Image pickup apparatus and method of controlling image pickup apparatus

An image pickup apparatus, comprising:

• a display configured to display an image of an object;
• a detector configured to detect whether or not a user observes the object through use of the display;
• and
• a controller configured to control an actuator, the actuator being configured to drive at least a part of a photography optical system and being capable of performing a first operation and a second operation different from the first operation, the second operation being an operation for maintenance of the actuator,
• wherein, in one of cases where an image of the object is not displayed on the display and where the detector detects that the user does not observe the object through use of the display, the controller causes the actuator to perform the second operation, and in one of cases where the image of the object is displayed on the display and where the detector detects that the user observes the object through use of the display, the controller does not cause the actuator to perform the second operation,
• wherein the actuator comprises a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, and
• wherein, in the second operation, an AC voltage with a higher frequency than a frequency of an AC voltage to be applied to the piezoelectric element in the first operation is applied to the piezoelectric element.

A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus, comprising:

• detecting whether or not a user observes an object through use of a viewfinder;
• causing an actuator to perform a second operation when it is detected that the user does not observe the object through use of the viewfinder, the actuator being configured to drive at least a part of a photography optical system and being capable of performing a first operation and the second operation different from the first operation, the second operation being an operation for maintenance of the actuator;
• and
• causing the actuator not to perform the second operation when it is detected that the user observes the object through use of the viewfinder,
• wherein the actuator comprises a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, and
• wherein, in the second operation, an AC voltage with a higher frequency than a frequency of an AC voltage to be applied to the piezoelectric element in the first operation is applied to the piezoelectric element.

A method of controlling an image pickup apparatus, comprising:

• detecting whether or not a user observes an object through use of a display;
• causing an actuator to perform a second operation in one of cases where an image of the object is not displayed on the display and where it is detected that the user does not observe the object through use of the display, the actuator being configured to drive at least a part of a photography optical system and being capable of performing a first operation and the second operation different from the first operation, the second operation being an operation for maintenance of the actuator;
• and
• causing the actuator not to perform the second operation in one of cases where the image of the object is displayed on the display and where it is detected that the user observes the object through use of the display,
• wherein the actuator comprises a vibrator including a piezoelectric element, and
• wherein, in the second operation, an AC voltage with a higher frequency than a frequency of an AC voltage to be applied to the piezoelectric element in the first operation is applied to the piezoelectric element.