Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a storage unit configured to store track data indicating a positional relationship between a zoom lens and a focus lens when an imaging optical system focuses at a predetermined subject distance, an adjustment value acquisition unit configured to acquire adjustment values for adjusting the track data, and a focus control unit configured to control a drive of the focus lens based on the track data and the adjustment values acquired by an adjustment value acquisition unit at a time of a zoom operation. The adjustment value acquisition unit selects adjustment value acquisition processing to be performed from a plurality of pieces of adjustment value acquisition processing, based on the track data, a position of the zoom lens, and a position of the focus lens, and acquires the adjustment values based on the selected adjustment value acquisition processing.

Abstract: An imaging device acquires a focal length of an imaging lens; and in performing of zoom tracking control to change a state of the focus lens of the imaging lens according to the acquired focal length, in a case where a change of the acquired focal length is detected, varies a criterion in the zoom tracking control depending on whether autofocus is being executed or not.

Abstract: An optical imaging system includes a plurality of lenses disposed along an optical axis, and a reflection member disposed to be closer to an object than all of the plurality of lenses and having a reflection surface configured to change a path of light. The plurality of lenses are spaced apart from each other by preset distances along the optical axis, and the condition 0.8<TTL/ft<1.1 is satisfied, where TTL is a distance from an object-side surface of a lens closest to the object among the plurality of lenses to an imaging plane of an image sensor, and ft is an overall focal length of an optical system including the plurality of lenses.

Abstract: A lens apparatus detachably attachable to an image capturing apparatus including a focus detection unit having a focus detection optical system and performing focus detection process, and a controller controlling driving of a focusing lens unit based on a result of the focus detection process, via an extender including an extender optical system, includes an image capturing optical system including the focusing lens unit, and a determination unit determining a first correction value used for correcting the result of the focus detection process. When the lens apparatus is attached to the image capturing apparatus via the extender, the determination unit determines the first correction value using first information regarding a diameter of a pupil of the focus detection optical system and second information regarding a diameter of a pupil of an optical system including the image capturing optical system and the extender optical system.

Abstract: A microscope includes: a light source, an objective, a varifocal optical system that is arranged on an illumination light path between the objective and the light source, a reflection optical system that deflects an illumination light axis of the illumination light toward an optical axis of the objective, and a rotator that rotates the objective and the reflection optical system around a rotation axis that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the objective.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a second mount configured to bayonet-couple with a first mount. The second mount has multiple contact points disposed in a circumferential direction that are to be electrically connected to multiple contact faces on the first mount when coupled. The number of the contact points is an even number of four or larger. When viewing the imaging apparatus in a normal position from the second mount side, a line extending from a center axis of the second mount in the gravitational direction and an opposite direction is a first mount center line, and a line orthogonal thereto is a second mount center line. The contact pins include a first contact pin that overlaps the first mount center line, and second and third contact pins at both ends in the circumferential direction of the second mount, with generally the same distance to the second mount center line.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus on which a lens unit is to be removably mounted includes an image pickup element, a first focus detection unit which performs a focus detection by a contrast detection method based on a signal output from the image pickup element, a second focus detection unit which performs a focus detection by a phase difference detection method based on a pair of image signals output from the image pickup element, and a control unit which performs a focus control based on an in-focus position detected by the first or second focus detection unit, and the control unit receives, from the mounted lens unit, first information related to a displacement of the in-focus position by the phase difference detection method and determines whether to use the second focus detection unit for the focus control according to the first information.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including an exchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body transmits a synchronizing signal having the same cycle as the cycle of the capturing operation in the imaging unit, to the interchangeable lens. The controller of the exchangeable lens performs a zoom tracking control by determining the focus position of the focus lens from the position of the zoom lens detected by the position detector by referring to the relation information, and controlling the focus lens driver to move the focus lens to the determined focus position, The controller performs the zoom tracking control in a cycle (for example, one-eighth) shorter than a cycle indicated by the synchronizing signal received from the camera body.

