JP2000165707A - Image pickup device and method for controlling image pickup and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device for preliminarily preventing photographing against a user's will by surely communicating the setting of a specific photographic mode to a user by using an electronic finder function when the specific photographic mode is set. SOLUTION: In this image pickup device, when a photographic mode selected at present is a diaphragm priority AE mode (a step S109), it is judged that a specific mode is set, and whether an image display flag for controlling the turning on/off of the image display of an image display part is turned on or off is judged (a step S110). When the image display flag is turned off, the image display of the image display part is turned into an on state, and an image (moving image) which is image picked-up is displayed on the image display part, and a diaphragm value set in the priority AE mode is displayed on the image display part (a step S112).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having an electronic viewfinder display means for displaying a picked-up image, an image pickup control method and a storage medium used in the image pickup apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A color liquid crystal display panel is provided as an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera for picking up an image and storing the image in a recording medium such as a CF (Compact Flash) card. In some cases, an electronic finder function is realized by sequentially displaying information on a panel. In an image pickup apparatus having such an electronic finder function, the photographing composition can be determined while viewing the image displayed on the color liquid crystal display panel by the electronic finder function.

[0003] In addition, an imaging apparatus has been developed which is capable of setting whether or not to display a captured image on a color liquid crystal display panel. In this imaging apparatus, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced by setting so that the captured image is not displayed on the color liquid crystal display panel when display of the captured image is unnecessary.

[0004] Further, an imaging device that can selectively set a normal shooting mode in which a shooting operation is performed in accordance with normal shooting conditions and a shooting operation in accordance with a specific shooting condition has appeared. For example, the program AE in the normal shooting mode
Some modes can selectively execute a mode and an aperture priority AE mode that is a specific shooting mode. In the program AE mode, the photographing parameters are automatically determined according to the photographing environment. Therefore, it is difficult to perform photographing intended for a specific photographing effect. On the other hand, when it is desired to photograph a subject with a specific photographing effect, for example, intentionally increasing the depth of the subject, a desired aperture value is set in the aperture priority AE mode, so that the image having the intended depth of the subject is obtained. Can be obtained.

[0005]

However, in the above-described image pickup apparatus capable of switching and setting various photographing modes, in the case where photographing is performed while viewing the image displayed on the color liquid crystal display panel. In some cases, the currently selected shooting mode cannot be immediately confirmed, and shooting may be continued without realizing that this shooting mode is not the desired shooting mode. As a result, an image not intended by the user may be recorded on the recording medium. For example, when shooting is performed with the program AE mode set even though the currently set shooting mode is the aperture priority AE mode, an image with a deep depth of field may be obtained unexpectedly. .

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to reliably notify a user of the setting of a specific photographing mode by using an electronic finder function when the specific photographing mode is set, and to perform unintended photographing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device, an imaging control method, and a storage medium that can prevent the occurrence of a failure.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
An imaging device, an imaging unit, a display unit for an electronic finder for displaying an image captured by the imaging unit, a normal imaging mode for performing an imaging operation by the imaging unit in accordance with a normal imaging condition, and the imaging unit Mode setting means for selectively setting a specific shooting mode for performing a shooting operation according to a specific shooting condition, and when the specific shooting mode is set by the mode setting means, an image taken by the imaging means and And control means for controlling the display means so as to superimpose and display information indicating the setting of the specific photographing mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising display instruction means for instructing the electronic finder display means to display and non-display an image taken by the image pickup means, The control means controls the mode setting means to cancel the setting of the specific shooting mode when the display instruction means instructs the non-display of the image in a state where the specific shooting mode is set. It is characterized by.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the second aspect, the control unit is configured to, when the non-display of the image is instructed by the display instruction unit in a state where the specific photographing mode is set. The mode setting means is controlled so that the setting of the specific shooting mode is canceled and the normal shooting mode is set.

[0010] The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
In the imaging device according to any one of the above, the normal shooting mode is a shooting mode in which a plurality of shooting parameters are automatically set according to a predetermined procedure, and shooting is performed under shooting conditions according to the set shooting parameters. In the specific photographing mode, photographing is performed in which at least one of a plurality of photographing parameters is fixed, other photographing parameters are automatically set, and photographing is performed under photographing conditions according to the set photographing parameters. Mode.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing means, an electronic finder display means for displaying an image photographed by the photographing means, and a normal photographing operation in which the photographing means performs a photographing operation according to a normal photographing condition. A mode setting means for selectively setting a mode and a specific photographing mode for performing a photographing operation according to a specific photographing condition by the image capturing means. Determining whether or not is set, and, when the specific shooting mode is set by the mode setting means, superimposes an image taken by the imaging means and information indicating the setting of the specific shooting mode. Controlling the electronic finder display means to display the electronic finder.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging control method according to the fifth aspect, a step of instructing the display means to display or non-display an image taken by the imaging means, and A step of determining whether or not the non-display of the image is instructed in the set state; and, when the non-display of the image is instructed after the setting of the specific shooting mode, canceling the setting of the specific shooting mode. Controlling the mode setting means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the imaging control method according to the sixth aspect, when the non-display of the image is instructed in the state where the specific shooting mode is set, the setting of the specific shooting mode is canceled. And controlling the mode setting means so as to set the normal photographing mode.

