JP5056168B2 - Focus adjustment device and imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a focus adjustment device and an imaging device.

  Conventionally, by recognizing the position of the human face from the image captured by the image sensor, the position of the main subject to be photographed is recognized in the photographing screen, and the photographing optical system is located at the main subject position. A camera that performs focus adjustment is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior art documents related to the invention of this application include the following.
JP 2001-330882 A

However, the above-described conventional camera has a problem that the optimum focus detection area position cannot be determined when the position of the main subject is erroneously recognized.
An object of the present invention is to provide a focus adjustment device and an imaging device that can appropriately determine a focus detection area for focus adjustment.

The invention according to claim 1, the focus of outputting a defocus amount as each focus detection signal by detecting the focusing state of the imaging optical system more in focus each detection area set in the screen of the imaging optical system A focus detection area corresponding to a minimum one of the defocus amounts within a predetermined value among the defocus amounts for each focus detection area output by the detection unit and the focus detection unit is defined as a first focus. a first area determination means for determining a detection area, based on the captured image of the imaging means for imaging a subject image by the imaging optical system, recognizing object recognizing whether there is any position on the main subject of the screen a means and, and a first area determination mode and the second area determination mode which is alternatively selected, if the first area determination mode is selected, the first area determination means The determined first focus detection area is determined as the second focus detection area for performing focus adjustment of the imaging optical system Te, when the second area determination mode is selected, the first When the focus detection area is located in or near the main subject position recognized by the subject recognition means, the first focus detection area is determined as the second focus detection area and the first focus When the detection area is not located within or near the main subject position recognized by the subject recognition means, the defocus amount of the plurality of focus detection areas located within the main subject position recognized by the subject recognition means among them, the focus detection area corresponding to the minimum one in what the is within a predetermined value, the determining as the second focus detection area 2 An area determination unit, and a focus adjustment unit that performs focus adjustment of the imaging optical system based on a focus detection signal of the focus detection unit in the second focus detection area determined by the second area determination unit; It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine a focus detection area for performing focus adjustment.

  An embodiment in which an imaging apparatus equipped with a focus adjustment apparatus of the present invention is applied to a single-lens reflex digital camera will be described. The present invention is not limited to a single-lens reflex digital camera, but can be applied to any type of camera including a subject recognition device and a phase difference detection type focus adjustment device (hereinafter referred to as phase difference AF).

  The camera of one embodiment performs image matching using a template image of a human face, and picks up an imaged image by an imaging optical system such as recognizing a face from images captured by the imaging device. Based on the image, the subject recognition function recognizes where the main subject to be photographed is in the imaging screen of the imaging optical system, and the phase difference between the pair of subject images that have passed through different pupil regions of the imaging optical system. By detecting, the focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system is detected in a plurality of focus detection areas in the photographing screen, and the focus detection area suitable for the focus adjustment of the photographing optical system is determined based on the focus adjustment state of the plurality of focus detection areas. And a focus adjustment (phase difference AF) function of the phase difference detection method to be determined.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a camera according to an embodiment. The photographing optical system 1 is an optical system for forming a subject image on a photographing screen, and includes an objective lens 1a, a zooming lens 1b, a diaphragm 1c, a focusing lens 1d, and the like. The quick return mirror 2 is placed in the photographing optical path of the photographing optical system 1 as shown in the figure before exposure (mirror down), and reflects a part of the light beam from the subject that has passed through the photographing optical system 1 to finder optics. Guide to systems 3-5. On the other hand, at the time of exposure, the quick return mirror 2 is retracted from the photographing optical path (mirror up), and the light flux from the subject that has passed through the photographing optical system 1 is guided to the image sensor 6. The central portion of the quick return mirror 2 is a half mirror, and a part of the light beam from the subject that has passed through the photographing optical system 1 passes through the half mirror portion and is reflected by the sub mirror 7, to the phase difference AF detection element 8. Led.

