JP2002094866A - Image pickup device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device which can change its magnification easily and properly by using electronic zooming and to provide its control method. SOLUTION: This image pickup device has an operation means which picks up an image by an outside operation and has an optical zooming means 344 which can magnify and contract the picked up image and an electronic zooming means 20 which can magnify the image arbitrarily. The optical zooming function and the electronic magnifying function can be combined by a plurality of operation methods, so that a proper magnification of the picked up image can be selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image and having a function of optically and electronically selecting a magnification of a picked-up image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when optical and electronic zoom are used in combination in an image pickup apparatus, a zoom lever is used, and when the zoom lever is pushed further at the optical tele end, the electronic zoom is activated. The method of moving the zoom smoothly was taken.

[0003]

However, the above-described method has a problem that it takes a long time to reach the maximum enlargement ratio obtained by combining, for example, the electronic zoom and the optical zoom.

[0004] In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus and a control method thereof that can easily and accurately change a magnification using an electronic zoom.

[0005]

An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is an image pickup apparatus having operation means for picking up an image by an external operation, comprising: an optical zoom means capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be shot; Electronic zoom means for electronically arbitrarily enlarging an image; and combining an optical zoom function and an electronic enlarging function by a plurality of operation methods so that a magnification ratio of a photographed image can be selected. Features.

An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is an image pickup apparatus having an operation means for picking up an image by an external operation, comprising: an optical zoom means capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be picked up; Electronic zoom means for arbitrarily enlarging, and a first operating member for changing the optical zoom ratio, using the operating member in a state where it is optically enlarged by this operating member By enabling the electronic enlargement function and selecting the enlargement ratio of the photographed image, having a second operation member different from the first operation member, and using the second operation member, A function of electronically enlarging an image even when the image is not maximally enlarged is enabled so that a magnification of a captured image can be selected.

Further, the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus having an operation means for picking up an image by an external operation, comprising: an optical zoom means capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be shot; Electronic zoom means for arbitrarily enlarging the optical zoom means, and a zoom operation member for operating the optical zoom means, and moving the optical zoom position with the zoom operation member, and further moving the zoom operation member at the telephoto end. The electronic zoom means can be controlled by operating the electronic zoom means, and the electronic zoom means can be controlled even when the optical zoom position is not at the tele end by simultaneously operating the zoom operation member and an operation unit other than the zoom operation member. It is characterized by being made possible.

The image pickup apparatus of the present invention is an image pickup apparatus having an operation means for picking up an image by an external operation, comprising: an optical zoom means capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be picked up; Electronic zoom means for arbitrarily enlarging the optical zoom means, and having a zoom operation member for operating the optical zoom means, moving the optical zoom position with the zoom operation member, and different from the zoom operation member. The electronic zoom means can be controlled using a member, and the electronic zoom means can be controlled even when the optical zoom position is not at the tele end by simultaneously operating the zoom operation member and an operation unit other than the zoom operation member. It is characterized by being made possible.

Further, the control method of the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is a control method of an image pickup apparatus having an operation means for picking up an image by an external operation, wherein the image pickup apparatus can enlarge and reduce an image to be taken. Optical zooming means and electronic zooming means for electronically arbitrarily enlarging an image. By combining the optical zooming function and the electronic enlarging function with a plurality of operation methods, the magnification of the captured image can be reduced. It is characterized in that it can be selected.

[0010] A control method of an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is an image pickup apparatus having operation means for picking up an image by an external operation, wherein the image pickup apparatus is capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be taken. Zoom means and electronic zoom means for electronically arbitrarily enlarging an image, having a first operation member for changing the optical zoom ratio, optically enlarged by this operation member to the maximum In this state, the electronic magnification function is enabled by using the operation member so that the magnification of the captured image can be selected, and a second operation member different from the first operation member is provided. The use of the member enables a function of electronically enlarging an image even if the image is not in an optically maximally enlarged state, so that a magnification of a captured image can be selected.