[0014] The invention according to claim 8 provides the invention according to claims 5 to 7.
In the imaging control method according to any one of the above, in the normal imaging mode, a plurality of imaging parameters are automatically set according to a predetermined procedure, and imaging is performed under imaging conditions according to the set imaging parameters. Mode
The specific shooting mode is a shooting mode in which each shooting parameter is automatically set with priority given to at least one shooting parameter, and shooting is performed under shooting conditions according to the set shooting parameters.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup means, an electronic finder display means for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means, and a normal photographing mode in which the image pickup means performs a photographing operation according to a normal photographing condition. A mode setting means for selectively setting a specific photographing mode in which a photographing operation is performed by the photographing means in accordance with a specific photographing condition. A storage medium storing a program for controlling an imaging apparatus, the program comprising: A determination module for determining whether or not the specific shooting mode has been set by the setting unit; and setting of the image captured by the imaging unit and the setting of the specific shooting mode when the specific shooting mode has been set by the mode setting unit. A control module for controlling the display means for the electronic finder so as to superimpose and display information representing And having a Lumpur.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the ninth aspect, the imaging device displays on the electronic finder display means an instruction to display and non-display an image captured by the imaging means. An instruction unit, wherein the control module determines whether or not the display instruction unit has instructed non-display of the image after the setting of the specific shooting mode, and the display instruction in a state where the specific shooting mode is set. When the non-display of the image is instructed by the means, the mode setting means is controlled so as to cancel the setting of the specific photographing mode.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the tenth aspect, the control module is configured to, when the non-display of the image is instructed by the display instruction means in a state where the specific photographing mode is set. The mode setting means is controlled so that the setting of the specific shooting mode is canceled and the normal shooting mode is set.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the normal photographing mode automatically sets a plurality of photographing parameters according to a predetermined procedure. , A shooting mode in which shooting is performed under shooting conditions according to the set shooting parameters,
The specific shooting mode is a shooting mode in which at least one of a plurality of shooting parameters is fixed, other shooting parameters are automatically set, and shooting is performed under shooting conditions according to the set shooting parameters. It is characterized by the following.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus, wherein an image pickup means, a display means capable of displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means and control information, and a normal photographing operation performed by the image pickup means. A normal shooting mode, a mode setting means capable of selectively setting a special shooting mode for performing a shooting operation under predetermined shooting conditions by the imaging means, and when the special shooting mode is set by the mode setting means, When the display means is not in a state for automatically displaying an image and when the display means is not displayed, a control means for canceling the special shooting mode is provided.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, when the special photographing mode is set, the control means displays the image and the special photographing mode. The information is displayed so as to be superimposed on the display means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, the control means sets the normal photographing mode when the display means is in a non-display state in the special photographing mode. The mode setting means is controlled so as to perform the operation.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the thirteenth or fifteenth aspect, the normal photographing mode is a program AE mode, and the special photographing mode is an aperture priority AE mode.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the thirteenth or fifteenth aspect, the normal shooting mode is a program AE mode, and the special shooting mode is a shutter speed priority AE mode. .

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging apparatus according to the thirteenth or fifteenth aspect, the normal photographing mode is an auto white balance mode, and the special photographing mode is a manual white balance mode. .

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the imaging device according to the thirteenth or fifteenth aspect, the normal shooting mode is an automatic exposure shooting mode, and the special shooting mode is a long exposure shooting mode. And

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 100 includes an optical lens 10 having a variable focal length mechanism and a focusing mechanism, a shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and an imaging element 14. A protective means 10 is provided on the front surface of the optical lens 10.
2 is provided, and the protection means 102 is configured to be selectively movable between a position covering the front surface of the optical lens 10 and a position exposed to the outside. The imaging element 14 converts an optical image formed on the imaging surface via the optical lens 10 and the shutter 12 into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal. The electric signal output from the image sensor 14 is converted into a digital image signal (hereinafter, referred to as image data) by the A / D converter 16 and then input to the image processing circuit 20 or the memory control circuit 22. The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined image processing such as pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the image data from the A / D converter 16 or the image data from the memory control circuit 22. In the image processing circuit 20, A /
A predetermined operation is performed on the image data from the D converter 16, and the operation result is transferred to the system control circuit 50 via the memory control circuit 22. This calculation result is obtained by a TTL executed by a system control circuit 50 described later.
(Through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing,
It is used for control amount calculation in AE (auto exposure) processing and EF (flash pre-emission) processing. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing on the image data from the A / D converter 16 to perform TTL AWB.
(Auto white balance) processing.

