The PENTAX K-30 features a SAFOX IXi+ autofocus system with 11 AF points that allows you to precisely adjust the sharpness before taking your photos. There are three main AF modes accessible via the focus mode switch on the lens:
- l (AF Single): focuses once when you press the shutter halfway and locks it for stationary subjects. This focus-priority mode is suitable for classic photography.
- k or A (AF Continuous): continues to focus automatically as long as you keep the shutter pressed halfway, ideal for tracking moving subjects like in Sports mode.
- f (AF Auto): automatically switches between AF Single and AF Continuous depending on the detected scene.
- \ (MF): switches to manual focus for complete control.
To select your focus area, first set the switch to l, A, or k, then go to the menu and choose from the options: Auto with 5 or 11 AF points (the focus will automatically be on the best detected subject), or Select to manually choose one of the 11 points that will appear in red in the viewfinder. If you activate Spot mode, only the central point will be used for maximum precision.
In manual focus (MF), set the focus mode switch on the lens to \ and turn the focus ring while looking through the viewfinder until the subject is sharp. If you lightly press the shutter during this operation, the focus indicator ] will display and a beep will confirm when the sharpness matches the subject. In Live View mode, you can check the focus precisely by pressing button 4 to zoom in on the image on the LCD screen.
Also adjust the diopter of the viewfinder with the diopter adjustment wheel located next to the viewfinder if the image appears blurry, so that your eye sees a sharp image in the viewfinder regardless of your vision. Once your focus is achieved, you can lock the composition and recompose your photo if necessary, as the focus will remain memorized as long as you keep the shutter pressed halfway in AF Single mode.
The K-30 has a dedicated AF assist LED light that automatically activates in low-light environments to facilitate autofocus. If you find the focus inaccurate after shooting, you can use the Fine AF Adjustment function (accessible via the menu) to refine the autofocus behavior according to your specific objectives.





