JP2000292831A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera having an electronic view finder whose power consumption is reduced, which is compact and whose structure is prevented from being complicated. SOLUTION: By an image pickup part 1, an object image is picked up and photoelectrically converted so as to form an electronic picture. Then, the electronic picture is displayed at an electronic picture display part 3 after the prescribed processing thereof is executed by an image processing part 2 based on the control of a control part 6. Besides, the object image is optically observed by an optical image observation part 4. Then, when a switch detection part 7 is operated, a motor-driven light shielding part 5 is driven through the control part 6. Thus, when the electronic picture is displayed at the display part 3, the optical image cannot be observed because luminous flux from an object is shielded so that the electronic picture is observed by the observation part 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly, to a camera capable of confirming a photographed image by an electronic viewfinder or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various cameras having an electronic viewfinder for capturing a captured image using an image sensor such as a CCD and displaying the captured image on a liquid crystal display device or the like have been proposed.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-19007
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-107421 discloses a camera having an electronic viewfinder instead of an optical viewfinder. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-67524 discloses a photographic device in which a monitor device for displaying an electronic image is arranged on the back surface of a rear lid separately from an optical finder.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-107595 discloses a camera in which a display member of an electronic viewfinder is inserted in an optical path of an optical viewfinder.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
In the camera disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 100077, the viewfinder optical system can be eliminated, and the image of the display element can be enlarged by the eyepiece, so that an image can be displayed by a small display element.

However, the electronic viewfinder requires more circuit components with higher power consumption than the electric circuit of a camera using a conventional finder optical system. Therefore, there is a problem that the power supply battery is quickly consumed.

Further, in the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-67524, since a monitor device is provided separately from the finder optical system, there is a problem that the size of the camera itself mounting these devices increases. are doing.

The camera described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-107595 described above retracts the reflecting surface of a pentaprism when an electronic viewfinder is used, and inserts a display member therein. However, such a configuration is mechanically complicated such as a reflecting surface of a pentaprism or a movable member by inserting a display member, and is difficult to realize.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera having an electronic viewfinder which consumes less power, is small, and has no complicated structure.

[0010]

That is, the present invention provides an optical finder for optically observing a subject image via a pentaprism, an image capturing means for capturing the subject image and generating an electronic image, and A display unit arranged outside the optical viewfinder optical path and displaying the electronic image, and a half mirror arranged in the optical viewfinder optical path and guiding the electronic image displayed on the display unit to the eyepiece optical system of the optical viewfinder, When the electronic image is displayed on the display means, a light shielding means for blocking a light beam from the subject to the optical viewfinder; and the half mirror also serves as a reflection surface of the pentaprism. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, there is provided an optical finder capable of optically observing a subject image, imaging means for capturing the subject image and generating an electronic image, and display means for displaying the electronic image generated by the imaging means. And an electric optical path switching means disposed in the optical path of the optical finder and guiding the electronic image displayed on the display means to the eyepiece optical system of the finder.

Further, the present invention provides an optical viewfinder capable of observing an optical image of a subject image, an electronic viewfinder sharing the eyepiece optical system of the optical viewfinder, and observing an electronic image of the subject, and a manual operation. And a control unit that detects manual operation of the light shielding unit and enables observation by the electronic viewfinder.

In the camera according to the present invention, the subject image is optically observed through the pentaprism by the optical finder, and is picked up by the image pickup means to generate an electronic image. Then, a display unit is arranged outside the optical finder optical path, and the electronic image is displayed. In the optical viewfinder optical path, a half mirror that guides the electronic image displayed on the display means to the eyepiece optical system of the optical viewfinder is arranged, and when the electronic image is displayed on the display means. And a light blocking means for blocking a light beam from the subject to the optical finder. The half mirror also serves as the reflection surface of the pentaprism.

