camera equipment

Abstract

An image capturing apparatus includes: an image sensor including image sensing pixels that generate a signal for image generation, and focus detection pixels dividing the pupil region of an imaging lens into pupil regions and generating a signal for phase difference detection by photoelectrically converting object images from the pupil regions obtained by the division; a switching unit that switches between an all-pixel readout mode in which signals from all of the multiple pixels are read out and a thinning readout mode in which the signals of the multiple pixels are thinned and read out; and a control unit that, in the case where the mode has been switched by the switching unit to the thinning readout mode, controls the accumulation of charges in imaging rows used for image generation and focus detection rows including the focus detection pixels independent from each other.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus including an image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional form. Background technique [0002] As general techniques for an automatic focus detection / adjustment method of an imaging apparatus using a light beam passing through an imaging lens, contrast detection technology (also called "blur technology") and phase difference detection technology (also called "bias technology") are known. transfer technology"). The contrast detection technique is a technique widely used in a camcorder (camcorder) and a digital still camera etc. which take a moving image, and in this case, the image sensor thereof is used as a focus detection sensor. This technique pays attention to the signal output from the image sensor, especially the high-frequency component information (contrast information) of the signal, and uses the position of the imaging lens with the highest evaluation value of th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For this reason, in the case of using an electronic viewfinder and in the case of a moving picture mode, etc., the focus detection pixels are not read out, so although the frame rate of a moving picture can be increased, there is a problem that when a moving picture is being displayed , unable to perform high-speed focus detection using phase difference technology

However, there is a problem that the number of signal lines arranged between pixels increases, resulting in a decrease in the aperture ratio of the pixel and a decrease in the sensitivity of the pixel.

However, there is a problem in that although the outputs are added after readout, since the noise from the pixel amplifier or the readout gain amplifier etc. is also added many times, it does not Improve S / N ratio

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