IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check the Applicable Products and Categories section of this article before starting these steps.
This camera has the function of tracking which tracks the subject, and keeps marking it with the focusing frame.
You can specify the starting point using Focus Area, or specify the starting point through touch operations.
IMPORTANT: Available functions vary depending on the model and system software (firmware) version of the camera that you are using. For details, refer to the manual.
For models with a Tracking option under Focus area
Setting the start position to track by focusing area (Tracking under Focus Area)
- The selected focusing frame is set as the start position to track, and the tracking starts by pressing the shutter button halfway down.
- This function is available in still image shooting mode.
- This function is available when Focus Mode is set to Continuous AF (AF-C).
Shooting tips:
- Select an appropriate Focus area for the subject.
- If the background is simple and the subject is moving actively, select Tracking: Wide.
- When you can identify the range of the subject’s movement on the monitor to some extent, Tracking: Zone is effective.
- If the contrast of the background is high or there is another subject in front of the subject, causing unintentional focusing with Tracking: Wide or Tracking: Zone, select one of the functions below.
- Tracking: Center or Tracking: Center Fix
- Tracking: Flexible Spot or Tracking: Spot
- Tracking: Expand Flexible Spot or Tracking: Expand Spot
- Align the focusing area displayed on the monitor with the subject, and then press the shutter button halfway down.
- Once subject tracking starts, the focusing area switches to wide automatically and the camera maintains the focus. Release the shutter when the desired composition is reached.
Changing the setting for Focus Area to Tracking temporarily (Tracking On or Tracking On + AF On under 
Custom Key)
Even Focus Area is set to other than Tracking, you can temporarily change the setting for Focus Area to Tracking or Tracking On + AF On while pressing and holding the key to which you have assigned Tracking On function.
- This function is available in still image shooting mode.
- Assign the Tracking On or Tracking On + AF On function to a desired key using Custom Key in advance.
- This function is available on some models only when Focus Mode is set to Continuous AF (AF-C), while on other models this function is available when Focus Mode is set to Single-shot AF (AF-S), Automatic AF (AF-A), Continuous AF (AF-C), or DMF. Please check the instruction manual for details.
Shooting tips:
The Tracking On function is useful when shooting a subject that is approaching you from a distance. Use this function if you want to start tracking once the subject reaches a certain relative size within the scene.
Tracking On is recommended when shooting athletic events using a telephoto lens, such as when a distant runner is approaching you.
Focus on the subject by pressing the shutter button halfway down, and then press the custom key to which you have assigned Tracking On or Tracking On + AF On to start tracking.
Setting the start position to track by touch operation (Touch Tracking under Func. of Touch Operation)
You can set the subject to track by touching it on the monitor.
- This function is available in still image shooting mode and movie shooting mode.
- This function is available when Focus Mode is set to Single-shot AF (AF-S), Automatic AF (AF-A), Continuous AF (AF-C), or DMF.
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.
Shooting tips:
You can start focusing on and tracking a subject by touching it on the monitor. Setting Func. of Touch Operation or Touch Func. in Shooting under MENU to Touch Tracking in advance allows you to select subjects more intuitively.
Note: The touch-tracking function may be unavailable depending on conditions. For details, refer to the manual.
For models with a Lock-on AF option under Focus area
- Setting the start position to track by focusing area (Lock-on AF under Focus Area)
The selected focusing frame is set as the start position to track, and the tracking starts by pressing the shutter button halfway down.
- This function is available in still image shooting mode.
- This function is available when Focus Mode is set to Continuous AF (AF-C).
Shooting tips:
- Select an appropriate Focus area for the subject.
- If the background is simple and the subject is moving actively, select Lock-on AF: Wide.
- When you can identify the range of the subject’s movement on the monitor to some extent, Lock-on AF: Zone is effective.
- If the contrast of the background is high or there is another subject in front of the subject, causing unintentional focusing with Lock-on AF: Wide or Lock-on AF: Zone, select one of the functions below.
- Lock-on AF: Center
- Lock-on AF: Flexible Spot
- Lock-on AF: Expand Flexible Spot
- Align the focusing area displayed on the monitor with the subject, and then press the shutter button halfway down.
- Once subject tracking starts, the focusing area switches to wide automatically and the camera maintains the focus. Release the shutter when the desired composition is reached.
