JP2002185938A - Electronic camera system, electronic camera, server computer and portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera system where an electronic camera can receive a returned simulation image resulting from various revisions applied to a photographed image by a server computer by having only to transmit the photographed image with the photographing condition attached thereto to the server computer through a network. SOLUTION: Upon the receipt of a photographed image transmitted from the electronic camera 2, the server computer 1 applies various revisions to the photographing condition, generates a simulation image through the application of image processing to the photographed image on which the revision is reflected, and returns the image together with the photographing condition after the revision to the electronic camera 2. On the other hand, the electronic camera 2 transmits the photographed image such as a trial photo to the server computer 1 and awaits the return of the simulation image with the photographing condition after the revision attached thereto, selects any simulation image among the simulation images when the simulation image is returned, and performs the setting of the photographing condition on the basis of the photographing condition of the selected simulation image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of transmitting a simulated image obtained by making various changes to a photographic image only by transmitting the photographic image with photographic conditions via a network such as the Internet. The present invention relates to an electronic camera system, an electronic camera, a server computer, and a portable information terminal that can be received with shooting conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a subject image is formed on a solid-state image sensor, for example, a CCD two-dimensional image sensor by an image pickup optical system and converted into an electric signal. A so-called electronic camera that records data on a recording medium such as a disk has been widely used.

In this type of electronic camera, not only shooting conditions in a narrow sense common to silver halide cameras, such as a so-called aperture and shutter speed, presence or absence of strobe light emission, light emission amount correction, but also white balance, color processing (color table), gamma , Etc., must be set appropriately.

[0004]

By the way, when various photographing conditions can be set as described above and the setting range is widened, a user who is familiar with the handling of the camera has more freedom in photographing. However, setting the shooting conditions according to the situation at that time becomes increasingly difficult for unskilled users, and even if you try to adjust the shooting conditions while looking at the images obtained by trial shooting, At present, it is difficult to understand how to correct the problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. For example, only a photographed image with photographing conditions is transmitted through a network such as the Internet, and various changes are made to the photographed image. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera system, an electronic camera, a server computer, and a portable information terminal capable of receiving a return of a simulation image with a changed imaging condition.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in an electronic camera system according to the present invention, a server computer receives a photographed image with a photographing condition from each electronic camera, and converts the photographed image into the photographed image. Simulated images with various changes are sent back to the electronic camera with the changed shooting conditions. For this purpose, multiple electronic cameras and setting of shooting conditions for these electronic cameras are supported. An electronic camera system connected to a server computer via a network, wherein the server computer receives image data attached with the shooting conditions transmitted from the electronic camera via the network. Image data receiving means, and an image accompanying the image data received by the image data receiving means. At least one or more types of changes are individually added to the conditions, and simulation means for individually performing image processing on the image data so as to reflect each of the changes, and photographing conditions changed by the simulation means are attached. Simulation image data returning means for returning at least one or more image data subjected to image processing by the simulation means to the electronic camera via the network, wherein the electronic camera has a display device, Image data transmitting means for transmitting the image data obtained by the photographing to the server computer via the network with the photographing conditions attached thereto; and the server computer transmits the image data in response to the transmission of the image data by the image data transmitting means. Sent back over the network, Simulation image data receiving means for receiving at least one or more image data subjected to the image processing, and simulation image display means for reproducing the image data received by the simulation image data receiving means and displaying the reproduced image data on the display device A simulation image selecting means for selecting any image from the image data reproduced and displayed by the simulation image display means, and a photographing condition attached to the image data selected by the simulation image selecting means, A photographing condition setting means for setting photographing conditions.

In the electronic camera system according to the present invention, even if the user cannot make appropriate settings because he or she does not know what each parameter of the photographing condition means, By simply transmitting the captured image via the network and obtaining at least one or more simulated images to which various changes have been individually made with the corrected imaging conditions, the user can select his / her own image from among these. Only by visually checking and selecting a simulation image that matches the image, it is possible to appropriately set the shooting conditions.

[0008] Further, for example, a so-called portable information terminal is interposed between the server computer and the electronic camera, and the data communication function is substituted for the portable information terminal. By transmitting the conditions, it is possible to reduce the functions mounted on the electronic camera.

