A step of forming an on-chip lens of a phase difference pixel is simplified. An imaging element includes a pixel array unit, an individual on-chip lens, a common on-chip lens, and an adjacent on-chip lens. In the pixel array unit, pixels that performs photoelectric conversion according to incident light components, a plurality of phase difference pixels that is included in the pixels, is arranged adjacent to each other, and detects a phase difference, and phase difference pixel adjacent pixels that are included in the pixels and are adjacent to the phase difference pixels are arranged two-dimensionally. The individual on-chip lens is arranged for each of the pixels and individually condenses the incident light components on corresponding one of the pixels. The common on-chip lens is commonly arranged in the plurality of phase difference pixels and commonly condenses the incident light component. The adjacent on-chip lens is arranged for each of the phase difference pixel adjacent pixels, individually condenses the incident light components on corresponding one of the phase difference pixel adjacent pixels, and is formed to have a size different from the individual on-chip lens to adjust a shape of the common on-chip lens.

The present technology relates to an image sensor and an electronic apparatus which enable higher-quality images to be obtained. Provided is an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including one on-chip lens, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion layers formed below the on-chip lens. Each of at least two of the plurality of photoelectric conversion layers is split, partially formed, or partially shielded from light with respect to a light-receiving surface. The pixels are phase difference detection pixels for performing AF by phase difference detection or imaging pixels for generating an image. The present technology can be applied to a CMOS image sensor, for example.

An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor including a plurality of normal pixels and OB pixels obtained by dividing each pixel into n, and an image processing circuit. The image sensor can read each pixel row in a first read mode in which a pixel signal is generated and read or in a second read mode in which n signals relating to n divided pixel signals are read in n rows. The image processing circuit performs processing on signals read in the first and second read modes to generate image data and performs OB level correction processing on a normal pixel signal read from the normal pixels in the second read mode using an OB pixel signal read from the OB pixels in the first and second read modes.

The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic device that can be provided with phase difference pixels with a lower degree of difficulty in manufacturing.

Provided is a solid-state imaging device including a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels is two-dimensionally arrayed, in which the pixel array unit has an array pattern in which a plurality of pixel groups each including neighboring pixels of an identical color is regularly arrayed, and among the plurality of pixel groups arrayed in the array pattern, pixels configuring a light-shielded pixel group are shielded in an identical direction side from light, the light-shielded pixel group being a pixel group including pixels each being shielded in a part of a light incident side from the light. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a CMOS image sensor including pixels for phase difference detection.

The present specification describes a method for determining the distance of an object from the tip of an endoscope during an endoscopic procedure, wherein at least one lens is configured to converge light from outside the tip onto a sensor that includes a plurality of photodiodes a portion of which are adjacent pairs of photodiodes configured to be phase detection pixels. The method includes receiving light into each adjacent pair of photodiodes, wherein said light is reflected off a surface of said object; determining a first response curve to said light for a first photodiode of said adjacent pair of photodiodes and a second response curve to said light for a second photodiode of said adjacent pair of photodiodes; identifying an intersection between the first response curve and the second response curve; and using data derived from said intersection to determine said distance to the object.

According to one embodiment, a camera module includes an imaging device, a liquid crystal panel having an incident light control area, and a lens. The liquid crystal panel has a plurality of electrodes located in the incident light control area. The imaging device acquires information of light transmitted through the incident light control area of the liquid crystal panel and the lens.

The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic device capable of improving auto-focusing accuracy by using a phase difference signal obtained by using a photoelectric conversion film. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion portion having a structure where a photoelectric conversion film is interposed by an upper electrode on the photoelectric conversion film and a lower electrode under the photoelectric conversion film. The upper electrode is divided into a first upper electrode and a second upper electrode. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device or the like.

A focus detection device includes: an imaging unit having a first and second pixel each of which receives light transmitted through an optical system and outputs signal used for focus detection, and a third pixel which receives light transmitted through the optical system and outputs signal used for image generation; an input unit to which information regarding the optical system is input; a selection unit that selects one of the first and second pixel based on the information to the input unit; a readout unit that reads out the signal from one of the first and second pixel based on a selection result at a timing different from reading out the signal from the third pixel to be read out; and a focus detection unit that performs the focus detection based on at least one of the signals of the first and second pixel read out by the readout unit.

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element including photodiode divided pixels, and a control unit. The control unit performs control to execute first readout in which an addition value of a first pixel and a second pixel constituting a photodiode divided pixel is read out as a pixel value constituting an image and second readout of performing readout in which a value of the first pixel and a value of the second pixel used for phase difference detection can be obtained from a photodiode divided pixel that is not a readout target in the first readout. In this case, the first readout is performed after performing the second readout in one vertical period.

An imaging device and a focusing control method are provided. The imaging device includes: an imaging element, having pixels including phase-difference detecting pixels and imaging a subject through an imaging optical system including a focus lens; and a focusing controller, selectively performing focusing control using a phase difference AF method or focusing control using a contrast AF method in a mode in which focusing control for focusing on a main subject by driving the focus lens is continuously performed multiple times. The focusing controller performs the focusing control using the contrast AF method in a case where a state in which a degree of reliability of the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is equal to or less than a threshold value persists N times (N=2 or more), while the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is continuously performed.