JP2007049417A - Imaging device and focusing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device which is capable of providing excellent animations and still pictures preventing the reflected light of a light emitting means from affecting the recorded animations and the still pictures that are photoed while the animations are recorded. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging device is equipped with an imaging element which converts an optical image into electrical signals and outputs image data, an animation recording means for generating the animations from the image data and recording them, a still picture photographing means capable of photographing the still pictures from the image data while the animations are recorded, and a light emission control means for stopping a light emitting means from emitting light (S206, S207) when it is determined that a preparatory operation for recording the still pictures is started by the still picture photographing means (S202, S205). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device and a focus adjustment device that enable moving image recording and still image shooting during a moving image.

  Conventional digital cameras are equipped with various light emitting means such as an AF auxiliary light device, a strobe device, and a tally lamp that allows the photographer and the photographed person to easily confirm that the recording is in progress when recording a moving image. There is something that is. The AF auxiliary light device is for improving focus detection performance at low illuminance, and the strobe device is for obtaining an appropriate exposure amount at the time of still image shooting at low illuminance. In recent years, digital cameras that can shoot still images during video recording have appeared. Thus, in a digital camera provided with some light emitting means and capable of taking a still image during moving image recording, there is a problem that reflected light from the light emitting means is reflected in the recorded moving image and still image.

As an example of solving this problem, there is a digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1. The digital camera includes a first image sensor suitable for moving image recording, a second image sensor suitable for still image recording having a larger number of pixels than the first image sensor, and auxiliary light for still image recording. Means (strobe device etc.). When a moving image is recorded using the first image sensor, a non-exposure period of the first image sensor is used when a still image is recorded by the second image sensor and accompanied by emission of auxiliary light. Is controlled so as to emit predetermined auxiliary light. In this way, it is possible to record a good moving image and still image by preventing reflected light of auxiliary light emitted for recording a still image from being reflected in the recorded moving image.
JP 2000-295522 A

  However, recent developments in digital cameras have been remarkable, and smaller and more capable functions have become more advanced. Specific examples thereof include a moving image shooting function in a digital camera having only a single image sensor and a still image shooting function during moving image recording. In such a digital camera, moving image recording is interrupted only when moving image recording becomes impossible, such as during exposure for still image shooting. Further, during other periods, for example, during a still image shooting preparation operation (still image shooting AE (automatic exposure) and AF (autofocus) operations), recording of moving images can be continued. However, in a digital camera having only a single image sensor, an image sensor for recording a moving image and a still image is shared. The auxiliary light means cannot be controlled. Therefore, there is a problem that it is impossible to avoid the reflected light of the auxiliary light being reflected in the recorded moving image and still image.

(Object of invention)
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of preventing the influence of reflected light of light emitting means provided in the apparatus on a recorded moving image and a still image performed during the moving image, and giving a good moving image and a still image. It is something to be offered.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a moving image is recorded by an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal and outputs image data, and a moving image recording unit that generates and records a moving image from the image data. And when it is determined that a still image recording preparation operation has been started by the still image capturing means that enables a still image to be captured from the image data during the moving image recording, the light emitting means emits light. And a light emission control means for preventing the light emission.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a moving image is recorded by an imaging device that converts an optical image into an electrical signal and outputs image data, and a moving image recording unit that generates and records a moving image from the image data. And when it is determined that the still image recording preparation operation has been started by the still image capturing means capable of capturing a still image from the image data during the moving image recording, the light emitting means And a light emission control means for making the light emission amount less than the light emission amount at the time of still image shooting when the moving image is not being recorded.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a moving image is recorded by an imaging device that converts an optical image into an electrical signal and outputs image data, and a moving image recording unit that generates and records a moving image from the image data. A shooting setting operation unit that allows the photographer to set light emission / non-emission of the light emitting unit in still image shooting when the image is being recorded, and a moving image is recorded by the moving image recording unit, and still image recording is performed during the moving image recording And a light emission control means for performing light emission control of the light emission means in accordance with the setting operation state of the light emission setting operation means when it is determined that the preparatory operation is started.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal and outputs image data, a light emission selection unit that allows a photographer to select light emission / non-light emission of the light emission unit, The moving image is recorded by the moving image recording means for generating and recording the moving image from the image data, and the still image capturing means for capturing a still image from the image data during the moving image recording When the image recording preparation operation is started and the lighting condition of the light emission means is satisfied, the light emission selection means causes the photographer to select light emission / non-light emission, and the light emission means is controlled according to the result. And a light emission control means.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the focus adjustment apparatus of the present invention, a moving image is generated and recorded from image data obtained by converting an optical image into an electrical signal by an image sensor, and When it is determined that a still image recording preparation operation has been started by the still image capturing means that enables a still image to be captured from the image data during the moving image recording, the light emitting means is prevented from emitting light. It has a light emission control means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus capable of providing good moving images and still images.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention is as described in Examples 1 to 4 below.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a digital camera 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens, which includes a focus lens 10a and a zoom lens 10b. Reference numeral 12 denotes a shutter having a diaphragm function, reference numeral 14 denotes a single image sensor shared for moving images and still images, and reference numeral 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. Reference numeral 18 denotes a timing generation circuit which supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16 and a D / A converter 26 which will be described later. The memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50 Be controlled.

