Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus for continuously performing a plurality of photographing operations. The imaging apparatus includes an AF sensor and an image sensor. A microcomputer performs focal point detection (i.e., defocus amount calculation) processing based on a signal acquired by the AF sensor. Further, the microcomputer performs focal point detection processing based on a signal acquired by the image sensor. The microcomputer selects one of two focal point detection results and performs a control to drive a focusing lens in a lens drive 1 and a lens drive 2.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus for continuously performing a plurality of photographing operations. The imaging apparatus includes an AF sensor and an image sensor. A microcomputer performs focal point detection (i.e., defocus amount calculation) processing based on a signal acquired by the AF sensor. Further, the microcomputer performs focal point detection processing based on a signal acquired by the image sensor. The microcomputer selects one of two focal point detection results and performs a control to drive a focusing lens in a lens drive 1 and a lens drive 2.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to obtain a high-quality image free from any variation between image sensing regions. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus according to this invention includes an image sensing element which is formed on a semiconductor substrate on which at least one of a semiconductor layer, a color filter layer, and a microlens layer is formed by a plurality of divisional exposure operations, and a correction device which corrects variations in a signal output from the image sensing element between a plurality of partial image sensing regions formed by the plurality of divisional exposure operations.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus with a detachable lens includes a communication unit capable of switching a communication mode used in communication with the mounted lens unit between a first communication mode of transmitting first control information to the mounted lens unit and a second communication mode of transmitting a second control information different from the first control information to the mounted lens unit, and a control unit configured to control a communication with the mounted lens unit, wherein the control unit controls the communication such that, until the control started based on either one of the first control information and the second control information is ended, the other one of the first control information and the second control information is not transmitted.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus includes an image pickup element that includes a plurality of unit cells including a first pixel and a second pixel corresponding to a same microlens, a detector configured to detect a phase difference of an image signal of a first pixel group and an image signal of a second pixel group that correspond to a focus detection region, a focus controller configured to perform a focus control based on a detection result of the detector, an exposure controller configured to control an exposure value based on an output from the image pickup element, the detector detects the phase difference of an image signal generated by sequentially switching a plurality of focus detection regions, and the exposure controller controls the exposure value so as to be fixed until the detector completes a detection of the phase difference in the plurality of focus detection regions.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus with a detachable lens includes a communication unit capable of switching a communication mode used in communication with the mounted lens unit between a first communication mode of transmitting first control information to the mounted lens unit and a second communication mode of transmitting a second control information different from the first control information to the mounted lens unit, and a control unit configured to control a communication with the mounted lens unit, wherein the control unit controls the communication such that, until the control started based on either one of the first control information and the second control information is ended, the other one of the first control information and the second control information is not transmitted.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus includes an image pickup element that includes a plurality of unit cells including a first pixel and a second pixel corresponding to a same microlens, a detector configured to detect a phase difference of an image signal of a first pixel group and an image signal of a second pixel group that correspond to a focus detection region, a focus controller configured to perform a focus control based on a detection result of the detector, an exposure controller configured to control an exposure value based on an output from the image pickup element, the detector detects the phase difference of an image signal generated by sequentially switching a plurality of focus detection regions, and the exposure controller controls the exposure value so as to be fixed until the detector completes a detection of the phase difference in the plurality of focus detection regions.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including a first storage unit for storing a first correction data for correcting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of an image sensor, a detecting unit for detecting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of the image sensor in accordance with a designation set by a user, a creating unit for creating a second correction data based on the defective pixel signal detected by the detecting unit, a determination unit for determining whether the second correction data is used with the first correction data, in accordance with a designation set by a user; and a correction unit for correcting a pixel signal output from the image sensor in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to obtain a high-quality image free from any variation between image sensing regions. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus according to this invention includes an image sensing element which is formed on a semiconductor substrate on which at least one of a semiconductor layer, a color filter layer, and a microlens layer is formed by a plurality of divisional exposure operations, and a correction device which corrects variations in a signal output from the image sensing element between a plurality of partial image sensing regions formed by the plurality of divisional exposure operations.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to obtain a high-quality image free from any variation between image sensing regions. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus according to this invention includes an image sensing element which is formed on a semiconductor substrate on which at least one of a semiconductor layer, a color filter layer, and a microlens layer is formed by a plurality of divisional exposure operations, and a correction device which corrects variations in a signal output from the image sensing element between a plurality of partial image sensing regions formed by the plurality of divisional exposure operations.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including a first storage unit for storing a first correction data for correcting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of an image sensor, a detecting unit for detecting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of the image sensor in accordance with a designation set by a user, a creating unit for creating a second correction data based on the defective pixel signal detected by the detecting unit, a determination unit for determining whether the second correction data is used with the first correction data, in accordance with a designation set by a user; and a correction unit for correcting a pixel signal output from the image sensor in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including a first storage unit for storing a first correction data for correcting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of an image sensor, a detecting unit for detecting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of the image sensor in accordance with a designation set by a user, a creating unit for creating a second correction data based on the defective pixel signal detected by the detecting unit, a determination unit for determining whether the second correction data is used with the first correction data, in accordance with a designation set by a user; and a correction unit for correcting a pixel signal output from the image sensor in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit.

