Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus that carries out TV-AF type autofocus control by setting an AF frame on a predetermined object, for example a person's face, that is detected in an image, in a case in which a in-focus position search direction cannot be determined from an AF evaluation value, changes in the size of the region of the object are detected and focus detection is carried out by determining the in-focus position search direction based on the changes in the size of the region of the object.

Abstract: In a camera system including an interchangeable lens and a camera body, a body controller performs control a drive signal transmission unit to drive a focus lens in a predetermined direction, and transmit a timing signal to the interchangeable lens. The lens controller performs control to detect a position of the focus lens in synchronization with the timing signal received from the camera body and store the detected position in a storage unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a control unit configured to control a focus position of a lens by causing a communication unit to acquire a plurality of lens position information stored in a first storage unit without any synchronization with acquisition of an evaluation value by a contrast detection unit and associating the acquired plurality of lens position information with evaluation values stored in a second storage unit.

Abstract: A focus detection method, for detecting a focus state of an object image in accordance with a contrast of the object image which is formed in a focus detection area, includes capturing the object images while moving a focusing lens group of a photographing lens stepwise within a predetermined range of movement thereof; determining contrast values of the plurality of object images in the focus detection area; and setting a position of the focusing lens group as an in-focus position when a contrast value, attained when the focusing lens group is positioned at one of the closest focus position and the infinite-focus position or at a position within a predetermined range of steps from the one of the closest focus position and the infinite-focus position toward the other of the closest focus position and the infinite-focus position, is at a maximum contrast value.

Abstract: A shutter control apparatus and the method thereof are provided. The shutter control apparatus is suitable for controlling a shutter of a camera apparatus. The shutter control apparatus includes a resistor and a switch. The resistor is coupled between an output terminal and a ground voltage source. The switch is coupled between a voltage source and the output terminal. The switch has a first trigger and a second trigger. The shutter of the camera apparatus is turned on/off by the shutter control apparatus according to the timing between the first trigger and the second trigger of the switch. Thereby, the shutter control apparatus has less component and compactness.

Abstract: A focal point detection device capable of good focal position detection even when the focus lens is displaced due to impact, and an image capture device. During focal point detection, when focal point detection is impossible, whether AF evaluation values decrease continuously is determined, and whether impact has occurred is detected when decreasing continuously. The focus lens is moved to the initial position when AF evaluation values decrease continuously and impact is detected, as the focus lens is possibly displaced. After the focal point detection is performed again and it is determined whether it is possible to detect the focal point, the focus lens is moved to the focal position when focal point detection is possible, and the focus lens is moved toward the nearside when focal point detection is not possible, on the basis that the photographic subject has been image captured outside of the set image capture range.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which is capable of performing accurate focusing even when a shake occurs. The image-taking apparatus comprises an image-pickup element which photoelectrically converts an optical image formed by an image-taking optical system; a controller which performs a first focusing control based on a phase difference of plural optical images formed of luminous fluxes not passing through the image-taking optical system, which plural optical images are detected by a light receiving sensor that photoelectrically converts the plural optical images, and a second focusing control based on an image signal generated by an output from the image-pickup element; and a shake detector which generates information on a shake. The controller preferentially performs one of the first focusing control and the second focusing control in accordance with the information on the shake.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus sets a main area and a plurality of subareas around the main area in an image obtained from an image sensor, and acquires each focusing state and each in-focus point based on the each focusing state of the main area and the plurality of subareas in an image obtained from the image sensor at each of a plurality of focus lens positions while moving a focus lens. If the focusing state of the main area does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the imaging apparatus performs focusing control using the focusing state of the main area and a focusing state of a subarea having an in-focus point located within a predetermined range from the in-focus point of the main area among the plurality of subareas.