  The image sensor 6 converts the subject image formed by the photographing optical system 1 into an electrical signal and outputs an image signal. Although not shown, an infrared cut filter for cutting infrared light and an optical low-pass filter for preventing image aliasing noise are disposed on the front surface of the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 6.

  The phase difference AF detection element 8 divides subject light guided from the photographing optical system 1 through the quick return mirror 2 and the sub mirror 7 into a plurality of pairs of light beams by a mask (not shown), and then forms a re-imaging lens (not shown). The image is re-imaged on a plurality of photoelectric conversion element arrays (CCD; not shown) by the illustrated method, and signals corresponding to the pair of subject images are output from each photoelectric conversion element array. The AF-CCD control unit 9 performs charge accumulation control, gain adjustment, image data readout control, image data correction, and the like of the plurality of photoelectric conversion element arrays of the phase difference AF detection element 8. The defocus calculation unit 10 detects the shift amount of each pair of subject image signals output from the phase difference AF detection element 8, and multiplies the shift amount of each focus detection area by a conversion coefficient to convert it to a defocus amount.

  The lens driving amount calculation unit 11 converts the defocus amount of each focus detection area into a lens driving amount and outputs the lens driving amount to the lens driving control unit 12. The lens drive controller 12 controls the focus of the focusing lens 1d by driving and controlling the lens drive motor 13.

  The finder optical system includes a finder screen 3, a penta roof prism 4, an eyepiece lens 5, and the like. The subject light guided from the quick return mirror 2 to the finder screen 3 before exposure is imaged on the finder screen 3, and this subject image is observed by the photographer via the penta roof prism 4 and the eyepiece 5. The subject image formed on the finder screen 3 is guided to the photometric sensor 15 via the penta roof prism 4 and the photometric lens 14, and the subject field is divided into a plurality of photometric regions to divide the subject in each photometric region. Measure brightness.

  The photometric sensor 15 also serves as an image sensor for the subject recognition function described above, converts the subject image formed on the finder screen 3 by the photographing optical system 1 into an electrical signal, and outputs an image signal. Note that, instead of using the photometric sensor 15 as an image sensor for a subject recognition function, the image sensor 6 for imaging may also be used as an image sensor for a subject recognition function. Alternatively, a dedicated image sensor used for the subject recognition function may be provided.

  Various operation members 16 are provided on the camera body and the lens barrel of the embodiment. The operation member 16 has a shutter release button, a cross key switch for selecting a focus detection area, an AF mode switch for selecting a focus adjustment mode (hereinafter referred to as AF mode), and various shooting conditions. Including command dial switches. The control device 17 includes a microcomputer, a memory, an A / D converter, and the like, and inputs various information from the operation member 16, and the above-described imaging device 6, AF-CCD control unit 9, defocus calculation unit 10, lens driving amount calculation. The control unit 11 and the lens drive control unit 12 are controlled to perform camera sequence control, phase difference AF control, subject recognition control, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a focus detection area (hereinafter referred to as an AF area) set in the photographing screen 20 of the photographing optical system 1. In this embodiment, an example in which 31 AF areas are set in the shooting screen 20 is shown, and each AF area is identified by being numbered 1 to 31. The number and arrangement of focus detection areas are not limited to those in this embodiment.

  In this embodiment, by operating the AF mode switch of the operation member 16, one of the “single area AF mode”, “AF information priority mode”, and “subject information priority mode” can be selected. it can. A menu screen for selecting the AF mode shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on a monitor (not shown), and the cross key switch of the operation member 16 is operated to set the cursor to one of the AF modes. Also good.

  The single area AF mode is an AF mode in which the defocus amount of the photographing optical system 1 is detected by the phase difference AF function and the focus is adjusted in the AF area selected by the photographer by operating the cross key switch of the operation member 16. is there. The AF information priority mode determines an AF area for focus adjustment by preferentially using focus detection information of a plurality of AF areas by the phase difference AF function while considering position information of the main subject by the subject recognition function. AF mode. Further, the subject information priority mode determines an AF area for focus adjustment by preferentially using the position information of the main subject by the subject recognition function while considering focus detection information of a plurality of AF areas by the phase difference AF function. AF mode.

