JP2002223386A - Photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device with which a time required for photographing is shortened, the losing of a shutter opportunity is effectively prevented and whose power consumption is effectively saved. SOLUTION: The device is provided with photographing means (1, 3, 5 and 6) for photographing the same object several times by changing the exposure amount by one-time photographing operation, a photographing condition judging means 8 for judging whether a photographing condition is proper or not in the first photographing operation based on at least one of a plurality of images obtained by the first photographing operation through the use of the photographing means and a photographing control means 8 for controlling the photographing operation of the photographing means to perform the second photographing operation by the photographing condition which is different from the first one based on the judgement result of the photographing condition judging means when the first photographing condition is improper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus which reads out a plurality of image pickup signals having different exposure amounts from a single image pickup device and combines them to obtain an image with a wide dynamic range.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, television cameras, video cameras,
2. Description of the Related Art In a photographing device such as an electronic camera, a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD image sensor is used, but the dynamic range (hereinafter, also referred to as DR for short) of the solid-state image sensor is extremely narrow as compared with a silver halide photographic film. There is a problem.

Conventionally, in order to solve this problem, various techniques have been proposed for obtaining an image having an enlarged DR by reading a plurality of image signals having different exposure amounts from a single image sensor and combining them. .

[0004]

However, in the conventional photographing apparatus, prior to the main photographing for obtaining a wide-DR image, an AE (Automatic Automatic Modulation) is performed using an image signal from an image pickup device.
(Exposure) operation, thereby performing exposure control for controlling the iris and shutter speed so that the subject can appropriately enter the narrow DR.

For this reason, when the power of the photographing apparatus is off and the photographing operation is performed immediately after the power is turned on to photograph a desired scene, if the AE operation is not completed, the trigger of the actual photographing is performed. Since the operation is not performed, there is a problem that the time required for photographing becomes longer and a shutter chance is missed. In addition, since the AE operation is performed, there is a problem in that the power consumption of the image capturing apparatus deteriorates particularly when the image capturing apparatus is driven by a battery due to an increase in power consumption accompanying the AE operation. In order to avoid missing a photo opportunity, the power of the photographing apparatus may be turned on in advance so that the AE operation is completed before the actual photographing. In this case, the power-on period is unnecessarily long. And waste of power consumption increases,
Particularly, when the photographing apparatus is driven by a battery, there is a problem that the battery life is further deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention, which has been made in view of the above points, is to provide a photographing apparatus capable of shortening a time required for photographing, effectively preventing missed shutter chances, and effectively reducing power consumption. It is in.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation;
A photographing condition determining unit that determines whether a photographing condition in the first photographing operation is appropriate based on at least one image among a plurality of images obtained in the first photographing operation by the photographing unit; Based on the determination result of the determining means, when the first capturing condition is inappropriate, the second capturing operation is performed under a capturing condition different from the first capturing condition. And photographing control means for controlling

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation, and a plurality of photographing means obtained in the first photographing operation by the photographing means. Shooting condition determining means for determining whether the shooting condition in the first shooting operation is appropriate based on at least one of the images, and power switch means for starting power supply in connection with the shooting operation, Starting the shooting operation by the shooting means in synchronization with the start of the power supply,
Based on the result of the determination by the above-mentioned imaging condition determination means, when the first imaging condition is inappropriate, the second imaging operation is performed under an imaging condition different from the imaging condition in the first imaging operation. A photographing control means for controlling a photographing operation of the photographing means.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image signal processing unit configured to perform image signal processing using a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained in a final image capturing operation based on a determination result of the image capturing condition determining unit. It is assumed that.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the third aspect, the image signal processing means combines a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained in the last photographing operation to generate a wide dynamic range image. And subjecting the wide dynamic range image to exposure correction and performing image signal processing so as to obtain an image with an appropriate exposure amount.

[0011] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
The image capturing apparatus according to the above, further comprising a continuous shooting mode selecting means for selecting a continuous shooting mode, when the continuous shooting mode is selected, it is configured to perform a shooting operation repeatedly after the last shooting operation. It is a feature.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing means for photographing the same object a plurality of times by changing the exposure amount in one photographing operation, and different photographing conditions for the photographing operation by the photographing means. And a photographing control means for controlling the photographing operation to be performed a plurality of times.

[0013] The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6.
Wherein a plurality of images with different exposure amounts obtained by at least one shooting operation are combined to obtain a wide dynamic range image, and the wide dynamic range image is subjected to exposure correction to obtain an image with a proper exposure amount. Thus, the image signal processing means for performing the image signal processing is provided.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing device for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation, a solar cell, and the output based on the output of the solar cell. A photographing condition control means for controlling photographing conditions in a photographing operation.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, a wide dynamic range image is obtained by synthesizing a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained by the photographing operation, and obtaining the wide dynamic range image. An image signal processing means for performing image signal processing so as to obtain an image with a proper exposure amount by performing exposure correction.

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a first embodiment of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention. The photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an optical system 1, an optical system driving unit 2, a shutter 3, a shutter driving unit 4, an image sensor 5, an image sensor driving unit 6, an analog processing unit 7, a digital processing unit 8, an LCD, an organic A display unit 9 such as an EL, a detachable memory card 10, and a wired interface (I
/ F) 11, wireless interface such as Bluetooth (I
/ F) 12, operation unit 13, first memory 14, second memory 15, solar cell circuit 16, power supply circuit 17, strobe 1
8 and a strobe drive unit 19 including the charging circuit.

The optical system 1 is composed of a lens group, and based on the control of the digital processing unit 8, the optical system driving unit 2
, And performs zooming and focusing.
The shutter 3 is a mechanical shutter and has a digital processing unit 8.
Is driven by the shutter drive unit 4 based on the control of (1) to perform a shutter opening / closing operation. The imaging device 5 is driven by the imaging device driving unit 6 based on the control of the digital processing unit 8,
The image signal output from the image sensor 5 is processed by a CDS (noise reduction circuit), a GCA (gain control circuit), and an ADC (A / D converter) in an analog processing unit 7 and input to a digital processing unit 8. . Also, strobe 18
Are driven by the flash drive unit 19 based on the control of the digital processing unit 8.

The digital processing unit 8 has a CPU therein,
The input image signal is subjected to image processing such as image synthesis and exposure correction under the control of the CPU. The input image signal is temporarily stored in the first memory 14 or the second memory 15 according to the image processing. The first memory 14 and the second memory 1
5 may be incorporated in the digital processing unit 8 or a part of the memory card 10 may be used. The digital image signal subjected to the image processing in the digital processing unit 8 is transmitted to the display unit 9 and displayed, and is also transmitted to the memory card 10 and written in a file format including header information. The data is output to the outside via the wired I / F 11 or the wireless I / F 12 as necessary.

On the other hand, as schematically shown in FIG. 2, the solar cell circuit 16 has a solar cell 16a and a detection circuit 16b for detecting its output level.
The output level detected at b is supplied to the digital processing unit 8 and monitored, and the output of the solar cell 16a is a charging circuit having a diode 17a, a battery (main power supply) 17b,
Power supply circuit 17 including DC / DC converter not shown
Is used to be supplied to.

The operation unit 13 is connected to the digital processing unit 8, and the digital processing unit 8 determines an instruction such as power on / off and a shooting trigger by the operation unit 13 to control the shooting operation. I have.

In the present embodiment, the same subject is photographed twice with a short exposure (SE) and a long exposure (LE) at a predetermined exposure amount ratio in one photographing operation. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the exposure timing and readout timing in this case. For example, in the SE and LE imaging, the LE imaging is performed immediately after the SE imaging is performed, and the SE image and the LE image are sequentially read out during the vertical synchronization signal period.

The photographing conditions in the photographing operation for carrying out the above-mentioned double photographing are the first, second and third exposure ratios which are substantially equal.
Are set in advance. Here, the exposure amount ratio is set, for example, such that the exposure amount of the LE image with respect to the SE image becomes 32 times, and the first exposure amount ratio is almost satisfied.
The photographing conditions are, for example, the SE shutter speed is set to 1/2000 and the LE shutter speed is set to 1/60. The second photographing condition is, for example, the SE shutter speed is set to 1/8000 and the LE shutter speed is set to 1/250. In the third photographing condition, for example, strobe light emission is combined with the first photographing condition, and the strobe 18 emits light at a light emission amount ratio corresponding to the exposure amount ratio between SE and LE. For example, in the SE, the strobe 18 is set to emit a small amount of light at a shutter speed of 1/2000, and in the LE, the strobe 18 is set to emit a large amount of light at a shutter speed of 1/60 with a light emission amount 32 times the small amount of light emission.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the photographing sequence in the first embodiment.
First, for a desired subject, a shutter speed of 1/2000 and
The first photographing operation is performed under the 1/60 first photographing condition (step S1), and it is determined whether the first photographing condition is appropriate based on the SE1 or LE1 image (step S2). Here, when it is determined that the first photographing condition is appropriate (OK), the SE1 and LE1 images obtained in the first photographing operation are combined in step S3 without performing the second photographing operation. Processing to obtain a wide DR composite image.

