PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus) | Image Sensor for Consumer cameras | Technology

Overview

PDAF (phase detection auto focus) is a high-speed automatic focus technology. PDAF in consumer cameras generally uses some of the pixels for imaging on the image sensor as pixels for phase detection. Because PDAF can quickly and accurately focus the lens for each frame it detects, it enables faster and more accurate auto focus (AF) than conventional AF.

Technical Features

Amazingly fast focus with phase detection

Conventional contrast AF takes time because it needs to move the lens to detect the focus point with the highest contrast. In comparison, PDAF can focus quickly by detecting the phase to move the lens to the focus point immediately.

Phase Detection Auto Focus

PDAF

Conventional

Contrast AF search

Applications

Quickly focus on moving objects
Focusing the lens for abrupt changes in scene distance

Quickly focus on moving objects

While conventional contrast AF cannot properly track objects that are moving or changing direction, PDAF can measure their distance in every frame, enabling fast focus.

Focusing the lens for abrupt changes in scene distance

When there are objects at different distances in the same angle of view and the focus shifts from an object in the back to one in the front, conventional contrast AF takes time because it needs to move the lens from the back object to the front one and detect the focus point. With PDAF, however, phase detection can move the focus point to the front object immediately, allowing it to focus the lens on the subject right away.

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PDAF（Phase Detection Auto Focus）