How do I lock focus on a specific subject?

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

The Lock-on AF and Tracking features of your camera can keep a subject in focus as it moves across the frame. Availability of these features varies depending on the model and system software (firmware) version of your camera. For detailed information, check your manual. Manuals are posted on your model support page.

Set the Focus Area to Tracking

This procedure applies to photo modes only.

1. Press the MENU button.
2. Set Focus Mode to Continuous AF (AF-C).
3. Select the appropriate Focus Area depending on the subject, background, and shooting situation.
   • If you encounter a moving subject against a simple background, select Tracking: Wide.
   • If you know the starting location of the subject on the frame and can identify the range of movement, select Tracking: Zone.
   • If the subject is against a contrasting background or there are objects in front that may interfere with tracking, select one of the following:
     • Tracking: Center or Tracking: Center Fix
     • Tracking: Flexible Spot or Tracking: Spot
     • Tracking: Expand Flexible Spot or Tracking: Expand Spot
4. Align the subject with your selected Focus Area.
5. Press the shutter halfway down to start tracking.
   • The Focus Area switches to Tracking: Wide automatically after the tracking feature locks onto a subject.
6. Depress the shutter button fully to take the photo after you obtain your preferred composition.

Enable the Tracking On or Tracking On + AF On with a Custom Button

If you press the custom button set to Tracking On or Tracking On + AF On, your camera's Focus Area is set to Tracking even if you selected a different Focus Area option. Tracking On is useful when shooting a subject that's approaching from a distance. For example, you can use a telephoto lens to track an athlete running towards you.

1. Press the MENU button.
2. Set the Focus Mode to Continuous AF (AF-C). On some models, this function is available when the Focus Mode is set to Single-shot AF (AF-S), Automatic AF (AF-A), Continuous AF (AF-C), or DMF. Please check the product for details.
3. Under Custom Key, select a custom button.
4. Select Tracking On or Tracking On + AF On.
5. Set your camera to a photo-shooting mode.
6. Press the shutter button halfway down to focus on the subject.
7. Press the custom key assigned to Tracking On or Tracking On + AF On to start tracking.
8. Depress the shutter button fully to take the photo after you obtain your preferred composition.

Enable the Touch Tracking Feature

Touch Tracking is available when Focus Modes is set to Single-shot AF (AF-S), Automatic AF (AF-A), Continuous AF (AF-C), or DMF. This procedure applies to both photo and movie modes.

It is also available during movie recording on some models when Focus Mode is set to Manual Focus (MF). Refer to the Help Guide for your camera

1. Press the MENU button.
2. Select Func. of Touch Operation.
3. Select Touch Tracking.
4. Set your camera to shooting mode.
5. On your camera monitor, tap the subject you want to track.
6. Press the shutter to take a photo or press the movie button to record a movie.

Set the Focus Area to Lock-on AF

This procedure applies to photo modes only.

1. Set Focus Mode to Continuous AF (AF-C).
2. Select the appropriate Focus Area depending on the subject, background, and shooting situation.
   • If you encounter a moving subject against a simple background, select Lock-on AF: Wide.
   • If you know the starting location of the subject on the frame and can identify the range of movement, select Lock-on AF: Zone.
   • If the subject is against a contrasting background or there are objects in front that may interfere with tracking, select one of the following:
     • Lock-on AF: Center
     • Lock-on AF: Flexible Spot
     • Lock-on AF: Expand Flexible Spot
3. Align the subject with your selected Focus Area.
4. Press the shutter halfway to start the Lock-on AF feature.
   • The Focus Area switches to Lock-on AF: Wide automatically after the autofocus feature locks onto a subject.
5. Depress the shutter button fully to take the photo after you obtain your preferred composition.