[0009]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this electronic camera system, a server computer 1 and an electronic camera 2 are connected via the Internet A and a wireless communication path. The wireless station B communicates with the server computer 1 via the Internet A on the one hand, and forms a service area in a predetermined geographical area on the other hand, and wirelessly communicates with the electronic camera 2 located in the service area. By communicating via the communication path, the communication between the server computer 1 and the electronic camera 2 is mediated. Although only one wireless station B and one electronic camera 2 are shown in FIG. 1 for the sake of simplicity of explanation, actually, in each service area formed by a plurality of wireless stations B, One or a plurality of electronic cameras 2 are connected to the server computer 1 via the Internet A.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the server computer 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server computer 1 includes a CPU 11, a system memory 12, a hard disk device 13, a display controller 14, a keyboard controller 15, and a communication controller 16.

The CPU 11 controls the server computer 1
It is responsible for the overall control and operates according to the description of various programs including an operating system and utilities stored in the system memory 12. The system memory 12 is a memory device serving as a main memory of the server computer 1, and includes various programs including an operating system and utilities describing the operation procedure of the CPU 11, and is used for the various programs or created by the various programs. Stores various data. That is, all functions of the server computer 1 are realized by the operation of the CPU 11 in accordance with the description of various programs stored in the system memory 12.

The hard disk device 13 is a memory device serving as an external storage of the server computer 1.
Various programs and various data loaded into or swapped from the system memory 12 are stored. The hard disk device 13 stores various data for making a predetermined change to the photographing conditions of the photographed image transmitted from the electronic camera 2 and simulating the changed contents with the photographed image. This data holds, for example, a change width of the exposure value for each pattern.

The display controller 14 controls the output of the user interface in the server computer 1, and controls display of the display data created by the CPU 11 on a display device such as an LCD. On the other hand, the keyboard controller 15 controls input of a user interface in the server computer 1, and converts operation of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like into data and transfers the data to the CPU 11.

The communication controller 16 executes data communication with the electronic camera 2 via the Internet A and a wireless communication path. The communication controller 16 connects to the electronic camera 2 and transmits and receives data based on a predetermined protocol. Control.

In the server computer 1 having such a configuration, first, the electronic camera 2 waits for transmission of a photographed image with photographing conditions. For example, when the photographed image is stored as an Exif format file, a predetermined tag number (ex. Exposure time: 0x
829a).

Next, the server computer 1 changes the photographing conditions of the transmitted photographed image using various data stored in the hard disk device 13 and performs image processing on the photographed image to reflect the change. Is performed, and a simulated image with the changed photographic conditions is returned to the electronic camera 2. In addition, the change of this shooting condition
A professional person may go while looking at the images. Also, the simulation accompanying it may be performed by dedicated software or a person in charge of the specialized software.

Thus, even if the user of the electronic camera 2 is not familiar with the handling of the camera and does not know how to adjust the setting of the photographing conditions, various changes can be made. The obtained photographing conditions can be easily acquired together with the simulation image.

These functions are realized by the operation of the CPU 11 in accordance with the description of various programs stored in the system memory 12 as described above.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the electronic camera 2.

In FIG. 3, after the subject light passes through a lens 21, the amount of light is controlled by a stop 22. The lens 21 is driven by an AF motor 23, and the aperture 22 is driven by an aperture motor 24. Lens 21 and aperture 2
2 passes through a solid-state color image sensor C
The light is incident on a CD two-dimensional color image sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a CCD) 25, whereby a subject image is formed on an imaging surface of the CCD 25.

The CCD 25 constitutes an imaging surface by arranging a plurality of pixels performing photoelectric conversion in a two-dimensional matrix.
Furthermore, a color filter is arranged on the imaging surface,
By being driven and controlled by the CCD driver 26, signal charges corresponding to the subject image formed on the imaging surface are accumulated. The signal charges accumulated on the imaging surface are read out from the CCD 25 as electric signals called pixel signals.

The pixel signal read from the CCD 25 is
After being converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 27,
It is input to an AE (auto exposure) processing unit 28, an AF (auto focus adjustment) processing unit 29, and an image processing unit 30.