The memory control circuit 22 includes the A / D converter 1
6, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32 are controlled. Timing generation circuit 18
Generates a timing signal based on a control signal input from the memory control circuit 22 or the system control circuit 50 via the memory control circuit 22. The timing signal is supplied to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, the D / A converter 2
6 which operate based on this timing signal. Further, the memory control circuit 22 includes the A / D converter 1
Data or image processing circuit 2 input directly from
0, the image data after the image processing is written to the memory 30 or the image display memory 24.
0 or a process of reading image data from the image display memory 24 is performed.

Image data to be displayed on an image display unit 28 composed of a liquid crystal display panel is written in the image display memory 24. The image data is read out from the image display memory 24, and is read via the D / A converter 26. By transferring the image to the image display unit 28, the captured image is displayed on the image display unit 28.
Will be displayed. Here, by sequentially displaying the captured image data on the image display unit 28, the image display unit 2
8 realizes the electronic finder function.
The display of the image display unit 28 is performed by the system control circuit 50.
Can be arbitrarily turned on / off in response to an instruction from the user. When this display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced.

The memory 30 is a memory for storing image data of captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. Is used. Since the memory 30 has a sufficient storage capacity as described above, it is necessary to write a large amount of image data at high speed, such as continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot. It can be performed. The memory 30 is also used as a work area of the system control circuit 50.

The compression / decompression circuit 32 takes in the image data from the memory 30 and performs adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADC).
A compression or decompression process is performed by a compression or decompression method such as T), and the compressed or decompressed image data is written to the memory 30.

The image data (compressed image data) written in the memory 30 is stored in each I / F (interface) 9.
0, 94 and recording media 200, 210 connected via connectors 92, 96. Each recording medium 2
00 and 210 are the connections 92 and 9 on the imaging device 100 side.
6 and connectors 206 and 216 connectable to the imaging device 1
I / Fs (interfaces) 204 and 214 with respect to 00,
It has recording units 202 and 212 composed of a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk for holding image data. Whether or not each of the recording media 200 and 210 is mounted is detected by the recording medium attachment / detachment detecting means 98, and this detection signal is input to the system control circuit 50. As each of the recording media 200 and 210, a memory card compliant with a CF card, a PCMCIA card, or the like can be used. When each of the recording media 200 and 210 is a memory card conforming to a PCMCIA card, each I / F 9 on the imaging device 100 side is used.
0 and 94 and connectors 92 and 96 are compatible with PCMCIA cards.
LAN card, modem card, USB card,
IEEE 1394 card, P1284 card, SCSI
By installing a communication card such as a card or a PHS communication card, it becomes possible to exchange image data and management information attached to the image data with an external device such as a computer or a peripheral device such as a printer. Further, in the present embodiment, the two recording media 200 and 210 are configured to be mountable, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one or three or more recording media can be mounted. Is also good.

The system control circuit 50 controls the entire image pickup apparatus 100 according to programs, constants and variable data stored in the memory 52. One of the controls by the system control circuit 50 includes TTL AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing based on the result of the arithmetic processing of the image processing circuit 20. The control signals generated by this control are supplied to an exposure control unit 40, a distance measurement control unit 42, and a flash 48. The exposure control means 40 includes a system control circuit 5
The aperture amount of the shutter 12 is adjusted based on the control signal from 0. The distance measurement control unit 42 drives the focusing mechanism of the optical lens 10 based on a control signal from the system control circuit 50 so as to focus the subject image. Flash 48
Has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash dimming function, and emits a corresponding amount of flash light based on a control signal from the system control circuit 50.

The system control circuit 50 controls the zoom control means 44 and the barrier control means 46. The zoom control means 44 drives the focal length varying mechanism of the optical lens 10 to obtain the focal length specified by the system control circuit 50. The barrier control unit 46 drives the protection unit 102 according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. For example, when the power is turned off, the protection unit 102
Is moved to a position covering the entire surface of the optical lens 10 to protect the optical lens 10 from damage due to adhesion of dust or the like and collision with an external object. The protection means 102 is moved to a position where the front surface of the optical lens 10 is exposed when the power is turned on.

Further, the system control circuit 50 performs display control for displaying information on the set photographing mode and the like on the display unit 54. The display unit 54 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a sound emitting element, a light emitting diode (LED), and the like so that an operation state, a message, and the like can be notified using characters, images, sounds, and the like. Also,
A part of the display unit 54 is incorporated in the optical finder 104. The contents displayed on the LCD of the display unit 54 include a single shot / continuous shooting display, a self-timer display, a compression ratio display, a recording pixel number display, a record number display, a remaining recordable number display, a shutter speed display, and an aperture value. Display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, battery remaining battery display,
Battery level display, error display, information display using a plurality of digits, display of attachment / detachment state of each recording medium 200, 210, communication I
/ F operation display, date / time display, and the like. Further, the contents displayed by a part of the display unit 54 incorporated in the optical finder 104 include a focus display, a camera shake warning display,
There are flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, etc.

