Patent ID: 7301579

Claim:
An imaging apparatus comprising: a photographic optical system for projecting an image of a subject; an imaging device for outputting the projected image of the subject by converting the projected image of the subject into an image signal; a first auto focusing device for carrying out a first auto focusing operation which moves relatively at least one of a part or entire of said photographic optical system and said imaging device to a focusing position corresponding to a distance value obtained by measuring a distance to said subject; a second auto focusing device for carrying out a second auto focusing operation which moves relatively said at least one of the part or entire of said photographic optical system and said imaging device while evaluating an image signal which is in a sequence obtained through the photographic optical system, and stops said at least one of the part or entire of said photographic optical system and said imaging device to a focusing position based on the evaluation; a control device for controlling said first auto focusing operation and said second auto focusing operation; a shutter release button; a starting signal inputting device for inputting a command for starting a focusing operation; a performing signal inputting device for inputting a command for performing a photographing operation; and a timer, wherein said starting signal inputting device inputs said command for starting at a half-pressed position of said shutter release button; said performing signal inputting device inputs said command for performing at a full-pressed position of said shutter release button; and said control device starts said first auto focusing operation when said command for starting is inputted into said starting signal inputting device and controls said first auto focusing operation and said second auto focusing operation corresponding to an elapsed time from the inputting of the command for starting clocked by said timer, a condition of inputting said command for starting into said starting signal inputting device and a condition of inputting said command for performing into said performing signal inputting device at a time after the command for starting is inputted.