Patent ID: 7889984

Claim:
A focal point detection device of a camera comprising: an imaging optical system which is driven for focusing; a focal point detection section which detects a focal point state of an object image corresponding to each of a plurality of focal point detection regions arranged in an imaging screen; a group selection section which selects two or more focal point detection regions from the plurality of focal point detection regions as a group; a judgment section which determines a focal point detection region in which detection of the focal point state of the object image by the focal point detection section is enabled in the selected group; an automatic focal point detection region selection section which selects, when focal point detection regions in which detection of the focal point state of the object image is enabled are present in the selected group as a result of the determination, a focal point detection region in the selected group, wherein selecting the focal point detection region in the selected group includes selecting a central focal point detection region when the central focal point detection region is included in the focal point detection regions, and when no focal point detection region in which detection of the focal point state of the object image is enabled is present in the selected group, a focal point detection region outside the selected group; and a control section which causes the imaging optical system to drive in accordance with the focal point state corresponding to the focal point detection region selected by the automatic focal point detection region selection section.