According to the camera of the present invention, the subject image can be optically observed by the optical finder.
An image of a subject is captured by the imaging unit, and an electronic image is generated. The generated electronic image is displayed on the display unit. Then, the electronic image displayed on the display means is guided to the eyepiece optical system of the finder by the electric light path switching means arranged in the optical path of the optical finder.

Further, in the camera according to the present invention, the optical image of the subject image can be observed by an optical finder.
The image of the subject can be observed by an electronic viewfinder that shares the eyepiece optical system of the optical viewfinder. Further, in response to the manual operation of the light shielding means, observation by the optical viewfinder is disabled. Then, the manual operation of the light shielding means is detected by the control means, and observation by the electronic viewfinder is enabled.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first concept of the camera of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, this camera has an image pickup section 1 as image pickup means for picking up a subject image and generating an electronic image.
An image processing unit 2 for performing predetermined processing on an image output from the imaging unit 1, an electronic image display unit 3 as display means for displaying an electronic image processed by the image processing unit 2,
Optical image observation unit 4 for optically observing a subject image
An electric light shielding unit 5 as light shielding means for shielding a light beam to the optical image observation unit 4 when the electronic image is displayed on the electronic image display unit 3, the imaging unit 1, and an image processing unit 2, a control unit 6 for controlling operations of the electronic image display unit 3 and the electric light shielding unit 5, and selectively selecting an electronic image displayed on the electronic image display unit 3 and an optical image observed by the optical finder 4. It comprises a switch detecting section 7 as an electric optical path switching means for switching.

In such a configuration, an image of a subject is picked up by the image pickup unit 1 and photoelectrically converted to generate an electronic image. This electronic image is displayed on the electronic image display unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 2 under the control of the control unit 6. The subject image is optically observed by the optical image observation unit 4.

When the switch detecting section 7 is operated, the electric light shielding section 5 is driven via the control section 6. Thus, when the electronic image is displayed on the electronic image display unit 3, the light beam from the subject is blocked to be observed by the optical image observation unit 4, and the optical image cannot be observed.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a finder switching mechanism in the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a mechanism for observing an optical image. (b) is a diagram showing a mechanism for displaying an electronic image.

The rear of the photographing lens 11 (FIG. 2A,
On the right side in (b), an observation main mirror 12 as a light-shielding means for reflecting a light flux of a subject image incident through the photographing lens 11 is arranged. Above the observation main mirror 12, a hollow mirror pentaprism 14 is disposed via a focusing screen 13.

Here, the hollow mirror unit is for enabling the subject image formed on the focusing screen to be observed as an erect image, and has the same function as a so-called pentaprism. Therefore, for convenience, the hollow mirror unit is referred to as a hollow mirror pentaprism, and the hollow mirror pentaprism and the glass pentaprism are collectively referred to simply as a pentaprism.

The hollow mirror pentaprism 14 is formed by disposing a mirror inside the hollow mirror pentaprism, and a partial half mirror 15 is partially provided on the left side in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). Is provided. The light beam reflected by the hollow mirror pentaprism 14 and the partial half mirror 15 is guided to the photographer's eye as an optical image through an eyepiece lens system 16. The eyepiece system 1
Reference numeral 6 is movable and adjustable in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2B so that the optical image is focused by the focus adjustment mechanism 17.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the observation main mirror 12 is moved in the direction of arrow B, the light is moved behind the main mirror 12 for observation. An imaging mirror 19 inserted and arranged on a road is provided. Below the imaging mirror 19, an imaging lens 20 and an imaging device 21 as imaging means are arranged.

Further, behind the partial half mirror 15 (FIG. 2)
(A), (b), the left side of FIG.
A liquid crystal display element 23 as display means for displaying an electronic image picked up by the LCD and a backlight element 24 for illuminating the liquid crystal display element 23 are arranged.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

When the photographer looks at the optical image, FIG.
As shown in (a), the light flux of the subject image incident through the photographing lens is reflected by the observation main mirror 12 and guided to the hollow mirror pentaprism 14 via the focusing screen 13. Then, the subject image reflected by the hollow mirror pentaprism 14 and the partial half mirror 15 is guided to the photographer's eye as an optical image through the eyepiece lens system 16.

