JP2004236287A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera for properly conducting settings to the predetermined particular photogenic subject according to a direction of shooting and monitor observation. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 439 makes a zoom position to a wide angle end by switching to a wide focus area when a sensor 442 for detecting angle is tuned on, that is, the direction of shooting is a direction of a photographer self who observes an LCD 447. The CPU 439 further makes a proper setting for a person shooting when a self-timer setting is set to non-actuation, and for a scenery shooting when set to actuation, by an object distance/self-timer actuation button 11. For both the settings, a distance ranging in a lens driving circuit 430 is limited, a light flash prohibition for a flash light device 4 is released, and a white balance adjustment is instructed to a DSP 433. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera that can change the relative relationship between the direction of a subject to be imaged and the direction of observing a display monitor.

  2. Description of the Related Art An electronic camera in which a direction of a photographing lens is configured to be variable is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this camera, when it is detected that the photographing lens is pointed at the photographer himself, image correction processing is performed on the photographed image so that the skin color of the person who is the subject becomes a healthy image.

JP-A-2000-23020

  When photographing the photographer himself with an electronic camera, various setting operations such as AF (focus detection), AE (exposure calculation), and whether or not the flash device can emit light are required. These settings need to be performed each time the photographer himself is photographed, and the operation is cumbersome.

An electronic camera according to the present invention includes an image sensor that captures an image of a subject that has passed through a photographing lens and outputs an image signal, a display monitor that displays an image based on the image signal, a surface orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographing lens, The display monitor supporting means for supporting the display monitor so as to freely change the angle formed by a straight line indicating the direction in which the monitor is observed, the angle detecting means for detecting the angle, and the imaging is performed before imaging according to the angle detected by the angle detecting means Control means for performing settings suitable for a specific subject predetermined for processing.
The control means instructs (1) the focus detection device to limit the distance measurement range to a range from the first distance to a second distance farther than the first distance. Instructs the detection device to perform the distance measurement process from the first distance to the second distance. (3) Instructs the focus detection device to use an area used for the distance measurement process in the photographing screen as an initial value. (4) Instruct the flash device to emit light at the time of shooting with a predetermined amount of light lower than the light amount corresponding to the proper exposure based on the exposure calculation, (5) Instruct the flash device to Even if the flash device is not required to emit light based on the calculation, an instruction is given to emit a predetermined amount of light at the time of imaging. (6) An instruction is given to the preliminary light emitting device to perform preliminary light emission before the flash device emits light. (7) shutter speed determined based on exposure calculation for shutter control means Or (8) instructs the aperture control means to set an aperture value determined based on exposure calculation or a value on the open side from the initial value, (9) Instruct the photometry means to perform photometry in a plurality of areas in the shooting screen, (10) Instruct the focus detection device to perform distance measurement processing using subject light that has passed through the shooting lens. The instruction may be configured to perform at least one of the following.
An electronic camera according to the present invention includes an image sensor that captures an image of a subject that has passed through a photographing lens and outputs an image signal, a display monitor that displays an image based on the image signal, a surface orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographing lens, Display monitor support means for supporting the display monitor so that the angle formed by a straight line indicating the direction in which the monitor is observed can be changed; angle detection means for detecting the angle; a half-press operation signal and a full-press operation signal according to the operation amount Release operation member, a timer means for counting a predetermined time after the full-press operation signal is output, a timer operation member for instructing the timer means whether or not to count, and a timer operation member. Time-out signal output from the time-measuring means in the state where the time is instructed, and the half-press output from the release operation member when the time-out is instructed by the time-measuring operation member In accordance with the operation signal and the angle detected by the angle detecting means, a setting suitable for a specific subject predetermined for the first process performed before imaging, and a setting for a specific subject predetermined for the second process performed after imaging are performed. Control means for performing at least one of suitable settings.
The control means performs at least one of the first processing and the second processing when the half-press operation signal is output from the release operation member in a state where the time is not measured, and the setting relating to the first processing is a shutter control. At least one of the means and the aperture control means may be instructed to exceed the proper exposure based on the exposure calculation by a predetermined amount. The settings relating to the second processing include: (1) instructing the white balance adjusting means to perform white balance adjustment on the image pickup signal using an adjustment value focusing on skin color; (2) instructing the contour enhancing processing means It is preferable to perform at least one of: instructing the contour enhancement amount for the signal to be lower than the initial value; and (3) instructing the gamma correction processing means to reduce the inclination of the straight line indicating the gamma characteristic.
The control unit performs the setting related to the first process while the time counting unit is counting the time. The setting related to the first process includes: (1) setting the distance measurement range from the first distance to the focus detection device from the first distance. (2) Instruct the focus detection device to perform a distance measurement process from the first distance to the third distance from the first distance to a third distance. (3) Instruct the flash device to emit a predetermined amount of light during imaging even if the flash device is not required to emit light based on the exposure calculation. Is instructed to enable light emission when the light emission is prohibited.
The control means may be configured to perform the setting when the direction in which the subject light enters the photographing lens and the direction in which the display monitor is observed substantially match and the detection angle is approximately 90 degrees.

An electronic camera according to the present invention includes an image sensor that captures an image of a subject that has passed through a photographing lens and outputs an image signal, a display monitor that displays an image based on the image signal, a surface orthogonal to the optical axis of the photographing lens, Display monitor support means for supporting the display monitor so as to freely change the angle formed by a straight line indicating the direction in which the monitor is observed, angle detection means for detecting the angle, and a first shooting mode for performing a predetermined process at the time of imaging; A mode switching operation member for instructing switching to a second imaging mode for performing processing different from the processing in the first imaging mode in accordance with a subject; and a mode switching operation member in response to an angle detected by the angle detection means. A control unit for switching between the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode regardless of the instruction.
The control means may switch to the first shooting mode when the direction in which the subject light is incident on the shooting lens substantially matches the direction in which the display monitor is observed, and the angle detected by the angle detection means is about 90 degrees. . In this case, the control unit can switch to the second shooting mode when the angle detection unit no longer detects approximately 90 degrees when the instruction from the mode switching operation member is the second shooting mode.
The second shooting mode may be any of a fireworks shooting mode, a close-up shooting mode, and a landscape shooting mode.

