Imaging apparatus

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an imaging element;
• an imaging optical system configured to input an image of an object to the imaging element;
• defect data detection means for detecting pixel defect data concerning the imaging element on the basis of an output from the imaging element;
• reliability determination means for determining reliability of the defect data detected by the defect data detection means on the basis of the output from the imaging element;
• and
• control means for stopping detection of defect data by the defect data detection means if the reliability determination means determines that the reliability of the detected defect data is insufficient.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an imaging element;
• an imaging optical system configured to input an image of an object to the imaging element;
• defect data detection means for detecting pixel defect data concerning the imaging element on the basis of an output from the imaging element;
• defect correction means for executing a defect correction process on the output from the imaging element, on the basis of defect data detected by the defect data detection means;
• reliability determination means for determining reliability of the defect data detected by the defect data detection means on the basis of the output from the imaging element;
• and
• control means for inhibiting execution of the defect correction process on the defect data detected by the defect data detection means, if the reliability determination means determines that the reliability of the detected defect data is insufficient.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an imaging element;
• an imaging optical system configured to input an image of an object to the imaging element;
• memory means which registers, as defect data, an address corresponding to a defective pixel in the imaging element;
• defect compensation means for executing a compensation process on an output from the defective pixel, using an output from a pixel located adjacent to the defective pixel, on the basis of the defect data registered in the memory means;
• defect data detection means for detecting a pixel defect address related to the imaging element on the basis of an output from the imaging element;
• defect data additional registration means for additionally registering, as to-be-additionally-registered defect data in the memory means, at least part of pixel defect addresses corresponding to defect data newly detected by the defect data detection means;
• reliability determination means for determining reliability of the to-be-additionally-registered defect data;
• and
• additional registration control means for stopping additional registration of defect data by the defect data additional registration means, if the reliability determination means determines that the reliability of the to-be-additionally-registered defect data is insufficient.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• defective-pixel detection means for detecting defective pixels in an imaging element on the basis of a dark output from the imaging element obtained after exposure is executed for a predetermined period of time in a light shielded state;
• reliability determination means for determining reliability of defective-pixel detection in accordance with the dark output in a predetermined portion of an imaging area of the imaging element;
• and
• non-volatile memory means for storing pixel address data concerning that one of the detected defective pixels, whose detection reliability is determined to be high.