Sony alpha9 User manual

Trademarks & Remarks
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• All other company and product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only
and may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
©2019 Sony Corporation Printed in JapanSep. 2019
AF Setup Quick Guide

Introduction
This Quick Guide provides a number of sample AF setups
that can help make the most of the advanced AF capabilities
offered by the α9 series in a variety of situations.
• The settings given may not be suitable for all photographic
situations.
• The content of this guide applies to camera software
version 6.00 for α9 and version 1.00 for α9 II.
• The Menu setting and the body between α9 and α9 II
differs. Menu settings and product images displayed in this
Quick Guide apply mainly to α9 II.
• Specifications listed in this Quick Guide may change
without notice in accordance with future updates and
improvements.
• Photographs are provided to illustrate the situations
described in this guide, not to serve as sample α9 or α9 II
images.
Refer to the camera owner’s manual or information provided on relevant
Sony websites for operating details and specifications.
Product page: http://www.sony.net/ilce-9
http://www.sony.net/ilce-9m2
Help guide: http://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/1650/v1/h_zz/
https://rd1.sony.net/help/ilc/1960/h_zz/
α9 α9 II
Contents
Frequently used focus controls p.4
Main focus settings p.6
Recommended settings for events and subjects pp.15-43
Recommended settings by scene type pp.44-51
Silent shutter p.58
Custom settings pp.52-57
Customizing the button settings p.52
Recall Custom Setting During Hold pp.53-54
My Menu p.55
Customizing the Fn (Function) button p.56
Customizing the Eye AF p.57
2 3

Top Rear
MENU button
Camera Settings /
Network / Playback /
Setup / My Menu
AF On button
Focus without pressing
the shutter button
halfway down.
Mode dial
Intelligent Auto / P (Program Auto) / A (Aperture Priority)
/ S (Shutter Priority) / M (Manual Exposure) / 1/2/3
(Memory recall) / Movie / S&Q (Slow&Quick Motion)
Multi-selector
Move the focus area by pressing the multi-
selector up / down / left / right.
Upper: Drive mode dial
Single Shooting / Hi, Mid, Lo Cont.
Shooting / Self-timer / Bracket
Lower: Focus mode dial
AF-S / AF-C / DMF / MF
Frequently used focus controls
4 5

The recommended focus setups described on pages 15
through 43 include the following focus settings.
Selects the focus area.
Focus Area
Use this setting to select the focus mode that best suits the
subject and subject motion.
Focus Mode
Procedure Rotate the Focus Mode dial
Available
Settings
AF-S (Single-shot AF) / AF-C (Continuous
AF) / DMF (Direct Manual Focus) / MF
(Manual Focus)
Custom key (Shoot.) (My Menu)
Assignable to
Procedure MENU button - [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1) -
[Focus Area]
Available
Settings
Wide / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot: S,
M, L / Expand Flexible Spot / Tracking:
Wide, Zone, Center, Flexible Spot S, M, L,
Expand Flexible Spot
Fn
Note: Images on these pages show α9 II.
Main focus settings
6 7

Select the subject from Human and Animal.* The Eye AF function
is activated within the selected focus area by half-pressing the
shutter button or pressing the AF-ON button.**
Real-time Eye AF - Subject Detction
Custom key (Shoot.) (My Menu)
Assignable to
Procedure MENU button - [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2) -
[Face / Eye AF Set.] - Subject Detection
Available
Settings Human / Animal
Fn
Select the Focus Area. It determines the initial Focus Area while
using the Tracking Mode. The selected tracking area is activated
by half-pressing the shutter button. The subject is tracked over
the full screen while the Tracking function is activated.
Focus Area - Real-time Tracking
Procedure MENU button - [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1) -
[Focus Area] - Tracking
Available
Settings
Tracking: Wide, Zone, Center, Flexible
Spot S, M, L, Expand Flexible Spot
*Only one subject can be selected and the other subject cannot be selected.
** Only activates when a face is detected withing the Focus Area selected.
Main focus settings
8 9

Determines whether the shutter will release if the subject is not
in focus when continuous AF is activated and the subject is in
motion.
Priority Set in AF-C
Assignable to (My Menu)
Procedure MENU button - [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1) -
[Priority Set in AF-C]
Available
Settings AF / Release / Balanced Emphasis
Select the Eye from Right and Left.
Real-time Eye AF - Right/Left Eye Selection
Custom key (Shoot.) (My Menu)
Assignable to
Procedure MENU button - [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2) -
[Face/Eye AF Set.] - Right/Left Eye Select
Available
Settings Right/Left
Fn
Main focus settings
10 11

Determines whether the focus area and position of the focusing
frame will be adjusted according to match horizontal/vertical
camera orientation.
Match focus area to camera orientation
Available
Settings Off / AF Point Only / AF Point + AF Area
Procedure MENU button - [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1) -
[Switch V/H AF Area]
(My Menu)
Assignable to
Selects the AF tracking sensitivity that applies when the subject
goes out of focus while shooting still images.
AF Tracking Sensitivity
Available
Settings
5 (Responsive) / 4 / 3 (Standard) / 2 / 1
(Locked on)
Procedure MENU button - [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2) -
[AF Tracking Sens.]
Custom key (Shoot.) (My Menu)
Assignable to
Main focus settings
12 13

