Focus detection apparatus and control method therefor

A focus detection apparatus for setting a focus detection area corresponding to a selected focus state detecting position, and detecting a defocus amount in the focus detection area on the basis of a phase difference between two images corresponding to the focus detection area, the focus detection apparatus comprising:

• an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels for focus detection configured to receive a pair of respective light beams transmitted through different pupil areas of a photographing lens, wherein a pair of image signals are output from the plurality of pixels for focus detection;
• and
• a selection unit configured to select one focus detection area from a plurality of focus detection areas set in advance,
• wherein the plurality of focus detection areas have different tilts, depending on image heights of respective focus detection areas;
• and
• a detection unit configured to detect the defocus amount on the basis of a phase difference between the pair of signals obtained from pixels for focus detection corresponding to the selected focus detection area.

A control method for a focus detection unit for setting a focus detection area corresponding to a selected focus state detecting position, and detecting a defocus amount in the focus detection area on the basis of a phase difference between two images corresponding to the focus detection area, the control method comprising:

• reading out a pair of image signals, from an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels for focus detection for receiving a pair of respective light beams transmitted through different pupil areas of a photographing lens, wherein the pair of image signals are output from the plurality of pixels for focus detection;
• determining a tilt of the focus detection area, depending on positional information on the focus state detecting position with respect to an angle of image sensing view and exit window information on the photographing lens;
• and
• detecting the defocus amount on the basis of a phase difference between a pair of images obtained from pixels for focus detection corresponding to the focus detection area with a determined tilt, from among the plurality of pixels for focus detection.

A control method for a focus detection unit for setting a focus detection area corresponding to a selected focus state detecting position, and detecting a defocus amount in the focus detection area on the basis of a phase difference between two images corresponding to the focus detection area, the control method comprising:

• reading out a pair of image signals, from an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels for focus detection for receiving a pair of respective light beams transmitted through different pupil areas of a photographing lens, wherein the pair of image signals are output from the plurality of pixels for focus detection;
• and
• selecting one focus detection area from a plurality of focus detection areas set in advance, wherein the plurality of focus detection areas have different tilts, depending on image heights of each focus detection area;
• and
• detecting the defocus amount on the basis of a phase difference between the pair of images obtained from pixels for focus detection included in the selected focus detection area.

A focus detection apparatus for detecting a defocus amount for use in focusing, on the basis of a pair of signals with a phase difference, obtained from a detection area comprising a plurality of pixels for detecting a defocus amount, the focus detection apparatus comprising:

• an image sensor comprising pixels for focus detection configured to receive a pair of respective light beams transmitted through different pupil areas of a photographing lens to output a pair of signals;
• a determination unit configured to determine the detection area, in response to a direction of image deviation of a pair of images from the pair of light beams;
• and
• a detection unit configured to detect the defocus amount on the basis of a phase difference between the pair of signals obtained from pixels for focus detection included in the detection area determined by the determination unit,
• wherein the focus detection area has a configuration in which a plurality of pixel blocks with the pixels for focus detection vertically arranged are arranged in the direction of the tilt, and
• wherein the detection unit detects the defocus amount on the basis of a phase difference between a pair of signals obtained for each of the pixel blocks by adding signals obtained on the basis of light beams transmitted through a same pupil area.