Patent ID: 8106996

Claim:
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a face detector configured to provide a face detection process based on image data obtained from an image pickup optical system that includes a focus lens configured to provide a focus control; a focus lens position extractor configured to extract a focus lens position at which the face detector has actually provided a successful face detection process from among a plurality of focus lens positions set as a candidate position for the focus lens to be arranged when the face detector provides the face detection process, wherein a range in which the face detector provides the successful face detection process for a distance from the image pickup apparatus changes depending on a position where the focus lens is moved among the plurality of focus lens positions; a focus control range setting part configured to set a focus control range in a focus range that contains the focus lens position extracted by the focus lens position extractor; and an autofocus controller configured to provide autofocus control in the focus control range set by the focus control range setting part.