JP2001211353A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To find delicate conditions for actual photographing and to easily set the photographic conditions. SOLUTION: An electronic camera 1 which photographs a subject with a semiconductor image pickup element 5 is equipped with display means 14 and 41 which display a prephotographed image when the subject is preliminarily photographed, input processing means 32 and 41 which correct and input the area specification conditions of photographic conditions by specifying a position in the prephotographed image, and condition setting means 41, 32, and 33 which set the photographic conditions corrected by the input processing means for photographing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly, to an electronic camera having a feature of setting photographing conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In photographing with a camera, various photographic expressions can be made by setting conditions such as an exposure condition, a shutter speed, an in-focus position, and composition. In particular, in a high-end device such as a silver halide single-lens reflex camera, it is possible to take various pictures requested by a photographer by changing various photographing conditions.

[0003] However, the photographing environment varies greatly depending on the lighting conditions, the subject, and the like, and it is difficult to completely grasp the conditions only with the naked eyes of the photographer. In some cases, it is difficult to predict how much a certain condition should be changed to change the photographing result. Therefore, when a full-scale photographing is conventionally performed with a silver halide camera, a kind of preliminary photographing, that is, a polar photographing is often performed. Then, by confirming the preliminary photograph, exposure correction, color temperature (flash or film), and the like are adjusted, and thereafter, actual photographing is performed.

On the other hand, not only the above-mentioned full-scale camera but also a low-priced camera has been widely used in order to easily perform snap photography or the like. In such popular devices, AF (automatic focusing) and A
There are many automatic mechanisms such as E (automatic exposure). Therefore, the photographer can automatically adjust the focus without taking into account complicated photographing conditions, and can take a photograph with the correct exposure. While such cameras are easy to shoot, photographic expressions are often limited to automatic settings (auto mode) programmed by the camera manufacturer.

In recent years, electronic cameras using a semiconductor image pickup device such as a CCD device have become widespread. However, image quality of early electronic cameras is not sufficient, and a model corresponding to the above-mentioned popular camera is considered as a silver halide camera. Many. However, with the development of semiconductor technology and electronic technology, an electronic camera such as a silver halide single-lens reflex camera that can set many photographing conditions has been manufactured.

[0006]

Even when full-scale photographing is performed by an electronic camera, it is necessary to adjust various photographing conditions so as to conform to the photograph expression desired by the photographer.

However, in an electronic camera, a semiconductor image pickup device, mainly a CCD device, is used to acquire subject information.
It will be bound by the characteristics of the CD device. Also, C
Various image processing is applied to the CD output. However, since the content of the image processing and various correction coefficients differ depending on the model, the photographing characteristics differ for each camera.

Therefore, the tendency of the change of the photographing result with respect to the photographing condition is greatly influenced by the difference of the camera model.
For this reason, it may be difficult to appropriately obtain an image desired by the photographer only by grasping the exposure conditions and the like by means of conventional photographing or the like.

Also, the camera has a focus lock and an A
Although mechanisms such as E-locks are provided, these mechanisms cannot perform delicate adjustments corresponding to the actually photographed result images. Therefore, even if a polar image is taken, it is difficult to reflect the captured image in fine adjustment of focus, exposure, and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an electronic camera capable of setting delicate conditions for actual photographing and easily setting the photographing conditions. For that purpose.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera for photographing a subject by using a semiconductor image pickup device, wherein when a preliminary photographing is performed on the subject, the preliminary photographed image is obtained. By specifying the display means for displaying and the position on the preliminary captured image,
The electronic camera includes an input processing unit that corrects and inputs an area designation condition in a shooting condition, and a condition setting unit that sets the shooting condition corrected by the input processing unit for shooting.

The present invention provides such means,
From the so-called polar shooting (preliminary shooting) to the main shooting before the main shooting, a series of processing flows can be executed. That is, the preliminary photographed image is displayed, the photographing condition is corrected by looking at the display, and the corrected condition is set as it is to execute the main photographing. In the present invention, for example, an area such as a focusing area or a photometric area can be designated on a preliminary photographed image, whereby delicate conditions for actual photographing can be set.

Next, a second invention for solving the problem is the electronic camera according to the first invention, wherein the input processing means is capable of changing the area size of the photographing condition at the designated position.

In the present invention, since such means are provided,
The photographing conditions can be set more subtly and freely.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera according to the second aspect, wherein the input processing means is capable of changing the shape of a region to be photographed.

According to the present invention, such means are provided.
The region can be freely specified according to the shape of the subject.

A fourth aspect of the present invention for solving the problem is the electronic apparatus according to the first to third aspects, wherein the input processing means corrects an area designation condition by designating a position on the preliminary photographed image. Camera.