Here, the partial half mirror 15 transmits light, but at this time, the backlight element 24 disposed behind the partial half mirror 15 is turned off (not lit). Partial half mirror 15 as
Becomes a dark state. Therefore, the partial half mirror 15 has the same function as the total reflection mirror, and the image formed by the focusing screen 13 is reflected by the hollow mirror pentaprism 14 and the partial half mirror 15 and passes through the eyepiece lens system 16. To the photographer's eyes as an optical image.

On the other hand, when displaying an electronic image,
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the electronic image display is selected by the switch detection section 7, the main observation mirror 12 is moved in the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG. Moved in the direction. That is, the observation main mirror 12 is retracted from the finder optical path, and the imaging mirror 19 is inserted into the finder optical path.
As a result, the luminous flux from the subject is switched from the finder optical system to the image sensor side, and the finder optical path is shielded (step S1). At this time, the backlight element 24 provided behind the liquid crystal display element 23 is turned on (step S2).

On the other hand, the light beam from the subject incident from the photographing lens 11 is reflected by the imaging mirror 19 and is imaged by the imaging device 21 via the imaging lens 20 (step S3). Thus, the electronic image captured by the image sensor 21 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 23 (Step S4).
Then, while the backlight element 24 is turned on, the electronic image can be observed on the liquid crystal display element 23 (step S5).

In this case, since the backlight element 24 is turned on, the partial half mirror 15 is in a transmissive state. Therefore, the photographer can take the photographing lens system 1
6. The liquid crystal display element 23 can be directly observed via the partial half mirror 15.

When the backlight element 24 is turned off (step S6), as shown in FIG. 2A, the observation main mirror 12 and the imaging mirror 19 are moved, and the luminous flux passing through the photographic lens is changed. Then, the light is guided to the focusing screen 13 again, and the light blocking of the finder optical path is released (step S7).

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
Since a half mirror is provided in a part of the optical path of the viewfinder in the pentaprism and the liquid crystal display element is disposed near the half mirror, no member or the like for moving the liquid crystal display element is required. Becomes possible.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a viewfinder switching mechanism of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention from above the camera. FIG. 4A shows a mechanism for observing an optical image. (B) is a diagram showing a mechanism for displaying an electronic image.

In the embodiment described below, the same parts as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The liquid crystal mirror driving circuit 26 includes a liquid crystal mirror 27
Is a circuit for driving by applying a predetermined voltage to the circuit. The transmittance of the liquid crystal mirror 27 is electrically changed by changing the applied voltage. Further, an objective lens 28 is arranged on the same optical axis as the eyepiece lens system 16 and the liquid crystal mirror 27.

4 (a) and 4 (b), a reflection mirror 29 is provided on the right side of the liquid crystal mirror 27. On the optical path of the reflection mirror 29, the liquid crystal display element 23 and the backlight element 24 are arranged.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a camera exterior, and reference numeral 31 denotes a switching operation member for switching and selecting an optical image and an electronic image according to the operation of the photographer. In this case, the position of “OPT” indicates selection of an optical image, and “EVF” indicates selection of an electronic image.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

First, the case where an optical image is selected will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when an optical image is selected by the switching operation member 31, the liquid crystal mirror driving circuit 26 is driven, and the liquid crystal mirror 27 is made to be in a transmitting state. As a result, the luminous flux of the subject image is
8, guided through the liquid crystal mirror 27 and the eyepiece system 16 to the photographer's eyes as an optical image.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when an electronic image is selected by the switching operation member 31, the liquid crystal mirror driving circuit 26 is driven, and the liquid crystal mirror 27 is in a non-transmission state, that is, the reflection mirror It will be in the same state. As a result, the finder optical path is in a light blocking state.

