JP2000013663A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera which obtains an appropriate angle of view in the same manner as a sliver halide single lens reflex camera even with a small-sized image pickup device, also has high holding property, etc., and is excellent in operability by focussing an optical image on an image pickup device through a relay lens system and also arranging the image pickup device in a finder. SOLUTION: An image pickup unit 300 is provided in a finder part 22, a beam splitter 304 in the unit 300 branches an optical path L from a photographic lens 301 and turns a 1st branched optical path L1 to an ocular 306. Because a 2nd branched optical path L2 is further made to turn to a CCD 303 through a relay lens 302, a photographic image is expanded by the lens 302 and is formed on the CCD 303. In this camera, the CCD 303, etc., are included in the part 22 and further members such as a memory card 8, a compressibility setting switch and a connector 24 which are used in a digital camera mode DSC are collected together in the part 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a silver halide single-lens reflex camera, that is, a digital camera using a body of a single-lens reflex camera using a silver halide film.

In this specification, a silver halide single-lens reflex camera may be simply referred to as a silver halide camera.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In a body of a conventionally known silver halide single-lens reflex camera, one end of a film in a body in a longitudinal direction is a patrone chamber for accommodating a patrone, and the other end is a film winding mechanism. Each is configured as a disposed spool chamber. In addition, a focal plane shutter is provided in front of the film, and a quick return mirror which is located in front of the focal plane shutter and changes an optical path from a photographing lens is provided. Above the quick return mirror, the body is provided with a finder section having a finder prism and the like.

In this silver halide camera, when a shutter button is pressed, a quick return mirror is mirrored up, and then a focal plane shutter is opened, and an optical image formed by a photographing lens is formed and recorded on a film surface.

[0005] In recent years, with the advance of semiconductor technology, digital cameras capable of electrically processing a subject image have been in widespread use. This digital camera basically performs photoelectric conversion by a charge-coupled device (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) as an imaging device that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject, and processes an output of the digital image as image data to obtain a captured image. The recorded image can be recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card, and the recorded image can be reproduced and displayed by a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer). The photographed image can be viewed without the need for development and printing.

As such a digital camera, a digital camera using a single-lens reflex camera using a silver halide film has been proposed. In that case, the interchangeable lens, flash, etc. of the conventional system can be used as it is, which is convenient from the viewpoint of asset utilization.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the digital camera has a film chamber 21 and a battery E1.
Body 20 having grip portion G in which .about.E4 is stored
A body 20 of a silver halide single-lens reflex camera equipped with a finder 22 at the top of A is adopted, and pivots on a pivot 24 on an optical path from a taking lens 301 mounted on a mount 25 on the front of the body 20A. A quick return mirror M1 pivotally supported is disposed, and a CCD 303 is disposed adjacent to the film gate 27 behind the quick return mirror M1.
An AF actuator 215 for driving the photographing lens 301 and automatically focusing is installed at an appropriate position of the body 20A.

In the digital camera 1, when the shutter button 9 on the upper surface of the grip G is pressed, the quick return mirror M1 is rotated from a steady position shown by a solid line in FIG. 8 to a dotted line position, and the focal plane shutter 26 is moved. The CCD 303 is opened and the optical image from the photographing lens 301 is received and photoelectrically converted.

[0009]

However, in such a digital camera 1, a photographic lens 301 for a silver halide camera is used.
In order to obtain the same angle of view as that of a silver halide camera by utilizing the above, a large-sized CCD 303 is required. However, such a CCD 303 has a very low yield with current technology and is difficult to manufacture. Conversely, the small-sized CCD 303 cannot secure an angle of view equivalent to that of a silver halide camera, and has the problem that wide-angle shooting cannot be performed.

[0010] In order to solve this, the body body is
The rear space is designed to have a large space, and a relay lens system is arranged behind the focusing position of the above-mentioned photographic lens.Focusing on the CCD via this relay lens system enables the compact CCD to be the same as before. There has been proposed a camera which enables shooting at an angle of view.