  4 and 5 show an example of detecting the main subject position by the subject recognition function and an example of determining an AF area suitable for focus adjustment of the photographing optical system 1 by the phase difference AF function. In these drawings, the arrangement of the focus detection areas in the photographing screen 20 is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, the AF area indicated by the thick black frame 21 is the AF area selected by the photographer, and the hatched area 22 is the phase difference. An AF area suitable for focus adjustment of the photographing optical system 1 determined by the AF function, an area indicated by a thin black frame 23 is a detection position of the main subject by the subject recognition function. Here, the main subject position detected by the subject recognition function is detected as an area including one or a plurality of focus detection areas.

  In FIG. 4, the AF area determined by the phase difference AF function is the AF area 10 (see FIG. 2), while the main subject positions detected by the subject recognition function are the AF areas 18, 19, 24, 25 (FIG. 2), the main subject position of the subject recognition function does not match the AF area of the phase difference AF function. In FIG. 5, the AF area determined by the phase difference AF function is the AF area 10 (see FIG. 2), while the main subject positions detected by the subject recognition function are the AF areas 2, 4, 10 (see FIG. 2). ), The main subject position of the subject recognition function matches the AF area of the phase difference AF function. That is, the AF area suitable for focus adjustment of the phase difference AF function is in the main subject area of the subject recognition function.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the focus adjustment process according to the embodiment. The focus adjustment operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to this flowchart. In step 101, the AF mode selected by the photographer with the operation member 16 is input and set. In subsequent step 102, the AF-CCD control unit 9 controls the gain adjustment and accumulation time of the phase difference AF detection element 8 to perform charge accumulation. In step 103, the charge accumulation data in the AF area corresponding to the AF mode set in step 101 is read, and in step 104, the defocus amount is calculated for each AF area based on the charge accumulation data.

  In step 105, it is determined whether or not the single area AF mode is set. If the single area AF mode is set, the process proceeds to step 110, and the lens driving amount from the current lens position to the target lens position is calculated based on the defocus amount of the AF area selected by the photographer. In subsequent step 111, the lens drive control unit 12 is controlled to drive the focusing lens 1d to a target lens position. In step 112, since the single area AF mode is selected, the AF area selected by the photographer is stored as an AF area that becomes a reference for the next focus adjustment. That is, the reference AF area position is not updated.

  On the other hand, if the single area AF mode is not set in step 105, the process proceeds to step 106. When the AF information priority mode or the subject information priority mode is set, it is necessary to determine the AF area for focus adjustment based on the focus detection results of the plurality of AF areas, and the focus detection calculation of the plurality of AF areas. Steps 103 to 104 are repeated until the process ends. In this embodiment, it is repeated until the focus detection calculation for all AF areas is completed in step 106. In step 107, it is determined whether or not the AF information priority mode is set. If the AF information priority mode is set, the process proceeds to step 108 and “area determination process 1” is executed. If the AF information priority mode is not set, that is, if the subject information priority mode is set, step Proceeding to 109, "area determination processing 2" is executed.

Here, a method for determining an AF area suitable for focus adjustment of the photographing optical system 1 by the phase difference AF function of the embodiment will be described. First, it is determined whether or not the defocus amount Dfv for each AF area satisfies the following equation.
Dfth_min ≦ Dfv ≦ Dfth_max (1)
In the equation (1), Dfth_min and Dfth_max are a lower limit value and an upper limit value with respect to the target position of the focus position. Next, among the AF areas where the defocus amount Dfv satisfies the expression (1), the AF area indicating the minimum defocus amount is determined as the optimum AF area for focus adjustment.

