Choose the AF and AF‑area modes. The AF mode determines how the camera focuses in autofocus mode, the AF‑area mode how the camera selects the focus point for autofocus.

Choosing an AF Mode

Hold the AF‑mode button and rotate the main command dial. The options available vary with camera settings.

Viewfinder Photography

During viewfinder photography, the selected AF mode is displayed in the top control panel and viewfinder.

Option

Description

AF‑S

[Single AF]

Use with stationary subjects. Focus locks while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

AF‑C

[Continuous AF]

For moving subjects. The camera adjusts focus continuously in response to changes in the distance to the subject while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

Live View Photography and Filming

During live view photography and filming, the selected AF mode is displayed in the monitor.

Option

Description

AF‑S

[Single AF]

Use with stationary subjects. Focus locks while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

AF‑F

[Full-time AF]

For moving subjects. The camera adjusts focus continuously in response to changes in the distance to the subject until the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Focus locks while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

Choosing an AF‑Area Mode

Hold the AF‑mode button and rotate the sub-command dial. The options available vary with the AF mode.

Viewfinder Photography

The selected AF-area mode is displayed in the top control panel and viewfinder during viewfinder photography.

Option

Description

[Single-point AF]

The camera focuses on a point selected by the user.

  • Use with stationary subjects.

[Dynamic-area AF (9 points)]/[Dynamic-area AF (25 points)]/[Dynamic-area AF (49 points)]/[Dynamic-area AF (105 points)]

The camera focuses on a point selected by the user; if the subject briefly leaves the selected point, the camera will focus based on information from surrounding focus points. Dynamic-area AF is available when AF-C is selected for autofocus mode.

  • Choose for subjects that move unpredictably. The greater the number of focus points, the wider the area used for focus.

[3D-tracking]

The user selects the focus point; while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the camera will track subjects that leave the selected focus point and select new focus points as required. 3D-tracking is available when AF-C is selected for autofocus mode.

  • Use for subjects that are moving erratically from side to side.

[Group-area AF]/[Group-area AF (C1)]/[Group-area AF (C2)]

The camera focuses using a group of focus points selected by the user.

  • Choose for snapshots, subjects that are in motion, and other subjects that are difficult to photograph using [Single-point AF].

  • Use [Group-area AF (C1)] and [Group-area AF (C2)] to create custom groups in which the number of focus points in each dimension can be chosen using the multi selector. This can be used, for example, if the size and shape of the area used for focus can be determined in advance with a fair degree of accuracy.

[Auto-area AF]

The camera automatically detects the subject and selects the focus point. If a face is detected, the camera will give priority to the portrait subject.

Custom Focus Groups: [Group-Area AF (C1)]/[Group-Area AF (C2)]
  • When [Group-area AF (C1)] or [Group-area AF (C2)] is highlighted, you can adjust the width of the custom focus group by holding the AF-mode button and pressing 4 or 2. Press 1 or 3 to choose the height. The height and width are shown in the top control panel.

    1

    Width (number of focus points)

    2

    Height (number of focus points)

  • If you keep your eye to the viewfinder while choosing the number of focus points, you can preview the shape of the selected custom focus group.

  • The number of focus points can also be selected using Custom Setting a10 [Custom groupings (C1/C2)].

Live View Photography/Movie Recording

The selected AF-area mode is displayed in the monitor during live view photography and filming.

Option

Description

!

[Face-priority AF]

The camera automatically detects and focuses on portrait subjects; the selected subject is indicated by a yellow border. If multiple faces (up to a maximum of 16) are detected, you can choose a subject using the multi selector.

  • Use for portraits.

5

[Wide-area AF]

As for [Normal-area AF] except that the camera focuses on a wider area.

6

[Normal-area AF]

The camera focuses on a point selected by the user.

n

[Subject-tracking AF]

Position the focus point over your subject and press the center of the multi selector; the focus point will track the selected subject as it moves through the frame. To end tracking, press the center of the multi selector again.

  • Use to track focus on a chosen subject.

Manual Focus-Point Selection

When an option other than [Auto-area AF], [Face-priority AF], or [Subject-tracking AF] is selected for AF-area mode, you can select the focus point manually. Press the multi selector up, down, left, or right (1342) or diagonally to select the focus point.

Locking Focus-Point Selection

Focus-point selection can be locked by rotating the focus selector lock to the “L” position. Focus-point selection can be re-enabled by rotating the lock to I.