How to set the Auto Focus mode. - DMC-FX700

This allows the focusing method that suits the positions and number of the subjects to be selected.

Applicable Modes

1. Turn the camera on.
2. Slide the [Rec]/[Playback] selector switch to [Still Camera].
3. Touch [Mode].
4. Touch [Program AE].
5. Touch [AF Mode].

Available AF Modes

Modes	Description
[Face Detection]	The camera automatically detects the person’s face. The focus and exposure can then be adjusted to fit that face no matter what portion of the picture it is in. (Maximum 15 areas)
[11-Area-Focusing]	The camera focuses on any of 9 focus areas. This is effective when the subject is not in the center of the screen.
[1-Area Focusing]	The camera focuses on the subject in the AF area on the center of the screen. This will be used during motion picture recording.
[1-Area-Focusing High speed]	The camera quickly focuses on the subject in the AF area on the center of the screen.
[Spot-focusing]	The camera focuses on a limited narrow area in the screen.
[AF Tracking]	Focus can be adjusted to a specified subject. Focus will keep on following the subject even if it moves. It is also called Dynamic Tracking.

Note:
• The camera may detect subjects other than a person as a face. In this case, switch [AF Mode] to any modes other than [Face Detection] and then take a picture.
• It will be fixed to [Face Detection] when the [Face Recog.] is set to [On].
• It is not possible to set [Face Detection] in the following case:
  • In [Panorama Assist], [Night Scenery], [Handheld Night Shot], [Food], [Starry Sky], [Fireworks], and [Aerial Photo] in [Scene Mode].
• When a recording is performed with the Touch Shutter function, it will be set to [1-Area Focus].

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About [Face Detection]

The following AF Area Frames are displayed when the camera detects the faces:

• "Yellow" - When the shutter button is pressed halfway, the frame turns green when the camera is focused.
• "White" - Displayed when more than one face is detected. Other faces that are the same distance away as faces within the yellow AF Areas are also focused.

Under certain picture-taking conditions including the following cases, the Face Detection function may fail to work, making it impossible to detect faces. [AF Mode] is switched to [11-Area Focus]:
• When the face is not facing the camera
• When the face is at an angle
• When the face is extremely bright or dark
• When there is little contrast on the faces
• When the facial features are hidden behind sunglasses, etc.
• When the face appears small on the screen
• When there is rapid movement
• When the subject is other than a human being
• When the camera is shaking
• When Digital Zoom is used

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About [1-area-focusing High speed]

• You can focus on the subject more quickly than in other AF Modes.
• The picture may stop moving for a moment before being brought into focus when you press the shutter button halfway. This is not a malfunction.

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Setting Up [AF Tracking]

1. Touch the Subject.
   • The AF area turns yellow and the subject is locked. It will continuously adjust the focus and exposure automatically following the movement of the subject. Also called Dynamic Tracking.
   • Lock is canceled when is touched.
2. Press [Shutter] halfway to focus and then press it fully to take the picture.

Notes:
• Dynamic Tracking function may fail to lock, lose the subject in AF tracking, or track different subject depending on the recording conditions such as the ones below:
  • When the subject is too small.
  • When the recording location is too dark or bright.
  • When the subject is moving too fast.
  • When the background has the same or similar color to the subject.
  • When jitter is occuring.
  • When using the zoom.
• When the AF lock fails, the Tracking AF frame will flash in red and then disappear. Redo the AF lock.
• [Face Recog.] does not work when AF tracking is active.