Hitachi VM-E230A - Manual (Page 42)

Advanced Techniques
Using Auto Focus
The camcorder focuses the subject in the center of the viewfinder automatically unless
the manual focus is engaged. If FOCUS appears in the viewfinder, manual focus is
engaged. Press the FOCUS control buttons simultaneously to return to auto focus.
The auto focus will not work under the following conditions and you must focus
manually:
Objects outside the center of the viewfinder
Objects at different distances in the center of the viewfinder
Brightly lit objects such as a neon light, objects lit by spotlight, etc.
Objects behind water dappled or dusty glass
Objects with little difference in light reflection such as a white wall
Rapidly moving objects