Sony RX100 VII Tutorial - Auto Focus Explained

[@darellberthon8072]

Have just bought this camera and your videos are so helpful. Beats all the hours of reading manuals and still not understanding some of the details. Thank you

[@TheCampersChronicles]

The touch shutter mode is an absolute game changer! Wow... I mean wow...! Thanks for that!

[@Lizerator]

Feb 2022, just watched this tutorial and learned a lot. Went for a bike ride and happened upon a rider training her Spanish horse in a neighborhood equestrian park. I was able to apply what you taught in your video and every shot turned out sharp and in focus. Thanks so much!

[@Jason_Hermann]

Awesome to hear Liz :)

[@ApeOfGrape]

Seriously, all I've ever wanted to know is what the heck all these functions do. I know cameras and fundamentals, but what does Sony intended these features to do? This video answers those. Beautiful.

[@andrewpiper2880]

Mate...this is one awesome little video for peeps just like me who are dummies. I'm hopefully getting one of these this week so your tutorial has been invaluable..Well done with the model characters too. Very entertaining. Thank you from New Zealand.

[@extremelydave]

What an awesome video Jason!! If only others mimicked your awesomeness!!!! This is going to make my experience with my new RX100vii so much more rewarding AND easier!!!

[@epostiljon]

Yup, Zena is right. Really appreciate your videos. Got my M7 today and have looking at your videos for hours now. I better take a paus now, much to take in. .-) Hats of sir

[@michaelgrosso4356]

I agree with the comment below. I'm a very experienced Canon user, thus new to the SONY language and options. It's amazing the options available on this camera. Your insight and practical tips are extremely valuable. Thank you!

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thanks for sharing Michael and I agree this camera packs a crazy amount of power!

[@PadPoet]

Underated channel. I always find the most useful info here for Sony cameras.

[@Jason_Hermann]

Glad you think so and thank you very much for the kind words PadPoet :)

[@LegrejLeforlivet]

Hi. You´ve inspired me a lot, lot´s of times. Can you please help me this time. Can´t get back to "normal" on screen on the camera. All I can get, is a black screen with all data´s. Can´t find in the menu how to get back to view on screen.

[@LegrejLeforlivet]

Never mind never mind never mind 🥴🤪 me!

[@Stallzyx]

Excellent, really helpful. Just took some shots yesterday of planes flying by and cars driving past and sometimes my camera would focus on something closer to the lens such as plants or fences, so the touch tracking option could really help avoid that. Something that I noticed is you can just press the centre of the scroll wheel and cancel the touch focus / tracking, rather than reaching to the upper part of the screen which can be awkward

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yes that is correct! You should also see on the screen a circle indicating the "cancel" touch via the center button.

[@rainmakr20]

What focus settings would you recommend for a group shot of 10 people? Thank you for all the great content on this camera!!

[@bangjago283]

I want to try center focus

[@dietginger]

I still want an answer to this question too… did you figure it out?

[@zentrayoga1169]

Very helpful, all your video actually are useful for me. I live in Japan and bought my Camera in Japan (knowing that the menu would be only in Japanese but 300$ cheaper)... The Japanese rx 100 m7 In Japan doesn't have language choice... so.. Thank you.

[@serdelosreyes]

Good video. I have a question. I have the Sony XR100VA (no touch screen). Do you know If I can dedicate one bottom to activate the focus points? Thanks

[@Jason_Hermann]

Off the top of my head I'm honestly not sure. If you go into the customize area you can custom change some buttons. You can try assigning AF ON to a Custom button to see if that works. I honestly can't recall if that camera allows you to do that. If I had one in hand I would certainly try for you, but I don't sorry....

[@zenarobinson1306]

Another fabulous tutorial! You're very thorough and make learning the Sony easy and enjoyable. Thanks again :)

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thank you for the very nice comments and I'm really glad the video helped you out!

[@lisasmith8316]

Thanks!

[@Jason_Hermann]

You bet and thank you!

[@gregsaunders510]

Thank you so much. The awesome focus capabilities of the RX100 mk7 FINALLY demystified!

[@Jason_Hermann]

Happy to hear and thanks for the comments :)

[@KwaidanJunior]

Just amazing explanations. Congrats ❤keep listening over and over keep on

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thank you!

[@frogfrog1993]

Hi Jay, I got my rx100 M7 yesterday, and have been watching your tutorial. Is there a guide to shoot bekeh? Did I miss it somewhere in your channel? Thank you. I rewatched your tutorial multiple times, its soooo good.

