A digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The digital image processing apparatus includes a multi-direction button as a shutter release button which can move an auto focus (AF) region while a first shutter release signal is being applied. The multi-direction shutter release button is operable along the first direction which is an up and down direction, and is operable in the multiple directions which include back, front, right, and left directions. Specifically, the multi-direction shutter release button is operable to apply a first shutter release signal when moved down along the first direction to a first position, to allow for auto focusing operations in accordance with movement in any of the multiple directions, and is operable to apply a second shutter release signal when moved down along the first direction to a second position to control the digital image processing apparatus to operate a shutter to capture an image.