AF/MF SETTING (Still Photography) (2024)

Shooting Menus
AF/MF SETTING (Still Photography)

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Adjust focus settings for still photography.

To display AF/MF settings, press MENU/OK in the photo shooting display and select the G(AF/MF SETTING) tab.

The options available vary with the shooting mode selected.

FOCUS AREA
FOCUS MODE
AF MODE
AF-C CUSTOM SETTINGS
STORE AF MODE BY ORIENTATION
AF POINT DISPLAY yz
NUMBER OF FOCUS POINTS
PRE-AF
xFAF ILLUMINATOR
gFACE/EYE DETECTION SETTING

SUBJECT DETECTION SETTING
AF+MF
MF ASSIST
FOCUS CHECK
xFINSTANT AF SETTING
xFDEPTH-OF-FIELD SCALE
RELEASE/FOCUS PRIORITY
xFAF RANGE LIMITER
TOUCH SCREEN MODE

FOCUS AREA

Choose the focus area for autofocus, manual focus, and focus zoom (aFocus-Point Selection).

FOCUS MODE

Choose how the camera focuses (aFocus Mode).

AF MODE

Choose how the camera focuses in modes l and k (aAutofocus Options (AF Mode)).

AF-C CUSTOM SETTINGS

Select focus-tracking options for CONTINUOUS AF focus mode. Choose from Sets1 (SET1) through 5 (SET5) according to your subject or select SET6 CUSTOM for custom focus-tracking options.

Option	Description
SET 1 MULTI PURPOSE	A standard tracking option that works well with the typical range of moving subjects.
SET 2 IGNORE OBSTACLES & CONTINUE TO TRACK SUBJECT	The focus system attempts to track the chosen subject. Choose with subjects that are hard to keep in the focus area or if other objects are likely to enter the focus area with the subject.
SET 3 FOR ACCELERATING/DECELERATING SUBJECT	The focus system attempts to compensate for subject acceleration or deceleration. Choose for subjects prone to rapid changes in velocity.
SET 4 FOR SUDDENLY APPEARING SUBJECT	The focus system attempts to focus quickly on subjects entering the focus area. Choose for subjects that appear abruptly or when rapidly switching subjects.
SET 5 FOR ERRATICALLY MOVING & ACCEL./DECEL. SUBJECT	Choose for hard-to-track subjects prone not only to sudden changes in velocity but also to large movements front to back and left to right.
SET 6 CUSTOM	Adjust TRACKING SENSITIVITY, SPEED TRACKING SENSITIVITY, and ZONE AREA SWITCHING to suit your preferences based on the values for Sets 1–5 (aFocus Tracking Options, Custom Focus Tracking Options).

Focus Tracking Options

The individual parameters that are part of a focus tracking set are described below.

TRACKING SENSITIVITY

This parameter determines how long the camera waits to switch focus when an object enters the focus area behind or in front of the current subject. The higher the value, the longer the camera will wait.

Options
0	1	2	3	4

The higher the value, the longer it takes the camera to refocus when you attempt to switch subjects.

The lower the value, the more likely the camera is to switch focus from your subject to other objects in the focus area.

SPEED TRACKING SENSITIVITY

This parameter determines how sensitive the tracking system is to changes in subject velocity. The higher the value, the greater the precision with which the system attempts to respond to sudden movement.

Options
0	1	2

The higher the value, the more difficulty the camera will have focusing in situations in which autofocus does not perform well, such as when the subject is highly reflective or low in contrast.

ZONE AREA SWITCHING

This parameter determines the focus area given priority in zone AF.

Option	Description
FRONT	Zone AF assigns priority to the subjects closest to the camera.
AUTO	The camera locks focus on the subject at the center of the zone and then switches focus areas as necessary to track it.
CENTER	Zone AF assigns priority to subjects in the center of the zone.

This option takes effect only when yZONE is selected for AF mode.

Set Values

AF-C CUSTOM SETTINGS	TRACKING SENSITIVITY	SPEED TRACKING SENSITIVITY	ZONE AREA SWITCHING
SET 1	2	0	AUTO
SET 2	3	0	CENTER
SET 3	2	2	AUTO
SET 4	0	1	FRONT
SET 5	3	2	AUTO

Custom Focus Tracking Options

Follow the steps below to adjust settings for Set 6.