Abstract: A camera capable of automatically detecting a main object in a sensed image. A distance distribution generation unit discriminates a plurality of areas in the sensed image on the basis of a predetermined condition, and a main object area determination unit automatically determines the main object area out of the discriminated areas. If the determined main object area is different from the area where an operator intends to focus on and the operator wishes to change the main object area, a new main object area is selected in accordance with an instruction inputted from a main object area changing unit. Then, the camera focuses on the selected main object area.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including a first storage unit for storing a first correction data for correcting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of an image sensor, a detecting unit for detecting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of the image sensor in accordance with a designation set by a user, a creating unit for creating a second correction data based on the defective pixel signal detected by the detecting unit, a determination unit for determining whether the second correction data is used with the first correction data, in accordance with a designation set by a user; and a correction unit for correcting a pixel signal output from the image sensor in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to obtain a high-quality image free from any variation between image sensing regions. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus according to this invention includes an image sensing element which is formed on a semiconductor substrate on which at least one of a semiconductor layer, a color filter layer, and a microlens layer is formed by a plurality of divisional exposure operations, and a correction device which corrects variations in a signal output from the image sensing element between a plurality of partial image sensing regions formed by the plurality of divisional exposure operations.

Abstract: A focus state detection apparatus for detecting focus state on the basis of signals outputted from a pair of area sensors each of which is configured in two dimension in accordance with an image of an object passing through an optical system and formed on the pair of area sensors. Each of the pair of area sensors is divided into a plurality of areas each of which can be controlled independently, and charging pixels of the area sensors is controlled by each pair of corresponding divided areas of the area sensors.

Abstract: A focus state detection apparatus for detecting focus state on the basis of signals outputted from a pair of area sensors each of which is configured in two dimension in accordance with an image of an object passing through an optical system and formed on the pair of area sensors. Each of the pair of area sensors is divided into a plurality of areas each of which can be controlled independently, and charging pixels of the area sensors is controlled by each pair of corresponding divided areas of the area sensors.

Abstract: A focus detecting device capable of focus detection in a plurality of focus-detecting areas, includes a setter for setting a first group including at least two focus-detecting areas, and a second group including a plurality of focus-detecting areas, which are not included in the first group, and a focus detector means for executing focus detection in the order from the focus-detecting areas included in the first group. The focus detecter ends focus detection without executing focus detection in the focus-detecting areas included in the second group, when the focus-detecting area included in the first group satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A viewfinder display device comprises a viewfinder optical system and a display structure disposed to be superimposed on a viewfinder optical image in the viewfinder optical system, and the display structure is arranged to divide a viewfinder display area into a plurality of small areas and is capable of selectively varying a transmittance of each of the plurality of small areas.

Abstract: There is disclosed a focus detecting apparatus capable of detecting the focus state of an objective lens in a wide viewing field, comprises a view finder optical unit for observing the image formed by the objective lens, an optical unit for forming a pair of optical amount distributions, based on light beams passing through different areas of the pupil of the objective lens, wherein the optical unit being provided, at the light incident side, with a concave face directed to the light incident side, and, at the light exit side, with a convex face directed to the light exit side, a sensor unit for received said pair of the optical amount distributions, a main mirror positioned in the optical path from the objective lens to the optical unit and adapted to reflect the light beams from the objective lens toward the finder optical unit, and a reflecting mirror having a concave curved face directed to the light entrance side and adapted to reflect the light beams, transmitted by the main mirror, in a direction oppos