However, in this configuration, the body has a shape protruding rearward, so that the holding property of the camera is extremely deteriorated, and so-called camera shake is liable to occur.

Further, in general, a digital camera has an advantage of being excellent in quick shooting performance,
In view of the image quality of the silver halide camera, it is undeniable that the number of pixels of the CCD is considerably short. Therefore, in the field of photography that focuses on image quality, especially in the field of commercial photography,
Demand for silver halide cameras remains strong. Photographers in this field often use a silver halide camera and a digital camera depending on the application, and are therefore forced to carry both cameras.

By the way, conventionally, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-9, there has been devised a camera capable of photographing with a silver halide film and video. In this case, instead of a focusing screen, a module that integrates a CCD and a reflection type liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as an LCD) is arranged as a module that is also used as a silver halide camera. Things.

However, in such a camera, a CCD having the same size as the silver halide film is required because the CCD is arranged at the focusing screen position in order to match the shooting field between the silver halide camera mode and the digital camera mode. Yes, the problem described above remains. Further, since the thickness of the module component is thicker than that of the focusing screen, the viewfinder becomes bulky, which leads to an increase in the overall size of the camera.

In particular, since the reflective LCD is used in the above-mentioned module parts, the framing through the viewfinder is dark and the framing is performed when photographing in places where external light is not sufficiently secured, such as indoor photographing. Is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. Even with a small-sized image pickup device having a good yield, an appropriate angle of view can be obtained as in the case of a silver halide camera, and the holding properties are good. It is intended to provide a digital camera that can be used as a silver halide camera and has excellent operability such as framing.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to the present invention comprises: a photographing lens;
Viewfinder means including a viewfinder optical system, a quick return mirror for reflecting the subject light incident through the photographing lens to the viewfinder optical system, and a part for reflecting a part of the subject light disposed in the viewfinder means. A reflecting member, an image sensor provided behind the optical path reflected by the reflecting member, and photoelectrically converting subject light reflected by the reflecting member to obtain image data; the image sensor and the quick return mirror And a relay lens optical system for forming an image of the subject light on the image sensor, and an image pickup means for optically exposing the subject light passing through the position of the quick return mirror to a silver halide film. And characterized in that:

In this digital camera, the image of the subject can be optically visually recognized by the finder means in the same manner as a silver halide camera, and framing can be performed without difficulty even in a place where external light tends to be insufficient. In particular, since the optical image is focused on the imaging device via the relay lens system, an appropriate angle of view can be obtained even with a small-sized imaging device. In addition, since the image pickup device is arranged in the viewfinder, the rear portion of the body does not protrude, and good holding properties can be secured. Further, since an imaging means for optically exposing the subject light passing through the position of the quick return mirror to the silver halide film is provided, if the silver halide film is loaded, it can be used as a silver halide camera. Therefore, in the field of photography in which both a silver halide camera and a digital camera are properly used, one camera can cope with the situation, and the convenience is high. In addition, a photographic lens or the like of a silver halide single-lens reflex camera can be used as it is, and in this case, it is effective from the viewpoint of asset utilization.

Further, in the digital camera according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the recording medium for recording the captured image is made detachable in the finder means, the recorded image can be recorded at any time by recording the captured image on the recording medium. Can be reproduced and displayed on a monitor screen of, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer).

Further, in the digital camera according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the compression ratio for the captured image can be selectively set at the time of recording, even if the data of the recorded image increases, the recording can be easily performed in response to this. it can.

Further, in the digital camera according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the switching means for switching between the silver halide camera mode and the digital camera mode is provided. can do.

In the digital camera according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, if the recording medium is not mounted in the digital camera mode setting state, a warning operation is performed, so that the captured image of the digital camera is reliably recorded. .