Further, the method for controlling an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is a method for controlling an image pickup apparatus having operation means for picking up an image by an external operation, wherein the image pickup apparatus is capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be taken. Optical zoom means, and electronic zoom means for electronically arbitrarily enlarging the image, having a zoom operation member to operate the optical zoom means,
Move the optical zoom position with the zoom operation member,
By further operating the zoom operation member at the telephoto end, the electronic zoom means can be controlled. By simultaneously operating the zoom operation member and an operation unit other than the zoom operation member, the electronic zoom unit can be operated even if the optical zoom position is not at the telephoto end. The objective zoom means can be controlled.

Further, the control method of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is a control method of an image pickup apparatus having operation means for picking up an image by an external operation, wherein the image pickup apparatus can enlarge and reduce an image to be taken. Optical zoom means, and electronic zoom means for electronically arbitrarily enlarging the image, having a zoom operation member to operate the optical zoom means,
Move the optical zoom position with the zoom operation member,
The electronic zoom means can be controlled using a member different from the zoom operation member, and by operating the zoom operation member and an operation unit other than the zoom operation member simultaneously, the electronic zoom unit can be operated even if the optical zoom position is not at the tele end. The objective zoom means can be controlled.

The storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as any one of the above means. Further, a storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the processing procedure of any of the above methods.

[0014]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image processing device. In this example, the image processing apparatus 100 may be mechanically and electrically detachably coupled to an interchangeable lens type lens unit 300 described later.
10 and the aperture 312 are included.

An image sensor 14 converts an optical image into an electric signal, and an A / D converter 16 converts an analog signal output of the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. 18 is an image sensor 1
4, a timing generation circuit for supplying a clock signal and a control signal to the A / D converter 16 and the D / A converter 26;
It is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an image processing circuit which performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on data from the A / D converter 16 or data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs an image cutout and an enlargement process, thereby realizing an electronic zoom function. In the image processing circuit 20, predetermined arithmetic processing is performed using the captured image data, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 based on the obtained arithmetic results. TTL (through-the-lens) type AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash) processing. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a memory control circuit, which includes an A / D converter 16, a timing generation circuit 18, an image processing circuit 20,
Image display memory 24, D / A converter 26, memory 30,
The compression / decompression circuit 32 is controlled. The data of the A / D converter 16 is transmitted through the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is transmitted directly through the memory control circuit 22 to the image display memory 24 or the memory 3.
Written to 0.

Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory; 26, a D / A converter; and 28, an image display unit composed of a TFT LCD or the like.
The image is displayed by the image display unit 28 via the / A converter 26. The electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially displaying the captured image data using the image display unit 28. Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the image processing unit 10
0 power consumption can be significantly reduced.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing photographed still images and moving images, which has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and moving images for a predetermined time. Thus, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, it is possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

32 is an adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT)
A compression / decompression circuit for compressing / decompressing image data by, for example, reading an image stored in the memory 30 and performing compression or decompression processing, and storing the processed data in the memory 3
Write to 0. These data are information when image data is imported to a storage medium described later, such as shooting date and time, continuous shooting,
The information is stored together with information such as a case where panorama shooting is performed.

Reference numeral 40 denotes shutter control means for controlling the shutter 12, 42 denotes distance measuring means, and 46 denotes photometric means.
Reference numeral 48 denotes a flash, which also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash dimming function. The shutter control means 40 and the distance measuring means 42 are controlled using the TTL method, and the system control circuit 50 controls the shutter control means 40 and the distance measuring means on the basis of the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20. 42 is controlled.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit for controlling the entire image processing apparatus 100, and reference numeral 52 denotes a memory for storing constants, variables, programs, and the like for operating the system control circuit 50. Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in response to execution of a program in the system control circuit 50. One or more units are installed near the part where they are easily visible.
It is composed of a combination of D, a sound generating element, and the like. The display unit 54 has a part of its functions installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

Among the display contents of the display unit 54, those displayed on the LCD or the like include a single shot / continuous shooting display, a self-timer display, a compression ratio display, a recording pixel number display, a recording number display, a remaining number of recordable images. Display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display,
Clock battery remaining amount display, battery remaining amount display, error display, information display with multiple digits, display of attachment / detachment status of recording media 200 and 210, communication I / F operation display, date / time display,
Etc.

Of the display contents of the display unit 54, those displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 include a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like. There is.

Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable and recordable nonvolatile memory, for example, an EEPROM or the like.

60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70
Is an operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, and is constituted by one or a combination of a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, and the like.

Here, these operation means will be specifically described. Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch for turning off the power,
Each function mode such as an automatic shooting mode, a shooting mode, a panoramic shooting mode, a playback mode, a multi-screen playback / erasing mode, and a PC connection mode can be switched and set.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned on during the operation of a shutter button (not shown) to perform AF (auto focus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (flash pre-flash).
An instruction to start an operation such as processing is issued.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2 which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and
Exposure processing for writing image data into the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22 with the signal read out from the memory 4, development processing using arithmetic operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, The image data is read out from the storage medium 20 and compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32.
It instructs the start of a series of operations called recording processing for writing image data to 0 or 210.

An image display ON / OFF switch 66 can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to an image display unit such as a TFT LCD when taking a picture using the optical viewfinder 104.

Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch, which sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data immediately after photographing. Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons and a touch panel. A menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single / continuous / self-timer switching button, and a menu shift + (plus) There are buttons, a menu move- (minus) button, a play image move + (plus) button, a play image- (minus) button, a shooting image quality selection button, an exposure correction button, a date / time setting button, and the like. In the present embodiment, the switch,
An input is detected by the operation unit, a switch operation is determined by the system control unit 50, and an action is performed for the operation of the buttons and the like.

The operation buttons of the operation unit 70 include [ME
NU] button, [SET] button, [+] button,
There is a [-] button and the like. These operation buttons of the operation unit 70 are used as follows. The [MENU] button activates the menu, and returns to the upper hierarchy under the menu hierarchy. The [SET] button is used to determine a menu selection item. Further, it is used as a second operation member for enabling the electronic zoom which is the subject of the present embodiment. The [+] button is used for image movement toward the latest image, menu item movement, and slide show pause / resume. The [-] button is used for moving an image toward the oldest photographed image, moving a menu item, and the like.

Reference numeral 72 denotes a power switch, and reference numeral 80 denotes power control means, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, and the like.
The presence / absence of a battery, the type of the battery, and the remaining battery level are detected, and the DC-DC converter is controlled based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control circuit 50. Supply to each part.

82 is a connector, 84 is a connector, 86 is a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a NiCd battery or the like.
It is a power supply means composed of a secondary battery such as a NiMH battery or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

Reference numerals 90 and 94 denote interfaces with recording media such as memory cards and hard disks, reference numerals 92 and 96 denote connectors for connection to recording media such as memory cards and hard disks, and reference numeral 98 denotes recording media 200 or 210 to connectors 92 and / or 96. Is a recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit for detecting whether or not the recording medium is attached.

In this embodiment, the description has been made assuming that there are two interfaces and a connector for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or plural number of systems. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which interfaces and connectors of different standards are provided in combination. The interface and the connector may be configured using a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card.

Further, when the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (Compact Flash) card, a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE 1394 card By connecting various communication cards such as a P1284 card, a SCSI card, a communication card such as a PHS, etc., image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to / from other computers and peripheral devices such as a printer. Can fit.

Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical finder, which receives light from a reflecting mirror 132 via a half mirror 130, and uses only the optical finder without using the electronic finder function of the image display unit 28. It is possible to shoot. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, such as a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display,
A shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure compensation display, and the like are provided.

Reference numeral 110 denotes communication means, such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1
It has various communication functions such as 394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, wireless communication, etc. Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the image processing apparatus 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

Reference numeral 120 denotes an interface for connecting the image processing apparatus 100 to the lens unit 300 in the lens mount 106, and reference numeral 122 denotes a connector.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 including a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, an interface 204 with the image processing apparatus 100, and the image processing apparatus 1
00 is provided with a connector 206 for making a connection. 210
Is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.
The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 including a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, an interface 214 with the image processing apparatus 100, and a connector 216 for connecting to the image processing apparatus 100.

Here, in the lens unit 300,
A lens mount 306 mechanically couples the lens unit 300 with the image processing apparatus 100. Various functions for electrically connecting the lens unit 300 to the image processing apparatus 100 are included in the lens mount 306.