Select AF-C CUSTOM SETTINGS> SET 6 CUSTOM.
Highlight items using the focus stick (focus lever) and rotate the front command dial to change. To reset settings to their original values, press b.
Press DISP/BACK when settings are complete.

STORE AF MODE BY ORIENTATION

Choose whether the AF mode used when the camera is in portrait orientation is stored separately from that used when the camera is in landscape orientation.

Option	Description
OFF	The same settings are used in both orientations.
FOCUS AREA ONLY	The focus area for each orientation can be selected separately.
ON	The focus mode and focus area can be selected separately.

AF POINT DISPLAY yz

Choose whether individual focus frames are displayed when ZONE or WIDE/TRACKING is selected for GAF/MF SETTING> AF MODE.

Options
ON	OFF

NUMBER OF FOCUS POINTS

Choose the number of focus points available for focus-point selection in manual focus mode or when SINGLE POINT is selected for AF MODE.

Option	Description
117 POINTS (9 × 13)	Choose from 117 focus points arranged in a 9– by 13–point grid.
425 POINTS (17 × 25)	Choose from 425 focus points arranged in a 17– by 25–point grid.

PRE-AF

If ON is selected, the camera will continue to adjust focus even when the shutter button is not pressed halfway. The camera adjusts focus continuously, allowing it to focus faster when the shutter button is pressed halfway. Choosing this option helps prevent missed shots.

Options
ON	OFF

Choosing ON increases the drain on the battery.

xFAF ILLUMINATOR

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

Options
ON	OFF

The camera may be unable to focus using the AF-assist illuminator in some cases.

If the camera is unable to focus, try increasing the distance to the subject.

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

Any changes made using this item also apply in movie mode (axFAF ILLUMINATOR (Movie Recording)).

gFACE/EYE DETECTION SETTING

If the camera detects human faces, it will assign them priority over the background and adjust settings appropriately for portraits when setting focus and exposure. You can also choose whether the camera focuses on the left or right eye when face detection is on.

Option	Description
FACE DETECTION ON	Adjust settings for Intelligent Face Detection. You can also adjust eye detection settings. gEYE OFF: Intelligent Face Detection only. uEYE AUTO: The camera automatically chooses which eye to focus on when a face is detected. wRIGHT EYE PRIORITY: The camera focuses preferentially on the right eye of subjects detected using Intelligent Face Detection. vLEFT EYE PRIORITY: The camera focuses preferentially on the left eye of subjects detected using Intelligent Face Detection.
OFF	Intelligent Face Detection and eye priority off.

Option

Description

FACE DETECTION ON

Adjust settings for Intelligent Face Detection. You can also adjust eye detection settings.

gEYE OFF: Intelligent Face Detection only.
uEYE AUTO: The camera automatically chooses which eye to focus on when a face is detected.
wRIGHT EYE PRIORITY: The camera focuses preferentially on the right eye of subjects detected using Intelligent Face Detection.
vLEFT EYE PRIORITY: The camera focuses preferentially on the left eye of subjects detected using Intelligent Face Detection.

OFF

Intelligent Face Detection and eye priority off.

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.

Enabling Intelligent Face Detection via FACE DETECTION ON automatically selects OFF for SUBJECT DETECTION SETTING.

A single face detected in or near the focus area will be marked with a white frame.

If multiple faces are detected in the focus area, the camera will select one automatically.

You can choose a different subject by tapping the display to reposition the focus area. The focus stick (focus lever) can also be used if zWIDE is selected for AF MODE.

When DIRECT AF POINT SELECTION or EDIT FOCUS AREA is chosen for DBUTTON/DIAL SETTING> FOCUS LEVER SETTING> TILTo, you can also switch subjects using the focus stick (focus lever) or (during viewfinder photography) touch controls (aShooting Touch Controls).

When the camera is focused on an eye, you can switch from one eye to the other using a function button to which RIGHT/LEFT EYE SWITCH has been assigned.

