Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of restricting unnecessary focus control by an AF method other than the TV-AF method in the hybrid AF. The image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector which generates first information corresponding to a contrast state of a picked-up image, a second detector which detects second information differing from the first information and used for focus control, and a controller which performs focus processing that cyclically repeats first focus control using the first information and performs second focus control using the second information. In the focus processing, the controller is changed over between a state of restricting the second focus control and a state of allowing the second focus control, depending on a change amount of the contrast state.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of restricting unnecessary focus control by an AF method other than the TV-AF method in the hybrid AF. The image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector which generates first information corresponding to a contrast state of a picked-up image, a second detector which detects second information differing from the first information and used for focus control, and a controller which performs focus processing that cyclically repeats first focus control using the first information and performs second focus control using the second information. In the focus processing, the controller is changed over between a state of restricting the second focus control and a state of allowing the second focus control, depending on a change amount of the contrast state.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of restricting unnecessary focus control by an AF method other than the TV-AF method in the hybrid AF. The image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector which generates first information corresponding to a contrast state of a picked-up image, a second detector which detects second information differing from the first information and used for focus control, and a controller which performs focus processing that cyclically repeats first focus control using the first information and performs second focus control using the second information. In the focus processing, the controller is changed over between a state of restricting the second focus control and a state of allowing the second focus control, depending on a change amount of the contrast state.

Abstract: When a face is detected from image signals, stability determination time is set for determining if the face is recognized in a stable manner, and a period of time for which the face is consecutively detected starts to be measured. Until the measured period of time exceeds the stability determination time, an AF evaluation value acquired from a normal frame set to include a face frame corresponding to the face is used to exercise TV-AF control. Once the measured time exceeds the stability determination time, TV-AF control is exercised based on AF evaluation values acquired from each of the face frame and the normal frame.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of focusing on an object with stability based on a recognized object area. A video camera includes an image pickup device for picking up an image formed by an image-pickup optical system including a focus lens, a face detection processing circuit for detecting, based on a video signal output from the image pickup device, an object area on an imaging screen and the likelihood of an object being present in the object area, and a computer for controlling a focus adjustment based on the object area when determining that the likelihood detected by the face detection processing circuit satisfies a predetermined condition, which is varied according to an imaging state.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of performing stable and high-speed focusing on an object intended by a photographer. In a video camera as the image pickup apparatus, an image pickup element picks up an object image formed by a photographic optical system including a focus lens and thereby outputs a video signal. A face-detecting section detects a face detection area based on the video signal. An AF signal processing circuit generates an AF evaluation value signal. An external ranging unit generates object distance information. A microcomputer performs a TV-AF process using an AF evaluation value of the AF evaluation value signal and an external ranging AF process using the object distance information. The microcomputer controls execution of the two focus control processes according to a result of the detection by the face-detecting section.

Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect an object image to be focused from a captured image, a setting unit configured to set a focus detection region in the captured image, and a focus adjustment unit configured to adjust an in-focus state of an imaging optical system depending on AF evaluation values based on output signals from the focus detection region. First and second focus detection regions are set for a region which has followed the object image detected and a region which does not follow the object image detected. The focus adjustment unit performs a weighted addition of the AF evaluation values based on the output signals in the first and second focus detection regions at ratios depending on at least either a size of an object image within a screen, a position of the object image within the screen and a shooting mode.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus performs autofocus control that uses a face detection function. The image capturing apparatus sets a face region as an AF frame if face detection is successful. However, if a state in which face detection is successful transitions to a state in which face detection has failed, and furthermore a variation between subject distances is less than or equal to a threshold value, the image capturing apparatus maintains the previous AF frame setting instead of changing the AF frame setting. If the variation in subject distances is greater than the threshold value, the image capturing apparatus sets the AF frame to a predetermined region that does not follow a face region.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform an operation for moving a focusing lens at a first speed to detect a first position corresponding to an in-focus state and then moving the focusing lens at a second speed lower than the first speed in forward and backward directions across the first position to detect a second position corresponding to an in-focus state, and an output unit configured to output information indicating an in-focus state of the focusing lens recognizable by a user. The output unit outputs the information in response to the control unit detecting the first position.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which enables the accuracy of re-performance determination of in-focus search control to reliably maintain an in-focus state in response to a condition change after focusing is achieved. The image-taking apparatus comprise a first detector which outputs a focus evaluation value signal and a second detector which outputs a detection signal different from the focus evaluation value signal. The image-taking apparatus comprises a controller which performs a first control for controlling drive of the focus lens such that an in-focus position of the focus lens is searched for on the basis of the focus evaluation value signal. The controller obtains shift information which represents a shift state from an in-focus state based on the detection signal from the second detector after the first control, and performs processing associated with the re-performance of the first control based on at least the shift information.

Abstract: A lead frame has a pair of side frames each having a plurality of positioning holes and spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the lead frame. At least one section bar extends between the pair of side frames. First lead sections extend from the section bar and are arranged at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the lead frame. Second lead sections extend from the section bar along the width direction of the lead frame and are disposed in confronting and spaced-apart relation to the respective first lead sections in a longitudinal direction of the lead frame to define a frame area extending between the pair of side frames. Each of the second lead sections has a pair of separate and independent protruding portions disposed adjacent one another.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an imaging apparatus including: a detecting device; a selecting device; a determining device; and a instructing device configured to instruct the determining device to display on an imaging screen at least one AF frame determined to be within a focusing range, where the focusing range is the range of a positions of an imaging optical system positioned within a predetermined depth of focus of a focusing position selected by the selecting device.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of restricting unnecessary focus control by an AF method other than the TV-AF method in the hybrid AF. The image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector which generates first information corresponding to a contrast state of a picked-up image, a second detector which detects second information differing from the first information and used for focus control, and a controller which performs focus processing that cyclically repeats first focus control using the first information and performs second focus control using the second information. In the focus processing, the controller is changed over between a state of restricting the second focus control and a state of allowing the second focus control, depending on a change amount of the contrast state.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform an operation for moving a focusing lens at a first speed to detect a first position corresponding to an in-focus state and then moving the focusing lens at a second speed lower than the first speed in forward and backward directions across the first position to detect a second position corresponding to an in-focus state, and an output unit configured to output information indicating an in-focus state of the focusing lens recognizable by a user. The output unit outputs the information in response to the control unit detecting the first position.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which is capable of performing focus controls by plural AF methods and causing a user to confirm the focus control operation by each of the plural AF methods. The apparatus includes a controller which performs a first focus control and a second focus control by a method different from that of the first focus control, and an information output device which outputs information for causing a user to distinguish whether the first or second focus control is currently performed. The controller performs the second focus control after performing the first focus control, and the information output device outputs the information when the first focus control is performed and does not output the information when the second focus control is performed.

Abstract: To provide a lead frame that allows the mass production of a small surface mount type piezoelectric vibrator with high reliability and stable quality and a surface mount type piezoelectric vibrator manufacturing method using the lead frame.