JP2002158901A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera which makes possible the continuous display of a so-called through image for monitoring to check the object even in a so-called consecutive shooting mode wherein the object is continuously photographed in time sequence. SOLUTION: When setting a consecutive shooting function, if a release switch 18 is in an off state, a system controller 8 reads thinned-out image data from a CCD 1 to use it for displaying a through image, and using the image data, makes a liquid crystal display 13 display a through image. If the release switch 18 is in an on state, the system controller 8 reads all the pixels of the image data from the CCD 1 to use them for recording, and using the image data whose pixels are all read, executes a recording process, and at the same time, appropriates the image data for a resizing process by means of a processing circuit 5. Using the resized image data, the system controller 8 makes the liquid crystal display 13 display the through image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electronic camera that captures an image of a subject using a semiconductor image sensor such as a two-dimensional image sensor. The present invention relates to an electronic camera capable of continuously displaying an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a subject image is formed on a semiconductor image sensor, for example, a CCD two-dimensional image sensor by an imaging optical system and converted into an electric signal, and the image data of the obtained subject image is stored in a semiconductor memory or the like. A so-called electronic camera that records data on a recording medium has been widely used.

An electronic camera of this type is provided with a monitor for confirming a subject at the time of photographing or viewing a photographed image at the time of reproduction, such as a color liquid crystal display and an electronic viewfinder. Since the image displayed on the monitor for confirming the subject is required to be immediate, a function of thinning out the image data of the subject image and reading out the image data from the CCD two-dimensional image sensor is required in this type of electronic camera. Have. In other words, by shortening one reading time (although the image quality is reduced), a so-called through image display in which temporally continuous images are displayed as if they were moving images is performed using a subject image with a small time lag. It is possible to do it.

Some of such electronic cameras have a so-called continuous shooting function for continuously photographing a plurality of images. The continuous shooting function is to repeatedly execute image shooting while, for example, the release button is fully depressed. By using the continuous shooting function, the user can take a desired image without missing a photo opportunity, for example. Images can be easily taken.

[0005]

By the way, during photographing using this continuous shooting function, high-quality image data for recording must be read from the CCD two-dimensional image sensor, that is, image data for all pixels is read. Must be done. Therefore, during this time, thinning-out reading for displaying a through image cannot be performed. For example, display of a subject image on a monitor is temporarily stopped,
Alternatively, there has been a problem that the subject image immediately before the start of shooting has to be kept displayed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even during so-called continuous shooting in which images that are temporally continuous are taken, a so-called through image for monitoring for confirming a subject is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera capable of displaying images continuously.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electronic camera according to the present invention uses both image data read out from a CCD and image data read out from a CCD. Through-images can always be created continuously,
In an electronic camera that captures an image with a semiconductor imaging device, reading out part of pixel information from the semiconductor imaging device, or reading out pixel information from the semiconductor imaging device so as to read out all of the pixel information from the semiconductor imaging device Pixel information readout control means for controlling a pixel information readout control means, and an image obtained from a part of pixel information read out under the control of the pixel information readout control means and an image obtained from all pixel information are combined to confirm a subject. And a through image creating means for creating a monitor image.

More specifically, in an electronic camera for taking an image with a semiconductor image pickup device, the semiconductor image pickup device reads out the pixel information from the semiconductor image pickup device by thinning out the pixel information or reads out all the pixel information from the semiconductor image pickup device. Pixel information readout control means for controlling the readout of pixel information from the image sensor, an image obtained from the pixel information read out thinned out under the control of the pixel information readout control means, and an image obtained from the pixel information read out from all pixels And a through-image creating means for creating a temporally continuous monitor image for confirming the subject by connecting them in time series.

As one example, in an electronic camera that has a continuous shooting function for shooting images that are continuous in time and that shoots an image with a semiconductor image sensor, before and after the start of shooting using the continuous shooting function, A pixel that controls reading of pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor so as to read out pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor and to read out all pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor during shooting using the continuous shooting function. Information readout control means, and an image obtained from image information read out thinned out under the control of the pixel information readout control means and an image obtained from pixel information read out from all pixels are connected in time series to confirm a subject. And a through image creating means for creating a temporally continuous monitor image.