  An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined calculation process using the captured image data, and outputs the obtained calculation result to the system control circuit 50. The system control circuit 50 controls the aperture shutter drive unit 40 and the focus lens drive unit 42 based on the calculation result, and performs TTL (through-the-lens) AF processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, EF ( (Flash pre-flash) processing. The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. It is.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, and 28 denotes an image display unit made up of a TFT LCD, etc., for display written in the image display memory 24 inputted via the D / A converter 26 Display image data. If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized. The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced. .

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50. A compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT), wavelet transform, or the like. Specifically, the image data stored in the memory 30 is read, compression processing or decompression processing is performed, and the processed image data is written in the memory 30.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an aperture shutter drive unit that controls the shutter 12 having an aperture function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with a flash (strobe device) 48 described later. Reference numeral 42 denotes a focus lens driving unit that controls driving of the focus lens 10a, and reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom lens driving unit that drives the zoom lens 10b. The flash 48 also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function. The aperture shutter drive unit 40 and the focus lens drive unit 42 are controlled by the system control circuit 50 based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the image data by the image processing circuit 20, and adjust exposure and focus. A barrier control unit 46 controls the operation of the barrier 102 serving as a protection unit.

  As apparent from the above, 50 is a system control circuit for controlling the entire digital camera 100, and 52 is a memory for storing constants, variables, programs and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit, which corresponds to a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, or the like that displays an operation state, a message, or the like using characters, images, sounds, or the like according to execution of a program in the system control circuit 50. A single or a plurality of locations are provided near the operation unit of the digital camera 100 so that the digital camera 100 can be visually recognized. The display unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like is, for example, single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded images, number of remaining images that can be captured There are display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, and exposure compensation display. In addition, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, clock battery remaining amount display, battery remaining amount display, error display, information display with multiple digits, and attachment / detachment state display of recording media 200 and 210 is there. Further, there are a communication I / F operation display, a date / time display, a display showing a connection state with an external computer, and the like.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, the following are displayed in the optical viewfinder 104. For example, in-focus display, photographing preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, recording medium writing operation display, and the like. Further, among the display contents of the display unit 54, the following are displayed on the LEDs and the like. For example, focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, recording medium writing operation display, macro shooting setting notification display, secondary battery charge status display, etc. .

  Reference numeral 58 denotes a tally lamp, which performs operations such as lighting, extinguishing, and flashing to notify that a moving image is being recorded. Reference numeral 59 denotes an AF auxiliary light unit, which is turned on during an AF operation for preparing a still image when a scene to be photographed has low illuminance, and is used for the purpose of improving AF performance at low illuminance.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 70, and 72 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, and include one or a plurality of switches, dials, touch panels, pointing by line-of-sight detection, voice recognition devices, and the like. Composed of a combination.

  Here, the operation means will be described in detail. Reference numeral 60 denotes a power switch (main switch), which can switch between power ON and power OFF modes of the digital camera 100. In addition, the power ON / OFF settings of various accessory devices connected to the digital camera 100 can be switched and set together. A switch 62 (SW1) is turned on by a first stroke of a shutter button (not shown). Then, with this ON, operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed. Reference numeral 64 (SW2) denotes a release switch which is turned on by a second stroke of a shutter button (not shown). Then, by this ON, an exposure process for writing a signal read from the image sensor 12 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22, and an operation in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 Development processing using is performed. Further, a series of processing is performed in which the image data is read from the memory 30, compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32, and the image data is written to the recording medium 200.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons and a touch panel, and includes a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, and a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button. Also, menu movement + (plus) button, menu movement-(minus) button, playback image movement + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, An image display ON / OFF button and a compression mode switch are also included. Further, a quick review switch for setting a quick review function for automatically reproducing and displaying image data taken immediately after photographing using the image display unit 28, and selection and switching of various functions when performing photographing and / or reproduction and / or communication. A selection / changeover switch to be set is also included. Furthermore, a determination / execution switch for setting determination and execution of various functions when performing shooting and / or reproduction and / or communication is also included.

