Patent ID: 7822334

Claim:
An imaging device comprising: imaging means for obtaining an image signal relating to a subject; driving means for driving a focus lens; first detecting means for performing focus detection based on a contrast detection method to detect an in-focus position of the focus lens; second detecting means for performing focus detection based on a phase difference detection method, while the focus lens is being driven by the driving means toward the in-focus position, to execute a provisional position detection process of detecting a provisional in-focus position of the focus lens; and in-focus control means for controlling the driving means to drive the focus lens to pass through the provisional in-focus position and then return to the in-focus position, wherein the first detecting means includes means for executing a focus information obtaining process of obtaining, based on image signals obtained by the imaging means at individual positions of the focus lens driven by the driving means, focus detection information that is used for focus detection based on the contrast detection method, and means for executing an in-focus position detection process of detecting the in-focus position on the basis of the focus detection information obtained in the focus information obtaining process, and wherein the in-focus control means includes determining means for determining a stop position of the focus lens by adding a predetermined pass-through amount to the provisional in-focus position detected in the provisional position detection process, first driving control means for controlling driving of the focus lens so that the focus lens moves to the stop position through the provisional in-focus position, focus information storing means for obtaining and storing focus detection information in predetermined storage means, the focus detection information being obtained by performing the focus information obtaining process at least for a given range of positions during the driving of the focus lens controlled by the first driving control means, and second driving control means for controlling driving of the focus lens so that the focus lens reaches an in-focus position that is detected by performing the in-focus position detection process on the basis of the focus detection information stored in the predetermined storage means, wherein the focus information obtaining process and the provisional position detection process are performed in parallel, and the focus information obtaining process is started before the provisional in-focus position is detected in the provisional position detection process.