[@frogfrog1993]

I understand that I should go for aperture value as small as possible, and having the object close to the camera. I tried a few times, maybe something wrong with my techniques, I want the background to go blurry, it didn't as expected.

[@frogfrog1993]

please ignore me, i got it now, haha

[@forbda]

Great explanation. Clear, concise, well done!

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thank you!

[@ThomMillsDrums]

wicked thanks so much! just wanted to know how to manually change the focus, super easy!

[@TheSookean]

Thanks for another great tutorial Jay, best part is I can use (most of) these tips with my RX10m4 as well :)

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thank you for the comments and kind words Jamie ;) Pretty much all the Sony cameras work the same way, so these methods are universal except for the newer features like touch to focus in your case etc...

[@indraalapati989]

Thank you. Could you help me in choosing tripod for this camera ?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yes, of course. What does your budget look like, and do you know if you want a full size tripod or a smaller table top style tripod?

[@indraalapati989]

@@Jason_Hermann I appreciate your quick response. I am looking for sturdy full size tripod, especially to take pictures in slow shutter speed and my budget is around 100 bucks.

[@chloescanlon1107]

Thank you. However this is for photography, are there any tutorials for video focusing as it’s so different to this.

[@Jason_Hermann]

Check out this video for autofocus with video. It's a different Sony camera, but all the same concepts apply kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGaVm5xjqb2jfbc

[@chloescanlon1107]

Jay SonyAlphaLab Thank you Jay x

[@_creative360]

Superb tutorial, greatly comprehensive and useful. Thank you so much! I just got this little beast today, it seems made by the aliens.

[@frankngan3921]

Thanks your tutorial Jay, I need watch many times 。 Thank you

[@hugyou-1082]

Thank you very much very thank you learn so much from you i just follow you now from Thailand 🇹🇭 😍🥰❤️

[@ceroglu]

Thnx for the video man so informative, a quick question what is the difference between mf and dmf mode on focus i couldn’t figure it out, thnx

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thanks! DMF acts like normal autofocus pretty much, but after the focus locks, you can adjust it manually. SO it's Direct Manual Focus after focus locks...

[@ceroglu]

Thnx Jason

[@michelezanolla7154]

Awesome video, thank you very much!

[@Jason_Hermann]

You're very welcome!

[@djunabenninga5559]

Hi Jason, thanks for the amazing videos! I took beautiful pictures with the camera. But I always have the idea that the photos are not really sharp.. can that be right? Or is it really supposed to make the photos nice and sharp if you use the camera properly? I have the impression that the photos are only slightly sharp when I use a flash. I am traveling and would be delighted with good tips. I had a Panasonic Lumix dmc-LX100 but bought this Sony because I thought it was better and would take nicer pictures. Is it true that the quality of the pictures of the Sony would be better? Hope to hear from you!

[@rafaelgonzalezvega]

Great Video. I have my camera on auto mode. the focus area is greyed out and I cannot change it on my camera settings. Is that because it is on Auto?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thanks and Yes. Switch to P mode and you will get a lot more options.

[@decade95]

So we can adjust the focus (manual focus) by the ring like lense of mirrorless/DSLR?? What a cool stuff🧐😲

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yes

[@ChrisMcKiernan]

Excellent overview of focus, tracking, drive settings, etc. It was easy to follow along since you showed what menu you were in at all times. Thank You!

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thank you Chris :)

[@jonhermannsson9231]

great video as always Jay - thanks

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thank you Jon!! I really appreciate the comments ;)

[@GLYNCURTIS]

Hi Jay, have you done a video on focus modes in video?

[@Jason_Hermann]

No, not specifically. You can touch around the screen to use touch to focus, and the camera is by default in AF-C mode when recording video.

[@MiniaturesofDeath]

Great tutorial, can you tell me if these focus settings works also when recording videos?

[@Jason_Hermann]

sort of, but not viewable like when taking photos. You can set the focus area, and use touch to focus to change the focus, but nothing comes up on the screen to let you know when recording video. It's a little odd in that regard.. AF-C is always active when recording video...

[@MiniaturesofDeath]

@@Jason_Hermann thank you for the answer 👍

[@simontrezise8495]

This is really very helpful. Thank you.

[@Jason_Hermann]

You're very welcome!

