JP2004032524A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of easily and suitably picking up an image at a desired field angle. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera is provided with a liquid crystal viewfinder for visually confirming the picked-up image of an object, display section for displaying the picked-up image of the object, wide zoom button for zooming in a wide angle side, tele-zoom button for zooming in a telephoto side, and field angle assist button for setting an imaging field angle to the field angle of an image displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder. When the field angle assist button is depressed in a state where an image 72 is displayed on the crystal viewfinder 70 and the display section 46, and then the wide zoom button is depressed, an image 74 obtained by zooming the image 72 in the wide angle side is displayed on the display section, and a field angle assist frame 76 representing a field angle when the field angle assist button is depressed is displayed on the center of a screen. An image in the frame 76 is displayed on the viewfinder 70. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera having a zoom function for changing the angle of view of a captured image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, many digital cameras equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD have been distributed. In such a digital camera, a subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD at the time of shooting, and converted into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each sensor of the CCD. The signal charge accumulated in the CCD is read for each pixel and converted into image data, and this image data is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card.
[0003]
Some digital cameras can change the angle of view of a captured image by optical zoom or electronic zoom. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-91815 discloses a zoom position (view angle) of a designated zoom lens. A device has been proposed in which the focus position of the focus lens at that time is stored, and when the shutter switch is turned on, the zoom lens is moved to the stored zoom position and the focus lens is moved.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-78198 proposes an imaging apparatus that has an electronic zoom function and can set an electronic zoom frame in a freely movable manner.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When shooting a subject, particularly when shooting a moving subject, how to shoot at an appropriate angle of view without missing a photo opportunity affects the performance of the photo, but is described in JP-A-2001-91815. However, with this technology, it is possible to quickly move the zoom lens and focus lens to a position corresponding to a previously stored angle of view, but it is not possible to easily confirm which angle of view was stored. was there. Further, since fine adjustment can be performed only after the zoom lens or focus lens is moved to a position corresponding to the stored angle of view, there is a problem that a photo opportunity may be missed.
[0006]
In the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-78198, the position of the electronic zoom frame has to be specified and set in advance, which is cumbersome to operate, and an image with an actual angle of view is confirmed before shooting. There is a problem that it may not be possible to shoot with an appropriate angle of view because it cannot be performed.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that can easily shoot appropriately at a desired angle of view.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to claim 1 changes an angle of view of an image pickup device for picking up a subject and a picked-up image of the subject and forms an image of the subject on the image pickup device. In order to set an optical system, a zoom unit imaged by the imaging device, a viewing unit for viewing the subject image, and a field angle of the subject image viewed by the viewing unit as a shooting field angle And when the captured image angle is set by the setting unit and the angle of view of the captured image is changed to a wider angle side than the captured image angle by the optical system, And display means for displaying a frame representing the shooting angle of view on the displayed captured image.
[0009]
According to the present invention, the subject image is formed on the image sensor by the optical system that forms the subject image. The optical system can be composed of, for example, a lens that forms an image of the subject on an image sensor and a zoom unit that changes the angle of view of the captured image of the subject captured by the image sensor. In this case, the zoom unit can be configured to include a zoom lens that can change the focal length, for example, so that the angle of view of the captured image can be optically changed. The lens may be a single focus lens, and the zoom unit may be configured to electronically change the angle of view of the captured image.
[0010]
The visual recognition means can visually recognize the image of the subject, and an optical visual recognition means or an electronic visual recognition means can be used. When the optical zoom is adopted, the visual recognition means can include a visual zoom lens that is linked to the zoom lens of the optical system. In addition, when the electronic zoom is employed, it is possible to include a visual display means for displaying a captured image captured by the image sensor.
[0011]
The setting means is for setting the angle of view of the image of the subject visually recognized by the visual recognition means as the shooting angle of view. Here, the shooting angle of view refers to the angle of view of an image in which an image obtained by shooting a subject is finally recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card. In other words, the photographer visually recognizes the subject with the visual recognition means, and changes the angle of view of the image of the subject visually recognized by operating the zoom instruction means for instructing the zoom as necessary. Then, the shooting angle of view can be set by the setting means.
[0012]
The display means displays the captured image. In addition, the display unit captures an image on the displayed captured image when the angle of view of the captured image is changed to the wide-angle side with respect to the captured field angle by the optical system with the captured field angle set by the setting unit. Displays a frame representing the angle of view.
