Image detector outputting partial- and full-resolution left and right eye stereo images in video and still photography modes

摘要

An imaging apparatus comprises an imaging element comprising pixel portions 400, arranged side by side in horizontal and vertical directions, each pixel portion comprising a plurality of four or more photoelectric conversion units (402a-402i, Figure 2B), receiving light via a respective micro lens (401, Figure 4). Control means operates in a first mode, to output a (stereoscopic) left-eye and/or right-eye image signal by composing signals selected from the plurality of photoelectric (photosensing) conversion units of a pixel portion, and in a second mode, to output signals from all photoelectric (photosensor) units. Signals from either or both the first and second modes are stored as image data. A control means outputs, in the second (full resolution) mode, a left-eye image signal and/or right-eye image signal composed using the (all sensor pixel) stored image data in response to detecting a photography (still image) mode in the imaging apparatus. Thus, a real-time, live view stereo (3D) image may be displayed based on selected (lower resolution) image detector pixels, while all imaging array pixels may be used for a higher resolution, still (photographic) stereo image.