In the electronic camera according to the present invention, even during continuous shooting, a through image display can be continued using image data read out from the CCD by all pixels. The display of the subject image is not temporarily stopped, or the display of the subject image immediately before the start of shooting is not continued.

As another example, in an electronic camera having a continuous shooting function for taking a continuous image in time and taking an image by a semiconductor image pickup device, when the image is not taken, the pixel information is output from the semiconductor image pickup device. And read out,
At the time of shooting, pixel information read control means for controlling reading of pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor so as to read all pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor, and before and after shooting using the continuous shooting function A temporally continuous monitor image for confirming a subject is created from an image obtained from the image information read out thinned out under the control of the pixel information readout control means, and during shooting using the continuous shooting function, A through image in which an image obtained from image information read out thinned out under the control of the pixel information reading control means and an image obtained from pixel information read out from all pixels are mixed in a time series to create a monitor image. And a creation means.

According to the electronic camera of the present invention, during continuous shooting, in addition to displaying a through image using image data read out from all pixels, the electronic camera uses image data read out thinned out between shootings. By performing the through image display, it is possible to present a subject image with a smaller delay, that is, a highly immediate subject image for confirmation.

Further, the electronic camera of the present invention has a continuous shooting function for photographing a temporally continuous image and a rec view function for displaying a photographed image immediately after the photographing for confirmation, and the semiconductor image pickup device In an electronic camera that captures an image, when not capturing, pixel information from the semiconductor imaging device is read out by thinning out pixel information from the semiconductor imaging device, and when capturing, pixels from the semiconductor imaging device are read out so that all pixel information is read from the semiconductor imaging device. Pixel information reading control means for controlling the reading of information, and when shooting using the continuous shooting function is performed in a state where the rec view function is set to valid,
An image obtained from the pixel information read out from all the pixels under the control of the pixel information readout control means is displayed for the confirmation, and between the display for confirmation, the image is read out thinned out under the control of the pixel information readout control means. Display control means for displaying an image obtained from the obtained pixel information for monitoring a subject.

In the electronic camera according to the present invention, even when continuous shooting is performed with a so-called rec view function, which displays a shot image immediately after shooting for confirmation, the so-called rec view function is effective.
In order to display a through image between these confirmation displays,
This allows the user to continuously check the subject image.

Preferably, the display control means includes means for controlling a display time of an image displayed for confirmation according to a time interval of photographing using the continuous shooting function. As a result, it is possible to achieve a good balance between the confirmation of the captured image by the rec view function and the confirmation of the subject image by the through image display function.

It is preferable that the display control means includes means for attaching a predetermined mark or text for notifying that the display is the confirmation display to the image displayed for the confirmation. This makes it possible to recognize whether the image being displayed is a captured image by the rec view function or a subject image by the through image display function.

[0017]

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

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera includes a CCD two-dimensional color image sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as a CCD) 1 for converting a subject image incident through a lens and an aperture 17 into an electric signal, and a CCD 1 Correlation double sampling circuit (CDS) 2 for removing reset noise and the like from the output, gain control amplifier (AMP) 3 for adjusting the gain of the output of CDS 2, and conversion of the output signal of AMP 3 into a digital signal. An analog-to-digital converter (A / D) 4 and a process processing circuit 5 for performing various processes on an image signal converted into a digital signal
And a drive signal such as various transfer pulses for driving the CCD 1, a pulse for sampling and holding in the CDS 2, and a timing pulse for performing A / D conversion in the A / D 4. Timing generator (TG) 6 which performs
A signal generator (SG) 7 for generating a signal for synchronizing with the camera, a system controller 8 comprising a microcomputer, for example, which constitutes reading control means for the CCD 1 and performs various controls including timing and the like for the entire camera. And pixel data of the CCD 1 output from the process processing circuit 5 and a recording medium 16 described later.
, A DRAM 9 constituting a memory for storing image data supplied through a compression / expansion circuit 15, an autofocus circuit (AF) 10 for controlling automatic focusing by a lens and an aperture 17, and an image formed on the CCD 1. An automatic exposure control circuit (AE) 11 for photometry of a subject image,
An auto white circuit (AWB) 12 for automatically controlling the white balance, a liquid crystal display device 13 which is a monitor built in the camera, and an image signal or the like to be output to a display device such as an external monitor. The external display terminal 14 and the image data for one frame stored in the DRAM 9 are compressed in order to reduce the amount of data to be recorded on a recording medium 16 to be described later, and the compressed data read from the recording medium 16 is compressed. Compression / expansion circuit 15 for expanding image data
And a recording medium 16 for recording still image data.

