Patent ID: 9571758
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: H04N

Claim:
1. An imaging apparatus comprising: a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the plurality of pixels including a plurality of photoelectric conversion units configured to generate a signal charge and to output a pixel signal based on the signal charge; a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses; and an AD conversion unit configured to convert the pixel signal output from the each pixel into a digital signal by comparing the pixel signal and a ramp signal; wherein each of the plurality of microlenses is provided for corresponding one of the plurality of pixels, wherein each of the plurality of microlenses is provided correspondingly to a plurality of photoelectric conversion units arranged adjacent to each other in the corresponding one of the plurality of pixels, wherein a first pixel signal based on the signal charges from m (m being an integer) photoelectric conversion units of the photoelectric conversion units included in one pixel of the plurality of pixels is converted into a digital signal in a first conversion period, and wherein a second pixel signal based on the signal charges from n (n being an integer smaller than m, and equal to or larger than 1) photoelectric conversion units of the photoelectric conversion units included in the one pixel is converted into a digital signal in a second conversion period shorter than the first conversion period, a viable signal range of the second pixel signal being smaller than a viable signal range of the first pixel signal.