Selecting the focus area (Focus Area)

still image, movie, slow&quick motion

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].


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 shooting mode is set to [Movie] or [S&Q Motion] or during movie shooting, [Tracking] cannot be selected for [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 when shooting still images (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.

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