The present invention provides such means,
It is possible to freely change an area designation position such as a focus position or an AE position in a photographing condition.

Next, a fifth invention for solving the problem is a display means for displaying a preliminary photographed image when a preliminary photographing of the object is executed in an electronic camera for photographing the object with a semiconductor image sensor, When a position on the preliminary photographed image is designated and input, a group of images including the designated position is extracted, and the extracted group of images is corrected as an area designation condition in the photographing condition. And a condition setting means for setting the photographing conditions for photographing.

The present invention provides such means,
The area can be automatically specified according to the main subject shape.

A sixth invention for solving the problem is an electronic camera according to the first to fifth inventions, wherein the input processing means can designate a plurality of positions.

According to the present invention, such means are provided.
When a plurality of main subjects have importance in photographing, it is possible to perform photographing in which the plurality of main subjects are simultaneously emphasized.

Next, a seventh invention for solving the problem is the electronic camera according to the first to sixth inventions, wherein the photographing condition is designation of a photometry area.

The present invention provides such means,
Photometry can be performed with emphasis on the designated area, and any position on the image can be a subject of priority photometry.

Next, an eighth invention for solving the problem is the electronic camera according to the first to seventh inventions, wherein the photographing condition is designation of a focusing area.

According to the present invention, such means are provided.
Any position on the image can be a focus target.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. (First Embodiment of the Invention) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the electronic camera 1, the light beam from the subject is transmitted through the lens system 2, the diaphragm 3, and the shutter 4 to the CC.
The light enters the D device 5 and charges are accumulated in each element of the CCD device 5. CCD device 5
Is provided with an imaging circuit 6, which is used for exposure, readout, element shutter, and gain adjustment (I
SO setting), power supply and the like are controlled. Further, the output from the CCD device 5 is once passed through the A / D converter 7 to the DR device.
After being stored in the AM (not shown), the image is converted into still image information (photographed image) for a photograph by the image processing unit 8 and stored in the buffer memory 9. The captured image is compressed (JPEG) by the compression / decompression unit 10 and stored in the recording medium 12 via the interface 11.
As the recording medium 12, a memory card using a flash memory, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, or the like is used.

The image subjected to the still image processing by the image processing unit 8 is subjected to a confirmation image (RE
Image display LCD panel 14 on the back of the camera as C view)
(TFT panel). The recorded image once stored in the recording medium 12 is also subjected to decompression processing by the compression / decompression unit 10, temporarily stored in the buffer memory 9, and can be displayed on the image display liquid crystal panel 14.

The image processing unit 8 performs an averaging operation on all the pixels read out so that the number of pixels corresponds to the designated image quality (SQ, HQ, SHQ, etc.), and performs pixel number conversion. Do. The processing unit 8 also performs white balance processing, color processing, gamma correction, sharpness adjustment, and the like. Further, the compression / expansion unit 10 executes a compression process at a compression ratio corresponding to the designated image quality. That is, the image quality is determined by the number of pixels converted by the image processing unit 8 and the compression ratio by the compression / decompression unit.

In this embodiment, a peeping type EVF (electronic viewfinder) is provided separately from the image display liquid crystal panel 14. That is, the A / D output is subjected to a moving image processing of 30 frames / sec in the finder image generation unit 71, and the moving image is displayed from the EVF liquid crystal panel 73 as a through image by the liquid crystal control unit 72. I have. The output from the finder image generator 71 can also be displayed on the image display liquid crystal panel 14. Thus, EVF is realized also in the image display liquid crystal panel 14.

The system controller 21 includes the AF mechanism 2
2. It controls various parts in the camera such as the strobe control circuit 23, the aperture mechanism, and the imaging circuit 6. Also, release button 2
4, accepts various operation inputs from various operation buttons such as the operation keys 25 and the enter button 26, and executes control according to the inputs. Further, various information such as a shooting mode and conditions, the number of remaining shootable images, and the like are displayed on a control panel (not shown).

The system controller 21 includes a photographing control unit 31, a preliminary photographing / examination control unit 32, and an AF control unit 3.
4 and an exposure control unit 35.

The photographing control section 31 controls each section of the camera based on the photographing conditions set in the photographing condition setting section 33, and provides necessary image processing parameters and the like. In addition,
The term “photographing conditions” used in the present specification includes not only photographing conditions in a narrow sense common to silver halide cameras, such as so-called exposure and shutter speed, but also image processing conditions such as white balance, color processing (color table), and gamma. Including.

The photographing control unit 31 performs the main photographing for the preliminary photographing, and when the frame guide is input, displays the image end of the preliminary photographing on the preliminary photographed image end display unit 75. Instruct to display from EVF.

