JP2003060971A - Electronic camera and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera and a camera system that can print an object image as the same size as that of an actual object or at a designated magnification. SOLUTION: When a designated range photographing mode is selected, an imaging range at the position of the object is fixed to a size equal to a set print size S. Then the focal distance of an imaging optical system which is a zoom optical system is adjusted so that the imaging range W is set nearly in all of imaging areas of a CCD imaging element of the electronic camera. As a result, the object image is printed on printing paper, whose size is equal to the print size S to easily attain print of an unmagnified image on the paper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera and a camera system capable of printing a photographed subject image at a designated magnification.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, after photographing with an electronic camera, the photographed image data is generally taken into a personal computer through a recording medium such as a memory card or a communication cable. The image taken in this personal computer can be printed using a printer. In that case, for example, printing can be performed by designating the print size and print resolution by using application software for printing.

[0003]

However, even if printing can be performed with a desired print size or print resolution, if the photographed subject is to be printed with the same size (actual size) or a specified magnification, There was no suitable method.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera and a camera system capable of printing a subject image in the same size as a real object or at a designated magnification.

[0005]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 7 to 9 and 12. (1) Describing in association with FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the electronic camera according to the invention of claim 1 is projected on the imaging area by the zoom changing unit 430 that changes the focal length of the zoom lens 2. An image pickup unit 214 for photoelectrically converting the subject image, a distance measuring unit 439 for detecting the subject distance L,
The size of the shooting range W at the subject position is the predetermined size S
Mode setting means 12 and 439 for setting the designated range shooting mode fixed to No. 2, and the shooting range W (= S) and the subject distance L when the designated range shooting mode is set.
Based on the above, the zoom control unit 439 that controls the zoom changing unit 430 so that the subject within the shooting range W is projected to almost the entire image pickup region is achieved. (2) Explaining in association with FIG. 2 and FIG. 12, the invention of claim 2 is the electronic camera according to claim 1,
Magnification setting unit 10, 11a to 11d for setting the printing magnification Z
Further, the mode setting means 439 fixes the size of the photographing range W at the subject position to a size obtained by dividing the predetermined size S by the printing magnification Z. (3) The invention according to claim 3 is the electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising size setting sections 10, 11a to 11d for setting a predetermined size S. (4) An electronic camera according to a fourth aspect of the invention includes a zoom changing unit 430 that changes the focal length of the zoom lens 2, an image pickup unit 214 that photoelectrically converts a subject image projected on the image pickup region by the zoom lens 2, and a subject. The distance measuring unit 439 for detecting the distance L, the mode setting means 12, 439 for setting the designated range photographing mode in which the size of the photographing range W at the subject position is fixed to the predetermined size S, and the designated range photographing mode. When set, in each of (a) the plurality of focal lengths of the zoom lens 2 and (b) the plurality of focal lengths,
Based on the subject distance detected when a reference image of a predetermined size is projected on almost the entire imaging region, and (c) the subject distance detected when the subject is imaged, the subject within range shooting W is imaged The focal length calculation unit 439 that calculates the focal length projected onto almost the entire area and the zoom change unit 430 are controlled so that the focal length of the zoom lens 2 matches the focal length calculated by the focal length calculation unit 439. The zoom control unit 439 is provided to achieve the above object. (5) When it is described in association with FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, the invention of claim 5 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the focal length f of the zoom lens 2 is maximum fmax.
When the size of the range of the subject projected onto almost the entire imaging region is larger than the size of the shooting range, the range substantially corresponding to the subject image 30 and the shooting range based on the image information from the imaging unit 214 is set. Range display mark 32
Is provided with a display monitor 3 for overlapping and displaying. (6) The invention according to claim 6 is the electronic camera according to claim 5, further comprising a storage control section 439 for storing the image information of the range indicated by the range display mark 32 in the storage area 424. (7) Describing in association with FIG. 2, the invention of claim 7 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a part of the subject image based on the image information from the imaging unit 214 is electronically displayed. When the focal lengths of the electronic zooming means 433 that dynamically enlarge and the zoom lens 2 are the maximum and the size of the range of the subject projected on almost the entire imaging region is larger than the size of the imaging range, the imaging unit 214 The electronic zoom control unit 439 that controls the electronic zooming unit 433 so that the image corresponding to the subject within the shooting range in the subject image based on the image information from is enlarged to the same size as the subject image.
And are further provided. (8) Describing in association with FIG. 2 and FIG. 9, the invention of claim 8 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the focal length f of the zoom lens 2 is a minimum fmin.
The warning means 3 is provided for issuing a warning when the size of the range of the subject projected onto almost the entire imaging area is smaller than the size of the range shooting. (9) The invention of claim 9 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the focal length f of the zoom lens 2 is f.
Is a minimum fmin, and when the size of the range of the subject projected on almost the entire imaging region is smaller than the size of the range shooting, the thinning means 433 for electronically thinning the subject image is provided. (10) Explaining in association with FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the invention of claim 10 sets the mode to the designated range shooting mode in which the size of the shooting range W at the subject position is fixed to the predetermined size S. , 439, an image pickup unit 214 for photoelectrically converting the subject image projected on the image pickup region by the image pickup optical system, and an electronic zoom unit 433 for electronically enlarging a part of the subject image based on the image information from the image pickup unit 214.
And an image corresponding to the range shooting W in the subject image,
The electronic zoom control unit 439 that controls the electronic zooming unit 433 to enlarge the image to the same size as the subject image is provided to achieve the above object. (11) Explaining in association with FIG. 8, the invention of claim 11 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a display means 3 for displaying a mark 33 representing a predetermined size S. It is provided. (12) Describing in association with FIG. 3, the camera system according to the invention of claim 12 is the electronic camera 1 according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and an image taken in the designated range shooting mode has a predetermined size. The above-described object is achieved by including a printing device 23 that prints in substantially the same size as S. It is characterized by that. (13) Explaining in association with FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, the camera system according to the invention of claim 13 includes a zoom changing unit 430 for changing the focal length of the zoom lens 2.
The image pickup unit 214 that photoelectrically converts the subject image projected on the image pickup region by the zoom lens 2, the distance measuring unit 439 that detects the subject distance L, and the size of the shooting range W at the subject position are fixed to a predetermined size S. The mode setting means 12 and 439 for setting the designated range photographing mode, and when the designated range photographing mode is set, based on the photographing range W and the subject distance L, the subject within the photographing range W is almost the imaging region. The zoom control unit 439 that controls the zoom changing unit 430 so as to project the entire area, and the printing device 23 that prints the image shot in the designated range shooting mode to a size substantially the same as the predetermined size S are provided. Achieve the purpose. (14) Describing in association with FIG. 2, the invention of claim 14 is the electronic camera of claim 6, wherein a predetermined size is stored in the storage area 424 in association with image information.

