Focusing on an animal’s eye (Shooting still images)
Use the following procedure to take pictures by focusing on an animal’s eye.
There are two shooting methods. Use either method in accordance with the shooting conditions.
- When the camera detects an eye inside or around the designated [
Focus Area], it focuses on the eye with higher priority. - If the camera does not detect any eye inside or around the designated [Focus Area], it will focus on another detectable subject.
- When shooting, press the shutter button halfway down to focus before pressing it all the way down.
- The camera focuses exclusively on eyes anywhere on the screen, regardless of the setting for [Focus Area].
- The camera will not automatically focus on another subject if no eye is detected anywhere on the screen.
- When shooting, keep holding down the custom key when you press the shutter button.
Press the shutter button halfway down.
Setting the camera
-
[
Face/Eye Prior. in AF]MENU →
(Focus) → [Face/Eye AF] → [Face/Eye Prior. in AF] → [On]. -
[
Face/Eye Subject]MENU →
(Focus) → [Face/Eye AF] → [Face/Eye Subject] → [Animal]. -
[
Focus Mode]MENU →
(Focus) → [AF/MF] → [Focus Mode] → the desired setting from the 
[Single-shot AF], 
[Automatic AF], 
[Continuous AF], or 
[DMF]. -
[
Focus Area]MENU →
(Focus) → [Focus Area] → [Focus Area] → the desired setting.
Guide to using the camera
Setting [Focus Area]
Since the camera focuses on the animal’s eye in the focus area, set [Focus Area] to [Wide] if you want to detect an eye in a range that is as wide as possible.
If you want to limit the range for detecting an eye, set [Focus Area] to settings such as [Spot] or [Zone].
Shooting still images
-
Point the camera so that the animal’s eye to be focused on are within the focus area.
When [
Focus Area] is set to [Zone] -
Press the shutter button halfway down to focus on the animal’s eye.*
A green eye detection frame is displayed over the eye once an animal’s eye is detected and focusing is performed.* You can also focus by pressing the custom key to which [AF On] is assigned.
-
Press the shutter button fully down.
Hint
- If you want to focus on a specific animal’s eye when the displayed face of that animal is very small, or two or more animals are displayed on the screen, set [Focus Area] to [Spot] and then focus on the subject so that it is easier for the camera to detect the eye.
Note
- The camera may not be able to detect an eye depending on the subject or shooting environment.For details, refer to the section “About Eye Detection.”
- When [Face/Eye Subject] is set to [Animal], [Right/Left Eye Select] cannot be used.
- If you want to focus on a specific animal’s eye when the displayed face of that animal is very small, or two or more animals are displayed on the screen, set [
Press the button to which you have assigned [Eye AF].
Setting the camera
-
[Custom Key/Dial Set.]
After selecting MENU →
(Setup) → [Operation Customize] → [
Custom Key/Dial Set.], select a button to which the function is assigned and then select [Eye AF]. -
[
Face/Eye Subject]MENU →
(Focus) → [Face/Eye AF] → [Face/Eye Subject] → [Animal]. -
[
Focus Mode]MENU →
(Focus) → [AF/MF] → [Focus Mode] → the desired setting from the [Single-shot AF], [Automatic AF], [Continuous AF], or [DMF].
Guide to using the camera
Shooting still images
-
Press the Custom Key to which the [Eye AF] function is assigned.
A green eye detection frame is displayed over the eye once an animal’s eye is detected and focusing is performed.
-
Press the shutter button while holding down the Custom Key.
Note
- The camera may not be able to detect an eye depending on the subject or shooting environment.For details, refer to the section “About Eye Detection.”
- When [Face/Eye Subject] is set to [Animal], [Right/Left Eye Select] cannot be used.
About Eye Detection
When the subjects have cat- or dog-like faces and both eyes are clearly visible, the camera can easily detect the eye. The camera, however, may not be able to detect an eye depending on the type of animal or shooting environment (e.g. two or more animals moving around).
Use the following examples as guidelines.
Examples of easy-to-detect subjects’ eye
Cat-like face
Dog-like face
Size of the entire face is big enough to be clearly visible
The orientation of the animal’s face allows you to view both eyes and nose clearly
Examples of difficult-to-detect subjects’ eye
The subject animal has a spotted or striped face and body
When shooting in dark places or animals with dark hair
Animals that do not have cat- or dog-like faces
When two or more animals are moving around
Hint
- If the face of an animal is out of focus, the camera may not be able to detect the eye. In that case, adjust the focus on the face once. After that, the camera can detect the eye more easily.