Further, the system control circuit 50 performs control for transmitting and receiving image data to and from an external device via the communication means 110. This communication means 110 is connected to the RS 23
2C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCS
It has a communication function such as I, modem, LAN, wireless communication, and the like. A connector (or antenna) 112 for connecting an external device is connected to the communication means 110.

A mode dial switch 60, a shutter switch 62, an image display ON / OFF switch 66, a quick review ON / OFF switch 68, and an operation unit 70 are used to input operation instructions to the system control circuit 50. The mode dial switch 60 is a switch for switching and setting each function mode such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panorama shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen correction / deletion mode, and PC connection mode. . The shutter switch 62 is a multi-stage switch including a switch 62a and a switch 62b. When the shutter switch 62 is pressed down by a predetermined amount, the switch 62a is turned on, and the switch 62a is further turned on.
Is depressed, the switch 62b is turned on. By turning on the switch 62a, a signal S for instructing the start of AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, EF processing, etc.
W1 is output. By turning on the switch 62b,
A switch signal SW2 is output to instruct the start of a shooting operation until the signal read from the image sensor 14 is written as image data to the recording media 200, 210. here,
In this photographing operation, specifically, an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 14 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22, and an image processing circuit 2
0 and a developing process using an operation in the memory control circuit 22, reading out image data from the memory 30, and
2, and compresses the compressed image data into recording media 200, 2
For example, a recording process for writing data into the storage unit 10 is performed.

The image display ON / OFF switch 66 is a switch for turning on and off the image display on the image display unit 28. By using this switch, the image display is performed when the image is displayed using the optical viewfinder 104. Part 28
By turning off the display, the current supply to the image display unit 28 can be cut off, and wasteful power consumption can be suppressed. The quick review ON / OFF switch 68 is a switch for setting a quick review function for automatically playing back the shot image immediately after shooting.

The operation unit 70 includes various buttons and a touch panel. Specifically, a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single-shot / continuous-shot / self-timer switching button, a menu shift + (plus) button, and a menu shift-(minus) A button, a play image move + (plus) button, a play image move-(minus) button, a shooting image quality selection button, an exposure correction button, a date / time setting button, and the like are provided. Here, for example, when a menu button is pressed, a setting screen corresponding to the mode is displayed on the touch panel, and an item to be set using the button is selected on this setting screen.

The variables set by the mode dial switch 60 and the like, the mode set by operating the operation unit 70, control variables, and the like are stored in a nonvolatile memory 56 such as an EEPROM.

Power is supplied to the system control circuit 50 from the power control means 80. The power control unit 80 supplies power from the power supply 86 to each unit based on an instruction from the system control circuit 50. The power control means 80 and the power supply 86 are connected via connectors 82 and 84 fitted to each other. As the power source 86, a primary battery such as an alkaline battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a Li battery, or an AC adapter can be used.

In this embodiment, in addition to the above-described control, when a specific photographing mode is set by the mode dial switch 60, a photographed image and information representing the setting of the specific photographing mode are displayed in a superimposed manner. The image display unit 28 is controlled as described above. When the image display ON / OFF switch 66 instructs image non-display on the image display unit 28 in a state where the specific shooting mode is set, the setting of the specific shooting mode is canceled and the normal shooting mode is set. Control. Here, the specific shooting mode includes an aperture priority AE mode, a shutter speed priority AE mode, a manual white balance shooting, and a long exposure shooting mode. The normal shooting mode for the aperture priority AE mode and the shutter speed priority AE mode is the program AE.
Mode. The normal shooting mode for the manual white balance shooting is the auto white balance shooting mode, and the normal shooting mode for the long exposure shooting mode is the automatic exposure shooting mode.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 9 show the control procedure.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and 3
4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of main control in the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of distance measurement / photometry processing in step S114 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is a view showing an image display example in step S112 of FIG. , FIG.
4 is a diagram showing an example of image display in step S116 in FIG.

When the battery of the power supply 86 is replaced and the power supply is turned on, as shown in FIG. 2, first, in step S101, control variables stored in the non-volatile memory 56,
The flags and the like are initialized, and the image display on the image display unit 28 is initially set to an off state in the subsequent step S102.

Next, the process proceeds to step S103, where the selected mode is determined based on the selected position of the mode dial switch 60. Here, when the power-off is selected by the mode dial switch 60, the process proceeds to step S105, and an end process is executed. In this end processing, the display of each display unit is changed to the end state, and the protection unit 102 is driven via the barrier control unit 46 to move to a position covering the optical lens 12. In addition, necessary parameters including flags and control variables, setting values, and setting modes are stored in the nonvolatile memory 56, and processing such as cutting off unnecessary power supply from the power supply control unit 80 to each unit is performed. Then, the process returns to step S103 again.