  In the electronic camera according to the present invention, it is possible to set, for example, shooting conditions suitable for a specific subject such as a photographer himself, according to the shooting direction and the monitor observation direction.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a top view showing the appearance of the electronic camera 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the electronic camera 1 of FIG. The electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment is divided into a lens unit 1a including a photographic optical system 2 and a monitor unit 1b including a display LCD 3, and both units 1a and 1b are relatively rotatably connected. When the electronic camera 1 is stored or carried, the lens unit 1a is rotated with respect to the monitor unit 1b in the state shown in FIG. 1, that is, so that the surfaces of the lens unit 1a and the monitor unit 1b are flat.

  FIG. 3 is a top view showing the appearance of the electronic camera 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 during normal shooting, and FIG. 4 is a top view showing the appearance of the electronic camera 1 when shooting a photographer himself. . In the normal photographing shown in FIG. 3, the lens unit 1a of the electronic camera 1 is rotated with respect to the monitor unit 1b, and the photographing optical system 2 is directed toward the subject. At this time, since the display LCD 3 of the monitor unit 1b is held in the direction of the photographer, the photographer can take a picture while viewing the display LCD 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when photographing the photographer himself, the electronic camera 1 has the lens unit 1a rotated with respect to the monitor unit 1b, and the photographing optical system 2 is directed to the photographer himself. Since the display LCD 3 of the monitor unit 1b is also held in the direction of the photographer, the photographer can photograph himself while viewing the display LCD 3.

  In FIG. 1, the lens unit 1a is provided with an electronic flash device 4, a finder window 5, a red-eye reduction / self-timer operation indicator lamp 6, and the like, in addition to the photographing optical system 2. On the other hand, the monitor unit 1b has a main switch 8, a release button 9, a display panel 10, a shooting distance / self-timer operation button 11, a flash mode button 12, an image quality button 13, a monitor button 14, a menu button 15 in addition to the display LCD 3. , A zoom operation switch 16, a command dial 17, and AF area selection buttons 19a to 19d.

  The main switch 8 is a switch for turning on / off the power. The release button 9 is configured to interlock with a half-press switch and a full-press switch (not shown), turns on the half-press switch in response to a half-press operation, and turns on the full-press switch in response to a full-press operation. The display panel 10 displays camera information. The command dial 17 performs a switching operation between the recording mode and the reproduction mode of the electronic camera 1. Here, the recording mode is a mode in which a subject image is photographed and the image data is recorded, and the reproduction mode is a mode in which the recorded image data is read out and reproduced and displayed on the display LCD 3 (FIG. 2).

  In FIG. 2, the display LCD 3 performs image display and menu display. The display LCD 3 sequentially displays a subject image captured by a CCD 214 described later in the recording mode. In the playback mode, the display LCD 3 plays back and displays an image based on image data stored in a recording medium 424 described later, a thumbnail image, and the like.

  The monitor button 14 is a switch for turning on / off the display of the display LCD 3. The menu button 15 is a button for displaying a menu on the display LCD 3. When the menu button 15 is operated, the display LCD 3 displays a setting menu for performing various settings. The electronic camera 1 is provided with a plurality of shooting modes that can perform optimum shooting according to the shooting scene. When displaying a shooting mode setting menu, for example, a shooting mode such as a fireworks shooting mode, a close-up shooting mode, and a landscape shooting mode Are displayed on the display LCD 3. The photographer selects an item to be set from the display menu by operating the AF area selection buttons 19a to 19d (used as a menu selection button when a menu is displayed).

  The zoom operation switch 16 performs a zoom operation of the photographing optical system 2. When the zoom operation switch 16 is operated to the W side, the imaging optical system 2 is driven to the wide angle side, and when the zoom operation switch 16 is operated to the T side, the imaging optical system 2 is driven to the telephoto side.

  The shooting distance / self-timer operation button 11 is used to set the shooting distance to infinity suitable for landscape shooting, the shooting distance to a close range suitable for macro shooting, and the self-timer operation / non-operation. Each time the shooting distance / self-timer operation button 11 is pressed, the setting contents are cyclically switched. The flash mode button 12 sets the forced emission of the flash device 4 (FIG. 1), the emission of the red-eye reduction lamp 6, and the inhibition of the emission of the flash device 4. Each time the flash mode button 12 is pressed, the setting contents are cyclically switched. The image quality button 13 is used to set a compression ratio at the time of compressing image data, which will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of the electronic camera 1 described above. When the main switch 8 (FIG. 1) is turned on, the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned on. As a result, the CPU 439 activates the control program stored in the ROM 443. When the electronic camera 1 is set to the recording mode by the command dial 17, the electronic camera 1 can shoot. On the other hand, when the playback mode is set by the command dial 17, the electronic camera 1 can play back and display an image based on the image data recorded on the memory card 424 on the display LCD 447. In the recording mode, an image based on the image pickup signal from the CCD 214 is displayed on the display LCD 447. The backlight 441 illuminates the display LCD 447. The display LCD 3 of FIG. 2 includes a display LCD 447 and a backlight 441.

  The photographing optical system 2 has a plurality of lenses 201 to 204, and a shutter plate 208 and a stop 215 are provided between the lenses 203 and 204. The subject light that has entered the photographing optical system 2 passes through the lenses 201 to 204, the shutter plate 208, and the aperture plate 215 and forms an image on the imaging surface of the CCD 214. The aperture 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. The diaphragm plate 215 is provided with a plurality of diaphragm openings having different opening areas. The diaphragm plate 215 is rotated by a step motor 415, and one arbitrary diaphragm opening is disposed on the optical axis.

  The shutter plate 208 is provided with a complete light blocking portion for blocking all the light beams passing through the lens 203 and an opening for passing all the light beams. During exposure, the opening of the shutter plate 208 is set on the optical path. At the end of the exposure, the complete light shielding portion is set on the optical path. The aperture driving circuit 453 controls the driving of the step motor 415. The shutter drive circuit 454 controls the drive of the step motor 408. At the time of photographing, first, the electric charge accumulated in the CCD 214 is discharged, and a predetermined opening of the aperture plate 215 is set on the optical path. When the CCD 214 is exposed for a predetermined time, charges are accumulated again. The time from the discharge of the charges until the light path is shielded by the complete light blocking portion of the shutter plate 208 corresponds to the exposure time.