On the other hand, if the first photographing condition is inappropriate (N
G), it is determined that SE1 or LE
The second or third photographing condition is selected based on one image and a second photographing operation is performed (step S4), and the SE2 and LE2 images obtained thereby are combined in step S3 to produce a wide DR combined image. Get. The combined image combined in step S3 is subjected to exposure correction in step S5, and is displayed and recorded, and is also subjected to transmission processing as necessary. Note that the display, recording, or transmission processing may display, record, or transmit only an image obtained in the final photographing operation, or may perform each photographing operation when performing a plurality of photographing operations. May be displayed, recorded, or transmitted.

The detailed operation of the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining detailed operations in steps S2 and S4 shown in FIG. First, an SE1 image obtained by the first photographing operation is read from the image sensor 5 and stored in the first memory 14 in step S11. At time A shown in FIG.
After the reading of the SE1 image is completed, the luminance value (IRE) of the read SE1 image is equal to or higher than a preset reference level (here, 50 IRE) during the vertical blanking period until the reading of the next LE1 image is started. Is determined by the digital processing unit 8 (step S12).

Here, when it is determined that the luminance value of the image of SE1 is equal to or higher than the reference level, that is, when the subject has high luminance, the photographing condition is changed to the high shutter speed without reading the next LE1 image. Is switched to the second photographing condition based on the combination of the second photographing operation (Step S)
13). The shutter speed obtained by this second shooting operation is 1 /
The 8000 SE2 images are rewritten and stored in the first memory 14, and the LE2 images with a shutter speed of 1/250 are stored in the second memory 15.

On the other hand, in step S12, S
When it is determined that the luminance value of the E1 image is lower than the reference level,
That is, if the subject is not high luminance, the LE1 image is read from the image sensor 5 and stored in the second memory 15 (step S14), and the digital processing unit 8 determines whether or not the luminance value of the LE1 image is equal to or lower than the reference level. Judgment (Step S
15).

Here, when it is determined that the luminance value of the LE1 image exceeds the reference level, that is, when the subject has medium luminance, the second photographing operation is not performed and it is determined that the luminance value is equal to or lower than the reference level. At this time, that is, when the subject has low luminance, the second photographing operation is performed by switching the photographing condition to the third photographing condition in which strobe light emission is combined with the first photographing condition (step S16). SE2 at a shutter speed of 1/2000 due to small flash emission obtained in the second shooting operation
The image is stored by rewriting the first memory 14, and the LE2 image at the shutter speed 1/250 by the large flash emission is stored by rewriting the second memory 15.

The determination of the level of the SE1 image in step S12 is based on the determination of SE1 and LE by the first photographing operation.
Although it is possible to perform the operation after the reading of one image is completed, it is better to perform the operation in synchronization with the completion of the reading of the SE1 image as described above. Can be determined, the second photographing operation can be started more quickly, and L
Since the operation of reading the E1 image and storing the image in the second memory 15 becomes unnecessary, power consumption can be reduced.

By the above-described photographing operation, the first memory 14
When the SE1 and LE1 images obtained by the first shooting operation or the SE2 and LE2 images obtained by the second shooting operation are stored in the second memory 15, the first memory 14 and the second memory 1 are stored in the digital processing unit 8.
5 are read out and stored in step S3 to obtain a wide-DR synthesized image.

In this image synthesizing process, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-168659, SE and LE images having different exposure amounts are combined by level correction according to the exposure amount ratio. When the SE and LE images are combined in this manner, when the exposure amount ratio of the LE image to the SE image is 32, the gradation of 5 bits overlaps. For example, the gradations of the SE and LE images are respectively changed. 10
When combined as bits, a combined image of 15-bit gray scale wide DR can be obtained as shown in FIG.

After the completion of the synthesizing process, in step S5 of FIG. 4, the synthesized image is subjected to exposure correction, display and recording processing, and transmission processing as necessary. In the exposure correction in step S5, a histogram or the like is detected from the gradation range of the composite image having the 15-bit gradation, the level is determined, and based on the determination result, as shown in FIG. 10 using the gradation range where the amount is appropriate
A new image with a bit gradation is generated, and as a result, an image with an appropriate exposure amount is obtained.

Hereinafter, the synthesizing process and the exposure correcting process will be described in more detail. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a processing circuit in the digital processing unit 8 that performs the combining process and the exposure correction process. This processing circuit includes a camera process pre-processing circuit 21, a camera process post-processing circuit 25, a multiplier 28, and an SE image gain calculating circuit 2.
9, image synthesis circuit 30, synthesis information extraction processing circuit 31,
It has a take-out image processing circuit 32.

In FIG. 8, a digitized image aa from the analog processing unit 7 (see FIG. 1) is supplied to the camera process pre-processing circuit 21. Here, interpolation processing of missing color information is performed on the image aa. A pre-process performed prior to the present process, such as, is performed. The image bb in which the missing color information after the preprocessing has been interpolated is transmitted and stored in the first memory 14 or the second memory 15 as described above according to SE or LE. The two images stored in the first and second memories 14 and 15 are an LE image ff and an SE image gg, respectively.
The LE image ff is supplied directly to the image synthesizing circuit 30, the SE image gg is multiplied by the gain information ee from the SE image gain calculating circuit 29 in the multiplier 28, and the gain is adjusted. Image hh
Is supplied to the image synthesis circuit 30.

Here, the SE image gain calculation circuit 29
LE based on information dd indicating the exposure ratio of the two images output from a CPU (not shown) in the digital processing unit 8
SE image gg when combining image ff and SE image gg
Is calculated and output to the multiplier 28 as gain information ee. The information dd indicating the exposure ratio may be determined based on the exposure ratio set at the time of shooting, or may be determined based on the ratio of the shot images (for example, the ratio of luminance information).

In the image synthesizing circuit 30, based on the supplied LE image ff and gain-adjusted SE image hh, the output level of the LE image ff shown in FIG.
The portion that is 0% (saturated) is shown in FIG.
Hh obtained by adjusting the gain of the SE image gg shown in FIG.
Is performed to switch to the processing shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), a composite image ii enlarged by DR corresponding to the exposure ratio is generated.

The synthesized image i generated by the image synthesis circuit 30
With respect to i, an extraction process described later is performed in the composite information extraction processing circuit 31, and an extracted image mm is output. The combined information extraction processing circuit 31 uses extraction bit control information kk output from the CPU for controlling the output information amount of extraction. The fetched image mm is transmitted to the fetched image processing circuit 32 together with the fetched bit control information kk, and is output as a fetched output image nn after image processing described later is performed and transmitted to the camera process post-processing circuit 25.

The camera process post-processing circuit 25 performs processing for reproducing an image on an output system, for example, white balance adjustment processing, color information enhancement processing, edge enhancement processing, and the like. Figure 1 as needed
, A memory card 10, a wired I / F 1
1, transmitted to the wireless I / F 12, displayed, recorded, and transmitted.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an example of the combined information extraction processing circuit 31 shown in FIG. The synthesis information extraction processing circuit 31 includes a luminance information detection circuit 41, an extraction pattern determination circuit 42, and an extraction image conversion circuit 43.

In FIG. 10, a composite image ii generated by the image compositing circuit 30 (see FIG. 8) is supplied to a luminance information detecting circuit 41, where luminance information rr is calculated based on the composite image ii. . The luminance information rr is input to the extraction pattern determination circuit 42 together with the extraction bit control information kk from the CPU, where the processing described later is performed, and the extraction pattern information ss is output. The extracted pattern information ss is input to the extracted image conversion circuit 43 together with the composite image ii and the luminance information rr, where the processing described later is performed, and the extracted image mm is output.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are flow charts showing the operation of the above-mentioned combined information fetch processing circuit 31.
Here, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that exposure correction is performed by extracting a 10-bit image with an appropriate exposure amount from a 12-bit composite image ii. FIG. 11 and FIG.
13 and FIG. 14 regarding the flowchart shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 shows a blackout threshold ThB [i], an overexposure threshold ThW [i], and a takeout gain coefficient Gi corresponding to each takeout pattern candidate. FIG. 14 shows an example of a takeout pattern and a corresponding takeout image. Is shown.