Abstract: The present application provides a method and device for acquiring an image, the method including determining at least a first focus and a second focus in an image acquisition area; acquiring first image information in the image acquisition area corresponding to the first focus; acquiring second image information in the image acquisition area corresponding to the second focus; and processing the first image information and the second image information to obtain third image information, so as to solve the technical problem in the prior art when a photo is taken by means of determining a single focus or multiple focuses, focuses in different planes cannot be determined, such that a mobile phone can merely process images in a single way and fails to record images corresponding to multiple focuses simultaneously, resulting in the processing capability of an electronic apparatus not being effectively improved.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described that modulate a specimen-background dark-field micrograph contrast.

Abstract: A distance detection apparatus includes a calculation unit configured to detect an object distance to an object based on a first signal formed by a luminous flux that has passed through a first pupil area of an imaging optical system and a second signal formed by a luminous flux that has passed through a second pupil area of the imaging optical system different from the first pupil area, which are generated by using an image sensing unit including multiple pixels. The calculation unit performs a first process for calculating one of a defocus amount and the object distance by a phase difference method based on the first signal and the second signal and a second process for calculating one of the defocus amount and the object distance by a depth-from-defocus (DFD) method based on the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image are provided. The method includes obtaining an image, generating 3-dimensional (3D) disparity information that represents a degree of stereoscopic effects of the image, and outputting the 3D disparity information.

Abstract: A lens driving system is configured for driving a lens to a focus position, and includes a control unit and a driving unit electrically connected to the control unit and coupled with the lens. The control unit acquires the focus position, calculates a main current value according to the focus position, and calculates a number of secondary current values according to the main current value. The secondary current values gradually increase to the main current value. The driving unit drives the lens to the focus position according to the secondary current values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a focusing device comprising: a lens, a lens plate, an image sensor, an image sensor plate, at least two rotatable structures, and at least two strips, wherein the lens is connected to the lens plate, the image sensor is connected to the image sensor plate, wherein each strip is arranged to be wound onto one of the rotatable structures, respectively, the rotatable structures and the strips are arranged between the lens plate and the image sensor plate, the rotatable structures and/or the strips are arranged in contact with the lens plate and the image sensor plate, and wherein a distance between the lens and the image sensor is adjusted by winding the strips onto or off the rotatable structures.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprising: a lens apparatus having: an image pickup optical system including a focus lens unit and a zoom lens unit; a zoom state detector; and a controller; a camera apparatus having: a light receiving unit; and an image display unit; an AF frame operation unit; and a distance measuring unit installed with a parallax with respect to an optical axis of the image pickup optical system, in which the controller is configured to: select, from among measured distances obtained by the distance measuring unit, a measured distance obtained in an angle of field of the AF frame, based on a position of the zoom lens unit detected by the zoom state detector and a position of the AF frame set in the display; and perform the focusing by driving the focus lens unit based on the selected measured distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of adjusting an auto focus are provided. The apparatus includes: an imaging pickup device for generating an image signal by capturing light passing through an imaging lens; a shutter for controlling light exposure of the image pickup device; a focus detector that calculates a contrast value from the image signal and detecting a focus from the contrast value; and a release controller for controlling a release operation constituting a photographing operation of a still image, wherein the release controller includes, as driving modes, a first mode that directs a focus lens included in the imaging lens to be driven while driving the shutter, and a second mode that directs the focus lens not to be driven while driving the shutter. Accordingly, a photographing time is reduced.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus includes a position detecting unit for a focus unit, a driving unit for the focus unit, a focus detecting unit using a phase difference method, a contrast acquiring unit for picking up an image of object, and a focusing determining unit based on a contrast, a cyclic pattern determining unit for an object based on focus information obtained by the focusing detecting unit, a target position setting unit for driving of the focus unit, and a focusing direction determining unit, and, when the object has a cyclic pattern, the apparatus determines a direction of an in-focus point, sets a target position in the determined direction of the in-focus point, drives the focus unit toward the target position, and determines whether or not in-focus state is achieved by using the focusing determining unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprising: a lens apparatus having: an image pickup optical system including a focus lens unit and a zoom lens unit; a zoom state detector; and a controller; a camera apparatus having: a light receiving unit; and an image display unit; an AF frame operation unit; and a distance measuring unit installed with a parallax with respect to an optical axis of the image pickup optical system, in which the controller is configured to: select, from among measured distances obtained by the distance measuring unit, a measured distance obtained in an angle of field of the AF frame, based on a position of the zoom lens unit detected by the zoom state detector and a position of the AF frame set in the display; and perform the focusing by driving the focus lens unit based on the selected measured distance.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens detachable from a camera includes a variator lens configured to change a focal length by moving in an optical axis direction, a focus lens configured to change a focusing state of an object image by moving in the optical axis direction, a diaphragm configured to adjust an amount of light, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of change in image magnification corresponding to information about a position of the variator lens, a position of the focus lens, and an aperture value of the diaphragm, and a lens control unit configured to transmit the amount of change in image magnification to the camera.

