Sony Support

Article ID : 00060034 / Last Modified : 05/10/2022

Does the camera continuously adjust the focus while in Continuous Shooting or Speed Priority Continuous focus mode?

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

    The camera can continue to adjust the focus during Continuous Shooting if you set the autofocus mode to AF-A or AF-C. However, there are limitations depending on the camera and lens used. Check the table below for these limitations.

    Note: Update the camera, lens or mount adapter to the latest software (firmware) version.

    Model Name Autofocus Mode SettingFast Hybrid AF with Compatible LensFast Hybrid AF with Non-Compatible LensMount Adapter with LA-EA1Mount Adapter with LA-EA3/EA5Mount Adapter with LA-EA2/EA4
    ILCE-1AF-CYES *15YES *2YES *2YES *17NO
    ILCE-7M4AF-A or AF-CYES *15YES *2YES *2YES *16NO
    ILME-FX3AF-CYES *13YES *2YES *2YES *2NO
    ILCE-7SM3AF-CYES *13YES *2YES *2YES *2NO
    ILCE-9AF-CYES *10YES *2YES *2YES *14YES *2
    ILCE-9M2AF-CYES *10YES *2YES *2YES *14YES *2
    ILCE-7RM2AF-A or AF-CYES *1YES *2YES *3YES *3YES *2
    ILCE-7RM3AF-A or AF-CYES *1YES *2YES *3YES *3YES *2
    ILCE-7M3AF-A or AF-CYES *1YES *2YES *3YES *3YES *2
    ILCE-7M3AAF-A or AF-CYES *1YES *2YES *3YES *3YES *2
    ILCE-7M2AF-CYES *1YES *2YES *3*8YES *3*8YES *2
    ILCE-7AF-CYES *4YES *5NONOYES *5
    ILCE-5100AF-A or AF-CYES *6YES *2NONOYES *2
    ILCE-6000AF-A or AF-CYES *6YES *2NONOYES *2
    ILCE-6300AF-A or AF-CYES *9YES *2YES *3YES *3YES *2
    ILCE-6500AF-A or AF-CYES *9YES *2YES *3YES *3YES *2
    NEX-5RAF-CYES *7YES *5NONOYES *5
    NEX-5TAF-CYES *7YES *5NONOYES *5
    NEX-6AF-CYES *7YES *5NONOYES *5

     

    Model NameAutofocus Mode SettingFast Hybrid AF with Compatible LensFast Hybrid AF with Non-Compatible LensMount Adapter with LA-EA1/EA2/EA4Mount Adapter with LA-EA3/EA5
    ILCE-6600AF-A or AF-CYES *13YES *2YES *2YES *6
    ILCE-7RM4AF-A or AF-CYES *13YES *2YES *2YES *6
    ILCE-7RM4AAF-A or AF-CYES *13YES *2YES *2YES *6

     

    Model NameAutofocus Mode SettingFast Hybrid AF with Compatible LensFast Hybrid AF with Non-Compatible LensMount Adapter with LA-EA1/EA2/EA3/EA4
    ILCE-6100AF-A or AF-CYES *13YES *2YES *2
    ILCE-6400AF-A or AF-CYES *13YES *2YES *2
    ILCE-7CAF-A or AF-CYES *13YES *2YES *2
    ZV-E10AF-A or AF-CYES *13YES *2YES *2

     

    Model NameAutofocus Mode SettingContrast AFMount Adapter with LA-EA1, LA-EA3Mount Adapter with LA-EA2/EA4
    ILCE-7SM2AF-CYES *5NOYES *5
    ILCE-7SAF-CYES *5NOYES *5
    ILCE-7RAF-CYES *5NOYES *5
    ILCE-5000AF-CYES *5NOYES *5
    ILCE-3500AF-CYES *5NOYES *5
    ILCE-3000AF-CYES *5NOYES *5
    NEX-7AF-CYES *5NOYES *5
    NEX-3NAF-CYES *5NOYES *5
    NEX-F3AF-CYES *5NOYES *5
    NEX-C3AF-CYES *5NOYES *5*11
    NEX-5AF-CYES *5NOYES *5*12
    NEX-3AF-CYES *5NOYES *5*12

     

    Model NameAutofocus Mode SettingCompatibility
    DSC-RX10M4AF-A or AF-CYES *1
    DSC-RX100M5AF-A or AF-CYES *1
    DSC-RX100M5AAF-A or AF-CYES *1
    DSC-RX100M6AF-A or AF-CYES *1
    DSC-RX100M7AF-A or AF-CYES *1
    ZV-1AF-A or AF-CYES *1

    Conditions and limitations (*)

    Refer to the conditions below to determine how the camera operates using the above-mentioned lenses on Autofocus mode.