The AE processing unit 28 receives the digitized pixel signal output from the A / D converter 27, performs an arithmetic processing mainly on the cumulative addition of the pixel signals from each pixel, and calculates the cumulative added value. A according to the brightness of the subject based on
Find the E evaluation value.

The AF processing section 29 receives the digitized pixel signal output from the A / D converter 27, extracts, for example, a high-frequency component of the pixel signal for one screen by a high-pass filter, and accumulates the extracted high-frequency component. By performing arithmetic processing such as addition, an AF evaluation value corresponding to the contour component amount on the high frequency side is calculated.

In the image processing section 30, I
By performing SO sensitivity setting, auto white balance (AWB), luminance / color signal generation, gamma processing, etc.,
A color image signal of a predetermined format is generated.

The color image signal generated by the image processing section 30 is temporarily stored in a buffer memory 31 composed of, for example, a DRAM. This buffer memory 3
1 is connected to a compression / decompression processing unit 34, and the compression / decompression processing unit 34 is further connected to a recording / reproduction processing unit 35. The compression / expansion processing unit 34
A compression processing section for performing a compression (encoding) process on the image signal stored in the storage medium 36 so as to be in a form suitable for recording on the recording medium 36, and expanding (decoding) the image data recorded on the recording medium 36 And a decompression processing unit for performing processing. As a method of this compression processing, for example, a JPEG method is used, but it is not limited to this. At the time of reproduction, the decompressed image signal is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 31 and passes through the display processing unit 22 to the color liquid crystal display 2.
3 is displayed as appropriate.

On the other hand, the recording / reproducing processing unit 35 performs processing of recording image data on the recording medium 36 and reproducing image data from the recording medium 36. Recording medium 36
For example, a memory card constituted by a semiconductor memory such as a card-type flash memory is generally used, but is not limited to a memory card. For example, a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk or a floppy (registered trademark) disk is used. Various forms such as a medium can be used.

The communication controller 37 executes data communication with the server computer 1 via the Internet A and a wireless communication path, and controls connection and data exchange with the server computer 1 based on a predetermined protocol. I do.

The above operations are all controlled by a system controller 38. The system controller 38 controls each unit based on the processing results of the AE processing unit 28 and AF processing unit 29 and commands from the operation unit 39. .
Specifically, the system controller 38 controls the image processing unit 3
0, a buffer memory 31, a display processing unit 32, a compression / decompression processing unit 34, a recording / reproduction processing unit 35, a communication controller 37, and motor drivers 40 and 41 for driving the AF motor 23 and the aperture motor 24.

That is, the system controller 38
The motor driver 41 is controlled based on the AE evaluation value obtained by the AE processing unit 28, and the diaphragm 2 is controlled via the diaphragm motor 24.
2 to control the amount of light, and even CCD
By controlling the charge accumulation time of the CCD 25 via the driver 26, an automatic exposure (AE) process is performed. Further, the system controller 38 controls the motor driver 40 based on the AF evaluation value obtained by the AF processing unit 29, moves the imaging lens 21 in the optical axis direction via the AF motor 23, and performs automatic focus adjustment (AF ) Perform processing.

The operation section 39 generates a command signal for performing various operations based on the operation of the camera user and transmits the command signal to the system controller 38. Specifically, a command signal corresponding to an operation of a release switch for instructing photographing, a mode switch for instructing an operation mode of the electronic camera, a cross key for instructing detailed operations in each mode, and the like. Generate.

In addition to the above-described various controls, the system controller 38 transmits a photographed image with a photographing condition, thereby receiving a return of the photographing condition with various changes added together with the simulation image. Has a function of performing a shooting condition correction control peculiar to. Hereinafter, the shooting condition correction control will be described in detail.

The system controller 38 includes an image transmitting / receiving unit 42 and a photographing condition setting unit 43 in order to perform the photographing condition correction control. A simulation image holding unit 44, which is a memory device for storing the simulation image, is provided.

The image transmission / reception section 42 attaches the image data generated by the image processing section 30 and stored in the buffer memory 31 at the time of photographing such as a test photographing to the server via the communication controller 37 with the photographing conditions at that time. The simulation image transmitted to the computer 1 and returned in response to the transmission, to which the changed imaging condition is added, is stored in the simulation image holding unit 44.