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: The focus detection accuracy of a focus detection device that employs an external AF sensor unit having a pair of line sensors that are each comprised of multiple unit line sensors is improved. The individual line sensors are arranged so that the center of the field of view of an imaging optical system at a predetermined subject distance, at which field-of-view adjustment for causing the field of view of the imaging optical system and the field of view of a focus-detection optical system to match has been carried out, corresponds to the center of one of the multiple unit line sensors included in the individual line sensors.

Abstract: A lens with a single detection member shared to perform focusing and zooming operations includes a base, a detection member, a focusing unit and a zooming unit. The focusing unit includes a focusing group frame and a focusing detection board. The zooming unit includes a zooming group frame and a zooming detection board. In a reset method, a signal read from the detection member is a light-passing signal or a light-shielding signal, the focusing group frame and the zooming group frame are in any position. With the focusing group frame of the focusing unit and the zooming group frame of the zooming unit, the any position of the focusing group frame and the zooming group frame can be determined, and then the focusing group frame and the zooming group frame are driven to reset as a predetermined standby position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of adjusting an auto focus are provided. The apparatus includes: an imaging pickup device for generating an image signal by capturing light passing through an imaging lens; a shutter for controlling light exposure of the image pickup device; a focus detector that calculates a contrast value from the image signal and detecting a focus from the contrast value; and a release controller for controlling a release operation constituting a photographing operation of a still image, wherein the release controller includes, as driving modes, a first mode that directs a focus lens included in the imaging lens to be driven while driving the shutter, and a second mode that directs the focus lens not to be driven while driving the shutter. Accordingly, a photographing time is reduced.

Abstract: An auto-focus system employing a tunable liquid crystal lens is provided that collects images at different optical power values as the liquid crystal molecules are excited between a ground state and a maximum optical power state tracking image focus scores. An image is acquired at a desired optical power value less than maximum optical power established with the liquid crystal molecules closer a fully excited state than the maximum optical power state having the same image focus score. This drive signal employed during image acquisition uses more power than was used to achieve the same optical power value during the auto-focus scan, while actively driving the liquid crystal molecules is fast. A pause due to image transfer/processing delays after acquisition is employed to allow slow relaxation of the liquid crystal molecules back to the ground state in preparation for a subsequent focus search.

Abstract: For preventing frequent use of auto-focus control and also for acquiring stable in-focus positions for target-objects, this invention comprises system control section 60 having a second mode to drive magnification adjustment lens 11 or focus adjustment lens 12 upon a user command, and a third mode to transition to a first mode under pre-determined conditions in the second mode, and to set in-focus states of a lens group, wherein system control section 60 stores a reference target-object distance in reference target-object distance storage section 43 when focus adjustment lens 12 is driven by user commands in the second mode, drives focus adjustment lens 12 not based on a current target-object distance but the lens in-focus trajectory data to retain the reference target-object distance when the magnification adjustment lens 11 is driven by user commands, and re-transitions to the second mode without updating the reference target-object distance, after the third mode.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a control unit configured to control movement of a first lens to perform zooming operation and a second lens to perform focus adjustment based on information of a position of the first lens and a position of the second lens stored for each object distance, and when the first lens is on a telephoto side of a predetermined position, the control unit limits movement of the second lens to a position corresponding to a second object distance closer than the first object distance, and if a predetermined condition is satisfied after the second lens has reached a predetermined region including the position corresponding to the first object distance, the control unit permits the movement of the second lens to the position corresponding to the second object distance.