Reference numeral 320 denotes an interface for connecting the lens unit 300 to the image processing apparatus 100;
Is a connector for electrically connecting the lens unit 300 to the image processing apparatus 100. The connector 322 controls signals between the image processing apparatus 100 and the lens unit 300,
It has a function of supplying or supplying currents of various voltages while transmitting status signals, data signals, and the like.
In addition, the connector 322 is used not only for electrical signals, but also for optical communications,
A configuration for transmitting voice communication or the like may be adopted.

Reference numeral 340 denotes exposure control means for controlling the stop 312, and also has a flash dimming function in cooperation with the flash 48. Reference numeral 342 denotes a distance measurement control unit that controls focusing of the imaging lens 310, and 344 denotes a zoom control unit that controls zooming of the imaging lens 310.

Reference numeral 350 denotes a lens system control circuit for controlling the entire lens unit 300. The lens system control circuit 350 is a memory for storing constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation, identification information such as a number unique to the lens unit 300, management information, function information such as an open aperture value, a minimum aperture value, and a focal length. It also has a function of a non-volatile memory for storing the past set values and the like.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an electronic camera to which the present image pickup device is applied. In the figure, 1 is a set button,
2 is a menu button, 3 is a macro button, 4 is a plus button, 5 is a minus button, and 6 is an LCD switch button.

Numeral 7 denotes a mode dial switch for switching between function modes such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, single playback mode, multi-screen playback / erasure mode, and PC connection mode. Can be. Reference numeral 8 denotes a shutter button. The image captured by the camera is displayed on the image display unit 9, which is normally
Since a CD (liquid crystal display) is used, the following L
Called CD. A screen for editing and setting for automatic reproduction is also displayed on the LCD 9.

Buttons 10 and 11 for operating the zoom are buttons for moving to the telephoto side and the wide side, respectively. Hereinafter, description will be given as a tele button and a wide button, respectively. In this embodiment, the magnification of the electronic zoom is
It can be set up to 1.2x, 1.4x, 1.6x, 1.8x, 2.0x.

By changing the optical zoom and the electronic zoom of the tele button 10 and the wide button 11 according to the following rules, the first operation method of the present invention can be realized. When the electronic zoom is not in effect and not at the tele end, or when the tele button is pressed, the optical zoom is moved to the tele side. When the electronic zoom is not in effect and at the tele end, or when the tele button is pressed, the electronic zoom is enabled (1.2x). When the electronic zoom is in effect and not at the tele end, when the tele button is pressed, the optical zoom is moved to the tele side. When the electronic zoom magnification does not reach the maximum (2.0x) in a state where the electronic zoom is effective, and when the tele button is pressed, the electronic zoom magnification is increased by one. If the tele button is pressed when the electronic zoom magnification reaches the maximum (2.0x) in a state where the electronic zoom is in effect, no action is taken on the tele button. When the electronic zoom is not in effect and not at the wide end, or when the wide button is pressed, the optical zoom is moved to the wide side. When the digital zoom is not in effect and at the wide end, if the wide button is pressed, no action is performed on the wide button. When the electronic zoom is in effect and the electronic zoom magnification reaches the minimum (1.2x) If the wide button is pressed when there is no electronic zoom magnification, the electronic zoom magnification is reduced to the next lower magnification. When the electronic zoom magnification reaches the minimum (1.2x) in a state where the electronic zoom is effective, the electronic zoom is canceled when the tele button is pressed.

Further, by changing the optical zoom and the electronic zoom according to the following rules, it is possible to set the magnification of the photographed image by an operation method different from the first operation method of the present invention. When the tele button is pressed while pressing the set button in a state where the electronic zoom is not effective, the electronic zoom maximum (x2) is enabled with the current optical zoom position. When the tele button is pressed while pressing the set button in a state where the electronic zoom is effective, no action is taken. When the wide button is pressed while pressing the set button in a state where the electronic zoom is in effect, the electronic zoom is canceled as it is at the current optical zoom position. If the wide button is pressed while pressing the set button in a state where the electronic zoom is not effective, no action is taken. It is clear that the present invention can be implemented by providing the above operation method.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a flow of processing for determining a combination of a tele button and a set button and realizing a method of switching between two electronic zooms and optical zooms. First, when the user presses the tele button and the set button in a photographable state, the button operated by the operation unit 70 and the system control unit 50 is determined, and the control is turned to this processing.

