JP2006317593A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of achieving the shortening of autofocus time without causing malfunction. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus is equipped with: an inclination sensor 14 detecting an angle formed by the optical axis of a lens with a horizontal surface; an autofocus function equipped with a plurality of searching ranges; a liquid crystal display 12; and a control means controlling to display an effect that the selection of the searching range of the autofocus function is accelerated on the liquid crystal display when the angle of the optical axis of the lens is an angle of depression equal to or above a predetermined value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus having an autofocus function having a plurality of search ranges and shortening the autofocus time.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in an imaging device (electronic camera such as a digital camera) that has been rapidly spread, a model having an autofocus function has become common. This autofocus function is a so-called hill-climbing control system in which the position where the contrast of a subject imaged on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is the highest is set as the in-focus position, and the photographing lens is moved to the in-focus position. Often adopted.

  In this hill-climbing control method, a normal autofocus mode that focuses on a subject from a predetermined focal length to infinity (hereinafter referred to as the “INF side”) and a subject from a predetermined focal length to the shortest distance of the shooting limit. In general, the mode is switched to a macro autofocus mode for focusing.

  This is because in macro photography, the focal length of the subject is short and the depth of field is shallow, so the distance of the taking lens to be moved before focusing is increased, and the time required for autofocus is long. This is because it is preferable to switch between the normal autofocus mode and the macro autofocus mode.

  Although a switch for switching the mode is provided, there are many cases where the user is at a loss as to which mode should be selected. For example, if the user forgets to set the macro mode by mistake when the distance to the subject is short, the user will be focused in the normal autofocus mode, so that proper focusing will not be performed and desired shooting cannot be performed.

  In order to cope with this, there has been proposed a digital camera capable of appropriately switching modes according to the focal length of the subject (see Patent Document 1).

This proposal is equipped with angle detection means for detecting the current depression angle of the digital camera, and control means for controlling the focus by operating the macro autofocus function when the depression angle satisfies a predetermined condition. It is said that focusing can be automatically performed even in a scene where it is difficult to determine whether to select the mode.
JP 2002-207160 A

  However, although the depression angle detection method of Patent Document 1 has a predetermined effect, there are many cases in which malfunction is caused only by the depression angle detection. Specifically, even if the macro autofocus function is operated when the depression angle satisfies a predetermined condition, there are cases where overhead view shooting or special shooting is performed. In this case, if the macro autofocus function is operated, a malfunction occurs. .

  In order to prevent such malfunctions, even when the depression angle satisfies a predetermined condition, a macro is searched only when a search (focusing operation) is first performed in the normal autofocus mode and no focus is obtained in this search. A proposal to automatically switch to the autofocus function has also been proposed. However, in such a plan, the search time in the first normal autofocus mode is wasted, and the evaluation lower limit value in the normal autofocus mode may be erroneously focused.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus in which the above-described problems are solved, and an autofocus time is shortened without malfunction.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an angle detection means for detecting an angle formed with a horizontal plane of a lens optical axis, an autofocus function having a plurality of search ranges, a display means, and an angle of the lens optical axis. And a control means for causing the display means to prompt the selection of the search range of the autofocus function when the depression angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  According to the present invention, the angle detection means is provided, and even if the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the display means does not automatically switch to the macro autofocus function. The display prompts selection. This avoids malfunctions caused by operating with the macro autofocus function in overhead shooting or special shooting. Then, by selecting an appropriate search range prompted for input by the display means, the autofocus time can be shortened without malfunction.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that altitude detecting means for detecting the altitude is provided. As described above, in addition to the angle detection means, the altitude detection means for detecting the altitude is provided, so even if the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle greater than a predetermined value, the autofocus function is more appropriate than the detected value of the altitude. The search range is determined, and the display means prompts selection of the search range. This avoids malfunctions caused by operating with the macro autofocus function in overhead shooting or special shooting. Then, by selecting an appropriate search range prompted for input by the display means, the autofocus time can be shortened without malfunction.

  Further, in the present invention, it is preferable to include illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the subject. In this way, in addition to the angle detection means and the altitude detection means, the illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the subject is provided. Then, an appropriate search range of the autofocus function is determined from the detected value of illuminance, and a display for prompting selection of the search range is displayed on the display means. This avoids malfunctions caused by operating with the macro autofocus function in overhead shooting or special shooting. Then, by selecting an appropriate search range prompted for input by the display means, the autofocus time can be shortened without malfunction.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an angle detection means for detecting an angle formed with a horizontal plane of the lens optical axis, an altitude detection means for detecting an altitude, and an autofocus function having a plurality of search ranges. Control for determining whether the angle of the optical axis of the lens is a depression angle equal to or greater than a predetermined value and whether the altitude is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and selecting a search range of the autofocus function based on the determination result And an imaging device.

