\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Panasonic_Lumix_G90_ANICHOLSON_1061324.jpg\")
\n\nAs mirrorless cameras don\u2019t have a mirror to bounce light into a viewfinder or onto a dedicated autofocus sensor, they use the imaging sensor to gather the focusing information to drive the lens. The first mirrorless cameras used contrast detection autofocusing, and although some manufacturers have stuck with it, most use phase detection or a hybrid system that combines phase and contrast detection.<\/p>\n
Contrast detection is a very accurate method that looks at the edges of the subject and moves the focus until the point of highest contrast is found. Its problem is that the camera has no way of knowing which direction to adjust the focus initially, so it can go the wrong way.<\/p>\n
It can also overshoot the point of highest contrast, and have to back up for perfect focus. Phase detection is usually faster, as the camera knows which way to adjust the focus group and how far. Mirrorless cameras that use phase detection have on-sensor pixels for assessing the focus and driving the lens to get the subject sharp. While the earliest mirrorless cameras weren\u2019t able to match DSLRs for autofocus, they\u2019re now generally very good.<\/p>\n
In fact, you can shoot fast-moving sport and action with most enthusiast and pro-level mirrorless cameras, but naturally, some make it a bit easier than others. As a rule, mirrorless cameras have some advantages over DSLRs with regards to focusing. The AF points, for example, usually go closer to the edge of the frame, and the increasing availability of face and eye detection makes getting the most important part of a portrait sharp a cinch.<\/p>\n
Selecting the right AF modes<\/strong> That can be handy, but generally, it\u2019s best to opt for Single-AF or Continuous-AF according to your subject. Nikon\u2019s mirrorless cameras have an extra AF mode available in video mode called Full-time AF. When this mode is selected, the camera focuses continuously without the need to half-press the shutter release. Now that cameras have more than one AF point there are modes to help with their selection. These allow you to specify whether you want to select individual AF points or groups of AF points to target the subject. Understanding the options and how they work is an integral part of getting the best from a camera\u2019s AF system.<\/p>\n Canon\u2019s current mirrorless cameras use Dual Pixel CMOS AF which means all of the pixels on their sensors have two photodiodes and microlenses rather than just one and they can be used for phase-detection focusing. Consequently, there are focusing points across most of the imaging area.<\/p>\n\t\t The Canon EOS R6\u2019s Eye detection system can even keep up with fast-moving subjects<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Getting started<\/strong> Spot AF mode and 1-point AF mode are similar, allowing you to select a single point from all of those available, but the area is smaller in Spot AF mode. They are useful for targeting small subjects, with Spot AF being especially useful when there are other objects close to your subject.<\/p>\n Zone AF, Expand AF area, Expand AF area: Around are especially useful with moving subjects. With the Expand area modes, you select a single AF point, but the camera also uses the four or six surrounding points to keep it sharp. Some cameras have more than one Zone AF mode, giving you a choice of sizes and orientations (vertical or horizontal). In these modes, you select a fairly large area of the frame, and the camera selects the points to use within it. This is very useful with subjects that move unpredictably.<\/p>\n AF Configuration Tool<\/strong> AF Method<\/strong> Subject to detect<\/strong> Select focus point<\/strong> Most of Fujifilm\u2019s current X-series cameras have its fourth-generation X-Trans CMOS sensor paired with the X Process 4. This 26.1MP APS-C format sensor has phase detection pixels that combine with a contrast-detection system to facilitate the Intelligent Hybrid AF system which has 425 user-selectable AF points.<\/p>\n With so many points, you might think that it would be difficult or time-consuming to select the one that you want to use, but Fujifilm makes it easy and quick. Also, Fujifilm cameras like the X-S10 and X-T4 have a section of the menu that\u2019s dedicated to focusing, so you can access the settings all from one place, but there are also some neat shortcuts.