Then, although not shown, when the light beam from the subject incident from the photographing lens is picked up by the image pickup device, the picked-up electronic image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 23. When the backlight element 24 is turned on in this state, an electronic image can be observed on the liquid crystal display element 23. The electronic image displayed on the liquid crystal display element 23 is reflected by the reflection mirror 29 and the liquid crystal mirror 27 in a non-transmissive state, and is guided to the photographer's eyes via the photographing lens system 16.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
By providing a liquid crystal mirror in the finder optical path, a member or the like for moving the liquid crystal display element is not required, so that the size of the camera can be reduced.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a viewfinder switching mechanism in a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a mechanism for observing an optical image. (b) is a diagram showing a mechanism for displaying an electronic image.

In the third embodiment, a liquid crystal mirror 33 is provided in place of the partial half mirror 15 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B in the first embodiment. . The other configuration is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

When the photographer looks at the optical image, FIG.
As shown in (a), the light flux of the subject image incident through the photographing lens is reflected by the observation main mirror 12 and guided to the hollow mirror pentaprism 14 via the focusing screen 13. The subject image reflected by the hollow mirror pentaprism 14 and the liquid crystal mirror 33 in the non-transmissive state is guided to the photographer's eye as an optical image through the eyepiece lens system 16.

Here, the liquid crystal mirror 33 is driven by a liquid crystal mirror driving circuit (not shown) or the like to be in a non-transmissive state, and thus has the same function as the total reflection mirror. Therefore, the image formed by the focusing screen 13 is reflected by the hollow mirror pentaprism 14 and the liquid crystal mirror 33, and is guided as an optical image to the photographer's eye via the eyepiece system 16.

On the other hand, when displaying an electronic image, FIG.
As shown in (b), the observation main mirror 12 is moved in the direction of arrow B, and at the same time, the imaging mirror 19 is moved in the direction of arrow A. That is, the observation main mirror 12 is retracted from the finder optical path, and the imaging mirror 1 is moved.
9 is inserted into the finder optical path. Thereby, the light beam from the subject is switched from the finder optical system to the image sensor.

On the other hand, the light beam from the subject incident from the photographing lens 11 is reflected by the image pickup mirror 19 and is picked up by the image pickup device 21 via the imaging lens 20. Thereby, the electronic image picked up by the image pickup device 21 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 23. Then, while the backlight element 24 is on, the electronic image can be observed on the liquid crystal display element 23.

In this case, the liquid crystal mirror 33 is driven by a liquid crystal mirror driving circuit (not shown) or the like to be in a transmission state. Therefore, the photographer can select the photographing lens system 16,
The liquid crystal display element 23 can be directly observed via the liquid crystal mirror 33 in the transmission state.

When the backlight element 24 is turned off, as shown in FIG. 5A, the main observation mirror 12 and the imaging mirror 19 are moved, and the luminous flux passing through the photographic lens is again focused on the focusing screen. The light is guided to the side 13 and the light blocking of the finder optical path is released.

As described above, according to the third embodiment,
A liquid crystal mirror is provided in a part of the finder optical path in the pentaprism, and a liquid crystal display element is arranged near the liquid crystal mirror. Therefore, a member or the like for moving the liquid crystal display element is not required. Becomes possible.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a second concept of the camera of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, the camera is an image pickup unit 1
An image processing unit 2; an electronic image display unit 3; an optical image observation unit 4; the imaging unit 1; a control unit 6 for controlling operations of the image processing unit 2 and the electronic image display unit 3; A switch detection unit 7 for selectively switching an electronic image displayed on the display unit 3; and a light shield for blocking a light beam to the optical image observation unit 4 when the electronic image is displayed on the electronic image display unit 3. And a manual light shielding unit 8 as a means.