First, luminance information is calculated for the wide DR image which is the composite image ii (step S21). afterwards,
Regarding the extraction pattern when extracting the composite image ii, a counter CT [, which is the evaluation value when determining the extraction pattern and indicates the number of pixels in the dark portion (closed black) and the bright portion (exposed white) corresponding to each extracted pattern candidate i. i] are initialized (step S22).

Here, assuming that the number of bits of the wide DR image (synthesized image ii) is m and the number of bits of the fetched image is n, the number of fetched pattern candidates is (m−n + 1). In the example shown in FIG.
2. Since n = 10, the number of extraction pattern candidates is 1
Since 2-10 + 1 = 3, three counters are initialized. In this case, the extraction pattern candidate i is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. That is, extraction pattern candidate 1
Extracts the upper 10 bits of information from the 12-bit wide DR image, the extraction pattern candidate 2 extracts the intermediate 10 bits of information, and the extraction pattern candidate 3 extracts the lower 10 bits of information.

Next, a dark portion threshold ThB, which is determined according to the number of bits of the taken-out image, and is used for judging underexposure,
From the bright portion threshold ThW for determining overexposure and the overexposure threshold ThB [i] for determining overexposure corresponding to each extraction pattern candidate i, and the overexposure threshold ThW [ i] is generated (step S23). Here, the dark part threshold ThB and the light part threshold Th
W is, for example, assuming that the maximum value of the extracted image is CMAX.
It is defined by the following equation by a predetermined ratio coefficient α (0 ≦ α ≦ 1).

[0046]

ThB = α · (CMAX + 1) ThW = (1−α) · (CMAX + 1) −1 (1)

In the example of FIG. 13, since the number of bits of the extracted image is 10, CMAX = 1023 and α = 0.03.
If it is 15625, ThB = 16 and ThW = 1007.

The underexposure threshold ThB [i] and overexposure threshold ThW [i] corresponding to each extraction pattern candidate i are
When the wide DR image is taken out in each of the take-out pattern candidates i, the wide D
It shows a threshold value for an R image.

For example, in the example of FIGS. 13 and 14, in the case of the extraction pattern candidate 1, a 10-bit extraction bit string (a bit string corresponding to the gray color in FIG. 14)
The value “16” for “12” corresponds to the value “64” for the 12-bit wide DR image. That is, when an image is taken out by the take-out pattern candidate 1, the information before take-out is “64” and the information after take-out is “1”.
6 ". Similarly, the information before extraction is “4031” and the information after extraction is “1007”. As a result, for each extraction pattern candidate i, the corresponding information (before extraction) in the wide DR image when the information after extraction is the dark part threshold ThB and the light part threshold ThW is determined. This is generated as a blackout threshold ThB [i] and a whiteout threshold ThW [i] corresponding to each extraction pattern candidate i.

Next, the pixels of the wide DR image are scanned (step S24), and the luminance information Y of the reference pixel is equal to or smaller than the threshold value ThMin indicating the dark portion of the wide DR image or the wide DR.
It is checked whether the threshold value is greater than a threshold value ThMax indicating a bright part of the image (step S25). For example, when the threshold value ThMin and the threshold value ThMax are defined in accordance with the above equation (1), assuming that the maximum value of the wide DR image is PMAX, a predetermined ratio coefficient β (0 ≦ β ≦ 1) is used as follows. Is defined as

[0051]

ThMin = β · (PMAX + 1) ThMax = (1−1β) · (PMAX + 1) −1 (2)

For example, in the case of the example of FIG. 13, since the wide DR image is 12 bits and PMAX = 4095, β =
Assuming 0.0625, ThMin = 256, ThMa
x = 3839.

If the conditions match in step S25 (Yes), the process returns to step S24. This is because, in a wide DR image, pixels that are already black or overexposed or that are originally black or white due to the influence of reflectance etc. are extracted by being counted as black overexposed or overexposed pixels by any extraction pattern candidate. Since the processing may not be properly performed, the processing is not performed in the subsequent processing.

If No is determined in step S25, the extraction pattern candidate i is scanned next (step S26), and the blackout threshold ThB [i] corresponding to the extraction pattern candidate i is obtained for the luminance information Y of the reference pixel. It is checked whether it is below (step S27). If the determination is Yes (the luminance information Y is equal to or less than ThB [i]), the process proceeds to step S29. If the determination is No, the extraction pattern candidate i is similarly determined for the luminance information Y.
It is determined whether or not the overexposure threshold value ThW [i] is larger than the overexposed threshold value ThW [i] (step S28).

If No is determined in step S28 (the luminance information Y is equal to or less than ThW [i]), the process proceeds to step S30. On the other hand, if it is determined Yes in step S28, the process proceeds to step S29.

Step S29 is executed only when the luminance information Y is equal to or less than the blackout threshold ThB [i] (that is, blackout) or larger than the whiteout threshold ThW [i] (that is, whiteout). Then, the counter CT [i] indicating the number of overexposed pixels and overexposed pixels of the corresponding extraction pattern candidate i is incremented. Then, it is determined whether or not the scanning of the extraction pattern candidate i has been completed (step S30), and if not, the process returns to step S26. If the scanning has been completed, it is determined whether the scanning of the pixels of the wide DR image has been completed (step S31). If not, the process returns to step S24.

In step S31, when the scanning for all the extracted pattern candidates is completed for all the pixels of the wide DR image, the counter CT [i] representing the number of blackout and overexposed pixels among the extracted pattern candidates i is minimized. (Step S3)
2). Here, an approach is adopted in which an extraction pattern candidate with the smallest number of blackout and overexposed pixels, that is, the maximum information that can reproduce the gradation as an image, is selected, and extraction is performed from a wide DR image.

Next, from the determined extraction pattern I,
The extraction gain coefficient GI for determining the bit string extracted from the bit string of the wide DR image is calculated (step S3).
3). The extraction gain coefficient GI is determined by using the value used in the description of the extraction pattern candidate in step S22,
When the number of bits of the image information is m, the number of bits of the extracted image is n, and the extraction pattern constant I is used, the following expression (3) is used.

[0059]

GI = 2 ^{{I− (m−n + 1)}} (3)

Here, the extraction pattern constant I is shown in FIG.
From the example of FIG. 14 and the example of FIG. 14, in the case of the extraction pattern for extracting the most significant bit string from the wide DR image, I = 1, and thereafter, as the extraction pattern shifts right by one bit, I
Is a constant incremented by one, and is determined by the number of upper bits of the wide DR image from which the determined extraction pattern is extracted as a bit string.

Next, the pixels of the wide DR image are scanned (Step S34), and the luminance information Y of the reference pixels is scanned in Step S34.
The conversion luminance information Y 'multiplied by the extraction gain coefficient GI calculated in step 33 is calculated (step S35). Here, as is apparent from the above equation (3), multiplying the luminance information Y by the extraction gain coefficient GI is equivalent to shifting the bit string of the luminance information Y to the right by {(mn + 1) -I} bits. .

Thereafter, in step S36, it is checked whether or not the converted luminance information Y 'is 0. Step S36
If Yes is determined in step S39, all the color information of the reference pixel is set to 0 in step S39, and the process proceeds to step S40. On the other hand, if No is determined in step S36, the converted luminance information Y 'is the maximum value (CM
AX) is checked (step S37).

If it is determined as Yes in step S37, all the color information of the reference pixel is converted into CM in step S38.
AX is set, and the process proceeds to step S40. On the other hand, if No is determined in the step S37, the step S3
8 or after the processing in step S39 is completed, it is determined whether the scanning of the pixels of the wide DR image is completed (step S39).
40) If not completed, the process returns to step S34. If completed, the wide DR image converted in steps S34 to S40, that is, the extracted image from the wide DR image is output (step S41), and the process ends. .

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the extracted pattern candidate 1 is a darker image as a whole because information of the upper 10 bits of the 12-bit wide DR image is used. Therefore, the information of the dark part (the person and the like in FIG. 14) is blackened. On the other hand, the extraction pattern candidate 3 uses the lower 10 bits of information of the 12-bit wide DR image, and thus is a brighter image as a whole. Therefore, the information of the bright portion (the background in FIG. 14, etc.) is overexposed. The extraction pattern candidate 2 is the middle 10 out of the 12-bit wide DR image.
Since bit information is used, the number of pixels of underexposure and overexposure is minimized. In the example of FIG. 14, the extraction pattern candidate 2 is determined as an extraction pattern by the processing shown in FIGS.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the extracted image processing circuit 32 shown in FIG. The extracted image processing circuit 32 pays attention to the edge of the extracted image,
A gradation conversion process is performed using a histogram related to an edge portion, and includes a luminance information detection circuit 51, a luminance edge information detection circuit 52, an edge histogram calculation circuit 53, a tone curve setting circuit, and an image gradation conversion circuit 55. are doing.

