Abstract: A focus detection apparatus includes a first setting unit configured to set a first focus detection area and a second focus detection area, a first focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection of a phase difference detection method on each of the first and second focus detection areas by using the pair of parallax image signals, a reliability acquisition unit configured to obtain reliability of the focus detection of the first and second focus detection areas by the first focus detection unit, a second setting unit configured to determine a third focus detection area by using the reliability of the focus detection of the first and second focus detection areas, obtained by the reliability acquisition unit, and a second focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection by using the third focus detection area.

Abstract: One or more lens control apparatuses, methods and storage mediums for use therewith are provided herein. In at least one lens control apparatus, a camera control unit determines that a subject is in focus if an amount of defocus is within a first range in a first mode where the camera control unit has not determined that the subject is a moving subject, and determines the focus state on a basis of the amount of defocus and a reversed state of a drive direction of a focus lens based on the amount of defocus in a second mode where the camera control unit has determined that the subject is a moving subject.

Abstract: One or more lens control apparatuses, methods and storage mediums for use therewith are provided herein. In a third mode where a camera control unit performs control in such a manner as to drive a focus lens at a preset speed, if the camera control unit has determined that a subject is a moving subject, when the camera control unit determines that the subject is in focus, a transition is made to a second mode where a drive speed of the focus lens is variably controlled on a basis of the amount of defocus.

Abstract: A focus control apparatus having a first mode in which a position of a focus lens is automatically changed, and a second mode in which the position of the focus lens is manually changed, the focus control apparatus comprises: a setting unit configured to set a first area in the first mode and a second area in the second mode; a focus detection unit configured to detect a focus state based on signals output from areas of an image capturing unit; and a focus control unit configured to control the position of the focus lens in the first mode, wherein upon switching from the second mode to the first mode again, the setting unit sets the first area based on a second area that has been determined to be in an in-focus state.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, to which a lens apparatus can be attached, includes an imaging unit that executes charge accumulation in, synchronization with a reference signal and generates an imaging signal, a control unit that controls the data communication with an attached lens apparatus and executes focus detection by using data received from the lens apparatus. The control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal. When a predetermined operation that instructs preparation for still image shooting is being carried out by a user, the control unit changes the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which the control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus out of synchronization with the reference signal.

Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus includes an imaging unit, a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and a control unit. The imaging unit receives and photoelectrically converts a light flux passed through a photographing optical system including a focus lens. The first detection unit detects a phase difference between a pair of image signals output from the imaging unit. The second detection unit detects contrast information from a signal output from the imaging unit. The control unit controls driving of the focus lens based on a detection result of at least one of the first detection unit and the second detection unit. If the detection result of the first detection unit satisfies a first condition, the control unit controls driving of the focus lens by using the detection result of the first detection unit, and changes the first condition according to the contrast information detected by the second detection unit.

Abstract: A focus control apparatus having a first mode in which a position of a focus lens is automatically changed, and a second mode in which the position of the focus lens is manually changed, the focus control apparatus comprises: a setting unit configured to set a first area in the first mode and a second area in the second mode; a focus detection unit configured to detect a focus state based on signals output from areas of an image capturing unit; and a focus control unit configured to control the position of the focus lens in the first mode, wherein upon switching from the second mode to the first mode again, the setting unit sets the first area based on a second area that has been determined to be in an in-focus state.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus includes an image pickup unit configured to perform photoelectric conversion on a luminous flux having passed through an imaging optical system, a focus detection unit configured to detect a focusing state based on a signal generated by the image pickup unit, a setting unit configured to set a first region within an image generated by the image pickup unit, a display controller configured to control such that an index representing the focusing state detected by the focus detection unit within the first region can be superimposed on the image, and an obtaining unit configured to obtain information regarding a predetermined subject in the image. In this case, the setting unit sets a position of the first region based on information regarding at least one of a position, a size, and a direction of the predetermined subject in the image.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus to which a lens unit that includes an image-pickup optical system including a focus lens is attachable includes an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed via the lens unit that has been attached, and to generate an image signal, and a controller configured to generate information on driving of the focus lens in the lens unit based upon the image signal and to provide focus control, the controller communicating data with the lens unit, wherein the controller transmits information on a driving target position of the focus lens to the lens unit in a first control, and transmits information on a driving direction and driving speed of the focus lens to the lens unit in a second control different from the first control.

Abstract: In the case where a predetermined subject can be detected from an image with a first detection method but cannot be detected with a second detection method, an in-focus direction of a subject detected with the first detection method is determined during a focusing operation. In the case where, when the predetermined subject becomes detectable with the second detection method, the in-focus direction of the predetermined subject detected with the second detection method has been determined by a determination unit, the focus-detecting operation is started using the determined in-focus direction. Speeding up of the focus-detecting operation that utilizes subject detection results is thereby realized, while suppressing any drop in the image quality of recorded images.

