ILCE-9

Focus Setting Guide

Settings Guide

Events and Subjects
Shooting tips
Tracking subject
Focusing on a person’s face or eyes
Focusing on an animal’s eye

When shooting typical moving subjects using the ILCE-9, the following settings are recommended by default.
* Update the camera's system software to the newest version.

Recommended default settings
Focus Mode AF-C Focus mode dial
Focus Area * Flexible Spot: M [ (Camera Settings1)] 4 / 13 (AF1)
Face/Eye AF Set. * Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On] [ (Camera Settings1)] 5 / 13 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ (Camera Settings1)] 4 / 13 (AF1)
AF Track Sens * 3(Standard) [ (Camera Settings1)] 5 / 13 (AF2)
Swt. V/H AF Area AF Point Only [ (Camera Settings1)] 4 / 13 (AF1)

* Recommended settings differ depending on the subject. Refer to the chart at the bottom.

Focus Mode: AF-C

When set to the AF-C (Continuous AF) mode, the camera continues to focus while the shutter button is pressed and held halfway down.

Focus Area: Flexible Spot M

When set to the Flexible Spot , the camera allows you to move the focusing frame to the desired point on the screen and focus on a small subject in a narrow area. The size of the focusing frame can be selected. The medium size M is recommended for general use. Refer to the chart at the bottom for the setting for each subject.

  • Other settings

Wide: Automatically focuses on a subject across the entire screen.

Zone: After the user selects a focus zone on the monitor, the camera will automatically select the focus points.

Center: Focuses automatically on the subject in the center of the image.

Expand Flexible Spot: If the camera cannot focus on a single selected point, it flexibly uses focus points around the spot as a secondary priority area for focusing.

Tracking*：

When the shutter button is pressed and held halfway down, the product tracks the subject within the selected autofocus area. This setting is available only when the focus mode is set to [Continuous AF]. 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 zone, flexible spot or expand flexible spot.

* System software Ver. 5.00 or later

Face/Eye AF Set.*

Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
This function is used to determine whether or not the camera will focus with priority on human faces or eyes.
During autofocus, the camera detects the face of a person within the focus area and then focuses on the face or eyes.
Also, when [Focus Area] is set to [Tracking], once a face is detected near the focusing frame during tracking, the camera will automatically focus on the face or the eyes. This function is effective when the subject is a person.

* System software Ver. 5.00 or later

Priority Set in AF-C: Balanced Emphasis

Regarding whether to release the shutter even if the subject is not in focus, shoots with a balanced emphasis on both focusing and shutter release.

AF subject-tracking sensitivity : 3(Standard)

When set to 5 (Responsive), the camera focuses responsively on subjects at different distances.

When set to 1 (Locked on), the camera keeps the focus on a specific subject even when other objects pass in front of the subject.

Standard 3 is recommended for general use. Refer to the chart at the bottom for the setting for each subject.

Swt. V/H AF Area: AF Point only

Switches the position of the focusing frame according to the orientation of the camera (horizontal/vertical). The [Focus Area] is fixed.

  • Other settings

Off: Does not switch the [Focus Area] or the position of the focusing frame based on the orientation of the camera (horizontal/vertical).

AF Point + AF Area: Switches both the [Focus Area] and the position of the focusing frame based on the orientation of the camera (horizontal/vertical).

Recommended autofocus settings chart for each subject

Ball games
Athletics / Track and field
Winter sports
Motor sports
Other sports
Non-sport categories

Ball games
Subject Focus Mode Focus Area Face/Eye AF Set. Other settings
Soccer, Football, Futsal AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [4]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Basketball AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Rugby AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
American football AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [2]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Handball AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [4]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Tennis AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Volleyball AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Sepak takraw AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Zone]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]

Athletics / Track and field
Subject Focus Mode Focus Area Face/Eye AF Set. Other settings
Sprints (100 m~), Hurdles AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Javelin, Shot put AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Long jump, Triple jump AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
High jump, Pole vault AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Marathon AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]

Winter sports
Subject Focus Mode Focus Area Face/Eye AF Set. Other settings
Alpine skiing (near a gate, jump) AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Mogul AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Snowboarding (Halfpipe, Slalom) AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Ski jumping (front, side) AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Biathlon AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Short-track speed skating AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Speed skating AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Zone]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Figure skating (Singles) AF-C [Tracking: Flexible Spot M]
[Flexible Spot: M]
[Zone]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Ice hockey AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [4]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Curling AF-C [Tracking: Flexible Spot M]
[Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [2]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Bobsleigh AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]

Motor sports
Subject Focus Mode Focus Area Face/Eye AF Set. Other settings
Car racing, Karting AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Motorcycling (on-road) AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Motocross AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Wide]
[Tracking: Wide]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]

Other sports
Subject Focus Mode Focus Area Face/Eye AF Set. Other settings
Swimming AF-C [Expand Flexible Spot]
[Flexible Spot: M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [1(Locked on)] to [2]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Cycle race AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Archery AF-C [Tracking: Flexible Spot M]
[Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Canoeing、Equestrian events AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [2]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Judo AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Kendo AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Horseracing AF-C [Tracking: Flexible Spot M]
[Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Equestrian events AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [2]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Speedboat racing AF-C [Tracking: Flexible Spot M]
[Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Fencing AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics AF-C [Tracking: Flexible Spot M]
[Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Golf AF-C [Tracking: Flexible Spot M]
[Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Human]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [2]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]

Non-sport categories
Subject Focus Mode Focus Area Face/Eye AF Set. Other settings
Trains and other railed vehicles AF-C [Tracking: Flexible Spot M]
[Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Airplanes, Air shows AF-C [Tracking: Flexible Spot M]
[Flexible Spot: M]
[Zone]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Wild birds AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Wide]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [Off] Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [3 (Standard)]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]
Wild animals AF-C [Flexible Spot: M]
[Expand Flexible Spot]
[Tracking: Flexible Spot M]		 Face/Eye Priority in AF: [On]
Subject Detection: [Animal]		 Priority Set in AF-C: [Balanced Emphasis]
AF Tracking Sens.: [2]
Switch V/H AF Area (still image): [AF Point Only]


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