Fast
Slow
Predictable Unpredictable
Subject Motion
Subject
Predictability Expand
Flexible
Spot
Flexible
Spot M
Flexible
Spot L Zone
Flexible
Spot L
Wide
Flexible
Spot S
Note: Tracking Mode is suitable for tracking single subjects continuously, and when obstacles
might briefly obscure the subject.
AF area and subject motion
Select a narrow AF area mode for subjects that move slowly or
predictably. A wide AF area is recommended for subjects that
move rapidly and/or unpredictably.
Index
Refer to the following webpage for conditions that may apply during continuous shooting
: http://www.sony.net/cont/ilce9/
: https://www.sony.net/dics/9m2cnt/
Ball games 1-5 pp.16-20
Athletics / Track and field 1-2 p.21-22
Winter sports 1-5 pp.23-27
Motor sports 1-2 pp.28-29
Water sports p.30
Other sports 1-10 pp.31-39
Non-sport categories 1-4 pp.40-43
Recommended settings for events and subjects
Main focus settings
14 15

Soccer / Football, Futsal, Handball
Ball games 1
*Set AF sensitivity to 4 in situations where the ball is frequently passed between players.
Ball games 2
Basketball, Volleyball
*Recommended when the players are close together.
** Recommended when the players are far apart or multiple players are close to each other.
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 4 *[ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Recommended settings for events and subjects
16 17

Ball games 3
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot**
[No.3] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M***
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Expand Flexible
Spot*
[No.2] Flexible Spot M**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Tennis
*Covers a wide range of situations.
** Recommended for pinpoint focus on a selected player.
*** Recommended when shooting the upper body of the player or when the player rapidly
moves sideways.
Rugby
Ball games 4
*Covers a wide range of situations.
** Recommended for pinpoint focus on a selected player.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
18 19

American football
Ball games 5
High jump, Pole vault
Athletics / Track and field 1
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Expand Flexible
Spot*
[No.2] Flexible Spot M
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF Off [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection - -
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 2** [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot*
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF Off [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection - -
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
*Recommended for pinpoint focus on a selected player.
** Set sensitivity to 2 for stable tracking when players are colliding and moving chaotically.
*Recommended for pinpoint focus on a selected player.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
20 21

Alpine skiing (near a gate, jump), Mogul, Snowboarding
(Half-pipe slalom), Ski jumping (front, side), Biathlon,
Short-track speed skating, Bobsleigh
Winter sports 1
*For stable tracking.
** Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
Athletics / Track and field 2
*For stable tracking.
** Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
Sprints (100m~), Hurdles, Javelin, Shot put, Long jump,
Triple jump, Marathon
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot*
[No.3] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot*
[No.3] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Recommended settings for events and subjects
22 23

Speed skating Figure skating (Singles, Pairs)
Winter sports 2 Winter sports 3
*Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
** For accurate face tracking.
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Zone*
[No.3] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On*** [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M*
[No.2] Flexible Spot M
[No.3] Zone**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On** [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
*For stable tracking.
** Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
*** For accurate face tracking. Eye detection might be difficult when subjects are wearing
sunglasses.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
24 25

Winter sports 4
Ice hockey
*Set AF sensitivity to 4 when the puck is frequently being passed between players.
Curling
Winter sports 5
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M*
[No.2] Flexible Spot M
[No.3] Expand Flexible
Spot
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On** [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 2 [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF Off [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection - -
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 4* [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
*Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
** For accurate face tracking.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
26 27

Car racing, Karting, Motorcycling (on-road)
Motor sports 1
*For stable tracking.
** Recommended when continuously tracking a single driver.
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot*
[No.3] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF Off [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection - -
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Wide**
[No.3] Tracking: Wide***
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF Off [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection - -
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Motocross
Motor sports 2
*Recommended when the driver is on the road.
** Recommended for flexible framing.
*** Recommended for dynamic jump scenes.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
28 29

Swimming
Water sports Other sports 1
Cycling
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot**
[No.3] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On*** [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Expand Flexible
Spot
[No.2] Flexible Spot M
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On** [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 1 (Locked on) ~ 2 *[ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
*For stable tracking.
** Recommended when continuously tracking a single rider.
*** For accurate face tracking.
*A lower sensitivity setting is recommended when tracking a frequently submerged
swimmer.
** Eye detection might be difficult when subjects are wearing goggles.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
30 31

Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M*
[No.2] Flexible Spot M
[No.3] Expand Flexible
Spot
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On** [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M*
[No.2] Flexible Spot M**
[No.3] Expand Flexible
Spot**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF Off [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection - -
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Archery, Horse racing, Sepak takraw Speedboat racing
Other sports 3Other sports 2
*Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
** For accurate face tracking.
*Recommended when continuously tracking a single driver.
** Recommended at the beginning of the race when drivers frequently change positions.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
32 33

Other sports 4
Canoeing, Equestrian events
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot
[No.3] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 2*** [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Judo
Other sports 5
*For stable tracking.
** Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
*** Reduce sensitivity as required to avoid interference from obstacles.
*Covers a wide range of situations.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
34 35

*Covers a wide range of situations.
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF Off [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection - -
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Kendo
Other sports 6
Fencing
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Flexible Spot M*
[No.2] Expand Flexible
Spot**
[No.3] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF Off [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection - -
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Other sports 7
*For stable tracking.
** Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
36 37

Gymnastics, Rhythmic sportive gymnastics
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M*
[No.2] Flexible Spot M**
[No.3] Expand Flexible
Spot**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On*** [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 3 (Standard) [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Other sports 8
Golf
Item Recommended settings Use
Focus Mode AF-C Focus Mode Dial
Focus Area
[No.1] Tracking: Flexible
Spot M*
[No.2] Flexible Spot M**
[No.3] Expand Flexible
Spot**
[ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Face/Eye Priority in AF On [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Subject Detection Human [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Priority Set in AF-C Balanced Emphasis [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
AF Track Sens. 2 [ ] 6 / 14 (AF2)
Switch V/H AF Area AF point only [ ] 5 / 14 (AF1)
Other sports 9
*Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
** Recommended when changing subjects.
*** For accurate face tracking.
*Recommended when continuously tracking a single player.
** For accurate face tracking.
Recommended settings for events and subjects
38 39