  The focus adjustment operation of the photographing optical system 2 is performed by the lens drive circuit 430. 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 also be performed by an operation signal output when the distance ring 462 is manually operated. The lens driving circuit 430 also drives a zoom lens (not shown) of the photographing optical system 2.

  When a subject image is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 214, 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 timing of the CCD 214 is controlled by the DSP 433 and the CCD drive circuit 434, and a signal from the CCD 214 is input to the image processing unit 431.

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

  The DSP 433 performs image processing such as contour enhancement, gamma correction, and white balance adjustment on the image data output from the A / D conversion circuit 432. Also, the DSP 433 controls the data bus connected to the buffer memory 436 and the memory card 424 to temporarily store the image data subjected to various image processing in the buffer memory 436, and then to transfer the image data from the buffer memory 436. The data is read, data is compressed in a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG system), and is recorded on the memory card 424.

  The DSP 433 stores the image data captured by the CCD 214 and subjected to the above-described image processing and the image data read and expanded from the memory card 424 in the frame memory 435, and converts the image based on the image data into an electronic image. The image is displayed on a display LCD 447 provided in the camera 1. Further, the DSP 433 also manages data input / output timing in recording the above-described image data on the memory card 424 and recording the decompressed photographed image data on the buffer memory 436.

  A buffer memory 436 in which image data based on the output of the CCD 214 is temporarily stored is used to reduce a difference in input / output speed of image data with respect to the memory card 424 and a difference in processing speed between the CPU 439 and the DSP 433. You. The timer 445 has a built-in clock circuit and outputs time data corresponding to the current time to the CPU 439. This time data is recorded on the memory card 424 together with the image data described above.

  The colorimetric element 417 detects the color temperature of the main subject and its surroundings, and outputs data of the detected color temperature to the colorimetric circuit 452. The colorimetric circuit 452 performs predetermined processing on the analog signal output from the colorimetric element 417 to convert the analog signal into a digital value, and outputs the converted digital signal to the CPU 439. The interface 448 is provided so as to connect a predetermined external device (not shown) and transmit and receive data between the CPU 439 and the connected external device. The display circuit 440 controls the display panel 10 that displays settings in the shooting operation. When flash photography is performed using the flash device 4, the charging circuit 449 performs charging in preparation for light emission.

  The angle detection sensor 442 detects a relative rotation angle between the lens unit 1a and the monitor unit 1b, and outputs a detection signal to the CPU 439. The angle detection sensor 442 outputs a detection signal indicating 0 degree in the state of FIG. 1 (FIG. 2), outputs a detection signal indicating 270 degree in FIG. 3, and indicates 90 degrees in the state of FIG. Outputs a detection signal. That is, the angle detection sensor 442 detects an angle formed by a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the imaging optical system 2 and a straight line indicating the direction in which the display LCD 3 is observed.

  The operation of the electronic camera 1 described above will be described. Since the present invention is characterized by the operation in the recording mode, the recording mode will be mainly described.

《Recording mode》
When shooting with the electronic camera 1, the command dial 17 is set to the recording mode and the main switch 8 is turned on, or the command dial 17 is set to the recording mode after the main switch 8 is turned on. The image signal output from the CCD 214 is subjected to analog processing such as noise removal and gain control by an image processing unit 431, and then converted to a digital signal by an A / D conversion circuit 432. The digitally converted signal is guided to the above-described DSP 433, where image processing such as contour enhancement and gamma correction is performed and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 436.

  Thereafter, the CPU 439 obtains a white balance adjustment value using the information indicating the color temperature input from the colorimetry circuit 452, and sends the obtained adjustment value to the DSP 433. The DSP 433 performs white balance adjustment on the image data stored in the buffer memory 436 based on the 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 processed by the DSP 433 into image data to be displayed on the display LCD 447. The processed image data is written into the frame memory 435 and displayed on the display LCD 447 as a photographed monitor image called a through image. This through image is sequentially updated at predetermined intervals based on subject light incident on the imaging optical system 2 by repeating the above operation.

  When a half-press switch (not shown) is turned on by half-pressing the release button 9, the focus adjustment state of the photographing optical system 2 is detected based on the contrast of the image data, and a focused subject image is formed on the CCD 214. Thus, the focus adjustment operation by the lens drive circuit 430 is performed. The area used for detecting the focus adjustment state is a predetermined area selected by the AF area selection buttons 19a to 19d in the shooting screen. The AF area is selected, for example, from the center, upper part, lower part, left part, and right part of the shooting screen. When a half-press switch (not shown) is turned on, the CPU 439 detects the brightness of the subject from the image data, and performs an exposure calculation based on the detected brightness.

  Note that 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 irrespective of the operation of the release button 9, and the focus is locked by pressing the release button 9 halfway. On the other hand, in the single AF mode, the focus adjustment operation is performed only when the release button 9 is half-pressed, and the focus is locked.

  When the release button 9 is further fully pressed following the half-press operation of the release button 9, a full-press switch (not shown) is turned on. As a result, after the signal charges accumulated in the CCD 214 are 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 performs imaging. At the time of this photographing, the flash device 4 may emit light depending on the result of the exposure calculation and the setting by the flash mode button 12 (FIG. 2).

  The imaging signal output from the CCD 214 after the imaging is subjected to the above-described series of image processing and stored in the buffer memory 436. The image data stored in the buffer memory 436 is processed by the DSP 433 into image data to be displayed on the display LCD 447, and then written into the frame memory 435, and a captured image called a freeze image is displayed on the display LCD 447. The image data that has been subjected to such image preprocessing is further subjected to data compression by the DSP 433, is given a predetermined data name by the CPU 439, and is provided with time information from the timer 445 and a memory such as a flash memory. It is recorded on the card 424.

  The electronic camera 1 according to the present invention is characterized in that setting processing at the time of shooting is automatically performed according to the angle detected by the angle detection sensor 442.

  FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are flowcharts illustrating the flow of processing performed by the CPU 439 of the electronic camera 1. When the auto mode in which the processing according to the angle detected by the angle detection sensor 442 is selected in the menu setting, the CPU 439 starts the processing in FIG. Note that the electronic camera 1 is described as being set to the continuous AF mode described above.

  In step S11, the CPU 439 determines whether or not the angle detection sensor 442 is on. The ON state of the angle detection sensor 442 means that the detection signal output from the angle detection sensor 442 is, for example, 90 degrees ± 5 degrees. When the angle detection sensor 442 is on, that is, when the electronic camera 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 439 makes an affirmative determination in step S11 and proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when the angle detection sensor 442 is off, for example, when the electronic camera 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 439 makes a negative determination in step S11 and proceeds to step S35. When proceeding to step S12, the photographing direction is the direction of the person (photographer himself) observing the display LCD3, and when proceeding to step S35, the photographing direction is different from the direction of the person observing the display LCD3.

  In step S35, the CPU 439 performs photographing by the normal sequence processing, and ends the processing in FIG. The normal sequence processing refers to processing in which automatic setting according to the angle detected by the angle detection sensor 442 is not performed. Description of the normal sequence processing is omitted.

  In step S12, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the DSP 433, inverts the image data captured by the CCD 214 and after the image preprocessing is performed, displays a mirror image on the display LCD 447, and proceeds to step S13. This allows the photographer to observe a mirror image of the photographer as a through image on the display LCD 3 (447). In step S13, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the lens drive circuit 430, moves the zoom lens (not shown) of the photographing optical system 2 to the wide-angle end, and proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the CPU 439 instructs the lens drive circuit 430 to widen the focus detection area (make it a wide focus area), and proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the CPU 439 determines whether or not the self-timer is set to operate by the shooting distance / self-timer operation button 11. The CPU 439 makes an affirmative decision in step S15 when the self-timer operation is set and proceeds to step S25, and makes a negative decision in step S15 when the self-timer non-operation is set and proceeds to step S16. move on. When proceeding to step S16, since the photographer can be regarded as photographing himself, setting of a photographing distance corresponding to the length of the photographer's arm and image setting processing emphasizing the person are performed. When proceeding to step S25, a commemorative photographing is assumed, so that, for example, an image setting process that emphasizes the photographing distance of 2 m and the landscape is performed.

  In step S16, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the lens drive circuit 430 to limit the range of the focus adjustment operation, that is, the range of the distance measurement by AF (autofocus) to, for example, a range of 40 cm to 80 cm. Proceed to step S17. In step S17, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the lens drive circuit 430, moves the focus lens (not shown) of the photographing optical system 2 to the nearest end, and proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the CPU 439 performs photometric processing for detecting luminance, instructs the lens drive circuit 430 to perform distance measurement (AF) processing, and proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the CPU 439 determines whether a half-push switch (not shown) has been turned on. If the half-press switch has been turned on, the CPU 439 makes an affirmative decision in step S19 and proceeds to step S20. If the half-press switch has not been turned on, the CPU 439 makes a negative decision in step S19 and returns to the process of step S18.

  In step S20, the CPU 439 performs image processing settings for emphasizing persons, and proceeds to step S21. The details of the person-oriented setting process will be described later. In step S21, the CPU 439 instructs the lens drive circuit 430 to perform a distance measurement (AF) process again, and proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the lens driving circuit 430, and if the distance measurement result does not fall within the range of 40 cm to 80 cm (is farther than 80 cm), the focus lens (not shown) is moved to a position corresponding to the shooting distance of 80 cm. (Shown), and then proceeds to step S23. If the distance measurement result is within the range of 40 cm to 80 cm, the focus lens (not shown) is moved to a position corresponding to the shooting distance.

  In step S23, the CPU 439 determines whether the full-press switch (not shown) has been turned on. When the full-press switch is turned on, the CPU 439 makes an affirmative decision in step S23 and proceeds to step S24. When the full-press switch is not turned on, the CPU 439 makes a negative decision in step S23 and repeats the determination process.

  In step S24, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the flash device 4 irrespective of the settings made by the flash mode button 12, and causes the red-eye reduction lamp 6 to pre-emit light. The CPU 439 further outputs a command to a sound reproducing device (not shown), for example, to reproduce sound such as "laughing", and proceeds to step S30 in FIG. The audio data to be reproduced is stored in a memory in the audio reproducing device in advance.

  In step S30 of FIG. 7, the CPU 439 outputs the control aperture value and the control shutter speed to the aperture drive circuit 453 and the shutter drive circuit 454, respectively, and instructs the DSP 433 to start exposure, and proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the flash device 4, causes the flash device 4 to emit light with a predetermined light amount, and proceeds to step S32. The light emission amount of the flash device 4 will be described later.

  In step S32, upon receiving information indicating the completion of exposure from the DSP 433, the CPU 439 proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the CPU 439 instructs the DSP 433 to perform image pre-processing such as white balance adjustment, contour emphasis, and gamma correction, and image post-processing such as data compression, and proceeds to step S34. In step S34, the CPU 439 records the image data after the data compression on the memory card 424, and ends the processing in FIG.

  In step S25, to which the above-described step S15 is affirmatively determined and the process proceeds, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the lens driving circuit 430 to limit the distance measurement range by AF (auto focus) to, for example, a range of 40 cm to 2 m. And proceed to step S26. In step S26, the CPU 439 sets image processing in the commemorative photographing mode, and proceeds to step S27. Details of the commemorative photographing mode setting process will be described later.

  In step S27, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the lens drive circuit 430, moves a focus lens (not shown) of the photographing optical system 2 to the nearest end, starts a distance measurement (AF) process, and proceeds to step S28. . In step S28, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the lens drive circuit 430, and if the distance measurement result does not fall within the range of 40 cm to 2 m (farther than 2 m), the focus lens (not shown) is moved to a position corresponding to the shooting distance 2 m. ), And the process proceeds to step S29. If the distance measurement result is within the range of 40 cm to 2 m, the focus lens (not shown) is moved to a position corresponding to the shooting distance.