  According to the present invention, it is determined whether the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and whether the altitude is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the search range of the autofocus function is determined based on the determination result. select. This avoids malfunctions caused by operating with the macro autofocus function in overhead shooting or special shooting. Then, by automatically selecting an appropriate search range, the autofocus time can be shortened without malfunction.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an angle detection unit that detects an angle formed with a horizontal plane of the lens optical axis, an altitude detection unit that detects an altitude, an illuminance detection unit that detects the illuminance of a subject, An autofocus function having a plurality of search ranges, whether the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle greater than a predetermined value, whether the altitude is greater than a predetermined value, and the illuminance is greater than a predetermined value And a control unit that selects a search range of the autofocus function based on the determination result.

  According to the present invention, it is determined whether the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle greater than a predetermined value, whether the altitude is greater than a predetermined value, and whether the illuminance is greater than a predetermined value, The search range of the autofocus function is selected based on the determination result. This avoids malfunctions caused by operating with the macro autofocus function in overhead shooting or special shooting. Then, by automatically selecting an appropriate search range, the autofocus time can be shortened without malfunction.

  According to the present invention, the autofocus time can be shortened without malfunction.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment (first embodiment) of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a lens barrel portion of a digital camera 10 (imaging device) to which the present invention is applied. In this lens barrel, a plurality of lenses are arranged along the optical axis so as to obtain an autofocus function. Various known configurations can be adopted as the configuration of the lens array.

  In FIG. 1, the focus lens 15 in the above lens array is driven in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in the drawing) along the optical axis by a stepping motor 18. Thereby, each focus function is obtained.

  In addition, an inclination sensor 14 that is an angle detection unit and an altitude detection sensor 16 that is an altitude detection unit are fixed to the lens barrel. As the configuration of the tilt sensor 14, a combination of various known configurations can be employed. For example, a combination of a weight (dead weight) and a strain gauge can be employed.

  As the altitude detection sensor 16, various known sensors can be used. For example, a pressure sensor as an altimeter / barometer used in a digital wristwatch can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 mainly includes an operation board 70, a central processing unit (CPU) 50, a CCD 52, an analog signal processing unit 54, a frame display means, and an image capturing means that constitute a zoom magnification instruction means and a zoom center position instruction means. The signal processing unit 58, a display memory 66 constituting display means, a card reader / writer device 63, a memory card 64, and the like are included.

  The operation board 70 is circuit-connected to each of the various operation members, and outputs an instruction signal to the CPU 50 based on an operation of these operation members by the photographer (for example, operation of the mode switch 22).

  The CPU 50 outputs a control signal to the digital signal processing unit 58 based on the input of the instruction signal from the operation board 70 and comprehensively controls each circuit.

  Further, the CPU 50 determines whether or not a camera shake occurs based on the current shooting conditions (shutter speed, F number, etc.). Alert. It should be noted that the determination of whether or not camera shake occurs may employ the same flow as that of a known (commercially available) digital camera.

  A CCD (imaging device) 52 converts subject light captured and imaged from the taking lens 15 into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light. The signal charges are sequentially read from the CCD 52 as voltage signals (image signals) and added to the analog signal processing unit 54. The imaging device is not limited to this CCD, and a CMOS image sensor or the like may be used.

  The analog signal processing unit 54 performs necessary analog processing such as sampling and white balance adjustment on the image signal applied from the CCD 52. The analog processed image signal is converted into image data (digital data) by the A / D converter 56 and output to the digital signal processing unit 58. The CCD 52, the analog signal processing unit 54, and the A / D converter 56 are operated in synchronization with a timing signal from a timing generator (TG) 57.

  The digital signal processing unit 58 performs digital processing such as gamma correction on the image data (image data of all pixel regions of the CCD 52) input from the analog signal processing unit 54 (A / D converter 56) as necessary. The image data is output to the display memory 66 (memory 60). Further, a control signal for controlling the zoom magnification at the zoom center position is input from the CPU 50 to the digital signal processing unit 58, so that in addition to the above-described digital processing such as gamma correction, the zoom centered on the zoom center position from the image data. Digital zoom processing is performed in which image data of magnification is cut out to generate an image for one screen, and this image is captured as an image in the digital zoom area.