Abstract: An optical apparatus which achieves fast focusing operation and allows accurate focusing is disclosed. The optical apparatus includes a first focus detector which detects a focus state on a subject, a second focus detector which detects a focus state on the subject in a detection method different from a detection method of the first focus detector, and a controller which has a function of detecting whether or not the subject is a moving body and a function of performing focus control of an image-taking optical system in a first sequence in which at least one of the first and second focus detectors is used and a second sequence in which at least the other of the focus detectors is used. The controller preferentially uses one of the first and second sequences depending on the result of the detection with the moving body detecting function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to auto focus are provided. A distance classifier to auto focus includes a distance-calculating module calculating a focal distance on the basis of blur levels of at least two images; a precise distance-calculating module calculating the exact distance to a subject when an image that is captured at the focal distance calculated by the distance-calculating module is out of focus; and a distance-calculation-correcting module correcting the distance-calculating module on the basis of the blur levels and the exact distance to the subject that is calculated by the precise distance-calculating module.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for auto-focusing a camera, which includes the steps of detecting an initial value of an encoder by measuring an initial position of a lens system, matching the measured initial value of the encoder with the initial position value of the lens system to be moved, measuring a distance value of a subject through a distance measuring sensor, determining a displacement that a focus lens has to be moved with respect to the measured distance value, and adjusting a position of the focus lens such that a position value of the focus lens actually moved is the same as the displacement value.

Abstract: A camera system with function of automatically coordinating flash intensity includes a lens, an image sensor, a focus system, a focus sensor and a control unit. The lens controls light amount that entrance into camera. The focusing system drives the lens to focus thereby forming a clear image on the image sensor. The focus sensor senses first step information of the focusing system during the focusing process, and sending the information to a control unit. The control unit transforms the result of the focusing system to a distance that the object apart from the camera, and configures out the guide number with the aperture number thereby calculating the flash intensity. The present camera systems may measure the distance that the objects apart from the camera, and low down the cost and power consumption. The camera systems may also precisely control the flash intensity thereby coordinating the exposure effect.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus which includes image acquiring means for acquiring an image of an object; storing means for temporarily storing an image acquired by the image acquiring means; and control means for detecting a portion having changed upon comparison of a first image and a second image which are stored in the storing means, each image acquired by the image acquiring means at a different time, and to focus on the portion having changed.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed, with which focus detection areas of different size and/or position can be stored. The optical apparatus includes a first operating member which is operated changing at least one of a size and a position of a focus detection area, a memory storing a plurality of focus detection areas which differ from each other in at least one of size and position, a second operating member which is operated for setting one of the plurality of stored focus detection areas as a to-be-used focus detection area for detection of the focus state of an image-taking optical system. The apparatus further includes a controller performing storage and setting processes of the focus detection areas and a focusing control of the image-taking optical system.

Abstract: A focus adjusting method for adjusting focus by moving a focusing lens group of a photographing optical system, wherein the focus adjusting method includes a first search stage at which a focus search operation is performed based on an image formed in a large focus area while the focusing lens group is moved stepwise over an entire range of movement thereof from the near extremity to the far extremity, and a second search stage at which the focus search operation is performed, based on images formed in small focus areas, at front and rear close vicinities of the in-focus position while the focusing lens group is moved stepwise over a portion of the entire range of movement thereof.

Abstract: An image apparatus includes a screen, a detecting unit, a determining unit, an acquiring unit and a control unit. The screen is configured to display an image formed by an optical system and at least one detection position superimposed onto the image. The detecting unit is configured to detect information regarding focus of the optical system at the detection position. The determining unit is connected to the detecting unit and configured to determine whether the information regarding the focus is within a predetermined range. The acquiring unit is connected to the determining unit and configured to acquire first image information at the detection position when the determining unit determines that the information regarding the focus is within the predetermined range. The control unit is connected to the acquiring unit and configured to evaluate arbitrary second image information in the screen using the first image information.

Abstract: An image detection device includes: a subject detector that acquires image information in an image field of an imaging optics with an image sensor, and detects a position of a subject in the image field based upon reference information related to an image of the subject and the image information; and a magnification detector that detects a magnification of the imaging optics. And the subject detector starts operation to detect the position of the subject, when the magnification has become greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A lens-controlling device controls a first lens unit which moves for zooming and a second lens unit which moves for correcting the displacement of an image plane caused by zooming and for focusing. The lens-controlling device includes a memory which stores data for obtaining target-position information representing a target position to which the second lens unit is to be moved, the target position corresponding to a position to which the first lens unit is moved from a current position and a controller which generates the target-position information on the basis of the data and controls the movement of the second lens unit on the basis of position information of the first lens unit and the target-position information.

Abstract: A camera apparatus comprises an auto focus controller configured to control a focus lens to move to a focal position, a moving distance acquiring unit configured to acquire a moving distance of a main body of the camera apparatus after the focus lens is moved to the focal position by the auto focus controller, and a focus correction unit configured to correct a position of the focus lens based on the moving distance acquired by the moving distance acquiring unit.