[0013]
Thereby, it is possible to easily grasp the situation around the image having the set shooting angle of view. Therefore, it becomes easy for the photographer to take an image with an appropriate angle of view, such as reviewing the angle of view of photography. Further, when shooting a moving subject, it can be easily confirmed that the subject enters within the set shooting angle of view, so that it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity.
[0014]
In addition to the simple rectangular frame, the frame referred to here includes, for example, an image within the shooting angle of view or an image outside the shooting angle of view, and the brightness of the image within the shooting angle of view and the brightness of the image outside the shooting angle of view. And a frame generated when the boundary between the image within the shooting angle of view and the image outside the shooting angle of view is made recognizable.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the visualizing means sets the photographing field angle so that an image of a subject with a visual field angle when set by the setting means is visually recognized among the captured images. It is good also as a structure containing the fixing means to fix.
[0016]
For example, in the case where the viewing means includes a viewing display means, when the shooting field angle is set by the setting means, the fixing means is an area corresponding to the shooting angle of view among the captured images captured by the image sensor. Are displayed on the visual display means. Thereby, the angle of view of the image of the subject visually recognized by the visual recognition means can be fixed.
[0017]
Further, in the case where the viewing means is configured to include a viewing zoom lens, when the shooting field angle is set by the setting means, the fixing means is configured so that the viewing zoom lens is not interlocked with the zoom lens of the optical system. To control. Thereby, the angle of view of the image of the subject visually recognized by the visual recognition means can be fixed.
[0018]
In this way, since the angle of view of the image of the subject visually recognized by the visual recognition means is fixed, the display means displays an image having a wider angle than the photographing angle of view to check the surrounding situation, and the visual means captures the photographed image. The corner image can be confirmed, and the usability can be improved.
[0019]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a warning unit that warns when the angle of view of the captured image changes to the telephoto side with respect to the shooting angle of view set by the setting unit by the optical system. It is good also as a structure.
[0020]
Thereby, the photographer can easily recognize that the zoom is set to the telephoto side from the set shooting angle of view, and shooting at an appropriate angle of view can be facilitated.
[0021]
Moreover, it is good also as a structure further provided with the switching means for switching the display of the said display means for visual recognition, and the display of the said display means. Thereby, usability can be improved more.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The photographing optical system 12 of the camera 10 includes a photographing lens 14 and a diaphragm 16. The taking lens 14 is composed of one or a plurality of lenses, for example, a zoom lens having a variable focal length.
[0024]
The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 18 via the photographing optical system 12 is converted into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each sensor. The signal charge accumulated in this way is read out by a CCD drive pulse applied from the CCD drive circuit 20, and is sequentially output from the CCD 18 as a voltage signal (analog image signal) corresponding to the signal charge.
[0025]
The CCD 18 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate, and the accumulated signal charge can be swept out to the shutter drain by driving the shutter gate with a shutter gate pulse. That is, the CCD 18 has a so-called electronic shutter function that controls the accumulation time (shutter speed) of charges accumulated in each sensor by the shutter gate pulse.
[0026]
The signal read from the CCD 18 is subjected to correlated double sampling (CDS) processing in the CDS circuit 22 and color separation processing into R, G, B color signals to adjust the signal level of each color signal (pre-white balance). Process).
[0027]
The image signal that has undergone the predetermined analog signal processing is applied to the A / D converter 24, converted into R, G, B digital signals by the A / D converter 24, and then stored in the memory 26. .
[0028]
A timing signal generation circuit (TG) 28 provides appropriate timing signals to the CCD drive circuit 20, the CDS circuit 22 and the A / D converter 24 in response to a command from the CPU 30, and each circuit generates a timing signal. It is driven in synchronism with a timing signal applied from the circuit 28.
[0029]
The CPU 30 is a control unit that performs overall control of each circuit of the camera 10, and includes a gain adjustment circuit 34, a gamma correction circuit 36, a luminance / color difference signal processing circuit (referred to as a YC processing circuit) 38, and a compression / decompression circuit via a bus 32. 40, a card interface 44 of the memory card 42, a display driver 48 for driving the display unit 46, and the like.
[0030]
The CPU 30 controls the corresponding circuit block based on the input signal from the operation unit 50, and controls the zooming operation, the automatic focus adjustment (AF) operation of the photographing lens 14, the automatic exposure adjustment (AE), and the like. .
