What is the Difference between Multi-Point AutoFocus and Center Auto Focus in digital cameras?

Answer 1

With Center AF, the camera will focus on the central point in the viewfinder (whether that's your intended subject or not).
With Multi-point, the camera will take a stab at guessing what should be in focus (generally the nearest object to the camera, whether that's the intended subject or not).
I mostly use Center focus to nail the focus, and then recompose the shot before pressing the shutter button all the way. And this is with a +$1000 digital SLR with 11 AF points that I can select in various groups or even individually. I find that by using the central AF point, I usually get the fastest and most predictable results. I only change this when I'm shooting sports/ action, when I can't track my subject fast enough - then I switch to a more predictive AF setting.

Answer 2

Multi point uses the average of multiple points in an image (with a nikon it's 5 quadrents) as an attempt to have the whole image in relative focus.

Center focus takes primary weighting on the centre of the image.

For things like portraiture center AF is best. For things such as landscapes Multi-point AF

Answer 3

OMG is correct with his "Best Answer," but he has given the Nikon answer. In most Canon dSLR's, the center focus is about 10% of the frame. True, this is still going to get the main subject, but it's not so tight as on the Nikon's. The Nikon D200 lets you choose smaller or larger focus zones.

Answer 4

center focus allows you to focus only at the center, while multi-point allows you to focus selected point in the view finder e.g. up, down, left or right which give you more freedom and idea base on your creativity.