  Further, the digital signal processing unit 58 constituting the frame display means adds the image data of the enlarged frame to the image data subjected to the digital zoom process. This enlargement frame is based on a digital zoom area (instructed by operating the mode switch 22 by the photographer) with respect to the entire pixel area (or the entire area of the image recorded on the recording medium) imaged by the CCD 52. Is shown relative to the entire pixel area (or the entire area). The image data with the enlarged frame added is output to the display memory 66.

  The memory card 64 records and saves image data. When the mode is set to the shooting mode and a recording instruction is input by pressing the shutter button 20, a control signal is output from the CPU 50 to the digital signal processing unit 58, and image data for one frame is read from the CCD 52, and the digital signal processing unit. After the above-described digital processing or digital zoom processing is performed at 58, the image data is written into the memory 60. Note that an enlargement frame is not added to the image data written in the memory 60. The image data written in the memory 60 is compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 62 and is recorded and stored in the memory card 64 by the card reader / writer device 63.

  The digital camera 10 is provided with a memory slot (not shown) in which a memory card 64 is mounted as a recording medium. A captured image is recorded and stored as image data in the memory card 64 by the card reader / writer device 63 built in the digital camera 10, and the recorded image can be read from the memory card 64. is there. In this embodiment, for example, smart media is used as the memory card 64, but a PC card, flash memory card, IC card, floppy disk, magneto-optical disk (MO), or the like may be used as a recording medium. Good.

  The liquid crystal display 12 displays an image (through moving image) written in the display memory 66. When the mode is set to the shooting mode and the display of the through moving image is turned on by the mode switch 22, the image data is continuously read from the CCD 52 into the digital signal processing unit 58, and the digital processing by the digital signal processing unit 58 (digital zoom processing or The image data is written in the display memory 66 after the image data is continuously added to the image data. The image data in the display memory 66 is rewritten sequentially with the newly read image data, whereby a through moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12.

  The liquid crystal display 12 can also display images recorded and stored in the memory card 64. When the mode is set to the reproduction mode and reproduction of any of the image data recorded on the memory card 64 is designated by a predetermined operation, the image data is read from the memory card 64 by the card reader / writer device 63, and the compression / decompression circuit After being decompressed by 62, digital processing or the like is performed by the digital signal processing unit 58 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 via the display memory 66.

  In addition, the liquid crystal display 12 can display information on the camera state, shooting mode, and the like (so-called shooting status). For example, a display for checking the remaining battery level of the built-in battery and the number of frames that can be taken are displayed.

  The liquid crystal display 12 only needs to be able to grasp the angle of view by the photographer. Therefore, a liquid crystal display having a smaller number of pixels (lower resolution) than a liquid crystal monitor generally used in a personal computer or the like may be used. Accordingly, the image data written from the digital signal processing unit 58 to the display memory 66 can also be used with low resolution obtained by thinning out the number of image data.

  With the digital camera 10 having such a configuration, the image data digitally processed by the digital signal processing unit 58 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12, and the photographer can display an image of the entire pixel area of the CCD on the liquid crystal display 12. Can be confirmed (magnification photography). When the photographer presses the mode switch 22, digital zoom processing is performed in the digital signal processing unit 58, and image data with an enlarged frame added is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12. 12, the zoom magnification zoom center position can be confirmed (digital zoom function).

  Further, the digital signal processing unit 58 performs digital processing on the image data recorded and stored in the memory card 64 so that the photographer can check the image data recorded and stored in the memory card 64 on the liquid crystal display 12. (Normal playback). Also, when the photographer presses the mode switch 22 at this time, digital zoom processing is performed, and image data with an enlarged frame added is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 (playback zoom function).

  Although not shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 (internal configuration of the digital camera 10), the digital camera 10 has its own power supply.

  The shutter button 20 is configured in a two-stage manner, and the AF and AE are locked by the automatic focusing (AF: autofocus) and automatic exposure control (AE) in the “half-pressed” state where the shutter button 20 is lightly pressed and stopped. Then, shooting is performed by further pressing “half-pressing” and “full-pressing”.

  As described above, the focus lens 15 is driven by the stepping motor 18. The stepping motor 18 is connected to the CPU 50 via the driver IC 17 and is driven by an instruction output from the CPU 50.

  Further, the above described tilt sensor 14 and altitude detection sensor 16 are connected to the CPU 50, and a detection angle and a detection altitude can be input respectively.

  Next, a photographing procedure of the digital camera 10 having such a configuration will be described. First, the altitude detection reset operation will be described with reference to FIG. This operation is usually performed at the time of initial setting immediately after the user purchases the digital camera 10.