<\/p>\n\t\t It\u2019s quick and easy to set up Fujifilm\u2019s autofocus system to track moving subjects<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Getting started<\/strong> I usually go for 425 because it gives you more scope to target exactly the point that you want in the scene. With that decided, you can then choose to use the points individually or in groups. You can do this using the Focus Area options in the main menu, but the quickest and easiest way is to set the AF mode in the Menu to \u2018All\u2019, then nudge the joystick on the back of the camera as if you\u2019re going to select a point and rotate one of the command dials.<\/p>\n Going one way makes the area bigger while going the other makes it smaller. As the size of the area changes, you\u2019ll see the name of the Focus Area mode change from Wide (Tracking in Continuous AF mode) to Zone and then to Single Point.<\/p>\n When you\u2019ve selected the size of the area you want to use, tap the screen or use the joystick to move it to cover your subject in the viewfinder or on the screen. If Face\/Eye Detection is turned on in the AF\/MF section of the main or Quick menu, the camera will look for eyes and\/or faces in the whole scene \u2013 not just within the selected AF area.<\/p>\n\t\t Some of Fujifilm\u2019s cameras allow you to change focus mode as well as AF area via the Quick menu<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n You can even specify which eye should be targeted if you want. It\u2019s well worth turning on the Eye Detection if you\u2019re in a social setting or you\u2019re photographing a portrait; however, with street scenes and the like, it\u2019s prone AF-C Custom Settings<\/strong> Focus Mode<\/strong> Nikon\u2019s mirrorless cameras have on-sensor phase detection pixels and use a hybrid AF system with between 209 and 493 AF points depending upon the model. All the cameras have AF points covering 90% of the imaging surface, which is great news for focusing on off-centre subjects.<\/p>\n\t\t Having AF points across 90% of the frame makes focusing on off-centre subjects a doddle<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Nikon AF-Area modes<\/strong> The Z6 II and Z7 II have AF-Area modes for people and animals with options for wider coverage<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Pinpoint AF and Single-point AF (AF-S)<\/strong> Dynamic-area AF (AF-C)<\/strong> Wide-area AF (Large-people), Wide-area AF (Large-animals), Auto-area AF (people) and Auto-area AF (animals) <\/strong> Auto-area AF (and Subject Tracking)<\/strong> The box will turn yellow and track the subject. The Subject Tracking works very well, and it\u2019s great for keeping moving subjects sharp provided that you have time to set the point at the beginning.<\/p>\n Selecting the AF-area options <\/strong> The Focus mode and AF-area mode can be set via the main or \u2018I\u2019 menus, but it\u2019s faster to press the FN2 button on the front of the camera while rotating the front and rear command dials.<\/p>\n Initially, only the OM-D E-M1 cameras in Olympus\u2019s lineup featured hybrid focusing and used phase detection as well as contrast detection, but this was extended to the E-M5 series with the OM-D E-M5 Mark III. This means that the OM-D E-M10 line is the only one in Olympus\u2019s interchangeable lens range to feature just contrast-detection focusing.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, all of Olympus\u2019s most recent cameras have 121 AF points available for selection and, as usual, you can set the point you want to use by tapping on the screen or using the navigation pad. All of the most important settings, including the AF mode and AF area options, on Olympus cameras can be accessed via the Super Control Panel (SCP) which is accessed by pressing the \u2018OK\u2019 button.<\/p>\n\t\t The OM-D E-M5 Mark III features hybrid focusing and uses phase detection as Once the panel appears on screen, you just double-tap on the feature that you want to adjust to reveal the available options and then use a control dial or the navigation pad to select the option you want before pressing \u2018OK\u2019. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 and E-M1X also have dedicated buttons to give a direct route to the focus mode options.<\/p>\n Much of the imaging area of Olympus\u2019s latest cameras are covered by AF points, so you can focus close to the edges of the frame. You can also adjust the size of the AF area you want to use by pressing the dedicated AF area button or tapping the option in the Super Control Panel and then rotating the front control dial to toggle through the different-sized areas.