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 [1-point AF].

: Expand AF area:

Focuses using one AF point [1-point AF] 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 [1-point AF].

: Expand AF area: Around

Focuses using one AF point [1-point AF] 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 [1-point AF].

: Flexible Zone AF 1

By default, a square Zone AF frame is set.

: Flexible Zone AF 2

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

: Flexible Zone AF 3

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

With Flexible Zone AF 1–3, 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.

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 [1-point AF] 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 [One-Shot AF] (). With [Servo AF] () set, the AF point will turn blue when focus is achieved.

Subject Tracking

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

If the subject moves, the tracking frame [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 [Tracking frame] appears over any subjects detected.
    • Tracking frames [Tracking frame] away from AF points are displayed in gray.
    • Once the tracked subject is near an AF point, even if it is outside the AF point, the tracking frame turns white (distinguishing it as an active frame), which enables selection as the main subject. The AF point turns gray.
    • Gray display of tracking frames [Tracking frame] 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 green and the camera beeps.

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

Note

  • 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].
  • Pressing the shutter button halfway when the AF point does not overlap the tracking frame [Tracking frame] will focus using the active, white AF frame.
  • When AF operation is set to Servo AF, pressing the shutter button halfway focuses using Whole area AF.
  • For human subjects, the active [Tracking frame] 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.
  • If the subject's face is significantly out of focus, face detection will not be possible. Adjust the focus manually () so that the face can be detected, then perform AF.
  • AF may not detect subjects or people's faces at the edges of the screen. Recompose the shot to center the subject or bring the subject closer to the center.

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 may not be 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

  • When pressing the shutter button halfway for subject selection, you can choose the following subjects. 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], either tap the screen or 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], even if [Autofocus: Subject to detect] is set to an option other than [None].

  • 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 [Subject to detect] setting.

Tracking with the Button

You can press a button assigned to [Start/stop tracking] in [Custom Functions: Customize buttons] to track subjects with a tracking frame [Tracking subject]. This example is based on assigning the AF start button ().

  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 AF start button.

    • The AF point changes to a tracking frame [Tracking subject], which locks on to that subject for tracking and follows the subject within the screen if it moves. To cancel tracking, press the AF start 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.

  3. Take the picture.

Note

  • AF areas and points return to the position before tracking when tracking stops after you press the shutter button halfway or completely, or in shooting standby (when [Servo AF] is used).

Focus Mode

You can set how the camera focuses.

  1. Select [Autofocus: Focus mode].

  2. Select an option.

    • AF

      The camera operates in autofocus mode.

    • MF

      The camera operates in manual focus mode.

Caution

  • [Autofocus: Focus mode] is not displayed under these conditions.

    • With [Focus mode switch (AF/MF)] set to [Enable]
    • When lenses with a focus mode switch are attached
    • When lenses designed exclusively for manual focusing are attached
    • When no lens is attached
    • When set to [MF], AF points are hidden during basic information display, and an MF icon is displayed.

Manually Setting AF Points or Zone AF Frames

You can manually set the AF point or Zone AF frame. Screens such as these are shown when set to Flexible Zone AF 1.

  1. Check the AF point or Zone AF frame.

    • An AF point or Zone AF frame (1) appears.

  2. Move the AF point or Zone AF frame.

    • Use Multi-controller to move the AF point or Zone AF frame into position for focusing (but note that with some lenses, it may not move to the edge of the screen).
    • To center the AF point or Zone AF frame, 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].
    • You can resize Zone AF frames used for Flexible Zone AF by pressing the AF point selection button, followed by the Multifunction button, then the AF point selection button again. Adjust the width with the Main dial dial and height with the Quick control dial dial, then press the Quick Control/Set button. To restore the default Zone AF frame size, press the INFO button.

  3. Focus and shoot/record.

    • Aim the AF point or Zone AF frame over the subject and press the shutter button halfway.
    • When focus is achieved, the AF point or Zone AF frame will turn green and the beeper will sound.
    • If focus is not achieved, the AF point or Zone AF frame will turn orange.

Caution

  • The camera will keep moving the AF point [1-point AF] 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] ().

Magnified View

To check the focus, you can magnify display by approx. 5× or 10× by 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 [Enable] and the tracking frame [Tracking frame] is white (as an active frame).

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 used and settings that control the aspect ratio, image quality, 4K movie recording, and Movie digital IS.