Focus & Depth of Field — 16 Terms Defined

Face Detection Focus & Depth of Field A system that identifies human faces in the frame and prioritises them for focus and often for exposure.

Focus Focus & Depth of Field m The condition in which light from a point on the subject converges to a point on the sensor, rendering that part of the scene sharp. 1/f = 1/u + 1/v

Focus and Recompose Focus & Depth of Field The technique of focusing with a central point, locking, then shifting the camera to place the subject elsewhere in the frame.

Focus Bracketing Focus & Depth of Field count An in-camera function that automatically shoots a sequence of frames at incrementally different focus distances.

Focus Breathing Focus & Depth of Field % A change in a lens's angle of view as it is focused, so the framing appears to zoom slightly during a focus pull.

Focus Confirmation Focus & Depth of Field An indicator, usually a dot or the illumination of an AF point, showing that the camera considers focus achieved.

Focus Limiter Focus & Depth of Field m A switch that restricts a lens's focusing range, so autofocus does not search through distances the subject cannot occupy.

Focus Lock Focus & Depth of Field Holding the current focus distance so that further movement of the camera or subject does not trigger refocusing.

Focus Magnification Focus & Depth of Field × magnification A function that enlarges part of the live image so focus can be judged at a pixel level.

Focus Peaking Focus & Depth of Field A display aid that outlines the highest-contrast edges in the live image, marking what is currently in focus.

Focus Priority Focus & Depth of Field A setting that prevents the shutter from firing until the camera confirms focus has been achieved.

Focus Shift Focus & Depth of Field mm A movement of the plane of sharpest focus as a lens is stopped down, caused by residual spherical aberration.

Focus Stacking Focus & Depth of Field count Combining several frames focused at different distances into one image with depth of field no single exposure could achieve.

Focus Throw Focus & Depth of Field degrees The angle through which a focus ring must turn to travel from minimum distance to infinity.

Focus-by-wire Focus & Depth of Field A manual focus ring that sends an electronic signal to a motor rather than moving the optics mechanically.

Front Focus Focus & Depth of Field mm A calibration error in which a lens consistently focuses slightly nearer than the intended subject.