<\/p>\n Face Priority and Face & Eye Priority can be activated and deactivated similarly, via the SCP or by pressing the AF area button and rotating the rear control dial to toggle through the options.<\/p>\n\t\t AF mode and AF area options can be easily accessed via the Super Control Panel (SCP)<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Olympus OM-D E-M1X<\/strong> When the mode is active, the camera doesn\u2019t just look for front-on shots of cars in motorsports mode, it can also find and track objects associated with motorsports such as crash helmets and the like. It\u2019s activated as follows:<\/p>\n 1 Press \u2018Menu\u2019 and then go to Custom Menu A3.AF\/MF Continuous AF + Tracking<\/strong> Panasonic uses contrast-detection focusing in all its full-frame (S-series) and Micro Four Thirds (G-series) cameras. However, in 2014 it introduced its DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology to help to make it faster than usual.<\/p>\n The DFD system works by analysing the sharpness of two images taken at different focus distances. This enables the camera to understand which direction and how far to adjust the focus to render the subject sharp. Faster sensor readout speeds in Panasonic\u2019s most advanced and recent cameras help to make the DFD technology even more effective, so the focusing is faster and more assured.<\/p>\n It might not be the choice of professional sports photographers, but I\u2019ve photographed fast-paced sport like rugby and cycling with the likes of the Panasonic Lumix G9 and G90 and achieved a high hit rate. Because DFD technology needs to use detailed information about the lens\u2019s image quality, it is only compatible with Panasonic\u2019s lenses.<\/p>\n\t\t For action and sports photography, the Zone (Oval) mode is useful for fast-moving subjects<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Getting started<\/strong> There\u2019s also a dedicated button to access the autofocus point selection modes, which include Pinpoint, 1-Area, Custom Multi, 255-Area, Tracking and Face\/Eye Detection. The full-frame S-series cameras work in a similar way but they add a few additional modes to the mix, Face\/Eye\/Body\/Animal Detection, Zone (Vertical, Horizontal or Oval) and 1-Area+. Custom Multi and Zone are interesting options that enable you to define the shape and location of the active AF area.<\/p>\n For example, on the S1R, if you press the AF point selection button and highlight Zone (Vert.\/Horiz.) then nudge the joystick on the back of the camera down, you\u2019ll see a grid of AF points with selected area in yellow. Rotating the front or rear control dial will increase and decrease the size of the band of selected focus points, while the joystick moves them and flips their orientation.<\/p>\n\t\t The Lumix G90 has a handy switch for selecting different AF settings quickly<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n While a line or band of AF might be useful on occasion \u2013 for example, if you\u2019re photographing a running race looking down the track \u2013 I\u2019ve found the Zone (Oval) to be the most useful for fast-moving subjects, but you have to keep the active area over the subject. Face\/Eye\/Body\/Animal Detection Panasonic makes it easy to select Face\/Eye\/Body\/Animal Detection mode on its advanced cameras as it\u2019s amongst the AF point selection modes.<\/p>\n When it\u2019s highlighted in the AF mode list, nudging the joystick on the back of the camera upwards toggles Animal detection on and off. Once that\u2019s done, pushing the joystick down enables you to set the starting position for the AF point and begin taking photographs. The human eye detection is very good, and it\u2019s certainly an asset for portrait photography.<\/p>\n The Animal Detection, however, doesn\u2019t impress in comparison with Canon\u2019s and Sony\u2019s most recent versions of the function because it only identifies their bodies, not their eyes. If you\u2019re shooting wide-aperture portraits of animals, you will need to use a single AF point to target the eyes.<\/p>\n AF Custom Setting<\/strong> As usual, the parameters can be adjusted, but it\u2019s best to scroll through the four sets of settings first to find the one that best matches your situation.<\/p>\n Sony uses a hybrid AF system in its mirrorless cameras and they have hundreds of AF points. The popular full-frame A7 III, for example, has 693 phase detection points and 425 contrast detection points while the APS-C format A6600 has 425 points of each type, and they cover the majority of the imaging area.