Patent ID: 8184171
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image pickup apparatus comprising: an automatic in-focus position determination device which determines an in-focus position of a main subject on the basis of image data; a focus bracket photography device which obtains a plurality of images by successively photographing images while discretely moving a focal position by a predetermined moving amount; a focal position control device which controls the focal position, so as to include the in-focus position of the main subject determined by the automatic in-focus position determination device and focal positions forward and backward from the in-focus position; a corresponding point detection device configured to detect a corresponding point in the plurality of images obtained by the focus bracket photography device; an image deformation device configured to perform image deformation on each of the plurality of images other than a reference image selected from the plurality of images according to a predetermined criteria, so that positions of the corresponding points in each of the plurality of images other than the reference image are in agreement with the positions of corresponding points in the reference image; an image synthesis device which synthesizes the plurality of images which are deformed by the image deformation device and the reference image; and a recording device which records an image obtained by the image synthesis device on a recording medium, wherein the image synthesis device selects a pixel photographed at the in-focus position of the main subject, among pixels at corresponding coordinates among the plurality of images which are deformed by the image deformation device and the reference image, if sharpness of the pixel is maximum, selects a pixel photographed at a focal position which is opposite to a focal position having the maximum value of sharpness across the in-focus position of the main subject, if the sharpness of the pixel photographed at the focal position other than the in-focus position of the main subject is maximum, and performs image synthesis.