In the section of means for solving the above problems, the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention are used in order to make the present invention easy to understand, but the present invention is limited to the embodiments of the present invention. Not something.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention, (a) is a plan view of the electronic camera seen from above,
(B) is a rear view of the camera as seen from the rear. Figure 1
As shown in (a), on the top surface of the electronic camera 1, a main switch 4 for turning on / off a power source, a release button 5, and a command dial 6 for switching between a recording mode and a reproduction mode, A display panel 7 for displaying camera information is provided. Here, the recording mode is a mode in which a subject image can be taken and the image data thereof can be recorded, and the reproduction mode is a mode in which the recorded image data is read out and the display LCD 3 (FIG.
This is a mode for reproducing and displaying in (b).

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, on the rear surface of the camera, in addition to the display LCD 3 for displaying an image, a viewfinder eyepiece window 8, a zoom switching button 9 for zooming the photographing optical system 2, and the like. Various operation buttons are provided. When the W side of the zoom switch button 9 is pushed, the photographing optical system 2 is driven to the wide-angle side, and when the T side is pushed, it is driven to the telephoto side. CCD 21 which will be described later in the recording mode
The subject images picked up by 4 are sequentially displayed on the display LCD 3, and in the reproduction mode, thumbnail display of images stored in the recording medium 424, which will be described later, reproduction display of individual images, and the like are performed by the display LCD 3.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a menu button for displaying a setting menu on the display LCD 3, and the setting button is displayed when various settings are made and selection buttons 11a to 11d.
Select the item to be set with. When setting a print size to be described later, the buttons 10, 11a to 11d are operated to display the print size setting menu on the display LCD 3, and a desired print size is selected from the plurality of print sizes displayed by operating the selection buttons 11a to 11d. Select a size. The electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment has a designated size shooting mode in which the size of the shooting range at the subject position is fixed to the selected print size for shooting, and a normal shooting mode corresponding to the recording mode of the conventional electronic camera. have. This mode switching is performed by the mode switching button 12. The details of each mode will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the electronic camera shown in FIG. The ROM 443 stores a control program for the electronic camera 1. Main switch 4 in Figure 1
When is turned on, the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned on, and the control program is activated by the CPU 439. When the recording mode is set by the command dial 6 in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 1 can take a picture. On the other hand, when the reproduction mode is set by the command dial 6, an image based on the image data recorded in the memory card 424 as a recording medium can be reproduced and displayed on the display LCD 3. In the recording mode, an image based on the image pickup signal from the CCD 214 is displayed on the display LCD 3.

The photographing optical system 2 includes a plurality of lenses 201 to 20.
4 and the focus adjustment operation is performed by the lens drive circuit 430.
Done by. The focus adjustment operation by the lens drive circuit 430 is normally performed by a command from the CPU 439, but the focus adjustment operation can be performed by an operation signal output when the range ring 462 is manually operated.

Lens 203 and lens 20 of photographing optical system 2
A shutter plate 208 and a diaphragm 215 are provided between the shutter plate 208 and the shutter 4. The subject light that has entered the photographing optical system 2 includes lenses 201 to 204, a shutter plate 208, and a diaphragm plate 2.
After passing through 15, an image is formed on the image pickup surface of the CCD 214.
The diaphragm plate 215 and the shutter plate 208 are formed in a disk shape, and are driven by step motors 415 and 408 provided at the center of rotation of the disk, respectively. Diaphragm 21
5 is provided with a plurality of aperture openings (not shown) having different aperture areas.
Is rotated to arrange any one aperture opening on the optical axis.

The shutter plate 208 is provided with a complete light-shielding portion (not shown) that shields all the light fluxes that have passed through the lens 203, and an opening (not shown) that allows all the light fluxes to pass through. At the time of exposure, the opening portion of the shutter plate 208 is set on the optical path, and when the exposure is completed, the complete light shielding portion is set on the optical path. Step motor 4 for rotating diaphragm plate 215
The drive control of the drive circuit 15 is performed by the drive circuit 453. The stepper motor 408 that rotates the shutter plate 208 is driven and controlled by the shutter drive circuit 454.

In taking a picture, first, the electric charge accumulated in the CCD 214 is discharged, and a predetermined aperture of the diaphragm plate 215 is set on the optical path. And CCD
When 214 is exposed for a predetermined time, electric charges are accumulated again.
The time from the discharge of the electric charges until the light path is blocked again by the complete light blocking portion of the shutter plate 208 corresponds to the exposure time.

When a subject image is formed on the image pickup surface of the CCD 214 by the photographing optical system 2, signal charges corresponding to the intensity of light of the subject image are accumulated. The CCD 214 is supplied with a horizontal drive signal from a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as DSP) 433 and a vertical drive signal from a CCD drive circuit 434 controlled by the DSP 433. That is, the CCD 214 is timing-controlled by the DSP 433 and the CCD drive circuit 434, and C
The signal from the CD 214 is input to the image processing unit 431.

The image processing section 431 has a noise removing circuit and a DC reproducing circuit, and performs analog processing such as noise removal and gain control on the image signal output from the CCD 214. The analog image signal output from the image processing unit 431 is converted into a digital signal by an analog / digital conversion circuit (hereinafter referred to as an A / D conversion circuit) 432. The converted digital image data is input to the DSP 433 described above.