  In step S29, the CPU 439 determines whether or not a predetermined time set in advance for the self-timer has elapsed since the full-press switch (not shown) was turned on. If the CPU 439 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed from the time-up signal, the CPU 439 makes an affirmative determination in step S29 and proceeds to step S24. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the CPU 439 makes a negative determination in step S29 and repeats the determination processing. The self-timer time is measured by a timer circuit (not shown) in the CPU 439.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of the person-oriented setting process. In step S51 of FIG. 8, the CPU 439 sets the light emission amount of the flash device 4 as follows, regardless of the settings made by the flash mode button 12. When it is determined by the exposure calculation based on the subject luminance that the flash device 4 needs to emit light, the CPU 439 sets, for example, an amount of light that is 0.5 EV less than the amount of light for obtaining the proper exposure. This light amount is, for example, a guide number 2.8 in the case of ISO100, F2.8, and a shooting distance of 50 cm. The CPU 439 sets a light amount smaller than a predetermined value when it is determined by the exposure calculation based on the subject luminance that light emission of the flash device 4 is unnecessary. This light amount is, for example, a guide number 0.5 in the case of ISO100, F2.8, and a shooting distance of 50 cm. Upon setting the light emission amount, the CPU 439 proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the CPU 439 sets itself to obtain a white balance adjustment value that emphasizes skin color using information on the color temperature by the colorimetry circuit 452 as a white balance adjustment value at the time of white balance adjustment after exposure (step S33). After setting, the process proceeds to step S53. Thus, when the DSP 433 performs the white balance adjustment, the DSP 433 performs an adjustment to suppress the green component of the skin color portion of the subject on the shooting screen. In step S53, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the DSP 433 to weaken the outline emphasizing process after the exposure (step S33), and proceeds to step S54. Thereby, when the DSP 433 emphasizes the contour, the contour emphasis processing is performed weaker than in the normal sequence (step S35).

  In step S54, the CPU 439 sets the exposure correction amount to itself, for example, by +0.5 EV with respect to the proper exposure calculated by the exposure calculation, and proceeds to step S55. In step S55, the CPU 439 determines an exposure amount using the distance measurement value (photographing distance), the light measurement amount (subject luminance), the exposure correction amount, and the light emission amount of the flash device, and proceeds to step S56. In step S56, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the DSP 433 so as to make the inclination indicated by the gradation characteristic at the time of the gamma correction processing after the exposure (step S33) gentle, and ends the processing in FIG. Proceed to S21. Thus, when the DSP 433 performs the gamma correction processing, the correction processing is performed so that the image contrast is lower than that in the normal sequence (step S35).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of the setting process of the commemorative photographing mode. In step S61 of FIG. 9, the CPU 439 sets the light emission amount of the flash device 4 as follows, regardless of the settings made by the flash mode button 12. When the CPU 439 determines that the flash device 4 needs to emit light by the exposure calculation based on the luminance of the subject, the CPU 439 sets the amount of light for obtaining the proper exposure. The CPU 439 sets a light amount smaller than a predetermined value when it is determined by the exposure calculation based on the subject luminance that light emission of the flash device 4 is unnecessary. This light amount is, for example, a guide number 0.5 in the case of ISO100, F2.8, and a shooting distance of 50 cm. Upon setting the light emission amount, the CPU 439 proceeds to step S62.

  In step S62, the user sets himself / herself to obtain a white balance adjustment value that emphasizes green using the color temperature information from the colorimetric circuit 452 as a white balance adjustment value at the time of white balance adjustment after exposure (step S33). Proceed to step S63. Thus, when the DSP 433 performs the white balance adjustment, the DSP 433 performs an adjustment such that the green portion of the subject on the shooting screen is vividly expressed. In step S63, the CPU 439 determines the exposure amount using the distance measurement value (photographing distance), the light measurement amount (subject brightness), and the light emission amount of the flash device, and ends the processing in FIG. 9 and ends the processing in step S27 in FIG. Proceed to.

  The correspondence between the angle detected by the angle detection sensor 442 and the shooting mode corresponding to the above-described shooting scene will be described. When the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on, the CPU 439 releases the set shooting mode such as the fireworks shooting mode, the close-up shooting mode, and the landscape shooting mode. The setting content in the case of canceling is based on the above-described processing in step S12 and subsequent steps in FIG. When the angle detection sensor 442 is turned off, the setting returns to the setting immediately before the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on. In other words, if any one of the fireworks shooting mode, the close-up shooting mode, and the landscape shooting mode has been set immediately before the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on, when the angle detection sensor 442 is turned off, Return to the shooting mode.

The first embodiment described above will be summarized.
(1) When the angle detection sensor 442 is ON, that is, when the photographing direction is the direction of the person (photographer himself) observing the display LCD 3, the mode is switched to the wide focus area (step S14). By expanding the focus area (area for focus detection), when a photographer photographs himself or when photographing himself with another person, there is a high possibility that the main subject exists in the focus area. Become. As a result, it is possible to prevent a “void” in which the background is focused because the main subject does not exist in the focus area.

(2) When the angle detection sensor 442 is on, the zoom position is set to the wide angle end (step S13). Since the photographing area is widened by widening the angle of view, even when photographing a plurality of persons in close-up photographing, the photographer does not need to operate the zoom operation switch 16, so that a convenient camera can be obtained.

(3) The red-eye reduction lamp 6 is pre-emitted during shooting (step S24). This suppresses the occurrence of “red eyes” due to the pupil of a person such as a photographer located near the camera opening in the captured image.

(4) At the time of photographing, a voice "laughing" was reproduced (step S24), and then exposure was started. Thereby, the person to be photographed can be notified of the photographing timing.

-Settings suitable for photographing a person who is the photographer himself-
(5) When the angle detection sensor 442 is on and the self-timer is not operated (a negative determination is made in step S15), a setting suitable for photographing a person who is the photographer is performed. As a first setting suitable for photographing a person, the distance measurement range is limited to a range (short distance) of 40 cm to 80 cm corresponding to the length of the photographer's arm (step S16). The distance measurement (AF) time can be reduced as compared with the case where the distance measurement (AF) processing is performed in a range from 40 cm to infinity without limitation. Further, since the close-priority AF for performing the distance measurement (AF) processing from the closest end is performed, the distance can be measured quickly.