  In the area determination process 1 (step 108) when the AF information priority mode is set, priority is given to the focus detection information of a plurality of AF areas by the phase difference AF function while considering the position information of the main subject by the subject recognition function. The AF area to be used for focus adjustment is determined. A specific example of AF area determination processing 1 (step 108) will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the main subject position detected by the subject recognition function (the area surrounded by the thin black frame 23) and the AF area determined by the phase difference AF function (hatched hatched area 22) do not match. The AF area 10 (hatched hatched area 22) determined by the phase difference AF function is preferentially adopted as an AF area for focus adjustment. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the main subject position (area surrounded by the thin black frame 23) detected by the object recognition function matches the AF area (hatched hatched area 22) determined by the phase difference AF function. In this case, the AF area 10 (hatched hatched area 22), which is a detection result common to both functions, is used as an AF area for focus adjustment.

  Next, in the area determination process 2 (step 109) in the case where the subject information priority mode is set, the position of the main subject by the subject recognition function is taken into account while considering the focus detection information of a plurality of AF areas by the phase difference AF function. An AF area for focus adjustment is determined using information preferentially. Hereinafter, a specific example of the AF area determination process 2 (step 109) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the main subject position (area surrounded by the thin black frame 23) detected by the object recognition function and the AF area (hatched hatched area 22) determined by the phase difference AF function do not match. Searches for AF areas 18, 19, 24, and 25 (see FIG. 2 for area numbers) that coincide with the main subject position (area surrounded by the thin black frame 23) detected by the subject recognition function, and deselects those AF areas. It is determined whether the focus amount satisfies the above expression (1). Among the AF areas satisfying the expression (1), the AF area having the smallest defocus amount Dfv is determined as the AF area for performing focus adjustment. If the defocus amounts of the AF areas 18, 19, 24, and 25 at the main subject position do not satisfy the above expression (1), the remaining AF areas satisfy the above expression (1) and are minimum. The AF area indicating the defocus amount is determined as the AF area for focus adjustment.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the main subject position (area surrounded by the thin black frame 23) detected by the object recognition function matches the AF area (hatched hatched area 22) determined by the phase difference AF function. In this case, the AF areas 2, 4, and 10 (refer to FIG. 2 for area numbers) matching the main subject position (area surrounded by the thin black frame 23) detected by the subject recognition function are searched, and the AF areas are searched. It is determined whether the focus amount satisfies the above expression (1). Among the AF areas satisfying the expression (1), the AF area having the smallest defocus amount Dfv is determined as the AF area for performing focus adjustment. If the defocus amounts of the AF areas 2, 4 and 10 at the main subject position do not satisfy the above formula (1), the remaining AF areas satisfy the above formula (1) and have the smallest defocus amount. An AF area indicating the focus amount is determined as an AF area for focus adjustment. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the AF area 10 (hatched hatched area) of the AF areas 2, 4 and 10 at the main subject position is determined as an AF area optimum for focus adjustment by the phase difference AF function. Since the AF area is an AF area that satisfies the expression (1) and has the smallest defocus amount, the AF area 10 is determined as an AF area for focus adjustment.

  Here, in determining whether or not the main subject position detected by the subject recognition function matches the AF area determined by the phase difference AF function, the AF area determined by the phase difference AF function is subject recognition. Even if it is not completely included in the area of the main subject position detected by the function, it is determined that the detection results of both functions match if part of the area is included. In addition, even if the AF area determined by the phase difference AF function is outside the region of the main subject position detected by the subject recognition function, if the distance between the two is near a predetermined distance or less, both functions It may be determined that the detection results match.

  After determining the AF area for focus adjustment in step 108 or 109, the process proceeds to step 110, and based on the defocus amount detected in the AF area for focus adjustment, from the current lens position to the target lens position. Calculate the lens drive amount. In subsequent step 111, the lens drive control unit 12 is controlled to drive the focusing lens 1d to a target lens position. In step 112, the AF area that is determined to be the focus adjustment and is actually focused is set as the AF area that becomes the reference for the next focus adjustment, and the position information is stored in the memory of the control device 17.