The DSP 433 has an A / D conversion circuit 432.
Image processing such as contour compensation, gamma correction, and white balance adjustment is performed on the image data output from.
Further, the DSP 433 controls the data bus connected to the buffer memory 436 and the memory card 424 to temporarily store the image data on which various image processes have been performed in the buffer memory 436, and then the buffer memory 436.
Image data is read from a specified compression format (for example, J
Data is compressed by the PEG method) and recorded in the memory card 424.

Further, the DSP 433 stores in the frame memory 435 the image data after being picked up by the CCD 214 and subjected to the above image processing and the image data read out from the memory card 424 and expanded, and based on the image data. The image is displayed on the display LCD 3 provided in the electronic camera 1. Further, the DSP 433, for example, in recording the image data in the memory card 424 and recording the decompressed captured image data in the buffer memory 436 described above,
It also manages data input / output timing.

The buffer memory 436 in which the image data based on the output of the CCD 214 is temporarily stored is provided to reduce the difference in the input / output speed of the image data with respect to the memory card 424 and the difference in the processing speed of the CPU 439, the DSP 433, and the like. Used for. The timer 445 has a built-in clock circuit and stores time data corresponding to the current time in C
It is output to the PU 439 and is also used as a timer for monitor on / off control described later. This time data is stored in the memory card 42 together with the image data described above.
Recorded in 4.

The color measuring element 417 detects the color temperature of the main subject and its surroundings, and outputs the detected color temperature data to the color measuring circuit 452. The color measurement circuit 452 is a color measurement element 417.
The analog signal output from the CPU is subjected to predetermined processing to be converted into a digital value, and the converted digital signal is stored in the CPU 439.
Output to. The interface 448 is a predetermined external device
(Not shown) is connected so that data can be transmitted and received between the CPU 439 and the connected external device. Reference numeral 440 is a display circuit that controls the display panel 7 on which the setting contents in the shooting operation are displayed. The display L
The print size, which will be described later, is displayed on the CD 3 or the display panel 7.

Next, the operation of the electronic camera 1 will be described. As described above, in the electronic camera 1, the command dial 6
Thus, the switching operation between the recording mode and the reproduction mode can be performed. As the recording mode, the normal size shooting mode corresponding to the recording mode of the conventional electronic camera and the designated size shooting mode in which zoom adjustment is automatically performed so that the shooting range at the subject position is the same as the set print size And have. First, the normal shooting mode and the reproduction mode, which are the same operations as those of the conventional electronic camera, will be described.

[Description of Normal Shooting Mode] The recording mode and the reproduction mode are selected by operating the command dial 6. When shooting, the command dial 6 is set to the recording mode and the main switch 4 is turned on, or the command dial 6 is set to the recording mode after the main switch 4 is turned on. The image signal output from the CCD 214 is subjected to analog processing such as noise removal and gain control in the image processing unit 431, and then converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 432. The digitally converted signal is guided to the DSP 433 described above, where image preprocessing such as contour compensation and gamma correction is performed, and the signal is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 436.

After that, the CPU 439 and the buffer memory 4
Image data is exchanged with the digital camera 36 to obtain a white balance adjustment value from the image data, and the white balance adjustment is performed by the DSP 433 based on this adjustment value. The image data after the white balance adjustment is stored in the buffer memory 436 again. The image data stored in the buffer memory 436 is displayed on the display LCD 3 in the DSP 433.
Is processed into image data for display on. The processed image data is written in the frame memory 435 and displayed on the display LCD 3 as a shooting monitor image called a through image. The through image is sequentially updated at predetermined intervals based on the subject light incident on the photographing optical system 2 by repeating the above operation.

When a half-press switch (not shown) is turned on by half-pressing the release button 5, the focus adjustment state of the photographic optical system 2 is detected based on the contrast of the image data, and the focused subject image is the CCD 214. The focus adjustment operation by the lens drive circuit 430 is performed so that an image is formed on the top. When the release button 5 is pressed halfway,
The CPU 439 detects the brightness of the subject from the image data, and performs an exposure calculation based on the detected brightness.

The electronic camera 1 has a mode called "continuous AF mode" and a mode called "single AF mode" as the focus adjustment operation. In the continuous AF mode, the focus adjustment operation is repeatedly performed regardless of the operation of the release button 5, and the focus is locked by pressing the release button 5 halfway. On the other hand, in the single AF mode, the focus adjustment operation is performed and the focus is locked only when the release button 5 is pressed halfway.

When the release button 5 is further fully pressed after the release button 5 is half-pressed, a full-push switch (not shown) is turned on. As a result, after the signal charge accumulated in the CCD 214 is once discharged, the shutter plate 208 and the diaphragm plate 215 are driven based on the result of the exposure calculation, and the CCD 214 captures an image.

The image signal output from the CCD 214 by this image pickup is subjected to the above-described series of processing and stored in the buffer memory 436. The image data stored in the buffer memory 436 is displayed on the display LCD of the DSP433.
3 is processed into image data to be displayed on the display unit 3 and then written in the frame memory 435, and a captured image called a freeze image is displayed on the display LCD 3. The image data that has undergone such image preprocessing is further processed by the DSP433.
Data compression is performed by the CPU 439, a predetermined data name is given by the CPU 439, and time information from the timer 445 is recorded together with a recording medium (PC card,
It is recorded in the memory card 424 which is a CF card or the like.

The electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment has an electronic zoom function, and is capable of electronically enlarging the image by interpolating the image data according to the set magnification Y. CP
In response to a command from U439, the DSP433 changes the electronic zoom magnification Y.
Is set, and the image data is interpolated according to the set magnification Y. A zoom signal by operating the zoom switching button 9 and a half-pressing operation signal and a full-pressing operation signal by operating the release button 5 are input to the CPU 439, respectively.

When the zoom switch button 9 is operated to the telephoto side (T), the CPU 439 drives the lens drive circuit 430 to optically enlarge the zoom magnification. When the optical magnification reaches a predetermined maximum value and the zoom switching button 9 is still operated to the telephoto side (T), the electronic zoom magnification Y is determined according to the operation amount. When the electronic zoom magnification is Y, the image data of the vertical / horizontal 1 / Y region centered on the center of the subject image is extracted. The DSP 433 performs predetermined image processing on the extracted image data, and further interpolates the luminance signal and the color difference signal calculated by the image processing in the vertical and horizontal Y times.