(6) As a second setting suitable for photographing a person, when it is determined by the exposure calculation based on the luminance of the subject that light emission of the flash device 4 is necessary, proper exposure is performed regardless of the setting contents of the flash mode button 12. Is set to a light amount corresponding to 0.5 EV substantially smaller than the light amount obtained (step S51). As a result, "overexposure" is prevented from occurring in the face of a person such as a photographer himself located near the camera in the captured image. In addition, since the light emission prohibition is automatically canceled even if the photographer does not bother to operate the flash mode button 12, the usability of the camera is improved.

(7) As a third setting suitable for photographing a person, when it is determined by the exposure calculation based on the luminance of the object that light emission of the flash device 4 is unnecessary, a light amount smaller than a predetermined value is set in the flash device 4. I made it. As a result, an effect of illuminating the eyes of a person such as the photographer in the captured image can be obtained.

(8) As a fourth setting suitable for photographing a person, white balance adjustment is performed with a white balance adjustment value determined with emphasis on skin color during white balance adjustment processing after exposure (step S52). ). As a result, a skin color portion of a person such as the photographer himself can be clearly expressed in the photographed image.

(9) As a fifth setting suitable for photographing a person, a setting is made such that the contour enhancement is performed weaker than the normal sequence (step S35) during the contour enhancement processing after exposure (step S53). As a result, fine wrinkles and the like of the face of a person such as the photographer himself can be blurred and beautifully expressed in the photographed image.

(10) As a sixth setting suitable for photographing a person, an exposure correction amount of +0.5 EV is set for the proper exposure calculated by the exposure calculation (step S54). As a result, the face of a person such as the photographer himself can be clearly expressed in white in the captured image.

(11) As a seventh setting suitable for photographing a person, a setting is made such that a correction process for lowering the contrast of an image is performed in a gamma correction process after exposure compared to a normal sequence (step S35) (step S56). As a result, occurrence of “overexposure” on the face of a person such as the photographer himself located near the camera in the captured image is prevented.

-Commemorative photo mode setting-
(12) When the angle detection sensor 442 is on and the self-timer operation is set (step S15 is affirmative), setting suitable for landscape photography (commemorative photography mode) is performed. As a first setting suitable for landscape photography, the distance measurement range is limited to a range of 40 cm to 2 m (medium distance) (step S25), so the range of 40 cm to infinity is not limited. The distance measurement (AF) time can be shortened as compared with the case where the distance measurement (AF) processing is performed. Further, since the closest priority AF for performing the distance measurement (AF) processing from the closest end is performed (step S27), the distance can be quickly measured.

(13) As a second setting suitable for landscape photography, when it is determined by the exposure calculation based on the subject luminance that the flash device 4 needs to emit light, an appropriate exposure is obtained regardless of the setting of the flash mode button 12. The set light amount is set (step S61). Thus, even when the illumination light is insufficient and the luminance of the subject is low, it is possible to capture a clear image. Further, since the light emission prohibition is automatically canceled even if the photographer does not bother to operate the flash mode button 12, the usability of the camera is improved.

(14) As a third setting suitable for landscape photography, when it is determined that light emission of the flash device 4 is unnecessary by exposure calculation based on the subject brightness, a light amount smaller than a predetermined value is set in the flash device 4. I made it. As in the case of (7), an effect of shining eyes of a person such as a photographer in a photographed image can be obtained.

(15) As a fourth setting suitable for landscape photography, white balance adjustment is performed with a white balance adjustment value determined with emphasis on green in white balance adjustment processing after exposure (step S62). ). As a result, it is possible to clearly express the green of the trees and the blue of the sky represented by the landscape in the captured image.

(16) When setting suitable for photographing the person who is the photographer himself or setting of the commemorative photographing mode by turning on the angle detection sensor 442, the fireworks photographing mode, close-up photographing mode, landscape photographing mode, etc. are set. When the photographing mode is canceled and the angle detection sensor 442 is turned off, the setting contents immediately before the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on are returned. In other words, if any one of the fireworks shooting mode, the close-up shooting mode, and the landscape shooting mode has been set immediately before the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on, when the angle detection sensor 442 is turned off, Return to the shooting mode. As a result, the camera automatically returns to the original shooting mode even if the photographer does not bother operating the menu button 15, thereby improving the usability of the camera.

  In the above description, the example in which the distance measurement process is performed before the predetermined time elapses when the self-timer is activated has been described. However, the distance measurement may be performed between step S29 and step S24 after the predetermined time elapses. .

  In step S24 described above, the red-eye reduction lamp 6 emits light in all cases, but may emit light only when the subject luminance is lower than a predetermined luminance.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed by the electronic camera 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In step S11 of FIG. 10, the CPU 439 determines whether or not the angle detection sensor 442 is on. When the angle detection sensor 442 is on, that is, when the electronic camera 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 439 makes an affirmative determination in step S11 and proceeds to step S11B. On the other hand, when the angle detection sensor 442 is off, for example, when the electronic camera 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 439 makes a negative determination in step S11 and proceeds to step S35. The process proceeds to step S11B when the photographer himself is photographed, and when the process proceeds to step S35, the photographing target is different from the photographer himself.

  In step S35, the CPU 439 performs shooting by a normal sequence process, and ends the process in FIG. The normal sequence processing refers to processing in which automatic setting according to the angle detected by the angle detection sensor 442 is not performed. Description of the normal sequence processing is omitted.

  In step S11B, the CPU 439 performs power-on processing of the electronic camera 1 and proceeds to step S13. The electronic camera 1 according to the second embodiment is configured to perform power-on processing when the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on even when the main switch 8 is operated to the off position. When the power is turned on by the angle detection sensor 442, the CPU 439 performs a power-off process after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses without performing any operation on the electronic camera 1. The predetermined time is measured by a timer circuit (not shown) in the CPU 439.

  In step S13, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the lens drive circuit 430, moves the zoom lens (not shown) of the photographing optical system 2 to the wide-angle end, and proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the CPU 439 instructs the lens drive circuit 430 to widen the focus detection area (make it a wide focus area), and proceeds to step S14B.