Further, in the digital camera according to the present invention, in the digital camera mode setting state, the operation of the imaging means for the silver halide camera is prohibited even at the time of release, so that the optical image is reliably received by the imaging device. Can be done.

[0024]

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG.
1 shows a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1 to FIG.
Has a body 20 and a photographing lens 301. The body 20 is configured using a body of a silver halide single-lens reflex camera. Specifically, the body 20 is a body 20A using a body of a silver halide single-lens reflex camera.
And a pentagonal optical viewfinder 22 similar to that of a single-lens reflex camera, and the viewfinder 22 is integrated with the upper part of the body main body 20A or detachably mounted as in this example. Note that the shape of the optical viewfinder 22 is not limited to this.

A mount 25 for mounting the photographing lens 301 is formed on the front surface of the body 20A.
A grip portion G for holding a camera is coupled to one end of the body body 20A in the left-right direction. Also, the body body 20
One end of the film 41 in A in the longitudinal direction is configured as a patrone chamber 21 for accommodating the patrone 40, and the other end is configured as a spool chamber in which the film winding mechanism 23 is disposed. In other words, this digital camera 1
Is a slightly modified body of the existing silver halide single-lens reflex camera body.

Parts necessary for functioning as a silver halide single-lens reflex camera are arranged in the body 20A. More specifically, a quick return mirror M1 pivotally supported by the pivot 24, a focusing screen 307 disposed above the quick return mirror M1, and a focal plane disposed in front of the film 41. A shutter 26, a film gate 27, a pressure plate 28 for maintaining the flatness of the film 41 with the film gate 27, and the like are provided. The quick return mirror M1 is at a steady position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3 until the shutter button described later is pressed, and directs the optical path L from the photographing lens 301 to the finder section 22 side. M2 is a mirror integrated with the quick return mirror M1, and directs the optical image transmitted through the half mirror provided in a part of the quick return mirror M1 to the distance measuring module 221 in the body 20A. It has become. The distance measuring module 221 receives the optical image, detects a distance to a subject, and automatically focuses the photographing lens 301.

A power switch PS composed of a rotary switch is provided on the upper surface of the body 20A, and a shutter button 9 is provided on the upper surface of the grip portion G.

In the grip portion G, for example, AA batteries E1 to E
4 is stored.

As the photographing lens 301, for example, an auto focus (AF) type zoom lens is used, and the lens 301 is driven by an AF actuator 215 installed in the body 20A. Of course, the photographing lens 301 is not limited to a zoom lens.

An image pickup unit 300 is provided in the finder section 22. This imaging unit 300
Are the viewfinder prism 305 and viewfinder window 31
In addition to the eyepiece 306, the photographing lens 301
As means for splitting the optical path L from the (quick return mirror M1) in two directions orthogonal to each other, a beam splitter 304 disposed behind the finder prism 305 is provided. Further, a relay lens 302 and a relay lens 30 are provided.
And a CCD 303 serving as an image pickup device for receiving the optical image of the second type.

The first optical path L 1 branched by the beam splitter 304 goes straight back toward the eyepiece 306. Therefore, it is possible to confirm the photographing field through the eyepiece 306. On the other hand, the second optical path L2 branched by the beam splitter 304 is reflected upward and travels to the relay lens 302 and further to the CCD 303. The light received by the CCD 303 is photoelectrically converted and subjected to predetermined image processing to become a captured image.

The imaging device is not limited to the CCD, but may be another device such as a CMOS sensor.

A slot (not shown) for loading a card is formed in the finder section 22, and a memory card 8 as a recording medium for recording the picked-up image as image data as shown in FIG. It is attached so that it can be inserted and removed.

The recording medium may be other than the above-mentioned memory card 8.

A connector 214 for electrically connecting the digital camera 1 to an external device such as a personal computer 19 (FIG. 4) is provided on the right side of the viewfinder 22 in a front view. The recorded image is reproduced and displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 19. Of course, a display unit such as an LCD may be provided on the body 20 of the digital camera 1 and a recorded image may be reproduced on the display unit.