In FIG. 15, an extracted image mm from the combined information extraction processing circuit 31 (see FIG. 8) is supplied to a luminance information detecting circuit 51, where the extracted image luminance information tt is calculated. The extracted image luminance information tt is transmitted to the luminance edge information detection circuit 52, and the luminance edge information uu is detected and output according to a known edge detection algorithm. Both the luminance edge information uu and the extracted image luminance information tt are input to the edge histogram calculation circuit 53, where a histogram (edge histogram) of the extracted image luminance information relating to the edge portion is calculated.

Here, the edge histogram is used to increase the frequency corresponding to the luminance information of the portion where the edge exists,
Depending on the magnitude of the edge (the amount of change), the increment value of the frequency corresponding to the luminance information may be varied, or various types may be considered.
Further, the increment value of the frequency may be changed according to the position of the screen. For example, in the case of photographing a person in which a main subject such as a person is present in the center of the screen, a larger value of the frequency is taken for the central part of the screen than in the peripheral part of the screen. Take the frequency increment uniformly,
And the like, and a method of calculating a histogram is changed according to a shooting situation. By such a method, the edge histogram information ww is generated.

The edge histogram information ww output from the edge histogram calculation circuit 53 is output to the tone curve setting circuit 5 together with the bit control information kk extracted from the CPU.
4 is transmitted. The tone curve setting circuit 54 generates a tone conversion characteristic (tone curve) depending on the extracted image based on the distribution state of the edge histogram information ww, the output range of the image determined from the extracted bit control information kk, and the like. , And tone curve information xx. The tone curve information xx is transmitted to the image gradation conversion circuit 55 together with the extracted image mm and the extracted image luminance information tt,
Here, gradation conversion is performed based on the tone curve information xx. As an example of the gradation conversion, the extracted image luminance information t
There is a method of performing gradation conversion of t with the tone curve information xx, and converting the entire image mm based on changes before and after the conversion of luminance information. Then, the extracted image mm whose gradation has been converted is output as the extracted output image nn.

As described above, an m-bit wide DR image is generated by combining two images having different exposure amounts, and n (n <n) at which the number of blackout and overexposed pixels is minimized from the image.
m) By determining a bit extraction pattern, extracting an n-bit image from the m-bit sequence of the wide DR image based on the determined extraction pattern, and performing image processing,
In a wide bit DR, even if the extracted part is biased to a bright part or a dark part, the image must be extracted and processed so that the part where the main subject exists can be properly reproduced for the output system with n-bit DR. Can be. Therefore, the gradation of the extracted portion can be appropriately reproduced with respect to the DR of the output system, and an image without a sense of discomfort as a whole can be reproduced.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of another example of the combined information extraction processing circuit 31 shown in FIG. The image extraction processing circuit 31 includes a luminance information detection circuit 71, a histogram calculation circuit 72, a histogram statistic calculation circuit 73, an extraction pattern determination circuit 74, and an extraction image conversion circuit 75.

In FIG. 16, the luminance information detecting circuit 71 is supplied with the composite image iibb from the image compositing circuit 30, and the luminance information rr is calculated here. The luminance information rr is input to the histogram calculation circuit 72 to calculate a histogram of the luminance information, and the luminance histogram information yy is supplied to the histogram statistic calculation circuit 73.

Here, when the input image (luminance information rr) is, for example, “person photographing in backlight” shown in FIG. 17A, the histogram calculation circuit 72 calculates the frequency increment value of the luminance at the center of the screen. More (increase "weight")
By taking a histogram, a histogram as shown in FIG. 17B is calculated. As for the “weight” at the time of calculating the histogram, a histogram suitable for the shooting situation can be obtained by presetting the “weight” according to the shooting situation.

The luminance histogram information yy is input to a histogram statistic calculation circuit 73, where statistics regarding the luminance histogram information yy, for example, an average value, a standard deviation (variance), a mode value, a median value, and the like are obtained. . For example,
The average, median, and mode in the case of the luminance histogram shown in FIG. 17B are as shown in FIG. 17C. The statistic calculated by the histogram statistic calculation circuit 73 is output as luminance histogram statistic information zz.

The luminance histogram statistic information zz is output together with the extraction bit control information kk to the extraction pattern determination circuit 7.
4 and outputs the same extraction pattern as extraction pattern information ss in the same manner as in the above-described exposure correction processing by a method described later. This extraction pattern information s
s is input to the extracted image conversion circuit 75 together with the composite image iibb and the luminance information rr, where the same processing as the above-described exposure correction is performed, and finally, the extracted image is output as an extracted image mm.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the operation of the extraction pattern determination circuit 74 described above. Hereinafter, FIG.
Will be described with reference to the extraction bit string and the conversion coefficient corresponding to each extraction pattern candidate shown in FIG.

First, in step S51, a plurality of extraction pattern candidates are set based on extraction bit control information kk from the CPU. The extraction pattern candidates are, for example, 12 bits of the input image and 8 bits of the extraction image (the number of bits of the extraction image is the extraction bit control information kk
), There are 12−8 + 1 = 5 patterns, and the extraction bit string corresponding to each extraction pattern candidate is as shown in FIG.

Next, in step S52, based on the statistic information zz of the luminance information histogram, information that prominently represents an image feature is determined as an image feature value, and is used for the subsequent processing. This image feature value is, as statistical information of the luminance information histogram, for example, any one of the average value, the median value, and the mode value, the average value, the median value, the value obtained by weighting two or more of the mode values, An average value, a median value, a value obtained by weighted averaging of the mode value, and the like can be determined using the deviation (variance) as a weight.

Next, in step S53, step S5
The conversion coefficient T for converting the image feature value determined in 2 into a predetermined value (which is defined as a standard value) in a range of the input image bit is represented by the following (4)
Calculate according to the formula.

[0079]

[Number 4] ^{T = (2 m -a) /} x ( when ^{x ≦ 2 m -a) (2} m -x) / a (x> time of ^{2 m -a) ··· (4)} (m : Number of bits of input image, a: standard value to be extracted, x: image characteristic value)

Here, the conversion coefficient T is used as an evaluation value indicating which bit of the input image is to be extracted by extracting the image characteristic value and converting it to a standard value. Using the average value,
The median value of the input image bits is used as the extraction standard value.
Thus, when the image feature value is smaller than the extraction standard value (the input image is relatively dark), the image is extracted using an extraction pattern including a relatively dark portion, and the image feature value is larger than the extraction standard value ( When the input image is relatively bright), an image is taken out by a take-out pattern including a relatively bright part. In this way, the extraction pattern candidate is determined by using the conversion of the image characteristic value indicating the characteristic of the image to a desired value (extraction standard value).

Thereafter, in step S54, step S
An extraction pattern candidate corresponding to the conversion coefficient obtained in 53 is determined as an extraction pattern I. FIG. 19 shows conversion coefficients corresponding to each extraction pattern candidate when the extraction standard value is set to the median value of the input image bits in the conversion coefficient calculation.

Here, the extraction pattern candidate whose conversion coefficient is within the determined range is determined as the extraction pattern I. For example, if the image feature value (average value, etc.) determined from the histogram statistic of a 12-bit input image is 3000, the median value of the input image as 12 bits is 2048.
From the equation (4), the conversion coefficient is T = (2 ¹² −).
(3000) /2048≒0.535, and “extraction pattern 2” is determined as an extraction pattern, and subsequent processing is performed based on this pattern to generate an extraction image mm.

The range of the conversion coefficient T shown in FIG.
Set as follows. For example, when the extraction standard value a is the median value (2 ^m / 2) of the input image bits,
The image feature value x is 1 time, 1/2 (= 1−1) of the extracted standard value a.
1/2) times, 1/4 (= 1-1 / 2-1 / 4) times, 3 /
2 (= 1 + 1/2) times, and 7/4 (= 1 + 1/2 +)
An extraction pattern is assigned according to the value of T at the time of (1/4) times. In this case, the value of T becomes 1, 2, 4, 1/2, and 1/4 from the above equation (4), so that T = 1
T = 1 is set to pattern 3 and T = 2 is set to pattern 4
, T = 4 to pattern 5, T = 1/2 to pattern 2
, T = 1/4 is assigned to pattern 1.

