Canon EOS 7D Instruction Manual page 144

Using AF to Focus
If the focus is way off, face detection will not be possible. If the lens

enables manual focusing even while the lens focus switch is set to
<f>, turn the focusing ring to attain rough focus. The face will then be
detected and <p> will be displayed.
An object other than a human face might be detected as a face.

Face detection will not work if the face is very small or large in the picture,

too bright or too dark, titled horizontally or diagonally, or partially hidden.
The <p> focusing frame might cover only part of the face.

When you press <

(p.142). You can tilt <9> to move the AF point. If you press <
down again, it will switch back to u (face detection) Live mode.
Since AF is not possible with a face detected near the edge of the

picture, the <p> will be grayed out. Then if you press the shutter button
halfway, the center AF point < > will be used to focus.
144
2
Focus the subject.
Press the shutter button halfway and

the camera will focus the face
covered by the <p> frame.

When focus is achieved, the AF point will
turn green and the beeper will sound.
 If focus is not achieved, the AF point
will turn red.
If a face cannot be detected, the AF

point < > will be displayed and the
center AF point will be used for
focusing.
3
Take the picture.
Check the focus and exposure, then

press the shutter button completely to
take the picture (p.136).
9
> straight down, it will switch to the Live mode
9 > straight