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Sony Animal Eye Auto Focus Explained
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Animal Eye Auto Focus by Sony
Sony has a feature that gives you as an image-maker the ability to focus on the eyes of your pets — but it does not stop there! You can also focus on the eyes of wildlife animals. Ideal when you are a true animal lover. The portraits you will create will never be the same again with this feature.
Time to tell you more about the advantages, how it works and of course our opinion.
How does it work?
Let's get started! But then the questions start flying, because how does this feature work? How do I get the latest version on my camera? We will guide you quickly and concisely so that from now on you always capture beautiful photos of all animals. The software is available through a software update and various models include this feature as standard.
You can find a special setting in the menu for subject recognition for animals. In the menu 'Face/Eye AF settings' you select the option for animal. The eye recognition for animals is now activated as soon as you half-press the shutter button. When you do this, a green box will immediately appear around the eye of the animal and click!
Advantages of Animal Eye Auto Focus
✔️ You always capture animals in sharp focus, even when they run past or jump up at the last moment.
✔️ When you use this function on an Alpha camera, you can capture animals from a different perspective.
✔️ The feature is even applicable when you photograph in an environment where other subjects are in the shot or even partially in front of the subject. Think of a window frame, plants or toys.
✔️ The silent shooting feature works well together with the Animal Eye AF. So you can also capture those unexpected moments.
✔️ Even with unpredictable puppies you can deliver sharp images, thanks to the wide autofocus range combined with the feature.
Cameras with Animal Eye Auto Focus capability
By now, a large part of Sony's cameras are familiar with this feature. Just for you, we make it even easier and list them here.
| Sony A7 IV | Sony ZV-E10 |
| Sony Alpha 1 | Sony A7C |
| Sony A7S III | Sony A9 II |
| Sony A6600 | Sony A6100 |
| Sony A6400 | Sony A7R IV A |
| Sony A7R III A | Sony A7 III |
| Sony RX10 IV | Sony RX100 VII |
Results of Animal Eye Auto Focus
To give you a better idea, we have lined up images where animal eye auto focus was applied. Whether the animals you want to capture are moving or lying quietly still, it makes no difference. You also have complete freedom to choose your favourite animals. Whether you like to photograph your pet or prefer wild animals, the feature is applicable to all animals you can think of.
Innovation award
Animal Eye Auto Focus by Sony won the EISA Photo-Innovation 2019-2020 award! Sony is highly appreciated by both hobbyists and professionals. The improved Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Animal Eye AF focus precisely on the eyes of a person or an animal. Photographers can even choose the preferred eye of the subject (left or right) as a focus point. The AI-driven technology provides accurate and reliable tracking for moving objects. Thanks to the continuous autofocus function, Real-time Eye AF keeps focusing on a moving object, even when part of the face is temporarily obscured or the subject looks away from the camera. This technology was also applied for the first time in a smartphone in the Sony Xperia 1.
Tip!
Do you also want to take great animal photos? Then be sure to read the interview with Sony ambassador Chris Schmid about animal photography! Also watch the video from the video team (alongside) in which all the animals at the petting zoo are captured. The Animal Eye Auto Focus works really superbly!