Abstract: An auto focus (AF) apparatus and method for a camera that improves the AF action by reducing the number of time and steps required of a conventional apparatus and method. An encoder initial value is detected by measuring an initial position of a lens unit by means of an encoder; matching the measured encoder initial value to an initial position value to which the lens unit is to move while performing the auto focus; performing the auto focus starting from the matched initial position value, and dividing a distance that the lens unit is to cover into sections corresponding to a preset number of steps; detecting an edge value which shows a brightness change for a contour of a subject for as many as the number of the preset steps. The AF is completed by moving the lens unit to a position corresponding to a maximum edge value selected from among the detected edge values.

Abstract: An optical apparatus which achieves fast focusing operation and allows accurate focusing is disclosed. The optical apparatus includes a first focus detector which detects a focus state on a subject, a second focus detector which detects a focus state on the subject in a detection method different from a detection method of the first focus detector, and a controller which has a function of detecting whether or not the subject is a moving body and a function of performing focus control of an image-taking optical system in a first sequence in which at least one of the first and second focus detectors is used and a second sequence in which at least the other of the focus detectors is used. The controller preferentially uses one of the first and second sequences depending on the result of the detection with the moving body detecting function.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises an imaging/focus detection element, in which focus detection pixel rows are incorporated in a two-dimensional array of a plurality of imaging pixels, that outputs image signals and focus detection signals, a focus detection unit that detects a state of focal adjustment at a photographic optical system based upon the focus detection signal, an image blur detection unit that detects an image blur quantity, a reliability judgment unit that judges, based upon the blur quantity, whether or not the state of focal adjustment detected in correspondence to a focus detection pixel row disposed along a direction different from a rolling shutter scanning direction among the focus detection pixel rows is reliable, and a focal adjustment unit that executes focal adjustment for the photographic optical system based upon the state of focal adjustment judged to be reliable by the reliability judgment unit.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus for capturing an object includes a distance calculating unit for measuring a phase difference (time difference) from the emission of light from a light emitting unit to the reception of reflected light by a light receiving unit for each unit composed of a predetermined number of adjacent pixels of the object to calculate a distance from the image-pickup apparatus to each corresponding pixel unit of the object, and an image processing unit for corresponding the distance calculated in units of the predetermined number of pixels to the image captured by the light receiving unit. The image processing unit supplies a display unit with only pixels corresponding to a predetermined range in the image generated by the distance calculating unit to display the pixels in units of the predetermined number of pixels on the display unit.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit for capturing an image of an object; a focal length storing unit for storing a focal length of the object which is outside of an image capturing region of the image being captured by the image capturing unit by corresponding to a positional relationship between the image capturing unit and the object; an image capturing region variation detecting unit for detecting variation in the image capturing region of the image capturing unit; a positional relationship predicting unit for predicting a positional relationship between the image capturing unit and the object after the image capturing region of the image capturing unit is varied on the basis of the variation in the image capturing region detected by the image capturing region variation detecting unit; and a focus adjustment control unit for controlling focus adjustment by the image capturing unit on the basis of the focal length stored by the focal length storing unit, wherein the focal length is

Abstract: A method for automatically focusing in a photographic module is disclosed. The focus action has two stages. In the first stage, a photographic module and a controller electrically connected to the photographic module are provided. When the lens group of the photographic module is provided at the original position, the controller calculates an automatic focus (AF) evaluation value of the photographic module. Then, the lens group moves twice toward the first direction by a first distance, wherein every time the lens group moves, the controller calculates the AF evaluation value of the photographic module. Afterwards, the controller determines via the difference value between two sequential AF evaluation values and controls the moving direction of the lens group according to the determining result.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which achieves focusing in a reduce time with higher accuracy of an in-focus position search in a TV-AF method to minimize occurrence of unnatural focus changes. The image-taking apparatus includes an image-taking element, a first detector which outputs a focus evaluation value signal based on a predetermined frequency component of an output signal of the image-pickup element, a second detector which outputs a detection signal different from the focus evaluation value signal, and a controller which performs first processing of obtaining information for an in-focus position search of the focus lens based on the focus evaluation value signal. The controller performs second processing of obtaining information on an in-focus position based on the detection signal from the second detector, and performs third processing different depending on a comparison result between the information from the first processing and the information obtained from the second processing.

