Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor

Abstract

Subjects are detected in a captured image and a main subject is selected from the detected subjects. Focusing areas are set up that correspond to the detected subjects and focus detection is performed in the focusing areas that have been set up. When providing in-focus indication representing focus detection results, focus detection results associated with the particular focusing area among the focusing areas that corresponds to the main subject are displayed in a manner different from focus detection results associated with those focusing areas within the depth of field that correspond to subjects other than the main subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a detecting unit adapted to detect subjects in a captured image;   a selecting unit adapted to select a main subject from among the subjects detected by the detecting unit;   a setting unit adapted to set up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected by the detecting unit;   a focusing control unit adapted to perform focus detection in the focusing areas set up by the setting unit; and   a display control unit displaying, when the main subject becomes in focus, in-focus indications for the subjects within a predetermined depth of field such that the in-focus indication for the main subject is in different display form from a display form for the remaining subjects if the main subject is selected based on a user's instruction, and otherwise, the in-focus indications for the subjects within the predetermined depth of field, including the main subject, in the same display form.   
     
     
       2. The image capturing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the selecting unit selects the main subject based on either the user's instruction or subject information obtained by the detecting unit for each subject, and
 wherein, if the main subject is selected based on the user's instruction, the display control unit displays as the in-focus indications, frame image(s) represent(s) the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and frame image(s) represent(s) the focusing area(s) corresponding to the subject(s) other than the main subject and within the predetermined depth-of-field are different in at least one of a color, a thickness, and a flashing speed, and   wherein, if the main subject is selected based on the subject information, the display control unit displays as the in-focus indication, frame images represent(s) the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and frame image(s) represent(s) the focusing area(s) corresponding to the subject(s) other than the main subject and within the depth-of-field are in the same display form.   
     
     
       3. The image capturing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the frame images represents either the corresponding focus detection area or an area of the subject. 
     
     
       4. The image capturing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the detecting unit detects human faces as the subjects. 
     
     
       5. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a detecting unit adapted to detect subjects in a captured image;   a selecting unit adapted to select a main subject from among the subjects detected by the detecting unit;   a setting unit adapted to set up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected by the detecting unit;   a focusing control unit adapted to perform focus detection in the focusing areas set up by the setting unit; and   a display control unit adapted to display indications representing (i) the result(s) of the focus detection performed by the focusing control unit for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and (ii) the result(s) of the focus detection performed by the focusing control unit for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within a depth-of-field,   wherein in a case where the selecting unit selects the main subject based on a user's instruction, the display control unit only displays the indications representing the result(s) of the focus detection performed by the focusing control unit for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject, and   wherein, in a case where the selecting unit selects the main subject based on subject information obtained by the detecting unit for each subject, the display control unit displays indications representing (i) the result(s) of the focus detection performed by the focusing control unit for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and (ii) the result(s) of the focus detection performed by the focusing control unit for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within a depth-of-field.   
     
     
       6. The image capturing apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein:
 the display control unit determines, based on a configuration, whether to display the result(s) of the focus detection performed by the focusing control unit for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within a depth-of-field or not. 
 
     
     
       7. The image capturing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the detecting unit detects human faces as the subjects. 
     
     
       8. A control method for an image capturing apparatus comprising:
 detecting step of detecting subjects in a captured image;   selecting step of selecting a main subject from among the subjects detected in the detection step;   setting step of setting up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the detection step;   focusing control step of performing focus detection in the focusing areas set up in the setting step; and   display control step of displaying, when the main subject becomes in focus, in-focus indications for the subjects within a predetermined depth of field such that the in-focus indication for the main subject is in different display form from a display form for the remaining subjects if the main subject is selected based on a user's instruction, and otherwise the in-focus indications for the subjects within the predetermined depth of field, including the main subject, in the same display form.   
     
     
       9. A control method for an image capturing apparatus comprising:
 detecting step of detecting subjects in a captured image;   selecting step of selecting a main subject from among the subjects detected in the detecting step;   setting step of setting up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the detecting step;   focusing control step of performing focus detection in the focusing areas set up in the setting step; and   display control step of displaying indications representing (i) the result(s) of the focus detection performed in the focusing control step for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and (ii) the result(s) of the focus detection performed in the focusing control step for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within a depth-of-field,   wherein in a case where the selecting step selects the main subject based on a user's instruction, the display control step only displays the indications representing the result(s) of the focus detection performed in the focusing control step for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject,   wherein, in a case where the selecting unit selects the main subject based on subject information obtained by the detecting unit for each subject, the display control unit displays indications representing (i) the result(s) of the focus detection performed by the focusing control unit for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and (ii) the result(s) of the focus detection performed by the focusing control unit for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within a depth-of-field.   
     