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 50 includes a release button 62 for giving an instruction to start recording an image, a mode dial 64 for selecting a shooting mode, and a tele zoom button for zooming to the tele side, that is, the telephoto side. 66T, a wide zoom button 66W for zooming to the wide side, that is, the wide angle side, an angle of view assist button 68 for fixing the shooting angle of view, which will be described in detail later, and other various input means.
[0032]
These input means have various forms such as switch buttons, dials, and slide-type knobs. A mode in which setting menus and selection items are displayed on the screen of a touch panel or a liquid crystal monitor display unit, and a desired item is selected with a cursor. There is also. The operation unit 50 may be disposed in the camera body, or may be configured as a remote control transmitter separated from the camera body.
[0033]
The CPU 30 in FIG. 1 performs various calculations such as a focus evaluation calculation and an AE calculation based on the image signal output from the CCD 18, and based on these calculations, driving means (for example, an AF motor, The iris lens 52 is controlled to move the focus lens to the in-focus position, and the aperture 16 is set to an appropriate aperture value.
[0034]
For example, a contrast AF method in which the focus lens is moved so that the high frequency component of the G signal is maximized is employed for the AF control. In the AE control, the subject brightness (shooting EV) is obtained based on the integrated value obtained by integrating the R, G, B signals of one frame, the aperture value and the shutter speed are determined based on the taken EV, and the driving unit 52 is operated. In addition, the diaphragm 16 is driven, and the charge accumulation time of the CCD 18 is controlled by the electronic shutter so that the determined shutter speed is obtained. Therefore, only by directing the photographing lens 14 of the camera 10 toward the subject, optimal exposure adjustment is performed and focusing is automatically performed.
[0035]
At the time of shooting recording, when the release button is “half-pressed”, the above-mentioned photometric operation is repeated a plurality of times to obtain an accurate shooting EV, and the aperture value and shutter speed at the time of shooting are finally determined based on this shooting EV. . Then, when the release button is “fully pressed”, the aperture 16 is driven so that the final determined aperture value is obtained, and the charge accumulation time is controlled by the electronic shutter so that the determined shutter speed is obtained. In addition to the method of controlling AE and AF based on the image signal acquired from the CCD 18, a well-known photometric sensor, a distance measuring sensor including an AF light projecting / receiving sensor, or the like may be used.
[0036]
Further, the camera 10 has a strobe light emitting device 54 and a light receiving element 56 for light control, and automatically controls the strobe light emitting device 54 at low brightness according to the operation of a strobe mode setting button included in the operation unit 50. The “low-brightness automatic light-emission mode” in which light is emitted, the “forced light-emission mode” in which the strobe light-emitting device 54 emits light regardless of the subject brightness, the “light-emission prohibition mode” in which light emission of the strobe light-emitting device 54 is prohibited, etc.
[0037]
The CPU 30 controls charging of the main capacitor of the strobe light emitting device 54 and discharge (light emission) timing to the light emitting tube (for example, a xenon tube) according to the strobe mode selected by the user, and performs measurement from the light receiving element 56. Based on the result, the emission stop is controlled. The light receiving element 56 receives the reflected light from the subject illuminated by the light emission of the strobe and converts it into an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light received. The signal of the light receiving element 56 is integrated by an integration circuit (not shown), and the strobe light emission is stopped when the integrated light receiving amount reaches a predetermined appropriate light receiving amount.
[0038]
Data output from the A / D converter 24 is stored in the memory 26 and added to the integrating circuit 60. The integration circuit 60 divides the photographing screen into a plurality of blocks (for example, 64 blocks of 8 × 8), and performs integration calculation of the received G signal for each block. Note that the luminance signal (Y signal) may be generated from the R, G, and B data, and the luminance signal may be integrated. Further, the integrating circuit 60 can also be used as an AE arithmetic circuit. Information on the integrated value (calculation result) obtained by the integrating circuit 60 is input to the CPU 30.
[0039]
Based on the information from the integration circuit 60, the CPU 30 calculates the evaluation value E of the photographic screen according to a predetermined algorithm, and determines the gain value (amplification factor) in the gain adjustment circuit 34 using the obtained evaluation value E. The CPU 30 controls the gain amount in the gain adjustment circuit 34 according to the determined gain value.
[0040]
The R, G, B image data stored in the memory 26 is sent to the gain adjustment circuit 34, where it is amplified. The amplified image data is subjected to a gamma correction process in a gamma correction circuit 36 and then sent to a YC processing circuit 38, where RGB data is converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb signal). Converted.
