Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor on which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and which has a plurality of image forming pixels and a plurality of types of focus detecting pixels that are discretely arranged among the plurality of image forming pixels and respectively have different distributions of received light, and selection means for, when the plurality of pixels are read out from the image sensor while thinning out the plurality of pixels, selecting one thinning-out read-out mode from a plurality of thinning-out read-out modes having different thinning-out phases of the plurality of pixels, wherein the plurality of types of focus detecting pixels are arranged so that in each thinning-out read-out mode, only signals of the focus detecting pixels of one type of focus detecting pixels are read out, and signals of the focus detecting pixels of other types are not read out.

Abstract: A ranging apparatus has an imaging unit including a pixel group for acquiring first and second images formed by luminous fluxes having passed through first and second pupil areas of an imaging optical system, and a calculation unit configured to create third and fourth images by performing convolution integrals on the first and second images with corrected first and second image modification functions, and to calculate a distance up to the subject by comparison of the third and fourth images, wherein the corrected first and second image modification functions are formed by causing centroid positions calculated based on data of sampling points of the first and second image modification functions corresponding to pixel arrangement of the pixel group to each coincide with a sampling point closest to the centroid position; and the convolution integral is performed by taking the sampling point closest to the centroid position as a reference point.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a face area selecting unit configured to select at least a face area situated at a first object distance and a face area situated at a second object distance, and to select a face area occupying the smallest area in a picked-up image among two or more face areas in a case where the two or more face areas are situated at the first object distance or at the second object distance.

Abstract: A focus estimating device has an area setting unit which sets an area in which focusing of an image is determined and divides the area into a plurality of blocks, a block selecting unit which selects a block to be used for focus determination, a block focus determination unit which performs focus determination for each block from an edge in each color component of the block selected by the block selecting unit, and a focus determination unit which determines focusing of the area based on the focus determination.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is an imaging method using a multifocal lens having a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions having different focal lengths, and the imaging method includes a focusing state control step of controlling a focusing state of the multifocal lens, and an imaging step of obtaining an image of a subject in the controlled focusing state. In the focusing state control step, the focusing state is controlled so that a main subject is focused via a region with a shortest required focusing time among the plurality of regions in response to a picture taking instruction.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup device that includes a pixel used for focus detection, a plurality of the pixels being arranged in a matrix; a correction memory that stores correction information used for correcting a difference in amounts of received light that depend on pixel positions of the pixels used for focus detection; a correcting section that reads the correction information to correct a pixel value of the pixel used for focus detection; and a focus detecting section that detects a focal point by using the pixel value corrected by the correcting section. Focus accuracy is increased by correcting the pixel value for an AF pixel depending on the pixel position.

