Sony Alpha Forum
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Sony A7IV Autofocus Problems: Real Fixes From the Community (2026)
February 22, 2025 - Over 80 Sony A7IV owners share their autofocus issues, settings tweaks and workarounds. Real-world solutions that actually work — not just specs.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/sonyalpha › i need a bit of help with autofocus settings on the a7 iv
r/SonyAlpha on Reddit: I need a bit of help with autofocus settings on the A7 IV
April 4, 2024 -
I often find that the autofocus block shifts up to the top right, and fails to focus on the central section. Also when I take photos of people from a distance I find that a lot of the shots turn out blurry.
Is there a specific autofocus setting that would be better for static shots of food? And would that setting be different for taking photos of individuals on a stage under a spotlight, walking around? I've watched a few videos and read articles but it's not sticking and not helping me with these two scenarios. Hoping one of you guys can explain it more succintly
Top answer 1 of 5
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Just throwing this out there... Is touch operation enabled? 🤔
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The first thing I would check is that you're not accidentally touch focusing using the screen. This is my biggest annoyance when I'm shooting street - accidentally brushing the touchscreen and having to cancel focus is very annoying. For shots of static or slow-moving subjects, single shot AF is better. For moving subjects, continuous AF works more effectively. Experiment with your AF sensitivity settings as well. If it's snapping to different subjects too quickly, I'd lower the sensitivity.
Videos
24:09
Sony a7 V : le MEILLEUR en photo, l'ESSENTIEL en vidéo ? (test ...
11:33
The BEST Autofocus Settings for Sony - YouTube
Sony A7 IV Focus Tips and Settings
Lightning Fast Wedding and Portrait Photography Autofocus ...
01:48
Sony A7IV Focus Modes Explained - YouTube
01:02:50
Sony A7IV Réglages COMPLÈTS Pour La Photo & Vidéo | En Détails ...
Sony
support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp › support › ilc › custom › 05 › en › practice1.html
Autofocus | Customization guide - ILCE-7M4
Operate the shutter button with your index finger, and the AF-ON button with your thumb.Generally, this method is called "back-button AF," since the autofocus function is activated using a button on the back side of the camera.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/sonyalpha › sony a7iv - what are you guys using for your auto focus set up? (street)
r/SonyAlpha on Reddit: Sony a7iv - What are you guys using for your auto focus set up? (street)
August 16, 2023 -
Feel like mine needs some work. I'm using the EVF a lot more now after switching from Cannon, but not sure if I have it set the best. I mainly shoot street so being able to quickly shift what the focus on is good. So I have it set to a single expandable point right now. What are the best settings for this?
Top answer 1 of 3
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I restrict my autofocus points to those I use -- namely Wide, S area, M area and expand flexible spot. No tracking. I set up one of the custom buttons to toggle between these focus points. AF-ON is set to activate tracking so I can turn on tracking "on demand" instead of having to cycle through additional AF options. Half press shutter release is set to "normal" non-tracking autofocus. AE-L is set to enable / disable face and eye detect and I remap AE-L to the focus hold button. I find this gives me utmost flexibility. Typically if I am lazy and want to focus on the whole scene as a whole I just set it to Wide without tracking. If I want to focus on a particular subject, then I toggle quickly to S or M area. If the subject is moving, I just press AF-ON and it'll automagically track.
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I use Auto Focus center, then the Back Button focus to center the object I want in focus then reframe and take picture. This may be too slow for you.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Sony A7IV Autofocus Settings - NEVER MISS The Shot! - YouTube
This is how I have my camera set up to get the best AF tracking and Eye AF tracking using the new Sony A7IV. But these settings are also going to work great ...
