Patent ID: 6721499
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A camera comprising:an imaging element that picks up an image of an object through a taking-lens, an evaluation value calculator that calculates focus evaluation value based upon an imaging signal output by the imaging element, a selector that selects one focusing mode from a plurality of focusing modes, a focusing device that performs a focusing operation of the taking-lens based upon the focus evaluation value and the selected focusing mode and a rebooting device that reboots the focusing operation after the focusing operation performed by the focusing device finishes, an evaluation value memory device that obtains and stores a plurality of focus evaluation values calculated by the evaluation value calculator in time sequence after the focusing operation performed by the focusing device finishes and a fluctuation evaluator that evaluates fluctuation in focus evaluation value based upon a plurality of focus evaluation values stored into the evaluation value memory device, wherein, when the rebooting device reboots the focusing operation, the selector selects one focusing mode from a plurality of focusing modes based upon an evaluation result of fluctuation in focus evaluation value by the fluctuation evaluator.