Using autofocus

Set the focus-mode selector to (autofocus) to use autofocus.

Selecting the focus mode

You can select the focus mode that is appropriate for the shooting distance.

Press the multi selector ().
Select the desired focus mode and press the button.
- For information about the types of focus modes, see “Available focus modes” (Available focus modes).
- If the setting is not applied by pressing the button, the selection will be canceled.

Available focus modes

Option	Description
Autofocus	Use when the distance from the subject to the lens is 30 cm (1 ft) or more, or 7.0 m (23 ft) or more at the maximum telephoto zoom position. The focus mode icon on the shooting screen is displayed only immediately after the setting is made.
Macro close-up	Set when taking close-up pictures. When the zoom ratio is set to a position where and the zoom indicator are displayed in green, the camera can focus on subjects as close as approximately 10 cm (4 in.) from the lens. When the zoom is at a position more wide-angled than where is displayed, the camera can focus on subjects as close as approximately 1 cm (0.4 in.) from the lens.
Infinity	Use when shooting distant scenes through window glass or when shooting landscapes. The camera automatically adjusts the focus near infinity. The camera may not be able to focus on nearby objects.
Infinity	Available when the scene mode is set to [Multiple exp. Lighten] [Fireworks]. Focus is locked to infinity. Locked to [Infinity] for some scene modes.

The focus mode setting

The setting may not be available with some shooting modes (Default settings (flash, self-timer, and focus mode)).
For shooting modes , , , and , the setting is saved in the camera’s memory even after the camera is turned off.

The shutter-release button

Operation	Description
Press halfway	To press the shutter-release button “halfway” means to press and hold the button at the point where you feel a slight resistance. Focus and exposure (shutter speed and f-number) are set when you press the shutter-release button halfway. Focus and exposure remain locked while the button is pressed halfway. The focus area varies depending on the shooting mode.
Press all the way	To press the shutter-release button “all the way” means to press the button down completely. The shutter is released when the shutter-release button is pressed all the way. Do not use force when pressing the shutter-release button, as this may result in camera shake and blurred images. Press the button gently.

Using target finding AF

In (auto) mode or creative mode, or when [AF area mode] in , , , , or mode is set to [Target finding AF], the camera focuses in the manner described below when you press the shutter-release button halfway.

The camera detects the main subject and focuses on it. When the subject is in focus, the focus area is displayed in green. If a human face is detected, the camera automatically sets focus priority on it.
If no main subject is detected, the camera automatically selects one or more of the nine focus areas containing the subject closest to the camera. When the subject is in focus, the focus areas that are in focus are displayed in green.

Notes about target finding AF

Depending on shooting conditions, the subject that the camera determines to be the main subject may vary.
The main subject may not be detected when using certain settings for [White balance], [Picture Control], or effect group in creative mode.
The camera may not detect the main subject appropriately in the following situations:
- When the subject is very dark or bright
- When the main subject lacks clearly defined colors
- When the shot is framed so that the main subject is on the edge of the screen
- When the main subject is composed of a repeating pattern

Using face detection

In the following settings, the camera uses face detection to automatically focus on human faces.

[Portrait] or [Night portrait] scene mode
[Smile timer]
When [AF area mode] is set to [Face priority]

If the camera detects more than one face, a double border () is displayed around the face that the camera focuses on, and single borders are displayed around the other faces.

If the shutter-release button is pressed halfway when no faces are detected:

In [Portrait] and [Night portrait], the camera focuses on the area in the center of the frame.
When [AF area mode] is set to [Face priority], the camera selects the focus area containing the subject closest to the camera.
When [Smile timer] is selected in (auto), , , , ,or mode, the camera automatically selects one or more of the nine focus areas containing the subject closest to the camera.

Notes about face detection

The camera’s ability to detect faces depends on a variety of factors, including the direction in which the faces are looking.
The camera cannot detect faces in the following situations:
- When faces are partially hidden by sunglasses or otherwise obstructed
- When faces take up too much or too little of the frame

Using skin softening

In [Portrait] or [Night portrait] scene mode, if human faces are detected, the camera processes the image to soften facial skin tones before saving the image (up to three faces).
[Skin softening] (Skin softening) can also be applied to saved images in playback mode.

Notes about skin softening

It may take more time than usual to save images after shooting.
Under some shooting conditions, the desired results may not be achieved, and effects may be applied to areas of the image where there are no faces.

Subjects not suitable for autofocus

The camera may not focus as expected in the following situations. In rare cases, the subject may not be in focus despite the fact that the focus area or the focus indicator is displayed in green:

Subject is very dark
Objects of sharply differing brightness are included in the shooting conditions (e.g. the sun behind the subject makes that subject appear very dark)
No contrast between the subject and surroundings (e.g. a portrait subject wearing a white shirt is standing in front of a white wall)
Point sources of light such as illuminations and night views, or subjects in which brightness changes such as neon lights
Several objects are at different distances from the camera (e.g. the subject is inside a cage)
Subjects with repeating patterns (window blinds, buildings with multiple rows of similarly shaped windows, etc.)
Subject is moving rapidly

In the situations noted above, try pressing the shutter-release button halfway to refocus several times, or focus on another subject positioned at the same distance from the camera as the actual desired subject, and use focus lock (Focus lock).
The camera can also focus using manual focus (Using manual focus).

Focus lock

Use focus lock to capture creative compositions even when the focus area is set to the center of the frame.

Position the subject in the center of the frame and press the shutter-release button halfway.
- The camera focuses on the subject and the focus area is displayed in green.
- Exposure is also locked.
Without lifting your finger, recompose the picture.
- Make sure to maintain the same distance between the camera and the subject.
Press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the picture.

Moving the focus area to the desired position

In , , , or shooting mode, the focus area can be moved using the multi selector by setting the shooting menu [AF area mode] (AF area mode) to one of the manual options.

Using the (AE-L/AF-L) button for focus lock

You can also use the (AE-L/AF-L) button to lock the exposure or focus instead of pressing and holding the shutter-release button halfway (AE/AF lock button).