The digital camera 1 and the personal computer 1
The transmission and reception of data may be performed wirelessly between the communication device 9.

Further, a slide switch 12 for setting a compression ratio capable of switching the compression ratio K of image data recorded on the memory card 8 is arranged at an appropriate position of the body 20, for example, on the upper surface of the finder section 22. . In this digital camera 1, two kinds of compression ratios K of 1/8 and 1/20 can be selected and set. When the switch 12 is slid to the right, for example, the compression ratio K is set to 1/8, When sliding to the left, the compression ratio K is set to 1/20. Since the compression rate K can be selected, there is no shortage of capacity when the data amount of the recorded image increases. Of course, the type of the compression ratio K can be increased or decreased arbitrarily.

Further, on the upper surface of the finder section 22,
Mode switch MO consisting of a rotary switch
A DE is provided, and the digital camera mode DSC and the silver halide camera mode Camera can be switched.

A light emitting diode (hereinafter, referred to as an LED) as a warning means is provided in the body main body 20A in the vicinity of the focusing screen 307. When the digital camera mode DSC is set, a light emitting diode is provided. When the card 8 is not mounted, a warning is issued by flashing light emission.

In the digital camera mode DSC, the opening operation of the quick return mirror M1 and the focal plane shutter 26 is prohibited even when the shutter button 9 is released.

FIG. 5 shows an electrical configuration of the digital camera 1.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 211 denotes an overall control unit, which comprises, for example, a microcomputer and controls the image pickup unit 300 in the finder 22 and the like. The overall control unit 211 includes a camera control CPU 220
Is controlled by

Further, the camera control CPU 220 is provided for each component on the body body 20A side, specifically, for the photographing lens 3
01, aperture control driver 204, AF actuator 215, quick return mirror controller 216
And the focal plane shutter control unit 217 and the like. The detection output from the distance measurement module 221 is input to the camera control CPU 220, and the camera control CPU 220
220 drives the AF actuator 215 with the AF signal, whereby the automatic focusing operation is performed.

A camera operation unit 218 and a clock circuit 219 are connected to the camera control CPU 220. The camera operation unit 218 includes the shutter button 9 and the power switch PS. The clock circuit 219 is used for managing shooting date and time.

In the camera mode "Camera", when the shutter button 9 is pressed, the camera control CPU 220 rotates the quick return mirror M1 via the quick return mirror control unit 216 to the open position shown by the dotted line in FIG. At the same time, the focal plane shutter 26 is controlled via the focal plane shutter control unit 217. Thus, the focal plane shutter 26 opens and closes at the selected shutter speed. Thus, an optical image obtained by the photographing lens 301 is recorded on the film 41.

On the other hand, in the digital camera mode DSC, even if the shutter button 9 is pressed, the camera control C
PU 220 is connected to the quick return mirror controller 216
, The quick return mirror M1 is held at the steady position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, and the focal plane shutter 26 is maintained in the closed state via the focal plane shutter control unit 217. As a result, the optical image obtained by the photographing lens 301 is deflected upward by the quick return mirror M 1, passes through a finder prism 305, and is branched by a beam splitter 304. One is directed to an eyepiece 306, and the other is a relay lens 302. And toward the CCD 303 side. Therefore, while the field of view of the subject image can be confirmed by looking through the eyepiece 306, the optical image is formed on the CCD 303 via the relay lens 302, where it is photoelectrically converted.

In FIG. 5, the CCD 303 in the image pickup unit 22 converts the light image of the subject formed by the photographing lens 301 into image signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. (A signal composed of a signal sequence of pixel signals received by each pixel) and output.

The timing generator 314 generates a drive control signal for the CCD 303 based on the reference clock transmitted from the timing control circuit 202.
The timing generator 314 generates clock signals such as integration start / end (exposure start / end) timing signals and light-receiving signal readout control signals (horizontal synchronization signal, vertical synchronization signal, transfer signal, etc.) for each pixel. Output to the CCD 303.

