Nikon D780 DSLR Camera (Body Only) - Manual (Page 186)

140 Shooting Settings
Autofocus Mode
Choose how the camera focuses in autofocus mode.
❚❚
Viewfinder Photography
Option Description
AF-A
[ AF mode
auto-switch ]
The camera uses AF-S when photographing
stationary subjects and AF-C when
photographing subjects that are in motion.
AF-S [ Single AF ]
For stationary subjects. Focus locks when
shutter-release button is pressed halfway. At
default settings, shutter can only be released
when in-focus indicator (
I ) is displayed ( focus
priority ).
AF-C
[ Continuous
AF ]
For moving subjects. Camera focuses
continuously while shutter-release button is
pressed halfway; if subject moves, camera will
engage
predictive focus tracking to predict final
distance to subject and adjust focus as
necessary. At default settings, shutter can be
released whether or not subject is in focus
(
release priority ).