[0041]
The luminance / color difference signal (abbreviated as YC signal) generated in the YC processing circuit 38 is written back to the memory 26. The YC signal stored in the memory 26 is supplied to the display driver 48, converted into a predetermined signal (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal), and output to the display unit 46. As the display unit 46, a liquid crystal display or other display device capable of color display is used. The display unit 46 may be a YC signal input type or an RGB signal input type, and a driver corresponding to the display device is applied.
[0042]
The image data is periodically rewritten by the image signal output from the CCD 18, and a video signal generated from the image data is supplied to the display unit 46, whereby the image captured by the CCD 18 is a moving image (live image) in real time. Or not in real time, but displayed on the display unit 46 as a substantially continuous image.
[0043]
The digital camera 10 includes a liquid crystal viewfinder 70 as shown in FIGS. The liquid crystal viewfinder 70 includes a liquid crystal display device for displaying an image output from the CCD 18, for example.
[0044]
The liquid crystal viewfinder 70 and the display unit 46 can be used as an electronic viewfinder, and the photographer can check the shooting angle of view from the display image on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 or the display unit 46.
[0045]
When a predetermined recording instruction (shooting start instruction) operation such as an operation of pressing a release button is performed, capturing of image data for recording is started.
[0046]
When the photographer inputs a shooting / recording instruction from the operation unit 50, the CPU 30 sends a command to the compression / decompression circuit 40 as necessary, whereby the compression / decompression circuit 40 converts the YC data on the memory 26 into JPEG or another predetermined format. Compress according to The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 42 via the card interface 44.
[0047]
When the mode for recording non-compressed image data (non-compression mode) is selected, the image data is recorded on the memory card 42 without being compressed without performing the compression processing by the compression / decompression circuit 40. The
[0048]
In the camera 10 of the present embodiment, a memory card 42 is used as means for storing image data. Specifically, for example, a recording medium such as smart media is applied. The form of the recording medium is not limited to the above, and various forms such as a PC card, a micro drive, a multimedia card (MMC), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a memory stick are possible. Corresponding signal processing means and interfaces are applied.
[0049]
In the reproduction mode, the image data read from the memory card 42 is decompressed by the compression / expansion circuit 40 and output to the display unit 46 via the display driver 48.
[0050]
The CCD 18 corresponds to the image sensor of the present invention, the photographing lens 14 corresponds to the optical system of the present invention, the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 corresponds to the visual recognition means of the present invention, and the display unit 46 corresponds to the display means of the present invention. The view angle assist button 68 corresponds to the setting means of the present invention, and the display unit 46 corresponds to the display means of the present invention.
[0051]
Next, an image displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 and the display unit 46 when a zoom instruction is issued by operating the tele zoom button 66T or the wide zoom button 66W will be described.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 2, in the normal mode in which the view angle assist button 68 is not pressed, the image displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 is the angle of view of the image displayed on the display unit 46. And the same angle of view. Therefore, when the tele zoom button 66T or the wide zoom button 66W is pressed, the image displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 is enlarged in conjunction with the enlargement or reduction of the image displayed on the display unit 46. Or reduced.
[0053]
On the other hand, when the view angle assist button 68 is pressed, the assist mode is set, and the view angle at that time is stored in the memory 26. The image having this angle of view becomes an image stored in the memory card 42.
[0054]
Thereafter, when the wide zoom button 66W is pressed, an image (through image) zoomed to the wide angle side according to the operation amount (press time) is displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70, and the view angle assist button. An angle-of-view assist frame representing the angle of view when 68 is pressed is displayed. At this time, the image (through image) displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 is fixed at the angle of view when the view angle assist button 68 is pressed. That is, a part of the image captured by the CCD 18 corresponding to the fixed angle of view is displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70.
[0055]
As a result, the photographer can confirm the situation around the image of the desired shooting angle of view set by pressing the view angle assist button 68 on the display unit 46, and the image of the desired shooting angle of view, That is, the captured image stored in the memory card 42 can be confirmed with the liquid crystal viewfinder 70.
[0056]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that an image 72 is displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 and the display unit 46. When the view angle assist button 68 is pressed in this state and then the wide zoom button 66W is pressed, an image 74 obtained by zooming the image 72 to the wide side is displayed on the display unit 46, and the view angle assist button is displayed. An angle of view assist frame 76 representing the angle of view when 68 is pressed, that is, the angle of view of the image 72 is displayed at the center of the screen. Then, the image in the view angle assist frame 76 is displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70.
