Digital Camera Basic Knowledge Focus

Autofocus and Manual FocusWhat is an “AF frame”?What is “AF Lock”?What is a focus mode?

Autofocus and Manual Focus

There are two ways to bring a subject into focus: autofocus (AF) and manual focus (MF). The autofocus function automatically brings the subject into focus when the camera’s shutter button is lightly pressed (that is, when it is half-pressed). On the other hand, with manual focus, the photographer manually adjusts the focus.

What is an “AF frame”?

What is an “AF frame”?

The frame in the picture display that is used when bringing a subject into focus.
Sometimes it is also called the "AF area", "focus area", or "AF point".
*The number of AF frames as well as their size and shape differ depending on the focus mode.

What is “AF Lock”?

The state when the shutter button is lightly pressed to bring the subject into focus and this half-pressed condition is maintained. It is also sometimes called “focus lock”. This feature enables temporarily locking the focus, which allows you to keep the camera focused while waiting for the perfect photo opportunity or fine-tuning the composition of a photograph. As long as you keep the shutter button half-pressed, the subject will remain in focus even if it has moved outside the AF frame.

1 Make sure that the subject is inside the AF frame and lightly press (half-press) the shutter button to bring the subject into focus.

  • 1 Make sure that the subject is inside the AF frame and lightly press (half-press) the shutter button to bring the subject into focus.
  • 1 Make sure that the subject is inside the AF frame and lightly press (half-press) the shutter button to bring the subject into focus.
  • 1 Make sure that the subject is inside the AF frame and lightly press (half-press) the shutter button to bring the subject into focus.

2 Keep the shutter button half-pressed while you adjust the composition of the photograph and press the shutter button completely (fully) to take the picture.

  • 2 Keep the shutter button half-pressed while you adjust the composition of the photograph and press the shutter button completely (fully) to take the picture.
  • 2 Keep the shutter button half-pressed while you adjust the composition of the photograph and press the shutter button completely (fully) to take the picture.
  • 2 Keep the shutter button half-pressed while you adjust the composition of the photograph and press the shutter button completely (fully) to take the picture.

What is a focus mode?

The way in which the camera focuses. You can select a focus mode that best matches the situation from those listed under [Focus] in the Shooting menu. The focus modes that are available differ depending on the camera model.

For details concerning the settings of each camera model, please see the operation manual and the FAQ.

  • OFFHALF-PRESS
    Shutter button :
    OFF
    HALF-PRESS

    Multi AF

    Measures the distance to multiple AF areas and focuses on the closest area.
  • OFFHALF-PRESS
    Shutter button :
    OFF
    HALF-PRESS

    Face Pr. Multi

    Detects people's faces and brings them into focus preferentially. When people's faces are not detected, such as when people's profiles are being shot, the camera focuses in the same manner as with Multi AF mode.
  • OFFHALF-PRESS
    Shutter button :
    OFF
    HALF-PRESS

    Subj. Tracking

    While the shutter button is half-pressed, the camera automatically focuses on the subject as it moves.
  • OFFHALF-PRESS
    Shutter button :
    OFF
    HALF-PRESS

    Spot AF

    Locks the focus so that one point in the center of the AF area remains in focus.
  • OFFHALF-PRESS
    Shutter button :
    OFF
    HALF-PRESS

    Multi-trgt AF

    The camera automatically picks multiple AF areas when the shutter button is half-pressed. When the shutter button is pressed completely from this state, 5 shots are taken continuously with the focus shifting from each of the selected areas. This is effective when taking telephotos or close-up photos in which the depth of field often becomes shallow.
  • OFFHALF-PRESS
    Shutter button :
    OFF
    HALF-PRESS

    MF

    Select this mode when adjusting the focus manually. This is effective when it is difficult to bring a subject into focus using autofocus, or when you wish to lock the focus point. The center area of the picture display can be enlarged, which is useful when you wish to check whether a subject is in focus.
  • OFFHALF-PRESS
    Shutter button :
    OFF
    HALF-PRESS

    Snap

    Locks the focus at close range
    (approximately 2.5m).
  • OFFHALF-PRESS
    Shutter button :
    OFF
    HALF-PRESS

    ∞(Infinity)

    Locks the focus at infinity. Use this mode
    when taking pictures of distant landscapes, etc.
Autofocus and Manual FocusWhat is an What is What is a focus mode?
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