<\/p>\n\t\t Sony\u2019s A7R IV has \u2018Real-Time\u2019 autofocus tracking, which is excellent for sport photography<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n While the Eye Detection system in Canon\u2019s EOS R5 and R6 has a slight edge over Sony\u2019s Eye AF system, it\u2019s still very good and Sony\u2019s \u2018Real-Time\u2019 AF Tracking in its most recent cameras leads the way for tracking moving subjects.<\/p>\n As usual, Sony cameras have a large collection of modes that aim to make selecting the active AF point easier.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how they operate:<\/p>\n Wide<\/strong> As with Lock-on AF mode, this can beset to Tracking: Wide, Zone, Center, Spot (S, M, L) or Expand Spot to help you to target the most important area of the scene if necessary. You can also tap on the
\nAs with a DSLR, one of the first decisions you have to make when shooting with a mirrorless camera is which focusing mode you want to use: single or continuous. Single-AF or One-Shot AF mode is designed for photographing stationary subjects while Continuous-AF is for moving subjects and is often combined with burst shooting. Some cameras also have an Auto-AF setting in which the camera switches automatically between Single-AF and Continuous-AF depending upon whether it detects any subject movement.<\/p>\n
\nCanon
\nCanon’s mirrorless camera AF system has evolved into one of the best available<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Canon_EOS_R6_Eye_Detection_ANICHOLSON_P4A7379.jpg\")
\t\t\t
\nBefore you start shooting with a Canon mirrorless camera you need to select the \u2018AF method\u2019 via the main or Quick menus to determine how the active AF point is selected. The modes available vary by the camera but the list encompasses 1-point AF, Spot AF, Zone AF, Expand AF area, Expand AF area: Around and Face+Tracking AF.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Cases_Canon_EOS-R5_ANICHOLSON_DSC7838.jpg\")
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\nCanon\u2019s most advanced mirrorless cameras have a series of Servo AF \u2018Cases\u2019 listed in the AF section of their menu. These control aspects such as the tracking sensitivity and how the camera responds to things like changes in the speed of the subject and when objects come between it and the target. Case 1 is a good general-purpose setting, but if it\u2019s available, Case A is great as it adjusts to the subject\u2019s movement automatically.<\/p>\n
\nUsing Canon’s Eye Detection<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Canon_Using_Canon_Eye_Detection_1_ANICHOLSON_DSC7550.jpg\")
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\nThe EOS R was the first Canon camera to feature Eye detection, but it\u2019s been developed further for the R5 and R6 where it can be set for human or animal eyes. It works brilliantly and is a major bonus for pet, wildlife and portrait photography. Press the menu button and find \u2018AF method\u2019 in the AF tab. Tap on \u2018AF method\u2019 followed by the \u2018Face+Tracking\u2019 icon.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Canon_Using_Canon_Eye_Detection_2_ANICHOLSON_DSC7555.jpg\")
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\nStill in the AF tab, tap \u2018Subject to detect\u2019 followed by \u2018People\u2019, \u2018Animals\u2019 or \u2018No Priority\u2019. If the latter is selected, the camera will look for any eyes in the scene. Find \u2018Eye detection\u2019 in the AF section of the menu and set it to \u2018Enable\u2019. Alternatively, when Face+Tracking is active, you can activate and deactivate Eye detection by pressing the Info button.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Canon_Using_Canon_Eye_Detection_3_ANICHOLSON_DSC7500.jpg\")
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\nIf the camera detects an eye in the frame, it will put a white square around it; when you half-press the shutter release it will focus on it and the square will turn green. If there\u2019s more than one eye detected, arrows appear on either side of the selected eye \u2013 you can use the joystick to select another eye as
\nthe focus point.<\/p>\n
\nFujfilm
\nFujifilm\u2019s autofocus system lets you target subjects precisely and track moving objects<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fujifilm_X-T3_ANICHOLSON_DSF1868.jpg\")
\t\t\t
\nOne of the first things that you may want to decide when setting up your Fujifilm camera is how many AF points you want to select from. There\u2019s an option in the menu that lets you swap between 117 points in a 9×13 grid and 425 in a 17×25 grid.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fujifilm_X-S10_ANICHOLSON_DSC7956.jpg\")