Abstract: The camera body includes an imaging element, a hot shoe, an internal light source, and a camera controller. The camera controller is configured to calculate an evaluation value on the basis of the image data produced by the imaging element, and perform video autofocusing on the basis of the evaluation value. When the camera controller decides that the auxiliary light is needed, and that the flash device mounted to the hot shoe has an external auxiliary light source arranged to emit near infrared light, the internal light source emits light during the video autofocusing.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit that performs imaging with an image sensor having pixels of first, second, and third colors, a luminance ratio calculation unit that integrates luminance of each of the first, second, and third colors within a focus determination region of an imaging signal output by the imaging unit and calculates a ratio of the luminance between the integrated values of the colors, a luminance normalization unit that normalizes the integrated value of the luminance of the first color within the focus determination region of the imaging signal output by the imaging unit at the ratio of the luminance between the integrated values calculated by the luminance ratio calculation unit, and a display processing unit that performs display corresponding to the integrated value of the luminance normalized by the luminance normalization unit.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus are provided. The digital photographing apparatus stores an image signal in a memory at the same time with the calculation of a horizontal AF evaluation value with respect to the image signal, and calculates a vertical AF evaluation value by using the stored image signal. Accordingly, exact AF detection may be performed with respect to images of all patterns.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor including a first pixel group used for generating an image signal by photoelectrically converting an object image and a second pixel group configured to receive a light flux that has passed through divided areas of the exit pupil, a memory unit configured to store information about whether a defective pixel exists in any pixel included in the second pixel group, a control unit configured to execute calculation including combination processing on output signals of the second pixel group existing in a predetermined area, and a controller configured to control a shooting operation according to a result of the calculation by the calculation unit. The calculation unit is configured, if a defective pixel whose information is stored on the memory unit exists in the combination processing, to execute the calculation by using the output signals of the second pixel group.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus of the present invention, multiple subjects are selected in an image signal, and subject distances for focusing on each of the selected subjects are specified. A subject distance range defined by the specified subject distances is then set. Then, based on the image signal, the image processing apparatus generates a reconstructed image that is focused on each of the subjects that are to be focused on in the set subject distance range.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor having first pixels used except for generating image signals and second pixels used for generating the image signals, the first pixels included in a first area, and a signal processing unit configured to perform interpolation processing on signals output from the first pixels in the first area. The signal processing unit performs the interpolation processing on the image signals output from the second pixels in an area other than the first area using a pattern based on an arrangement of the first pixels in the first area.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing an image processing program configured to enable a computer to execute a shaping step of shaping an input image generated through capturing via an optical system by using a characteristic of the optical system and an image-pickup condition, a blurring step of blurring an image shaped in the shaping step, and a dividing step of dividing the input image into a plurality or layered images according to an object distance. The computer executes the shaping step based upon distance information of an object contained in each layered image.

Abstract: An auto-focusing apparatus detects a speed of a moving object accurately even in a system in which backlash exists in focusing control by performing moving object prediction auto-focusing (AF).

Abstract: A digital photographing device includes an input unit that receives face information, an image generating unit that generates an image having at least one face, a face detecting unit that detects faces from the image, a determination unit that determines whether the detected faces correspond to the received face information, and an output signal generating unit that generates an output signal when the detected faces correspond to the received face information based on a determination result of the determination unit. A method of controlling a digital photographing device includes: receiving face information, generating an image having at least one face, detecting the faces from the image, determining whether the detected faces correspond to the received face information, and generating an output signal when the detected faces correspond to the received face information based on a determination result.

Abstract: A smart-focusing technique includes identifying an object of interest, such as a face, in a digital image. A focus-generic classifier chain is applied that is trained to match both focused and unfocused faces and/or data from a face tracking module is accepted. Multiple focus-specific classifier chains are applied, including a first chain trained to match substantially out of focus faces, and a second chain trained to match slightly out of focus faces. Focus position is rapidly adjusted using a MEMS component.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing element in which a plurality of pixels and phase difference pixels are formed within an effective pixel region; a photographing lens; a phase difference amount detecting unit analyzing a captured image signal and obtaining a phase difference amount from detection signals of two of the phase difference pixels that make a pair; and a control unit obtaining a defocus amount of a photographic subject image from the detected phase difference amount and performing a focusing control, in which the control unit obtains a parameter value regarding a ratio of the defocus amount and the phase difference amount based on photographing lens information of the photographing lens and a light receiving sensitivity distribution indicating sensitivity for each incident angle of incident light for the two of the phase difference pixels that make the pair, and obtains the defocus amount.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing element in which a plurality of pixels are formed and arranged and phase difference pixels are formed within an effective pixel region; a photographing lens; and a control unit which analyzes a captured image signal by the image capturing element, obtains a phase difference amount from detection signals of two of the phase difference pixels that make a pair, and performs a focusing control of the photographing lens, in which the control unit calculates, as a sensitivity ratio, a ratio of an integration value of light receiving sensitivity of the phase difference pixel within a range of an incident angle of the photographing lens, and an integration value of light receiving sensitivity of a pixel other than the phase difference pixel, and corrects a deviation in light receiving sensitivity between the two phase difference pixels.

