Patent ID: 7456897
Filing Date: 2008-11-25
Classification: G03B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image-taking apparatus comprising: an image-pickup element which converts an object image into an image signal; an exposure control unit which controls an exposure time of the image-pickup element; a distance detection unit which is adapted to detect a distance between the object and the image-taking apparatus in a plurality of distance detection areas; a determination unit which determines a main object based on distance information detected by the distance detection unit; and an area detection unit which is adapted to detect a first distance detection area in which a difference from the distance information in a second distance detection area falls within a first predetermined range, and detect a third distance detection area in which a difference from the distance information in the second area falls within a second predetermined range larger than the first predetermined range, the first distance detection area being an area in which the main object exists, the second and third detection areas being areas in which the object other than the main object exists, wherein the exposure control unit sets a first time as a maximum exposure time when a fraction of the first and second distance detection areas with respect to a whole distance detection area is larger than a first predetermined value, and wherein the exposure control unit sets a second time longer than the first time as the maximum exposure time when the fraction of the first and second distance detection areas is smaller than the first predetermined value and a fraction of the first, second and third distance detection areas with respect to the whole distance detection areas is smaller than a second predetermined value which is equal to or larger than the first predetermined value.