Imaging device, imaging method

An imaging device includes an image input unit for inputting an image of a subject, an image signal processing unit for processing the input image, an image recording unit for recording the input image on a recording medium, a smiling degree detection unit for detecting a smile level of the subject contained in the input image processed by the image signal processing unit, a detection threshold level setting unit for setting a smiling face detection threshold level at which a determination of whether the subject is smiling is performed based on the smile level detected by the smiling degree detection unit, and a photographing control unit for controlling a photographing operation in response to the smiling face detection threshold level being reached by the smile level of the subject detected by the smiling degree detection unit. In the present invention, the smiling face detection threshold level can be applicably modified.