[0057]
When further zooming to the wide side, an image 78 obtained by further zooming the image 74 to the wide side is displayed, and an angle-of-view assist frame 76 representing the angle of view when the angle-of-view assist button 68 is pressed is displayed on the screen. Displayed in the center. That is, when zooming to the wide side, the size of the view angle assist frame changes in conjunction with this.
[0058]
In this way, by pressing the angle of view assist button 68 to set the shooting angle of view and pressing the wide zoom button 66W, an image having a wider angle of view than the set shooting angle of view is displayed on the display unit 46. In addition, since the view angle assist frame 76 representing the set shooting angle of view is displayed, it is possible to check the situation around the image of the set shooting angle of view. Thereby, it becomes easy for the photographer to take an image with an appropriate angle of view such as reviewing the angle of view of the image. Also, when shooting a moving subject, it is possible to easily confirm that the subject enters within the set shooting angle of view, that is, the angle-of-view assist frame 76, so that a photo opportunity is missed. Can be prevented.
[0059]
On the other hand, when the view angle assist button 68 is pressed while the image 72 is displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 and the display unit 46, and then the tele zoom button 66T is pressed, as shown in FIG. The unit 46 and the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 display an image 80 obtained by zooming the image 72 to the tele side. At this time, since the zoom is set to the telephoto side with respect to the shooting angle of view set by pressing the view angle assist button 68, a warning message 82 is displayed. Thus, the photographer can easily recognize that the zoom is performed beyond the set shooting angle of view to the telephoto side.
[0060]
Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, a control routine executed by the CPU 30 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is executed every predetermined time.
[0061]
As shown in FIG. 4, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the view angle assist button 68 has been pressed. If the view angle assist button 68 is pressed, the determination in step 100 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 102. If the view angle assist button 68 is not pressed, the determination in step 100 is denied and step is performed. 103.
[0062]
In step 102, the memory 26 indicates that the angle of view when the angle of view assist button 68 is pressed, that is, the angle of view of the image displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 and the display unit 46 and the shooting mode are the assist mode. Remember.
[0063]
In step 103, the fact that the shooting mode is the normal mode is stored in the memory 26.
[0064]
In step 104, it is determined whether or not a zoom instruction has been made, that is, whether or not the tele zoom button 66T or the wide zoom button 66W has been pressed. If the zoom instruction is issued, the determination in step 104 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 106. If the zoom instruction is not issued, the determination in step 104 is denied and this routine is terminated. .
[0065]
In step 106, zoom processing according to the operation amount of the tele zoom button 66T or the wide zoom button 66W is performed. In this zoom process, when the shooting mode is the normal mode, an image having an angle of view corresponding to the operation amount of the tele zoom button 66T or the wide zoom button 66W is displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 and the display unit 46. In other words, the angle of view of the image displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 and the angle of view of the image displayed on the display unit 46 are linked to have the same angle of view.
[0066]
On the other hand, in the assist mode, the angle of view of the image displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 is fixed at the angle of view stored in the memory 26. This process corresponds to the fixing means of the present invention. In addition, an image with an angle of view corresponding to the operation amount of the tele zoom button 66T or the wide zoom button 66W is displayed on the display unit 46. When the zoom is set to the telephoto side with respect to the set shooting angle of view, the same image as the image displayed on the display unit 46 is displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70.
[0067]
In step 108, it is determined whether or not the shooting mode is the assist mode. If the assist mode is set, the determination at step 108 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 110. If the normal mode is set, the determination at step 108 is denied and this routine is terminated. To do.
[0068]
In step 110, it is determined whether or not the zoom has been zoomed to the wide angle side from the set field angle, that is, whether or not the zoom has been zoomed to the wide angle side from the set field angle by pressing the field angle assist button 68. When the zoom is zoomed to the wide angle side from the set field angle, the determination in step 110 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 112. On the other hand, if the zoom is set to the telephoto side with respect to the set field angle, the determination in step 110 is negative and the process proceeds to step 114.
[0069]
In step 112, the view angle assist frame 76 representing the view angle stored in the memory 26 as shown in FIG. As a result, the photographer can easily confirm the situation around the image of the shooting angle of view set by pressing the view angle assist button 68. Therefore, it becomes easy for the photographer to take an image with an appropriate angle of view, such as reviewing the angle of view of photography. Further, when shooting a moving subject, it is possible to easily confirm that the subject has entered the view angle assist frame 76, so that it is possible to prevent missing a photo opportunity.
