Image pickup apparatus, control method therefor, control program for implementing the control method, and storage medium storing the control program

A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus comprising an image pickup unit that picks up a subject image, a focus detection control unit that carries out focus detection control on the subject image in a plurality of control modes, which include a first control mode in which the focus detection control is carried out once every time a photography preparation operation is carried out, and a second control mode in which the focus detection control is consecutively carried out a plurality of times every time the photography preparation operation is carried out, and a feedback exposure control unit that repeatedly carries out feedback exposure control of the subject image so as to maintain proper brightness of an image obtained from the image pickup unit, comprising:

• a selection step of selecting one control mode among the first and second control modes of the focus detection control unit;
• and
• a determination step of determining whether to carry out the feedback exposure control by said feedback exposure control unit after or before executing the focus detection control according to the first or second control mode of the focus detection control unit selected in said selection step.

A computer-readable medium storing a computer program for controlling an image pickup apparatus comprising an image pickup unit that picks up a subject image, a focus detection control unit that carries out focus detection control on the subject image in a plurality of control modes, which include a first control mode in which the focus detection control is carried out once every time a photography preparation operation is carried out, and a second control mode in which the focus detection control is consecutively carried out a plurality of times every time the photography preparation operation is carried out, and a feedback exposure control unit that repeatedly carries out feedback exposure control of the subject image so as to maintain proper brightness of an image obtained from the image pickup unit, the computer program comprising:

• a selection instruction for selecting one control mode among the first and second control modes of the focus detection control unit;
• and
• a determination instruction for determining whether to carry out the feedback exposure control by said feedback exposure control unit after or before executing the focus detection control according to the control mode of the focus detection control unit selected according to said selection instruction.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for executing a method of controlling an image pickup apparatus comprising an image pickup unit that picks up a subject image, a focus detection control unit that carries out focus detection control on the subject image in a plurality of control modes, which include a first control mode in which the focus detection control is carried out once every time a photography preparation operation is carried out, and a second control mode in which the focus detection control is consecutively carried out a plurality of times every time the photography preparation operation is carried out, and a feedback exposure control unit that repeatedly carries out feedback exposure control of the subject image so as to maintain proper brightness of an image obtained from the image pickup unit, the method comprising:

• a selection step of selecting one control mode among the first and second control modes of the focus detection control unit;
• and
• a determination step of determining whether to carry out the feedback exposure control by said feedback exposure control unit after or before executing the focus detection control according to the control mode of the focus detection control unit selected in said selection step.