  The compression mode switch is a switch for selecting a compression rate of JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) compression, or for selecting a CCD RAW mode in which a signal from the image sensor 14 is directly digitized and recorded on a recording medium.

  As the JPEG compression mode, for example, a normal mode and a fine mode are prepared. The user of the digital camera 100 can select the normal mode when emphasizing the data size of the captured image and select the fine mode when emphasizing the image quality of the captured image. In the JPEG compression mode, the image data read from the image sensor 14 and written to the memory 30 is read via the A / D converter 16, the image processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22. Then, the data is compressed to the compression rate set by the compression / decompression circuit 32 and recorded on the recording medium 200. In the CCD RAW mode, the image data is read as it is for each line in accordance with the pixel arrangement of the color filter from the image sensor 14, and the image written in the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Data is read out and recorded on the recording medium 200.

  Reference numeral 72 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes such as an automatic shooting mode, a shooting mode, a panoramic shooting mode, a playback mode, a multi-screen playback / erase mode, and a PC connection mode. The digital camera 100 is particularly configured to include a shooting mode, a playback mode, and a print service mode.

  Reference numeral 80 denotes a power supply control device, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. Then, the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, the remaining battery level are detected, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control circuit 50, and the necessary voltage is recorded for a necessary period. To each part including Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li-ion battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  Reference numeral 90 denotes an interface with a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk, and reference numeral 92 denotes a connector for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk. A barrier 102 covers the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the digital camera 100 to prevent the imaging unit from being soiled or damaged.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder 104 without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed. Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector, which is used when connecting to another device by the communication unit 110.

  Examples of the communication means 110 include wired communication means such as RS232C, USB (Universal Serial Bus), and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 204 with the imaging apparatus 100, and a connector 206 for connecting to the imaging apparatus 100.

  Next, an AF auxiliary light control operation in still image shooting performed during moving image recording in the digital camera 100 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S200, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on by a first stroke of a shutter button (not shown) provided in the digital camera 100. If not, the system control circuit 50 remains in this step. Thereafter, when it is determined that the switch SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S201, and exposure adjustment before focus adjustment is performed. In the next step S202, it is determined whether or not a moving image is currently being recorded. If a moving image is being recorded, the process immediately proceeds to step S205.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the moving image is not being recorded, the system control circuit 50 proceeds to step S203 and determines whether or not it is necessary to drive the AF auxiliary light unit 59 to turn on the AF auxiliary light. To do. If it is determined that it is necessary, the process proceeds to step S204, and the AF auxiliary light is turned on. Then, the process proceeds to step S205. If it is determined that it is not necessary to turn on the AF auxiliary light, the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S205, the system control circuit 50 performs a focus adjustment process. When the focus adjustment process is completed, the process proceeds to step S206, and it is determined whether or not the AF auxiliary light is on. If the AF auxiliary light has already been turned on, the process proceeds to step S207, the AF auxiliary light is turned off, and the process proceeds to step S208. If it is determined in step S206 that the AF auxiliary light is not turned on, the process immediately proceeds to step S208.

  In step S208, the system control circuit 50 performs exposure adjustment for still image recording (main exposure) so that the exposure is suitable for still image shooting. When exposure adjustment for still image recording is completed, the process proceeds to step S209, and the state of the release switch SW2 that is turned on by a second stroke of a shutter button (not shown) is determined. If the release switch SW2 is OFF, the process proceeds to step S210, where the state of the switch SW1 is determined. If the switch SW1 remains ON, the process returns to step S209 and the same operation is performed. In step S210, if the switch SW1 is OFF, a series of shooting processes is terminated. Therefore, the subsequent still image shooting is not performed unless the condition that the switch SW1 is ON and the release switch SW2 is ON is not satisfied.