If another mode (a mode other than the photographing mode) is selected by the mode dial switch 60, the flow advances to step S104 to execute processing according to the selected mode, and then returns to step S103.

When the photographing mode is selected by the mode dial switch 60, the process proceeds to step S106, and based on the information from the power control means 80, whether the remaining capacity of the battery is sufficient or whether the power supply is normally performed. It is determined whether or not there is a problem in power supply from the battery such as. If there is a problem in the power supply such as the remaining capacity of the battery is not sufficient, the process proceeds to step S108, and a warning indicating that the remaining capacity of the battery is not sufficient is displayed on the display unit 54 using an image or sound. And returns to step S103. If there is no problem in the power supply by the battery, the process proceeds to step S107, and based on the detection signal from the recording medium attachment / detachment detection means 98, whether the recording medium is mounted, whether the recording / reproducing operation of the recording medium is performed normally, and the like If the recording medium is not mounted or the operation is not normal, the process proceeds to step S108, and a warning indicating that the recording medium is not mounted or abnormal is issued by the image or sound using the display unit 54. Control. Then, the process returns to step S103.

On the other hand, when the recording medium is loaded and the operation is normal, the process proceeds to step S109, where it is determined whether or not the currently selected photographing mode is the aperture priority AE mode. When the shooting mode is the aperture priority AE mode, it is determined that the specific mode is set, and the process proceeds to step S110. Step S11
At 0, it is determined whether the image display flag for controlling the image display of the image display unit 28 to be on / off is on or off. If the image display flag is off, step S1 is performed.
In step S11, the image display of the image display unit 28 is turned on, the image (moving image) being captured is displayed on the image display unit 28, and in step S112, the aperture value set in the aperture priority AE mode is changed. The image is displayed on the image display unit 28.
Here, as shown in FIG. 9, character information 901 (F2.8) indicating the aperture value in the aperture priority AE mode is superimposed on the image and displayed. The color of the character information is, for example, white. In this way, by displaying the image (moving image) and the aperture value set in the aperture priority AE mode on the image display unit 28 in a superimposed manner, the currently set shooting mode is switched to the aperture priority AE mode. The user can be notified that there is something. Then, the process proceeds to step S113 shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S110 that the image display flag is ON, the image has already been displayed on the image display unit 28, and the process proceeds to step S111.
And skip to step S112.

When the currently selected photographing mode is not the aperture priority AE mode in step S109, it is determined that the program AE mode, that is, the normal photographing mode is set, and the above steps S110, S111, and S111 are performed.
The process skips S112 and proceeds to step S113 shown in FIG.

In step S113 shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the switch 62a of the shutter switch 62 is on, that is, whether or not the signal SW1 is being output. It returns to S103. When the signal SW1 is being output, the process proceeds to step S114 to perform distance measurement and photometry processing.

In this distance measuring / photometric processing, as shown in FIG. 4, an image is first read in step S201, and in subsequent step S202, photometric / exposure control is performed to determine an aperture value and a shutter speed. Here, when the aperture priority AE mode is set, the aperture value is a value set by the user, and only the shutter speed is determined. When the program AE mode, which is the normal shooting mode, is set, the aperture value and the shutter speed are determined.
Next, the process proceeds to step S203, where white balance (WB) control is performed, and in step S204, AF control is performed. In this AF control, the distance to the subject is calculated, and the focusing mechanism of the optical lens 10 is driven via the distance measurement control means 42 so that the subject is focused. At this time, if the distance to the subject cannot be calculated due to the influence of high luminance and camera shake, a flag indicating that the distance measurement has failed is set. Then, the processing exits from this processing and shifts to step S115 shown in FIG.

In step S115, step S2
Based on the presence / absence of the flag of 04, it is determined whether or not the distance measurement has failed due to the influence of high luminance and camera shake.
If the distance measurement has failed, the flow advances to step S116 to display a warning indicating that the distance measurement has failed on the optical viewfinder 10.
This is performed by the display unit 54 incorporated in the display unit 4 or on the image display unit 28. For example, when the aperture priority AE mode is set, as shown in FIG. 10, the image on the image display unit 28 includes character information 901 (F
2.8) and shutter speed information 1002 (1/90 sec)
Are superimposed on each other and displayed. At this time, character information 901 indicating the aperture value and information 100 indicating the shutter speed are displayed.
2 is displayed in different colors to indicate that the distance measurement has failed. That is, by changing the display color of these pieces of information, the user is notified of the failure in distance measurement. Here, character information 901 indicating the aperture value
(F2.8) is white and information 1002 indicating shutter speed
(1 / 90sec) is displayed in red. When the distance measurement is successful, the process proceeds to step S117, and information indicating that the distance measurement is successful is displayed on the display unit 54 or the image display unit 28 incorporated in the optical finder 104. For example, in the case where the aperture priority AE mode is set, as shown in FIG.
And the information 1002 indicating the shutter speed are displayed in the same color (for example, white) to indicate that the distance measurement was successful.

