Selecting Focus Area
Set the type of focusing frame when shooting with the auto focus. Select the mode according to the subject.
Setting the camera
-
[
Focus Area]
MENU →
(Focus) → [Focus Area] → [
Focus Area] → the desired setting.
Note
[
Focus Area] is locked to [Wide] in the following situations:
-
[Intelligent Auto]
-
Guide to using the camera
Focus Area
Choose the best focus area based on subject position or size.
[Wide]
![](../img/01_pct_03.jpg)
[Zone]
![](../img/01_pct_04.jpg)
[Center Fix]
![](../img/01_pct_05.jpg)
[Spot]
[Expand Spot]
![](../img/01_pct_06.jpg)
-
[Spot]:
Focuses on very small subjects or narrow areas in a frame that you can move freely on the monitor. Choose a small, medium, or large focusing frame. -
[Expand Spot]:
Expands the focus area around [Spot] if focusing is not possible within your selected spot.
![](../img/s_focusarea_lock_w.png)
![](../img/s_focusarea_lock_z.png)
![](../img/s_focusarea_lock_c.png)
![](../img/s_focusarea_lock_f_m.png)
[Tracking]
![](../img/02_pct_06.jpg)
![](../img/cE6B1.png)
![](../img/s_focusmode_afc.png)
This function is available in still image shooting mode.
Select Focus Area based on the subject size on screen
Use the size of the subject on screen as a rough guide to decide the size of the focus area, such as [Spot].
![](../img/31_soccer1.jpg)
For [Spot], the subject should be large enough to cover the whole Focus Area (as a guideline). Having the subject at this size avoids the focus drifting to the background.
![](../img/31_soccer2.jpg)
For [Expand Spot], the focus area including the expanded area should just about overlap with the subject (as a guideline).
The optimal Focus Area size for the same skating scene depends on the subject size on screen.
![](../img/31_skate1.jpg)
[Spot: M] is recommended for focusing on the subject’s (skater’s) face. If set to [Zone], other features such as line marks on the skating rink will fall inside the area and the camera might focus on those features instead of on the skater.
![](../img/31_skate2.jpg)
To target a fast-moving subject at this size using a long focal length, try a wider setting such as [Zone].
Select Focus Area based on subject movement
If a subject is moving slowly or in a predictable manner, use a small-area setting like [Expand Spot] in order to focus accurately on the target position. On the other hand, if a subject is moving at high speed or in an unpredictable manner, use a wider Focus Area setting such as [Wide] in order to maintain focus while adjusting the composition.
![](../img/matrix_en.jpg)
Quickly switching to frequently used focus areas
To quickly switch to the types of focus areas you use most often, first select these areas in [Focus Area Limit]. By assigning [Switch Focus Area] to a custom key, you can switch to your other selected focus areas one after another each time you press that custom key.
![](../img/01_pct_07_en.jpg)
Setting the camera
-
MENU →
(Focus) → [Focus Area] → [
Focus Area Limit] → Add check marks to focus areas you will use, and then select [OK].
-
MENU →
(Setup) → [Operation Customize] → Assign [Switch Focus Area] to any desired key with [
Custom Key/Dial Set.] or [
Custom Key/Dial Set.].
Note
Types of focus areas that do not have a check mark cannot be selected using MENU or the Fn (function) menu. To select a focus area, add a check mark using [Focus Area Limit].