  First, when the power switch is turned on (step S-100), when the initial setting mode (step S-102) is selected (Y), selection of the altitude detection reset operation is prompted (step S-104). . When the altitude detection reset operation is selected (Y), the initial value for altitude detection is written in the memory 60, and the written flag is turned on (step S-106). This initial value is a value detected by the altitude detection sensor 16 at the selected time (current time). Then, a display to the effect that the altitude detection reset operation has been completed is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 (step S-108).

  Even when the operation to turn off the power switch (step S-110) is selected (Y), it is determined whether the altitude detection reset write flag is on (written) or off (not written) (step S-112). If it is on (written), the power switch is turned off (step S-120), and if it is off (not written), an indication that the altitude detection reset has not been completed is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 ( In step S-114), selection of an altitude detection reset operation is prompted (step S-116).

  If not selected (N), the power switch is turned off (step S-120). If selected (Y), the process proceeds to step S-104 described above.

  After the above-described altitude detection reset operation is completed, altitude detection is performed by calculating the difference between the value detected by the altitude detection sensor 16 and the memory value (initial value).

  Next, the photographing procedure of the digital camera 10 will be described according to the flow of FIG.

  First, the power switch is turned on (step S-10). Then, automatic focusing (AF: autofocus) and automatic exposure control (AE) are activated in a “half-pressed” state in which the shutter button 20 is lightly pressed and stopped to lock AF and AE (step S-12).

  Next, the depression angle is detected by the inclination sensor 14 (step S-14). Then, the detected depression angle is determined (step S-16), and when it is determined to be horizontal (including the elevation angle), the process shifts to the normal autofocus mode (step S-18), and the normal photographing (step S-) is performed. 20) is carried out.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S-16 that it is a depression angle, altitude is detected (step S-22). Then, the detected altitude is determined (step S-24), and when the altitude is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the mode is shifted to the overhead view autofocus mode (step S-26), and normal photographing (step S-20) is performed. Is done.

  On the other hand, in step S-24, when the altitude is at a normal level, the process proceeds to the depression autofocus mode (step S-28). By selecting this depression angle autofocus mode, there is an advantage that the search range on the INF side is shortened.

  Next, a focus search (step S-30) is performed by the autofocus function. Then, it is determined whether or not it is in focus (step S-32), and when it is determined that it is in focus, normal shooting (step S-20) is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S-32 that the subject is not in focus, the process proceeds to the forced macro autofocus mode (step S-34). By selecting this forced macro autofocus mode, there is an advantage that the near-side search range is expanded.

  Next, the focus re-search (step S-36) is performed by the autofocus function. Then, it is determined whether or not it is in focus (step S-38), and when it is determined that it is in focus, normal shooting (step S-40) is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S-38 that the subject is not in focus, an error display is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 (step S-42).

  According to the digital camera 10 adopting the above-described flow, any one of 1) overhead view shooting, 2) normal shooting (depression angle shooting), 3) macro shooting, and 4) unknown, depending on the altitude position, when depression shooting is performed. Select automatically. Therefore, user handling is improved. In addition, in the case of depression shooting and normal shooting, the time of autofocus is reduced.

  Next, another embodiment (second embodiment) of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The configuration of this embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment described above in that the altitude detection sensor 16 that is altitude detection means is omitted, and the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the duplicate description of the contents described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the photographing procedure of the digital camera 10 will be described according to the flow of FIG. First, the power switch is turned on (step S-50). Then, automatic focusing (AF: autofocus) and automatic exposure control (AE) are activated in a “half-pressed” state in which the shutter button 20 is lightly pressed and stopped to lock AF and AE (step S-52).

  Next, the depression angle is detected by the tilt sensor 14 (step S-54). Then, the detected depression angle is determined (step S-56), and when it is determined to be horizontal (including the elevation angle), the unselected flag is turned OFF (reset) (step S-58), and the shooting mode is set. Is set to the horizontal mode (step S-60), and the focus search (step S-62) is performed by the autofocus function.

  If it is determined in step S-62 that the subject is not in focus, flag determination (step S-64) is performed. If it is determined that the flag is OFF, an error display is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 (step S-66).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S-64 that the flag is ON, an error display is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 (step S-68), the shooting mode is shifted to the forced macro autofocus mode, and the flag is displayed. Is turned off (step S-70), and then the process returns to the above-described step S-62.

  Returning to step S-62, if it is determined that the in-focus state is obtained, a full-press standby state is set (step S-72). The following steps (Step S-74) are omitted.

  Returning to step S-56, if it is determined that the depression angle is obtained in this step, a display prompting the user to select a shooting mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display 12, and time measurement is started (step S-76). The display for prompting the selection of the shooting mode is a display like the following example.