In such a configuration, a subject image is picked up by the image pickup unit 1 and photoelectrically converted to generate an electronic image. This electronic image is displayed on the electronic image display unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing by the image processing unit 2 under the control of the control unit 6. The subject image is optically observed by the optical image observation unit 4.

When the manual light-shielding section 8 is operated, the optical image observing section 4 blocks the light beam from the subject and makes the optical image unobservable. At the same time, control is performed from the switch detection unit 7 via the control unit 6 so that an electronic image is displayed on the electronic image display unit 3.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a viewfinder switching mechanism of a camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention from above the camera. FIG. 7A shows a mechanism for observing an optical image. (B) is a diagram showing a mechanism for displaying an electronic image.

A half mirror 35 that partially transmits light is provided between the eyepiece lens system 16 and the objective lens 28. Also, between the camera exterior 30 and the objective lens 28,
A finder barrier 36 as a light shielding means capable of opening and closing the finder optical path is provided, for example, slidably.
A barrier open / close detection switch that is turned on and off in accordance with the movement position of the finder barrier 36 and is linked to the lighting state of the backlight element 24 is provided near the camera exterior 30.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.

First, a case where an optical image is selected will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when the finder barrier 36 is in the open state, the luminous flux of the subject image is
Objective lens 28, half mirror 35, eyepiece system 16
Is guided to the photographer's eye as an optical image. At this time, the barrier open / close detection switch 37 is in the off state,
Therefore, the backlight element 24 is in a non-lighting (light-out) state. Therefore, the liquid crystal display element 23 is in a dark state and nothing is displayed.

On the other hand, when displaying an electronic image,
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the finder barrier 36 is moved in the direction of arrow D to close the finder optical path, the finder optical path is in a light-blocking state. At the same time, the barrier open / close detection switch 37 is turned on, and the backlight element 24 is turned on (step S11).

Then, although not shown, when the light beam from the subject incident from the photographing lens is picked up by the image pickup device (step S12), the picked up electronic image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 23 (step S12). S13). When the backlight element 24 is turned on in this state, it is possible to observe an electronic image on the liquid crystal display element 23 (step S14). The electronic image displayed on the liquid crystal display element 23 is reflected by the reflection mirror 29 and the half mirror 35 and guided to the photographer's eyes via the photographing lens system 16.

Thereafter, the backlight element 24 is turned off (step S15), and the display of the electronic image is completed.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment,
Since the electronic image and the optical image are switched manually in the finder optical path by the finder barrier, the camera can be reduced in size and manufactured at low cost.

According to the above embodiment of the present invention,
The following configuration can be obtained.

(1) An optical viewfinder for optically observing a subject image, an image pickup means for picking up the subject image and generating an electronic image, and a display means for displaying the electronic image picked up by the image pickup means A half mirror arranged in the optical path of the optical viewfinder and guiding the electronic image displayed on the display means to the eyepiece optical system of the optical viewfinder, which can be opened and closed by manual operation, from the subject to the optical viewfinder from the subject. A finder barrier for blocking a light beam, wherein the light beam from the subject is blocked in response to the closing operation of the finder barrier, and the electronic image displayed on the display means is transmitted via the half mirror. A camera which is guided to an eyepiece optical system of an optical viewfinder.

(2) The camera according to (1), wherein a liquid crystal mirror element whose reflectivity is electrically changeable is used instead of the half mirror.

(3) An optical finder capable of observing an optical image of a subject, imaging means for capturing the subject image and generating an electronic image, display means for displaying the electronic image generated by the imaging means, Electrical path switching means disposed in the optical path of the optical viewfinder and electrically switchable to guide either the optical image of the subject or the electronic image to the eyepiece optical system of the optical viewfinder. A camera characterized in that:

(4) An optical finder for optically observing an optical image of the subject image via a pentaprism, an image pickup means for taking an image of the subject image and generating an electronic image, and an optical finder outside the optical finder optical path. A display means for displaying the electronic image; and an electric means disposed in an optical path of the optical viewfinder to guide one of the optical image of the subject and the electronic image to an eyepiece optical system of the optical viewfinder. And a switchable electric optical path, wherein the electric optical path switch also serves as a reflection surface of the pentaprism.