Then, the value of T for switching the pattern is
When switching between pattern 1 and pattern 2, their intermediate values,
In this case, (１ ／ +＋ １) / 2 = 3/8 is set. Similarly, in switching between pattern 2 and pattern 3,
(1/2 + 1) / 2 = 3/4, (1 + 2) / 2 = 3/2 for switching between pattern 3 and pattern 4, and (2 + 4) for switching between pattern 4 and pattern 5 )
/ 2 = 3. As described above, the extraction pattern is determined based on which portion of the value of T actually obtained belongs to the intermediate value as a point at which the pattern changes.

The extracted image m generated as described above
m is input to the extracted image processing circuit 32 (see FIG. 8) together with the extracted bit control information kk, where the same image processing as described above is performed and an extracted output image nn is output. This output image nn is output from the camera process post-processing circuit 2
5 (see FIG. 8) to perform image processing for reproduction in an output system.

As described above, a histogram is calculated from a composite image having a wide DR of m bits, and an image having a DR of n (n <m) bits is extracted and processed based on the statistical information of the histogram. An image corresponding to various scenes can be extracted, and the tones of the extracted portion can be appropriately reproduced with respect to the DR of the output system, so that an image having no uncomfortable feeling as a whole can be reproduced.

According to the present embodiment, S having different exposure amounts
Since the exposure correction is performed from the wide DR image obtained by combining the E image and the LE image, it is not necessary to perform the exposure correction before the actual shooting, so that the time required for the shooting can be reduced, and the chance of taking a shutter can be prevented from being missed. At the same time, power consumption can be reduced. Further, since the image obtained by the exposure correction can have the same gradation as the image obtained by the normal single shooting, the digital processing unit 8 performs the same image processing such as display, recording, and transmission as the normal single shooting. It is not necessary to newly provide special display processing means, recording processing means and transmission processing means.

(Second Embodiment) In a second embodiment of the present invention, a continuous shooting mode selecting means for selecting a continuous shooting mode is provided in the operation unit 13 in FIG. The configuration is such that continuous shooting is performed by holding down the shooting trigger button included in the operation unit 13.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in this case. First, for a desired subject,
The first photographing operation is performed under the first photographing conditions of the shutter speeds 1/2000 and 1/60 (step S61), and it is determined whether the first photographing condition is appropriate based on the SE1 or LE1 image (step S61). Step S62). Here, when it is determined that the first shooting condition is appropriate (OK), it is determined whether or not continuous shooting is performed, that is, whether or not the continuous shooting mode is selected and the shooting trigger button is pressed. However, in the case of continuous shooting (Yes), in the case of continuous shooting (Yes), under the same shooting conditions following the last shooting operation (in this case,
A shooting operation is performed (under a shooting condition) (step S64).

On the other hand, in step S62, the first
If it is determined that the photographing condition is inappropriate (NG), the second or third photographing condition is selected in the same manner as described in the first embodiment based on the SE1 or LE1 image and the second time is selected. Is performed (step S65). Thereafter, in the same manner as above, while determining whether or not continuous shooting is performed in step S63, in the case of continuous shooting (Yes), following the last shooting operation, the same shooting condition is set in step S64 (in this case, the second shooting operation is performed). Alternatively, a shooting operation is performed (under the third shooting condition).

If it is determined in step S63 that the continuous shooting is not performed, the SE and LE images obtained in each shooting operation are combined in step S66 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and then exposure is performed in step S67. After making corrections, display and recording processing is performed, and transmission processing is performed as necessary. The SE and LE images obtained by each shooting operation are as follows:
It is stored corresponding to the first memory 14 and the second memory 15. In the display processing in step S67, all the images after exposure correction obtained by continuous shooting are sequentially or multi-displayed, and in the recording and transmission processing, all the images after exposure correction obtained by continuous shooting, or A desired image selected from the images is recorded and transmitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, continuous shooting is performed under the shooting conditions in the first or second shooting operation according to the determination result of the shooting conditions in step S62, so that continuous shooting is performed under appropriate exposure conditions. It can be performed.

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment of the present invention, continuous shooting is performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the shooting conditions are changed for each shooting operation. It is determined whether or not it is appropriate, and if it is not appropriate, the photographing conditions are changed.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in this case. In FIG. 21, steps for performing the same processes as those in FIG. In the present embodiment, step S
At 62, it is determined that the shooting conditions in the first shooting operation are appropriate (OK), and it is determined that continuous shooting is performed at step S63. At step S64, the shooting operation is performed under the same shooting condition (in this case, the first shooting condition). If you go, step S
At 68, it is determined whether or not continuous shooting is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S62 that the photographing condition in the first photographing operation is inappropriate (NG), and in step S65 the second or third photographing condition is selected and the second photographing operation is performed, It is determined in step S68 whether or not continuous shooting is to be performed.

If it is determined in step S68 that continuous shooting has been performed, it is determined whether or not the shooting conditions were appropriate based on the SE or LE image obtained by the shooting operation in step S64 or step S65 immediately before (step S68). S6
9) If it is determined to be appropriate (OK), the process proceeds to step S64. On the other hand, when it is determined that the image is inappropriate (NG), the photographing condition is changed to an appropriate photographing condition based on the SE image or the LE image used for the determination (step S70), and the changed photographing is performed. A shooting operation is performed in step S64 under the conditions.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the photographing conditions are appropriate during the continuous photographing. If the photographing conditions are inappropriate, the photographing conditions are changed to appropriate photographing conditions and the next photographing operation is performed. Even if the subject illuminance changes during continuous shooting,
Following this, the photographing operation can be performed under appropriate photographing conditions. If the third shooting condition with flash emission is selected and the continuous shooting speed is too fast to charge the flash with the required flash amount, the first shooting operation without flash emission in the next shooting operation is performed. Since the mode is automatically switched to the second image capturing condition, it is possible to prevent a reduction in image quality due to insufficient light quantity.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, continuous shooting is performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the last shooting operation after the end of continuous shooting is performed. It is determined based on the SE image or LE image obtained in step 1 whether or not the photographing condition is appropriate. If the photographing condition is not appropriate, the photographing operation is performed only once under the proper photographing condition to perform the SE image or LE image Get.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in this case. In FIG. 22, steps for performing the same processing as in FIG. In the present embodiment, step S
If it is determined in 63 that continuous shooting has been performed and a shooting operation has been performed in step S64, the shooting operation in step S64 is repeated in the case of continuous shooting (Yes) while determining whether or not continuous shooting has been performed in step S71.

On the other hand, in step S71, continuous shooting is not performed (N
If it is determined as o), it is determined whether or not the shooting conditions are appropriate based on the SE image or LE image obtained in the last shooting operation of the continuous shooting (step S72), and it is determined that the shooting conditions are inappropriate. If it is determined, the photographing condition is changed to an appropriate photographing condition based on the SE image or LE image used for the decision, and the photographing operation is performed only once under the changed photographing condition, and one of the SE and LE is determined. A set of images is obtained (step S73).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the photographing condition is appropriate after the end of the continuous photographing. If the photographing condition is not appropriate, the photographing operation is changed to an appropriate one and the photographing operation is performed only once. Therefore, even if the illuminance of the subject changes during continuous shooting, the appropriate SE and L are set to obtain a wide DR composite image.
An E image can be obtained. Further, in step S65, the second photographing operation is performed under the third photographing condition involving flash emission, and when it is determined in step S63 that continuous shooting has been performed, the photographing condition is changed to the first photographing condition without flash emission. If the subject illuminance does not change during the continuous shooting, the shooting operation under the third shooting condition with flash emission is performed in step S73 after the continuous shooting. It is possible to obtain SE and LE images that are appropriate to obtain.

(Fifth Embodiment) In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the second embodiment, an image obtained by each shooting operation during continuous shooting is processed for display, and the display unit 9 (see FIG. 1) )
, And by selecting a desired image from among them, the selected image is processed and displayed for recording after continuous shooting,
Record and transmit.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in this case. Steps for performing the same processing as in FIG. 20 are denoted by the same step numbers and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, if it is determined that continuous shooting is performed in step S63 and a shooting operation is performed in step S64, the SE and LE images obtained by each shooting operation during continuous shooting are combined for display (step S75). ), The display-combined image subjected to the composition process is subjected to exposure correction (step S76), and the exposure-compensated image is displayed on the display unit 9 (step S7).
7) Observe the displayed image and mark and select a desired image to be recorded (step S78). Note that the SE and LE images obtained in each shooting operation are
It is stored in correspondence with the memory 14 and the second memory 15.