Abstract: A focus detection device comprises: focus detection elements including light-receiving elements that generate a pair of signals corresponding to a pair of light fluxes each passing through an imaging optical system that includes a lens and an aperture stop; and a focus detector including a processor that determines a focus adjustment state of the imaging optical system with an f-number slower than a full-aperture of the imaging optical system when a specific condition is fulfilled.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus, in which a light is projected toward a physical object by projection means, and based on the reflected light by the physical object of the light, a defocus amount is detected (steps S2003 to S2008) by the first focus detection means and the second focus detection means, respectively, and a correction value for matching the defocus amount detected by the first focus detection means with the defocus amount detected by the second focus detection means is calculated and kept stored (step S2009), and at the photographing time, based on the defocus amount detected by the first focus detection means and the correction value kept stored, a focus adjustment lens within a photographic lens is driven, thereby preventing an inappropriate correction of the defocus amount.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and method that can prevent a resolution of a peripheral portion of an image from being degraded with a simple structure.

Abstract: Auto focus control is exerted based on a focus evaluation value indicating a degree of sharpness of an image obtained from a plurality of image pickup devices placed at positions of different light path lengths. There is provided a device which makes a correction on sensitivity of the focus evaluation value obtained from each image pickup devices. It is thereby possible to make an adequate correction on a sensitivity of the focus evaluation value so as to exert the auto focus control with high accuracy. It is also possible to automatically make a correction on the sensitivity of the focus evaluation value and eliminate troublesome labor. All or a part of signal processing for the auto focus control is performed by a single processing part by time-sharing. Thereby, a circuit scale can be miniaturized and power consumption can be reduced.

Abstract: The accuracy of focus adjustment operation is enhanced further. When focus adjustment operation is performed, a first measured distance acquired by utilization of TTL-AF and a second measured value acquired by utilization of a distance between the eyes have been computed in advance. The degree of reliability of the first measured distance is compared the degree of reliability of the second measured distance in accordance with a result of a determination as to whether or not a face is detected (S10), a result of a determination as to whether or not an ambient brightness value Br is equal to or less than a reference value (S12), a result of a determination as to whether or not a focal length “f” is equal to or less than a reference value (S16), and a result of a determination as to whether or not a second measured distance De is less than a first measured distance Dt (S18). Focus adjustment operation is performed in accordance with a measured distance determined to be more reliable.

Abstract: In an imaging device, a photographic scene is automatically determined with high accuracy. Distance information is acquired, through a TTL-AF, from an image signal produced by a CCD. Further, a face recognition circuit detects the face of a person in a subject. An AE-AF-AWB value computing section evaluates the reliability of the distance information acquired through the TTL-AF operation, on the basis of a focal length of a lens, an aperture, and a distance to the subject computed from a distance between eyes included in the detected face. A mode-recognition-and-determination-and mode-selection section automatically determines the photographic scene from the distance information acquired through the TTL-AF operation, the reliability of the distance, and an estimated white balance value.

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 includes a first detector generating first information corresponding to a contrast state, a focus lens controller, a second detector outputting second information used for calculating an in-focus position, and a focus lens position detector. If the difference between the detected focus lens position and the calculated in-focus position is equal to or greater than a first value, the controller moves the focus lens towards the calculated in-focus position, and if the difference is less than the first value, the controller repeats focus control using the first information without using the second information. The apparatus reduces discontinuous movements of the focus lens.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a ranging device for measuring a distance to a subject, a device for radiating fill-light to the subject, and a re-ranging determining device for determining as to whether re-measurement is executed based on a measured result of the ranging device, when the re-ranging determining device determines that the re-measurement by the ranging device is required, the fill-light radiating device radiating the fill light to the subject based on the determination of the re-ranging determining device, the ranging device having a ranging element mechanism for allowing a light flux from the subject to image thereon to measure the distance to the subject, a ranging arithmetical mechanism for achieving an arithmetic of the ranging based on outputting data of the ranging element mechanism, and an area selecting mechanism for selecting an area based on an arithmetical result of the ranging arithmetical mechanism.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus for lighting systems provide a camera integral to a particular image projection lighting device (IPLD) to capture the projected image from the particular IPLD. The captured image can then be sent over a communication system to the operator for viewing on a visual display device such as a computer monitor on a central controller. Using the captured image of the projected image as viewed upon the display device, the operator may then command using the central controller the focusing, position or other parameters of the projected image upon the stage or projection surface to the desired value. The captured image may also be used, such as by a central control system, to automatically, and without operator intervention, adjust parameters of the IPLD to desired values.