  In step S14B, the CPU 439 changes the time measured by the timer circuit described above to be longer (for example, three minutes), and proceeds to step S15 in FIG. Subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating details of the setting processing of the self-photographing mode according to the second embodiment. The CPU 439 executes the processing in FIG. 11 instead of the processing in FIG. In step S51 of FIG. 11, the CPU 439 sets the light emission amount of the flash device 4 to be lower than usual regardless of the setting contents of the flash mode button 12, and proceeds to step S61.

  In step S61, the CPU 439 outputs a command to the flash device 4 irrespective of the setting contents of the flash mode button 12, sets the mode to operate the red-eye reduction lamp 6, and proceeds to step S62. In step S62, the CPU 439 sets the multi-metering mode for use in the exposure calculation with the metering amounts obtained at a plurality of points (areas) in the shooting screen, and proceeds to step S63. In step S63, the CPU 439 outputs a command to set an open aperture value to the aperture drive circuit 453, and proceeds to step S64. Instead of using the aperture value, the aperture value may be changed to a value determined by exposure calculation or a value closer to the open side than the initial aperture value.

  In step S64, the CPU 439 outputs a command to increase the shutter speed (for example, 1/200 second) to the shutter drive circuit 454, and proceeds to step S65. In step S65, the CPU 439 outputs to the lens driving circuit 430 a command not to use an external sensor (not shown) for the distance measurement (AF) processing (external AF is turned off), and proceeds to step S66. The external sensor is an AF sensor used for passive AF, active AF, and the like. In step S66, the CPU 439 outputs a command to use the TTL sensor (TTLAF ON) for the distance measurement (AF) processing to the lens driving circuit 430, and proceeds to step S55B. The TTL sensor obtains contrast information through a photographing lens.

  In step S55B, the CPU 439 determines an exposure amount using the distance measurement value (photographing distance), the light measurement amount (subject luminance), the light emission amount of the flash device, the open aperture value, and the high shutter speed, and performs the processing in FIG. The process ends and the process proceeds to step S21 in FIG.

According to the second embodiment described above, the following operation and effect can be obtained.
(1) When the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on, that is, when the photographing direction is turned to the photographer's own direction, the power-on process is performed (step S11B), so that the operation of the main switch 8 can be omitted, and the operation can be omitted. Becomes easier.

(2) When the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on, the timer time for performing the power-off process when there is no operation is extended to three minutes (step S14B). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power from being turned off during the self-photographing preparation.

(3) When the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on, the focus is switched to the wide focus area (step S14), so that the focus can be reliably achieved even when the main subject (the photographer himself) is in the full shooting angle of view.

(4) Since the zoom position is set to the wide-angle end (Wide) when the angle detection sensor 442 is on (step S13), the main subject (the photographer himself) does not protrude from the angle of view.

(5) Since the multi-photometry mode is set when the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on (step S62), it is possible to reliably obtain an appropriate exposure even when the main subject (the photographer himself) is in the full shooting angle of view.

(6) Since the open aperture value is set to the open aperture value when the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on (step S63), the background of the main subject (the photographer himself) can be blurred.

(7) Since the shutter speed is increased when the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on (step S64), the influence of camera shake can be suppressed.

(8) When the angle detection sensor 442 is on, the external AF is turned off (step S65) and the TTLAF is turned on (step S66), so that the focus can be surely focused even when the distance of the main subject (the photographer himself) is within 1 m. it can.

(9) Since the flash device is set to the red-eye reduction mode when the angle detection sensor 442 is turned on (step S61), the red-eye reduction lamp 6 automatically emits light when the flash device 4 emits light. As a result, the occurrence of “red eyes” due to the opening of the pupil of a person such as the photographer himself is suppressed.

  In the above example, the shutter speed is set to 1/200 second as an example of increasing the shutter speed (step S64). It is sufficient that the speed is high enough to suppress the influence of camera shake, so that the time is not limited to 1/200 second, and may be 1/60 second or 1/125 second.

  Further, as another example of increasing the shutter speed, a control shutter speed determined by performing an exposure calculation based on the measured light intensity (subject brightness) or a shutter speed higher than the initial value of the shutter speed is set. It may be.

  In the case where the timer time for performing the power-off processing is changed to be longer in a state where the operation on the electronic camera 1 is not performed (step S14B), the timer time is set to 3 minutes, but may be extended to 10 minutes or 30 minutes. Good.

  Instead of performing the power-off process after the time-up, a power saving operation such as lowering the brightness of the LCD backlight 441 may be performed.

  The correspondence between each component in the claims and each component in the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described. The imaging device is configured by, for example, the CCD 214. The display monitor is constituted by, for example, the display LCD 3. The display monitor support means is constituted by, for example, a monitor unit 1b. The angle detection means is constituted by, for example, an angle detection sensor 442. The control unit, the photometric unit, and the timing unit are configured by, for example, the CPU 439. The focus detection device includes, for example, a lens drive circuit 430 and a CPU 439. The preliminary light emitting device includes, for example, a red-eye reduction lamp 6. The timekeeping operation member includes, for example, a shooting distance / self-timer operation button 11. The time-out signal corresponds to, for example, a time-up signal. The shutter control means includes, for example, a shutter drive circuit 454 and a CPU 439. The aperture control unit includes, for example, an aperture drive circuit 453 and a CPU 439. The white balance adjustment unit, the outline emphasis processing unit, and the gamma correction processing unit are configured by, for example, the DSP 433. The first shooting mode corresponds to, for example, a shooting mode for performing a normal shooting sequence. The second shooting mode corresponds to, for example, a shooting mode corresponding to a shooting scene. The mode switching operation member includes, for example, a menu button 15 and AF area selection buttons 19a to 19d. Note that each component is not limited to the above configuration as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating an appearance of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the electronic camera in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating an appearance of the electronic camera in FIG. 1 during normal shooting. FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating an appearance when a photographer himself is photographed by the electronic camera in FIG. 1. It is a circuit block diagram of an electronic camera. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process performed by a CPU of the electronic camera. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process performed by a CPU of the electronic camera. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the setting process of person emphasis. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the setting process of a commemorative photography mode. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process performed by the electronic camera according to the second embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating details of a self-photographing mode setting process.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera 1a ... Lens unit 1b ... Monitor unit 2 ... Photographing optical system 3 (441, 447) ... Display LCD
4 Flash device 6 Red-eye reduction / self-timer operation display lamp 8 Main switch 9 Release button 11 Shooting distance / self-timer operation button 12 Flash mode button 15 Menu buttons 19a to 19d AF area selection button 208 Shutter plate 214 ... CCD
215 ... diaphragm plate 430 ... lens drive circuit 433 ... DSP
439 CPU
442 ... Angle detection sensor 452 ... Color measurement circuit

