Patent ID: 8692899

Claim:
An imaging apparatus comprising: an input/output unit configured to perform input/output of signals between a solid-state imaging device and a control unit, wherein the solid-state imaging device includes an imaging unit that takes a subject image focused by an imaging optical system, the imaging optical system including a focus adjustment lens positioned in an optical axis direction by a lens moving mechanism, a digital signal processing unit that generates image data based on luminance data of the subject image taken by the imaging unit, a focus evaluation value generating unit that generates a focus evaluation value of the subject image based on the luminance data outputted from the digital signal processing unit and outputs the focus evaluation value to the control unit through the input/output unit, and an imaging drive unit that starts an imaging operation by the imaging unit when an imaging instruction signal is received from the control unit through the input/output unit, and outputs an imaging-end timing signal to the control unit through the input/output unit when the imaging operation is completed; and the control unit controls the solid-state imaging device through the input/output unit in accordance with operation to an operation unit and controls the lens moving mechanism, wherein the control unit outputs the imaging instruction signal to the input/output unit of the solid-state imaging device when detecting an autofocus instruction operation to the operation unit, controls the lens moving mechanism to move the focus adjustment lens when the imaging-end timing signal is inputted from the input/output unit of the solid-state imaging device and determines a focused position of the focus adjustment lens based on the focus evaluation value outputted from the input/output unit of the solid-state imaging device, and wherein the imaging drive unit outputs the imaging-end timing signal directly to the control unit through the input/output unit.