Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor; a readout unit that reads out an added signal and that independently reads out the signal of the first photoelectric conversion portion; a calculation unit that calculates a signal corresponding to a signal of the second photoelectric conversion portion by subtracting the signal of the first photoelectric conversion portion from the added signal; a correlation calculation unit that performs correlation calculation for the signal of the first photoelectric conversion portion and the signal corresponding to the signal of the second photoelectric conversion portion; and a subtraction unit that subtracts, from the result of the correlation calculation on an object image by the correlation calculation unit, a correction value for correcting noise caused by obtaining the signal corresponding to the signal of the second photoelectric conversion portion.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus for performing a focus detection on the basis of pixel data of an object obtained from an imaging unit having pupil dividing means of a photographing optical system, Sets a focus detection area divided into division areas and a plurality of different first areas for deciding a focus state in the focus detection area, arithmetically operates first correlation data from the pixel data with respect to the object image of each division area to hold into a memory, adds the first correlation data of the division areas included in each first area read out from the memory, generates second correlation data of each first area, And discriminates focus states of a plurality of first areas in predetermined order on the basis of the second correlation data of each first area.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes: a first imaging sensor in which pixels including photoelectric conversion units are arranged two-dimensionally; a second imaging sensor in which pixels including photoelectric conversion units are arranged two-dimensionally, each pixel including one micro lens, and a first and a second photoelectric conversion units; a light beam splitting unit for splitting a flux of light entering an optical system into fluxes of light entering the first and the second imaging sensors separately; a first image processing unit for processing signals from the first imaging sensor, the first image processing unit generating a still image based on signals from the first imaging sensor; and a second image processing unit for processing signals from the second imaging sensor, the second image processing unit generating signals usable for focal point detection of a phase difference method and generating a moving image based on signals from the second imaging sensor.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus is arranged to obtain image data of an object obtained by an imaging unit having a pupil division unit of a photographing optical system for forming an optical image of the object, obtain setting information of a focus detection mode of the photographing optical system, set a focus detection area set into a pixel array area of the imaging unit, by dividing a predetermined area into a plurality of division areas in accordance with the focus detection mode and arranging the plurality of division areas in accordance with a different positional relation, form focus detection information by using the image data of the set focus detection area, and generate a drive signal of the photographing optical system on the basis of the focus detection information.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes: a first imaging sensor in which pixels including photoelectric conversion units are arranged two-dimensionally; a second imaging sensor in which pixels including photoelectric conversion units are arranged two-dimensionally, each pixel including one micro lens, and a first and a second photoelectric conversion units; a light beam splitting unit for splitting a flux of light entering an optical system into fluxes of light entering the first and the second imaging sensors separately; a first image processing unit for processing signals from the first imaging sensor, the first image processing unit generating a still image based on signals from the first imaging sensor; and a second image processing unit for processing signals from the second imaging sensor, the second image processing unit generating signals usable for focal point detection of a phase difference method and generating a moving image based on signals from the second imaging sensor.

Abstract: An image pickup element having a pixel array of a plurality of pixels, with first and second areas: generates a correction data based on the image signal read from the first area; stores the generated correction data in addresses of a memory corresponding to horizontal positions of the read pixels in the first area; reads the correction data from the addresses of the memory corresponding to a horizontal range set in the second area, and corrects the image signal read from the range set in the second area, using the read correction data; and updates the correction data stored in a predetermined range of addresses in the memory, based on the image signal read from a horizontal range in the first area corresponding to the predetermined range of addresses, and irrespective of the range set in the second area.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor including a first semiconductor substrate on which a photodiode is arranged, a second semiconductor substrate on which a storage element is arranged, and a connection unit configured to electrically connect the photodiode and the storage element, a first transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a first pixel group to the storage element, a first readout unit configured to read out the pixel signals of the first pixel group, a second transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a second pixel group to the storage element, and a second readout unit configured to read out some of the pixel signals of the second pixel group, wherein an image of one frame is generated by composing the pixel signals of the second pixel group and the first pixel group.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor including a first semiconductor substrate on which a photodiode is arranged, a second semiconductor substrate on which a storage element is arranged, and a connection unit configured to electrically connect the photodiode and the storage element, a first transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a first pixel group to the storage element, a first readout unit configured to read out the pixel signals of the first pixel group, a second transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a second pixel group to the storage element, and a second readout unit configured to read out some of the pixel signals of the second pixel group, wherein an image of one frame is generated by composing the pixel signals of the second pixel group and the first pixel group.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image sensor in which a plurality of types of pixels including a specific pixel is arranged, and a detection unit configured to detect a defective pixel based on a pixel value of each pixel in the image sensor, wherein the detection unit is configured to exclude the specific pixel from a target of the defective pixel based on information indicating a position of the specific pixel in the image sensor.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor including a first semiconductor substrate on which a photodiode is arranged, a second semiconductor substrate on which a storage element is arranged, and a connection unit configured to electrically connect the photodiode and the storage element, a first transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a first pixel group to the storage element, a first readout unit configured to read out the pixel signals of the first pixel group, a second transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a second pixel group to the storage element, and a second readout unit configured to read out some of the pixel signals of the second pixel group, wherein an image of one frame is generated by composing the pixel signals of the second pixel group and the first pixel group.