Next, the process proceeds to step S118, where it is determined whether or not the switch 62a of the shutter switch 62 is on, that is, whether or not the signal SW1 is being output. If the signal SW1 is not being output, the process proceeds to step S103. Return to When the signal SW1 is being output, the process proceeds to step S119, and it is determined whether or not the switch 62b of the shutter switch 62 is on, that is, whether or not the signal SW2 is being output. If the signal SW2 has not been output, the process returns to step S118 again, and it is determined whether the signal SW1 has been output.

If it is determined in step S119 that the signal SW2 has been output, the flow advances to step S120 to perform a photographing process. In this photographing process, the image sensor 14
A signal read from the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 writes the signal read from the
Exposure processing for writing directly to the memory 30 via the D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22 and development processing for reading image data from the memory 30 and performing various processing using the image processing circuit 20 or the memory control circuit 22 are performed. In a succeeding step S121, a recording process is performed. In this recording process, the image data is read from the memory 30 and compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32 if necessary.
00 or write to the recording medium 210. Then, the process proceeds to step S122 to determine whether or not the signal SW1 is output by the ON operation of the switch 62a.
Is output, the process returns to step S119. If the signal SW1 is not output, the process returns to step S103.

Although the processing procedure has been described here assuming that the specific photographing mode is the aperture priority AE mode, other specific photographing modes, that is, the shutter speed priority AE mode, the manual white balance photographing, and the long-time exposure photographing mode are used. Needless to say, the same procedure can be applied to the above.

Next, a menu process for selecting a photographing mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 7 and 8. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of menu processing in the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a shooting mode in the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is an aperture of the imaging apparatus of FIG. It is a figure showing the example of a value selection screen. Note that this description shows a case where the aperture priority AE mode is selected as the shooting mode.

The menu processing for selecting the photographing mode is started by operating the menu button of the operation unit 70. When the menu button of the operation unit 70 is operated, FIG.
As shown in (1), in step S301, the selected mode is determined based on the selected position of the mode dial switch 60. Here, when another mode (a mode other than the photographing mode) is selected by the mode dial switch 60, the process proceeds to step S303, a process corresponding to the selected mode is executed, and the process exits.

If the photographing mode is selected by the mode dial switch 60, the flow advances to step S302 to display a photographing menu on the display unit 54. here,
As shown in FIG. 7, a list of selectable shooting modes is displayed, and among the shooting modes, the currently set shooting mode is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other shooting modes. In this example, the selectable shooting modes include an aperture mode (“aperture”), a shutter mode (“shutter”),
The white balance mode (“white balance”) and exposure mode (“slow shutter”) are displayed. Here, when changing from the aperture mode to another mode, a desired mode can be selected by operating the menu shift + button or the menu shift-button. Further, for example, when the set button is pressed in a state where the aperture mode is selected, as shown in FIG. 8, the screen is switched to an aperture value selection screen in the aperture mode, and a menu movement + button or By operating the menu move-button, a desired aperture value can be selected.
For example, when "auto" is selected by operating the menu move + button or the menu move-button in the aperture mode, the program AE mode, which is the normal shooting mode, is selected. Also, the aperture priority A which is the specific shooting mode
When selecting the E mode, the aperture value is selected by operating the menu shift + button or menu shift-button. In this example, “F2.8” is selected as the aperture value.

When the aperture value in the aperture mode is selected in this manner, the selected aperture value is obtained and stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 in step S304, and the process exits.

Here, the procedure for selecting an aperture value in the aperture priority AE mode has been described. However, even when any of the other shooting modes, that is, the shutter mode, the white balance mode, and the exposure mode, is selected. Is similarly selected.

Next, an image display ON / OFF switch 66
The processing procedure associated with the operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows image display ON / O in the imaging apparatus of FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure associated with an operation of the FF switch.

This process is started when the specific photographing mode is set. Image display ON / OFF
When the switch 66 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S401, it is determined whether or not the image display flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 is on, and the image display flag is off. At this time, pressing of the current image display ON / OFF switch 66 is performed by the image display unit 28.
Is determined to be a display state, the process proceeds to step S402, the image display flag is set to on so that the image display unit 28 is set to the image display state, and the process exits.