[@shanedurrance]

Jay, that was awesome information. I came to this page hoping to understand exactly what you just covered but in underwater video. Do you have any links for that specifically?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thanks for the comments and I'm sorry shane, but I do not have any underwater specific videos, but what are you looking to learn specifically? The settings and functions are all the same whether you are underwater or above water?

[@shanedurrance]

@@Jason_Hermann Yes, but I can't touch the screen when underwater unfortunately. I need some advice on something very specific. Can I email you my question?

[@Jason_Hermann]

@@shanedurrance Yeah sure!

[@edwardbarbieri5283]

What settings are necessary to do back button focus on RX100? Do you recommend it to Touch Focus. Your explanation in this tutorial was FANTASTIC! Answered a lot of my questions. Many thanks.

[@dhmhsddhmhsd7026]

is there any way to set a minimum shutter speed on aperture priority mode ? also is there any back button focus ? nice video thanx

[@videodrome5]

Great video! Does the auto focus work in slo-mo 120fps, 240, 480, 980?

[@Jason_Hermann]

It works in 120p, but for the other HFR modes it's locked at where it is when you start recording as far as I know. I usually use manual focus for HFR...

[@videodrome5]

@@Jason_Hermann Thanks!

[@lynelljansen8057]

Great video, I would suggest going a bit slower. I have quite a bit of camera experience and using different menus, I still had to rewind a few times to figure where you were. This is my first Sony though!!

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thanks Lynell for the comments and I really appreciate your suggestion as well ;) All the best, Jay

[@bouncytrapbeats]

Great video, exactly what I was looking for!

[@LifeistooshortCK]

Very helpful. Thanks 👍

[@colingreen2320]

Very informative as usual so thank you Jay but a little help please - one of my chosen subjects are competing rally cars and using my RX100 M3, I would lock the focus on the piece of road where I anticipated the rally car would be at it’s most sideways, hold the focus, pick up the rally car in frame before firing multiple shots as it passed over the piece of road that I had already focused on but all at sea with the capability of the M7 so please could you advise which settings will pick up the rally car before the corner and then track it through the corner whilst firing off multiple shots? Many thanks.

[@Jason_Hermann]

That is a challenging subject and your camera does not have the same tracking abilities as the newer cameras. What you are doing is probably the best method honestly. You just need to make sure your shutter speed is fast enough to freeze the action.

[@colingreen2320]

@@Jason_Hermann Thank you very much Jay and apologies for not explaining very clearly that I’ve now traded in the M3 for the latest M7.

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

Brilliant explanations - just what the doctor ordered ;-)

[@Jason_Hermann]

:)

[@ScottsReviews]

There is a phase detect area on and off option. Do you know what that does? Thanks

[@Jason_Hermann]

Yeah, that just displays the phase detection points on the screen so you can see them. I find it makes the screen more cluttered, and prefer to have them off. It's just a visual aid and does not need to be on, the camera still uses them when focusing!

[@ScottsReviews]

Jay SonyAlphaLab thanks Jay

[@caio2k23]

Thanks a lot for the tutorial. The DMF is pretty much the reason I want a RX100 camera. Just a question though: say I'm on program mode and set the lens ring to control zoom. If I choose DMF as focus mode, will the ring control zoom normally except when I half press the shutter and lock focus, when it'd then fine tune focus?

[@Jason_Hermann]

That is a good question. I'm not 100% sure, but I think you are correct and the camera should behave as you are predicting. I don't have an RX100 in hand to try for you unfortunately.

[@MerlinBorghuis]

When i'm in AF C i cant get it to lock on to something, so it stays in focus. On my camera body, i can just usr felxible spot to do this and that works but on on this thing

[@Jason_Hermann]

Have you tried checking your Function of touch operation settting? You want that on tracking for waht you are describing, and I'm guessing it is on focus... MENU → (Camera Settings2) → [Func. of Touch Operation] → [Touch Tracking]. AF-C by itself does not lock onto subjects it just constantly focus's, you need tracking ON.

[@MerlinBorghuis]

@@Jason_Hermann i'm talking about photo's though, just to make sure where on the same page. Thanks, i enabled that! Bit there is still no like 'box' that is following something when i press the shutter half way 🤔

[@MerlinBorghuis]

NEVER MIND, I GOT IT!!😊

[@jameshearne]

always excellent training videos!

[@Jason_Hermann]

I appreciate that!

[@HalSandick]

Very helpful and well done. Great visuals.

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thank you very much for the comments ;)

[@ConAnEdujawa]

Thank you for your simple explanations all the time 😉

[@Jason_Hermann]

You are very welcome and thanks for the comments!

