AUTOFOCUS SETTING

Adjust autofocus settings.

FOCUS AREA

Choose the focus point for autofocus. Focus-area selection can also be used to choose the focus point for manual focus and focus zoom.

Focus-Point Selection (More on Photography)

AF MODE

Choose the AF mode for focus modes S and C.

SINGLE POINT: The camera focuses on the subject in the selected focus point. Use for pin-point focus on a selected subject.
ZONE: The camera focuses on the subject in the selected focus zone. Focus zones include multiple focus points (5 × 3, 5 × 5, or 3 × 3), making it easier to focus on subjects that are in motion.
WIDE/TRACKING: In focus mode C, the camera tracks focus on the subject in the selected focus point while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. In focus mode S, the camera automatically focuses on high-contrast subjects; the areas in focus are shown in the display.

The camera may be unable to focus on small objects or subjects that are moving rapidly.

RELEASE/FOCUS PRIORITY

Choose how the camera focuses in focus mode AF-S or AF-C.

RELEASE: Shutter response is prioritized over focus. Pictures can be taken when the camera is not in focus.
FOCUS: Focus is prioritized over shutter response. Pictures can be only taken when the camera is in focus.

AF+MF

If ON is selected in focus mode S, focus can be adjusted manually by rotating the focus ring while the shutter button is pressed halfway. Focus peaking is supported. Lenses with a focus distance indicator must be set to manual focus mode (MF) before this option can be used. Selecting MF disables the focus distance indicator. Set the focus ring to the center of the focus distance indicator, as the camera may fail to focus if the ring is set to infinity or the minimum focus distance.

AF + MF Focus Zoom

When ON is selected for SCREEN SET-UP > FOCUS CHECK in the setup menu and SINGLE POINT selected for AF MODE, focus zoom can be used to zoom in on the selected focus area. Focus zoom is not available when ZONE or WIDE/TRACKING is selected for AF MODE. The zoom ratio is the same as that selected in manual focus mode (from 2.5× to 6×) and can not be changed.

FACE/EYE DETECTION SETTING

Intelligent Face Detection sets focus and exposure for human faces anywhere in the frame, preventing the camera from focusing on the background in group portraits. Choose for shots that emphasize portrait subjects.

Faces can be detected with the camera in vertical or horizontal orientation; if a face is detected, it will be indicated by a green border. If there is more than one face in the frame, the camera will select the face closest to the center; other faces are indicated by white borders. You can also choose whether the camera detects and focuses on eyes when Intelligent Face Detection is on. Choose from the following options:

FACE ON/EYE OFF: Intelligent Face Detection only.
FACE ON/EYE AUTO: The camera automatically chooses which eye to focus on when a face is detected.
FACE ON/RIGHT EYE PRIORITY: The camera focuses on the right eye of subjects detected using Intelligent Face Detection.
FACE ON/LEFT EYE PRIORITY: The camera focuses on the left eye of subjects detected using Intelligent Face Detection.
FACE OFF/EYE OFF: Intelligent Face Detection and eye priority off.

If the camera is unable to detect the subject's eyes because they are hidden by hair, glasses, or other objects, the camera will instead focus on faces.

If the subject moves as the shutter button is pressed, the face may not be in the area indicated by the green border when the picture is taken.

In some modes, the camera may set exposure for the frame as a whole rather than the portrait subject.

PRE-AF

If ON is selected, the camera will continue to adjust focus even when the shutter-release button is not pressed halfway. Note that this increases the drain on the battery.

AF ILLUMINATOR

If ON is selected, the AF-assist illuminator will light to assist autofocus.

The AF-assist illuminator turns off automatically when OFF is selected for SOUND & FLASH in the setup menu.

The camera may be unable to focus using the AF-assist illuminator in some cases. If the camera is unable to focus in macro mode, try increasing the distance to the subject.

Avoid shining the AF-assist illuminator directly into your subject's eyes.