Here, in the display synthesizing process in step S75, since the number of pixels of the photographed image is generally larger than the number of pixels of the display unit 9, the pixels of the photographed image are thinned out and synthesized. In addition, in the display exposure correction process in step S76, it is sufficient that the display can be determined as OK or NG when displayed on the display unit 9, so that the exposure correction is simplified in comparison with the exposure correction for recording, and the display is corrected. The necessary gradation is also smaller than the gradation to be recorded. For example, the gradation to be recorded of 10 bits is compressed to 8 bits for display. Step S7
In the display processing in step 7, images whose exposure for display has been corrected for each shooting operation are sequentially displayed, or simultaneously displayed on multiple screens.

Thereafter, when the continuous shooting is completed, step S7
After the SE and LE images corresponding to the image selected in Step 8 are read out again from the first memory 14 and the second memory 15 and subjected to the recording synthesizing process in Step S66, the synthesized image is recorded in Step S67. And exposure and display processing, display and recording processing, and transmission processing as necessary.

As described above, S by each shooting operation during continuous shooting is performed.
The E and LE images are combined and exposed for display, corrected, displayed on the display unit 9, and a desired image is marked and selected from among them, so that only the SE and LE images of the selected image are recorded. Display and recording processing can be performed after combining and exposure correction, and transmission processing can be performed as necessary.

(Sixth Embodiment) In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 9 (see FIG. 1) according to the second embodiment processes an image obtained by each shooting operation during continuous shooting for recording. )
, And a desired image is selected from the selected image and recorded, and the recorded image is subjected to transmission processing after continuous shooting.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in this case. Steps for performing the same processes as those in FIG. 20 are denoted by the same step numbers and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, when it is determined that continuous shooting is performed in step S63 and a shooting operation is performed in step S64, the SE and LE images obtained by each shooting operation during continuous shooting are combined for recording (step S81). ), The synthesized wide D
Exposure correction is performed on the composite image of R (step S82), and the exposure-corrected images are displayed on the display unit 9 sequentially or simultaneously on a multi-screen (step S83), and the displayed image is observed and recorded. Is marked and selected (step S84), and the selected image is recorded on the memory card (step S85). Note that the exposure-compensated image obtained by each shooting operation is stored in a memory as needed. After that, when the continuous shooting is completed, the recorded image is transmitted as necessary in step S86.

According to the present embodiment, display unit 9 is operated during continuous shooting.
By marking and selecting a desired image from the images displayed on the screen, only the selected image can be recorded, and transmission processing can be performed as necessary.

(Seventh Embodiment) In a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the first photographing operation is started in synchronization with the power-on in the first embodiment, and a desired photographing process is completed. To turn off the power automatically.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in this case. In FIG. 25, steps for performing the same processing as in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same step symbols, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, step S9
When the power switch is turned on in step 1, the first photographing operation is started in synchronization with the power switch in step S1 under the first photographing condition.

Here, the power switch is configured to be turned on, for example, by an operator touching a shooting trigger button provided on the operation unit 13 or by half-pressing the shooting trigger button.

After the first photographing operation is performed in step S1, the SE1 or LE1
In step S2, it is determined based on the image whether or not the first photographing condition is proper. If it is determined that the first photographing condition is proper (OK), the first photographing condition is not performed in step S3, and the first photographing condition is not performed. The SE1 and LE1 images obtained by the shooting operation are synthesized to obtain a wide DR synthesized image.

On the other hand, in the step S2, the inappropriate (N
G), it is determined in step S4 that S
The second or third photographing condition is selected based on the E1 or LE1 image to perform a second photographing operation, and the SE2 and LE2 images obtained thereby are combined in step S3 to obtain a wide DR combined image. . The combined image combined in step S3 is subjected to exposure correction, display and recording processing in step S5, and transmission processing as necessary. When the processing in step S5 ends, in synchronization with the end, The power switch is automatically turned off (step S92).

According to the present embodiment, the power switch is automatically turned on in connection with the shooting operation of operating the shooting trigger button, and the same operation as that of the first embodiment is performed in synchronization with the power switch. Since the power switch is automatically turned off in synchronization with the completion of the required operation, the photographing operation can be performed without a standby power mode such as a standby mode, thereby further reducing power consumption. In addition to this, it is possible to more effectively prevent missing a photo opportunity. The present embodiment is applied to the second to sixth embodiments so that continuous shooting is performed by turning on a power switch related to a shooting operation, and automatically synchronized with completion of a required operation. Alternatively, the power switch can be turned off.

(Eighth Embodiment) FIG. 26 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in the eighth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the photographing operation is sequentially performed under the first, second, and third photographing conditions without determining whether the photographing conditions are appropriate.
That is, in step S95, the first shooting operation under the first shooting condition is performed, in step S96, the second shooting operation under the second shooting condition is performed, and in step S97, the third shooting operation under the third shooting condition is performed. Then, step S98
After synthesizing the SE and LE images obtained in each photographing operation to obtain a wide-DR synthesized image, exposure correction is performed in step S99, display and recording processing is performed, and transmission processing is performed as necessary. I do.

The SE and LE images obtained in each photographing operation are stored in the first memory 14 and the second memory 15 in the same manner as in the second embodiment.
In the display processing in step S99, for example, images after exposure correction corresponding to each shooting operation are sequentially or multi-displayed, and in the recording and transmission processing, for example, all images after exposure correction need to be recorded and transmitted. After transmitting or recording all the images after exposure correction, the recorded images are sequentially or simultaneously multi-displayed on the display unit 9, and the operator operates the operation unit 13 to select a desired image from among them. Select, transmit the selected image as needed, and delete other images.

According to the present embodiment, the photographing operation can be performed sequentially under each photographing condition without judging whether the photographing condition is appropriate or not. Therefore, there is an advantage that the processing is simplified.

(Ninth Embodiment) FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in the ninth embodiment. In the present embodiment, two photographing operations are always performed. That is, after performing the first photographing operation under the first photographing condition in step S101, the second or third photographing condition is selected in step S102 based on the SE and / or LE image, and the step is performed in the selected photographing condition. In S103, the second photographing operation is performed. After that, in step S104, after the processing of synthesizing the SE and LE images obtained in each photographing operation is performed, step S10 is performed.
In step 5, the exposure is corrected, display and recording processes are performed, and transmission processing is performed as necessary.

[0120] Also in this case, the SE and LE images obtained in each photographing operation are stored in the first memory 14 and the second memory 14.
It is stored corresponding to the memory 15. Step S
In 105, the same processing as in step S99 in the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 26 is performed.

According to the present embodiment, after the first photographing operation is performed under the first photographing condition, the SE and / or L
Since the photographing condition is switched to the second or third photographing condition according to the E image and the second photographing operation is always performed, the operator can select a desired image.

In the eighth and ninth embodiments, the exposure correction, the display, the recording, and the transmission processing are performed after the SE and LE images of each photographing operation are synthesized. At the end of the number of shooting operations, the images from each shooting operation are displayed and selected by the operator, or the image from one shooting operation is automatically selected from the image level of the image from each shooting operation, It is also possible to perform synthesis processing and exposure correction, display, recording, and transmission processing on the SE and LE images of the selected shooting operation. When an image is selected in this manner, a mark indicating the selected image is displayed on the display screen, the image specified by the marking is characteristically displayed, or a recorded image file of the selected image is displayed. Can be added to the header information indicating the selection.

(Tenth Embodiment) FIG. 28 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in the tenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the detection circuit 16b shown in FIG.
The photographing condition is selected based on the output of (1) to perform the photographing operation. That is, the output of the solar cell 16a in FIG.
Corresponding to the intensity of the incident light, its open voltage and short circuit current are as shown in FIG.

Therefore, in this embodiment, first, in step S111, the output V of the detection circuit 16b and the reference value V
1 and V2 (V1> V2), and when V1 ≧ V ≧ V2 as shown in FIG. 29, the first photographing condition is selected, and
When V1, the second shooting condition is selected, and when V <V2, the third shooting condition is selected. Thereafter, a shooting operation is performed under the shooting conditions selected in step S112, and the obtained SE and LE images are synthesized in step S113 to obtain a wide DR synthesized image.
At 114, the exposure is corrected, display and recording processing is performed, and transmission processing is performed as necessary.

According to the present embodiment, since the photographing operation for obtaining the SE and LE images can be performed only once, there is an advantage that the control is simplified in addition to the effect of the first embodiment.