  If it is determined in step S209 that the release switch SW2 is turned on, the system control circuit 50 proceeds to step S211 and performs exposure to the image sensor 14 for recording a still image. In the next step S212, the data accumulated in the image sensor 14 is read, and in step S213, the analog signal read from the image sensor 14 is converted into a digital signal using the A / D converter 16. In the next step S214, various image processes are performed using the image processing circuit 20. In subsequent step S215, the image processed in step S214 is compressed into a form suitable for still image recording. In step S216, the data compressed in step S215 is transferred to the recording medium 200 such as a memory card attached to the digital camera 100 via the recording medium interface 90.

  As described above, a series of processing is completed.

  Various determination results and calculation results obtained by the system control circuit 50 are stored in the memory 52, and desired processing is executed while being read as necessary.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the AF auxiliary light is not turned on when a still image shooting preparation operation is started during moving image recording (steps S202 to S205 in FIG. 2 (S203 and S204 are skipped). To do)). In other words, even when shooting a still image while recording a moving image and when AF auxiliary light needs to be emitted, priority is given to the image quality of the recorded moving image, and AF auxiliary light during the still image shooting preparation period is given priority. The light is not emitted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the reflected light of the AF auxiliary light from being reflected on the moving image that is continuously recorded even during preparation for still image shooting, and to give a good moving image to the photographer. It becomes possible.

  Note that, as a modification example described above, when a still image shooting preparation operation is started during moving image recording, the amount of AF auxiliary light emitted may be suppressed as compared to a case where only still image shooting is performed. . As a result, while improving the performance of the focus detection operation for still image recording by AF auxiliary light, the amount of reflected light of AF auxiliary light reflected on the moving image that is continuously recorded even during preparation for still image shooting is reduced. It is possible to suppress. Therefore, a favorable moving image can be given to the photographer.

  Next, a digital camera according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment shows an example in which still image shooting is possible during moving image recording and a function that enables ON / OFF setting of AF auxiliary light for still image shooting during moving image recording is shown. is there. Note that the circuit configuration of the digital camera in the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIGS. 3A to 3C are flowcharts showing the operation when the AF auxiliary light used when shooting a still image during moving image recording is set to ON or OFF in the digital camera according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. .

  FIG. 3A is a flowchart for setting permission / non-permission of AF auxiliary light emission during moving image recording in advance according to the intention of the photographer.

  In FIG. 3A, first, in step S300, the system control circuit 50 displays on the image display unit 28 provided in the digital camera 100 a menu display that permits the emission of AF auxiliary light during moving image recording by the photographer (ON). It is determined whether (setting) has been made. As a result, when the ON setting for permitting the emission of the AF auxiliary light is performed, the process proceeds from step S300 to step S301, and the ON setting indicating that the emission of the AF auxiliary light is permitted is stored in the memory 52.

  On the other hand, if the photographer is set to OFF because it does not permit the emission of AF auxiliary light during moving image recording, the system control circuit 50 proceeds from step S300 to step S302, and does not allow the AF auxiliary light to be emitted. Is stored in the memory 52.

  The ON setting or OFF setting information stored in the memory 52 is used in a photographing process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3B is a flowchart showing the photographing operation of the portion according to the present invention. First, in step S303, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the switch SW1 that is turned on by a first stroke of a release button (not shown), and if it is OFF, remains in this step. Thereafter, when it is determined that the switch SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S304, and exposure adjustment before focus adjustment is performed.

  In the next step S305, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not it is necessary to turn on the AF auxiliary light by driving the AF auxiliary light unit 59. If it is not necessary to turn on the AF auxiliary light, the system control circuit 50 proceeds to step S309. Proceed immediately. If it is necessary to turn on the AF auxiliary light, the process proceeds to step S306, where it is determined whether or not the still image shooting operation is being performed during moving image recording. If it is determined that the moving image is not being recorded, the process proceeds to step S308, and the AF auxiliary light is turned on. If moving image recording is in progress, the process advances from step S306 to step S307 to determine whether or not the ON setting for permitting AF auxiliary light emission is stored in the memory 52 during moving image recording. At this time, if the operation set in advance by the photographer is the ON setting, the process proceeds to the next step S308 to turn on the AF auxiliary light. On the other hand, if the OFF setting is stored in the memory 52, the AF auxiliary light is not turned on, and the process proceeds to step S309. In step S409, focus adjustment processing is executed.