SUBJECT DETECTION SETTING

Choose whether the camera prioritizes subjects of a selected type, such as animals or vehicles, when setting focus.

Option	Description
SUBJECT DETECTION ON	Select one of the subject types listed below to enable subject detection. EANIMAL: The camera detects and tracks focus on dogs and cats. FBIRD: The camera detects and tracks focus on birds. GAUTOMOBILE: The camera detects and tracks focus on the body or front ends of cars, primarily those of types used for motor sports. HMOTORCYCLE&BIKE: The camera detects and tracks focus on the riders of motorcycles and bicycles. IAIRPLANE: The camera detects and tracks focus on the co*ckpits, noses, or bodies of airplanes. JTRAIN: The camera detects and tracks focus on the driver compartments or front ends of trains.
OFF	Subject detection off.

Option

Description

SUBJECT DETECTION ON

Select one of the subject types listed below to enable subject detection.

EANIMAL: The camera detects and tracks focus on dogs and cats.
FBIRD: The camera detects and tracks focus on birds.
GAUTOMOBILE: The camera detects and tracks focus on the body or front ends of cars, primarily those of types used for motor sports.
HMOTORCYCLE&BIKE: The camera detects and tracks focus on the riders of motorcycles and bicycles.
IAIRPLANE: The camera detects and tracks focus on the co*ckpits, noses, or bodies of airplanes.
JTRAIN: The camera detects and tracks focus on the driver compartments or front ends of trains.

OFF

Subject detection off.

Enabling subject detection via SUBJECT DETECTION ON automatically selects OFF for gFACE/EYE DETECTION SETTING.

A single subject of the chosen type detected in or near the focus area will be marked with a white frame.

If multiple subjects are detected in the focus area, the camera will select one automatically.

You can choose a different subject by tapping the display to reposition the focus area. The focus stick (focus lever) can also be used if zWIDE is selected for AF MODE.

If the selected subject leaves the frame, the camera will wait a set time for its return and consequently the white frame may sometimes appear in locations where no subject of the chosen type is seen.

Depending on shooting conditions, subject detection may be suspended at the close of burst shooting.

Subjects can be detected with the camera in vertical or horizontal orientation.

Subject detection options can also be accessed via shortcuts (aShortcut Options).

AF+MF

If ON is selected and focus has been locked (whether by pressing the shutter button halfway or by other means), focus lock can be ended and focus adjusted manually by rotating the focus ring.

Options
ON	OFF

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.

If the lens is equipped with a focus distance indicator, set the focus ring to the center, as the camera may fail to focus if the ring is set to infinity or the minimum focus distance.

The previously-selected focus mode will be restored if no operations are performed for a set period after the focus ring is rotated.

DIGITAL SPLIT IMAGE and DIGITAL MICROPRISM focus assist options selected via MF ASSIST cannot be used.

AF + MF Focus Zoom

Selecting ON for GAF/MF SETTING> FOCUS CHECK when SINGLE POINT is chosen for AF MODE lets you zoom in on the current focus area by rotating the focus ring. The zoom ratio can be selected using the rear command dial.

MF ASSIST

Choose how focus is displayed in manual focus mode (aMF Assist).

Option	Description
DIGITAL SPLIT IMAGE	Displays a black-and-white (MONOCHROME) or color (COLOR) split image in the center of the frame. Frame the subject in the split-image area and rotate the focus ring until the four parts of the split image are correctly aligned.
DIGITAL MICROPRISM	A grid pattern that emphasizes blur is displayed when the subject is out of focus, disappearing to be replaced by a sharp image when the subject is in focus.
FOCUS PEAK HIGHLIGHT	The camera heightens high-contrast outlines. Choose a color and peaking level.
OFF	Focus is displayed normally (focus peaking, digital split image, and digital microprism are not available).

FOCUS CHECK

If ON is selected, the display will automatically zoom in on the selected focus area when the focus ring is rotated in manual focus mode.

Options
ON	OFF

Press the focus stick (focus lever) to cancel focus zoom.

The zoom position is centered on the current focus area and changes when the focus area is changed.

