Contrast vs Phase Detection & Hybrid Autofocus (Simplified)

Curious what the camera specifications mean when you see "Contrast", "Phase Detection", and "Hybrid Autofocus"?
Here's a simplified explanation of the differences in Phase Detection vs Contrast Detection Autofocus and what Hybrid is - and how to maximize the effectiveness of them to guarantee sharp focus.
📫 PHOTO TIPS VIA EMAIL: jmpeltier.ck.page/subscribe
📖 Corresponding article: www.jmpeltier.com/difference-...
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Contrast Detection
3:05 Phase Detection
4:27 Hybrid AF
5:10 How do you pick?

[@don7117]

Excellent video. You spare us a long, useless cinematic intro, get straight to the point, and provide an explanation that is detailed enough to help us understand, without all the unnecessarily deep geek-talk. Your channel is definitely worth a sub. Thanks!!

[@PeltierPhoto]

Glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t have the patience for all that stuff :)

[@ahyungrocks5509]

Great tutorial on something I didn't understand for decades while using my cameras

[@BimoPradana]

I came here because Lumix will going to utilize Phase Detection AF with their new S5II soon. Thankyou for the knowledge

[@mas3ymd]

Great video. Direct. Simple. Clear. Thorough.

[@lupo19047]

Excellent explanation of a complex subject. Thanks.

[@PeltierPhoto]

You are welcome!

[@georgetran1766]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@PeltierPhoto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@georgetran1766]

@@PeltierPhoto ❤

[@koukosyang]

Thanks for the explanation!

[@StudioGalvan]

Excellent explanation! 👍🏼 On my list for photo interns/students 🤓

[@mohammadel-mohammadi5666]

This is telling me that KZbin is becoming a University by itself to learn anything in this existence! Phenomenal video!

[@PeltierPhoto]

Almost anything. Cheers!

[@birdeye700]

Excellent explanation to compare the different methods, tell the benefit and caveat of each choice.

[@Toronto_Streets]

Finally got the answer, thank you so much

[@cstanpj]

Great explanation!

[@robertpapps3618]

Great explanation, thanks much!

[@PeltierPhoto]

You’re welcome!

[@peterscott-jones9998]

Brilliant! Thanks John. Sometimes I feel embarrassed that I don’t know stuff like this. I do now though so thankyou. I’ll give it my attention for sure, especially as I’m due a visit to photograph birds at the Wetlands soon. All the best to you 👀👀👀

[@PeltierPhoto]

Sometimes it’s the little trivial things that we don’t think we need to know about that can make all the difference :)

[@imranzahidphotography]

Best explanation ever

[@paulm8157]

Cogent explanation and illustrations, John. Phase detection reminds of split image rangefinder mechanisms of analog gear - correct?

[@PeltierPhoto]

Yes, more or less the same principle.

[@aliserdaronal2545]

Thank you

[@PeltierPhoto]

You’re welcome!

[@garyausten5939]

Is there a speed difference in using one or the other methods? On Wednesday (hopefully) I will be getting my first G-lens to go with my a99ii, a pre-owned 70-200 G2. My camera manual indicates that only Sony lenses are capable of hybrid focusing and my other lenses are 3rd party (software?). A vast majority of my pics are shot at airshows, where focus speed and accuracy are paramount.

[@PeltierPhoto]

The camera can only focus as fast as the lens elements can move. The focus speeds you see in camera specs are under ideal conditions, but generally, hybrid & phase are both faster than contrast. If you’re using a G-series lens with the a99ii, I think you have a pretty good air show setup.

[@garyausten5939]

@@PeltierPhoto Thanks for getting back to me :) I don't think my a77 has hybrid focusing capability because it's older than the a99ii so I think I'll do some non-scientific experiments and shoot the same pic on both cameras and see if it makes much of a difference.

[@newenglandlight8724]

I have been reading about phase and contrast detection in my Nikon D5500 guide book recently. Your comment about not being able to control which method your camera uses confused me. From what I read in my guide book, the camera uses phase detection AF when using the viewfinder, and contrast detection when using live view. Is that not how you can "control" which method is used?

[@PeltierPhoto]

That's based on the technical limitations of your camera, which I'm assuming is a DSLR. It doesn't have phase detection points directly on the sensor, which is why phase isn't available when using live view. When using the viewfinder, it _also_ has contrast detection available, but the manual wanted you to know that phase detection is only available with the viewfinder.

[@newenglandlight8724]

@@PeltierPhoto Oh, okay. Thanks very much!

[@jaw3410]

my canon dslr's focus better in live view using contrast detection. And it's noticebly better