Automatic focusing apparatus detecting focus for a plurality of areas and using contrast levels

摘要

A focus detection apparatus or a camera having such a focus detection apparatus includes a plurality of sensor sections for receiving light from different areas of a scene and which detects a focus state comprises a calculating circuit for calculating a plurality of contrast levels represented by outputs from the sensor sections. A selector is provided for selecting one of the outputs from the sensor sections on the basis of focus detection characteristic data respectively predetermined for said sensor sections and the contrast levels of the sensor sections. The selector includes a comparison circuit with compares the contrast levels of each sensor section with data corresponding to the characteristic data of said each sensor section, the selector selecting the one of the outputs based on the comparison of the plurality of sensor section outputs by the comparison circuit.