Abstract: Correlation value calculation is carried out while a pair of window ranges being shifted using uncorrected AF data, and a pair of window ranges providing the highest correlation value is determined. Then, the difference between the smallest values in the respective window ranges is evaluated. If it is determined that the distance is large, the AF data is corrected so that the smallest values in the respective window ranges are consistent with each other, and the corrected AF data is used to carry out correlation value recalculation. Then, if the highest correlation value after correction is smaller than the highest correlation value before correction, the result of correlation value calculation after correction is employed.

Abstract: An autofocus system for a camera includes a contrast focus detector which detects a position of a focusing lens group, at which the contrast of an object image reaches a maximum as a contrast in-focus position; a phase-difference focus detector which separates the object image light bundle into two light bundles which form two object images on a light-receiving element to detect a phase difference between the two object images formed thereon, the phase-difference focus detector defining a position of the focusing lens group at which an in-focus state is obtained for the object as a phase-difference in-focus position; and a controller for moving the focusing lens group via the lens driver to the phase-difference in-focus position or the contrast in-focus position. The controller adjusts a moving range of the focusing lens group in accordance with a degree of reliability of the phase-difference in-focus position.

Abstract: A rangefinder apparatus includes an effective minimum value certifying unit for comparing a minimum value, exhibiting the smallest value in correlation values calculated for the each rangefinding area, with a reference value for a degree of correlation and certifying a minimum value smaller than the reference value as an effective minimum value, effective for a rangefinding calculation, a distance calculating unit for calculating the distance to the object according to the effective minimum value certified for each rangefinding area; and a correlation calculation restricting unit for omitting the correlation calculation within a specific distance range, farther by at least a predetermined amount than the shortest distance calculated according to the effective minimum value in the correlation calculation for a rangefinding area to be later subjected to the correlation calculation, when the effective minimum value exists in the rangefinding area earlier subjected to the correlation calculation.

Abstract: A camera includes a sensor array which can detect a brightness signal of a subject and has a plurality of segments for focal point detection, a first photometry unit for calculating the brightness signal of the subject on the basis of an output of one segment or outputs of the segments of the sensor array, a second photometry unit which can detect a brightness signal of the subject in a detection range wider than that for the detection of the subject brightness signal by the sensor array, and a determination unit for determining on the basis of an output of the second photometry unit whether the use of the first photometry unit is forbidden. The camera can determine backlight without any inconvenience even on photographing condition close to the very limit of a photometrical range.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which can perform focusing control with high speed and high precision is disclosed. The image pickup apparatus comprises a focus detection unit that detects a focusing state of the image-taking lens by phase difference detection method using light from the image-taking lens, and an in-focus judgment unit judges whether the image-taking lens is in an in-focus state or not, based on a result of a detection of contrast of an object image that has been taken with an image pickup device. Correction information, for correcting focusing control information of the image-taking lens that has been obtained by using the focus detection unit, is obtained based on information indicating the in-focus state of the lens obtained by using the in-focus judgment unit.

Abstract: A rangefinder apparatus forms an image of light from an object to be subjected to rangefinding onto a pair of line sensors, each line sensor including light-detecting elements, and generates autofocus (AF) data for computing a correlation value from signals from the light-detecting elements; acquires the AF data from a pair of employed sensor areas; determines a pair of window areas for selecting the AF data for computing a correlation value, and successively computes correlation values while shifting the pair of window areas; detects a shift of the window areas yielding the highest correlation according to the correlation values computed and calculates distance to the object according to the shift amount yielding the highest correlation; and calculates oscillation of the AF data, and disables rangefinding if the oscillation is too large.

Abstract: In a distance-measuring device that measures individual distances to plural distance-measured regions, a selection circuit selects at least one first measured distance value by excluding second measured distance values that are not smaller than a predetermined distance value from the individually measured distance values to the plural distance measured regions. An auto-focusing data value is computed in accordance with the selected first measured distance values.

