Autofocus
Also known as: AF, continuous autofocus, face tracking focus
A system that moves lens elements to keep a subject sharp automatically. Phones, pocket gimbals and some newer action cameras use it instead of fixed focus.
Updated
What it means
Autofocus measures where the subject is and adjusts the lens to make it sharp. Modern systems combine phase detection on the sensor, contrast measurement and face or object recognition, and can track a moving subject continuously while recording.
Classic action cameras skip autofocus and rely on fixed focus with a very deep depth of field. Phones, pocket gimbal cameras, drones with larger sensors and some vlogging-oriented action cameras use autofocus, because their larger sensors or longer lenses need it.
Good autofocus is invisible: the subject stays sharp and the focus never breathes or hunts. Poor autofocus draws attention to itself in every shot.
How it works in practice
On pocket gimbals and phones, face tracking keeps a vlogger sharp while walking. Tapping the screen chooses a subject, and some cameras let you lock focus at a distance, which helps when you do not want focus to jump to a passing object.
For product details and close-ups, autofocus brings objects at very short distances into focus, something fixed-focus action cameras cannot do. For drones, focus is usually set at infinity for landscapes, but closer subjects benefit from autofocus or a manual adjustment.
Combining autofocus with a shallow depth of field gives the cinematic subject separation many creators want.
What to watch out for
Autofocus can hunt in low light, low contrast or fast motion, pulsing in and out of focus during a shot. Locking focus or switching to a manual setting avoids this for static framing.
It can also grab the wrong subject, such as a branch in the foreground or a bright sign behind the person. Watch the focus indicator and keep the subject clear in frame, especially in busy streets or crowds.
In water or rain, drops on the lens can confuse the system. For rough action where reliability matters most, a fixed-focus action camera with EIS is often the safer choice.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip uses your clips as recorded and cannot fix focus mistakes. Upload sharp clips from phones, gimbals and action cameras together, and the AI picks the best moments for your highlight.