Abstract: An image sensor comprises a first semiconductor substrate on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged, a second semiconductor substrate on which a plurality of storage devices each for storing pixel signals are arranged; and a plurality of connection units configured to electrically connect the photodiodes and the storage devices, wherein the plurality of storage devices are arranged in correspondence with the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus for performing a focus detection on the basis of pixel data of an object obtained from an imaging unit having pupil dividing means of a photographing optical system, Sets a focus detection area divided into division areas and a plurality of different first areas for deciding a focus state in the focus detection area, arithmetically operates first correlation data from the pixel data with respect to the object image of each division area to hold into a memory, adds the first correlation data of the division areas included in each first area read out from the memory, generates second correlation data of each first area, And discriminates focus states of a plurality of first areas in predetermined order on the basis of the second correlation data of each first area.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus is arranged to obtain image data of an object obtained by an imaging unit having a pupil division unit of a photographing optical system for forming an optical image of the object, obtain setting information of a focus detection mode of the photographing optical system, set a focus detection area set into a pixel array area of the imaging unit, by dividing a predetermined area into a plurality of division areas in accordance with the focus detection mode and arranging the plurality of division areas in accordance with a different positional relation, form focus detection information by using the image data of the set focus detection area, and generate a drive signal of the photographing optical system on the basis of the focus detection information.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of ensuring a dynamic range suitable for an image shooting condition and capable of reducing noise. The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensing device having floating diffusion units that are provided corresponding to pixels and that convert electrical charges accumulated in the pixels into voltage signals, which are output as pixel signals from pixel amplifiers. At that time, according to an image shooting condition, at least parts of connection switches corresponding to the floating diffusion units are sequentially turned on or all the connection switches are turned off, whereby the connection switches are connected to or disconnected from connection lines to thereby change capacity components connected to pixel amplifiers. This contributes to dynamic range expansion or noise reduction.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes: a first imaging sensor in which pixels including photoelectric conversion units are arranged two-dimensionally; a second imaging sensor in which pixels including photoelectric conversion units are arranged two-dimensionally, each pixel including one micro lens, and a first and a second photoelectric conversion units; a light beam splitting unit for splitting a flux of light entering an optical system into fluxes of light entering the first and the second imaging sensors separately; a first image processing unit for processing signals from the first imaging sensor, the first image processing unit generating a still image based on signals from the first imaging sensor; and a second image processing unit for processing signals from the second imaging sensor, the second image processing unit generating signals usable for focal point detection of a phase difference method and generating a moving image based on signals from the second imaging sensor.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus arranged to derive a change amount of an image B to an image A as combination position information, on the basis of which the image B is combined to the image A by shifting a position of the image B to generate a combined image D and a position of pixel defect information of the image B is changed, and synthesize pixel defect information of the image A and pixel defect information of the image B after the change to generate pixel defect information of the combined image D such that the pixel defect information in which a detection level corresponding to ISO100 is deleted from the pixel defect information of the combined image D and a detection level of pixel defect information of the pixel shown by same addresses is raised.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image sensor, a determination unit which determines one image capturing mode, a driving unit which drives the image sensor by different driving methods in the respective image capturing modes, and a control unit which controls the operation of the driving unit. The image sensor includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels, a predetermined number of vertical output lines arranged for each array of pixels, and a holding memory which holds pixel signals from pixels on rows. The control unit drives the image sensor in the first power save mode when a horizontal transfer period is not less than twice a vertical transfer period, and drives the image sensor in the second power save mode when the vertical transfer period is not less than twice the horizontal transfer period.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image sensor in which a plurality of types of pixels including a specific pixel is arranged, and a detection unit configured to detect a defective pixel based on a pixel value of each pixel in the image sensor, wherein the detection unit is configured to exclude the specific pixel from a target of the defective pixel based on information indicating a position of the specific pixel in the image sensor.

Abstract: An image sensor having a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a row direction and a column direction, comprises a plurality of pixel amplifiers which are arranged in the row direction for each column, and one of which is shared by at least two pixels of each column; two output lines arranged for each column, to either of which signals are output from the plurality of pixel amplifiers arranged in the row direction for each column; and an averaging unit which averages signals output from the two output lines arranged for the same column.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of ensuring a dynamic range suitable for an image shooting condition and capable of reducing noise. The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensing device having floating diffusion units that are provided corresponding to pixels and that convert electrical charges accumulated in the pixels into voltage signals, which are output as pixel signals from pixel amplifiers. At that time, according to an image shooting condition, at least parts of connection switches corresponding to the floating diffusion units are sequentially turned on or all the connection switches are turned off, whereby the connection switches are connected to or disconnected from connection lines to thereby change capacity components connected to pixel amplifiers. This contributes to dynamic range expansion or noise reduction.