The Canon 70D has four different focus modes: a manual mode, and three autofocus modes. Each focus mode is useful in their own right, and can be selected based on your current needs.
- To change the focus mode of your Canon 70D, press the AF button to the top left of the top LCD panel, and choose between one of the three autofocus modes.
- For manual focus, use the toggle on your lens to switch from AF (autofocus) to MF (manual focus). Manual focus gives you fully manual control using the focus ring on your lens.
- There are three autofocus modes, each with their own characteristics:
- One-Shot AF is most useful for still subjects, and focus is locked when the shutter button is pressed halfway.
- AI Servo AF is the best option for moving subjects, and pressing the shutter button halfway will continuously focus on your subject as long as it’s in frame.
- AI Focus AF is a hybrid between the previous two autofocus modes: if your subject begins moving after focus is found, focus will be continually adjusted to the subject.
The Canon 70D also includes various Autofocus modes using 19 autofocus points to adjust where in the frame the camera focuses to. The AF area mode can be adjusted using the AF Point Selection button at the top right of the back of the camera (indicated a white square icon with 5 smaller squares). At the top of the menu, you find three selections:
- Manual selection: 1pt AF. This mode uses 1 autofocus point to find focus.
- Manual selection: Zone AF. This mode gives five focus zones across the 19 AF points: left, top, center, bottom, and right.
- Automatic selection: 19pt AF. In One-Shot AF, this mode will automatically select a focus point, whereas in AI Servo AF, the focus point can be manually selected.
In either the Manual 1pt mode or Automatic Selection while in Servo AF, the focus point can be selected by pressing the AF Point Selection button, then using the quick control dial on the back of the camera to move the point selector up and down, and the main dial on the top of the camera to move the point selector to the left and right. The AF point can also be selected using the touch screen after pressing the AF Point Selection button.
Check out our Canon 70D Tips & Tricks Roundup for more info!