[Reproduction Mode] When the reproduction mode is switched by the command dial 6, the memory card 42
The image data recorded in No. 4 is read and stored in the buffer memory 436. Normally, the memory card 42
The image data recorded last in 4 or the image data recorded first is read. Buffer memory 436
The image data stored in is read by the CPU 439, processed into image data for display by the DSP 433, and displayed as a reproduced image on the display LCD 3. In addition,
When the image data is not recorded in the memory card 424, a message indicating that there is no image data is displayed L
Displayed on CD3.

When the selection button 11a or 11c shown in FIG. 1 is operated while an image is being reproduced on the display LCD 3,
The image data of the previous frame is read from the memory card 424, and the reproduced image is displayed on the display LCD 3. On the other hand, when the selection button 11b or 11d is operated, the image data of the next frame is read and the reproduced image is displayed.
Displayed on CD3. As described above, the reproduced image is displayed on the display LCD 3 during the reproduction mode, but the object image captured by the CCD 214 cannot be displayed unlike the photographing mode. In the playback mode, focus adjustment operation related to shooting and exposure detection are not performed.

[Description of Designated Size Shooting Mode] Next, the designated size shooting mode will be described. As described above, in the designated size shooting mode, zoom adjustment is performed so that the shooting range is the same as the set print size. Hereinafter, the print size is referred to as S and the shooting range is referred to as W. In the electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of print sizes S are set in advance, and a desired size can be designated from them. Which size is to be set depends on the menu button 10 and the selection buttons 11a to 11a described above.
Perform using 1d. Specifically, first, the menu button 10 is used to display the print size setting menu on the display LCD 3. A symbol of each size is displayed on the print size setting menu, and the shooting range W is set to the selected size S by selecting any one of the selection buttons 11a to 11d.

For example, assume that the print size S is set to A4 size. In this case, when the release button 5 is pressed halfway, the taking optical system 2 is driven so that the A4 size range in the subject is projected onto the entire imaging area of the CCD 214. As a result, an image in the A4 size shooting range is displayed on the entire display LCD 3.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera system for taking an image of a subject and printing an image of the same size. Image data captured by the electronic camera 1 is taken into the personal computer 20 via a memory card 424 that is detachably attached to the camera 1. Alternatively, the camera 1 via the communication cable 21
The image data may be transferred from the personal computer 20 to the personal computer 20, or the image data may be transferred to the personal computer 20 via a wireless or Internet line. A display monitor 22 and a printer 23 are connected to the personal computer 20. Driver software for driving the printer 23 is installed in the personal computer 20, and the resolution and print size S for printing an image can be freely set. The image data may be directly input to the printer 23 without using the personal computer 20.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a schematic procedure from photographing to printing by the camera system shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, steps S101 to S1
03 is a shooting procedure performed on the camera 1 side, and steps S104 to S107 are printing-related procedures. The print size S is set in advance by operating the menu button 10 and the selection buttons 11a to 11d.

In step S101, the mode switching button 12 switches the normal shooting mode to the designated size shooting mode. Although the print size S is preset as described above, it may be set at the time of mode switching. Further, as will be described later (see FIG. 8), the mark 33 indicating the print size S may be displayed on the display LCD 3 or the display panel 7 in the designated size shooting mode. In step S102, camera shooting is performed in the designated size shooting mode. In step S103, the header information including the set print size S and the image data are stored in the memory card 4.
24.

In step S104, for example, the memory card 424 is removed from the camera 1 and the personal computer 2 shown in FIG.
The header information and the image data are read from the camera 1 to the personal computer 20 side by mounting the header information on the personal computer 20, for example. In step S105, image processing is performed according to the set print size S or the print resolution described below. The printer 2
3 is a display LCD 3 or a display panel 7 of the electronic camera 1.
Paper of the same size as the print size S displayed in is fed. In step S106, the paper size used for printing is displayed on the display monitor 22. Step S1
In 07, the printer 23 prints the image at the same size.

Next, the procedure on the camera side shown in steps S101 to S103 of FIG. 3 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the program executed by the CPU 439 of the camera 1. In step S201, it is determined whether the mode switching button 12 has been operated to switch to the designated size shooting mode.
If it is determined in step S201 that the mode has been switched to the designated size shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S202.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the shooting mode has not been switched to the designated size shooting mode, that is, if the normal shooting mode has been set, the process proceeds to step S206 and a series of processing relating to the normal shooting mode is performed.

In step S202, the photographing optical system 2 is adjusted to a predetermined macro position. That is, in the designated size shooting mode, the shooting range W of the print size S (for example, A4 size or B5 size) is projected on the entire imaging surface of the CCD 214, and the subject is brought very close to the shooting optical system 2. I set it to the macro position. In step S203, a display indicating the set print size S is displayed on the display LCD 3 or the display panel 7.

In step S204, it is a step of determining whether or not the user has released the macro mode with an operation member (not shown). If it is determined in step S204 that it has been released, the process proceeds to step S206, and if it is determined that it has not been released, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, it is determined whether or not the release button 5 has been half-pushed. If it is determined that the release button 5 has been half-pushed, step S2
If it is determined that the button has not been half pressed, the process returns to step S201.

In step S207, the lens driving circuit 4
The focus adjustment operation of the photographing optical system 2 is performed by 30 and the distance L to the subject at that time is calculated. Step S208
Then, the focal length f0 when the shooting range W of the print size S is projected on the entire image pickup area and the print resolution k described later are calculated.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the relationship between the subject and the CCD 214, and the photographing range W having a size equal to the print size S.
Are projected on the entire imaging area of the CCD 214. In FIG. 7, a symbol W indicating the shooting range is a longitudinal dimension of the shooting range at the subject position, that is, a lateral dimension when the camera 1 of FIG. 1 is held upright, and a print size S (for example, A4 size). ) Corresponding to the longitudinal dimension. Also, N
Is the number of pixels in the width direction of the imaging area of the CCD 214, and P
Is the pixel pitch. The relationship of the following expression (1) is always established between the focal length f0, the distance f ′ between the photographing optical system 2 and the image pickup surface, and the subject distance L.

