Disclosed is an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof that can correct the brightness of a pixel in an image. Reflection characteristics of environment light when the image is captured are estimated by applying smoothing to the image. The brightness of the pixel is corrected by computing a correction value for correcting the brightness of the pixel based on the reflection characteristics of the environment light and adding the correction value to the pixel. The brightness can be corrected while suppressing an amplification of noise and a loss of details of a subject.

Disclosed is an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof that can correct the brightness of a pixel in an image. Reflection characteristics of environment light when the image is captured are estimated by applying smoothing to the image. The brightness of the pixel is corrected by computing a correction value for correcting the brightness of the pixel based on the reflection characteristics of the environment light and adding the correction value to the pixel. The brightness can be corrected while suppressing an amplification of noise and a loss of details of a subject.

Disclosed is an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof that can correct the brightness of a pixel in an image. Reflection characteristics of environment light when the image is captured are estimated by applying smoothing to the image. The brightness of the pixel is corrected by computing a correction value for correcting the brightness of the pixel based on the reflection characteristics of the environment light and adding the correction value to the pixel. The brightness can be corrected while suppressing an amplification of noise and a loss of details of a subject.

An apparatus includes a control unit that executes exposure control by adjusting a shutter speed, an aperture value, and a sensitivity, and a setting unit that switches on/off a simulation function for adjusting an image quality of an image for live view display to match an image quality depending on an aperture opening for acquiring a still image for recording. If the simulation function is on, the control unit controls a difference amount between an aperture value for acquiring the image for live view display and an aperture value for acquiring the still image depending on an aperture value for acquiring the still image for recording such that the difference amount when the aperture value for the still image is a second value larger than a first value is larger than that when the aperture value for the still image is the first value.

Focus self-calibration for a digital camera may be performed by moving a lens assembly of the digital camera over its travel range, and detecting travel limits of the lens assembly based on audio signal generated by the lens assembly reaching ends of the travel range. Digital-to-analog converter values corresponding to the lens assembly at the ends of the travel range may be used to create a camera focus profile.

Visual focal point composition of media capture based on a target audience is provided. An aspect includes activating a profile selection function via a media recording device and receiving, via the profile selection function, an identifier of a target viewer of media content. The profile selection function provides a list of social network contacts, including the target viewer, via the media recording device. Another aspect includes retrieving contact preferences associated with the identifier. The contact preferences are determined from data about the target viewer that is sourced from one or more compartmentalized entities. The contact preferences identify focal aspects of media content statistically determined to be of interest by the target viewer. A further aspect includes providing suggested focal aspects of a scene subject to media capture. The suggested focal aspects are derived from the contact preferences.

Visual focal point composition of media capture based on a target audience is provided. An aspect includes activating a profile selection function via a media recording device and receiving, via the profile selection function, an identifier of a target viewer of media content. The profile selection function provides a list of social network contacts, including the target viewer, via the media recording device. Another aspect includes retrieving contact preferences associated with the identifier. The contact preferences are determined from data about the target viewer that is sourced from one or more compartmentalized entities. The contact preferences identify focal aspects of media content statistically determined to be of interest by the target viewer. A further aspect includes providing suggested focal aspects of a scene subject to media capture. The suggested focal aspects are derived from the contact preferences.

A focus control device includes an acquisition unit that acquires image data of a plurality of first frames, each of the plurality of first frames being captured at each of positions of a lens in an optical axis direction, the positions being different each other; and a movement unit that, when a focusing position of the lens is not determined based on contrast evaluation values for an area to be focused on in the plurality of first frames, determines a direction for moving the area, based on a magnitude of a contrast evaluation value within the area and a position of an area with the contrast evaluation value larger than or equal to a given threshold in each piece of image data of the plurality of first frames or a plurality of second frames newly acquired by the acquisition unit, and moves the area in the determined direction.

A focus control device includes an acquisition unit that acquires image data of a plurality of first frames, each of the plurality of first frames being captured at each of positions of a lens in an optical axis direction, the positions being different each other; and a movement unit that, when a focusing position of the lens is not determined based on contrast evaluation values for an area to be focused on in the plurality of first frames, determines a direction for moving the area, based on a magnitude of a contrast evaluation value within the area and a position of an area with the contrast evaluation value larger than or equal to a given threshold in each piece of image data of the plurality of first frames or a plurality of second frames newly acquired by the acquisition unit, and moves the area in the determined direction.

An image pickup system includes: a camera including a first image pickup unit and a second image pickup unit; and a processor configured to: define a first common area in a first image and a second common area in a second image, respectively; detect brightness of an image in the first common area; detect brightness of an image in the second common area; adjust brightness of the first image based on the brightness of the image in the first common area; and adjust brightness of the second image based on the brightness of the image in the second common area.