Modern mirrorless cameras recognise eyes, faces, animals, birds and vehicles and track them around the frame. Setting autofocus up properly matters more than the model you own.
Single or continuous?
- Single (AF-S, One Shot): focuses once and locks. For landscapes, still lifes and posed portraits.
- Continuous (AF-C, Servo): keeps adjusting while you half-press. For anything that moves: children, pets, sport, wildlife.
Focus areas
Use wide or tracking areas with subject detection for moving subjects and let the camera find the eye. Use a small single point when the camera keeps choosing the wrong thing, such as a branch in front of a bird.
Subject detection
Most mirrorless cameras released since about 2020 detect people and animals; newer ones add birds, vehicles, aircraft and trains. Pick the matching subject in the menu for the best hit rate.
Back-button focus
Many photographers move autofocus from the shutter button to a rear button. You can then hold focus with your thumb, or let go to recompose, without the camera refocusing every time you shoot. It takes a day to get used to.
Why DSLRs struggle with this
DSLRs focus with a separate sensor that sees only part of the frame, so subject detection is limited. That's one of the main reasons to choose a mirrorless camera today.