The preliminary photographed image end display section 75 cuts out both ends from the preliminary photographed image stored in the buffer memory 9, gives the cut end as a frame guide image to the finder image generating section 71, and displays it on the EVF. Has become. The EVF at this time may be a case where any of the EVF liquid crystal panel 73 and the image display liquid crystal panel 14 is used.

The preliminary photographing / examination control unit 32 takes out the photographing conditions of the preliminary photographing from the photographing condition setting unit 33 of the photographing control unit 31 and sends them to the condition examination screen creating unit 41.
The examination conditions are acquired from the screen creating unit 41, and the photographing conditions for the actual photographing are set in the photographing condition setting unit 33. When the condition examination screen is displayed on the image display liquid crystal panel 14, the preliminary photographing / examination control unit 32 accepts inputs from the operation keys 25 and the enter button 26, and sets the examination conditions to the condition examination screen creation unit. Send to 41.

The condition examination screen creating section 41 is a processing section for examining and creating the photographing conditions of the main photographing based on the preliminary photographing result when the preliminary photographing is performed. Creation unit 43 and histogram creation unit 44
, A designated range creating unit 45, a condition receiving unit 46, and a study condition extracting unit 47.

The examination information holding unit 42 includes the original image holding unit 5
1. A processed image storage unit 52, a preliminary imaging condition storage unit 53, and a study condition storage unit 54 are provided. Original image holding unit 5
1, the CCD output before processing from the A / D converter 7 is input and held as original image data for performing a simulation. Further, the preliminary photographing condition holding unit 53 stores the preliminary photographing conditions acquired in the preliminary photographing.

Further, the examination information holding unit 54 stores examination conditions for the main photographing input via the preliminary photographing / examination control unit 32. The processed image holding unit 52 stores one or a plurality of processed images obtained by simulation or area designation.

The condition accepting unit 46 accepts examination conditions and operation commands via the preliminary photographing / examination control unit 32. That is, the study conditions are stored in the study information holding unit 42, and the operation command is sent to the screen creating unit 43, the histogram creating unit 44, the designated range creating unit 45, or the simulation unit 61.
Output to

The screen creation unit 43 includes the histogram creation unit 4
4. A condition examination screen is created based on information from the designated range creation unit 45 or the examination information holding unit 42, and is displayed from the image display liquid crystal panel 14. The condition examination screen includes a main condition examination screen (hereinafter also referred to as a main screen), an area designation screen, a histogram condition examination screen (hereinafter also referred to as a histogram screen), and the like.

The histogram creating section 44 creates a histogram for the designated image and the designated study condition, and displays the histogram from the condition study screen.
Hand over to

The designated range creation unit 45 sets
When an area (a screen area, one or more partial areas, a spot area, or the like) such as a focus area or a photometric area is specified, a display frame is created to create a display frame and display the frame from the condition examination screen. Hand over to 43.

Upon receiving a command to reflect the examination conditions for the main photographing from the preliminary photographing / examination control section 32, the examination condition extracting section 47 extracts the examination conditions held in the examination condition holding section 42 and sends the examination conditions to the control section 32. hand over.

The simulation section 61 executes a simulation process when a simulation is necessary to reflect the examination conditions on the display image. The simulation section 61 includes a simulation request section 62 and a simulation execution section 63.

The simulation requesting unit 62 requests execution of a simulation of an item which the image processing unit 8 or the compression / decompression unit 10 has a processing function of a target simulation. Examples of requests to the image processing unit 8 include white balance processing, color adjustment, and sharpness. As for the image quality, the image processing unit 8 is requested to adjust the number of pixels, and the compression ratio is requested to the compression / expansion unit 10. The original image data and the conditions are stored in the examination information holding unit 42.
To get from.

On the other hand, the simulation executing section 63 executes, as a simulation, items determined by the processing up to the image pickup circuit 6 and which cannot be reproduced by the image processing section 8 or the compression / decompression section 10. For example, exposure correction and ISO sensitivity adjustment are performed.

Further, the system controller 21 is provided with the exposure control unit 35 and the AF control unit 34 as described above.

The exposure control unit is 35, the CCD device 5
Based on the / D output and the photographing conditions set in the photographing condition setting unit 33, an exposure calculation is performed to determine and control the aperture, the shutter speed, or both. In this case, if the photometry area for the preliminary captured image is determined as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, for example, the exposure is determined by performing photometry on the corresponding coordinate area in the EVF display frame. If a plurality of regions are specified, the exposure is determined based on the average value. Further, as a modified example, if each area is weighted, the evaluation according to the weight is performed.

The AF control unit 34 controls the A
The AF mechanism 22 is controlled by the contrast AF method based on the / D output and the photographing conditions set in the photographing condition setting unit 33. In this case as well, if a focus point for the preliminary captured image is designated, focusing is performed on the coordinates as in the case of exposure.