Published April 19, 2022
Reddit
reddit.com › r/sonyalpha › sony a7 iv eye autofocus issues, going crazy
r/SonyAlpha on Reddit: Sony A7 IV Eye Autofocus Issues, Going Crazy
May 17, 2023 -
I am hoping that someone has some answers for me. I have read as many posts as I could get my hands on. The camera does not focus on the eyes, it really does not focus on anything most of the time, if I am taking pictures of someone, it will focus on a scarf or a piece of bark. And it is driving me crazy. My first camera was an A7, my A7III's A/F was PERFECT, and then I upgrade to this one and well, it is driving me crazy.
I have factory reset the entire thing.
I have installed updates to Version 1.11 (did not brick the camera)
Factory reset again and update to Version 2.0
I am located in Canada, have any other Canadians had similar issues? If so how did Sony fix them, how long did it take, is there something I should say? I am still under warranty, just barely. I want to go into a Sony store, but they have all been permanently closed (I am not sure since when). I am very upset, have recommended this brand to 100s of people over the last 8 years and they are shipping $3,000 cameras that don't really work. Is this a software issue? Is this a hardware issue? I have read conflicting reports of people getting their cameras back and everything being fixed with a software reset vs others getting it back and not having the same results.
Top answer 1 of 5
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The eye AF on the A7IV has been a point of contention for some. Prior to firmware updates, there was something off about the AF. Despite paid YouTube shills saying "it's the best focusing system ever", there was a clear problem with it focusing on eyelids or lashes. The camera at the time ruined paid shoots for me, that I stopped using the camera. After the various firmware updates, it was a bit better. However, users are still having problems. Sony's product release cycles forces them to not give the necessary attention to previously released products.
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This is going to sound dumb, but is Eye AF active? Go to the Menu ‐> Focus -> Face Eye AF and make sure Face/Eye Prior. In AF is set to "On" and Subject Sel. Setting is set to "Human". Make sure your aperture is suitably bright as well. At four stops underexposed, you will lose a lot of Eye AF tracking. Is it happening with all lenses, or just one lens? If just one lens, is your lens on the latest firmware version? Can you force it to find eyes by setting Eye AF on a custom key? To find out how to do that search for "[Eye AF] by custom key" in this Sony guide . If everything above is up-to-date, then does tracking in any of the Focus Area tracking modes work? If none of the above works, then it sounds like either the processor or a component on the motherboard is faulty.
Digital Photography Review
dpreview.com › forums › camera companies › sony › sony alpha full frame e-mount talk
The A7IV autofocus for BIF: Sony Alpha Full Frame E- ...
July 9, 2023 - In short, YES INDEED Same experience with the A7Riii (that I still love and use very often), but the A7IV is in another league. A very reliable autofocus performance. I am very impressed every time I put it to the test. photofan1986's gear list: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm 1:4.8-6.7 · Add it to my gear list: I also own it · I want it · I once had it · View product page · Sony FE 85mm F1.8 ·
sony camera central
sonycameracentral.com › tips-and-guides › maximize-a7iv-autofocus-for-smooth-video-recording
Sony A7IV Focus Peaking: Complete Setup Guide for Video - Sony Camera Central
November 16, 2023 - Focus peaking on the Sony A7IV ... while shooting manual focus video or stills. To enable it, go to Menu → Focus → Focus Assist → Peaking Display → On....
Enthusiastphotoblog
enthusiastphotoblog.com › setting-up-sony-a7iv
Setting up Sony A7iv | Enthusiast Photography Blog
December 31, 2021 - But in some low light cases or where you want extreme precision on a small subject, you may want to use manual focus or AF-S with magnified focus. When using AF-S with focus magnifier at 5.5x, you get an extremely precise single autofocus point to place over your subject. Networking is vastly improved on the Sony A7iv, I found the connection far more stable than my prior Sony cameras.
Fstoppers
fstoppers.com › home › opinion › gear
5 Reasons Why I’m Still Obsessed With The Sony A7 IV 10 Months On | Fstoppers
September 8, 2022 - The button layout on the Sony A7iv is also much improved. The camera works so well that it allows me to completely focus on creating, rather than worrying about making sure the camera is doing what I need it to do. This is more important than any particular spec or upgrade. I can depend on the image quality and dynamic range. I can depend on the autofocus to keep my subjects in focus, and I can depend on the battery to last me all day or for a full shoot.
