Image pickup apparatus that reduces time required for light control processing and method of controlling same

An image pickup apparatus that is capable of performing light emission photographing in which a light emission device is caused to emit light, the image pickup apparatus comprising:

• at least one memory configured to store instructions;
• and
• at least one processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the at least one memory to thereby implement:
• a face detection unit configured to perform face detection processing on an image obtained using an image sensor, for detecting a face area from an object;
• a calculation unit configured to calculate a main light emission amount of the light emission device based on information on the face area detected by the face detection processing, non-light emission image obtained using the image sensor without causing the light emission device to emit light, a preliminary light emission image obtained using the image sensor by causing the light emission device to perform preliminary light emission;
• and
• a control unit configured to perform control, in a case where the face detection processing is performed on the preliminary light emission image, such that the non-light emission image is obtained after the preliminary light emission image is obtained.

A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus that photographs an object by causing a light emission device to emit light toward the object, comprising:

• selectively obtaining a first image having a first resolution and a second image having a second resolution lower than the first resolution, as a photometric image, and performing photometry using the obtained photometric image to thereby obtain a result of photometry;
• determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied;
• and
• switching, when performing light control processing for determining a main light emission amount for causing the light emission device to perform main light emission for photographing the object, between first control in which the light control processing is performed based on the first image and second control in which the light control processing is performed based on the second image, according to a result of determination performed by said determining.

A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus that is capable of performing light emission photographing in which a light emission device is caused to emit light, comprising:

• performing face detection processing on an image obtained using an image sensor, for detecting a face area from an object;
• calculating a main light emission amount of the light emission device based on information on the face area detected by the face detection processing, non-light emission image obtained using the image sensor without causing the light emission device to emit light, a preliminary light emission image obtained using the image sensor by causing the light emission device to perform preliminary light emission;
• and
• controlling, in a case where the face detection processing is performed on the preliminary light emission image, such that the non-light emission image is obtained after the preliminary light emission image is obtained.