Abstract: The focus control device includes a focus control section that controls an imaging optical system that is configured so that an in-focus object plane position is changed when an imaging magnification is changed, an image acquisition section that acquires a plurality of images captured through the imaging optical system at a different imaging magnification, and a change-in-magnification detection section that detects a change in magnification that is at least one of a change in the imaging magnification and a change in size of an object within an image among the plurality of images, the focus control section driving the imaging optical system based on an AF evaluation value that indicates the focus state of the imaging optical system and calculated based on the image and the change in magnification to control focus of the imaging optical system.

Abstract: A light field data acquisition device includes optics and a light field sensor to acquire light field image data of a scene. In at least one embodiment, the light field sensor is located at a substantially fixed, predetermined distance relative to the focal point of the optics. In response to user input, the light field acquires the light field image data of the scene, and a storage device stores the acquired data. Such acquired data can subsequently be used to generate a plurality of images of the scene using different virtual focus depths.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a normal interpolated image generation unit to generate an image that is interpolated between a plurality of original images reproduced along time series, the image being a normal interpolated image, based on each of the plurality of original images; a high-frequency area extraction unit to extract a high-frequency area having a spatial frequency higher than a predetermined value in each of the plurality of original images; a high-frequency area interpolated image generation unit to generate an image that is interpolated between the plurality of original images, the image being a high-frequency area interpolated image, based on a change in position of the high-frequency area along with an elapse of time on the time series and on each of the plurality of original images; and a combination unit to execute combining processing to combine the normal interpolated image and the high-frequency area interpolated image.

Abstract: The invention provides an image processing device, an image processing method, and an image processing program, which enable immediately and easily searching for images showing certain states of subjects. Image data of a plurality of frames for displaying images of the plurality of frames, and a plurality of evaluation values associated with the image data of the plurality of frames are stored in a storage unit. The image data of a frame is selected, out of the stored image data of the plurality of frames. The images based on the image data of the respective frames are displayed. A thumbnail image corresponding to the image data of the selected frames is displayed in a thumbnail display area in the display unit. If a thumbnail image is selected, an image of a frame corresponding to this thumbnail image is displayed.

Abstract: A focus adjustment unit according to the present invention has an imaging section configured to generate an image signal by forming and capturing an optical image on an image sensor by an optical system including a focusing lens, and performs focus adjustment based on a focus detection signal relating to a focus detection area set within an imaging area, the focus adjustment unit comprising a focusing lens position detection section configured to detect a position of the focusing lens, a storage section configured to store information on an image magnification change of the optical system along with movement of the focusing lens, and a focus detection area setting section configured to set a focus detection area within the imaging area, wherein the focus detection area setting section sets the focus detection area based on the position of the focusing lens and the information on an image magnification change.

Abstract: An imaging device of the present invention comprises an imaging section for forming a subject image using a photographing lens and generating image data, a contrast detection section for detecting contrast values corresponding to contrast of the subject image, for every position of the photographing lens, based on the image data, a subject brightness detection section for detecting brightness evaluation values corresponding to subject brightness of the subject image for every position of the photographing lens, based on the image data, a correction section for correcting the contrast values depending on a brightness evaluation value for a corresponding position of the photographing lens and calculating corrected contrast value, and a focus detection section for detecting a focus position of the photographing lens based on the corrected contrast values that have been corrected by the correction section.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments described herein provide a continuous autofocus mechanism for an image capturing device. The continuous autofocus mechanism can perform an autofocus scan for a lens of the image capturing device and obtain focus scores associated with the autofocus scan. The continuous autofocus mechanism can determine an acceptable band of focus scores based on the obtained focus scores. Next, the continuous autofocus mechanism can determine whether a current focus score is within the acceptable band of focus scores. A refocus scan may be performed if the current focus score is outside of the acceptable band of focus scores.