Abstract: The method includes a first adjusting step of adjusting a first tracking curve which has been set so as to keep an in-focus state between a position of a magnification-varying lens and a position of an image sensor, and a second adjusting step of adjusting a second tracking curve which has been set so as to keep the in-focus state between the position of the magnification-varying lens and a position of the focus lens for an object distance. The magnification-varying lens is moved in an optical axis direction during a variation of magnification. The image sensor generates an image signal by photoelectrically converting an optical image formed by an image-pickup optical system. The image-pickup optical system including the magnification-varying lens and a focus lens moved in the optical axis direction during focusing.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens detachable from a camera includes a variator lens configured to change a focal length by moving in an optical axis direction, a focus lens configured to change a focusing state of an object image by moving in the optical axis direction, a diaphragm configured to adjust an amount of light, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an amount of change in image magnification corresponding to information about a position of the variator lens, a position of the focus lens, and an aperture value of the diaphragm, and a lens control unit configured to transmit the amount of change in image magnification to the camera.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus senses a subject by an image sensor to acquire image data, detects a face from the image data, estimates a distance from the image sensor to the detected face in a real space, obtains first and second depths of field based on a focal length, an f-number, and the estimated distance/a distance in the real space to an in-focus point when acquiring the image data used to detect the face, calculates a first and second scan ranges based on the first/second depths of field and the estimated distance/the distance to the in-focus point, detects the in-focus point based on a contrast signal acquired while driving the focus lens in the first or second scan range selected by a selection unit, which selects the first scan range if at least part of the first and second scan ranges overlaps, otherwise does not select the first scan range.

Abstract: A voice coil motor includes a stationary magnetic field generator having a supporting frame, a moveable magnetic field generator, a case and a double sided adhesive layer. The supporting frame defines a first receiving space receiving the moveable magnetic field generator. The moveable magnetic field generator defines a second receiving space. The case encloses the stationary magnetic field generator, the moveable magnetic field generator and the double sided adhesive layer and includes a bottom plate and side plates. The bottom plate includes a first surface and a second surface facing away the first surface. The side plates extend from the second surface. The bottom plate defines a through hole. A diameter of the through hole is smaller than that of the second receiving space. The double sided adhesive layer is entirely covering the second face.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image pickup apparatus including, a lens driving control section configured to execute driving control of a lens, and a main control section configured to produce lens driving control information as setting information of a lens driving mode of the lens driving control section, the main control section produces lens driving control information which includes a final setting position for the lens and a returning amount as a distance over which the lens is returned after the lens passes the setting position, the lens driving control section being operable to execute a process of moving the lens to pass the setting position once in response to the setting position and the returning amount and then execute a returning process by the returning amount to position the lens to the setting position.

Abstract: An apparatus that detects an in-focus state has a plurality of line sensors and an image signal output processor. The plurality of line sensors is arranged on a projection area. The image signal output processor outputs image signals of an object on the basis of electric charges accumulated in the plurality of line sensors. Each line sensor is equipped with a plurality of pairs of photoelectric converters, which are arrayed along the longitudinal direction of the line sensor, and a plurality of image-pixel signal-reading circuits. Each image-pixel signal-reading circuit reads electric charges from a corresponding pair of photoelectric converters. Also, each image-pixel signal-reading circuit has a first circuit that reads electric charges accumulated in one photoelectric converter and a second circuit that reads electric charges accumulated in the other photoelectric converter.

Abstract: In an autofocusing zoom lens, a depth of focus ? is obtained based on an aperture value Fno of a variable diaphragm and a diameter of a permissible circle of confusion ?. A focal position variation amount ?sk for a predetermined positional displacement amount ?Fp0 of a focusing lens unit is obtained according to a position Fp of the focusing lens unit and a variable magnification state Zp. If a predetermined variation amount ?Fp of the focusing lens unit satisfies a first condition, the focusing lens unit is not driven. If the first condition is not satisfied and a second condition is satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a second autofocusing unit, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a first autofocusing unit.

