Focus control apparatus and focus control method

A focus control apparatus for use in an imaging apparatus comprising an exchangeable lens and a camera body, the exchangeable lens including an optical system including a focus lens capable of moving in an optical axis and configured to generate an optical image of an object, and the camera body being able to hold the exchangeable lens and including an imaging element configured to generate an image data from the optical image generated by the optical system, the apparatus comprising:

• a pan•tilt detection unit configured to detect a pan and tilt of the camera body;
• a decision unit configured to determine whether the exchangeable lens is able to achieve wobbling;
• and
• a control unit configured to control an automatic focusing process of moving the focus lens to achieve focus control with respect to the object, in accordance with the image data generated by the imaging element,
• wherein the control unit first stops the exchangeable lens and then causes the focus lens to start wobbling, if the pan or tilt of the camera body is detected to have started while the focus lens is moving and if the exchangeable lens is determined to be able to achieve wobbling.

A focus control method for use in an image apparatus comprising an exchangeable lens and a camera body, the exchangeable lens including an optical system including a focus lens capable of moving in an optical axis and configured to generate an optical image of an object, and the camera body being able to hold the exchangeable lens and including an imaging element configured to generate image data from the optical image generated by the optical system, the method comprising:

• detecting a pan and tilt of the camera body;
• determining whether the exchangeable lens is able to achieve wobbling;
• and
• executing an automatic focusing process of moving the focus lens to achieve focus control with respect to the object, in accordance with the image data generated by the imaging element, wherein if the exchangeable lens is found able to achieve wobbling, when the pan or tilt of the camera body is detected to have started, executing the automatic focusing process by utilizing wobbling of larger amplitude than in the case where neither the pan nor tilt of the camera body is detected.