[@joyharvey5203]

Firstly, thank you. These videos are helpful. I have a question about Focus Mode. Are you saying that none of those modes will actually give a full screen focus? I watched your video again because I have been having a problem photographing my art work for exhibition entry & thinking wide focus mode would give me a full frame focus have been desperately upset to find every photo out of focus at the edges. (Which basicly means non acceptable photos for exhibition entry!!) Is there a way to overcome this problem?

[@Jason_Hermann]

I would recommend getting further away from your art and zooming in to fill most of the frame with you art. Leaving a little bit of space at the edges. The Set the camera to A mode and then use the dial to change the aperture to f/5.6 or so using a tripod. It is critical you have the art perfectly perpendicular to the camera for maximum sharpness and to avoid a distorted look. You should then be able to focus anywhere on the art piece assuming it is flat, and it will be in focus corner to corner. Please let me know how you make out ;) Jay

[@skumkaninen]

@@Jason_Hermann Sounds right, does not sound like an AF problem, but an Aperture as you also guide him to.

[@joyharvey5203]

@@Jason_Hermann Apologies for a atrdy response, but thank you for that advice. It has definitely helped. Thanks again.

[@vickpl1675]

hi Jay, trying to set up my sony 100 RX 7 best set for indoor graduation settings. what do you think is the best with this low light camera?

[@Jason_Hermann]

I would recommend having the aperture set as wide open as possible ( the lowest number) and the ISO on Auto for ease of getting the shot sharp.

[@vickpl1675]

@@Jason_Hermann thanks

[@g-dd-were5763]

Thank you again!!!

[@Emuspaul]

What do you have plugged into the side? I am using that for a battery brick power supply because the camera battery gets exhausted too quickly.

[@Jason_Hermann]

USB cable going to the wall charger itself.

[@MorikoW]

Thanks for this tutorial. It cleared up a lot! I just got the camera and it didnt'really focus on anything. Every photo was blurry. Not what I wanted of course. But I can't seem to change many of the features. Like for instance, if I put the AF mode on AF-S of AF-A, I can't change the focus area. The camera keeps saying that it's not able to change this feature because of the AF-S or SF-A setting. Most of the drive mode options aren't available either. It's weird and I can't seem to change it. Do you know why the camera is giving me a hard time? :P

[@Jason_Hermann]

What mode is the camera in?

[@MorikoW]

@@Jason_Hermann Good question. I ended with the Af-A setting, wide area. Or did you mean something else?

[@Stallzyx]

@@MorikoW hmm I'm a bit late here and you probably figured it out or gave up on the camera and returned it by now but maybe it was down to the mode you had the camera in. Something like S or A mode for shutter or aperture priority should have no issue adjusting these settings but a SCN preset or P mode or full auto may not let you adjust so much

[@MorikoW]

​@@Stallzyx Don't worry 😊 I still have the camera and I'm still fumbling with it haha. But most of the time I can make it do what I want it to do. Thank you for still taking the time to reply. I'll make sure to check this some time this week. Thanks. I probably did something to the settings 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@jlhgrace8284]

For general photography would you use AF-C or AF-A? I like those modes and have read others say they like AF-C best.

[@randyhall7650]

Can you recommend settings for taking pictures of running water like a river or waterfall?

[@EliMatityahu]

1. Thank allot. 2. Can I set “ back Botton focus” like in other cameras ?

[@TalhaKhan-pn7er]

Hi J please let me know can we do Product Photography or 360 view with Sony RX100 VII ?

[@SarahChicharro]

Questions 👉🏼How do you blur the background while focused on one thing? 👉🏼How will the camera be set to blur the background automatically? Especially with vlogging.

[@KennyChas47]

Great tutorial, Thank you

[@Jason_Hermann]

Thank you Charles ;)

[@AlleyCat888]

Hi Jay, interesting video as always. Do you have any video that teaches us how to do manual focus for RX100 VII? And the benefit of doing that for videos? Thanks.

[@Jason_Hermann]

I have not done a video specifically on that Ally Cat, but in the focus mode area you can switch the camera to MF mode for manual focus and then use the lens ring to change the focus as you need. The camera will automatically zoom magnify to help you get the most accurate focus as well.

[@SuperSetCA]

@@Jason_Hermann Hi Jay, I got to play with one recently and had a question about manual focus in HFR mode. I turned on Focus Peaking High/Red in the menu but didn't see any colored lines. Does the camera support this?

