To customize camera buttons, open the custom or button settings menu, choose a button, and assign it the function you use most, such as focus point selection, ISO or exposure compensation. Good layouts let you change settings without taking your eye from the viewfinder. The steps below show how to plan one.
Step 1: Find Your Most Used Actions
Before you assign anything, look at how you shoot. Spend a day noticing what you reach for most often.
- Do you often change ISO in changing light?
- Do you move the focus point a lot?
- Do you switch between photo and video?
- Do you check focus by magnifying the image?
Write a list of the top five. These are the functions that deserve a physical button.
Step 2: Map Functions to Controls
Look at which buttons and dials your camera allows you to change. Many cameras label them as custom, function or assignable. Place each function where your hand naturally falls.
- Choose a button near your thumb for the function you need quickly, such as focus activation.
- Choose a button near your index finger for exposure-related actions.
- Assign front and rear dials to aperture and exposure compensation, or ISO, depending on your mode.
- Give rarely used functions to the less comfortable buttons or a quick menu.
Step 3: Apply and Test
Enter the custom controls menu, select a button, then choose from the list of functions. Save the change. Hold the camera in your normal shooting grip and press each button without looking. If a reach feels awkward, swap the assignments.
Common Assignments
| Function | Good location | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Back button focus | Thumb button on the rear | Separates focus from shutter |
| ISO | Top button or rear dial | Quick change in changing light |
| Focus magnify | Programmable front button | Checks sharpness |
| Exposure compensation | Dedicated dial or rear dial | Fast brightness changes |
Tips for Success
- Change one or two buttons at a time, so you can learn them.
- Save your layout to a card if the camera allows, and keep a note of it.
- Many cameras offer custom modes on the mode dial. Store a layout for action and another for landscapes.
- Wear any gloves you normally use while testing.
The most frequent problem is changing too much at once. If you reassign ten buttons in one evening, you will forget most of them. Another problem is giving the same function to two controls, which wastes a button. Finally, avoid putting a rarely needed function on a button that is easy to press by accident, since it can change settings mid-shot without you noticing. Make a small sticker or note for the back of your camera strap if you need a reminder for the first week.
FAQ
Can I undo my changes?
Yes. A reset option in the menu returns buttons to default, and you can reassign them anytime.
How long until the new layout feels natural?
Expect a week or two of regular use. Keep changes small until your fingers remember them.
The Short Version
List your five most used actions, assign them to buttons that suit your hands and test without looking. Small, steady adjustments make a camera feel like yours.