Abstract: In a focus position control apparatus, a control unit performs, when a size changing amount of an object image is larger than a predetermined amount during control for driving a focus lens according to a distance change of an object image in an optical axis direction based on a determination result of a determination unit, a following driving operation corresponding to the distance change as a driving control, and limits the following driving operation corresponding to the distance change when the size changing amount of the object image smaller than the predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is changed according to an imaging parameter and an object status.

Abstract: A subject detection device includes: a first detection unit that detects a region of a first detection target from an image; a second detection unit that detects from the image a region of a second detection target from which the region of the first detection target can be estimated; and a control unit that controls to display in a predetermined mode indicating the region of the first detection target if a predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein when the first detection unit detects the region of the first detection target and the second detection unit detects the region of the second detection target when the control unit controls to not display in the predetermined mode, the control unit reduces the predetermined condition as compared with when the region of the second detection target is not detected.

Abstract: In a focus position control apparatus, a control unit performs, when a size changing amount of an object image is larger than a predetermined amount during control for driving a focus lens according to a distance change of an object image in an optical axis direction based on a determination result of a determination unit, a following driving operation corresponding to the distance change as a driving control, and limits the following driving operation corresponding to the distance change when the size changing amount of the object image smaller than the predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is changed according to an imaging parameter and an object status.

Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus includes an imaging unit, a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and a control unit. The imaging unit receives and photoelectrically converts a light flux passed through a photographing optical system including a focus lens. The first detection unit detects a phase difference between a pair of image signals output from the imaging unit. The second detection unit detects contrast information from a signal output from the imaging unit. The control unit controls driving of the focus lens based on a detection result of at least one of the first detection unit and the second detection unit. If the detection result of the first detection unit satisfies a first condition, the control unit controls driving of the focus lens by using the detection result of the first detection unit, and changes the first condition according to the contrast information detected by the second detection unit.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus to which a lens unit that includes an image-pickup optical system including a focus lens is attachable includes an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed via the lens unit that has been attached, and to generate an image signal, and a controller configured to generate information on driving of the focus lens in the lens unit based upon the image signal and to provide focus control, the controller communicating data with the lens unit, wherein the controller transmits information on a driving target position of the focus lens to the lens unit in a first control, and transmits information on a driving direction and driving speed of the focus lens to the lens unit in a second control different from the first control.

Abstract: A subject detection device includes: a first detection unit that detects a region of a first detection target from an image; a second detection unit that detects from the image a region of a second detection target from which the region of the first detection target can be estimated; and a control unit that controls to display in a predetermined mode indicating the region of the first detection target if a predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein when the first detection unit detects the region of the first detection target and the second detection unit detects the region of the second detection target when the control unit controls to not display in the predetermined mode, the control unit reduces the predetermined condition as compared with when the region of the second detection target is not detected.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus to which a lens unit that includes an image-pickup optical system including a focus lens is attachable includes an image sensor configured to photoelectrically convert an object image formed via the lens unit that has been attached, and to generate an image signal, and a controller configured to generate information on driving of the focus lens in the lens unit based upon the image signal and to provide focus control, the controller communicating data with the lens unit, wherein the controller transmits information on a driving target position of the focus lens to the lens unit in a first control, and transmits information on a driving direction and driving speed of the focus lens to the lens unit in a second control different from the first control.

Abstract: In the case where a predetermined subject can be detected from an image with a first detection method but cannot be detected with a second detection method, an in-focus direction of a subject detected with the first detection method is determined during a focusing operation. In the case where, when the predetermined subject becomes detectable with the second detection method, the in-focus direction of the predetermined subject detected with the second detection method has been determined by a determination unit, the focus-detecting operation is started using the determined in-focus direction. Speeding up of the focus-detecting operation that utilizes subject detection results is thereby realized, while suppressing any drop in the image quality of recorded images.

Abstract: A lens driving apparatus comprises: a zoom lens driven in an optical axis direction; first and second correction lenses driven in the optical axis direction; a storage unit that stores, for each predetermined focal length, positional relationships between the zoom lens, and the first and second correction lenses used for correcting a shift of an image plane upon driving of the zoom lens; a position detection unit that detects a position of the second correction lens; and a control unit that calculates driving amounts of the first correction lens and the second correction lens, and controls driving of the first and second correction lenses. The control means corrects an image plane position difference caused by a difference between a position of the second correction lens corresponding to a position of the zoom lens, and the detected position of the second correction lens, by moving the first correction lens.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, to which a lens apparatus can be attached, includes an imaging unit that executes charge accumulation in synchronization with a reference signal and generates an imaging signal, a control unit that controls the data communication with an attached lens apparatus and executes focus detection by using data received from the lens apparatus. The control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus in a first communication mode in which predetermined data is periodically communicated in synchronization with the reference signal. When a predetermined operation that instructs preparation for still image shooting is being carried out by a user, the control unit changes the first communication mode to a second communication mode in which the control unit executes data communication with the lens apparatus out of synchronization with the reference signal.