Olympus 330 Digital Camera User Manual


 
Autofocus (AF)
The Autofocus (AF) mechanism automatically adjusts focus. With it, the camera measures the distance to a
subject and adjusts the lens so that the subject is in focus. In the Infinity Super Zoom 330, focusing is done by
a newly - developed "Phase-Difference" detection system. In this system, light from the subject is picked up by a
special sensor and any inconsistencies (phase differences) in the image are used by a microprocessor chip to cal-
culate the best focus setting. Since the lens used in the Infinity Super Zoom 330 is very accurate, correct focusing
is even more accurate and accomplished by just aiming the lens at the subject. When there is no light reflected
from the subject, for example in a dark room, focusing is performed using a beam of light from the camera
(the AF-Illuminator).
Autofocus is designed so that the object in the center of the picture frame is correctly focused. However,
sometimes you may want a subject that is not in the center of the frame to be in focus; for such cases, the
Infinity Super Zoom 330 is also equipped with a focus lock mechanism.
For example, when your subject is at the edge of the picture frame, not in the center, first move the camera
slightly so that the subject is in the center of the autofocus frame, then press the shutter release button halfway
to focus. While keeping the button pressed, recompose the picture, and press the button fully. (See "Taking
Photographs II" on p. 33).
By doing this, photographs with any required composition can be taken. In addition, at the time the focus is
locked, the exposure is also determined automatically and locked (AE lock).
(1) Subject that does not include (2) Subject with low contrast (3) A rapidly moving subject
horizontal lines
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