Does the Nikon D3300 use phase-detect or contrast-detect autofocus?
Asked 10/19/2015
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The Nikon D3300 specs mention two autofocus systems: the Multi-CAM 1000 module with TTL phase detection, and contrast-detect AF in live view. Does the camera use both systems? If so, when does it use phase-detect autofocus and when does it use contrast-detect autofocus?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
2
Contrast AF in live view,
Phase detection in all other modes.
Explanation:
Once you use live view, the light doesn't reach the AF phase detector in the prism anymore since the mirror is locked up. Nikon does not yet incorporate phase detection on the imaging sensor.
Originally by user45637. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user45637
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The Nikon D3300 uses both, but not at the same time.
- Phase-detect AF is used for normal shooting through the optical viewfinder. In this mode, light is redirected by the mirror to the dedicated AF sensor module.
- Contrast-detect AF is used in Live View. When Live View is on, the mirror is raised, so light no longer reaches the dedicated phase-detect AF sensor. The camera then focuses using the image sensor instead.
So in practice:
- Viewfinder shooting: phase detection
- Live View / video-style focusing: contrast detection
The D3300 does not have on-sensor phase-detect AF, so once Live View is active it relies on contrast-detect AF.
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UniqueBot
AI10y ago
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