(Eleventh Embodiment) FIG. 30 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in the eleventh embodiment. In the present embodiment, in the above-described tenth embodiment, a photographing condition is selected based on the output of the solar cell 16a in step S111, and then, for example, the operator
When the power switch is turned on by touching the shooting trigger button provided on the camera 3 or by half-pressing the shooting trigger button (step S1).
15), Steps S112 to S112 as in the tenth embodiment.
The processing of step S114 is performed, and when the required processing is completed, the power switch is automatically turned off (step S1).
16).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the photographing conditions are previously selected based on the output of the solar cell 16a,
Operate the shooting trigger button Turn on the power switch in connection with the shooting operation, perform one shooting operation under the selected shooting conditions, and then perform synthesis processing, exposure compensation processing, display and recording processing, transmission as necessary Since the power switch is automatically turned off at the time of completion of the processing, the power consumption can be effectively reduced, the control can be simplified, and it is possible to more effectively prevent missing a photo opportunity. be able to.

In this embodiment, the photographing condition is selected before the power switch is turned on. However, before the power switch is turned on, only the output of the detection circuit 16b is monitored, and the power switch is turned on. It is also possible to select the shooting condition before the shooting, or to take in the output of the detection circuit 16b after the power switch is turned on to select the shooting condition and start the shooting operation. In particular, with the latter configuration, the shooting operation can be performed without the standby power mode such as the standby mode, similarly to the tenth embodiment, so that the power consumption can be further reduced.

When the photographing condition is selected on the basis of the output of the solar cell 16a as in the tenth and eleventh embodiments, preferably, the strobe 18 is operated by the output of the solar cell 16a with the power switch off. The charging circuit is fully charged or preliminarily charged, and is additionally charged by the main power supply (for example, the battery 17b) when the power switch is turned on.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified or changed. For example, the SE and LE images obtained by the photographing operation are recorded on the memory card 10, and the memory card 10
Is loaded into an external processing device to perform processing such as synthesis, exposure correction, display, and recording, or external processing of SE and LE images obtained by a shooting operation via a wired I / F 11 or a wireless I / F 12. The data may be transmitted to a device to perform processing such as composition, exposure correction, display, and recording. Further, the number of times of photographing the same subject with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation is not limited to two times, and more photographings may be performed. In the tenth and eleventh embodiments, the photographing condition is selected based on the output of the solar cell 16a. However, the same effect is obtained by configuring the operator to select the photographing condition in advance. You can also. Further, in the first to ninth embodiments, the first photographing operation is performed under the first photographing condition, but may be performed under the second or third photographing condition. The number of photographing conditions is not limited to three, but may be set to two or four or more. Further, the present invention can have the forms described in the following additional items in addition to the above-described embodiments and modified examples.

(Supplementary Notes) A photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation; and the first photographing operation based on at least one image among a plurality of images obtained in the first photographing operation by the photographing means. A photographing condition judging unit for judging whether the photographing condition in the photographing operation is appropriate, and, if the first photographing condition is inappropriate based on the judgment result of the photographing condition judging unit, A photographing apparatus, comprising: photographing control means for controlling a photographing operation of the photographing means so as to perform a second photographing operation under photographing conditions different from photographing conditions. 2. 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first photographing operation is performed under specific photographing conditions set in advance. 3. 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the photographing conditions include a combination of different shutter speeds. 4. 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the photographing conditions include a combination of different shutter speeds accompanied by strobe light emission. 5. 5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the photographing condition determining means determines whether the photographing condition is appropriate based on an image at a high shutter speed. 6. Additional items 1 to 5 characterized by having image signal processing means for performing image signal processing using a plurality of images with different exposure amounts obtained in the last shooting operation based on the judgment result of the shooting condition judgment means. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 7. 7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image signal processing means performs at least one image signal processing of wide dynamic range image synthesis, exposure correction, display, recording, and transmission. 8. The image signal processing means synthesizes a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained in the last photographing operation to obtain a wide dynamic range image, and performs exposure correction on the wide dynamic range image to obtain an image with an appropriate exposure amount. 7. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image signal processing is performed. 9. 7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image signal processing means is provided inside the photographing apparatus main body. 10. 7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image signal processing means is provided outside the photographing apparatus main body. 11. A photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation; and the first photographing operation based on at least one image among a plurality of images obtained in the first photographing operation by the photographing means. Shooting condition determining means for determining whether shooting conditions in the shooting operation are appropriate, power switch means for starting power supply in connection with a shooting operation, and shooting by the shooting means in synchronization with the start of power supply. When the first shooting condition is inappropriate based on the determination result of the shooting condition determining means based on the determination result by the shooting condition determining means, the second shooting is performed under a shooting condition different from the shooting condition in the first shooting operation. A photographing control means for controlling a photographing operation of the photographing means so as to perform an operation. 12. The first photographing operation is configured to be performed under a specific photographing condition set in advance.
The imaging device according to claim 1. 13. 13. The photographing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the photographing conditions include a combination of different shutter speeds. 14． Additional item 1 wherein the photographing condition comprises a combination of different shutter speeds accompanied by strobe light emission.
3. The imaging device according to 2. 15. 15. The photographing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the photographing condition determining means determines whether the photographing condition is appropriate based on an image at a high shutter speed. 16. Based on the result of the determination by the above-mentioned shooting condition determining means,
16. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising image signal processing means for performing image signal processing using a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained in the last photographing operation. 17． The image signal processing means performs at least one image signal processing of wide dynamic range image synthesis, exposure correction, display, recording, and transmission.
An imaging device according to item 1. 18. The image signal processing means synthesizes a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained in the last photographing operation to obtain a wide dynamic range image, and performs exposure correction on the wide dynamic range image to obtain an image with an appropriate exposure amount. 17. The imaging apparatus according to claim 16, wherein image signal processing is performed. 19. 17. The photographing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image signal processing means is provided inside the photographing apparatus main body. 20. 17. The photographing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image signal processing means is provided outside the photographing apparatus main body. 21. 21. The photographing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the power supply is automatically shut off in synchronization with the end of the image signal processing by the image signal processing means. 22. Additional features 1 to 15 having a continuous shooting mode selecting means for selecting a continuous shooting mode, wherein when the continuous shooting mode is selected, the shooting operation is repeatedly performed following the last shooting operation. 22. The imaging device according to any one of 21. 23. 23. The photographing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the photographing operation in the continuous photographing mode is performed under the same photographing condition as the photographing condition in the last photographing operation. 24. 23. The photographing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the photographing operation in the continuous photographing mode is performed under photographing conditions different from those in the last photographing operation. 25. 23. The photographing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the photographing operation in the continuous photographing mode is performed under photographing conditions that do not involve strobe light emission. 26. In the continuous shooting mode, a shooting condition of a next shooting operation can be switched based on at least one image of a plurality of images obtained in the previous shooting operation. Shooting equipment. 27. 27. The photographing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the switchable photographing conditions are limited. 28. The images obtained by the sequential photographing operation in the continuous shooting mode are sequentially or multi-displayed to select a desired image, and the selected image is recorded, or a message indicating that the selected image is selected in the header of the selected recorded image file. 28. The imaging device according to any one of additional items 22 to 27, wherein information is added. 29. Based on at least one of a plurality of images obtained by the last shooting operation in the continuous shooting mode, it is determined whether the shooting conditions in the last shooting operation are appropriate. Additional items 22 to 2 characterized by being changed so as to perform one more photographing operation.
9. The photographing device according to any one of items 8. 30. It has a photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation, and a photographing control means for controlling the photographing operation by the photographing means to be performed a plurality of times under different photographing conditions. An imaging device characterized by the above-mentioned. 31. 31. The photographing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein at least one photographing operation is performed under a specific photographing condition. 32. 32. The photographing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein a photographing condition of a next photographing operation is switched based on at least one of a plurality of images obtained in the previous photographing operation. 33. 33. The imaging device according to any one of additional items 22 to 32, further comprising image signal processing means for performing image signal processing using a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained by at least one imaging operation. 34. The images obtained by a plurality of shooting operations are sequentially or multi-displayed to select an image obtained by at least one shooting operation. 34. The photographing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the photographing apparatus is configured to perform the processing. 35. 35. The photographing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the image signal processing means performs image signal processing accompanied by marking display indicating the selected image. 36. 36. The photographing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the image designated for marking is characteristically displayed. 37. 35. The photographing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein in the image signal processing, information indicating that the image is selected is added to a header of a recorded image file of the selected image. 38. The image signal processing means according to claim 33, wherein the image signal processing means performs at least one image signal processing of wide dynamic range image synthesis, exposure correction, display, recording, and transmission.
35. The imaging device according to 34. 39. The image signal processing means obtains a wide dynamic range image by synthesizing a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained by at least one photographing operation, and obtains an image with a proper exposure amount by performing exposure correction on the wide dynamic range image. 35. The photographing apparatus according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the image signal processing is performed as described above. 40. 34. The photographing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the image signal processing means is provided inside the photographing apparatus main body. 41. 34. The photographing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the image signal processing means is provided outside the photographing apparatus main body. 42. 34. The photographing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the image signal processing means performs image signal processing so as to record an image obtained by each photographing operation. 43. 43. The photographing apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the plurality of recorded images are reproduced and displayed so that a desired image can be selected. 44. 44. The photographing apparatus according to claim 43, wherein an image other than the selected image is deleted. 45. A photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation; a solar cell; and photographing condition control means for controlling photographing conditions in the photographing operation based on an output of the solar cell. An imaging device, comprising: 46. 46. The photographing apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the photographing conditions include a combination of different shutter speeds or a combination of different shutter speeds with strobe light emission. 47. 47. The photographing apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the photographing operation is performed by setting a photographing condition based on an output of the solar cell when a power switch is turned on. 48. The photographing condition is set based on the output of the solar cell before the power switch is turned on, and the photographing operation is performed under the photographing condition set by turning on the power switch. An imaging device according to item 1. 49. 49. The supplementary item 45 or 46, wherein the output of the solar cell is detected in advance, and a photographing operation is performed by setting a photographing condition based on the output of the solar cell detected by turning on a power switch. Shooting equipment. 50. 50. The photographing apparatus according to any one of additional items 45 to 49, further comprising image signal processing means for performing image signal processing using a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained by the photographing operation. 51. The image signal processing means according to claim 50, wherein said image signal processing means performs at least one image signal processing of wide dynamic range image synthesis, exposure correction, display, recording, and transmission.
An imaging device according to item 1. 52. The image signal processing means synthesizes a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained by the photographing operation to obtain a wide dynamic range image, and corrects the wide dynamic range image so as to obtain an image having an appropriate exposure amount. 51. The photographing apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the photographing apparatus performs signal processing. 53. 51. The photographing apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the image signal processing means is provided inside the photographing apparatus main body. 54. 51. The photographing apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the image signal processing means is provided outside the photographing apparatus main body. 55. The imaging device according to any one of additional items 50 to 54, wherein a power switch is automatically turned off after performing image signal processing on a plurality of images obtained by the imaging operation. . 56. 56. The photographing apparatus according to any one of additional items 45 to 55, wherein a charging circuit of a strobe is charged by an output of the solar cell when a power switch is off. 57. Item 5 is characterized in that the charging of the charging circuit by the output of the solar cell is a full charge.
7. The imaging device according to 6. 58. The charging of the charging circuit by the output of the solar cell is pre-charging, and additional charging is performed by the main power supply when the power switch is turned on.
An imaging device according to item 1. 59. A photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation, wherein the photographing means is configured to obtain one or two sets of plural images having different exposure amounts. Shooting device. 60. An image pickup device including an image pickup element for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation, and different exposure amounts from the image pickup element in one photographing operation;
An image capturing apparatus configured to output an image signal of a frame or less. 61. An image pickup device that includes an image pickup device for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in a single photographing operation, and image signals of at least two frames having different exposure amounts from the image pickup device in one photographing operation. A photographing apparatus characterized in that it is configured to output an image.

