AI Subject Recognition

The A7RV was the first Alpha to Feature a Dedicated AI Processing Unit to help with Autofocus. This AI Processor has now been added to all subsequent cameras, e.g., ZV-E1, A6700, A7CII and A7CR)

This video tutorial sets out to explain how to navigate the myriad of Sony settings for AI Subject recognition. This will allow you to further understand the camera's AI Subject Recognition and help you optimise the settings to suit your own photographic workflows.
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Mark Galer is a Sony Alpha Ambassador for Australia.

#SonyAustralia #SonyAlpha #SonyAmbassador #sonyalphaanz #sonydigitalimagingambassador

[pnewacheck]

Thank you for a very helpful A7RV video.

[davecurtis]

Great video Mark. Im off to purchase my new R5 this morning so this has been very useful.

[michaelcliffordphotos]

Mark: I think you are correct about the deep learning. The machine learning model has to be trained on a training set of images. That presumably takes place at Sony, or at a Sony contractor. What is incorporated into the camera is the resulting deep learning model, which takes some inputs (an image) and generates an output (the location of recognized objects, such as human or animal eyes. While there are forms of machine learning in which additional learning might take place on individual cameras (potentially with the ability to update and improve the global model, that is almost certainly not what is happening here. I think you are also correct that the hardware-based components of the deep learning recognition are taking place in hardware on the RV, and therefore can not be replicated on earlier models. However, it is possible for machine learning models to run in software as well. The question is whether or not the performance would be good enough to be done in real-time on the host camera. Depending on the camera, it might be possible to run the model in real-time for all, some, or none of the camera's frame rate options. For example, it is possible that α1 might be able to run the model for lower frame rate settings, but not for its highest settings. (Or perhaps for all settings - I don't know.) Either way, it would be worth asking Sony to incorporate the deep learning model into the firmware of all cameras that are at least capable of supporting it in software with acceptable frame rates.

[MaciejMarkiewicz]

What I observed with my A7rV is a HUUUGE increase of the focus spot in images of birds ... in the trees. In the past very often the AF was losing the bird if there were some branches between the lens and the bird. Now whenever the bird moves the AF finds it and lock perfectly. The branches get out of focus and the focus is made on the bird. For me (passing from A7rIII) it is a big increase of success ratio.

[Mattrossphoto]

I shot with my buddy’s a7rv last week, 4 models. I was completely blown away. It really is that good. I don’t know how Jared polin is saying it’s just ok and canons af is still better. There’s just no way..not even close

[billx]

Hi Mr Galer, after a side step to canon, i went back to sony. I have the A7RV now, and subscribed back to your very good channel!

[RRan-dkct]

Thanks mark, one thing that has remained consistant from Model ILCE-7 to Model: ILCE-7RM5 is DMF (Direct manual focus) and it is very useful.

[phillipbruce]

Thanks for another great video Mark 👍.

[davidgrover]

Great video Mark - I’ve been trying to learn all the new Subject Recognition features & this really helps my understanding - Many Thanks!

[DavidHuisman-dcnw]

Really got a lot from your video thanks Mark. Just a practical question. I have Sony A7R5 with Back button AF assigned to AF button and Tracking ON + AF to AEL button. My question relats to shooting birds in flight - To keep focus, do I HOLD the AEL button down all the time I track the bird and activate shutter at same time or Do I push it momentarily and the focus will ramain on the bird moving in frame?

[brianargyle]

Always enjoy your videos and explanations of parameters. Question, though, on the A7R5 Subject Recognition:
I'm confused by the "Recog Trgt Select Set" and it's relationship to the "Recognition Target".
Is it preferable to NOT check anything in the 'Select Set' group, since when you choose something in the 'Target' it selects it there? Would that stop the camera for looking for all those types when you're only trying to prioritize one?
The Help Guide mentions "You can select the types of targets to which you did not add a check mark in 'Recog Trgt Select Set' by selecting 'Recognition Target'.
So is there a reason to use the 'Select Set' function, for stills, or should they all be left unselected?
Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

[L.Nyquist]

Amazing video as always! Thank you so very much

[wiley-harris-anderson]

In your personal opinion, Mark, have cameras become a bit too easy to use? Drawing on your automatic/manual transmission analogy, is it always better to use an "automatic", or would you prefer "manual" cameras?

[mihaihornet]

Very interesting, thanks for taking your time to explain this in detail. I can only hope that one day SONY will release RX10 V with the same 24-600 superb lens and all these new subject recognition algorithms. Almost 6 years since RX10 IV...

[RizaMarhaban]

Hi Mark. Been learning about Sony system from your channel since 2019 and your video always very informative and insightful. I was wondering you can also elaborate on Teleconverter topics in detail because I wanted to know whether Sony Teleconverter is part of "G Master" family lenses or just a normal glasses lens. I mean, I don't want to invest in Teleconverter for my GM lenses while the converter level itself is not GM as well. I'm done using the Sony FE 200-600mm zoom lenses because the quality cannot match the Sony FE 70-200mm GM OSS II. Thinking to buy the Teleconverter but worried it cannot match the quality level of GM lenses as many reviews said the Teleconverter will drop the quality of the RAW image. Sorry asking this because I'm just an amateur. My camera is Sony A7RV, A7C and A7SIII. Thinking to buy the 2x Teleconverter and need to know the tips for this.

[GlobalGuyShots]

hey Mark I've been following your videos for a long time and I really enjoy learning from you recently something strange has happened to me with my Sony a7r3 and I couldn't find an explanation and I thought maybe I could try and ask you, I am using it with the Godox ad600 with the Godox x1t trigger. I've been shooting with this setup for over a year and always used a shutter speed of 1/250. all of a sudden when trying to shoot 1/250 the upper part of the photo is black. when going to 1/200 it works fine and I was just wondering if u have any idea why? I've read that when using non Sony flashes you need to use a shutter speed lower than 1/250 but I didn't change anything and this is really weird. I know this is off-topic but I'm really curious to hear what you think about this situation. many thanks for all of the knowledge you've shared over the years. and I hope you might have an answer for me. Thanks in advance :)

[BenSussmanpro]

Thanks for this video. I ended up selling my A7c to try out the 7R5 (+ a few $$!). I just shot my 1st race w 7R5 and it was noticeably quicker in AF as well as buffering (realizing this isn’t a sport camera). Also in btwn finishers I was able to quick-grab pix on the sidelines (which wasn’t always possible with the A4). Is it worth the extra $$? For me probably not since I only shoot pro part time but this camera is sooo much fun & my son can live with less inheritance lol!

[s]

Thank you! Just give me 20% improvement and insects on the A74, is that too much to ask?
Appreciate the little reminders you give like using the expanded spot you have a great teachers instinct.

[TW-iuzy]

Hi Mark, just a question: The AI system of the new a6700 works the same way with a the adjustments of the a7R V? 🤔

[cacophonix]

Thanks for the video. In case of the picture with three subjects, if I’m targeting a group picture with a deep depth of focus, can the camera track multiple subjects simultaneously?