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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 focus stick and rear command dial to choose a focus area.

Selecting a Focus Point

Use touch controls or the focus stick (focus lever) 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 Focus stick Rear command dial

Tilt

Press

Rotate

Press
Select focus point Select center focus point Choose from 6 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.

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 control to which focus zoom has been assigned (at default settings, the center of the rear command dial). Press the control again to cancel zoom.

Normal display

Focus zoom

In focus mode S, zoom can be adjusted by rotating the rear command dial. 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.

To assign focus zoom to a control, select FOCUS CHECK for BUTTON/DIAL SETTING > FUNCTION (Fn) SETTING.