The operation keys 24 are used to perform various operation inputs, and are configured so that they can be input right, left, up, and down by cross-shaped input keys. Various operations can be performed using the operation key 2.
4, a function is selected from the menu screen displayed on the image display liquid crystal panel 14, and the function is selected and determined by the determination button 25. The photographing is executed by pressing the release button 23.

Next, the operation of the electronic camera according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. The operation of the electronic camera 1 according to the present invention will be described briefly. First, after preliminary photographing for condition examination is performed, the preliminary photographing condition and the preliminary photographing result are input to the condition examination screen creating unit 41. . Using the condition examination screen created by the screen creation unit 41, the conditions of the main shooting are examined. After the photographing conditions for the main photographing are examined, the photographing conditions are taken out from the examination information holding unit 42 of the condition examination screen creating unit 41 and set again in the photographing condition setting unit 33 of the photographing control unit 31 in the system controller 21. Is done. Then, the next photographing (main photographing) is executed under the examined photographing conditions.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic operation of the electronic camera according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, when the preliminary photographing is first executed (s1), the processing is shifted to the condition examination mode by the processing of the preliminary photographing / examination control section 32, and the condition examination screen creating section 41
The preliminary photographing result and the preliminary photographing condition are displayed on the condition examination screen created in (2) (s2).

Next, on the condition examination screen (main screen),
A study condition is input or designated (s3), a simulation or the like is executed as necessary (s4), and a simulation image or a histogram is displayed (s5). Also,
If the examination condition designation in step s3 is unrelated to the simulation such as the focus region designation, the region designation screen is developed from the main screen and the region designation input is performed (s4). Then, the area designation result is displayed (s5). When the conditions are further examined, steps s3 to s5 are repeated (s6).

In the above steps s3 to s5, condition examination is performed using a condition examination screen (main screen, area designation screen or histogram screen). Each screen will be described here.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a display example of a condition examination screen (main screen).

As shown in the figure, the condition examination screen (main) is displayed on the image display liquid crystal panel 14, and the examination condition display section 101 and the condition display / setting section 10
2. It comprises a function execution button 103 and an image display unit 104.

The examination condition display section 101 is a title section for displaying photographing conditions under examination. In FIG. 3, the examination condition is exposure correction.

The condition display / setting unit 102 is a button for displaying the latest study condition and for setting the study condition. By selecting one of the condition display / setting units 102 with the operation key 25 and confirming it with the confirm button 26, the examination condition shown in FIG. 3 can be selected and input (selected). The buttons of the condition display / setting unit 102 are used to display and select numerical values (including not only original numerical values but also a shooting mode, image quality display, white balance mode selection, and the like), and buttons for photometry, focusing, and the like. Some of them specify the area. In case of numerical value selection, by confirming the button,
Selectable numerical values and the like are displayed so as to be selectable by a professional down menu. 4 to 8 when the area is designated.
Is displayed, and an area is specified using the screen.

The function execution button 103 is used to execute a simulation, display a histogram, reflect examination conditions in actual photographing, display preliminary photographed images and conditions, display a focus range and a photometry area on a display image, and display a display image. Buttons for executing various functions such as enlargement / reduction. For example, when the reflection button of the examination condition is pressed, the latest photographing condition shown in the condition display / setting unit 102 is set in the photographing control unit 31 for the main photographing.

The image display section 104 displays a preliminary photographed image and an image corresponding to the studied condition, and is provided with a condition display column 105 for displaying the study condition. In the present embodiment, the image display unit 104 is provided at four locations, ie, upper left, upper right, lower left, and upper right, and an image under the same examination conditions is always displayed except for a preliminary captured image. Of each image, the upper left is a reference image, and changes from this reference image are sequentially shown on the upper left display, upper right display, lower left display, and upper right display (only three images in the figure). At the time of the first display, the preliminary photographed image is displayed on the upper left display section.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the examination condition "exposure correction" is selected, and the exposure correction values are sequentially changed to -2.0, ± 0, +2.0 from the reference image to the latest image. ing. The image display unit 104 displays simulation result images corresponding to the examination conditions. The details of the simulation will be described later.

FIGS. 4 to 8 are views showing display examples of the area designation screen. 4 and 5 show the case where the focus area is designated as the study condition, and FIGS. 6 to 8 show the case where the photometric area is designated as the study condition.

In the transition to the area designation screen, any one of the buttons of “photometry area”, “focus area” or “white balance area” in the condition display / setting section 102 on the main screen is selected and confirmed. Is displayed.

The examination condition display section 1 is displayed on the area designation screen.
21, an image display unit 122, a new mark display button 123,
Spot designation button 124, area designation button 125,
Entire designation button 126, area size change button 12
7. A mark cancel button 128 and a return button 129 to the main screen are provided.

