Autofocus area modes
Your Nikon has several methods for selecting the area it tries to focus within, and there are differences between DSLRS and mirrorless models…
Pinpoint AF
Uses contrastdetection AF to precisely focus on a subject. The autofocus point is 4x smaller than single point so is very accurate. Only available in AF-S mode.
Single-point
Uses a single focus point that you can move around the entire focusing area. The sharpest part of your image will be under this point and it’s best used on static subjects.
Dynamic AF (DSLR)
Used for action and fast-moving shots, Dynamic has many options depending on your camera and works slightly differently on DSLR and mirrorless Nikons. On a DSLR, you set the number of focus points that will cover your subject and then track the subject by moving the camera.
Dynamic AF (mirrorless)
On a Z-series Nikon,
Dynamic locks focus using the centre point in the focus pattern, with the camera also using information from additional focus points to maintain focus lock if the subject moves. You still need to track the subject with the camera.
Auto Area (DSLR)
Activates all focus points and looks for the highest area of contrast or closest subject to the camera. You have no control over where or what the camera will focus on.
Auto Area (mirrorless)
On a mirrorless Z-series Nikon, Auto area AF also looks for faces to focus on. If multiple faces are detected, you can use the multi-selector to choose which face or eyes you want to focus on. It also has a Subject Tracking mode, which is activated by pressing the OK button. When the white tracking box appears, position it on the subject who you wish to track, press OK, the tracking box turns yellow and will now track that subject across the frame.
3D Tracking (DSLR only)
Shows a single focus point which ‘samples’ the colour under that active focus point and then tracks the colour automatically, allowing you to compose your shot while the subject moves. Best used with a subject that is a different colour to the background.
Group Area (DSLR only)
Uses five points to lock focus (although in the viewfinder you only see four focus points). All five focus points are activated simultaneously, prioritizing the closest subject. Group Area is more accurate than Dynamic AF, which only activates the additional focus points when the centre point fails to focus.
Wide Area Small/large (mirrorless only)
Works in the same way as Auto Area, but with a smaller number of AF points. Wide Area Small makes it easy to focus on bigger objects. Wide Area Large is useful when your subject is difficult to find in the scene and you need a large, controlled focus area to work with.
Auto Area Human/ Animal (mirrorless only)
Auto Area AF (human) and Auto Area AF (animal) looks for human or animal faces in the AF area that covers 90% of the frame. You can also choose which eye or face to focus on within the frame with the multi-selector.
Wide Area Human/ Animal (mirrorless only)
Wide Area AF (human) and Wide Area AF (animal) can be used to set a specific area of the AF frame within which to look for human or animal faces/eyes to focus on.