Autofocus

Take pictures using autofocus.

Rotate the focus mode selector to S or C (Focus Mode).
Use AF/MF SETTING > AF MODE to choose an AF mode (Autofocus Options (AF Mode)).
Choose the position and size of the focus frame (Focus-Point Selection).
Take pictures.

For information on the autofocus system, visit:

Auto Focus System Special Site

Focus Mode
Autofocus Options (AF Mode)
Focus-Point Selection

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).

Mode

Description

(AF-S)

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

(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.

(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.

Press MENU/OK and go to the shooting menu.
Select AF/MF SETTING > AF MODE.
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	Camera focuses automatically on high-contrast subjects; display shows areas in focus.
ALL	Rotate the rear command dial in the focus-point selection display (Selecting a Focus Point, The Focus-Point Display) to cycle through AF modes in the following order: SINGLE POINT, ZONE, and WIDE.

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.
TRACKING	Focus tracks subjects moving through wide area of frame.
ALL	Rotate the rear command dial in the focus-point selection display (Selecting a Focus Point, The Focus-Point Display) to cycle through AF modes in the following order: SINGLE POINT, ZONE, and TRACKING.

Focus-Point Selection

Choose a focus point for autofocus.

Viewing the Focus-Point Display

Press MENU/OK and go to the shooting menu.
Select AF/MF SETTING > FOCUS AREA to view the focus-point display.
Use the focus stick (focus lever) and rear command dial to choose a focus area.

The focus point can also be selected using touch controls (Shooting Touch Controls).

Selecting a Focus Point

Use 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
AF mode	Tilt	Press	Rotate	Press
	Select focus point	Select center focus point	Choose from 6 frame sizes	Restore original size
			Choose from 3 frame sizes	Restore original size
			—

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

If ALL is selected for AF mode, you can rotate the rear command dial in the focus-point selection display to cycle through AF modes in the following order: SINGLE POINT (6 frame sizes), ZONE (3 frame sizes), and either WIDE (focus mode S) or TRACKING (focus mode C).

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.

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

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. Use the focus stick (focus lever) to choose another focus area. 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 > FUNCTION (Fn) SETTING to change the function performed by the center of the rear command dial or assign its default function to other controls (Assigning Roles to the Function Buttons).