As shown in FIGS.
, The latest image corresponding to the examination condition is displayed, and any one of a spot, an area, and the entire screen can be designated on the latest image. The number, type, size, and shape of the areas can be freely set by a new mark display button 123, a spot designation button 124, an area designation button 125, an overall designation button 126, an area size change button 127, an operation key 25, and a decision button 26. I can do it. Details of these operations will be described later.

To return from the histogram screen to the main screen, the return button 129 may be selected and confirmed.

FIG. 9 shows a condition examination screen (histogram screen).
It is a figure showing the example of a display of. This screen is displayed by selecting and confirming “display histogram”, which is one of the function execution buttons 103 on the main screen.

In the histogram screen, the examination condition display section 1
11, image display unit 112, histogram display unit 114,
Condition change button 116, simulation execution button 1
17 and a return button 118 for returning to the main screen. The image display unit 112 and the histogram display unit 1
14 is provided with condition display columns 113 and 115, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9, the latest image corresponding to the examination condition is displayed on the image display unit 112, and the histogram of the latest image is displayed on the histogram display unit 114. The horizontal axis of the histogram display unit 114 is the luminance, and the vertical axis is the frequency of the luminance. Further, the histogram display section 114 shows an appropriate area of the luminance range corresponding to the characteristics of the CCD device 5 and the like.

A simulation can also be executed on the histogram screen. When performing a simulation, a condition change button is selected and confirmed, a new condition is input, and then a simulation execution button is selected and confirmed. To return to the main screen from the histogram screen, a return button 118 is selected and confirmed.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 2, when the conditions have been sufficiently examined and it is determined that the camera user does not need to input further examination conditions (s6), the examination conditions are changed. It is determined whether or not to reflect the actual photographing (s7).

When the examination conditions are not reflected, (s
7), the condition examination screen is closed, the conditions are appropriately set according to the judgment of the camera user, and the actual photographing or the like is executed (s9).

On the other hand, when reflecting the examination condition, the reflection button of the examination condition on the condition examination screen (main) is selected and confirmed. As a result, the latest examination condition at that time is read from the examination condition storage unit 54, and is set in the imaging condition setting unit 33 of the imaging control unit 31 (s8). Although not shown in FIG. 2, the camera user may further perform the condition study (s3 to s5) and reflect the study condition again.

When the conditions for the main photographing are determined, the condition examination screen is closed, and the main photographing and the like are executed under the photographing conditions set in the photographing condition setting section 33 (s9).

In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the overall processing of this embodiment has been described. Next, the condition examination processing (s2 to s6) in FIG. 2 will be described more specifically.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the condition examination processing in this embodiment.

As shown in the figure, first, a condition examination image (main) is displayed (t1; s2 in FIG. 2), and it is determined whether or not the examination condition items (exposure correction, ISO sensitivity, etc.) are changed. It is determined (t2). When the examination condition item is changed, an image corresponding to the latest examination condition is used as the first reference image in the examination condition as the image display unit 104 in the upper left column.
(T3). This change operation is performed by selecting and confirming shooting conditions other than the examination conditions at that time in the condition display / setting unit 102. Note that, at the very beginning, the preliminary photographed image is displayed as the reference image.

Next, when the condition display / setting unit 102 corresponding to the examination condition selected at that time is selected and confirmed (t4; yes), is it necessary to perform a simulation to obtain an image corresponding to the examination condition? Is determined (t
5). If no in step t4, the process proceeds to step t11.

At step t4, when it is determined that not only the item selection by the condition display / setting unit 102 but also the photographing condition is selected and the simulation is necessary (t5), the simulation unit 61 responds to the examination condition. A simulation for obtaining an image is executed (t6). Further, the simulation image is displayed on the image display unit 104 together with the examination conditions (t7).

Here, the simulation processing in step t6 will be described in detail. The study conditions to be simulated according to the present embodiment are classified into three types.

The first type is a simulation that can be realized by the functions of the image processing unit 8 and the compression / decompression unit 10, and includes white balance condition change, image quality change, color table type change, γ table change, and the like. These processes are realized by the functions of the image processing unit 8 and the compression / decompression unit 10 at the request of the simulation request unit 62.
In addition, these can reproduce the same image as the real one by the A / D output data stored in the original image storage unit 51 of the study information holding unit 42 without actually performing the actual shooting.

The second type includes an exposure value (EV value), an aperture value (AV value), a shutter speed (TV value), and an ISO sensitivity (S
The image simulation is performed using the relationship (EV = AV + TV = SV + BV) between the V value) and the absolute value of the subject brightness (BV value). Exposure compensation and ISO
A simulation image is generated by changing the sensitivity, or shooting conditions such as an aperture value and a shutter speed are acquired. This simulation is executed by the simulation executing unit 63, and an image that is the same as that of the actual shooting is not always obtained, but an image that is likely to be large by the actual shooting is obtained.

