Optimal G7X Mark III settings for photographing conference speakers

What are the optimal settings (AF mode, auto-lighting, metering, etc) for the Canon G7X III when photographing a conference speaker at the front of a room indoors with the audience in the foreground (like the example shown).

I often hand my G7X to a random person standing in the back of the room when I'm speaking at the front, so I'm trying to set up the camera to maximize the chances of the speaker's face being in focus in low-light conditions, especially when the person taking the photo isn't exactly a trained photographer. No one else in the audience needs to be in focus.

Is customizing the settings in P mode better than leaving it in Automatic (A) mode?

Thanks for your suggestions.

Example photo I'm trying to optimize camera settings for

My default settings for everything:

1. RAW
2. Av or Fv if camera has Fv
3. Auto ISO and switch to manual if camera is picking too low shutterspeed
4. AWB-W if the camera supports it

If the speakers are moving I would use AF tracking and burst mode, if not I would use single shot and single point AF.

most of this should apply to any Canon, Powershot or EOS.

TumblingTiger wrote:

What are the optimal settings (AF mode, auto-lighting, metering, etc) for the Canon G7X III when photographing a conference speaker at the front of a room indoors with the audience in the foreground (like the example shown).

I often hand my G7X to a random person standing in the back of the room when I'm speaking at the front, so I'm trying to set up the camera to maximize the chances of the speaker's face being in focus in low-light conditions, especially when the person taking the photo isn't exactly a trained photographer. No one else in the audience needs to be in focus.

Is customizing the settings in P mode better than leaving it in Automatic (A) mode?

Thanks for your suggestions.

Example photo I'm trying to optimize camera settings for

My G7Xii has the Face ID Setting. Not too sure whether G7Xiii still has that function.

If there is this function, you can add your own face into the Registry first. Turn on Face ID. The camera should prioritize focus on your face first as compared to others.

In indoor low light condition, I will use Av mode and set the aperture to the lowest F-stop (1.8 to 2.8, depending on the zoom range).

AF Operation set to 'Servo' and AF Method set to 'Face Detection + Tracking'. This will make it easier for someone who is not familiar with use camera. Another method is to teach that person (who is taking the photo for you) to touch your face in the screen first before taking the shot. This is actually what most people do when they take photo with their smartphone. And Canon G7xii touchscreen is actually quite good and responsive as smartphone.