     
       10. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a system control unit; and   a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to:
 detect subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit; 
 select a main subject from among the subjects detected in the captured image; 
 set focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the captured image; and 
 perform focus detection in the set focusing areas; 
   wherein, when the program is executed by the system control unit, the system control unit controls to display, when the main subject becomes in focus, in-focus indications for the subjects within a predetermined depth of field of the lens unit such that the in-focus indication for the main subject is in different display form from a display form for the remaining subjects regardless of a difference between a result of the focus detection for the focus area corresponding to the main subject and a result of the focus detection for the focusing area corresponding to the subject other than the main subject and within the depth of field if the main subject is selected based on a user's instruction, and otherwise, the in-focus indications for the subjects within the predetermined depth of field, including the main subject, in the same display form.   
     
     
       11. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the main subject is selected based on either the user's instruction or subject information obtained by the system control unit for each detected subject, and
 wherein, if the main subject is selected based on the user's instruction, the system control unit controls to display as the in-focus indications, frame image(s) represent(s) the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and frame image(s) represent(s) the focusing area(s) corresponding to the subject(s) other than the main subject and within the predetermined depth-of-field are different in at least one of a color, a thickness, and a flashing speed, and   wherein, if the main subject is selected based on the subject information, the system control unit controls to display as the in-focus indication, frame images represent(s) the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and frame image(s) represent(s) the focusing area(s) corresponding to the subject(s) other than the main subject and within the depth-of-field are in the same display form.   
     
     
       12. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each of the frame images represents either the corresponding focus detection area or an area of the subject. 
     
     
       13. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image capturing apparatus detects human faces as the subjects. 
     
     
       14. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a system control unit; and   a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to:
 detect subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit; 
 select a main subject from among the subjects detected in the captured image; 
 set up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the captured image; and 
 perform focus detection in the set up focusing areas; 
   wherein, when the program is executed by the system control unit, the system control unit controls to display indications representing (i) result(s) of the focus detection performed for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and (ii) result(s) of the focus detection performed for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within a depth-of-field of the lens unit,   wherein in a case where the main subject is selected based on a user's instruction, the system control unit controls to display the indications representing the result(s) of the focus detection performed for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject, and does not display the indications representing the result(s) of the focus detection performed for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within the depth-of-field, and   wherein, in a case where the main subject is selected based on subject information obtained by the system control unit for each subject, the system control unit controls to display indications representing (i) the result(s) of the focus detection performed for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and (ii) the result(s) of the focus detection performed for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within the depth-of-field.   
     
     
       15. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 14 wherein:
 the system control unit determines, based on a configuration, whether to control to display the result(s) of the focus detection performed for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within the depth-of-field or not.   
     
     
       16. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the image capturing apparatus detects human faces as the subjects. 
     
     
       17. A control method for an image capturing apparatus including a system control unit and a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to perform the method comprising:
 detecting subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit;   selecting a main subject from among the subjects detected in the detection step;   setting up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the detection step;   performing focus detection in the focusing areas set up in the setting step; and   displaying, when the main subject becomes in focus, in-focus indications for the subjects within a predetermined depth of field of the lens unit such that the in-focus indication for the main subject is in different display form from a display form for the remaining subjects regardless of a difference between a result of the focus detection for the focus area corresponding to the main subject and a result of the focus detection for the focusing area corresponding to the subject other than the main subject and within the depth of field if the main subject is selected based on a user's instruction, and otherwise the in-focus indications for the subjects within the predetermined depth of field, including the main subject, in the same display form.   
     
     
       18. A control method for an image capturing apparatus including a system control unit and a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to perform the method comprising:
 detecting subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit;   selecting a main subject from among the subjects detected in the detecting step;   setting up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the detecting step;   performing focus detection in the focusing areas set up in the setting step; and   displaying indications representing (i) result(s) of the focus detection performed in the performing step for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and (ii) result(s) of the focus detection performed in the performing step for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within a depth-of-field of the lens unit,   wherein in a case where the selecting step selects the main subject based on a user's instruction, the displaying step displays the indications representing the result(s) of the focus detection performed in the performing step for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject, and does not display the indications representing the result(s) of the focus detection performed in the performing step for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within the depth-of-field, and   wherein, in a case where the selecting step selects the main subject based on subject information obtained in the detecting step for each subject, the displaying step displays indications representing (i) the result(s) of the focus detection performed in the performing step for the focusing area(s) corresponding to the main subject and (ii) the result(s) of the focus detection performed in the performing step for the focusing area(s) corresponding to subject(s) other than the main subject and within the depth-of-field.   
     
     
       19. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a system control unit; and   a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to:
 detect subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit; 
 select a main subject from among the subjects detected in the captured image; 
 set focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the captured image; and 
 perform focus detection in the set focusing areas; 
   wherein, when the program is executed by the system control unit, the system control unit controls to display, when the main subject becomes in focus, in-focus indications for the subjects within a predetermined depth of field of the lens unit such that the in-focus indication for the main subject is in different display form from a display form for the remaining subjects regardless of a difference between a result of the focus detection for the focus area corresponding to the main subject and a result of the focus detection for the focusing area corresponding to the subject other than the main subject and within the depth of field if the main subject is selected based on a user's instruction.   
     