In the third type, first, an area is specified on an image to be simulated, and then the first or second type of simulation is executed. For example, when specifying a photometry area, what kind of image can be obtained by performing photometry in a certain area. What kind of image can be obtained by designating an area where the white balance should be considered and further designating the color temperature of that area? Also,
For example, an image having a composition different from that of the preliminary captured image is obtained by digital zoom.

Next, in the flowchart of FIG.
If the examination condition input in step 4 is a photometric area, a focused area, or the like and simulation is not required (t5), the designated range such as the photometric area created by the designated range creating unit 45 is changed to the image creating unit 43. Is displayed on the image display unit 104 together with the image (t)
8). The processing in step t8 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Next, when the image display section 104 on the condition examination screen (main) becomes full (four places) by the image display at step t7 or t8, each display image is shifted, and the reference image becomes one. The condition is changed to a new one (t10).

Next, when performing histogram display (t11), a histogram screen is displayed (t12), and after returning to the main screen (t13), step t14 (FIG. 2) is performed.
To step s6). On the other hand, when the histogram display is not performed (t11), step t14 is performed as it is.
It is determined whether or not further condition examination is performed. To continue the condition examination, the process returns to step t2.

Next, the processing in step t8 in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8 and FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing processing on the area designation screen.

First, at step t4 in FIG. 10, when a photometry area button or the like on the main screen is selected and determined, and it is determined that simulation is unnecessary at step t5 in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to step u1 in FIG. move on. In this step u1, an area designation screen is displayed.

Next, the spot button 1 shown in FIGS.
24, any one of the area button 125 and the whole button 126 is selected by the selection key 25 and determined by the determination button 26 (u2).

Here, when the entire button 126 is selected and confirmed (u2), the entire area of the display screen is set as an area for focusing or photometry (u3). When returning to the main screen, the return button 129 is selected and confirmed (u4), and the main screen is displayed (u5). Thereby, the process proceeds to step t9 in FIG. If you do not return to the main screen (u
4) Return to step u2.

When the spot button 124 is selected and confirmed in step u2, a new spot mark is displayed on the screen of the screen display unit 122 (u6). The spot on the display screen can be moved by inputting up, down, left and right of the operation key 25. After the spot is moved to an appropriate position (u7), when the spot is further specified (u8), the process returns to step u6 to return to the second (3, 4, 4).
5. . The spot of the (number) is displayed with the new mark display button 123, and alignment is performed (u7).

That is, one or more spots for focusing and photometry can be designated, and these can be set at any position on the screen by the photographer. 4 and 5 show an example in which a focused spot is set, and FIG. 6 shows an example in which a photometric spot is set.

When all spots have been set in step u8, it is determined whether or not to cancel the spots (u9). If there is an unnecessary spot, the mark cancel button 128 is selected and confirmed, and the displayed cancel mark is adjusted to the unnecessary spot with the operation keys 25. Then, by pressing the confirm button 26, the spot is canceled (u10).

If it is not necessary to cancel the spot (u9), the process proceeds to step u4, and the same processing as described above is performed.

Next, in step u2, when the area button 125 is selected and confirmed, a new area mark is displayed on the screen of the screen display section 122 (u11). The area on the display screen can be moved up, down, left and right of the operation key 25 as in the case of the spot, and is moved to an appropriate position (u12).

After the movement (u12), when the area size is to be changed, the area size change button is selected and confirmed (u13). Step u15 if the size is not changed
Proceed to.

When the area size change button is selected and confirmed (u13; yes), the size of the area in the height direction (up and down) and the horizontal direction (left and right) is changed by the up, down, left and right buttons of the operation key 25. . Although not particularly shown,
To further change the position of the area after the area size is changed, the area size change button 127 may be selected and confirmed again. As a result, the area can be moved again by the operation keys 25.

After the area position and size are determined (u
13; no, u14), and when further specifying an area (u15), the flow returns to step u6 to return to the second (3, 4, 4).
5. . The spot) is displayed with the new mark display button 123, and the position and size are adjusted (u12 to u1).
4).

That is, one or a plurality of focusing and photometry areas can be designated as well as spots, and can be set at any position. FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples in which a photometric area is set.

After the area is set (u15; yes), similarly to steps u9 and u10 relating to the spot, the area cancellation is determined (u16), and the cancellation processing (u1) when the cancellation is required.
7) is performed, and the process proceeds to step u4.

As described above, the photometric or in-focus area is specified on the area specifying screen.