Abstract: In the distance measuring apparatus which uses a passive AF sensor and determines the subject distance by carrying out correlation value calculation according to AF data obtained from a pair of line sensors of the AF sensor to detect the smallest minimum value of the correlation value, if the difference between the smallest minimum value and the second smallest minimum value of the correlation values is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined that distance measurement is impossible, and the predetermined value is changed in accordance with the magnitude of the smallest minimum value, thus making it possible to appropriately determine whether distance measurement is possible or impossible according to the aspect of AF data. Therefore, problems such that it is determined that distance measurement is impossible more than necessary, or erroneous distance measurement occurs can be prevented.

Abstract: A digital camera 100 includes a photographic optical system (21) for projecting an image of a subject; a CCD (24) for converting the projected image into an image signal and outputting it; a focus driving system (25) which changes a focusing condition of the image projected to the CCD (24) by relatively moving at least one of the photographic optical system (21) and the CCD (24) to the other; a CCDAF portion (82) which sequentially evaluates the image signal obtained in each focusing condition while subsequently changes the focusing condition by controlling the focus driving system (25), and which obtains a predetermined focusing condition based on the evaluation; an AF controlling portion (83) for controlling an operation of the CCDAF portion (82); and a ranging sensor (31) for measuring a subject distance. In addition, the AF controlling portion (83) controls the operation of the CCDAF portion (82) according to the subject distance to prioritize either a focusing accuracy or a focusing speed.

Abstract: A camera having a distance measuring apparatus according to the present invention includes a photo receiving unit receiving object images focused by photo-receiving lenses; a selecting unit selecting any one of distance-measuring area in a photographing plane; and a determining unit determining whether or not an extreme value exists in outputs from the photo receiving unit, in the distance-measuring area selected by the selecting unit. When the determining unit determines that no extreme value exists, the selecting unit selects a second distance-measuring area having outputs whose inclination orientation is opposite to that of the outputs from the photo receiving unit, in the initially-selected first distance-measuring area.

Abstract: An autofocus system for a camera includes a contrast focus detector which detects a position of a focusing lens group, at which the contrast of an object image reaches a maximum as a contrast in-focus position; a phase-difference focus detector which separates the object image light bundle into two light bundles which form two object images on a light-receiving element to detect a phase difference between the two object images formed thereon, the phase-difference focus detector defining a position of the focusing lens group at which an in-focus state is obtained for the object as a phase-difference in-focus position; and a controller for moving the focusing lens group via the lens driver to the phase-difference in-focus position or the contrast in-focus position. The controller adjusts a moving range of the focusing lens group in accordance with a degree of reliability of the phase-difference in-focus position.

Abstract: A rangefinder apparatus includes an autofocus (AF) data generator; an AF data acquiring unit; an interpolated correlation extreme value computer for detecting at least one correlation extreme value from computed correlation values, and interpolating to compute the interpolated correlation extreme value(s); a highest correlation value detector for detecting a highest correlation value exhibiting the highest correlation according to the interpolated correlation extreme value(s); a shift amount computer for computing the shift amount of a window area yielding the highest correlation value; a rangefinding error detector for determining the validity of the computed shift amount depending on whether the shift amount computed is outside a predetermined range; and an object distance calculator for calculating the distance to an object according to the shift amount.

Abstract: A digital camera (1) has an outside light AF and a contrast type AF which is capable of selecting either outside light AF or contrast type AF based on a command for an operation by a photographer, and has a photographing mode which carries out a focusing by the contrast type AF even when the outside light AF is selected by the command for the operation by the photographer.

Abstract: A rangefinder apparatus includes an autofocus data generator for forming an image of light from an object at a distance to be determined by rangefinding onto a pair of line sensors. Each line sensor includes light detecting elements, and generates AF data for computing a correlation value according to signals produced by the light detecting elements; an AF data acquirer for acquiring the AF data from a pair of sensor areas used for rangefinding, within the pair of line sensors. A correlation value computer determines a pair of window areas for selecting the AF data to be used for computing the correlation value within the pair of sensor areas, and successively computes correlation values while shifting the pair of window areas; an interpolater for detecting correlation extreme values among the correlation values computed by the correlation value computer, and interpolating the correlation extreme values detected to compute interpolated correlation extreme values.