Nikon D300 User Manual page 728

Auto-area AF
Auto-area AF turns the D300(S) into an expensive
point-and-shoot camera. Use this mode when you simply
have no time to think and would still like to get great images.
The AF Module decides what the subject is and selects the
AF points it thinks work best. Figure 11-9 shows the AF-area
mode selector in the Auto-area AF position.
If you are using Sing le-servo AF (S) focus mode, you'll have
an idea of what is going to be in focus because the AF points
in use will flash up on the screen in red and then turn black
for a period of one second. If, however, you are using
Continuous-servo AF (C) focus mode, nothing will appear on
the Viewfinder screen to give you a clue of what is going to
be in focus. In Auto-area AF, your camera operates like a
very expensive Nikon Coolpix point-and-shoot camera!
Figure 11-9. AF-area mode selector set to Auto-area AF
According to Nikon, if you are using a D or G lens, there is a
bit of "human recognition technology" built into this mode,
similar to the Coolpix. Since most of us will only be using
Auto-area AF when we want to shoot for fun, a human
subject that is closest to the camera is the most-likely subject
anyway. Using Continuous-servo (C), your D300(S) can
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