Focus adjustment unit and camera system

1. A focus adjustment unit having an imaging section configured to generate an image signal by forming and capturing an optical image on an image sensor by an optical system including a focusing lens, for performing focus adjustment based on a focus detection signal relating to a focus detection area set within an imaging area, the focus adjustment unit comprising:

a focusing lens position detection section configured to detect a position of the focusing lens;

a storage section configured to store information on an image magnification change of the optical system along with the movement of the focusing lens; and

a focus detection area setting section configured to set a focus detection area within the imaging area, wherein

the focus detection area setting section sets the focus detection area based on the position of the focusing lens and the information on an image magnification change, and

the focus detection area setting section calculates an image height of the focus detection area, after the focusing lens is moved, based on the image magnification change in accordance with a change of the position of the focusing lens and an image height of the focus detection area before the focusing lens is moved, and sets the focus detection area based on the calculated image height.

2. The focus adjustment unit according to claim 1 , wherein

the focus detection area setting section changes the size of a focus detection area set in accordance with an image height of the focus detection area.

3. A focus adjustment unit having an imaging section configured to generate an image signal by forming and capturing an optical image on an image sensor by an optical system including an optical system including a focusing lens, for performing focus adjustment based on a focus detection signal relating to a focus detection area set within an imaging area, the focus adjustment unit comprising:

a focus detection area setting selection configured to set a focus detection area within the imaging area; and

a tracking section configured to track a subject image based on an image signal of the imaging section, wherein

the tracking section tracks a subject image located in the focus adjustment area in accordance with the movement of the focusing lens, and

the focus detection area setting section sets a focus detection area based on a tracking result of the tracking section when the position of the focus detection area is greater than a predetermined image height position, and does not change the focus detection area when the position of the focus detection area is smaller than the predetermined image height position.

4. The focus adjustment unit according to claim 3 , wherein

the tracking section performs a tracking operation by performing pattern matching processing on a plurality of image signals output by the imaging section.

5. The focus adjustment unit according to claim 3 , wherein

the focus detection area setting section changes the size of the focus detection area when the tracking operation by the tracking section cannot be performed.

6. The focus adjustment unit according to claim 3 , wherein

the optical system includes a zoom optical system, the focus adjustment unit has a focal length detection section configured to detect a focal length of the optical system, and

the focus detection area setting section sets a focus detection area based on the tracking result of the tracking section when the focal length is greater than a predetermined value.

7. A camera system including an interchangeable lens having an optical system including a focusing lens and a camera main body section to and from which the interchangeable lens can be attached and detached, wherein

the interchangeable lens includes:

a focusing lens position detection section configured to detect a position of the focusing lens; and

a storage section configured to store information on an image magnification change of the optical system along with the movement of the focusing lens, wherein

the camera main body section includes:

an imaging section configured to generate an image signal of an imaging area by forming and capturing an optical image on an image sensor by the optical system;

a focus detection area setting section configured to set a focus detection area within the imaging area; and

a focus adjustment section configured to perform focus adjustment based on a focus detection signal calculated from the image signal within the focus detection area, and wherein

the focus detection area setting section sets the focus detection area based on the position of the focusing lens output from the focusing lens position detection section and the information on an image magnification change output from the storage section, and

the focus detection area setting section calculates an image height of the focus detection area, after the focusing lens is moved, based on the image magnification change in accordance with a change of the position of the focusing lens and an image height of the focus detection area before the focusing lens is moved, and sets the focus detection area based on the calculated image height.

8. The camera system according to claim 7 , wherein

the focus detection area setting section changes the size of a focus detection area set in accordance with an image height of the focus detection area.

9. A control method of a focus adjustment unit having an imaging section configured to generate an image signal within an imaging area by forming and capturing an optical image on an image sensor by an optical system including a focusing lens, and a storage section configured to store information on an image magnification change of the optical system along with movement of the focusing lens, for performing focus adjustment based on a focus detection signal relating to a focus detection area set within the imaging area, the control method comprising the steps of:

setting a second focus detection area by changing a first focus detection area specified in advance based on a position of the focusing lens and the information on an image magnification change in accordance with the movement of the focusing lens; and

performing focus adjustment based on a focus detection signal relating to the second focus detection area,

wherein the act of setting the second focus detection area includes firstly calculating an image height of the focus detection area, after the focusing lens is moved, based on the image magnification change in accordance with a change of the position of the focusing lens and an image height of the focus detection area before the focusing lens is moved, and secondly setting the focus detection area based on the calculated image height.

10. The control method according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of:

setting the second focus detection area by changing the size of the first focus detection area in accordance with an image height of the focus detection area specified in advance.