The Phoblographer
thephoblographer.com › home › improved animal and face detection! sony a7 iv review
Improved Animal and Face Detection! Sony A7 IV Review
October 30, 2023 - The a7 IV was responsive and quickly achieved autofocus in various lighting conditions. Other than glasses, it was only a little sluggish when the face was in a dark shadow against bright light.
Sony
helpguide.sony.net › ilc › 1540 › v1 › en › contents › TP0000823200.html
Help Guide | Focus Mode - Sony Corporation
Selects the focus method to suit the movement of the subject.
Philip Bloom
philipbloom.net › blog › master-sonys-video-autofocus
How To Master Sony’s Video Autofocus | Philip Bloom- Blog
May 20, 2022 - After 9 months of exhaustive tests, I have finally finished my two-part masterclass on the video autofocus of the Sony Alpha and FX cameras. These videos were commissioned by Sony Europe for the Alpha Academy website. The settings files are at http://gopb.co/settings · Sony A7 IV: https://gopb.co/a7iv ·
Sony
support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp › support › ilc › autofocus › ilce7sm3 › en › 01.php
Selecting Focus Area | Focus Setting Guide | Sony
This setting is available only when the [Focus Mode] is set to [Continuous AF]. When the shutter button is pressed and held halfway down, the product tracks the subject within the selected autofocus area.
4K Shooters
4kshooters.net › home › blog › best way to use autofocus for video on your sony alpha camera
Best Way to Use Autofocus for Video on Your Sony Alpha Camera | 4K Shooters
April 1, 2024 - If you are looking for some advice on how to set up a Sony Alpha camera like the a7S III, a7 IV, or even FX3, here is a nice tutorial by filmmaker Jacques Crafford. Autofocus is an incredible tool for solo operators. Today, Sony cameras are actually very accurate and fast.
BCG Forums
bcgforums.com › home › discussion forums › general photo discussion
Sony A7IV autofocus and wildlife | Backcountry Gallery Photography Forums
October 26, 2021 - Hoping that Steve might get hands on an A7IV and run it through its course and share his feedback. ... I suspect it will focus just fine however keep in mind it is not a stacked sensor. So your experience will be similar to the Z6/7 in the sense of a delayed view of what you are seeing vs reality. If you really want a BIF Sony the a9 and a1 are your best bets.
Sony
sony.com › electronics › support › articles › 00008307
The camera doesn't focus using the autofocus (AF) setting | Sony USA
Autofocus issues that result in blurry, unclear pictures can be caused by settings selection, distance from the subject, and environmental issues among other factors. The information below will provide you with various recommendations to troubleshoot and resolve issues with auto-focusing · ...
Sony Alpha Forum
sonyalphaforum.com › home › sony alpha full frame › sony alpha full frame cameras › a7ii autofocus in video questions
A7II Autofocus in Video Questions - Sony Alpha Full Frame Cameras - Sony Alpha Forum
November 12, 2019 - I have recently bought an A7II and I am loving it. I have never got into video before, but would like to give it a go. I have a question about the autofocus in video though. When in video mode I am locked into either AF-C or MF, but when I press the shutter button in AF-C it locks focus like AF-S...
Fred Miranda
fredmiranda.com › forum › next › 1775169
Autofocus differences, Sony a7iv vs a7riv - FM Forums
June 24, 2022 - Explore Sony Forum photography discussions. Share your photos, discuss gear and techniques, and buy or sell equipment in our marketplace.
JBWphotos
jbwphotos.ca › blogs › shootingactiona7iv
Mastering Action Photography with the Sony A7 IV – Tips and Techniques | JBW Photos — Mountain Bike Photographer
May 28, 2025 - Setting up autofocus (AF) correctly ... camera provides different AF modes, but for capturing dynamic movement, Continuous AF (AF-C) is the go-to choice....
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