     
       20. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a system control unit; and   a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to:
 detect subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit; 
 select a main subject from among the subjects detected in the captured image; 
 set focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the captured image; and 
 perform focus detection in the set focusing areas; 
   wherein, when the program is executed by the system control unit, the system control unit controls to display results of the focus detection performed by the image capturing apparatus,   wherein the system control unit controls to display both a result of the focus detection for a focusing area corresponding to the main subject and one or more results of the focus detection for one or more focusing areas corresponding to one or more subjects other than the main subject and within a depth of field of the lens unit, and   wherein the system control unit controls to display the result of the focus detection for the focusing area corresponding to the main subject and the one or more results of the focus detection for the one or more focusing areas corresponding to the one or more subjects other than the main subject and within the depth of field in different display forms, regardless of a difference between the result of the focus detection for the focus area corresponding to the main subject and the result of the focus detection for the focusing area corresponding to the subject other than the main subject and within the depth of field.   
     
     
       21. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a system control unit; and   a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to:
 detect subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit; 
 select a main subject from among the subjects detected in the captured image; 
 set up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the captured image; and 
 perform focus detection in the set up focusing areas; 
   wherein, when the program is executed by the system control unit, the system control unit controls to display a result of the focus detection performed by the image capturing apparatus,   wherein the main subject is selected based on either a user's instruction or subject information obtained by the system control unit for each detected subject, and   wherein the system control unit controls to display a result of the focus detection corresponding to the main subject that is selected based on the user's instruction and a result of the focus detection corresponding to the main subject that is selected based on the subject information in different display forms, and   wherein the system control unit controls to display both (i) a result of the focus detection for a focusing area corresponding to the main subject and (ii) one or more results of the focus detection for one or more focusing areas corresponding to one or more subjects other than the main subject and within a depth of field of the lens unit, and   wherein the system control unit controls to display both (i) the result of the focus detection for the focusing area corresponding to the main subject and (ii) the one or more results of the focus detection for the one or more focusing areas corresponding to the one or more subjects other than the main subject and within the depth of field in different display forms regardless of a difference between the result of the focus detection for the focus area corresponding to the main subject and the result of the focus detection for the focusing area corresponding to the subject other than the main subject and within the depth of field.   
     
     
       22. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a system control unit; and   a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to:
 detect subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit; 
 select a main subject from among the subjects detected in the captured image; 
 set up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the captured image; and 
 perform focus detection in the set up focusing areas; 
   wherein, when the program is executed by the system control unit, the system control unit controls to display results of the focus detection performed by the image capturing apparatus,   wherein the main subject is selected based on either a user's instruction or subject information obtained by the system control unit for each detected subject, and   wherein the system control unit controls to display a result of the focus detection corresponding to the main subject that is selected based on the user's instruction and a result of the focus detection corresponding to the main subject that is selected based on the subject information in different display forms, and   wherein the system control unit controls to display (i) a result of the focus detection for a focusing area corresponding to the main subject and not to display (ii) one or more results of the focus detection for one or more focusing areas corresponding to one or more subjects other than the main subject and within a depth of field of the lens unit.   
     
     
       23. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a system control unit; and   a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to:
 detect subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit; 
 select a main subject from among the subjects detected in the captured image; 
 set up focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the captured image; and 
 perform focus detection in the set up focusing areas; 
   wherein, when the program is executed by the system control unit, the system control unit controls to display results of the focus detection performed by the image capturing apparatus,   wherein the main subject is selected based on either a user's instruction or subject information obtained by the system control unit for each detected subject, and   wherein the system control unit controls to display a result of the focus detection corresponding to the main subject that is selected based on the user's instruction and a result of the focus detection corresponding to the main subject that is selected based on the subject information in different display forms, and   wherein the system control unit controls to display (i) a result of the focus detection for a focusing area corresponding to the main subject and not to display (ii) one or more results of the focus detection for one or more focusing areas corresponding to one or more subjects other than the main subject and within a depth of field of the lens unit if the main subject is selected based on the user's instruction.   
     
     
       24. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
 a system control unit; and   a system memory storing a program which, when executed by the system control unit, causes the image capturing apparatus to:
 detect subjects in a captured image obtained through a lens unit; 
 select a main subject from among the subjects detected in the captured image; 
 set focusing areas corresponding to the subjects detected in the captured image; and 
 perform focus detection in the set focusing areas; 
   wherein, when the program executed by the system control unit, the system control unit controls to display, when the main subject becomes in focus, in-focus indications for the subjects within a predetermined depth of field of the lens unit such that the in-focus indication for the main subject is in different display form from a display form for the remaining subjects regardless of a difference between a result of the focus detection for the focus area corresponding to the main subject and a result of the focus detection for the focusing area corresponding to the subject other than the main subject and within the depth of field.