I am interested in knowing what the difference between the two features is. I don't shoot much using live view since I prefer looking through the viewfinder, but I would be grateful if someone helps me understand the differences for when I do occasionally use Live View.

  • No, I pointed this out! I said that although I prefer using the viewfinder, I will be interested in finding out what quick and live modes do. :) – Morpho Mar 31 '14 at 21:29
  • Quite close to a duplicate of What is the purpose of Quick Mode focusing in live view?, although neither the answer nor the question there actually explain what Quick Mode is. – Philip Kendall Mar 31 '14 at 21:29
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    As for what it actually does, have you read your camera's manual? (p118 of the 550D's manual, but hard to help you more as you haven't told us which camera you have). – Philip Kendall Mar 31 '14 at 21:31
  • Thank you. I've just included my camera...You guessed right haha :) And yes, I have looked into the manual...I got confused instead..I searched on the Internet, too, but I still have the question.. – Morpho Mar 31 '14 at 21:34

There are two different types of Autofocus in most DSLR's. There is PDAF (or phase detect autofocus) and CDAF (contrast detect autofocus). PDAF uses a special focus sensor to measure the phase of the light coming from different parts of the lens (which is much faster) while CDAF uses the actual image sensor to look for the highest contrast it can get (which requires moving past the point of ideal focus and then coming back to it, which makes it slower.)

While some recent DSLRs have come up with ways to include PDAF sensors on the main imaging sensor, many models still use a completely separate sensor (either for cost or performance reasons). When you are using Live View, the mirror is flipped up and thus no light is going to the PDAF sensor or the view finder.

Normal live view focusing will use CDAF and hunt for the proper focus, which can have an advantage in certain low light situations and be more accurate in some cases, but it is also much slower. (Things like face detect are also possible depending on your camera model.)

Quick focus on the other hand will flip down the mirror so that the PDAF sensor can be used, make the necessary focus adjustments and then snap the mirror back up to take the photo. It is important to note that the image doesn't actually capture when you hear the first mirror movement, but rather after the second mirror movement.


To quote from your camera's manual (page 118):

"The dedicated AF sensor is used to focus in the One-Shot AF mode (p.66), using the same AF method as with viewfinder shooting. Although you can focus the target area quickly, the Live View image will be interrupted momentarily during the AF operation."

More specifically, what it does is to briefly put the mirror back into the optical path, thus enabling use of the normal PDAF sensor for focusing; hence you get much quicker focusing than with CDAF, but as noted there will be a brief interruption in the live view display while the mirror is in the optical path.

  • I would like to receive a simpler answer. Too many unknown terms for me :) – Morpho Mar 31 '14 at 21:42
  • If you don't understand this stuff, I'd strongly suggest you spend more time learning before buying a full frame camera. – Philip Kendall Mar 31 '14 at 21:44
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    why is that? I just don't know about the PDAF sensor...Is this a reason not to buy a full frame and go on learning? :) – Morpho Mar 31 '14 at 21:49

Here is a simple answer for your Canon 550D:

AF Quick mode is just like looking through your viewfinder. The picture on the back goes out momentarily until the camera focuses. When AF Live is set, the picture on the back display does not disappear while the camera focuses.

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