Nikon D5100 User Manual page 42

AF-Area Mode
Choose how the focus point for autofocus is selected. Note that d (Dynamic-area
AF) and f (3D-tracking (11 points)) are not available when AF-S is selected for
focus mode.
Option
c Single-point AF
d Dynamic-area AF
3D-tracking
f
(11 points)
z
e Auto-area AF
1
Place the cursor in the information display.
If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button.
Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.
2
Display AF-area mode options.
Highlight the current AF-area mode in the
information display and press J.
3
Choose an AF-area mode.
Highlight an AF-area mode and press J. To
return to shooting mode, press the shutter-
release button halfway.
34
User selects focus point using multi selector; camera focuses on
subject in selected focus point only. Use with stationary subjects.
In AF-A and AF-C focus modes, user selects focus point using multi selector,
but camera will focus based on information from surrounding focus
points if subject briefly leaves selected point. Use with erratically
moving subjects.
In AF-A and AF-C focus modes, user selects focus point using multi selector.
If subject moves after camera has focused, camera uses 3D-tracking
to select new focus point and keep focus locked on original subject
while shutter-release button is pressed halfway. If subject leaves
viewfinder, remove your finger from shutter-release button and
recompose photograph with subject in selected focus point.
Camera automatically detects subject and selects focus point.
Information display
Description
P button