  Thus, according to one embodiment, the defocus amount of the photographic optical system 1 is detected in a plurality of focus detection areas set in the screen of the photographic optical system 1, and suitable for focus adjustment of the photographic optical system 1. Based on the AF function for determining the focus detection area and the captured image of the photometric sensor (imaging device) 15 that captures the image formed by the photographing optical system 1, the position on the screen is recognized as the main subject. And a subject recognition function. Based on the focus detection area determined by the phase difference AF function and the main subject position recognized by the subject recognition function, focus adjustment of the photographing optical system 1 is performed from among the plurality of focus detection areas. Since the focus detection area to be performed is determined and the focus adjustment of the photographing optical system 1 is performed based on the defocus amount of the determined focus detection area, the recognition position of the main subject by the subject recognition function Even when the optimum focus detection areas focusing determined by the AF function does not match, it is possible to appropriately determine the focus detection area for focus adjustment.

  According to one embodiment, when determining a focus detection area for performing focus adjustment of the photographing optical system 1, an area for determining a focus detection area by preferentially using the focus detection area determined by the AF function. It has a determination process 1 and an area determination process 2 that preferentially uses the main subject position recognized by the subject recognition function to determine the focus detection area, and the area determination process 1 and the area determination process 2 can be arbitrarily selected. Therefore, the photographer can use them according to the shooting scene and shooting conditions.

<< Modification of Embodiment >>
In the embodiment described above, an example in which the AF area position serving as a reference at the time of the next focus adjustment in the AF information priority mode and the subject information priority mode is updated. In AF information priority mode, when the main subject is removed from the selected AF area, the surrounding AF area may be used for the purpose of complementing the surrounding AF area, but you want to always perform focus adjustment in the selected area. There is. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7, after the lens is driven in step 111, the AF area position serving as a reference for the next focus adjustment is not updated, and the subject information priority mode area determination process in step 109 is performed. In step 112 after step 2, the AF area position serving as a reference for the next focus adjustment described above is updated. As a result, in the AF priority mode, the AF area initially selected by the photographer is used as a reference AF area for focus adjustment. Even if the main subject is temporarily removed from the initial AF area, the reference area for focus adjustment is not changed. It is possible to use the subject information for interpolation purposes while giving priority to the composition without being changed.

<< Other Variations of One Embodiment >>
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the focus detection calculation is performed in all the AF areas in Step 106 in FIG. 6 and then the AF area in which the focus adjustment is performed is determined in Step 108 or 109 has been described. In order to shorten the focus detection calculation time, such as when shooting in the mode, the focus detection calculation may be performed only in the preset AF area without performing the focus detection calculation in all the AF areas. Further, the focus adjustment calculation may be executed in a preset order in a preset AF area. Thereby, the focus detection area for performing focus adjustment can be determined appropriately, efficiently and in a short time.

  In the AF information priority mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, in 21 preset AF areas of 31 AF areas, focus detection calculation is executed in a preset order indicated by numbers in the AF area frame. To do. In this example, first, an AF area indicated by a thick black frame 21 at the center of the shooting screen 20 selected by the photographer and an AF area in the vicinity thereof, or an area stored as an AF area serving as a reference for the next focus adjustment and the vicinity thereof Focus detection calculation is started from the AF area. Next, focus detection calculation is performed in the AF area in the main subject area indicated by the thin black frame 23, and finally focus detection calculation is performed in the AF area around the AF area in the center of the screen.

  In the subject information priority mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, in 21 preset AF areas out of 31 AF areas, focus detection calculation is performed in a preset order indicated by numerals in the AF area frame. Execute. In this example, first, focus detection calculation is started in the AF area in the main subject area indicated by the thin black frame 23, and then focus detection calculation is performed in the AF area near the main subject area. Finally, the AF area in the center of the screen indicated by the thick black frame 21 selected by the photographer and the AF area in the vicinity thereof, or the area stored as the reference AF area for the next focus adjustment and the AF area in the vicinity thereof are focused. Perform detection calculation.