[0070]
On the other hand, in step 114, warning processing is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the display unit 46 and the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 display an image 80 zoomed to the telephoto side from the set shooting angle of view, and a warning message 82 is displayed. Thus, the photographer can easily recognize that the zoom is performed beyond the set shooting angle of view to the telephoto side. Note that the processing in step 114 corresponds to warning means of the present invention.
[0071]
Thereafter, when the release button is pressed, an image within the set shooting angle of view, that is, an image within the angle-of-view assist button 68 is cut out from the captured image captured by the CCD 18 and recorded in the memory card 42. Note that, when zooming to the telephoto side beyond the set shooting angle of view, the captured image captured by the CCD 18 is recorded in the memory card 42 as it is.
[0072]
The assist mode may be canceled when the view angle assist button is further pressed in the assist mode state, or may be automatically canceled when the release button is pressed. . Also, a release button or a setting menu for canceling the assist mode may be provided, thereby releasing the assist mode.
[0073]
In the present embodiment, the case where the view angle assist frame 76 is displayed on the display unit 46 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an image within the set shooting angle of view or an image outside the shooting angle of view is displayed. Image processing for identifying an image within the shooting angle of view and an image outside the shooting angle of view, for example, processing such as reducing the degree of brightness may be performed. Thereby, the set photographing angle of view can be easily identified.
[0074]
In the present embodiment, the configuration including the electronic liquid crystal viewfinder including the liquid crystal display device that displays the captured image of the CCD 18 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and switching between interlocking and non-interlocking with the zoom lens 14 is performed. An optical finder including a finder zoom lens that can be used may be used. In this case, in the normal mode in which the view angle assist button 68 is not pressed, control is performed so that the finder lens is driven in conjunction with the zoom lens 14. Thereby, the angle of view of the image displayed on the display unit 46 and the angle of view of the image visually recognized by the optical viewfinder are linked (matched).
[0075]
On the other hand, when the view angle assist button 68 is pressed and the assist mode is set, the finder zoom lens is not interlocked with the zoom lens 14, that is, even if the tele zoom button 66T and the wide zoom button 66W are pressed. The finder zoom lens is controlled so as not to be driven. Thereby, it is possible to always fix the angle of view of the image viewed with the optical viewfinder.
[0076]
In the present embodiment, the view angle assist frame is displayed on the display unit 46, and the image of the set shooting angle of view is displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70. However, the display may be reversed. . That is, the configuration may be such that the view angle assist frame is displayed on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 and the image of the set shooting view angle is displayed on the display unit 46.
[0077]
In addition, a switching button is provided so that the display on the display unit 46 and the display on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 can be switched. Each time the switching button is pressed, the display on the display unit 46 and the display on the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 are switched. You may comprise. In addition, the switching button may be used as an angle of view assist button. In this case, for example, each time the angle of view assist button is pressed in the assist mode, the display unit 46 and the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 are switched so that the assist mode is displayed when the release button is pressed. Each time the view angle assist button is pressed, control is performed so that the transition to the assist mode is performed → the display 46 is switched between the display 46 and the liquid crystal viewfinder 70 → the assist mode is canceled repeatedly. do it.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to easily capture an appropriate image at a desired angle of view.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the digital camera.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when zoomed.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control routine executed by the CPU.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Camera 12 Shooting optical system 14 Shooting lens 18 CCD
26 Memory 30 CPU
42 Memory card 46 Display unit 50 Operation unit

Claims (3)

An image sensor for imaging a subject;
An optical system that changes an angle of view of a captured image of the subject and forms an image of the subject on the imaging element;
A visual recognition means for visualizing the image of the subject;
Setting means for setting an angle of view of the image of the subject visually recognized by the visual recognition means as a shooting angle of view;
The captured image is displayed when the captured image is displayed by the setting unit and the angle of view of the captured image is changed by the optical system to a wider angle side than the captured field angle. Display means for displaying a frame representing the shooting angle of view on the top;
Digital camera equipped with. The visual recognition means includes a fixing means for fixing the shooting field angle so that an image of a subject with a visual field angle when set by the setting means is visually recognized among the captured images. The digital camera according to claim 1. 2. The warning device according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that warns when the angle of view of the captured image changes to a telephoto side with respect to the shooting angle of view set by the setting unit by the optical system. 2. The digital camera according to 2.

Images