Tracking erratic subjects

Use these [Tracking] functions as follows to track moving subjects that are in focus.

* When [Subject Detection] of [Face/Eye AF Set.] is set to [Animal], [Tracking] functions cannot be used.

  • When shooting subjects in motion, first decide where to focus. To start tracking, aim the camera at the subject and press the shutter button halfway down. This is recommended for children or dogs that are moving around, for example.
  • Once you set [Focus Area] to [Tracking] and move the focusing frame over subjects to track, tracking starts from the focusing frame when you press the shutter button halfway down.
  • Use to start tracking when subjects become large enough on the screen (for example, in scenes where distant subjects come closer). Recommended for distant subjects that approach you, as when you use a telephoto lens to shoot track-and-field events.
  • To start tracking, press the shutter button halfway down to focus, and then press the custom key assigned to [Tracking On].

Hint

Use touch operations to select subjects and start tracking.

Tracking

Setting the camera

  1. [Focus Mode]

    MENU → (Camera Settings1) → [Focus Mode] → [AF-C].

  2. [Focus Area]

    MENU → (Camera Settings1) → [Focus Area] → [Tracking] → desired setting.

Related camera help guide

Guide to using the camera

Tracking status display

The green frame shown below is displayed after the camera starts tracking when you press the shutter button halfway down. To shoot under these conditions, with subjects in focus, press the shutter button all the way down.

Tracking display changes to a face or eye detection frame once subjects that were far away are closer and their face or eyes are detected when [Face/Eye Prty in AF] is set to [On]. If you prefer not to focus on their face or eyes, set [Face/Eye Prty in AF] to [Off].

Tracking distant subjects

If a face is detected once the subject is closer, the focusing frame will move to the face or eyes

Related camera help guide

Examples of tracking settings

For subjects that are difficult to track
If the subjects are moving fast and framing is difficult, you can use [Tracking: Wide] or [Tracking: Zone]. The subjects are automatically detected when you press the shutter button halfway down, and the camera continues to track the subjects as long as you hold the button halfway down.
If you want to focus on a specific position
Use [Tracking: Expand Flexible Spot], [Tracking: Flexible Spot S], [Tracking: Flexible Spot M], or [Tracking: Flexible Spot L] when you want to specify a focusing position relative to the subject, such as the head. With these settings, you can manually select the position where tracking starts. Move the focusing frame to your desired focusing position, and then start tracking the subject by pressing the shutter button halfway down.

Tracking On

Setting the camera

  1. Custom Key

    After selecting MENU → (Camera Settings2) → [Still ImagesCustom Key], select a button to assign, and then select [Tracking On].

  2. [Focus Mode]

    MENU → (Camera Settings1) → [Focus Mode] → [AF-C].

  3. [Focus Area]

    MENU → (Camera Settings1) → [Focus Area] → desired setting.

Related camera help guide

Guide to using the camera

Tracking status display

Tracking starts from the point in focus after you hold the shutter button halfway down, focus on the subject, and press the custom key. Once tracking begins, the focusing frame changes and turns green as shown below. To shoot under these conditions, with subjects in focus, press the shutter button all the way down.

Tracking approaching subjects with [Focus Area] set to [Flexible Spot: M].

[Flexible Spot: M] is used to focus on distant subjects when you press the shutter button halfway down.

As subjects approach, when you want to start tracking, press [Tracking On] with the shutter button halfway down. The focusing frame will switch to the tracking frame.

Tracking display changes to a face or eye detection frame once subjects that were far away are closer and their face or eyes are detected when [Face/Eye Prty in AF] is set to [On]. If you prefer not to focus on their face or eyes, set [Face/Eye Prty in AF] to [Off].

Tracking distant subjects

If a face is detected once the subject is closer, the focusing frame will move to the face or eyes

Related camera help guide

*The menu screen images on this web page have been simplified for display purposes, and do not exactly reflect the actual screen display of the camera.