RX100 V -- fastest SS focus photo mode ???

[BertIverson]

I have read every review I can find on RX100 V focus technology. My questions are simple:
Using flexible small spot center focusing, which is the fastest photo focus mode:
(a) Single Shot or
(b) Continuous?
For these 2 modes, how does it utilize PDAF and CDAF technologies?


Thanks for any help offered,
Bert

 

[BertIverson]

[No message]

 

[PC Wheeler]

I have read every review I can find on RX100 V focus technology. My questions are simple:
Using flexible small spot center focusing, which is the fastest photo focus mode:
(a) Single Shot or
(b) Continuous?

I don't know. I'd guess AF-C.

For these 2 modes, how does it utilize PDAF and CDAF technologies?

I read something on that somewhere -- now to figure out where! .... OK, look here:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Cyber-shot_RX100_V/ and find this heading

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V focus and continuous shooting

Included in that discussion is

"In Single AF / AF-S modes, the RX100 V unsurprisingly executes the autofocus operation like its bigger Alpha siblings which also sport hybrid systems. As such it first employs the phase-detect system to get close to the point of focus, then finishes the job with a contrast-based feedback loop - as such there's a small amount of hunting back and forth at the end of the process but it all takes place pretty swiftly. In use it felt similar to rival 1in compacts in speed but occasionally faster. If you have pre-focusing enabled, the subject is also invariably sharp or close to sharpness as you compose the shot, so that when you finally press the shutter release, there's not much work to do. Note if you manually position the AF area as far to the sides as possible, it'll be just outside the region of phase-detect coverage and become 100% contrast-based.

Set to Continuous autofocus / AF-C, the RX100 V exclusively uses its phase-detect AF system, which in turn means it'll only work within the area of coverage. The phase-detect area may 'only' cover 65% of the sensor, but in practice this only excludes a minor border around the extreme edges, so in use, you're very unlikely to have a subject entirely within these neglected strips."

and quite a bit more.

 

[elliottnewcomb]

I don't know, but, after half press, the speed may be the same. AF-S and AF-C are meant to be used differently, not for a speed advantage.

Do you aim and instantly fully press, or do you aim, half press, and wait for something, then finish the shot, it makes a difference.

Hybrid PDCD AF. The hybrid method is super fast at achieving focus, faster than CDAF for single shots, incredibly fast continuous shooting. That speed advantage has occurred at half press, whether it is AF-S or AF-C. Final press, speed to activate the shutter should be the same.

My understanding of Sony CDAF.

Pre-focus occurs automatically prior to half press, to get the lens near it's final position to achieve faster final focus. We also need pre-focus to see and compose whatever we aim the camera at. (except manual focus)

Typically, pre-focus happens once, when we aim the camera at our subject, prior to half press, we don't even notice it. Aim the camera at something else further away, you will see it pre-focus again. Back to near subject, it will pre-focus again. Then, it waits for shutter button half press to do something, either AF-S or AF-C.

AF-S and AF-C differ by what occurs after the shutter button is half pressed.

AF-S, half press: AF system finds and locks focus distance at whatever is in the focus area/spot. Hold the half-press, re-frame, you move, subject moves, it holds the original front to back distance it first locked. Finish the shot.

AF-C, half press: AF system finds, but does not lock focus. It continuously updates 'semi-final' focus at whatever is within the focus area/spot. You must keep your focus area/box aimed at the subject, it is not tracking focus, it is just updating whatever it finds in the focus area/box. Subject moves closer, updated, further away, updated, sideways, it finds whatever was behind your subject, you better keep/get that box aimed at your subject, so it can update again. Finish the Shot.

Final shutter button press is the same for either AF-S or AF-C: hold the last focus distance and activate the shutter. Any time difference there?

So, you use AF-S when you want to lock focus and possibly re-frame. You use AF-C when your subject might possibly move a little, but, you cannot re-frame with your subject out of your focus area/spot location. It is difficult to follow a moving subject with a fixed focus spot.

Use Tracking Focus when you know your subject will be moving a lot. You assign the focus spot to your subject, and whether you move, subject moves, or both, the focus spot automatically follows what it was assigned to, before half press, just a moving spot. Final focus distance occurs at half button press. Typically using Tracking Focus you use full press, but, if the rug rat stops moving, you can half press, re-frame, wait for an expression, finish the shot, .

So, is AF-S or AF-C faster? Heck if I know, but each should be used appropriately for best results.

AF-C obviously uses more battery than AF-S, another reason to use AF-S unless AF-C or Tracking is needed.

Elliott

 

[PC Wheeler]

Good rundown, Elliott

 

[Horacecoker]

Good rundown, Elliott

 

[BertIverson]

It certainly had slipped my mind that re-compose is not possible in AF-C mode. But AF-C might be a tad faster if re-compose is not necessary (no CDAF adjustment)

Thanks for your time and effort,
Bert

 

[BertIverson]

Thanks Phil

First let me say that I am a: pre-focus, center spot, re-compose, fire shutter after focus is achieved type of shooter.

I have read every review I can find on RX100 V focus technology. My questions are simple:
Using flexible small spot center focusing, which is the fastest photo focus mode:
(a) Single Shot or
(b) Continuous?

I don't know. I'd guess AF-C.

since there is no CDAF cycle involved.

For these 2 modes, how does it utilize PDAF and CDAF technologies?

I read something on that somewhere -- now to figure out where! .... OK, look here:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Sony_Cyber-shot_RX100_V/ and find this heading

Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V focus and continuous shooting

Included in that discussion is

"In Single AF / AF-S modes, the RX100 V unsurprisingly executes the autofocus operation like its bigger Alpha siblings which also sport hybrid systems. As such it first employs the phase-detect system to get close to the point of focus, then finishes the job with a contrast-based feedback loop - as such there's a small amount of hunting back and forth at the end of the process but it all takes place pretty swiftly. ...

So: PDAF followed by CDAF followed by shutter fire. Best possible focus and hopefully the CDAF time is minimal.

Set to Continuous autofocus / AF-C, the RX100 V exclusively uses its phase-detect AF system, which in turn means it'll only work within the area of coverage. ...

So PDAF only (no CDAF) means shutter can fire more quickly but no re-compose is possible.

So you have answered my questions. If the CDAF after PDAF process time is tiny, I can continue to shoot AF-S

Thanks,
Bert

 

[elliottnewcomb]

Thanks for the compliment.

 

[elliottnewcomb]

thanks for the compliment, I need to learn PDCD hybrid AF, it is likely that is what will make me buy a camera in the future.

I forgot to mention, for anyone reading, when the camera finds focus at half press, it indicates a green box (possibly more than one), telling you what object(s) it is using to set focus distance.

If using full framing multi focus area size, or medium size center area: you need to watch for the green boxes at half press, verify it has found your primary subject, finish the shot, or, if not your subject, release, aim the camera a bit differently, half press again, now green box on your subject? Failing to verify this, especially people using Auto Modes, like a Point and Shoot, it why they get too many disappointing shots.