  The following operations from step S310 to step S320 are the same as the operations from step S206 to step S216 in FIG.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the photographer can perform a setting operation in advance as to whether or not the AF auxiliary light is required to be set (ON setting or OFF setting) in still image shooting performed during moving image recording. For this reason, if the photographer's intention is respected and, for example, it is desired to prioritize the recording quality of moving images, the setting of the light emitting means can be turned off. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the emission of AF auxiliary light during still image shooting performed during moving image recording, and it is possible to prevent reflected light from being reflected on the recorded moving image.

  On the other hand, when priority is given to the recording quality of the still image, the intention of the photographer is also respected and the setting of the light emitting means is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to permit the emission of AF auxiliary light during still image shooting performed during moving image recording, improve the AF performance at low illuminance, and provide a good still image in focus.

  Next, a digital camera according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. The circuit configuration of the digital camera according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Embodiment 3 of the present invention shows an example in which still image shooting is possible during moving image recording, and ON / OFF selection of AF auxiliary light is enabled during still image shooting during moving image recording. Hereinafter, this operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, first, in step S400, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the switch SW1 that is turned on by a first stroke of a release button (not shown). Thereafter, when it is determined that the switch SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S401, and exposure adjustment before focus adjustment is performed.

  In the next step S402, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not it is necessary to turn on the AF auxiliary light by driving the AF auxiliary light unit 59. If it is not necessary to turn on the AF auxiliary light, the system control circuit 50 immediately performs step S408. Proceed to

  On the other hand, if it is necessary to turn on the AF auxiliary light, the system control circuit 50 proceeds from step S402 to step S403, and determines whether or not the current still image shooting preparation operation is being performed during moving image recording. If the moving image is not being recorded, the process proceeds to step S407, and the AF auxiliary light is turned on. If moving image recording is in progress, the process advances from step S403 to step S404 to notify the photographer about selection of ON / OFF of the AF auxiliary light. In the third embodiment, an AF auxiliary light ON / OFF selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the image display unit 28 in FIG. 1 to prompt the photographer to decide.

  In the next step S405, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the AF auxiliary light is turned ON / OFF by looking at the display as shown in FIG. 5 and makes either selection. The above steps S404 → S405 → S404 are repeated. Thereafter, when either AF ON / OFF is selected, the process proceeds to step S406. In step S406, if it is determined in step S405 that ON of the AF auxiliary light is selected, the process proceeds to step S407, and the AF auxiliary light is turned on. If it is determined that the AF auxiliary light is off, the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, focus adjustment processing is executed.

  The following operations from step S409 to step S419 are the same as the operations from step S206 to step S216 in FIG.

  According to the third embodiment, since the photographer can select whether to emit or not emit AF auxiliary light during still image shooting performed during moving image recording, when shooting a still image during moving image recording. The intention of the photographer can be respected according to the situation of each scene to be attempted. For example, if the photographer wants to prioritize the recording quality of the moving image, it will be recorded with the suppression of the AF auxiliary light emission during still image shooting that is performed during moving image recording unless the AF auxiliary light emission is selected. It is possible to prevent the reflected light of the AF auxiliary light from being reflected on the moving image.

  If you want to prioritize the recording quality of still images, turn on the flash setting to allow the AF auxiliary light to be emitted during still image shooting during movie recording, improve AF performance at low illumination, and focus It is possible to obtain a good still image with a good match.

  Next, a digital camera according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. The circuit configuration of the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the tally lamp 58 indicating that the moving image is being recorded when the still image can be shot during the moving image recording and the still image is being recorded during the moving image recording is in a state suitable for the still image shooting. An example of control is shown. Hereinafter, this operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, first, in step S500, the system control circuit 50 determines the state of the switch SW1 that is turned on by a first stroke of a release button (not shown). Thereafter, when it is determined that the switch SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S501, where it is determined whether or not the moving image is being recorded. If not, the process immediately proceeds to step S503. On the other hand, when the moving image is being recorded, the process proceeds from step S501 to step S502, and the blinking tally lamp 58 is turned off.

  In the next step 503, the system control circuit 50 performs exposure adjustment for focus adjustment, and performs focus adjustment in the subsequent step S504. Then, in the next step S505, exposure adjustment for still image recording is performed, and adjustment is performed so that the exposure is suitable for still image shooting. After the exposure adjustment for still image recording is completed, the process proceeds to step S506 to determine the state of the release switch SW2, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S507 to determine the state of the switch SW1 and the switch SW1 remains ON. If there is, the process returns to step S506 again to perform the same operation. If it is determined in step S507 that the switch SW1 is OFF, the process proceeds to step 514.