In step S1, if the operated button is the tele button alone, the processing is shifted to the judgment of steps S2, S3 and S6, and if the button is not at the tele end, one optical zoom position is moved to the tele side. I do. When the tele end and the electronic zoom are off, set the electronic zoom to x
Make it 1.1. If the electronic zoom magnification is not at the maximum value at the telephoto end, the electronic zoom magnification is increased by one step. If it is at the telephoto end and the electronic zoom magnification is the maximum, the process ends without doing anything. Is performed.

If the determination in step S1 is NO, the process is passed to the determination in step S8, and if it is determined that the button operation has been performed by pressing the set button and the tele button, the electronic zoom is performed in steps S9 and S10. If not, a process of maximizing and validating the electronic zoom is performed.

If neither the tele button is pressed alone nor the set button and the tele button are simultaneously pressed, no processing is performed after the determination in step S8, and no action is performed in the processing of FIG. Since the operation on the wide side is also equivalent to the operation on the tele side, the description is omitted. Further, in the above description, the electronic zoom magnification is described as five steps from x1.2 to x2.0 at maximum. However, the electronic zoom magnification, the number of steps, the optical zoom magnification, and the number of steps are not limited in the present invention. Can also be set.

In the first embodiment, it has been described that it is usually possible to operate both the optical zoom and the electronic zoom by operating the tele button and the wide button. The tele button and the wide button are used only for controlling the position of the optical zoom, and the magnification of the electronic zoom is, for example, a menu button existing on the operation unit 70,
It is possible to switch using a menu by using a “+” button, a “−” button, and a set button.

Also in this case, the present invention can be implemented by performing the following processing in addition to the switching by the menu. When the tele button is pressed while pressing the set button in a state where the electronic zoom is not effective, the electronic zoom maximum (x2) is enabled with the current optical zoom position. When the tele button is pressed while pressing the set button in a state where the electronic zoom is effective, no action is taken. When the wide button is pressed while pressing the set button in a state where the electronic zoom is in effect, the electronic zoom is canceled as it is at the current optical zoom position. If the wide button is pressed while pressing the set button in a state where the electronic zoom is not effective, no action is taken.

Here, each functional block and processing procedure shown in the above various embodiments may be constituted by hardware, or may be constituted by a CPU or MPU, ROM and R
It may be constituted by a microcomputer system composed of an AM or the like, and its operation may be realized according to a work program stored in a ROM or a RAM. The present invention also includes a software program for realizing the functions described above, which is provided to a RAM so as to realize the functions of the respective functional blocks, and which is executed by operating the functional blocks according to the programs. include.

In this case, the software program itself implements the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program itself and means for supplying the program to a computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program Constitute the present invention. As a storage medium for storing such a program, the above-described ROM or RAM
Besides, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-RO
M, CD-I, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, zi
p, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software running on the computer. Needless to say, such a program is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the above.