  In this case, the focus detection calculation may be terminated when an AF area satisfying the above expression (1) is found, and the AF area may be determined as an AF area for focus adjustment. In addition, the focus detection calculation is performed in all the first to 21st AF areas shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the AF area that satisfies the formula (1) and has the smallest defocus amount is used for focus adjustment. You may decide to. Alternatively, the 1st to 21st AF areas shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are divided into a plurality of groups, for example, a group in the vicinity of the selected area, a group in the vicinity of the selected area, a group in the main subject area, a group in the vicinity of the main subject area, etc. When the focus detection calculation is performed in all the AF areas belonging to the group for each group in the order according to the AF information priority mode or the subject information priority mode, and the minimum defocus amount satisfying the expression (1) is found Then, the focus detection calculation may be terminated. By doing in this way, the focus detection area for performing focus detection can be determined appropriately, efficiently and in a short time.

<< Other Variations of One Embodiment >>
In the embodiment described above, when the AF information priority mode is set, priority is given to the focus detection information of a plurality of AF areas by the phase difference AF function while considering the position information of the main subject by the subject recognition function. However, if the main subject position recognized by the subject recognition function is low in reliability, the main subject position information by the subject recognition function may not be considered. Good. The reliability of the main subject position of the recognition result by the subject recognition function is determined as follows, for example. For example, when subject recognition is performed by template matching between a reference image (template image) and a captured image, a difference in hue B / G or R / G or a color difference for each pixel between the reference image and the captured image is calculated. When the sum of these difference calculation results exceeds a preset reliability determination threshold, the reliability of the subject recognition result is assumed to be low.

  For example, when the time difference between the detection time of the focus detection information by the phase difference AF function and the detection time of the main subject information by the subject recognition function is longer than a predetermined reliability determination threshold value, the main subject It is assumed that the information is recognized long before or after the detection time of the focus detection information and does not correspond to the focus detection information, so that the reliability is low.

  In the above-described embodiment and its modification, the pupil division type phase difference detection type focus detection apparatus has been described as the AF function. However, a contrast detection type focus detection apparatus may be used. Although the template matching method has been described as the subject recognition function, an inter-frame difference extraction method that detects the movement of the main subject in the shooting screen based on the difference (difference image) between the frame images acquired at different time points may be used. Good.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and its modification, the refocusing-type pupil division phase difference detection type focus detection device has been described as an example. However, a micro-array in which a plurality of microlenses are arranged in a two-dimensional manner is described. A lens array and an image pickup device in which a plurality of image pickup pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional form, wherein a part of the image pickup pixel rows is replaced with a focus detection pixel row of a pupil division type phase difference detection method. A microlens pupil that guides a light beam from a subject that has passed through the photographic optical system to the image sensor via the microlens array, and detects the focus of the photographic optical system based on the output signal of the focus detection pixel array A divided phase difference detection type focus detection apparatus may be used.

The figure which shows the structure of the camera of one Embodiment. The figure which shows the focus detection area (AF area) set in the imaging | photography screen of an imaging optical system The figure which shows the menu screen for selecting AF mode The figure which shows the example of detection of the main subject position by a to-be-recognized function, and the example of determination of AF area suitable for focus adjustment of the imaging optical system by a phase difference AF function The figure which shows the example of detection of the main subject position by a to-be-recognized function, and the example of determination of AF area suitable for focus adjustment of the imaging optical system by a phase difference AF function The flowchart which shows the focus adjustment processing of one embodiment The flowchart which shows the focus adjustment process of a modification The figure which shows the focus detection calculation method in AF information priority mode at the time of continuous imaging | photography The figure which shows the focus detection calculation method in the subject information priority mode at the time of continuous imaging | photography