Claims (10)

An image sensor that captures a subject image that has passed through a shooting lens and outputs an imaging signal;
A display monitor for displaying an image based on the imaging signal;
Display monitor support means for supporting the display monitor so as to freely change an angle formed by a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the taking lens and a straight line indicating a direction in which the display monitor is observed,
Angle detection means for detecting the angle,
An electronic camera, comprising: a control unit that performs a setting suitable for a predetermined specific subject regarding a process to be performed before the imaging in accordance with an angle detected by the angle detection unit. The electronic camera according to claim 1,
The control means,
(1) instructing the focus detection device to limit the distance measurement range to a range from the first distance to a second distance farther from the first distance,
(2) instructing the focus detection device to perform a distance measurement process from the first distance toward the second distance;
(3) instructing the focus detection device to expand an area used for the distance measurement processing in an imaging screen from an initial value,
(4) instruct the flash device to emit light at the time of shooting with a light amount lower than the light amount corresponding to the proper exposure based on the exposure calculation by a predetermined amount,
(5) For the flash device, even if the flash device is not required to emit light based on the exposure calculation, instruct to emit a predetermined amount of light at the time of imaging,
(6) instructing the preliminary light emitting device to perform preliminary light emission before the flash device emits light,
(7) instruct the shutter control means to set a shutter speed determined based on the exposure calculation or a value higher than the initial value,
(8) instructing the aperture control means to set an aperture value determined based on the exposure calculation or a value on the open side from the initial value,
(9) Instruct the photometry means to perform photometry in a plurality of areas in the shooting screen,
(10) instructing the focus detection device to perform a distance measurement process using subject light that has passed through the photographing lens,
An electronic camera that performs at least one of the following. An image sensor that captures a subject image that has passed through a shooting lens and outputs an imaging signal;
A display monitor for displaying an image based on the imaging signal;
Display monitor support means for supporting the display monitor so as to freely change an angle formed by a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the taking lens and a straight line indicating a direction in which the display monitor is observed,
Angle detection means for detecting the angle,
A release operation member that outputs a half-press operation signal and a full-press operation signal according to the operation amount,
Time-measuring means for measuring a predetermined time after the full-press operation signal is output;
A timekeeping operation member for instructing the timekeeping means whether or not timekeeping is possible,
A timing end signal output from the timekeeping means in a state where timing is enabled by the timekeeping operation member, and the half-press output from the release operation member in a state where timekeeping is instructed by the timekeeping operation member In accordance with the operation signal and the angle detected by the angle detection means, a setting suitable for a specific subject predetermined for the first processing performed before the imaging, and a specific specification predetermined for the second processing performed after the imaging A control unit for performing at least one of settings suitable for the subject. The electronic camera according to claim 3,
The control means performs the setting related to at least one of the first processing and the second processing when the half-press operation signal is output from the release operation member in the state of the timing failure,
The setting related to the first process is to instruct at least one of the shutter control unit and the aperture control unit to exceed a proper exposure based on the exposure calculation by a predetermined amount.
The settings relating to the second process are as follows:
(1) Instructing white balance adjustment means to perform white balance adjustment on the image pickup signal using a skin color-oriented adjustment value,
(2) instructing the contour emphasis processing means to reduce the contour emphasis amount for the image signal from an initial value,
(3) instruct gamma correction processing means to reduce the slope of a straight line indicating gamma characteristics;
An electronic camera, which is at least one of the following. The electronic camera according to claim 3,
The control unit performs a setting related to the first process in a state where the clock unit is clocking,
The settings relating to the first process are as follows:
(1) instructing the focus detection device to limit the distance measurement range from a first distance to a third distance farther than the first distance;
(2) instructing the focus detection device to perform a distance measurement process from the first distance to the third distance;
(3) Instruct the flash device to emit a predetermined amount of light at the time of imaging, even when the flash device is not required to emit light based on the exposure calculation,
(4) instruct the flash device to enable light emission when the flash device is disabled to emit light,
An electronic camera, which is at least one of the following. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The controller is configured to perform the setting when the direction in which the subject light enters the photographing lens and the direction in which the display monitor is observed substantially match and the detection angle is approximately 90 degrees. Electronic camera. An image sensor that captures a subject image that has passed through a shooting lens and outputs an imaging signal;
A display monitor for displaying an image based on the imaging signal;
Display monitor support means for supporting the display monitor so as to freely change an angle formed by a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the taking lens and a straight line indicating a direction in which the display monitor is observed,
Angle detection means for detecting the angle,
A mode switching operation member for instructing switching between a first shooting mode for performing predetermined processing at the time of shooting and a second shooting mode for performing processing different from the processing in the first shooting mode in accordance with a subject; ,
An electronic camera, comprising: a control unit that switches between the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode regardless of an instruction from the mode switching operation member according to an angle detected by the angle detection unit. The electronic camera according to claim 7,
The control unit switches to the first shooting mode when a direction in which subject light enters the shooting lens and a direction in which the display monitor is observed substantially match, and the angle detected by the angle detection unit is approximately 90 degrees. An electronic camera characterized by switching. The electronic camera according to claim 8,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches to the second shooting mode when substantially 90 degrees are not detected by the angle detection unit when the instruction from the mode switching operation member is the second shooting mode. . The electronic camera according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the second shooting mode is one of a fireworks shooting mode, a close-up shooting mode, and a landscape shooting mode.

Images