Adjusting the focus area settings to the camera’s orientation (horizontal/vertical) (Switch V/H AF Area)

You can set whether to switch the [Focus Area] and the position of the focusing frame according to the orientation of the camera (horizontal/vertical). This function is useful when shooting scenes for which you have to change the camera position frequently, such as portraits or sports scenes.

  1. MENU → (Camera Settings1) → [Switch V/H AF Area] → desired setting.

Menu item details

Off:
Does not switch the [Focus Area] and the position of the focusing frame according to the orientation of the camera (horizontal/vertical).
AF Point Only:
Switches the position of the focusing frame according to the orientation of the camera (horizontal/vertical). The [Focus Area] is fixed.
AF Point + AF Area:
Switches both the [Focus Area] and the position of the focusing frame according to the orientation of the camera (horizontal/vertical).

An example when [AF Point + AF Area] is selected

Illustration showing how the focus area switches between horizontal and vertical shooting

(A) Vertical: [Flexible Spot] (Upper left corner)

(B) Horizontal: [Flexible Spot] (Upper right corner)

(C) Vertical: [Zone] (Lower left corner)

  • Three camera orientations are detected: horizontal, vertical with the side of the shutter button facing up, and vertical with the side of the shutter button facing down.

Note

  • If the setting for [Switch V/H AF Area] is changed, the focus settings for each camera orientation will not be retained.
  • The [Focus Area] and the position of the focusing frame will not change even when [Switch V/H AF Area] is set to [AF Point + AF Area] or [AF Point Only] in the following situations:
    • When the shooting mode is set to [Intelligent Auto], [Superior Auto], [Movie], or [S&Q Motion]
    • While the shutter button is pressed halfway down
    • During movie shooting
    • While using the digital zoom function
    • While the auto-focusing is activated
    • During continuous shooting
    • During the countdown for the self-timer
    • When [Focus Magnifier] is activated
  • When you shoot images right after the power is turned on and the camera is vertical, the first shot is taken with the horizontal focus setting or with the last focus setting.
  • The orientation of the camera cannot be detected when the lens is facing up or down.
Go to Page Top