## EQU1 ## 1 / L + 1 / f '= 1 / f0 (1)

On the other hand, the photographing range W of the print size S is the CCD
When projected onto the entire imaging area of 214, the equation (2) holds for f ′ in FIG. 7. That is, the focal length f0 such that both equations (1) and (2) are satisfied
You can adjust it to.

## EQU2 ## f '/ L = N.P / S f ′ = (N · P · L) / S (2)

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the dimension W (= S)
Since N pixels correspond to (mm), when the image captured by the CCD 214 is printed in the print size S, the print resolution k at that time may be set as in the following expression (3). . In step S208, the focal length f0 is calculated from the equations (1) and (2), and the print resolution k is calculated from the following equation (3).

## EQU3 ## k = N / S (3)

In step S209, step S208
It is determined whether or not the focal length f0 calculated in step 1 is larger than the longest focal length fmax on the telephoto side of the photographing optical system 2. If it is determined in step S209 that f0≤fmax, the process proceeds to step S216, and if it is determined that f0> fmax, the process proceeds to step S210. If f0> fmax, even if fma
Even if you zoom up to x, as shown in Figure 8 (a),
A range larger than the shooting range 31 of the subject image 30 is displayed on the display LCD 3.

In step S210, it is determined whether (f0 / fmax) is larger than a predetermined electronic zoom magnification Mmax. In the following description, the “magnification” is not the area magnification but the length magnification. If "(f0 / fmax)>Mmax" is determined in step S210, the process proceeds to step S211 to set the focal length f of the photographing optical system 2 to f.
Along with setting to max, the electronic zoom magnification is set to Mmax. In step S212, as shown in FIG. 8B, the image of FIG. 8A is enlarged by Mmax times and displayed, and the frame 32 indicating the print size S is displayed in an overlapping manner.
A mark 33 indicating the print size S is displayed in the upper left corner of the display LCD 3. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the print size S is A4 size, and the mark 3 “A4” is displayed.
3 is displayed.

In step S213, a warning is issued to inform that the photographing range W corresponding to the print size S cannot be photographed. For example, a warning sound is generated by a speaker (not shown) provided in the camera 1, or a warning is displayed on the display LCD 3 or the display panel 7. In a succeeding step S214, a print correction flag (which will be described later) is set to 1, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S218 in FIG.

On the other hand, in step S210, "(f0 / fma
x) ≦ Mmax ”, the process proceeds to step S215. In step S215, the image of the photographing range 31 centered on the center O of the display LCD 3 is enlarged by (f0 / fmax) times by the electronic zoom function. Since interpolation processing and the like are performed when the electronic zoom is enlarged, the number of pixels of the enlarged image is C
It is equal to the number of pixels of the CD 214. Therefore, the print resolution k
May be the value calculated in step S207. Figure 8
8C shows an image displayed on the display LCD 3 when the image of the shooting range 31 is enlarged by (f0 / fmax) times, and the image of the shooting range 31 of FIG.
It is enlarged and displayed on the entire D3.

In step S216, step S208
It is determined whether the focal length f0 calculated in step 4 is smaller than the shortest focal length fmin on the wide side. Step S216
If “f0 <fmin” is determined in step S21, step S21
3 is proceeded to, and if it is determined that “f0 ≧ fmin”, then step S2
Proceed to 17. When the process proceeds from step S216 to step S217, the print correction flag is reset to zero in step S217, and then the process proceeds to step S218 in FIG.

On the other hand, in step S216, "f0 <fmin".
If it is determined that the focal length f0 is set to fmin, which is the lower limit value of the photographing optical system 2, as shown in FIG.
The shooting range 31 becomes larger than the display LCD 3,
Only some of the subjects within 1 are displayed. That is, with the subject distance L at that time, only a range smaller than the shooting range 31 is projected on the imaging area of the CCD 214.

In step S218 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the release button 5 is fully pressed. If it is determined that the release button 5 is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S219, and if it is determined that it is not fully pressed, step S205 of FIG. Return to. For example, in the case of “f0 <fmin” and the state as shown in FIG. 9, the focal length f0 calculated in step S208 is “f0 ≧ fmi” without fully pressing the release button 5 in step S218.
Move away from the subject so that it is n ”. At this time, if the release button 5 is still pressed halfway, step S20
The process proceeds from step S207 to step S207, and if the half-push is released, the steps S205 to S201.
Return to.

In step S219, the image captured by the CCD 214 is captured. In step S220, it is determined whether the print correction flag is 1. If it is determined to be 1 in step S220, the shooting range W is not projected on the entire imaging area of the CCD 214, and thus step S221 is performed.
Go to and recalculate the print resolution k. That is, when the process proceeds from step S210 to step S211, or when the process proceeds from step S216 to step S213,
The print resolution k is recalculated so that the subject image is printed at the same size.

On the other hand, if it is determined to be zero in step S220, the image capturing range W is projected on the entire image capturing area, so that the print resolution k is not recalculated and step S22 is performed.
Go to 2.

Steps S210 to S2 in FIG.
When the process proceeds to 11, that is, when the focal length f is f = fmax and the electronic zoom magnification is Mmax as shown in FIG. 8B, printing is performed with the print resolution k calculated by Expression (3). , The image displayed on the entire display LCD 3 is the print size S
It is printed on and is not printed at the same size. By the way, Fig. 8 (c)
The subject image of is the same as the subject image of FIG.
x), and the subject image in FIG. 8B is shown in FIG.
The subject image of (a) is multiplied by Mmax. Therefore, when the image shown in FIG. 8B is multiplied by (f0 / fmax) / Mmax, the subject image in the frame 32 is displayed on the entire display LCD 3. Therefore, if the print resolution k calculated by the equation (3) is divided by (f0 / fmax) / Mmax as shown in the following equation (4) to reduce the print resolution k, the subject image in the frame 32 has the print size S.
Will be printed on.

[Equation 4] k = (N / S) / {(f0 / fmax) / Mmax} = (N / S) ・ (Mmax ・ fmax / f0) (4)

Further, from step S216 to step S2
When the process proceeds to step 13, that is, when the photographing range 31 is larger than the display LCD 3 as shown in FIG. 9, it is necessary to increase the print resolution k. When the image in the range 31 in FIG. 9 is multiplied by (f0 / fmin), it becomes the same size as the display LCD 3. That is, if the print resolution k calculated by the equation (3) is multiplied by (fmin / f0) as in the following equation (5), the image of the area 31 is printed in the print size S.