[@garyconstantino6408]

Awesome video thank you

[@petetomasko7150]

Hey jay, I have this balance indicator on my screen, how do I turn that off?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Hit the display button ;)

[@drivelogic3841]

Thank you ~ Just the info I was lookin for `! Stay Safe from COVID 19~ Thumbs Up left ~

[@estebanherrera9271]

Hello Jay. I am filming myself dancing and the picture gets blurry during certain movements. Should I just leave in manual focus?

[@Jason_Hermann]

Hello, Have you tried using Auto Focus? Wide Area Mode should track you pretty darn good as long as nothing else is in the scene to confuse the camera. If that happens, then you could use the tracking feature: support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/support/tutorial/dsc/dsc-rx100m7/en/11.php

[@GordonMelsom]

Tooooo Good thank you

[@Jason_Hermann]

Most welcome 😊

[@Rose.CH24]

Por favor, ayúdeme! Quiero hacerme fotos yo sola y cuando lo pongo en auto disparo de 10 minutos, me salen las fotos desenfocadas. Qué puedo hacer? Compré la cámara hace unos años y aún no sé cómo hacerme fotos sola. Muchas gracias

[@Jason_Hermann]

I would recommend getting a remote so you can trigger the camera from in front of it using the self timer. Here is a remote that will work: amzn.to/3meEY20

[@Rose.CH24]

@@Jason_Hermann con mi cámara antigua, no tenía que usar temporizador y yo sola me hacía las fotos. Además quiero hacerme las fotos con las manos libres. No entiendo por qué con esta cámara no puedo si es de más calidad que la anterior

[@faithfamilara148]

Hi! Touch operation is not available in my camera. :( why is that? :(

[@bangjago283]

How to setting half press automatically eye focus?

[@file1man]

I learn so much from you. I'm soon restarting my ogauge model train youtube channel shortly. very hard to find the best camera equipment for filming trains & layouts. very disappointed in videos on my sony a7r3 video focus wander, sony rx100 with 5 minute 4k overheats.Thought the many lenses from mirrorless would add a lot in videos vs camcorders much easier focus in videos. trying ax100, ax700 camcorders now. Most train guys know model trains, but not cameras, what lenses, audio, lighting, tripods, camcorders. I like model trains, have a large train collection in boxes, but knowledge of what to use when is very, very difficult to find/learn and expensive. Wish you could connect & share your knowledge. I also have a canon 60d, 7d, and g20. please help. My train videos will be mostly shot from 1.5 ft out to 6 feet. you video makes me wish I had started with a gh5 or g9. I have no friends in either cameras or model trains for sharing or learning.

[@SamarkandChan]

How do you enable touch focus?

[@RobertSE6]

Very clear and helpful BUT you didn't cover all the focus area modes which was unfortunate

[@Jason_Hermann]

Sorry for that Robert... The focus area is just where the camera limits focus to pretty much. Do you have any specific questions?

[@devastatorsarmy6611]

You see I don’t want a huge vlog setup so this is the camera that I would like to have instead of a huge heavy big camera you can have something that weighs nothing but a couple grams and not have to worry about holding a big huge heavy camera

[@Jason_Hermann]

Be sure to check out the New Sony ZV-1 (bhpho.to/2FqGyL6) also ;) It's optimized for vlogging and has a faster lens which is better for vlogging purposes when talking in front of the camera, and has a built in ND filter which also helps...

[@frankyan220]

Thanks

[@Ukman-england]

Why is this still the same price

[@Jason_Hermann]

No newer model yet and demand is still really high I'm thinking....

[@Ukman-england]

@@Jason_Hermann do u think its worth buying as I just want it for nights out so I'm looking for a good flash on it or do u recommend older model

[@darkktint5974]

Why all KZbinrs want people to have bell notification bell on to be noticed. Its not true if people subscribe to your channel they will be notified via message when logging into youtube. Do u know how annoying it would be for me if I have notification bell on all my subscribers on KZbin. Stop following the crowd and do something different.

[@Jason_Hermann]

That is not true based on my experience Stephen. I only get an email notice from subscribers new videos if I have the bell selected also. Subscribing alone does not give me the email notice. The bell does not give me a notification like a facebook message for example. I do appreciate the feedback though and just want my subscribers to no when I put out a new video.

[@JoeMendez]

Great tutorial. Thanks

[@Jason_Hermann]

Glad you liked it :)