Image processing apparatus, and method, and recording medium recording image processing program for processing output pixels utilized as phase difference detecting elements

1. An image processing apparatus configured to process a pixel output from an image sensor including phase difference detecting pixels and imaging pixels arranged in a direction in which a phase difference by obtaining pupil dividing is detected, the apparatus comprising:

a first pixel output variation detecting section configured to detect a variation between a pixel output of the phase difference detecting pixel and a pixel output of the imaging pixel of a same color as the phase difference detecting pixel, the imaging pixel positioned in a direction different from a direction of phase difference detection carried out by the phase difference detecting pixel;

a second pixel output variation detecting section configured to detect a variation in pixel output between a plurality of imaging pixels positioned in vicinities of the phase difference detecting pixel and the imaging pixel used by the first pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output; and

a pixel correcting section configured to correct the pixel output of each phase difference detecting pixel on the basis of results of the first pixel output variation detecting section and the second pixel output variation detecting section.

2. The image processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the imaging pixels between which the second pixel output variation detecting section detects the variation in pixel output are of the same color.

3. The image processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one of the imaging pixels used by the second pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output is adjacent to the phase difference detecting pixel used by the first pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output, and the other is adjacent to the imaging pixel used by the first pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output.

4. The image processing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a distance between the phase difference detecting pixel used by the first pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output and the one imaging pixel, and a distance between the imaging pixel used by the first pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output and the other imaging pixel are equal to each other, or one of the distances is longer than the equal distances.

5. The image processing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a third pixel output variation detecting section configured to detect a variation in pixel output between a plurality of imaging pixels of a color different from the phase difference detecting pixel, and positioned in a direction different from the direction of phase difference detection, wherein

the pixel correcting section corrects the pixel output of each phase difference detecting pixel on the basis of a result of the third pixel output variation detecting section in addition to the results of the first pixel output variation detecting section, and the second pixel output variation detecting section.

6. The image processing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein each of the imaging pixels used by the third pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output is adjacent to the phase difference detecting pixel.

7. The image processing apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the imaging pixels used by the third pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output are at positions at which the imaging pixels are opposed to each other with the phase difference detecting pixel interposed between the imaging pixels or at positions at which the phase difference detecting pixel is interposed between the imaging pixels at equal distances from the imaging pixels or at positions at which the phase difference detecting pixel is interposed between the imaging pixels at different longer distances from the imaging pixels than the equal distances.

8. The image processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the direction different from the direction of phase difference detection is a direction perpendicular to the direction of phase difference detection.

9. An image processing method used to process a pixel output from an image sensor including phase difference detecting pixels and imaging pixels arranged in a direction in which a phase difference by obtaining pupil dividing is detected, the method comprising:

detecting, by means of a first pixel output variation detecting section, a variation between a pixel output of the phase difference detecting pixel and a pixel output of the imaging pixel of a same color as the phase difference detecting pixel, the imaging pixel positioned in a direction different from a direction of phase difference detection carried out by the phase difference detecting pixel;

detecting, by means of a second pixel output variation detecting section, a variation in pixel output between a plurality of imaging pixels positioned in the vicinities of the phase difference detecting pixel and the imaging pixel used by the first pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output; and

correcting, by means of a pixel correcting section, the pixel output of each phase difference detecting pixel on the basis of results of the first pixel output variation detecting section, and the second pixel output variation detecting section.

10. A non-transitory recording medium on which an image processing program used to process a pixel output from an image sensor including phase difference detecting pixels and imaging pixels arranged in a direction in which a phase difference by obtaining pupil dividing is detected is recorded, the image processing program causing a computer to execute:

detecting, by means of a first pixel output variation detecting section, a variation between a pixel output of the phase difference detecting pixel and a pixel output of the imaging pixel of a same color as the phase difference detecting pixel, the imaging pixel positioned in a direction different from a direction of phase difference detection carried out by the phase difference detecting pixel;

detecting, by means of a second pixel output variation detecting section, a variation in pixel output between a plurality of imaging pixels positioned in the vicinities of the phase difference detecting pixel and the imaging pixel used by the first pixel output variation detecting section to detect the variation in pixel output; and

correcting, by means of a pixel correcting section, the pixel output of each phase difference detecting pixel on the basis of results of the first pixel output variation detecting section, and the second pixel output variation detecting section.