[Equation 5] k = (N / S) · (fmin / f0) (5)

Then, in step S222, the image data is compressed in a predetermined format. In step S223, the print size S, print resolution k, focal length f, subject distance L, number of pixels N, and the like are recorded in the memory card 424 as tag information together with the compressed image data. In this way, a series of processes from photographing to recording performed on the electronic camera 1 side is completed.

When the print resolution k is recorded in the TIFF format, the unit of the image width resolution, the image height resolution, the image width and height resolution defined by the tag numbers 282-284. Recorded in. When recording in the Exif format, tag numbers 37386, 37382, 4
Print resolution k in the application software for recording and printing the information of subject distance, lens focal length, focal plane height resolution, focal plane width resolution, and focal plane resolution unit defined in 1486 to 41488. May be calculated. Here, the focal plane resolution is CCD
It is the reciprocal of the pixel pitch P of 214.

When printing this subject image, the image data is taken into the personal computer 20 of FIG. 3 and printed by the printer 23 connected to the personal computer 20 as described above. At this time, if the printing paper of the print size S is fed to the printer 23, the subject image is printed at substantially the same size.
If the peripheral portion for printing is not printed as a margin, it is printed slightly smaller than the normal size. Further, even when a paper larger than the print size S is fed, by setting the resolution at the time of printing equal to the print resolution k stored as the tag information, it is possible to perform the same-size printing.

The above-described first embodiment has the following features. (A) When the electronic camera 1 is set to the designated size photographing mode, the photographing optical system 2 is automatically adjusted so that the photographing range becomes the designated size. As a result, display LC
In D3, the subject image in the same range as that printed on the designated size paper is displayed. Therefore, since it is possible to shoot while confirming the status of the print image, it is possible to shoot an appropriate subject image. (B) When the subject distance is too far or too close, the frame 32 is displayed on the display LCD 3 as shown in FIG. 8B or a warning is issued, so that the user has an inappropriate subject distance. You can easily recognize that. (C) When printing an image, by feeding a printing paper of the same size as the printing size displayed on the display LCD 3 or the display panel 7, the subject image is printed in the same size as the actual product. (D) Even if the printing paper of the same size as the printing size displayed on the display LCD 3 or the display panel 7 is not fed, printing at the printing resolution k stored as the tag information makes it easy to perform the same size. Printing can be performed.

In the above-described first embodiment, the designated photographing range can be set to a plurality of sizes, but an electronic camera which is set to a single size in advance may be used. In this case, instead of displaying the print size on the display LCD 3 or the display panel 7, the print size may be marked at the position of the mode switching button 12. When printing, if printing paper of the same size as this mark is fed to the printer 23, it is possible to automatically perform normal-size printing.

<Modification 1> In Modification 1, the flow chart shown in FIG. 5 is replaced with FIG. 10 for control. In the flowchart of FIG. 10, the same steps as those in FIG. 5 are designated by the same step numbers, and steps S301 and S302 are different from those in FIG. In addition, FIG.
The procedure subsequent to is the same as that shown in FIG.

In the first modification, when it is determined in step S201 that the shooting mode is the designated size photographing mode, step S30
In step 1, the photographing optical system 2 is moved to the tele end of the macro area. By doing so, the depth of field of the lens becomes shallow, and the accuracy of measuring the distance L becomes high. As a result, the zoom magnification can be set more accurately.

In step S216, "f0 <
fmin ”, that is, the subject distance L is too small and the photographing optical system 2 is moved to the wide end (f = fmin).
However, if the shooting range 31 is larger than the display LCD 3 as shown in FIG. 9, the process proceeds to step S302, and pixels are thinned out so that the size of the shot image is reduced by (f0 / fmin) times. When the thinning process is completed in step S302, the process proceeds to step S217, and the print correction flag is reset to zero. That is, step S302
When the thinning process is performed in step 1, the print resolution k need not be recalculated.

<< Modification 2 >> FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second modification, and is a flowchart of the same part as that shown in FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, step S
The processing is different when it is determined in step 216 that "f0 <fmin". That is, if it is determined in step S216 that "f0 <fmin", the process proceeds to step S401, where the pixels of the captured image are thinned to 1/4, and the distance L calculated and stored in step S207 is set to 2 · L. replace.

When the pixels are thinned to 1/4, the horizontal pixels of the image are thinned to 1/2, and the vertical pixels are also thinned to 1/2. As a result, the size of the image to be printed is halved in length, which is equivalent to doubling the object distance L. When the process of step S401 is completed, the process proceeds to step S208, and the focal length f0 is calculated using the replaced new L. In the case of the modified example 2, the pixels are thinned out to 1/4 regardless of the size of the captured image, which is simpler than the thinning process of the modified example 1.

-Second Embodiment- In the first embodiment described above, the photographing range W is specified by the print size S, and the subject in the range W is printed at the same size. In this embodiment, the subject image is printed on the paper of the designated print size S by multiplying it by Z. When setting the print magnification Z, the menu button 10 is operated to display the print magnification setting menu on the display LCD 3, and 11a
The desired magnification is selected from the plurality of printing magnifications displayed by the operation of 11d. When the mode is switched to the designated size photographing mode by the mode switching button 12, the photographing range W is set to a value obtained by dividing the designated print size S by the print magnification Z. The method of setting the shooting range will be described later. The other configurations of the electronic camera 1 and the camera system are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a control method for Z-fold printing will be described below.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the photographing range W and the CCD 214. Similar to the first embodiment, the relationship of the formula (1) is established among the focal length f0, the distance f ′ between the photographing optical system 2 and the image pickup surface, and the subject distance L.

## EQU6 ## 1 / L + 1 / f '= 1 / f0 (1)

Further, when the subject image is projected on the entire image pickup area of the CCD 214 and printed on the printing paper of the print size S, in order to print the subject Z times, the print size S is set as shown in FIG. (1 / Z) times the shooting range W = S
It is sufficient that / Z is projected on the CCD 214. for that reason,
The focal length f of the electronic camera 1 may be adjusted to a focal length f0 that satisfies both Expression (1) and the following Expression (6). The print resolution k is set as in Expression (3) as in the first embodiment.