The signal processing circuit 313 performs predetermined analog signal processing on an image signal (analog signal) output from the CCD 303. The signal processing circuit 313
It has a DS (correlated double sampling) circuit and an AGC (auto gain control) circuit. The CDS circuit reduces the noise of the image signal, and the level of the image signal is adjusted by adjusting the gain of the AGC circuit.

The A / D converter 205 converts each pixel signal of the image signal into a 10-bit digital signal. The A / D converter 205 includes a timing control circuit 202
Each pixel signal (analog signal) is converted into a 10-bit digital signal based on the A / D conversion clock input from the CPU. The timing control circuit 202 includes a reference clock, a timing generator 314, and an A / D converter 20.
5 is a circuit that generates a clock for the clock 5 and is controlled by the overall control unit 211.

The black level correction circuit 206 corrects the black level of the pixel signal (hereinafter referred to as pixel data) A / D converted by the A / D converter 205 to a reference black level. A white balance circuit (hereinafter, referred to as a WB circuit) 207 performs level conversion of pixel data of each of R, G, and B color components so that the white balance is adjusted after the γ correction. WB circuit 207
Converts the level of the pixel data of each of the R, G, and B color components using the level conversion table in the overall control unit 211. The conversion coefficient (gradient of the characteristic) of each color component in the level conversion table is set by the overall control unit 211 for each captured image.

The γ correction circuit 208 corrects the γ characteristics of the pixel data. The γ correction circuit 208 has, for example, six types of γ correction tables having different γ characteristics, and performs γ correction of pixel data using a predetermined γ correction table according to a shooting scene or shooting conditions.

The image memory 209 is a memory for storing the pixel data output from the gamma correction circuit 208. The image memory 209 has a storage capacity for one frame. That is, in the image memory 209, the CCD 303
In the case of having pixels in rows and m columns, it has a storage capacity for pixel data of n × m pixels, and each pixel data is stored in a corresponding pixel position.

The card I / F 212 is an interface for writing image data to the memory card 8 and reading image data. Also, the communication I / F 21
An interface 3 conforms to the USB standard for communicatively connecting the digital camera 1 to an external device such as the personal computer 19.

The operation unit 250 is an input / output device for the overall control unit 211, and includes the above-described compression ratio setting switch 12 and warning LED 308.

The overall control section 211 includes a filter section for performing a filtering process and a recorded image generating section for generating a thumbnail image and a compressed image in order to perform the recording process of the photographed image.

The filter section corrects the high-frequency component of an image to be recorded by a digital filter to correct the image quality related to the outline. The filter unit includes a digital filter that performs standard contour correction for each of the compression ratios K of ８ and 1/20, and two types of digital filters that enhance the contour with respect to the standard contour correction. A total of five types of digital filters, two types of digital filters for weakening the contour, are provided.

The recording image generation unit includes an image memory 209
, And generates a thumbnail image and a compressed image to be recorded on the memory card 8. The recording image generation unit reads pixel data from the image memory 209 at regular intervals in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction while scanning in the raster scanning direction, and sequentially reads the memory card 8.
, The thumbnail image is generated and recorded on the memory card 8.

Further, the recording image generation unit is provided with the image memory 20.
9, all pixel data are read out, and these pixel data are subjected to a predetermined compression process according to the JPEG method such as two-dimensional DCT conversion and Huffman coding to generate image data of a compressed image. In the main image area.

In photographing, when the shutter button 9 is operated and photographing is instructed,
Thereafter, a thumbnail image captured in the image memory 209 and a compressed image compressed based on the JPEG method using the compression rate K set by the compression rate setting switch 12 are generated, and tag information (frame number, frame number, Exposure value,
Shutter speed, compression ratio K, shooting date, scene information,
Both images are recorded on the memory card 8 together with information such as image determination results).

