Selecting the focus area (Focus Area)

still image, movie

Set the type of focusing frame when shooting with the auto focus. Select the mode according to the subject.

  1. MENU (Focus) → [Focus Area][Focus Area] → desired setting.

Menu item details

Wide:
Focuses on a subject covering the whole range of the screen automatically. When you press the shutter button halfway down in the still image shooting mode, a green frame is displayed around the area that is in focus.

Zone:
Select a zone on the monitor on which to focus, and the product will automatically select a focus area.

Center Fix:
Focuses automatically on a subject in the center of the image. Use together with the focus-lock function to create the composition you want.

Spot: S/Spot: M/Spot: L:
Allows you to move the focusing frame to a desired point on the screen and focus on an extremely small subject in a narrow area.

Expand Spot:
If the product cannot focus on a single selected point, it uses focus points around the [Spot] as a secondary priority area for focusing.

Tracking:
This setting is available only when the [Focus Mode] is set to [Continuous AF]. When the shutter button is pressed and held halfway down, the product tracks the subject within the selected autofocus area. Point the cursor at [Tracking] on the [Focus Area] setting screen, and then select the desired area to start tracking using the left/right sides of the control wheel. You can also move the tracking start area to the desired point by designating the area as a [Tracking: Zone], [Tracking: Spot S]/[Tracking: Spot M]/[Tracking: Spot L] or [Tracking: Expand Spot].


Hint

  • In the default settings, [Focus Area] is assigned to the C2 button.

Note

  • [Focus Area] is locked to [Wide] in the following situations:
    • [Intelligent Auto]
  • The focus area may not light up during continuous shooting or when the shutter button is pressed all the way down at once.
  • When the mode dial is set to (Movie) or (S&Q Motion) or during movie shooting, [Tracking] cannot be selected as the [Focus Area].


Examples of the focusing frame display

The focusing frame differs as follows.


When focusing on a larger area

Example of a focus frame when focusing on a larger area

When focusing on a smaller area

Example of a focus frame when focusing on a smaller area

  • When [Focus Area] is set to [Wide] or [Zone], the focusing frame may switch between “When focusing on a larger area” and “When focusing on a smaller area” depending on the subject or situation.
  • When you attach an A-mount lens with a Mount Adaptor (LA-EA3 or LA-EA5) (sold separately), the focusing frame for “When focusing on a smaller area” may be displayed.

When focus is achieved automatically based on the whole range of the monitor

Example of a focus frame when focus is achieved automatically based on the whole range of the monitor

  • When you use a zoom function other than the optical zoom, the [Focus Area] setting is disabled and the focusing frame is shown by the dotted line. The AF operates with priority on and around the center area.


To move the focus area

  • You can move the focus area by operating the multi-selector when [Focus Area] is set to the following parameters:
    • [Zone]
    • [Spot: S]/[Spot: M]/[Spot: L]
    • [Expand Spot]
    • [Tracking: Zone]
    • [Tracking: Spot S]/[Tracking: Spot M]/[Tracking: Spot L]
    • [Tracking: Expand Spot]

    If you assign [Focus Standard] to the center of the multi-selector beforehand, you can move the focusing frame back to the center of the monitor by pressing the center of the multi-selector.

Hint

  • When [Focus Area] is set to [Spot] or [Expand Spot], you can move the focusing frame over a greater distance at a time with the multi-selector by setting [AF Frame Move Amt] to [Large].
  • You can move the focusing frame quickly by touching and dragging it on the monitor. Set [Touch Operation] to [On], and set [Touch Func. in Shooting] to [Touch Focus] beforehand.


To track the subject temporarily (Tracking On)

You can temporarily change the setting for [Focus Area] to [Tracking] while you press and hold down the custom key to which you have assigned [Tracking On] in advance. The [Focus Area] setting before you activated [Tracking On] will switch to the equivalent [Tracking] setting.

For example:

[Focus Area] before you activate [Tracking On] [Focus Area] while [Tracking On] is active
[Wide] [Tracking: Wide]
[Spot: S] [Tracking: Spot S]
[Expand Spot] [Tracking: Expand Spot]


Phase detection AF

When there are phase detection AF points within the auto focus area, the product uses the combined autofocus of the phase detection AF and contrast AF.

Note

  • Phase detection AF is available only when a compatible lens is attached. If you use a lens that does not support phase detection AF, you cannot use the following functions.

    • [Automatic AF]
    • [AF Tracking Sensitivity]
    • [AF Subj. Shift Sensitivity]
    • [AF Transition Speed]

    Also, even if you use a previously purchased applicable lens, the phase detection AF might not function unless you update the lens.