(5) The display device according to (4), further comprising a light-shielding unit that blocks a light beam from the subject to the optical viewfinder when the electronic image is displayed on the display unit. Camera.

(6) The camera as described in (4) or (5) above, wherein the electric optical path switching means is a liquid crystal mirror element capable of electrically changing the reflectance.

According to the above configuration (1), it is possible to reduce the size of the camera and to manufacture it at low cost.

According to the configuration (2), the size of the camera can be reduced.

According to the above configuration (3), since no movable member is required, a compact and inexpensive camera can be provided.

According to the above configuration (4), the camera can be made inexpensive by reducing the number of parts.

According to the above configuration (5), the size of the camera can be reduced.

According to the above configuration (6), it is possible to provide a small-sized and inexpensive camera.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera having an electronic viewfinder which consumes less power, is small in size, and does not have a complicated structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first concept of a camera according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a viewfinder switching mechanism in the camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A shows a mechanism for observing an optical image, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism for displaying an electronic image.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of displaying an electronic image according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a viewfinder switching mechanism of a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention from above the camera;
(A) is a diagram showing a mechanism for observing an optical image,
(B) is a diagram showing a mechanism for displaying an electronic image.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a viewfinder switching mechanism in a camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A shows a mechanism for observing an optical image, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism for displaying an electronic image.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a second concept of the camera of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a viewfinder switching mechanism of a camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above the camera;
(A) is a diagram showing a mechanism for observing an optical image,
(B) is a diagram showing a mechanism for displaying an electronic image.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of displaying an electronic image according to a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 imaging unit, 2 image processing unit, 3 electronic image display unit, 4 optical image observation unit, 5 electric light shielding unit, 6 control unit, 7 switch detection unit, 8 manual light shielding unit, 11 photographing lens, 12 main mirror for observation, Reference Signs List 13 focusing screen, 14 hollow mirror pentaprism, 15 partial half mirror, 16 eyepiece system, 17 focus adjustment mechanism, 19 imaging mirror, 20 imaging lens, 21 imaging element, 23 liquid crystal display element, 24 backlight element, 26 liquid crystal Mirror drive circuit, 27, 33 liquid crystal mirror, 29 reflection mirror, 30 camera exterior, 31 switching operation member, 35 half mirror, 36 finder barrier, 37 barrier open / close detection switch.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An optical viewfinder for optically observing a subject image via a pentaprism; an imaging unit for capturing the subject image to generate an electronic image; Display means for displaying an electronic image, a half mirror arranged in the optical viewfinder optical path and guiding the electronic image displayed on the display means to the eyepiece optical system of the optical viewfinder, and displaying the electronic image on the display means When you are
And a light blocking means for blocking a light beam from a subject to the optical finder, wherein the half mirror also serves as a reflection surface of the pentaprism. 2. An optical viewfinder capable of optically observing a subject image, an imaging unit that captures the subject image and generates an electronic image, a display unit that displays the electronic image generated by the imaging unit, An electronic optical path switching unit disposed in an optical path of an optical viewfinder and guiding an electronic image displayed on the display unit to an eyepiece optical system of the viewfinder. 3. The camera according to claim 2, wherein said electric optical path switching means is a liquid crystal mirror element capable of electrically changing a reflectance. 4. An optical viewfinder capable of observing an optical image of a subject image, an electronic viewfinder sharing an eyepiece optical system of the optical viewfinder and observing an electronic image of the subject, and the optical viewfinder according to a manual operation. A camera comprising: a light-shielding unit that disables observation by a viewfinder; and a control unit that detects manual operation of the light-shielding unit and enables observation by the electronic viewfinder.