[0132]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform photographing in which the subject falls within the dynamic range of the photographed image without performing automatic exposure correction (AE) in advance before actual photographing. The time required for shooting can be reduced, missed shutter chances can be effectively prevented, and power consumption can be effectively reduced. Further, since the AE before the actual photographing is not required, the external light metering element is not required, and the pre-flash and the light control of the strobe are not required. In particular, in the invention according to claim 2, since it is not necessary to turn on the power switch before the photographing operation, standby power consumption in a standby mode or the like is eliminated, and more energy saving can be realized. In the invention according to claim 6, since the photographing operation is always performed a plurality of times without judging the suitability of the photographing condition, the photographing time can be further shortened and the power consumption can be reduced because the suitability of the photographing condition is not judged. Can be reduced. Further, in the invention according to the eighth aspect, since the strobe charging circuit can be charged before the power switch for photographing is turned on, since the solar battery is provided, even when the photographing condition involves strobe light emission, quick operation is possible. The photographing operation can be started immediately, and it is possible to effectively prevent missing a photo opportunity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a first embodiment of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the solar cell circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing exposure timing and readout timing of short-time exposure and long-time exposure performed in one shooting operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of an imaging sequence according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed operation of a main part of the photographing sequence illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the combining process shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is also a diagram for explaining an exposure correction process.

8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a processing circuit that performs a combining process and an exposure correction process illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a combination process by the processing circuit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an example of a combined information extraction processing circuit illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an underexposure threshold, an overexposure threshold, and an extraction gain coefficient corresponding to each extraction pattern candidate for explaining the operation.

FIG. 14 is also a diagram illustrating an example of an extraction pattern for explaining an operation and corresponding extracted image information.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the extracted image processing circuit illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of another example of the combined information extraction processing circuit illustrated in FIG. 8;

17 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the histogram calculation circuit shown in FIG.

18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the extraction pattern determination circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a fetched bit string and a conversion coefficient corresponding to each fetching pattern candidate for explaining the operation.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a relationship between a solar cell output and a photographing condition in the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the eleventh embodiment of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical system 2 Optical system drive part 3 Shutter 4 Shutter drive part 5 Image sensor 6 Image sensor drive part 7 Analog processing part 8 Digital processing part 9 Display part 10 Memory card 11 Wired interface (I / F) 12 Wireless interface (I / F) 13 operation unit 14 first memory 15 second memory 16 solar cell circuit 17 power supply circuit 18 strobe 19 strobe drive unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhito Horiuchi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo F-term in Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. 5C022 AA13 AB01 AB04 AB05 AB15 AB17 AB67 5C024 BX01 CX43 CX47 CX54 CX65

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation, and at least one of a plurality of images obtained in the first photographing operation by the photographing means. A photographing condition judging unit for judging whether or not the photographing condition in the first photographing operation is appropriate, based on a result of the judgment by the photographing condition judging unit. A photographing control means for controlling a photographing operation of the photographing means so as to perform a second photographing operation under a photographing condition different from the first photographing condition. 2. A photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation, and at least one image among a plurality of images obtained in the first photographing operation by the photographing means. A photographing condition determining unit that determines whether a photographing condition in the first photographing operation is appropriate based on the first photographing operation, a power switch unit that starts power supply in connection with the photographing operation, The photographing operation by the photographing means is started, and when the first photographing condition is inappropriate based on the determination result by the photographing condition determining means, a photographing condition different from the photographing condition in the first photographing operation is determined. A photographing control means for controlling a photographing operation of the photographing means so as to perform a second photographing operation. 3. An image signal processing means for performing image signal processing using a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained in the last shooting operation, based on a result of the determination by said shooting condition determining means. The photographing device according to claim 1. 4. The image signal processing means obtains a wide dynamic range image by synthesizing a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained in the last photographing operation, and corrects the exposure by correcting the wide dynamic range image. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein image signal processing is performed so as to obtain an image of (1). 5. A continuous photographing mode selecting means for selecting a continuous photographing mode, wherein when the continuous photographing mode is selected, the photographing operation is repeated after the last photographing operation. The photographing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 6. A photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with a different exposure amount in one photographing operation, and photographing for controlling the photographing operation by the photographing means a plurality of times under different photographing conditions. An imaging device, comprising: a control unit. 7. A wide dynamic range image is obtained by combining a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained by at least one photographing operation, and the wide dynamic range image is subjected to exposure correction to obtain an image with an appropriate exposure amount. The photographing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an image signal processing unit that performs image signal processing. 8. A photographing means for photographing the same subject a plurality of times with different exposure amounts in one photographing operation, a solar cell, and photographing for controlling photographing conditions in the photographing operation based on an output of the solar cell. An imaging device comprising condition control means. 9. A wide dynamic range image is obtained by synthesizing a plurality of images having different exposure amounts obtained by the photographing operation, and image signal processing is performed so that the wide dynamic range image is subjected to exposure correction to obtain an image with an appropriate exposure amount. The photographing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an image signal processing unit that performs processing.