Imaging device and imaging method

An imaging device, comprising:

• an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject;
• an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal;
• a display which displays a display image based on the electric signal;
• a user interface to specify on the display, using user input, at least one of a first area on which a blurring operation is to be performed and a second area on which the blurring operation is not performed;
• and
• a processor which performs the blurring operation by performing an image processing operation such that the first area is blurred,
• wherein:
• the display displays a live view of image data corresponding to the first area that is displayed in a blurred state and the second area, and
• the second area is a rectangle including four sides, two of the sides of the rectangle opposite to each other being longer than another two of the sides of the rectangle which are also opposite to each other.

A method, comprising:

• setting, by a user using a user interface, at least one of a first area on a display for which a blurring operation on corresponding image data is to be performed and a second area on the display on which the blurring operation on image data corresponding thereto is not performed;
• performing an autofocus detection in an autofocus area that at least partly overlaps with the second area, in response to operation of a second user interface to instruct execution on an autofocus operation, the auto focus area being rectangular and different from the second area;
• obtaining an image through an optical system of an image including the first area and the second area;
• performing an image processing operation that blurs image data corresponding to the first area;
• and
• displaying a live view corresponding to the image obtained through the optical system, the live view including a display corresponding to the first area that is displayed in a blurred state and corresponding to the second area, using a single captured image without using another captured image,
• wherein:
• the second area is a rectangle including four sides, two of the sides of the rectangle opposite to each other being longer than another two of the sides of the rectangle which are also opposite to each other.