Patent ID: 8890994
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: G02B,G03B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image capturing apparatus comprising: an image sensor including image forming pixels each of which photoelectrically converts an object image formed via an imaging lens to generate a signal for image generation, and focus detection pixels which are discretely arranged among the plurality of image forming pixels, each focus detection pixel dividing a pupil region of the imaging lens and photoelectrically converting the object image from the divided pupil region to generate a signal for phase difference detection; readout means for reading out the signal of each pixel of said image sensor; focus detection means for detecting a focus by a phase-difference detection method using the signals for phase difference detection from the focus detection pixels; and switching means for switching a combination of the focus detection pixels to be used for focus detection by said focus detection means between a case in which said readout means reads out the signals of the pixels of said image sensor while thinning-out and a case in which said readout means reads out the signals of the pixels of said image sensor without thinning-out, wherein when reading out the signals of the pixels of said image sensor while thinning-out, said switching means switches the combination of the focus detection pixels so as to use, out of the pixels remaining that are not thinned-out, a combination of closest focus detection pixels for focus detection by said focus detection means.