\t\t\t
\nto latching onto eyes in advertisements and statues \u2013 that issue isn\u2019t exclusive to Fujifilm though.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fujifilm_AF-C_Custom_Settings_ANICHOLSON_DSC0017.jpg\")
\n
\nFujifilm\u2019s enthusiast-level cameras have a selection of AF-C Custom Settings that dictate how the camera responds to certain subjects and situations. These can be tweaked, but it\u2019s worth scrolling through the options and looking at the type of subjects they\u2019re designed for and giving them a try before you start making adjustments.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fujifilm_AF_Mode_Switch_ANICHOLSON_DSC0029.jpg\")
\n
\nWhile the focus mode is set via the Quick or Main menu on Fujifilm cameras such as the X-E4 and S-X10, others like the X-T4 have a switch on their front near the lens mount to swap between Single AF, Continuous AF and Manual Focus mode. The switch makes it quicker to change the setting.<\/p>\n
\nNikon
\nNikon\u2019s Z-series cameras have AF points covering 90% of the frame so you can compose with ease<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Nikon_Z7_ANICHOLSON_DSC0352.jpg\")
\t\t\t
\nNikon\u2019s AF-Area modes allow you to select the focus point you want to use individually or in groups. The options available change depending on whether you have Single AF or Continuous AF mode selected. Here\u2019s a breakdown of how the main AF-Area modes function:<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Nikon_AF_mode_ANICHOLSON_DSC8162.jpg\")
\t\t\t
\nThese modes are great for targeting small stationary subjects but it takes a long time to move the point around the scene with the joystick in Pinpoint mode. But it\u2019s a great choice when the camera is on a tripod and you can tap the screen to set the point.<\/p>\n
\nThis mode is ideal for moving subjects. It lets you select a point for focusing and the camera looks at it and the surrounding points to keep it sharp. As the AF area is larger than in Single-point AF mode, it\u2019s easier to keep it over the subject.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Nikon_Wide_Area_Animals_ANICHOLSON_DSC8174.jpg\")
\nWide-area AF (Small) and Wide-area AF (Large)<\/strong>
\nThese modes are useful when it\u2019s hard to keep a single AF point or Dynamic Area AF point over a subject. The Large Wide-area AF is great when you have a rough idea of where the subject will be in the frame but it\u2019s likely to move unpredictably, so you need a bigger area than the small version to keep the subject covered as it moves.<\/p>\n
\nIn these modes, the Z6 II or Z7 II look for the appropriate eyes within the frame, which is the majority of the imaging area with Auto-area mode and more targeted areas in the Wide-area modes. When multiple eyes are detected, use the joystick to select the one you want to focus on. These are great modes for portrait or pet photography. But they\u2019re not so great for fast-moving subjects.<\/p>\n
\nIn this mode the camera selects the subject automatically, looking for objects close to the centre of the frame and near to the camera. If you press the \u2018OK\u2019 button, a white box appears at the centre of the frame. You then need to move the camera so that the box covers the subject and press \u2018OK\u2019 again.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Nikon_Function_Buttons_ANICHOLSON_DSC0020.jpg\")
\n
\nEye Detection AF needs to be activated via the Custom Setting Menu on the Nikon Z 50, Z 5, Z 6 and Z 7. You also need to set \u2018Face detection on\u2019 or \u2018Face and eye detection on\u2019 to detect and focus on human subjects or \u2018Animal detection on\u2019 for animals.<\/p>\n
\nOlympus
\nOlympus was quick to embrace subject recognition for focusing with its most advanced camera<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Olympus_OM-D_E-M5_Mark_III_ANICHOLSON_A170056.jpg\")
\t\t\t
well as contrast detection<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Olympus_SCP_ANICHOLSON_DSC1772.jpg\")
\t\t\t
\nThe OM-D E-M1X has a Subject Tracking mode that uses AI to identify specific objects then track them, keeping them sharp. At launch, the options under this mode included trains, motorsports and aeroplanes, but a firmware update has added birds.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Olympus_EM1X_ANICHOLSON_DSC1770.jpg\")
\n
\n2 Tap on \u2018Tracking Subject\u2019.