Abstract: In an autofocusing zoom lens, a depth of focus ? is obtained based on an aperture value Fno of a variable diaphragm and a diameter of a permissible circle of confusion ?. A focal position variation amount ?sk for a predetermined positional displacement amount ?Fp0 of a focusing lens unit is obtained according to a position Fp of the focusing lens unit and a variable magnification state Zp. If a predetermined variation amount ?Fp of the focusing lens unit satisfies a first condition, the focusing lens unit is not driven. If the first condition is not satisfied and a second condition is satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a second autofocusing unit, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a first autofocusing unit.

Abstract: In an autofocusing zoom lens, a depth of focus ? is obtained based on an aperture value Fno of a variable diaphragm and a diameter of a permissible circle of confusion ?. A focal position variation amount ?sk for a predetermined positional displacement amount ?Fp0 of a focusing lens unit is obtained according to a position Fp of the focusing lens unit and a variable magnification state Zp. If a predetermined variation amount ?Fp of the focusing lens unit satisfies a first condition, the focusing lens unit is not driven. If the first condition is not satisfied and a second condition is satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a second autofocusing unit, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a first autofocusing unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device that includes a plurality of focus detection pixels, a phase difference detection type of a first focus detector, a contrast detection type of a second focus detector, and a controller. The controller is configured to allow the second focus detector to continue the focus detection when the shift amount detected by the first focus detector is larger than a threshold even when the second focus detector detects the lens position corresponding to the peak of the contrast value, and to move the image pickup lens to a lens position that provides a peak of a contrast value detected by the second focus detector when the shift amount is the threshold or smaller.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element including image pickup pixels and focus detection pixels, and first and second focus information calculating parts respectively calculating first focus information based on outputs from the focus detection pixels and second focus information based on an output from a light-receiving element which is provided separately from the image pickup element. The focus information indicates a focus state of an image pickup optical system. The apparatus further includes a correction value calculating part calculating a correction value based on the first focus information and the second focus information, and a controlling part performing focus control of the image pickup optical system based on the second focus information corrected using the correction value.

Abstract: Provided are a face detection apparatus and a distance measurement method using the same. The face detection apparatus detects a face using left and right images which are acquired from a stereo camera. The face detection apparatus measures distance from the stereo camera to the face using an image frame which is provided from the stereo camera without a stereo matching process. Accordingly, the face detection apparatus simultaneously performs face detection and distance measurement even in a low-performance system.

Abstract: A photographic device using a focus method includes a zoom lens, an image analyzing module, a focus distance providing module and a processing module. The zoom lens is used for capturing image information of a plurality of positions. The image analyzing module is used for analyzing contrast values of the image information of the plurality of positions. The focus distance providing module is used for providing a non-equivalent and a constant focus distance interval for capturing the image information of the plurality of positions. The processing module is electrically connected with the zoom lens, the image analyzing module, and the focus distance providing module. Whereby, the photographic device acquires the image information of the plurality of positions by the non-equivalent focus distance interval, acquires a coarse focus position, and acquires an accurate focus position by the constant focus distance according to the coarse focus position.

Abstract: In order to obtain stable lens positions to have an object imaged in focus when the temperature of lenses changes, an imaging device of the present invention comprises a system control section 60 having a imaging mode and a correction mode, the imaging mode in which a group of lenses 10 are controlled and moved to focusing positions for a predetermined distance at first and are further moved to correct the focusing positions for the predetermined distance to the object during imaging according to the temperature compensation data, the correction mode in which the group of lenses 10 are controlled and moved to have the temperature compensation data corrected when the temperature change is larger than or equal to a predetermined temperature difference, a correction coefficient calculation section 50 for calculating the correction coefficient to correct the temperature compensation data based on first focusing positions of the group of lenses to which the group of lenses are moved according to the temperature co

Abstract: A stereographic camera system and a method of operating a stereographic camera system. The stereoscopic camera system may include a left camera and a right camera having respective left and right lenses, a zoom mechanism to set a focal length of the left and right lenses, a focus mechanism to set a focus distance of the left and right lenses, and an IOD mechanism to set an interocular distance between the left and right cameras. A foreground distance sensor may sense, in near-real time, a distance to a closest foreground object. A controller may cause the IOD mechanism to set the interocular distance based on, in part, the focal length, the focus distance, and the distance to the closest foreground object.