Abstract: An imaging device of the present invention comprises a focus detection section using phase difference detection based on output of the focus detection pixels, a pixel adding section, for creating respective first addition outputs by adding outputs of a first number of focus detection pixels, and creating respective second addition outputs by dividing the first number of arrays into a plurality, and adding outputs of focus detection pixels of the divided array, and a determination section for determining whether or not to correct an angle error, wherein the focus detection section executes a focus detection operation on the basis of the first addition outputs, the determination section determines whether or not to correct angle error on the basis of the plurality of second addition outputs, and in the event that the determination section has determined to correct angle error, the focus detection section corrects angle error based on a result of a focus detection operation.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels, each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a readout unit that reads out a signal from a portion of the photoelectric conversion elements of each pixel as a first signal and reads out a sum of signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements of each pixel as an image signal; a generation unit that generates a second signal for each pixel using the image signal and the first signal; and a calculation unit that calculates a moving amount of a focus lens for achieving an in-focus state based on a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal. The calculation unit performs the calculation without using a signal from a defective line.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for generating a wide dynamic range image by executing a pixel value combination process of a plurality of different exposure time setting pixels. Control of a different exposure time is performed for each of a plurality of pixels of the same colors configuring a pixel block and an addition pixel value obtained by adding outputs of the plurality of pixels of the same colors of the pixel block is generated. The generation of the addition pixel value is executed in an operation unit having an adding unit that that adds the outputs of the plurality of pixels of the same colors of the pixel block. Or, the generation of the addition pixel value is executed by a floating diffusion (FD) set in a pixel block unit and a charge output from each of the plurality of pixels of the same colors configuring the pixel block is accumulated and output in the floating diffusion (FD).

Abstract: A signal for focus detection is generated by a first operation, in which a signal of at least one photoelectric conversion element included in a photoelectric conversion unit is read to an input node of an amplification unit and the signal is supplied to a common output line by the amplification unit and signals for forming an image are generated by a second operation, in which a signal of another photoelectric conversion element included in the same photoelectric conversion unit as that including the at least one photoelectric conversion element from which the signal has been read in the first operation is read to the input node of the amplification unit while holding the signal read in the first operation using the amplification unit and the signals are supplied to the common output line by the amplification unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus generates a plurality of parallactic images having a relationship that the magnitude of an amount of image shift between parallactic images increases with an increase of a defocus amount, generates, through plural selections of the generated parallactic images permitting a repeated same selection, a series of parallactic images in which the selected parallactic images are arranged in a selection order; repeatedly applies interpolation processing to each pair of adjacent parallactic images included in the series of parallactic images to generate a plurality of interpolation images; and arranges the interpolation images between the adjacent parallactic images to output the interpolated parallactic images as an output image of a moving image.

Abstract: An inner focus lens system comprising lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein a most object side lens unit is provided and is fixed with respect to an image surface in focusing, and the conditions: BF/Y<1.7 and (L×FNo)/f<2.2 (BF: a distance from an image side surface apex of a most image side lens element to the image surface, Y=f×tan ?, L: an overall length of lens system, FNo: a F-number of lens system, f: a focal length of lens system, ?: a half view angle of lens system) are simultaneously satisfied, or only the condition: (L×FNo)/f<2.0 (L: the overall length of lens system, FNo: the F-number of lens system, f: the focal length of lens system) is satisfied.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and a portable device for focusing an image in the device (10), which device (10) comprises; a first image recording arrangement (24a) for recording images of an user (50) of the device (10); a second image recording arrangement (24b) comprising an autofocus arrangement for recording images of the environment surrounding the device (10); and a display arrangement (22) for reproducing the recorded images of the environment surrounding the device (10), which method comprises the step of: obtaining a plurality of gazing directions of the user (50) from images recorded by the first image recording arrangement (24a); selecting focusing areas depending on the obtained gazing directions; processing said at least one image of the environment so as to create a final image that is focused within areas defined by the focusing areas.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus including: an image sensor including a plurality of focus detection pixel pairs that perform photoelectric conversion on each pair of light beams that have passed through different regions of a photographing lens and output an image signal pair; a flash memory that stores shift information on relative shift between an optical axis of the photographing lens and a central axis of the focus detection pixel pairs; a correction unit that corrects a signal level of the image signal pair based on the shift information and exit pupil information of the photographing lens so as to compensate for an unbalanced amount of light that enters each of the focus detection pixel pairs; and a focus detection unit that detects a focus of the photographing lens using the image signal pair corrected by the correction unit.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: a focus detection unit to obtain an in-focus position for each preset focus detection area; a setting unit to set an object area for a captured image; an acquisition unit to acquire a representative in-focus position of the object area based on in-focus positions contained within a given range where in-focus positions of focus detection areas corresponding to the object area are most concentrated; a determination unit to determine, if a plurality of object areas are set by the setting unit, a priority order of the object areas based on representative in-focus positions of the object areas; and a control unit configured to perform control so as to sequentially drive the focus lens to the representative in-focus positions of the object areas in decreasing order of the priority order and perform shooting.