On the other hand, the photographing condition setting section 43 displays the simulation image stored in the simulation image holding section 44 on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33, and in response to this display, from the operation section 39, displays the simulation image. When an instruction to set the shooting condition is given, the setting of the shooting condition is executed based on the shooting condition attached to the simulation image.

An example of the change of the photographing condition will be described first.
Exposure compensation value −
It is assumed that the aperture and shutter speed of the photographing conditions are changed by the server computer 1 so that the exposure correction of 2.0 is added. In this case, in addition to the change, the server computer 1 performs image processing on the photographed image to reflect the contents of the change, performs a simulation, attaches the changed photographing condition to the simulation image, and returns the simulation image to the electronic camera. Then, the electronic camera 2 displays the returned simulation image on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33 side by side with the original image. FIG. 4 shows a color liquid crystal display (LC) of the electronic camera 2 at this time.
D) A display example of 33.

It is also assumed that the aperture and shutter speed of the photographing conditions are changed by the server computer 1 so that the photographed image transmitted from the electronic camera 2 is subjected to the exposure compensation of the exposure compensation value +2.0. Also in this case, the server computer 1 performs a simulation by performing image processing on the photographed image to reflect the contents of the change together with the change, attaches the changed photographing condition to the simulation image, and returns the simulation image to the electronic camera. . Then, the electronic camera 2 displays the returned simulation image on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33 side by side with the original image. FIG. 5 shows a display example of the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33 of the electronic camera 2 at this time.

When the user likes one of the simulation images shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the user gives an instruction to set photographing conditions using the operation unit 39 while the simulation image is being displayed. The setting of the shooting conditions attached to is executed.

Thus, even if the photographing conditions cannot be set as desired, the user only needs to transmit a photographed image accompanied by the photographing conditions via the Internet A, and the photographing conditions can be variously changed. It is possible to receive the returned simulation image with the changed shooting conditions with the changed shooting conditions, and it is possible to set appropriate shooting conditions by reproducing and selecting these.

Next, the operation principle of the electronic camera system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the server computer 1.

The server computer 1 first waits for reception of a photographed image with a photographing condition transmitted by the electronic camera 2 (step A1). When the photographed image is received (YES in step A2), the server computer 1 individually adds various changes to the photographing conditions attached to the received photographed image (step A3) and reflects the change in the photographing conditions. At least one or more simulation images are created by individually applying image processing to the image data (step A4). And the server computer 1
The simulation image is returned to the electronic camera 2 with the changed photographing conditions (step A5).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the electronic camera 2.

The electronic camera 2 first transmits, for example, a photographed image taken as a trial or a photographed image not obtained as desired to the server computer 1 with photographing conditions (step B1). Next, it waits for the return of at least one or more simulation images to which the changed photographing conditions are added in response to the transmission (step B2), and when the simulation images are returned (YES in step B2),
This simulation image is stored in the buffer memory 31, and displayed on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) 33 (step B3). Then, when any one of the simulation images is instructed to be selected from the simulation images (YES in step B4), the photographing conditions are set based on the photographing conditions attached to the selected simulation image (step B5). ).

As described above, in this electronic camera system, even if the user cannot make appropriate settings because he does not know what each parameter of the photographing condition means, Only by transmitting the conditions to the photographed images via the network and obtaining at least one or more simulation images to which various changes have been individually made with the corrected photographing conditions, from among these, Only by visually checking and selecting a simulation image that matches the user's image, it is possible to appropriately set the shooting conditions.

Here, an example is shown in which the electronic camera 2 has a data communication function with the server computer 1. However, for example, a so-called portable information terminal is interposed between the server computer 1 and the electronic camera 2. The data communication function is substituted by the portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal is made to transmit the photographed image with the photographing condition to the server computer 1, and the changed photographing condition returned from the server computer 1 is added. The simulation image may be received, and the photographing conditions of the received simulation image may be transmitted to the electronic camera 2. In this case, it is possible to reduce the functions mounted on the electronic camera 2.

Further, the communication means is not limited to the Internet described above, and may perform direct communication via, for example, a dedicated line.