## EQU7 ## f '/ L = N.P / (S / Z) f ′ = (N · P · L · Z) / S (6) k = N / S (3)

Since the general procedure from photographing to printing by the camera system and the procedure on the camera side are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. However, step S223 in FIG.
Then, the print magnification Z is also stored as tag information. This second
In this embodiment, when printing, if a paper of the same size as the print size S set at the time of shooting is fed to the printer 23, the subject image of the magnification Z is automatically printed. Therefore, Z-fold printing of the subject image can be performed very easily.

-Third Embodiment- In the above-described first and second embodiments, the print size S is input to the electronic camera 1, and the photographing optical system 2 is based on the print size S. Controlled. In the third embodiment, using the chart paper on which the printable range of the printer 23 is printed, calibration is performed so that the photographing range W having the same size as the printable range is projected on the CCD 214. Note that this calibration is performed, for example, after operating the command dial 6 in FIG. 1 to set the electronic camera 1 in the calibration mode.

When performing the calibration,
The chart on which the printable range is printed is printed in advance by the printer 23.
To print. Generally, the peripheral area of the printing paper is a blank area in which printing is not possible, and the rectangular area inside the blank area is the printable area. Therefore, for example, in the case of A4 size paper, a rectangular frame slightly smaller than A4 size is printed.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the calibration procedure, which starts when the calibration mode is set by the command dial 6. In step S501, after the photographing optical system 2 of the electronic camera 1 is set to the macro area, the focal length is set to the maximum tele end (fma).
x). The user holds the electronic camera 1 toward the chart paper in the setting state of step S501.

In step S502, the distance Lmax to the chart paper is measured. In step S503, the chart paper image captured by the electronic camera 1 is displayed L
Displayed on CD3. The user approaches or moves away from the chart paper so that the rectangular frame of the displayed chart paper and the display frame of the display LCD 3 match. And
When the rectangular frame of the chart paper matches the display frame of the display LCD 3, the release button 5 is fully pressed.

In step S504, it is determined whether or not the release button 5 of the electronic camera 1 has been fully pressed, and YES.
If it is determined to be NO, the process proceeds to step S505, and if NO is determined, the process returns to step S502. In this calibration mode, when the release button 5 is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S505 and only the focusing operation is performed.

In step S506, after the photographing optical system 2 is set to the macro area, the focal length is set to the minimum wide end (fmi).
Set to n). The user again holds the electronic camera 1 toward the chart paper. In step S507, the distance Lmin to the chart paper is measured, and in the following step S508, the chart paper image is displayed on the display LCD 3. In this case as well, the rectangular frame of the chart paper and the display frame of the display LCD 3 are moved toward or away from the chart paper, and when they coincide, the release button 5 is fully pressed.

In step S509, the release button 5
It is determined whether or not has been fully pressed. If YES is determined, the process proceeds to step S510, and if NO is determined, the process returns to step S507. Next, after the focusing operation is performed in step S510, the distances Lmin and Lmin are calculated in step S511.
Is stored, and the series of calibration processes ends.

After the calibration, in the designated size photographing mode, the electronic camera 1 is controlled so that the focal length f0 of the formula (7) calculated based on the stored distances Lmin and Lmin is obtained. As a result, the photographing range W having the same size as the rectangular frame of the chart paper is projected onto the entire image pickup area of the CCD 214, and when the photographed subject image is printed on the printing paper of size S, the same size printing is performed.

[Equation 8]     f0 = fmin + {(fmax−fmin) / (Lmax−Lmin)} · (L−Lmin) (7)

In the first and second embodiments described above, the print size S is adjusted by adjusting the focal length f0 so that f'in FIG. 7 satisfies the following equations (1) and (2). The image capturing range W is projected onto the entire image capturing area of the CCD 214. However, the equation (2) does not take into account the error due to the lens variation, and the equation (2) can be rewritten more accurately by using the error correction coefficient α to obtain the equation (8). That is, since the correction coefficient α is not taken into consideration in the above-described first and second embodiments, the accuracy of focus adjustment is reduced accordingly.

## EQU9 ## 1 / L + 1 / f '= 1 / f0 (1) f ′ = (N · P · L) / W (2) f ′ = (N · P · L) / (W · α) (8)

However, in the third embodiment, the rectangular frame of the chart paper is actually projected onto the entire image pickup area of the CCD 214, and the focal length f0 is calculated based on the data Lmin and Lmin at that time. This focal length f0 also includes the influence of lens error. Therefore, the control can be performed with higher accuracy than in the first and second embodiments.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the electronic camera and the camera system having both the optical zoom function and the electronic zoom function are described as an example, but the present invention is applicable to the electronic camera and the camera system having only one of them. Can also be applied. Further, although the calculation of the print resolution k is performed on the camera side, the printing means (PC2
0, the number of pixels N taken into the printer 23) side and the print size S may be used for the calculation on the printing means side.

In the correspondence between the embodiments described above and the elements in the claims, the taking optical system 2 is a zoom lens, the lens drive circuit 430 is a zoom changing means, and the CCD is
Reference numeral 214 denotes an image pickup unit, which is a mode switching button 12 and a CPU.
Reference numeral 439 is a mode setting means, print size S is a predetermined size, menu button 10 and selection buttons 11a to 11a.
d is a magnification setting unit and size setting unit, frame 32 is a range display mark, DSP 433 is an electronic zoom unit and thinning unit, display LCD 3 is a display monitor and warning unit, printer 23 is a printing device, and CPU 439 is a distance measuring unit. And a zoom control unit, a focal length calculation unit, and an electronic zoom control unit.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By printing the subject image on the paper having the same size as the predetermined size, it is possible to easily print the same-size image having the same size as the subject. According to the second aspect of the invention, the subject image is printed on the printing paper of a predetermined size at the set printing magnification. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a focus within which the subject within the shooting range is projected based on a plurality of subject distances detected when the reference image of a predetermined size is projected onto substantially the entire shooting region. Since the distance is calculated, it is possible to eliminate the influence of errors due to variations in the zoom lens. According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the range display mark is displayed on the display monitor together with the subject image, it is possible to easily recognize whether or not the image is taken at an appropriate subject distance. Further, according to the invention of claim 8, a warning is issued when the subject distance is not appropriate, so that the same effect as that of the invention of claim 5 can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention, FIG. 1A is a plan view of an electronic camera seen from above, and FIG. 1B is a rear view seen from behind.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the electronic camera 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a camera system.