    1. Can't track AF while on Continuous Shooting:
      • If the subject is outside the range of the Phase-Detection AF sensor.
      • If you shoot in a dark environment.
      • If you shoot with no subject contrast such as blue skies or a white wall.
      • If the aperture value is more than F8.
        • For ILCE-7M3, if the aperture value is larger than F11.
    2. This is only compatible with Continuous Shooting Lo.
    3. This is only compatible with Continuous Shooting Lo.

      Note: You need to set Phase-Detection AF for the AF system from the custom menu.

    4. Can't track AF in Speed Priority Continuous Shooting:
      • If the subject is outside the range of the Phase-Detection AF sensor.
      • If you shoot in a dark environment.
      • If you shoot with no subject contrast such as blue skies or a white wall.
      • If the aperture value is more than F8.
    5. This is only compatible with Continuous Shooting and the camera can't focus when in Speed Priority Continuous Shooting mode.
    6. Can't track AF when shooting in a dark environment. The camera won't focus on Mid/Hi in the following cases:
      • If the subject is outside the range of the Phase-Detection AF sensor.
      • If the aperture value is more than F11.
      • If the system software of LA-EA3 is Ver.01.

        Note: To resolve this, set Cont. Shooting to Lo.

    7. Can't track AF while on Speed Priority Continuous Shooting:
      • If the subject is outside the range of the Phase-Detection AF sensor.
      • If you shoot in a dark environment.
      • If the aperture value is more than F6.3.
    8. Software Ver. 2.0 or higher is required.
    9. Can't track AF when shooting in a dark environment. The camera won't focus on Mid/Hi/Hi+ Cont. Shooting:
      • If the subject is outside the range of the Phase-Detection AF sensor.
      • If the aperture value is more than F11.
      • If the system software of LA-EA3 is Ver.01.

        Note: To resolve this, set Cont. Shooting to Lo.

    10. Can't track AF when shooting in a dark environment. The camera won't focus:
      • If the subject is outside the range of the Phase-Detection AF sensor.
      • If the aperture value is more than F16.
    11. Software Ver. 02 or higher is required.
    12. Software Ver. 05 or higher is required.
    13. The camera may not be able to maintain focus on a subject using AF during continuous shooting in the following situations:
      • If the subject is outside of the Phase-Detection AF sensor area.
      • If you shoot in dark surroundings.
      • If the contrast of the subject is low, such as a blue sky or a white wall.
      • If the aperture value is greater than F11.
    14. Can't track AF when shooting in a dark environment. The following situations prevent AF function in Mid/Hi Cont. Shooting. Set Cont. Shooting to Lo.
      • If the subject is outside of the Phase-Detection AF sensor area.
      • If the aperture value is more than F16.
      • If the LA-EA3 mount adapter system software is Ver.01.
      • When the contrast of the subject is low, such as a blue sky or a white wall.
    15. The camera may not be able to maintain focus on a subject using AF during continuous shooting in the following situations:
      • When the subject is outside of the phase detection AF sensor area.
      • When shooting in dark surroundings.
      • When the contrast of the subject is low, such as a blue sky or a white wall.
      • When the aperture value is greater than F22.
    16. AF can't be tracked when shooting in a dark environment or in areas with no subject contrast such as blue skies or white walls and focusing in Hi+ / Hi / Mid. You will be able to continue to focus in only Lo in the following cases:
      • If the subject is outside the range of the Phase-Detection AF sensor.
      • When the F-value is greater than F22.
      • When the system software of LA-EA3 is Ver.01.
      • When the contrast of the subject is low, such as a blue sky or a white wall.
    17. AF can't be tracked when shooting in a dark environment or in areas with no subject contrast such as blue skies or white walls. You will be able to continue to focus in only Lo (Shutter Type: Mechanical Shutter) in the following cases:
      • When the F-value is greater than F22
      • When the system software of the LA-EA3 is Ver.01