Patent ID: 7821567

Claim:
A focus position detection apparatus that calculates a focus position of a focus lens using image signals obtained from an image sensing element, the apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires focus evaluation values indicating focus states of the focus lens on the basis of image signals obtained from the image sensing element while moving the focus lens; a control unit that determines, based on a distribution of focus evaluation values acquired at first intervals, whether or not to acquire focus evaluation values at second intervals which are shorter than the first intervals; and a focus position detection unit that determines a focus position on the basis of the focus evaluation values acquired at the first or second intervals, wherein said control unit determines to acquire the focus evaluation values at the second intervals in a case where a change between a maximum of the focus evaluation values acquired at the first intervals and the focus evaluation value acquired at a position next to a position where the maximum is acquired is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value.