4 is a diagram showing a procedure from photographing to printing in the camera system of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing steps S101 to S103 in FIG.
It is a flow chart which shows in detail the procedure up to.

6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure following FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between a shooting range W and an imaging area of a CCD 214.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing a subject image displayed on the display LCD 3, wherein FIG. 8A is an image when f = fmax, and FIG. 8B is an image obtained by electronically magnifying the image of FIG. ,
(C) shows an image obtained by electronically magnifying the image of (a) by (f0 / fmax) times.

FIG. 9 is a shooting range 31 and a display LCD when f = fmin.
It is a figure which shows the relationship with 3.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of modification 1.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of modification 2;

FIG. 12 is a photographing range W and CC according to the second embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the relationship with D214.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of calibration.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 electronic camera 2 Shooting optical system 3 display LCD 10 Menu button 11a-11d selection buttons 12 Mode switching button 23 Printer 30 subject image 31, W shooting range 32 frames 33 mark 214 Imaging unit 430 lens drive circuit 433 DSP 439 CPU 424 memory card S print size

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 101: 00 // H04N 101: 00 5/91 HF term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB36 AB66 AC01 AC12 AC18 AC69 5C052 FA03 FA05 FA06 FA07 FB01 FC06 5C053 FA04 LA03 LA11 LA14

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A zoom changing unit for changing a focal length of a zoom lens, an image pickup unit for photoelectrically converting a subject image projected on an image pickup region by the zoom lens, a distance measuring unit for detecting the subject distance, and a subject position. Mode setting means for setting a designated range shooting mode in which the size of the shooting range in is fixed to a predetermined size, and when the designated range shooting mode is set, based on the shooting range and the subject distance, An electronic camera, comprising: a zoom control unit that controls the zoom changing unit so that a subject within the shooting range is projected onto substantially the entire imaging region. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising a magnification setting unit that sets a printing magnification, wherein the mode setting unit sets a size of a photographing range at a subject position and the predetermined size to the printing magnification. An electronic camera that is fixed to the size divided by. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising a size setting unit that sets the predetermined size. 4. A zoom changing unit for changing a focal length of a zoom lens, an image pickup unit for photoelectrically converting a subject image projected on an image pickup region by the zoom lens, a distance measuring unit for detecting the subject distance, and a subject position. Mode setting means for setting a designated range shooting mode in which the size of the shooting range in FIG. 3 is fixed to a predetermined size, and (a) a plurality of focal lengths of the zoom lens when the designated range shooting mode is set. , (B) at each of the plurality of focal lengths, the subject distance detected when the reference image of the predetermined size is projected onto almost the entire image pickup region, and (c) detected when the subject is imaged. A focal length calculation unit that calculates a focal length at which the subject in the range shooting is projected on substantially the entire imaging region based on the subject distance; Distances electronic camera characterized by comprising a zoom control unit that controls the zoom change unit to match the focal length calculated in the focal length calculating unit. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens has a maximum focal length, and the size of a range of a subject projected onto substantially the entire imaging region is the size of the subject. When the size of the shooting range is larger than the size of the shooting range, a display monitor is provided for displaying the subject image based on the image information from the imaging unit and a range display mark indicating a range substantially corresponding to the shooting range in an overlapping manner. camera. 6. The electronic camera according to claim 5, further comprising a storage control unit that stores image information of a range indicated by the range display mark in a storage area. 7. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising: an electronic zoom unit that electronically magnifies a part of a subject image based on image information from the image capturing unit; and a focus of the zoom lens. When the distance is the maximum and the size of the range of the subject projected onto substantially the entire imaging region is larger than the size of the shooting range, the shooting range in the subject image based on image information from the imaging unit. An electronic camera, further comprising: an electronic zoom control unit that controls the electronic zoom unit so that an image corresponding to a subject in the image is enlarged to a size equal to that of the subject image. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the focal length of the zoom lens is the minimum, and the size of the range of the subject projected onto almost the entire imaging region is the size of the subject. An electronic camera provided with a warning means for issuing a warning when the size of a range image is smaller. 9. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens has a minimum focal length, and the size of the range of the object projected onto substantially the entire imaging region is the size of the object. An electronic camera comprising thinning-out means for electronically thinning out the subject image when the size is smaller than the size of the range shooting. 10. A mode setting means for setting a designated range shooting mode in which a size of a shooting range at a subject position is fixed to a predetermined size, and an image pickup section for photoelectrically converting a subject image projected on an image pickup area by a photographing optical system. An electronic zoom means for electronically enlarging a part of the subject image based on the image information from the image pickup section; and an image corresponding to the range shooting in the subject image, which is enlarged to a size equal to the subject image. And an electronic zoom control unit for controlling the electronic zoom means. 11. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the mark representing the predetermined size. 12. An electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and a printing device that prints an image taken in the designated range shooting mode in substantially the same size as the predetermined size. Characteristic camera system. 13. A zoom changing unit for changing a focal length of a zoom lens, an image pickup unit for photoelectrically converting a subject image projected on an image pickup region by the zoom lens, a distance measuring unit for detecting the subject distance, and a subject position. Mode setting means for setting a designated range shooting mode in which the size of the shooting range in is fixed to a predetermined size, and when the designated range shooting mode is set, based on the shooting range and the subject distance, A zoom control unit that controls the zoom changing unit so that a subject within the shooting range is projected onto almost the entire shooting region, and an image shot in the designated range shooting mode is made to have a size substantially the same as the predetermined size. A camera system comprising a printing device for printing. 14. The electronic camera according to claim 6, wherein the storage control unit stores the predetermined size in the storage area in association with the image information.