As for the images recorded by the digital camera 1, when the memory card 8 has a capacity of 64 MB, 230 frames of images can be stored at a compression ratio of 1/20. , High-resolution image data (1600 × 1200 pixels) and image data for thumbnail display (160 × 120 pixels) are recorded. For example, each frame can be handled as an image file in the EXIF format.

When taking a photograph using the digital camera 1 according to the illustrated embodiment, the photographer holds the grip portion G of the body 20 to support the camera, but the digital camera 1 is mounted on the body 20 of the silver halide single-lens reflex camera. Since an image pickup unit provided with a finder section 22 as an image pickup unit is used at the upper portion, the appearance and feel are the same as those of a single lens reflex camera.

An image pickup unit 300 is provided in the finder section 22, and the beam splitter 304 of the image pickup unit 300 branches the optical path L from the photographing lens 301 to connect the first branch optical path L1 to the eyepiece lens 30.
6, the subject image can be checked optically similarly to a silver halide single-lens reflex camera, and framing can be performed at will without being affected by external light.

Further, since the branched second optical path L2 is configured to be directed to the CCD 303 via the relay lens 302, the photographed image is enlarged by the relay lens 302 and forms an image on the CCD 303. For this reason, the CCD 30
Even if 3 is a small size, an appropriate angle of view can be easily obtained by selecting the magnification of the relay lens 302.

The CCD 3 is provided in the finder 22.
03 etc. are built in, so that the body body 20A
Does not protrude on the back side, the appearance is good, and the holding properties of the camera are excellent, so-called camera shake and the like hardly occur.

Further, since the function as a silver halide single-lens reflex camera is maintained as it is, a digital camera mode DSC
In addition to the above, a silver halide camera mode Camera can be selected, and both camera modes such as a commercial photograph can be selectively used by one camera.

In this embodiment, the members used in the digital camera mode DSC, such as the memory card 8, the compression ratio setting switch 12, and the connector 24, are used in the viewfinder 2.
2, the operability is improved.

Further, since the digital camera mode DSC and the silver halide camera mode Camera can be selected only by operating the mode changeover switch MODE, it is possible to quickly perform photographing according to the purpose.

Next, the switching control between the digital camera mode DSC and the silver halide camera mode Camera executed by the camera CPU control 220 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power switch PS is turned on,
Alternatively, this routine is executed when the mode change switch MODE is operated.

In FIG. 6 and the following description, steps are indicated by S.

First, in S110, it is determined which of the mode changeover switches MODE is being selected and operated. If the digital camera mode DSC is selected, the process proceeds to S11.
At 1, it is determined whether or not the memory card 8 is mounted on the viewfinder 22. If the memory card 8 is inserted (YES in S111), in S112, the focal plane shutter 26 is set to the normally closed state, and the quick return mirror M1 is held at the steady position shown by the solid line in FIG. You.

If the memory card 8 is not inserted (NO in S111), the warning LED 308 is set in S113.
Is blinked (S113). This makes it possible to know whether or not the memory card 8 is mounted. Further, at this time, the release is prohibited (S114).

On the other hand, the mode changeover switch MOD
If the silver halide camera mode Camera is selected in E, standard control (default control) in the silver halide camera is performed on the focal plane shutter 26 and the quick return mirror M1 in S115. Next, in S116, it is determined whether the warning LED 308 is blinking. When the LED 308 is blinking (S
(YES in 116), the LED 308 is turned off in S117, and the release prohibition state is released in S118.

As described above, if the mode switch MODE is erroneously selected as the digital camera mode DSC in a state where the memory card 8 is not inserted (at this time, L
ED308 is a warning display), mode changeover switch MO
The warning state is released by setting the silver halide camera mode Camera in DE.

In the above embodiment, the body of the silver halide single-lens reflex camera is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a dedicated body may be used.

