Patent ID: 8077250

Claim:
A method of controlling an electronic camera of a single-lens reflex type, capable of selecting between a first operation mode that enables observing a subject image with an optical finder, and a second operation mode that enables observing the subject image captured by an imaging element and displayed on a monitor, the method comprising: when the first operation mode is selected, setting a quick return mirror in an optical path of an imaging lens; and adjusting the imaging lens to be at a focal position by performing a phase difference type focus adjusting operation, and when a release switch operation is detected, setting the quick return mirror outside the optical path of the imaging lens; and obtaining first image data of a subject using the imaging element, and storing the first image data in a recording medium; and when the second operation mode is selected, setting the quick return mirror outside the optical path of the imaging lens; obtaining second image data of the subject using the imaging element, and displaying the obtained second image data on the monitor; and adjusting the imaging lens to be at a focal position by performing a contrast type focus adjusting operation using the imaging element, and when the release switch operation is detected, obtaining third image data of the subject using the imaging element, and storing the obtained third image data in the recording medium.