[0050]

As described above in detail, according to the electronic camera system of the present invention, the server computer receives the photographed image with the photographing condition from each electronic camera, and variously changes the photographed image. Is returned to the electronic camera with the changed imaging conditions with the changed imaging conditions, so it is not possible to make appropriate settings because it is not known what each parameter of the imaging conditions means. Even if the user simply attaches the photographing conditions at the time of photographing to the photographed image and transmits it via the network, at least one or more simulated images to which various changes are individually made are attached with the corrected photographing conditions. You can set the shooting conditions simply by visually checking and selecting a simulation image that suits your image from among these. It is possible to appropriately execute.

Also, for example, a so-called portable information terminal is interposed between the server computer and the electronic camera, the portable information terminal is substituted for a data communication function, and the portable information terminal is used to photograph the electronic camera after correction. By transmitting the conditions, it is possible to reduce the functions mounted on the electronic camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing the internal configuration of the server computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing the internal configuration of the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary first diagram showing an example of a change in shooting conditions executed by the server computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary second diagram illustrating an example of a change in imaging conditions executed by the server computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the server computer in the electronic camera system of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the electronic camera in the electronic camera system of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server computer 2 ... Electronic camera 11 ... CPU 12 ... System memory 13 ... Hard disk drive 14 ... Display controller 15 ... Keyboard controller 16 ... Communication controller 21 ... Lens 22 ... Aperture 23 ... AF motor 24 ... Aperture motor 25 ... CCD 2D color Image sensor (CCD) 26 ... CCD driver 27 ... A / D converter 28 ... AE processing unit 29 ... AF processing unit 30 ... Image processing unit 31 ... Buffer memory 32 ... Display processing unit 33 ... Color liquid crystal display (LCD) 34 ... Compression / decompression unit 35 Recording / reproduction processing unit 36 Recording medium 37 Communication controller 38 System controller 39 Operation unit 40, 41 Motor driver 42 Image transmission / reception unit 43 Photographing condition setting unit 44 Simulation image holding unit A … Internet B: Radio station

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB01 AB21 AB65 AC03 AC41 AC52 AC69 5C064 AA01 AA04 AB02 AB03 AC04 AC07 AC12 AD01 AD08 BA04 BB03 BD08 BD09 BD14 5K067 BB04 BB21 DD52 FF23 GG01 GG11 HH05 HH21