When a photometric or in-focus area is designated and set in the photographing control section 33 as a photographing condition for the main photographing, the exposure control or the AF control section 34 or the AF control section 34 is performed based on the designated area. AF control is performed. Each of these controls is executed by comparing a coordinate position designated on the image on the area designation screen with a relative position on the light receiving surface of the CCD device 5.

More specifically, the CCD output (A / D output) from the designated area on the light receiving surface is taken into the system controller 21, and a predetermined photometry or contrast AF is executed. For example, when a spot or area is specified in the photometry, the photometry is performed with emphasis on the specified area. When a plurality of focus spots are designated, hill-climbing AF is performed at each spot position, and the focus is adjusted to the front AF position. It goes into the focusing area by making it deep.

As described above, the area is specified according to the CCD light receiving surface regardless of the actual finder image. Therefore, if the finder display is not made coincident with the preliminary photographed image and the actual photographing, focus and photometry at the intended position and area cannot be realized.

On the other hand, the first measure is to fix the camera on a tripod from the preliminary photographing to the end of the main photographing.
In other words, all the conditions are examined while the tripod is fixed.

The second method is a preliminary photographed image edge display section 7
5, the end image in the preliminary photographed image is displayed on the EVF liquid crystal panel 73 or the EVF of the image display liquid crystal panel 14 as a frame guide, and the actual subject is matched with the preliminary photographed image using the frame guide.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a frame guide on the EVF.

FIG. 11A shows a state in which the displayed frame guide 131 does not match the current EVF image. On the other hand, FIG. 12B shows a state where the frame guide 131 matches the actual EVF image.

In the second method, the frame guide 13
1, the main photographed image and the preliminary photographed image can be matched, so that it is not necessary to fix the camera to a tripod between the preliminary photographing and the main photographing.

Further, as a modification of the second method, EVF
It is also conceivable to display a preliminary captured image on the image as an overlay.

Next, the functions of the main screen shown in FIG. 3 will be described with respect to the parts which have been omitted from FIGS. 2 and 10.

In FIG. 3, the function execution button 103 includes a “preliminary photographed image display button” and a “designated range display button”.
And “enlargement / reduction buttons”. By selecting and confirming these, corresponding functions are executed. When the "preliminary photographed image display button" is selected and confirmed, the preliminary photographed image is displayed as the reference image, and the condition can be examined again. When the “specified range display button” is selected and confirmed, an area such as a focus area is displayed on the image on the image display unit 103. Further, when the “enlarge / reduce button” is selected and confirmed, the latest display image is enlarged and displayed. For example, the display image is enlarged to the size of four of the image display unit 104 in FIG. The processing corresponding to each function execution button 103 is performed between steps s2 and s3, between s5 and s6, and s in FIG.
It may be performed at any time between 6 and s7.

As described above, the electronic camera according to the embodiment of the present invention displays a preliminary photographed image on the liquid crystal panel and designates a free position on the preliminary photographed image to perform photometry, focusing, and the like. Since the region can be set and the set shooting conditions are reflected in the next shooting, delicate conditions for the main shooting can be set, and the shooting conditions can be easily set. In other words, since the position of the region on the image can be freely changed, the actual photographing can be executed with emphasis on a desired position on the screen.

Therefore, even when full-scale photographing is performed by an electronic camera, the photograph expression desired by the photographer can be easily realized. Further, from the preliminary photographing to the examination of the conditions and further to the actual photographing, it is possible to perform a series of flow processing.

Further, not only the spot but also the area can be selected as the shape of the designated area, and the size of the area can be changed, so that the area can be designated more delicately and freely.

Further, since the shape of the area can be freely changed, it is possible to perform the actual photographing by specifying an area adapted to the shape of the subject.

In this embodiment, the area shape is a quadrangle, but the designated area shape is not limited to such a case. The area can be designated by various shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a polygon, and other free shapes.

(Second Embodiment of the Invention) In the first embodiment, three types of spots, areas, and the whole are provided as types of area designation. Designation ”.

The electronic camera of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that a subject extracting function by image processing is added to the designated range creating section 45 of the condition study screen creating section 41.

The designated range creating section 45 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In addition, when the subject designation button is selected and confirmed on the area designation screen, a subject mark is displayed on the display image. Further, when the subject mark is moved by the operation key 25 and confirmed by the decision button 26, image processing such as edge detection processing and color spread direction detection is performed on the subject at the designated position, and the range of the designated subject is Is specified, and the specified range is set as a designated area in the examination condition.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an area designation screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a subject designation button 130 is provided on the area designation screen. FIG. 10A shows a state in which a subject mark is generated by the designation of the subject designation button 130, and FIG. 10B shows a state in which the selected subject is subjected to image processing, the subject range is specified, and the area is designated. Is shown.