\n3 Select the type of subject you want to track and press the \u2018OK\u2019 button.
\n4 Exit the menu and press the \u2018OK\u2019 button again to open the Super Control Panel.
\n5 Tap on the Focus mode option and select C-AF + TR. The Continuous AF + Tracking works as normal until your chosen subject comes into the frame when the camera will put a box around it and start tracking it.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Olympus_Continuous_AFTracking_ANICHOLSON_DSC1773.jpg\"){kind=tracking}
\n
\nIn addition to the usual focus modes, Single AF, Continuous AF and Manual, Olympus cameras also have a Continuous AF + Tracking mode. When this mode is selected, tap on the subject on the screen of your camera to track it around the frame. It can be very useful, but as a rule, it\u2019s better to use C-AF and select an area large enough to
\ncover your subject, then keep it over the subject as you shoot. Olympus\u2019s cameras with phase detection show their mettle with faster focus and much better subject-tracking than those that just rely on contrast detection.<\/p>\n
\nPanasonic
\nPanasonic has stuck with contrast-detection AF but it has a trick to make it faster<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\nPanasonic\u2019s most photo enthusiast-centric mirrorless cameras, the Lumix G9, G90, S5 S1 and S1R, have a switch for selecting between manual, single, continuous and automatic AF (Auto Focus Flexible or AFF), which is quicker than dipping into a menu.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/11-DC-G90-MKIT.jpg\")
\t\t\t
\n
\nPanasonic\u2019s enthusiast- and professional-level cameras have a selection of four customisation settings for the autofocus system in continuous AF mode. These control aspects such as how responsive the camera is to changes in the subject speed and distance and the speed with which it changes between AF areas.<\/p>\n
\nSony
\nSony\u2019s focusing system is simply superb at tracking moving subjects<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Sony_A7R_IV_ANICHOLSON_DSC0483.jpg\")
\t\t\t
\nIn this mode, every focus point is available for automatic selection by the camera. When used with continuous autofocus mode (Sony calls it AF-C), Sony\u2019s current cameras do a great job of spotting a
\nmoving subject and activating the right points as it moves around the frame. It\u2019s a great choice for photographing subjects that move unpredictably.
\nZone<\/strong>
\nThis is more targeted than Wide area AF and it\u2019s a great choice for moving subjects if you know roughly where they will be in the frame. Unlike Wide mode, however, you need to keep the box over the subject in the frame. Center<\/strong>
\nThis mode puts a rectangular focus area at the centre of the frame. This is handy if you like to focus and recompose as with an old-school SLR.
\nFlexible Spot<\/strong>
\nThe go-to setting for stationary subjects, this can be set to small, medium or large as necessary to suit your subject. I tend to opt for small or medium.
\nExpand Flexible Spo<\/strong>t
\nThis is similar to Flexible Spot but the camera also uses the surrounding points if it needs to, so it\u2019s helpful when the subject has low contrast.
\nLock-on AF<\/strong>
\nLock-on AF mode is only available in continuous autofocus mode. When it\u2019s active, you set the starting focus point and, after the shutter button is half-pressed, the camera tracks the subject around the frame. The focus area can be set to several different sizes and starting points. This a useful mode for photographing moving subjects, but generally, Wide and Zone AF work so well, it\u2019s not required.
\nTracking AF<\/strong>
\nSony\u2019s most recent mirrorless cameras like the A1, A7R IV, A7S III, A7C, A6600 and A6400, have \u2018Real-Time\u2019 autofocus tracking. This has been developed using artificial intelligence (AI) to help the camera seamlessly track a subject, looking for eyes, faces and objects in that order of priority when Face\/Eye Priority AF is activated via the menu. If this option is available on your camera, it\u2019s brilliant for portrait, pet, sport, wedding and social photography.<\/p>\n
\nsubject in the screen on your camera to target it for tracking.<\/p>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Sony_Eye_AF_ANICHOLSON_1022906.jpg\")
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