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera system in which a plurality of electronic cameras and a server computer for supporting setting of photographing conditions in these electronic cameras are connected via a network, wherein the server computer comprises: Image data receiving means for receiving image data attached to the shooting condition transmitted from the camera via the network; and at least one kind of shooting condition attached to the image data received by the image data receiving means A simulation means for individually applying the above-mentioned changes and individually performing image processing on the image data so as to reflect the contents of the changes; and a simulation means for attaching photographing conditions changed by the simulation means. At least one image subjected to image processing by Simulation image data returning means for returning data to the electronic camera via the network, the electronic camera having a display device, and attaching the image data obtained by image capturing to the image capturing conditions to connect the network. Image data transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the server computer via the network; and at least one of the image processing units returned from the server computer via the network in response to image data transmission by the image data transmitting means.
Simulation image data receiving means for receiving one or more image data, simulation image display means for reproducing the image data received by the simulation image data receiving means and displaying the image data on the display device, reproduction by the simulation image display means Simulation image selecting means for selecting any image from the displayed image data; and photographing conditions for executing setting of the photographing conditions based on the photographing conditions attached to the image data selected by the simulation image selecting means. An electronic camera system comprising: setting means. 2. The server computer according to claim 1, wherein the simulation means changes at least one of aperture, shutter speed, presence or absence of strobe light emission or light emission amount correction, white balance, and sensitivity. Electronic camera system as described. 3. An electronic camera connectable to a server computer for supporting setting of a photographing condition, comprising: a display device; and image data acquired by the photographing attached to the photographing condition via the network. Image data transmitting means for transmitting to the server computer, at least one or more kinds of changes individually returned from the server computer via the network in response to the transmission of the image data by the image data transmitting means are individually applied Simulation image data receiving means for receiving at least one or more pieces of image data to which the imaging conditions are attached and individually subjected to image processing so as to reflect each of the changed contents, and the simulation image data receiving means And reproduces the image data received by the Simulation image display means, simulation image selection means for selecting any image from the image data reproduced and displayed by the simulation image display means, and imaging accompanying the image data selected by the simulation image selection means An electronic camera, comprising: photographing condition setting means for setting photographing conditions based on conditions. 4. The simulation image display means,
The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein a list of a plurality of image data is displayed. 5. The simulation image display means,
4. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of image data are sequentially displayed one by one. 6. The electronic camera according to claim 3, further comprising simulation image data recording means for recording image data received by said simulation image data reception means on a recording medium. 7. A server computer connected to a plurality of electronic cameras via a network to support setting of photographing conditions in these electronic cameras, wherein the server computer is transmitted from the electronic cameras via the network. Image data receiving means for receiving image data accompanied by the photographing condition; and at least one or more changes are individually made to the photographing conditions attached to the image data received by the image data receiving means, and the change is made. A simulation unit for individually performing image processing on the image data so as to reflect the contents, and at least one or more image processing performed by the simulation unit accompanied by a photographing condition changed by the simulation unit Image data is returned to the electronic camera via the network. And a simulation image data returning means. 8. A plurality of electronic cameras, a plurality of personal digital assistants connected to these electronic cameras via a data communication path, and the electronic personal computer connected to these personal digital assistants via a network. An electronic camera system comprising: a server computer for supporting setting of a shooting condition in a camera, wherein the server computer transmits an image transmitted from the portable information terminal via the network, the image including the shooting condition. Image data receiving means for receiving data; and individually adding at least one or more types of changes to the shooting conditions attached to the image data received by the image data receiving means, and reflecting the changes. Simulation means for individually performing image processing on image data; and Simulation image data returning means for returning at least one or more image data subjected to image processing by the simulation means to the portable information terminal via the network, the simulation image data returning means accommodating the added photographing conditions. The portable information terminal, a display device, image data receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the electronic camera via the data communication path and accompanied by the imaging condition, and the image data receiving means Image data transmitting means for transmitting the received image data to the server computer; andthe image processing returned from the server computer via the network in response to the transmission of the image data by the image data transmitting means. At least one applied
Simulation image data receiving means for receiving one or more image data, simulation image display means for reproducing the image data received by the simulation image data receiving means and displaying the image data on the display device, reproduction by the simulation image display means Simulation image selecting means for selecting any image from the displayed image data; and photographing conditions attached to the image data selected by the simulation image selecting means to the electronic camera via the data communication path. Image data transmitting means for transmitting image data to which the image capturing conditions are attached to the portable information terminal via the data communication path; and transmitting the image data. Means for responding to the transmission of image data by the A photographing condition receiving unit that receives a photographing condition transmitted from the information terminal via the data communication path; and a photographing condition setting unit that performs setting of the photographing condition based on the photographing condition received by the photographing condition receiving unit. An electronic camera system comprising: 9. A portable information terminal which is connected to an electronic camera via a data communication path and which can be connected via a network to a server computer for supporting setting of photographing conditions in the electronic camera, the display device comprising: Image data receiving means for receiving image data attached with the shooting conditions transmitted from the electronic camera via the data communication path; and transmitting the image data received by the image data receiving means to the network. Means for transmitting image data to the server computer via the network, and at least one type of change returned from the server computer via the network in response to image data transmission by the image data transmitting means Are added to the shooting conditions, and their changes are reflected respectively. Simulation image data receiving means for receiving at least one or more image data individually subjected to image processing as described above, and a simulation image for reproducing the image data received by the simulation image data receiving means and displaying the reproduced image data on the display device Display means; simulation image selection means for selecting any one of the image data reproduced and displayed by the simulation image display means; and imaging conditions attached to the image data selected by the simulation image selection means. A portable information terminal, comprising: photographing condition transmitting means for transmitting to the electronic camera via the data communication path. 10. A photographing condition setting support method for a server computer connected to a plurality of electronic cameras via a network, wherein the image is transmitted from the electronic camera via the network and includes an image attached with the photographing conditions. Receiving data; and individually applying at least one or more types of changes to the shooting conditions attached to the received image data, and individually performing image processing on the image data so as to reflect the respective changes. And a step of returning at least one or more image data subjected to the image processing to the electronic camera via the network, accompanied by the changed imaging conditions. Condition setting support method.