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shooting optical system 8 Phase difference AF detection element 9 AF-CCD control part 10 Defocus calculating part 11 Lens drive amount calculating part 12 Lens drive control part 15 Photometric sensor (imaging element)
17 Control device

Claims (12)

Focus detection means for outputting a defocus amount as each focus detection signal by detecting the focusing state of the imaging optical system a plurality of focus the image forming optical system for each detection area set in the screen of,
Of the defocus amounts for each focus detection area output by the focus detection means, the focus detection area corresponding to the smallest defocus amount within a predetermined value is determined as the first focus detection area. First area determining means for
Subject recognition means for recognizing at which position in the screen the main subject is based on a captured image of an imaging means for capturing a subject image by the imaging optical system;
Alternatively a first area determination mode is selected and the second area determination mode, when said first area determination mode is selected, the first determined by the first area determination means When one focus detection area is determined as a second focus detection area for performing focus adjustment of the imaging optical system and the second area determination mode is selected, the first focus detection area is the subject. The first focus detection area is determined as the second focus detection area when located in or near the main subject position recognized by the recognition means, and the first focus detection area is the subject recognition. When not located in or near the main subject position recognized by the means, a plurality of focus detection elements located within the main subject position recognized by the subject recognition means. Of defocus amount about A, the focus detection area corresponding to the minimum one in what the is within a predetermined value, and a second area determination means for determining as the second focus detection area,
Focus adjustment means for adjusting the focus of the imaging optical system based on a focus detection signal of the focus detection means in the second focus detection area determined by the second area determination means. Focus adjustment device. The focus adjustment apparatus according to claim 1 ,
It said second area determination means, In no event where the second area determination mode is selected, the first focus detection area is located in the main subject position within or near recognized by the object recognition unit And when there is no defocus amount within the predetermined value among a plurality of focus detection areas located within the main subject position recognized by the subject recognition means, the main subject A focus detection area corresponding to a minimum one of defocus amounts within the predetermined value among a plurality of focus detection areas located outside the position is determined as the second focus detection area. Focus adjustment device. The focus adjustment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A focus adjustment apparatus comprising position storage means for storing the second focus detection area determined by the second area determination means as a reference position for the next focus adjustment. The focus adjustment apparatus according to claim 3 .
The position storage means does not update the reference position when the first area determination mode is selected. In the focus adjustment apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4 ,
The second area determining means determines the second focus detection area from a predetermined focus detection area of the plurality of focus detection areas when the continuous shooting mode is set. A focusing device characterized by that. In the focus adjustment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
When the continuous shooting mode is set, the second area determination unit determines whether or not to set the second focus detection area in a predetermined order with respect to the plurality of focus detection areas. A focus adjusting device characterized in that: The focusing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein
When the first area determination mode is selected, the second area determination means makes a determination from the second focus detection area in which focus adjustment was performed during the previous focus adjustment and a focus detection area in the vicinity thereof. The focus adjustment apparatus is started, and when the second area determination mode is selected, the determination is started from a focus detection area at or near the main subject position. The focus adjustment device according to claim 6 or 7 ,
The focus adjustment apparatus, wherein the second area determination means ends the area determination process when a second focus detection area is found. The focus adjustment apparatus according to claim 1,
The second area determining unit determines whether to determine a focus detection area based on the main subject position recognized by the subject recognizing unit, based on information indicating reliability of the recognition result by the subject recognizing unit. A focus adjustment device characterized by: The focus adjustment device according to claim 9 .
The focus adjustment device, wherein the information indicating the reliability is a value based on a difference in color information between a reference image and a captured image. The focus adjustment device according to claim 9 .
The focus adjustment device, wherein the information indicating the reliability is a value based on a time difference between a detection time point by the focus detection unit and a recognition time point by the subject recognition unit. Imaging apparatus characterized by comprising a focusing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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