“Camera is facing down Select a mode ・ Overhead shooting (outdoor)
・ Normal shooting ・ Normal shooting (Short range, depression angle)
・ Macro photography ''
Next, it is determined whether or not the measurement time after displaying the display prompting the selection of the shooting mode exceeds a predetermined time (step S-78), and if it exceeds (Y). The unselected flag that is OFF is set to ON (step S-80), the selected photographing mode is set (step S-82), and the process proceeds to step S-62 described above.

  Returning to step S-78, in this step, if the measurement time does not exceed the predetermined time (N), it is determined whether or not the shutter button 20 has been “fully pressed” (step S-78). S-84) If “not fully pressed” is not set (N), the timer is integrated (step S-86), and the process returns to step S-78.

  On the other hand, if it is “full press” (Y) in step S-84, the unselected flag is turned ON (step S-88), and the shooting mode is set to the horizontal mode (step S-). 90).

  Next, a focus search (step S-92) is performed by the autofocus function. If it is determined in step S-92 that the subject is not in focus, the process proceeds to step S-68 described above, and an error display is displayed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S-92 that the subject is in focus, the process proceeds to normal shooting (step S-94). The following steps (Step S-96) are omitted.

  The correspondence relationship between each shooting mode and the autofocus range in the above flow is summarized in the table of FIG. According to the digital camera 10 described above, the search range corresponding to each shooting mode selected by the user is obtained from the table (table of FIG. 6). As a result, it is possible to reduce macro operation mistakes during macro shooting.

  In addition, when depression angle detection / normal shooting (short-distance depression angle) is selected, the search range on the INF side compared to normal shooting can be reduced, and the autofocus time can be shortened.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of the imaging device concerning this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Various aspects can be taken.

  For example, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment includes an angle detection unit that detects an angle between the lens optical axis and the horizontal plane, an altitude detection unit that detects an altitude, and an autofocus function including a plurality of search ranges. An example in which the search range of the autofocus function is automatically selected when the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle greater than a predetermined value and the altitude is greater than a predetermined value (first embodiment), and the lens It is equipped with angle detection means that detects the angle between the optical axis and the horizontal plane, and an autofocus function with multiple search ranges. When the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle greater than or equal to a predetermined value, autofocus is displayed on the display means. Although an example (second embodiment) of displaying a prompt to select a function search range has been described, other modes may be adopted.

  As an example of this, an angle detection means for detecting an angle between the lens optical axis and the horizontal plane, an altitude detection means for detecting the altitude, an illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the subject, and an autofocus having a plurality of search ranges The angle of the optical axis of the lens is a depression angle of a predetermined value or more (for example, 60 degrees downward), the altitude difference is a predetermined value (for example, 10 m) or more, and the illuminance is a predetermined value (for example, 10 candela) or more. In this case, an example of automatically selecting the search range of the autofocus function can be adopted.

  Further, all of the above has been described as an example of a digital camera, but a similar effect can be obtained with a device having a built-in photographing function such as a mobile phone or a PDA.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a lens barrel portion of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. Flow chart explaining initial settings of digital camera Flow chart explaining the shooting procedure of the digital camera Flow chart explaining other shooting procedures of digital camera A table showing the search range corresponding to each shooting mode selected by the user

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 12 ... Liquid crystal display, 14 ... Tilt sensor, 15 ... Focus lens, 16 ... Altitude detection sensor, 18 ... Stepping motor, 20 ... Shutter button, 22 ... Mode switch

Claims (5)

An angle detection means for detecting an angle formed by a horizontal plane of the lens optical axis;
Autofocus function with multiple search ranges,
Display means;
Control means for causing the display means to display a prompt to select a search range of the autofocus function when the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an altitude detecting unit that detects the altitude. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the subject.
An angle detection means for detecting an angle formed by a horizontal plane of the lens optical axis;
Altitude detecting means for detecting altitude,
Autofocus function with multiple search ranges,
Control means for determining whether the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle equal to or greater than a predetermined value and whether the altitude is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and selecting a search range of the autofocus function based on the determination result When,
An imaging apparatus comprising: An angle detection means for detecting an angle formed by a horizontal plane of the lens optical axis;
Altitude detecting means for detecting altitude,
Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the subject;
Autofocus function with multiple search ranges,
It is determined whether the angle of the lens optical axis is a depression angle greater than a predetermined value, whether the altitude is greater than a predetermined value, and whether the illuminance is greater than a predetermined value. Control means for selecting a search range of the autofocus function;
An imaging apparatus comprising:

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