Further, after the supplied program is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program is provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to have a plurality of control methods for the optical zoom and the electronic zoom. That is, in addition to the means for changing the optical zoom and the electronic zoom, a zoom operating member is provided. The electronic zoom can be changed at any position of the optical zoom position by operating in combination with the operation unit. This allows you to easily and accurately change the electronic zoom,
An imaging device excellent in usability and operability can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an operation portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow in one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 set button 2 menu button 3 macro button 4 plus button 5 minus button 6 LCD switch button 7 mode dial switch 8 shutter button 9 LCD 10, 11 zoom button 14 image pickup device 16 A / D converter 18 timing generation circuit 20 image processing circuit Reference Signs List 22 memory control circuit 24 image display memory 26 D / A converter 30 memory 32 compression / expansion circuit 40 shutter control means 42 distance measurement means 46 photometry means 48 flash 50 system control circuit 52 memory 54 liquid crystal display device 56 non-volatile memory 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 Operating means 80 Power control means 82 Connector 84 Connector 86 Power means 90, 94 Interface 100 Image processing device 200, 210 Recording medium 300 Lens unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] An image pickup apparatus having an operation means for taking an image by an external operation, comprising: an optical zoom means capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be taken; and an electronic means for arbitrarily enlarging an image electronically. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a dynamic zoom unit; and a combination of an optical zoom function and an electronic enlargement function by a plurality of operation methods so that a magnification ratio of a captured image can be selected. 2. An image pickup apparatus having an operation means for taking an image by an external operation, comprising: an optical zoom means capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be taken; and an electronic means for arbitrarily enlarging an image electronically. A first operating member for changing an optical zoom ratio, and using the operating member to enable an electronic magnifying function in an optically maximally enlarged state with the operating member. A magnification ratio of the photographed image is selectable, and a second operation member different from the first operation member is provided. By using the second operation member, an optically enlarged state is obtained. An image pickup apparatus characterized in that a function of electronically enlarging an image is enabled, and a magnification of a captured image can be selected. 3. An image pickup apparatus having an operation means for taking an image by an external operation, comprising: an optical zoom means capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be taken; and an electronic means for arbitrarily enlarging an image electronically. Electronic zoom by moving the optical zoom position with the zoom operating member and further operating the zoom operating member at the telephoto end. The electronic zoom means can be controlled even if the optical zoom position is not at the tele end by simultaneously operating the zoom operation member and an operation unit other than the zoom operation member. Imaging device. 4. An image pickup apparatus having an operation means for taking an image by an external operation, comprising: an optical zoom means capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be taken; and an electronic means for arbitrarily enlarging an image electronically. A zoom operation member for operating the optical zoom means, moving the optical zoom position with the zoom operation member, and performing electronic zoom using a member different from the zoom operation member. The electronic zoom means can be controlled even if the optical zoom position is not at the tele end by simultaneously operating the zoom operation member and an operation unit other than the zoom operation member. Imaging device. 5. A control method of an image pickup apparatus having an operation unit for picking up an image by an external operation, the image pickup apparatus comprising: an optical zoom unit capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be shot; Electronic zoom means for arbitrarily enlarging an image, and a combination of an optical zoom function and an electronic enlarging function by a plurality of operation methods so that a magnification ratio of a photographed image can be selected. A method for controlling an imaging device. 6. A control method for an image pickup apparatus having an operation unit for picking up an image by an external operation, the image pickup apparatus comprising: an optical zoom unit capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be shot; Electronic zoom means for arbitrarily enlarging an image, having a first operation member for changing an optical zoom ratio, and using the operation member in a state where the operation member is optically enlarged to a maximum. Enabling the electronic magnifying function to select the magnification of the captured image, having a second operating member different from the first operating member, and using the second operating member, A method of controlling an imaging apparatus, wherein a function of electronically enlarging an image is enabled even when the image is not in a state of being maximally enlarged, and an enlargement ratio of a captured image can be selected. 7. A control method of an image pickup apparatus having an operation unit for picking up an image by an external operation, the image pickup apparatus comprising: an optical zoom unit capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be shot; Electronic zoom means for arbitrarily enlarging an image, having a zoom operation member for operating the optical zoom means, moving the optical zoom position with the zoom operation member, and further zooming at the tele end By operating the electronic zoom means, the electronic zoom means can be controlled even when the optical zoom position is not at the tele end by simultaneously operating the zoom operation member and an operation unit other than the zoom operation member. A method for controlling an imaging device, comprising: 8. A method for controlling an image pickup apparatus having an operation unit for picking up an image by an external operation, the image pickup apparatus comprising: an optical zoom unit capable of enlarging and reducing an image to be shot; Electronic zoom means for arbitrarily enlarging an image; and a zoom operation member for operating the optical zoom means. The zoom operation member is used to move an optical zoom position, and is provided separately from the zoom operation member. The electronic zoom means can be controlled using the member of (1), and the electronic zoom means is controlled even when the optical zoom position is not at the tele end by simultaneously operating the zoom operation member and an operation unit other than the zoom operation member. A method for controlling an imaging device, comprising: 9. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means according to claim 1. Description: 10. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a processing procedure of the method according to claim 5. Description: