subject] and locks on to that subject for tracking across the entire screen.
  • To release locked tracking, tap [Subject tracking release] or press the M-Fn 2 button. After release, the AF point reverts to the position set before release.
  • Pressing the shutter button halfway when the AF point does not overlap the tracking frame [AF point] will focus in the AF point.
  • When AF operation is set to Servo AF, pressing the shutter button halfway focuses using Whole area AF.
  • For human subjects, the active [AF point] may cover only a part of the face, not the whole face.
  • The size of tracking frames varies depending on the subject.
  • No tracking frame is displayed when [Autofocus: Subject tracking] is set to [Off], regardless of the [Autofocus: Subject to detect] setting.

Caution

  • Tapping the screen to focus will focus with [One-Shot AF], regardless of the AF operation setting.
  • Faces cannot be detected when subjects are greatly out of focus. Focus manually () to bring the subject's face into position for detection, then continue with AF.
  • AF may not detect subjects or people's faces at the edges of the screen. Before shooting, recompose the shot to center or roughly center the subject or AF point.

Subject to Detect

You can specify conditions for automatic selection of the main subject to track.

  • People

    Prioritizes the faces or heads of people as the main subjects to track.

    When a person's face or head cannot be detected, the camera attempts to detect and track their torso. If their torso cannot be detected, the camera may track other parts of their body.

  • Animals

    Detects animals (dogs, cats, or birds) and people and prioritizes detection results for animals as the main subjects to track.

    For animals, the camera attempts to detect faces or bodies, and a tracking frame is shown over any face detected.

    When an animal's face or entire body cannot be detected, the camera may track part of their body.

  • Vehicles

    Detects two- or four-wheeled motorsports vehicles and people and prioritizes detection results for vehicles as the main subjects to track.

    For vehicles, the camera attempts to detect key details or the entire vehicle, and a tracking frame is shown over any of these details detected.

    If key details or the entire vehicle cannot be detected, the camera may track other parts of the vehicle.

    Press the INFO button to enable or disable Spot detection for key details of vehicles.

  • None

    The camera determines the main subject automatically from how you compose shots, without detecting subjects.

    Tracking frames are not displayed.

Caution

  • The camera may detect areas other than faces or bodies of people or animals or key details or bodies of vehicles as subjects.
  • Faces that are very small or large in the picture, too bright or dark, or partly hidden cannot be detected.
  • Animal face detection is not possible unless the subject is close enough and facing the camera steadily. A tracking frame is displayed for the entire body.
  • Detection is not possible for birds camouflaged in a forest, or similar situations.
  • Detection may not be possible for ordinary passenger cars or bicycles, or for motorcyclists performing stunts or kicking up dirt and dust.

  • No tracking frame is displayed when [Autofocus: Subject tracking] is set to [Off], regardless of the [Autofocus: Subject to detect] setting.

Note

  • You can choose the following subjects by pressing the shutter button halfway or when Tracking with the M-Fn 2 Button. In scenes without relevant subjects, the camera tracks other objects.

    • People

      People, animals, vehicles

    • Animals

      People, animals

    • Vehicles

      People, vehicles

Eye Detection

You can shoot with the eyes of people or animals in focus.

  1. Select [Autofocus: Eye detection].

  2. Select an option.

  3. Aim the camera at the subject.

    • A tracking frame is displayed around their eye.
    • To choose an eye to focus on when [Autofocus: AF area] is set to [Whole area AF], press the AF point selection button to change the tracking frame to [AF point adjustment], then use Multi-controller. As you use Multi-controller, the tracking frame changes again to [Subject tracking adjustment].
    • You can also tap the screen to choose an eye, when [Autofocus: AF area] is set to [Whole area AF] or during tracking in progress.
    • If your selected eye is not detected, an eye to focus on is selected automatically.

  4. Take the picture.

Caution

  • Subject eyes may not be detected correctly, depending on the subject and shooting conditions.

  • No tracking frame is displayed when [Autofocus: Subject tracking] is set to [Off], regardless of the [Autofocus: Subject to detect] setting.

  • Eyes are not detected when [Autofocus: Subject to detect] is set to [None].

Switching Tracked Subjects

You can specify how easily the camera switches AF points to track subjects.

  • Initial priority

    Tracks the subject initially determined for AF, to the extent possible.

  • On subject

    Tracks the subject initially determined for AF, to the extent possible. Switches to other subjects if the camera can no longer determine if the tracked subject is the main subject.

  • Switch subject

    Switches to track other subjects in response to shooting conditions.

Caution

  • Precautions when set to [Initial priority]

  • The camera may not be able to continue tracking subjects under some subject conditions.

    • If subjects move vigorously
    • If subjects face a different direction or change their posture
    • If the tracking frame strays from subjects, or if subjects are hidden behind obstructions and you can no longer see them
  • Subjects selected by touch operations are tracked to the extent possible, regardless of the [Autofocus: Subject to detect] setting.

Tracking with the M-Fn 2 Button

You can press the M-Fn 2 button to track subjects with a tracking frame [].

  1. Check the AF point.

    • The AF point (1) will appear.
    • With Expand AF area: or Expand AF area: Around, adjacent AF points are also displayed.
    • With Flexible Zone AF, the specified Zone AF frame is displayed.

  2. Press the M-Fn 2 button.

    • The AF point changes to a tracking frame [], which locks on to that subject for tracking and follows the subject within the screen if it moves. To cancel tracking, press the M-Fn 2 button again.
    • The tracking frame changes to [Subject tracking adjustment] when multiple subjects can be detected, and you can use Multi-controller to choose a subject to focus on.
    • Once tracking begins, the subject is tracked across the entire screen, regardless of the specified AF area.
    • The position of AF areas and points when tracking stops after you press the shutter button halfway or completely corresponds to the position of the tracking frame during tracking. The position of AF areas and points when tracking stops during shooting standby corresponds to the position before tracking.

  3. Take the picture.

Manually Setting AF Points or Zone AF Frames

You can manually set the AF point or Zone AF frame. Here, Flexible Zone AF 1 screens are used as an example.

  1. Check the AF point.

    • The AF point (1) will appear.
    • With Expand AF area: or Expand AF area: Around, adjacent AF points are also displayed.
    • With Flexible Zone AF, the specified Zone AF frame is displayed.

  2. Move the AF point.

    • Press the AF point selection button, use Multi-controller to move the AF point into position for focusing, then press SET (but note that with some lenses, it may not move to the edge of the screen).
    • To center the AF point while using Multi-controller, press Multi-controller straight in.
    • You can also focus by tapping a position on the screen.
    • To center the AF point or Zone AF frame, tap [Set AF point to center] or press Multi-controller straight in.
    • You can resize Zone AF frames used for Flexible Zone AF by pressing the RATE button. Adjust the horizontal size with the Main dial dial and vertical size with the Quick control dial 1 dial, then press SET. To restore the default Zone AF frame size, press the INFO button.

  3. Focus and take the picture.

    • Aim the AF point over the subject and press the shutter button halfway.
    • When focus is achieved, the AF point turns blue.
    • If focus is not achieved, the AF point will turn orange.

Caution

  • The camera will keep moving the AF point [] to track subjects when set to Flexible Zone AF and Servo AF, but under some shooting conditions (such as when subjects are small), it may not be possible to track the subject.
  • Focusing may be difficult when using a peripheral AF point. In this case, select an AF point in the center.
  • Tapping the screen to focus will focus with [One-Shot AF], regardless of the AF operation setting.

Note

  • You can set AF areas and AF points when [Autofocus: Orientation linked AF point] is set to [Separate AF pts: Area+pt] ().

Registering AF Points (Home Position)

You can register the position of a frequently used AF point. For instant switching from the current AF point to your registered AF point, you can use a button you assign to recalling the home position on advanced setting screens for [Direct AF point selection], [Metering and AF start], [Switch to registered AF point], or [Register/recall shooting func] in [Custom Functions: Customize buttons] ().

  1. Select your preferred AF area.

    • Press the AF point selection button to select an AF area.
    • Move the AF point or Zone AF frame to the position to register.

  2. Register the AF point or Zone AF frame.

    • Hold down the AF point selection button and press the Exposure compensation/aperture value setting button, or press and hold the Exposure compensation/aperture value setting button, so that the camera beeps and registers the AF point.
    • The registered AF point blinks in gray.
    • Registration when the camera is set to Whole area AF will register the entire AF area as the home position.

Note

  • To clear registered AF points, hold down the AF point selection button and press the LCD panel info switching/illumination button, or press and hold the LCD panel info switching/illumination button.
  • You can also clear registered AF points by clearing all camera settings.
  • You can register separate home positions for each camera orientation when the orientation-linked AF point setting () is set to [Separate AF pts: Area+pt] or [Separate AF pts: Pt only].
  • Although it has no effect if you attempt to register a home position while a subject is being tracked with a tracking frame, you can clear registered positions at this time.

Magnified View

To check the focus, you can magnify display by approx. 5× or 10× by pressing the Magnify or reduce button (or tapping [Magnify or reduce]).

  • Magnification is centered on the AF point for [Spot AF], [1-point AF], [Expand AF area: ], and [Expand AF area: Around], or on the Zone AF frame for Flexible Zone AF.
  • Autofocusing is performed in magnified view if you press the shutter button halfway.
  • When set to Servo AF, pressing the shutter button halfway in magnified view reverts to the normal view for focusing.
  • Magnification is centered on the tracking frame when [Autofocus: Subject tracking] is set to [On] and the tracking frame [] is white (as an active frame), or when you are tracking with the M-Fn 2 button ().

Caution

  • If focusing is difficult in the magnified view, return to the normal view and perform AF.
  • If you perform AF in the normal view and then use the magnified view, accurate focus may not be achieved.
  • AF speed differs between the normal view and magnified view.
  • Preview AF and Movie Servo AF are not available in magnified view.
  • With the magnified view, achieving focus becomes more difficult due to camera shake. Using a tripod is recommended.

AF Shooting Tips

  • Even when focus is achieved, pressing the shutter button halfway will focus again.
  • Image brightness may change before and after autofocusing.
  • Depending on the subject and shooting conditions, it may take longer to focus, or the continuous shooting speed may decrease.
  • If the light source changes as you shoot, the screen may flicker, and focusing may be difficult. In this case, restart the camera and resume shooting with AF under the light source you will use.
  • If focusing is not possible with AF, focus manually ().
  • For subjects at the edge of the screen that are slightly out of focus, try centering the subject (or AF point, or Zone AF frame) to bring them into focus, then recompose the shot before shooting.
  • With certain lenses, it may take more time to achieve focus with autofocus, or accurate focusing may not be achieved.

Shooting Conditions That Make Focusing Difficult

  • Subject with low-contrast such as the blue sky, solid-color flat surfaces or when highlight or shadow details are clipped.
  • Subjects in low light.
  • Stripes and other patterns where there is contrast only in the horizontal direction.
  • Subjects with repetitive patterns (Example: Skyscraper windows, computer keyboards, etc.).
  • Fine lines and subject outlines.
  • Under light sources with constantly changing brightness, colors, or patterns.
  • Night scenes or points of light.
  • The image flickers under fluorescent or LED lighting.
  • Extremely small subjects.
  • Subjects at the edge of the screen.
  • Strongly backlit or reflective subjects (Example: Car with a highly reflective surfaces, etc.).
  • Near and distant subjects covered by an AF point (Example: Animal in a cage, etc.).
  • Subjects that keep moving within the AF point and will not stay still due to camera shake or subject blur.
  • Performing AF when the subject is very far out of focus.
  • Soft focus effect is applied with a soft focus lens.
  • A special effect filter is used.
  • Noise (dots of light, banding, etc.) appears on the screen during AF.

AF Range

The available autofocus range varies depending on the lens, aspect ratio, and image quality used, and whether you are shooting 4K movies or using features such as Movie cropping or Movie digital IS.