INTERLOCK SPOT AE & FOCUS AREA

Choose ON to meter the current focus frame when SPOT or MULTI metering is selected.

Options
ON	OFF

xFINSTANT AF SETTING

Chooses how the camera focuses when a button to which focus lock or AF-ON is assigned is pressed with MANUAL FOCUS selected for FOCUS MODE.

Option	Description
AF-S	The camera focuses when the button is pressed.
AF-C	The camera focuses while the button is pressed.

Any changes made using this item also apply in movie mode (axFINSTANT AF SETTING (Movie Recording)).

xFDEPTH-OF-FIELD SCALE

Choose the basis for the depth-of-field scale.

Option	Description
PIXEL BASIS	Provides a precision reference for use when assessing depth of field for pictures that will be viewed at high resolutions on computers or other electronic displays.
FILM FORMAT BASIS	Provides a practical reference for use when assessing depth of field for pictures that will be viewed at lower resolutions, for example as prints.

Any changes made using this item also apply in movie mode (axFDEPTH-OF-FIELD SCALE (Movie Recording)).

RELEASE/FOCUS PRIORITY

Choose how the camera focuses when the shutter button is pressed all the way down with SINGLE AF or CONTINUOUS AF selected for FOCUS MODE.

Option	Description
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.

Regardless of the option selected, pictures can still be taken when the camera is not in focus if ON is selected for AF+MF.

xFAF RANGE LIMITER

Limit the range of available focus distances for increased focus speed.

Option	Description
OFF	Focus limiter disabled.
CUSTOM	Limit focus to a range of distances defined by a minimum and maximum. OK: Limit focus to the selected range. SET: Choose two objects and limit focus to the distance between them.
PRESET1	Limit focus to a preset range.
PRESET2	Limit focus to a preset range.

Choosing a focus range that includes distances shorter than the minimum focus distance of the lens disables the focus limiter.

The values listed and displayed for the focus limiter may differ from the actual focus distance.

Focus range can be set independently on lenses equipped with focus range selectors. Be sure that the option selected in the camera menus overlaps with that chosen with the lens.

The following additional operations can be performed when CUSTOM is selected:

You can tap objects in the touch screen display to choose the focus range.
Instead of tapping an object in the display, you set the maximum focus distance to infinity by rotating the focus ring.

Any changes made using this item also apply in movie mode (axFAF RANGE LIMITER (Movie Recording)).

TOUCH SCREEN MODE

Choose the shooting operations performed using touch controls.

Mode		Description
	TOUCH SHOOTING	Tap your subject in the display to focus and release the shutter. In burst mode, pictures will be taken while you keep your finger on the display.
	AF AF OFF	In focus mode l (SINGLE AF), the camera focuses when you tap your subject in the display. Focus locks at the current distance until you tap the AFOFF icon. In focus mode k (CONTINUOUS AF), the camera initiates focus when you tap your subject display. The camera will continue to adjust focus for changes in the distance to the subject until you tap the AF OFF icon. In manual focus mode p (MANUAL FOCUS), you can tap the display to focus on the selected subject using autofocus.
	AREA	Tap to select a point for focus or zoom. The focus frame will move to the selected point.
	OFF	Touch screen mode off.

The behavior of the touch screen varies with the AF mode.

To disable touch controls and hide the touch screen mode indicator, select OFF for DBUTTON/DIAL SETTING> TOUCH SCREEN SETTING> xTOUCH SCREEN SETTING.

Touch Controls for Focus Zoom

Different touch controls are used during focus zoom (focus check enabled).

Central Area

Tapping the center of the display performs the operations below.

Mode	Operation performed
TOUCH SHOOTING	SINGLE AF/MANUAL FOCUS: Take a picture
AF	SINGLE AF: AF
AF	MANUAL FOCUS: Instant AF
AREA	SINGLE AF: AF
AREA	MANUAL FOCUS: Instant AF
OFF	SINGLE AF/MANUAL FOCUS: OFF

Other Areas

Tapping other areas simply scrolls the display, whether during still photography or movie recording and regardless of the option selected for touch screen mode.