On the other hand, when the image display flag is ON, it is determined that the current depression of the image display ON / OFF switch 66 is an instruction to put the image display unit 28 in the non-display state, and the flow advances to step S403. Proceed, image display unit 2
Then, the image display flag is set to OFF so that the image No. 8 is in the image non-display state, and in the subsequent step S404, the specific shooting mode is canceled and the normal shooting mode is set. Here, when the aperture priority AE mode is set as the specific shooting mode, the normal shooting mode is set as the program AE mode for the aperture priority AE mode.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the specific shooting mode is set by the mode dial switch 60, the image is displayed such that the captured image and the information indicating the setting of the specific shooting mode are superimposed and displayed. The display unit 28 is controlled. When the image display ON / OFF switch 66 instructs image non-display on the image display unit 28 in a state where the specific shooting mode is set, the setting of the specific shooting mode is canceled and the normal shooting mode is set. Control. Specifically, when the aperture priority AE mode is set,
Since character information representing the aperture value of the aperture priority AE mode is superimposed on the captured image and displayed on the image display unit 28, the aperture value is displayed using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28, and the aperture value is displayed. The user can be reliably notified of the setting of the priority AE mode, and unintended shooting can be prevented. Further, when the setting notification of the aperture priority AE mode using the electronic finder function cannot be performed, it is erroneously recognized that the normal shooting mode is set even though the aperture priority AE mode is set. Shooting can be prevented.

[0067]

As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, imaging means, electronic finder display means for displaying an image taken by the imaging means, and normal imaging conditions A mode setting means for selectively setting a normal shooting mode for performing a shooting operation according to a specific shooting mode according to a specific shooting condition by the imaging means; And control means for controlling the display means so as to display the image taken by the means and the information indicating the setting of the specific shooting mode in a superimposed manner. Using the function, the setting of the specific shooting mode can be reliably notified to the user, and unintended shooting can be prevented.

Further, according to the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a display instructing means for instructing display and non-display of an image picked up by the image pickup means on the electronic finder display means. When the non-display of the image is instructed by the display instructing means in the set state, the mode setting means is controlled so as to cancel the setting of the specific photographing mode. Therefore, the setting notice of the specific photographing mode using the electronic finder is performed. In the case where the photographing cannot be performed, it is possible to prevent the photographing operation from being erroneously recognized as being set in the normal photographing mode even though the specific photographing mode is set.

According to the imaging control method of the present invention, when the specific shooting mode is set, the user can be notified of the setting of the specific shooting mode by using the electronic finder function. Can be prevented beforehand.

Further, according to the imaging control method of the present invention, when the setting notification of the specific photographing mode using the electronic finder cannot be performed, the specific photographing mode is set regardless of the setting. When the normal shooting mode is set, it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition and shooting.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, when the specific shooting mode is set, the user can be notified of the setting of the specific shooting mode by using the electronic finder function. Contrary to shooting can be prevented beforehand.

Further, according to the storage medium of the present invention, when the setting notification of the specific photographing mode using the electronic finder cannot be performed, the normal photographing mode is set even though the specific photographing mode is set. When the shooting mode is set, it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition and shooting.

Further, according to the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, an image pickup means, a display means capable of displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means and control information, a normal photographing mode for performing a normal photographing operation by the image pickup means, A mode setting means capable of selectively setting a special shooting mode for performing a shooting operation under predetermined shooting conditions by the imaging means, and a display means for automatically displaying an image when the special shooting mode is set by the mode setting means. A control means for canceling the special photographing mode when the display state is not displayed and when the display means is not displayed is provided, so that the user can be reliably notified of the setting of the special photographing mode, and unintended photographing is performed. Can be prevented beforehand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a main control procedure in the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a main control procedure in the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a distance measurement / photometry process in step S114 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of menu processing in the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1;

6 is an image display ON / OFF in the imaging apparatus of FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure associated with an operation of a switch 66.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting a shooting mode in the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1;

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an aperture value selection screen in an aperture priority mode of the imaging apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of image display in step S112 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of image display in step S116 of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical lens 12 Shutter 14 Image sensor 22 Memory control circuit 28 Image display part 40 Exposure control means 42 Distance control means 50 System control circuit 52 Memory 54 Display part 56 Nonvolatile memory 60 Mode dial switch 62 Shutter switch 66 Image display ON / OFF switch 70 Operation unit 100 Imaging device