[0077]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image of the subject can be optically visually recognized by the finder means in the same manner as a silver halide camera, and framing can be performed without difficulty even in a place where external light tends to be insufficient. In particular, since the optical image is focused on the imaging device via the relay lens system, an appropriate angle of view can be obtained even with a small-sized imaging device. In addition, since the image pickup device is arranged in the viewfinder, the rear portion of the body does not protrude, and good holding properties can be secured.
Further, since an imaging means for optically exposing the subject light passing through the position of the quick return mirror to the silver halide film is provided, if the silver halide film is loaded, it can be used as a silver halide camera. Therefore, in the field of photography in which both a silver halide camera and a digital camera are properly used, one camera can cope with the situation, and the convenience is high.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the recording medium for recording the image picked up by the image sensor is detachably mounted on the finder means, if the image picked up is recorded,
At any time, it can be reproduced and displayed on a personal computer or the like.

Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the compression ratio for the captured image can be selectively set at the time of recording. Therefore, even if the data amount of the recorded image is large, the recording capacity is insufficient by compressing the recorded image. Such anxiety can be resolved.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the switching means for switching between the silver halide camera mode and the digital camera mode is provided, it is possible to immediately use both cameras.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the recording medium is not mounted in the digital camera mode setting state, a warning operation is performed, so that a photographed image in the digital camera mode can be reliably recorded.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera mode setting state, the operation of the imaging means for the silver halide camera mode is prohibited even at the time of release, so that the inconvenience of photographing in the silver halide camera mode by mistake can be solved. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan sectional view showing a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a viewfinder is not mounted.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan sectional view showing the digital camera in a state in which a viewfinder is mounted.

FIG. 3 is a schematic right sectional view corresponding to the digital camera.

FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view showing the digital camera.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing switching control between a digital camera mode and a silver halide camera mode.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan sectional view showing a conventional digital camera using a body of a silver halide single-lens reflex camera without a viewfinder.

FIG. 8 is a schematic right cross-sectional equivalent view showing a conventional digital camera using a body of a silver halide single-lens reflex camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 digital camera 8 recording medium 12 compression ratio setting means 20 body 20A body main body 22 finder section 26 focal plane shutter M1 quick return mirror 41 film 300 image pickup unit 301 photographing lens 302 relay lens system 303 image pickup element 304 optical path branching means 306 eyepiece 308 Warning means Camera Silver camera mode DSC Digital camera mode L Optical path L1 First optical path L2 Second optical path MODE Mode switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshihiro Hamamura 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Kenji Nakamura Azuchi-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 2-3-1-3 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AC02 AC18 AC42 AC53 AC54 AC80

Claims (6)

[Claims] A finder means including a finder optical system; a quick return mirror for reflecting subject light incident through the photographic lens to the finder optical system; and a subject arranged in the finder means. A reflecting member for reflecting a part of light, and a reflecting member provided behind an optical path reflected by the reflecting member;
An image sensor for photoelectrically converting the subject light reflected by the reflection member to obtain image data; and an image sensor provided between the image sensor and the quick return mirror for imaging the subject light on the image sensor. A relay lens optical system, imaging means for optically exposing the subject light passing through the position of the quick return mirror to a silver halide film,
A digital camera comprising: 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein a recording medium for recording an image captured by the image sensor is detachably mounted on the finder means. 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said finder means is provided with a compression ratio setting means for a captured image at the time of recording. 4. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising means for switching between a silver halide camera mode and a digital camera mode. 5. A recording medium for recording an image picked up by the image sensor is detachably mounted on the finder means, and the recording medium is not mounted in a state where the digital camera mode is set by the switching means. The digital camera according to claim 4, further comprising a warning unit that performs a warning operation. 6. In a state where the digital camera mode is set by the switching means, the imaging means for optically exposing the subject light to the silver halide film is deactivated even when the shutter is released. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein the digital camera is configured as follows.