Abstract: A system constructs an image using virtual lenslets.

Abstract: An image pickup device in which reflectance in a central portion of the splitting optical system is configured large and that in a peripheral portion is configured small, to thereby selectively reflect only a light beam for focus detection in focus detection means and transmit the other portions of the light beam to the image pickup means so that a decrease in an amount of light for the image pickup means can be reduced while securing an amount of light for focus detection.

Abstract: The optical apparatus includes a focus signal generator generating a focus signal from a photoelectrical conversion signal of an optical image formed by an optical system including a first lens unit for zooming and a second lens unit for focusing, a memory storing data indicating a relationship between positions of the first and second lens units, the data being generated for each predetermined in-focus distance. The controller moves the second lens unit in infinite and close directions. The controller changes a movement amount of a center position of the movement of the second lens unit in the infinite and close directions according to at least one selected from information on an operation of the optical system, information on a state of the optical system, and information on a photoelectric conversion operation of the optical image.

Abstract: A system having a sensor and variable focus lens for iris image standoff acquisition. The sensor may capture a sequence of images at a high frame rate of a person for getting an eye or an iris in a window within the images. Even if the eye moves around in the image, the window may stay on the eye. During this capture, the focus of the lens may be changed, with a best focus situated somewhere in between the end focus positions of the lens. The sensor may be an infrared (IR) sensor and an IR illuminator or flash may provide light for the capture of images. An intensity variance indicator may be incorporated to select an in-focus image of the sequence. Processing of the images may be subsequent to the capture of images, thus not hindering the frame rate of the system.

Abstract: A linear motion control device for use in a linear control system is presented. The linear motion control device includes a coil driver to drive a coil that, when driven, effects a linear movement by a motion device having a magnet. The linear motion control device also includes a magnetic field sensor to detect a magnetic field associated with the linear movement and an interface to connect an output of the magnetic field sensor and an input of the coil driver to an external controller. The interface includes a feedback loop to relate the magnetic field sensor output signal to the coil driver input.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprising: a lens apparatus having: an image pickup optical system including a focus lens unit and a zoom lens unit; a zoom state detector; and a controller; a camera apparatus having: a light receiving unit; and an image display unit; an AF frame operation unit; and a distance measuring unit installed with a parallax with respect to an optical axis of the image pickup optical system, in which the controller is configured to: select, from among measured distances obtained by the distance measuring unit, a measured distance obtained in an angle of field of the AF frame, based on a position of the zoom lens unit detected by the zoom state detector and a position of the AF frame set in the display; and perform the focusing by driving the focus lens unit based on the selected measured distance.

Abstract: In an autofocusing zoom lens, a depth of focus ? is obtained based on an aperture value Fno of a variable diaphragm and a diameter of a permissible circle of confusion ?. A focal position variation amount ?sk for a predetermined positional displacement amount ?Fp0 of a focusing lens unit is obtained according to a position Fp of the focusing lens unit and a variable magnification state Zp. If a predetermined variation amount ?Fp of the focusing lens unit satisfies a first condition, the focusing lens unit is not driven. If the first condition is not satisfied and a second condition is satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a second autofocusing unit, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a first autofocusing unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a focusing unit configured to focus an object to be shot by an imaging unit, a first shooting control unit configured to control the imaging unit in order to continuously shooting at first time intervals upon detecting a shooting instruction, a determining unit configured to determine whether the object moves in a distance direction during a control operation of the first shooting control unit, and a second shooting control unit configured to control the imaging unit in order to continuously shoot at second time intervals and to control the focusing unit in order to focus the object when the determining unit determines that the object moves in the distance direction.

Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus for carrying out TV-AF type autofocus control, a difference is provided between an AF frame set for a particular object detected in an image, for example, for a person's face, and a normal AF frame in the band of frequency components for use in the generation of an AF evaluation value. Specifically, an AF evaluation value is generated for the AF frame set in the face region based on components in a frequency band with the highest frequency lower than for the normal AF frame.