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Autofocus

Take pictures using autofocus.

  1. Rotate the focus mode selector to [S] or [C] (Focus Mode).

  2. Use [AF/MF SETTING] > [AF MODE] to choose an AF mode (Autofocus Options (AF Mode)).

  3. Choose the position and size of the focus frame (Focus-Point Selection).

  4. Take pictures.

For information on the autofocus system, visit:

Auto Focus System Special Site

Focus Mode

Use the focus mode selector to choose how the camera focuses.

Choose from the following options:

Mode Description

[S]

(AF-S)

 [Single AF]: Focus locks while the shutter button is pressed halfway. Choose for stationary subjects.

[C]

(AF-C)

 [Continuous AF]: Focus is continually adjusted to reflect changes in the distance to the subject while the shutter button is pressed halfway. Use for subjects that are in motion. Eye-detection AF is not available.

[M]

(manual)

 [Manual]: Focus manually using the lens focus ring. Choose for manual control of focus or in situations in which the camera is unable to focus using autofocus (Manual Focus).

Regardless of the option selected, manual focus will be used when the lens is in manual focus mode.

If [ON] is selected for [AF/MF SETTING] > [PRE-AF], focus will be adjusted continuously in modes [S] and [C] even when the shutter button is not pressed.

The Focus Indicator

The focus indicator turns green when the subject is in focus and blinks white when the camera is unable to focus. Brackets (“( )”) indicate that the camera is focusing and are displayed continuously in mode [C]. is displayed in manual focus mode.

Focus indicator

Autofocus Options (AF Mode)

Choose how the camera focuses in modes [S] and [C].

  1. Press [MENU]/[OK] and go to the shooting menu.

  2. Select [AF/MF SETTING] > [AF MODE].

  3. Choose an AF mode.

This feature can also be accessed via shortcuts (Shortcut Options).

How the camera focuses depends on the focus mode.

Focus Mode [S] (AF-S)

Option Description Sample image

[SINGLE POINT]

 Camera focuses on subject in selected focus point. Use for pin-point focus on selected subject.

[ZONE]

 Camera focuses on subject in selected focus zone. Focus zones include multiple focus points, making it easier to focus on subjects in motion.

[WIDE/TRACKING]

 Camera focuses automatically on high-contrast subjects; display shows areas in focus.

Focus Mode [C] (AF-C)

Option Description Sample image

[SINGLE POINT]

 Focus tracks subject at selected focus point. Use for subjects moving toward or away from camera.

[ZONE]

 Focus tracks subject in selected focus zone. Use for subjects that are moving fairly predictably.

[WIDE/TRACKING]

 Focus tracks subjects moving through wide area of frame.

Focus-Point Selection

Choose a focus point for autofocus.

Viewing the Focus-Point Display

  1. Press [MENU]/[OK] and go to the shooting menu.

  2. Select [AF/MF SETTING] > [FOCUS AREA] to view the focus-point display.

  3. Use the selector and rear command dial to choose a focus area (Selecting a Focus Point).

Selecting a Focus Point

Use the selector to choose the focus point and the rear command dial to choose the size of the focus frame. The procedure varies with the option selected for AF mode.

AF mode Selector [DISP]/[BACK] button Rear command dial

Press

Press

Rotate

Press
Select focus point Select center focus point Choose from 5 frame sizes Restore original size
Choose from 3 frame sizes
—

Manual focus-point selection is not available when [WIDE/TRACKING] is selected in focus mode [S].

The Focus-Point Display

The focus-point display varies with the option selected for AF mode.

Focus frames are shown by small squares (□), focus zones by the large squares.


[SINGLE POINT]

Number of points available can be selected using [AF/MF SETTING] > [NUMBER OF THE FOCUS POINTS].


[ZONE]

Choose from zones with 7 × 7, 5 × 5, or 3 × 3 focus points.


[WIDE/TRACKING]

Position focus frame over subject and press [MENU]/[OK].

Available Focus Points

TTL contrast-detect AF offers more focus points () than intelligent hybrid AF (), which combines phase-detection with TTL contrast-detect AF.

Burst Mode Focus-Frame Selection

When continuous high-speed ([CH]) is selected for drive mode, the number of focus frames available in focus mode [C] drops.

Single point

Zone

Wide/tracking

Autofocus

Although the camera boasts a high-precision autofocus system, it may be unable to focus on the subjects listed below.

  • Very shiny subjects such as mirrors or car bodies.
  • Subjects photographed through a window or other reflective object.
  • Dark subjects and subjects that absorb rather than reflect light, such as hair or fur.
  • Insubstantial subjects, such as smoke or flame.
  • Subjects that show little contrast with the background.
  • Subjects positioned in front of or behind a high-contrast object that is also in the focus frame (for example, a subject photographed against a backdrop of highly contrasting elements).

Checking Focus

To zoom in on the current focus area for precise focus, press the center of the rear command dial. Press the center of the rear command dial again to cancel zoom.

Normal display   Focus zoom

In focus mode [S], zoom can be adjusted by rotating the rear command dial when [STANDARD] or [FOCUS PEAK HIGHLIGHT] is selected for [AF/MF SETTING] > [MF ASSIST] ([MF ASSIST]). Focus zoom is not available in focus mode [C] or when [AF/MF SETTING] > [PRE-AF] is on or an option other than [SINGLE POINT] is selected for [AF MODE].

Use [BUTTON/DIAL SETTING] > [Fn/AE-L/AF-L BUTTON SETTING] to change the function performed by the center of the command dial or assign its default function to other controls.