Using autofocus

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

Selecting the focus mode
The shutter-release button
Using target finding AF
Using face detection
Using skin softening
Subjects not suitable for autofocus
Focus lock

Selecting the focus mode

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

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

Available focus modes

OptionDescription
AutofocusUse when the distance from the subject to the lens is 50 cm (1 ft 8 in.) or more, or 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in.) 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-upSet 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.
InfinityUse 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.
InfinityAvailable 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 shutter-release button

OperationDescription
Press halfwayTo 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 wayTo 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.

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.

If the camera detects more than one face, a double border (1) 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:

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] 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:

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.

  1. 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.
  2. Without lifting your finger, recompose the picture.
    • Make sure to maintain the same distance between the camera and the subject.
  3. 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] 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