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: Photographing apparatus and method to reduce auto-focus time are disclosed. A photographing apparatus is provided that includes two imaging optical systems; an imaging device that converts images of subjects formed by the imaging optical systems into respective image signals; a subject distance calculation unit that calculates subject distances between the imaging device and the subject based on two images generated by the imaging device; and an in-focus position detection unit that detects an in-focus position based on contrast evaluation values of the image signals obtained for a plurality of focusing positions, performs preparatory focusing driving by moving the focusing positions close to the in-focus position based on the calculated subject distances, and scans the focusing positions from the position close to the in-focus position to the in-focus position.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of achieving in-focus photographing with a reduced time lag. A system controller of the image pickup apparatus detects an in-focus state of image while moving a focus lens in an optical axis direction, and detects a state of a photographing scene at image acquisition. When detecting a change in photographing scene, the system controller moves the focus lens to a movement start position. When detecting that a photographing scene has been decided by a photographer, the controller detects an in-focus state while moving the focus lens.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a photograph-taking terminal device that offers users improved convenience. The terminal device includes a face detection unit configured to detect human faces in image consecutively generated by photography, a focusing mechanism configured to focus for photography, and a control unit configured to control the focusing mechanism. After the face detection unit begins detection operations, the first time a face is detected, the control unit instructs the focusing mechanism to focus. After focusing, the control unit prevents the focusing mechanism from focusing again until the face detection unit no longer detects any face. After a face is detected anew, the control unit instructs the focusing mechanism to focus again.

Abstract: An optical imager includes: an image sensor for capturing images of targets and outputting image signals; a lens for focusing the target on the image sensor as a function of lens position; a memory for storing predetermined lens positions determined from predetermined target sizes; and a controller for determining current target size based on captured images and positioning the lens at a predetermined lens position by correlating current target size with predetermined target sizes.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging optical system having an aperture; an imaging device that outputs an image signal; an electronic shading processing portion that adds an electronic shading to a photographic image corresponding to the image signal; and a control portion which determines whether or not an optical shading can be added to the photographic image based on the imaging condition, the control portion controlling the aperture and adding the optical shading when the optical shading can be added, and the control portion controlling the electronic shading processing portion and adding the electronic shading when it is difficult to add the optical shading.

Abstract: The present invention operates in connection with refocusable video data, information, images and/or frames, which may be light field video data, information, images and/or frames, that may be focused and/or refocused after acquisition or recording. A video acquisition device acquires first refocusable light field video data of a scene, stores first refocusable video data representative of the first refocusable light field video data, acquires second refocusable light field video data of the scene after acquiring the first refocusable light field video data, determines a first virtual focus parameter (such as a virtual focus depth) using the second refocusable light field video data, generates first video data using the stored first refocusable video data and the first virtual focus parameter, wherein the first video data includes a focus depth that is different from an optical focus depth of the first refocusable light field video data, and outputs the first video data.

Abstract: A method for characterizing an optical focusing defect of an image capture instrument is based on contrast values. Said contrast values are calculated for two images of a same scene portion, captured in respective overlapping length segments of two image sensors. To this end, the sensors are mounted in an image capture instrument so that the overlapping length segments between the sensors are situated at different heights along a focusing direction perpendicular to said sensors.

Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus comprises: a focus adjustment unit configured to execute focus adjustment processing by driving a focus lens based on focus evaluation values calculated respectively for periodically sensed images while scanning the focus lens within a predetermined scan range; a first processing unit configured to execute processing, an operation of which is affected by driving of the focus lens; a second processing unit configured to execute processing, an operation of which is not affected by driving of the focus lens; a determination unit configured to determine a start position of the scan range; and a control unit configured to control the first processing unit to execute the processing before the focus lens is scanned to the start position, and controls the second processing unit to execute the processing during the scan of the focus lens to the start position.

Abstract: An image recognition device includes: an image sensor that captures an image via an image forming optical system and outputs image information repeatedly; a detector that detects differences between reference image information related to a reference image and a plurality of sets of partial information included in the image information; a recognition circuit that includes a microprocessor and recognizes a set of partial information, for which a smallest difference value among a plurality of differences detected in correspondence to the plurality of sets of partial information is calculated, as information matching the reference image information if the smallest value is smaller than a threshold value; and a controller that includes a microprocessor and sets the threshold value in correspondence to a color indicated in the reference image information.

Abstract: An image pickup element includes a light-receiving portion having a matrix arrangement formed by disposing first-direction arrays, each having photoelectric conversion portions arranged in a first direction with a predetermined gap maintained therebetween, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and micro-lenses provided above the light-receiving portion. A certain first-direction array in the matrix arrangement is provided with a pair of photoelectric conversion portions that optically receive, via a pair of micro-lenses, photographic-subject light beams passing through a pair of segmental regions in an exit pupil of a photographic optical system, the pair of segmental regions being disposed biasedly in opposite directions from each other in the first direction. The pair of micro-lenses is disposed such that light axes thereof extend through vicinities of edges of the pair of photoelectric conversion portions, the edges being the farthest edges from each other in the first direction.

Abstract: An image pickup element has a plurality of pixels which are arranged two-dimensionally. The plurality of pixels form at least two pixel sets having a first pixel set and a second pixel set. An exit pupil is assumed, and four divided areas which are separated by two straight lines which are mutually orthogonal in a plane which is orthogonal to an optical axis thereof, are set in the exit pupil. Pixels in the first pixel set are arranged to receive a light beam from a first pupil area for which, a center of gravity of area is in one of the four divided areas. For the optical axis, a center of gravity of area of a second pupil area is in a divided area which is symmetrical to a divided area in which the center of gravity of the first pupil area lies. Pixels in the second pixel set are arranged to receive a light beam having a center of gravity of area in the second pupil area.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a data storing portion configured to store coefficient data for reconstructing an optical transfer function of an image pickup optical system in accordance with a type of the image pickup optical system and an imaging condition, a tap number determining portion configured to determine a tap number of the optical transfer function that is reconstructed by using the coefficient data in accordance with a size of one pixel of an image pickup element, and a reconstruction portion configured to reconstruct the optical transfer function in accordance with Nyquist frequency of the image pickup element and the tap number in a frequency space.

Abstract: A method of modifying the blur in at least a part of an image of a scene captures at least two images of the scene with different camera parameters to produce a different amount of blur in each image. A corresponding patch in each of the captured images is selected each having an initial amount of blur is used to calculate a set of frequency domain pixel values from a function of transforms of the patches. Each of the pixel values in the set are raised to a predetermined power, forming an amplified set of frequency domain pixel values. The amplified set of frequency domain pixel values is combined with the pixels of the patch in one of the captured images to produce an output image patch with blur modified relative to the initial amount of blur in the image patch.

Abstract: A photographing device according to the present invention comprises: an imaging section that captures a subject image and outputs image data; a motion picture recording section that records a motion picture based on the image data; a parameter setting section that sets a photographing parameter to change a photographing state; and a parameter control section that automatically changes the photographing parameter during the recording of the motion picture regardless of the set photographing parameter.

Abstract: In response to an input instruction to start a still image capturing operation when a moving image capturing operation is being performed, an imaging apparatus controls the still image capturing operation to record a still image file on a recording medium, interrupts the moving image capturing operation, generates a moving image in which an interframe-compressed image whose difference information is zero is inserted as at least one of images to be substituted for a moving image corresponding to a time period for which the moving image capturing operation is interrupted, and records the generated moving image on the recording medium.