Focusing on human eyes

The camera can automatically detect faces and eyes and focus on the eyes (Eye AF). The following explanation is for cases where the detection target is human. The faces of up to 8 subjects can be detected.

There are two methods for performing [Eye AF], with some differences between their specifications. Select the appropriate method according to your purpose.

Item [Face/Eye Prior. in AF] function [Eye AF] via a custom key
Characteristics The camera will detect faces/eyes with greater priority. The camera will detect faces/eyes exclusively.
Advance preparation
  • Select [Face/Eye Prior. in AF] → [On].
  • Select [Face/Eye Subject] → [Human].
 Assign [Eye AF] to the desired key using [Custom Key/Dial Set.] or [Custom Key/Dial Set.].
How to perform [Eye AF] Press the shutter button halfway down.*1 Press the key to which you have assigned the [Eye AF] function.*2
Function details
  • When the camera detects a face or eye inside or around the designated focus area, it focuses on the face or eye with greater priority.
  • If the camera does not detect any faces or eyes inside or around the designated focus area, it will focus on another detectable subject.
  • The camera focuses exclusively on faces or eyes anywhere on the screen, regardless of the setting for [Focus Area].
  • The camera will not automatically focus on another subject if no face or eye is detected anywhere on the screen.
Focus mode Follows the setting designated with [Focus Mode] Follows the setting designated with [Focus Mode]
Focus area Follows the setting designated with [Focus Area] The focus area temporarily becomes the entire screen, regardless of the setting for [Focus Area].


*1This is the operation for performing [Eye AF] when shooting still images. When shooting movies, [Eye AF] is activated without pressing the shutter button as long as faces or eyes are detected.

*2 Regardless of whether [Face/Eye Prior. in AF] is set to [On] or [Off], you can use [Eye AF] via a custom key while you are pressing the custom key to which you have assigned [Eye AF].


[Eye AF] by custom key

The Eye AF function can be used by assigning [Eye AF] to a custom key. The camera can focus on eyes as long as you are pressing the key. This is useful when you want to temporarily apply the Eye AF function to the entire screen regardless of the setting for [Focus Area].

The camera does not focus automatically if no faces or eyes are detected.

  1. MENU → (Setup) → [Operation Customize] → [Custom Key/Dial Set.] or [Custom Key/Dial Set.] → desired key, then assign the [Eye AF] function to the key.
  2. MENU → (Focus) → [Face/Eye AF] → [Face/Eye Subject] → [Human].
  3. Point the camera at the face of a human, and press the key to which you have assigned the [Eye AF] function.

    To shoot a still image, press the shutter button while pressing the key.

To focus on the eyes of an animal

Set [Face/Eye Subject] to [Animal] before shooting. If the detection target is an animal, eyes can be detected only when shooting still images. Animal faces are not detected.

Hint

  • Setting [Face/Eye Frame Disp.] to [On] makes it easier to check the detection status of faces or eyes.

Note

  • The [Eye AF] function may not function very well in the following situations:
    • When the person is wearing sunglasses.
    • When the front hair covers the person’s eyes.
    • In low-light or back-lit conditions.
    • When the eyes are closed.
    • When the subject is in the shade.
    • When the subject is out of focus.
    • When the subject is moving too much
    There are also other situations in which it may not be possible to focus on the eyes.
  • When the camera cannot focus on human eyes, it will detect and focus on the face instead. The camera cannot focus on eyes when no human faces are detected.
  • The camera may not detect faces at all or may accidentally detect other objects as faces in some conditions.
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