  If it is determined in step 506 that the release switch SW2 is turned on, the system control circuit 50 proceeds to step S508 and performs exposure to the image sensor 14 for recording a still image. In the next step S509, the data stored in the image sensor 14 is read, and in step S510, the analog signal read from the image sensor 14 is converted into a digital signal using the A / D converter 16. In step S511, the image processing circuit 20 is used to perform various image processing. In subsequent step S512, the image processed in step 511 is compressed into a form suitable for still image recording. In step S513, the data compressed in step S512 is transferred to the recording medium 200 such as a memory card attached to the digital camera 100 via the recording medium interface 90. Then, the process proceeds to step S514.

  In the next step S514, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the moving image is being recorded again. If not, the series of operations is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that a moving image is being recorded, the process proceeds from step S514 to step S515, the blinking of the tally lamp 58 is resumed, and the series of operations is terminated.

  According to the fourth embodiment described above, when a preparatory operation for still image shooting is started during moving image recording, a tally for notifying a photographer (including a subject) that the moving image is being recorded. The lamp 58 is turned off without blinking. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the reflected light from being recorded on the still image. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a good still image even during moving image recording.

  Note that as a modification of the above, when a still image shooting preparation operation is started during moving image recording, the amount of light emitted when the tally lamp 58 blinks is suppressed as compared with the case where only still image shooting is performed. May be. As a result, it is possible to suppress the amount of reflected light of the tally lamp 58 reflected in the still image while maintaining the function of notifying the photographer that the moving image is being recorded. Therefore, a favorable moving image can be given to the photographer.

  The above description of the operation is about the operation as the imaging device, but may be the operation as the focus adjustment device.

It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the digital camera which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the principal part in the digital camera which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the principal part in the digital camera which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the principal part in the digital camera which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an AF auxiliary light ON / OFF selection screen in the digital camera of FIG. 4. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the principal part in the digital camera which concerns on Example 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Image sensor 22 Memory control circuit 28 Image display part 50 System control circuit 52 Memory 58 Tally lamp 59 AF auxiliary light part

Claims (6)

An image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal and outputs image data;
The moving image is recorded by the moving image recording means for generating and recording the moving image from the image data, and the still image capturing means for capturing a still image from the image data during the moving image recording An image pickup apparatus comprising: a light emission control unit configured to prevent the light emission unit from emitting light when it is determined that the image recording preparation operation is started. An image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal and outputs image data;
The moving image is recorded by the moving image recording means for generating and recording the moving image from the image data, and the still image capturing means for capturing a still image from the image data during the moving image recording And a light emission control unit configured to reduce the light emission amount of the light emitting unit to be smaller than the light emission amount during still image shooting when the moving image recording is not being performed when it is determined that the image recording preparation operation has started. An imaging apparatus characterized by that. An image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal and outputs image data;
A light emission setting operation means for causing the photographer to set light emission / non-light emission of the light emission means in still image shooting when a moving image is recorded by the moving image recording means for generating and recording a moving image from the image data;
When it is determined that a moving image has been recorded by the moving image recording means and that a still image recording preparation operation has been started during the moving image recording, the light emitting means according to the setting operation state of the light emission setting operation means And an emission control means for performing the emission control. An image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal and outputs image data;
Light emission selection means for allowing the photographer to select light emission / non-light emission of the light emission means;
The moving image is recorded by the moving image recording means for generating and recording the moving image from the image data, and the still image capturing means for capturing a still image from the image data during the moving image recording When the image recording preparation operation is started and the lighting condition of the light emission means is satisfied, the light emission selection means causes the photographer to select light emission / non-light emission, and the light emission means is controlled according to the result. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a light emission control unit.   5. The light emitting means is a light emitting means for assisting a focus detection operation at low illuminance or a light emitting means for causing a photographer to recognize that a moving image is being recorded. The imaging device according to any one of the above.   It is possible to shoot a still image from the image data while the moving image is generated and recorded from the image data obtained by converting the optical image into an electrical signal by the image sensor. And a light emission control means for preventing the light emitting means from emitting light when it is determined that a still image recording preparation operation has been started by the still image photographing means.

Images