If there manual focus/AF lock for movie recording? I want to disable AF during recording so it doesn't hunt around a lot.
176182
I do not believe there is. This is a fairly easy entry level point and shoot. I do not personally shoot video and my wife has shot a few videos with the camera and they are fine for a point and shoot.
176183
I don't know. As I mentioned in my review, video is bad (strong device noises) for me, and moreover not much interested in that feature. That being said, I have a rather strong feeling (based among others from statements from Fuji executives that they need to strongly improve their video capabilities), that no, there isn't be such a feature.
512484
This is not an official statement but I've been shooting a lot. And I 99% use single point AF, manually setting focus point according to my subject. I never noticed a left focus or lock up problem.
1278587
By default, Auto Focus is turned on. As soon as you start to record, whatever is in the center of the view finder will come into focus. You can override this behavior by touching the screen to get the camera to track a subject that is not in the center of the screen. This can be done before you start to record, and the subject will then become focused. In low light conditions, or when shooting a scene with multiple subjects, it's a good idea to select the primary subject before recording. Besides focus, the camera will also adjust exposure to match the subject selected. In low light, I've found that selecting the subject brightens the scene the way I want. By default, Auto Focus is turned on. As soon as you start to record, whatever is in the center of the view finder will come into focus. You can override this behavior by touching the screen to get the camera to track a subject that is not in the center of the screen. This can be done before you start to record, and the subject will then become focused. In low light conditions, or when shooting a scene with multiple subjects, it's a good idea to select the primary subject before recording. Besides focus, the camera will also adjust exposure to match the subject selected. In low light, I've... » Read More By default, Auto Focus is turned on. As soon as you start to record, whatever is in the center of the view finder will come into focus. You can override this behavior by touching the screen to get the camera to track a subject that is not in the center of the screen. This can be done before you start to record, and the subject will then become focused. In low light conditions, or when shooting a scene with multiple subjects, it's a good idea to select the primary subject before recording. Besides focus, the camera will also adjust exposure to match the subject selected. In low light, I've found that selecting the subject brightens the scene the way I want. « Show Less
493570
Indeed! The Canon XA25 and XA20 both have focus-tracking. In the auto mode, the camera selects/scans a face in the viewing area. The focus locks in and locks on, following that subject while in view. If you prefer it to track a different subject or object, just tap the viewscreen and the focus shifts and tracks with that object/subject. Ingenious! And so critical for event videography. You can, of course, disengage and go full manual. Except for a controlled, studio shoot, who would?
2069583
You can control auto-focus. Portrait mode defocuses the background, which you can avoid by shooting in another mode.
553154
OK, let me preface my answer by noting that I rarely use my cameras for video. I have just tried a test video and it looks like it does autofocus with the 18-55 mm lens that comes with it. How it does with other EF lenses, I don't know, but since AF is built into the adapter, I would assume the same.
980358
I have not done any video recording but I have read that the autofocus doesn't work well when in video mode. The still photos are great.
2161448
When I bought my camera, I checked for this function. It was not possible to take a still photo while also taking movies. I suppose it is possible (although probably not likely) that there has been a 'firmware' update, and now you can, but it could not be done when I bought mine.
839581
Do not overlook the need to turn OFF the Focus Check setting! Realize that the default setting slows the AF down markedly. If this setting is left on, it will result in wandering focus ...
91549
Yes we have this too...plus a ticking noise! My husband just noticed it, and was like what the heck? You can actually hear it on the video while playing back if we are recording in absolute silence. When he shuts off the auto focus the ticking noise stops. I would be interested in others with this camcorder to comment on the noise.....I mean is this a defect or something that is just the way the camcorder is?
2161447
With this Sony model you cannot take a still photo while shooting video. On some previous models you could. Sony took that feature away on this one - and I was unhappy to find that out (after I bought the camera)
2195468
Dear. I put my camera under automatic shot and all is ok. When I put in scene mode to film some movies it works great, the image is HD, the collors are great, the quality is very very good, the sound is perfect, but monaural, it has one microphone inside, near the button shot. Maybe your camera needs some audio configurations. One disadvantage is when you select scene movies you don´t have access to the ZOOM feature, you have to adjust zoom first. Good Luck
673861
No pause button, but you can take still pictures while shooting video, which is a huge thing for me. So now I don't have to carry around a camera AND camcorder!!
68440
I've been using the camera for about 3 months or so and was hesitant about using the auto focus/auto exposure because my last Canon video camera not only made noise, but it continuously unfocused and refocused throughout recording. I switched to all auto mode just to "see" how bad it was and haven't gone back since. I use Premiere Pro editing software and the audio is clean (we run a small soundboard and there's a tiny bit of hiss from there that the denoiser filter removes completely). But we hear no camera noises at all.
251735
It can auto focus at one point before recording as long as you use AF lens, but you have to manually focus after.
919694
I think I have a solution. The way to fix this is to play around with the camera settings. First, set the camera to the 'P' mode on the little wheel that turns. then press menu. Scroll to the right until you come to the 'focus' setting. sroll up to 7.0m, and you shouldn't have that problem anymore. After that's done, scroll over to the REC Mode and make sure its set to 'normal. That should fix it, It was bothering me too ;)
182580
Yes, it has auto focus. Switching to "effects" mode turns off autofocus. While it is admittedly not an up to date, cutting-edge model, it has some good features that are now hard to get on entry-level camcorders. One of those is a port that allows you to use the camera as a conversion box to digitize your VHS tapes, or 8mm tapes (if you still have a working player) onto either the camcorder's digital tape, or directly onto a computer. I think it's about $100 for a conversion box that does that, and nothing else. While consumers no longer seem interested in digital mini-tapes, there are $2,000 pro-sumer models that still think they're a good format. Tapes are still commonly available. Some of these (not all) eluras have slight whine that is picked up by the mic when filming quiet scenes. I've owned two. One had no audible motor noise, the other did. One good solution is to buy a $20.00 tie-clip mic which fits into the external mic port on this camera. If mine gets broken, I may well look for a chance to buy another one. It's still an somewhat unfashionable camera, but if you want to edit your videos on a computer, your original film will be less compressed on a mini-tape than it is on either a hard drive or DVD drive camera.