As described above, the electronic camera according to the embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and furthermore, specifies the range of the specified main subject in the specified range creation unit 45.
, And the photographing conditions are set with the specified range as the designated area, so that the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the area is automatically adjusted according to the main subject shape. You can make a specification. Therefore, the photographing conditions can be set more easily and accurately.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, in the process of FIG. 2, when no is determined in step s6, that is, when all the conditions have been examined, the examination conditions are reflected for the actual photographing. It is not limited to such cases. During the examination of the conditions between steps s3 to s6, the examination conditions at that point may be appropriately reflected for the actual photographing.

In the condition examination screen shown in FIG. 3, the image display unit 104 can display four images. However, if the number of images is large, one image becomes small.
The image may be displayed.

The method described in the embodiment includes, as programs (software means) that can be executed by a computer (computer), for example, a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, MO), semiconductor memory (R
OM, RAM, flash memory, etc.), and can also be transmitted and distributed via a communication medium. The program stored on the medium side includes a setting program for causing the computer to execute software means (including not only the execution program but also tables and data structures) to be executed in the computer. A computer that realizes the present apparatus reads a program recorded on a recording medium, and in some cases, constructs software means by using a setting program, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the software means. The recording medium referred to in the present specification is not limited to a medium for distribution, but includes a storage medium such as a magnetic disk or a semiconductor memory provided in a computer or a device connected via a network.

[0132]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the photographing conditions for the actual photographing with respect to the preliminary photographing result can be set by freely designating an area. In addition, it is possible to provide an electronic camera capable of easily setting the shooting conditions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic operation in the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a display example of a condition examination screen (main screen).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first display example of an area designation screen.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a second display example of an area designation screen.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a third display example of an area designation screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fourth display example of an area designation screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fifth display example of an area designation screen.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a display example of a condition examination screen (histogram screen).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a condition examination process in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing processing on an area designation screen.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a frame guide on the EVF.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a display example of an area designation screen according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera 2 ... Lens system 3 ... Aperture 4 ... Shutter 5 ... CCD device 6 ... Imaging circuit 7 ... A / D converter 8 ... Image processing unit 9 ... Buffer memory 10 ... Compression / expansion unit 11 ... Interface 12 ... Recording medium DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Liquid crystal control part 14 ... Image display liquid crystal panel 21 ... System controller 22 ... AF mechanism 23 ... Strobe control circuit 24 ... Release button 25 ... Operation key 26 ... Confirm button 31 ... Shooting control part 32 ... Preliminary shooting / examination control part 33 ... photographing condition setting unit 34 ... AF control unit 35 ... exposure control unit 41 ... condition study screen creation unit 42 ... study information holding unit 43 ... screen creation unit 44 ... histogram creation unit 45 ... designated range creation unit 46 ... condition reception unit 47 … Examination condition extraction unit 51… Original image storage unit 52… Processed image storage unit 53… Preliminary photography condition storage unit 54… Examination condition storage unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Simulation part 62 ... Simulation request part 63 ... Simulation execution part 71 ... Finder image generation part 72 ... Liquid crystal control part 73 ... EVF liquid crystal panel 75 ... Preliminary photographing image end part display part 101 ... Condition display part 102 ... Condition display / Setting section 103 ... Function execution button 104 ... Image display section 111 ... Examination condition display section 112 ... Image display section 114 ... Histogram display section 116 ... Condition change button 117 ... Simulation execution button 118 ... Return button to the main screen 121 ... Examination condition Display unit 122 ... Image display unit 123 ... New mark display button 124 ... Spot designation button 125 ... Area designation button 126 ... Whole designation button 127 ... Area size change button 128 ... Mark cancel button 129 ... Return button to main screen 129 130 ... Subject designation button

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera for photographing a subject by a semiconductor imaging device, a display means for displaying a preliminary photographed image when a preliminary photographing of the subject is executed, and an input for correcting and inputting an area designation condition in a photographing condition. An electronic camera, comprising: a processing unit; and a condition setting unit configured to set a shooting condition corrected by the input processing unit for shooting. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said input processing means is capable of changing an area size of said photographing condition. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein said input processing means is capable of changing a shape of an area targeted by said photographing condition. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input processing unit corrects the area designation condition by designating a position on the preliminary photographed image. Electronic camera. 5. An electronic camera for photographing a subject by a semiconductor imaging device, wherein when a preliminary photographing of the subject is executed, a display means for displaying the preliminary photographed image, and a position on the preliminary photographed image is designated and input. Input processing means for extracting a group of images including the designated position and correcting the extracted group of images as an area specifying condition in the shooting conditions; and setting the shooting conditions corrected by the input processing means for shooting. An electronic camera comprising condition setting means. 6. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said input processing means is capable of designating a plurality of positions. 7. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the photographing condition is a designation of a photometry area. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the photographing condition is designation of a focus area.