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means, an electronic finder display means capable of displaying an image picked up by the image pickup means, a normal photographing mode in which a photographing operation is performed by the image pickup means in accordance with a normal photographing condition, and specified by the image pickup means. Mode setting means for selectively setting a specific shooting mode for performing a shooting operation in accordance with the shooting conditions, and when the specific shooting mode is set by the mode setting means, an image taken by the imaging means and the specific shooting mode An imaging device comprising: a control unit that controls the electronic finder display unit so as to display information indicating a mode setting in a superimposed manner. 2. An electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising a display instructing unit for instructing the electronic viewfinder display unit to display and non-display an image captured by the image capturing unit. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the non-display of the image is instructed by the display instruction means, the mode setting means is controlled so as to cancel the setting of the specific shooting mode. 3. When the non-display of the image is instructed by the display instruction unit in a state where the specific shooting mode is set, the control unit cancels the setting of the specific shooting mode and performs the normal shooting. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mode setting means is controlled to set a mode. 4. The normal shooting mode automatically sets a plurality of shooting parameters according to a predetermined procedure,
This is a shooting mode in which shooting is performed under shooting conditions according to each set shooting parameter, and the specific shooting mode automatically sets at least one shooting parameter among a plurality of shooting parameters and automatically sets other shooting parameters. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the imaging mode is an imaging mode in which imaging is performed under imaging conditions according to each set imaging parameter. 5. An image pickup unit, a display unit for an electronic finder for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup unit, a normal photographing mode for performing a photographing operation according to a normal photographing condition by the image pickup unit, and an image pickup unit. A mode setting unit for selectively setting a specific shooting mode for performing a shooting operation in accordance with a specific shooting condition, wherein the mode setting unit sets the specific shooting mode by the mode setting unit. And when the specific shooting mode is set by the mode setting means, the electronic image is displayed such that an image captured by the imaging means and information indicating the setting of the specific shooting mode are superimposed and displayed. Controlling a finder display means. 6. A step of instructing display and non-display of an image picked up by the image pickup means on the electronic viewfinder display means, and instructing non-display of the image in a state where the specific photographing mode is set. And a step of controlling the mode setting means to cancel the setting of the specific shooting mode when the non-display of the image is instructed after the setting of the specific shooting mode. 6. The imaging control method according to claim 5, wherein: 7. When the non-display of the image is instructed in a state where the specific shooting mode is set, the mode setting means cancels the setting of the specific shooting mode and sets the normal shooting mode. The imaging control method according to claim 6, wherein the control is performed. 8. The normal photographing mode automatically sets a plurality of photographing parameters according to a predetermined procedure,
This is a shooting mode in which shooting is performed under shooting conditions according to each set shooting parameter, and the specific shooting mode automatically sets at least one shooting parameter among a plurality of shooting parameters and automatically sets other shooting parameters. The imaging control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the imaging mode is an imaging mode in which imaging is performed under imaging conditions according to each set imaging parameter. 9. An image pickup unit, a display unit for an electronic finder for displaying an image picked up by the image pickup unit, a normal photographing mode for performing a photographing operation according to a normal photographing condition by the image pickup unit, and the image pickup unit. A storage device storing a program for controlling an imaging apparatus comprising: a specific shooting mode for performing a shooting operation in accordance with a specific shooting condition; and a mode setting unit for selectively setting the shooting mode. A determination module for determining whether or not a specific shooting mode has been set; and, when the specific shooting mode has been set by the mode setting unit, an image captured by the imaging unit and information indicating the setting of the specific shooting mode. And a control module for controlling the electronic finder display means so as to superimpose and display the electronic finder. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 10. The image pickup apparatus further includes display instruction means for instructing display and non-display of an image taken by the image pickup means on the electronic viewfinder display means. It is determined whether or not non-display of the image has been instructed by the display instruction unit in the set state, and when the non-display of the image is instructed by the display instruction unit after setting the specific shooting mode,
10. The storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the mode setting means is controlled so as to cancel the setting of the specific shooting mode. 11. When the non-display of the image is instructed by the display instruction means in a state where the specific shooting mode is set, the control module cancels the setting of the specific shooting mode and performs the normal shooting. 11. The storage medium according to claim 10, wherein said mode setting means is controlled to set a mode. 12. The normal photographing mode is a photographing mode in which a plurality of photographing parameters are automatically set according to a predetermined procedure, and photographing is performed under photographing conditions according to the set photographing parameters. Is a photographing mode in which at least one of a plurality of photographing parameters is fixed, other photographing parameters are automatically set, and photographing is performed under photographing conditions according to each set photographing parameter. Claims 9 to 11
The storage medium according to any one of the above. 13. An image capturing means, a display means capable of displaying an image captured by the image capturing means and control information, a normal image capturing mode for performing a normal image capturing operation by the image capturing means, and a predetermined image capturing by the image capturing means. A mode setting means for selectively setting a special shooting mode for performing a shooting operation according to conditions; and a state in which the display means automatically displays an image when the special shooting mode is set by the mode setting means. An imaging apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to release the special shooting mode when the display unit is not displayed. 14. The control unit, when the special shooting mode is set, displays the image and information indicating that the special shooting mode is displayed on the display unit in a superimposed manner. 14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: 15. The control means, when the display means is in a non-display state in the special shooting mode,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the mode setting unit is controlled to set the normal shooting mode. 16. The normal photographing mode is a program AE.
16. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the special photographing mode is an aperture priority AE mode. 17. The normal photographing mode is a program AE.
16. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the special shooting mode is a shutter speed priority AE mode. 18. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the normal shooting mode is an auto white balance mode, and the special shooting mode is a manual white balance mode. 19. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the normal shooting mode is an automatic exposure shooting mode, and the special shooting mode is a long exposure shooting mode.