The system controller 8 is connected to a release switch 18 for generating a trigger when a release button (not shown) is pressed, and a strobe device 19 for illuminating a subject.

In this camera, when recording an image on the recording medium 16, the CDS2, AMP3,
Through the A / D 4 and the process processing circuit 5, the image data obtained by the CCD 1 is subjected to display processing such as resizing for converting the pixel size in order to display the image data on the liquid crystal display device 13 having a smaller number of pixels than the CCD 1 and output. The supplied image data is supplied to, for example, the liquid crystal display device 13 and displayed. Thus, the user can determine the composition of the subject while viewing the liquid crystal display device 13. In this state, when the release button is pressed, the compression / expansion circuit 1 is sent from the process processing circuit 5 via the DRAM 9.
The image data supplied to the recording medium 1 is compressed.
6 is recorded.

When reproducing the image data recorded on the recording medium 16, the compressed data read from the recording medium 16 is expanded by the compression / expansion circuit 15 and is subjected to DR processing.
The image data written to the AM 9 and the image data written to the DRAM 9 are converted by the process processing circuit 5 into image data obtained by the CCD 1 on a liquid crystal display device 13 having a smaller number of pixels than the CCD 1. The display processing is performed, and the data is supplied to the external display device via the liquid crystal display device 13 and the external display terminal 14, and is reproduced as a still image.

The display of the image data on the liquid crystal display device 13 performed when an image is recorded on the recording medium 16 is a so-called through image display. In order to present a subject in real time in the through image display, a system is used. The controller 8 receives the image data from the CCD 1 every several lines.
Control is performed such that only the lines are thinned out and read out (thinned out reading). The required time at this time is, for example, 1/30
Second, and by using the thinned-out read image data, for example, C which requires a time of 1/15 second is used.
Compared to the case where all the image data is read from the CD 1 (all pixel reading), it is possible to display a through image with less delay time and more immediateness.

This camera has a continuous photographing function for photographing a temporally continuous image while the release button is pressed. During shooting using the continuous shooting function, high-quality image data is required.
It controls reading of image data from CD1. Therefore, during this period, the thinning-out reading for obtaining the image data used for the through image display cannot be performed, and as it is, the inconvenience such as temporarily suspending the through image display is generated as in the related art.

Therefore, in this camera, this problem is solved by the system controller 8 executing a through image creation control unique to the present invention. Hereinafter, this through image creation control will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a first timing chart for explaining a through image creation control peculiar to the present invention.

Now, it is assumed that the continuous shooting speed is set so that shooting is performed at 15 frames per second, that is, at 1/15 second intervals. Here, this is referred to as high-speed continuous shooting.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the release button is not depressed (standby), the system controller 8 performs thinning-out reading which is completed in a short time of 1/30 second for displaying a through image, that is, 30 seconds per second. The reading of the image data from the CCD 1 is repeated every cycle. Then, the system controller 8 causes the liquid crystal display device 13 to display the thinned-out read image data. Therefore, the through image display is executed while maintaining a very high immediacy such as a delay of about 1/30 second.

On the other hand, pressing the release button (high-speed continuous shooting)
At this time, the system controller 8 uses, for recording, all-pixel reading completed in 1/15 second, that is, 1 second per second.
The reading of the image data from the CCD 1 is repeated in five cycles. Then, at this time, the system controller 8 controls the driving of the process processing circuit 5 and the liquid crystal display device 14 in order to display a through image using the image data read out of all pixels for recording.

That is, the system controller 8 first processes the image data written in the DRAM 9 to convert the image data read out from all pixels into image data for display equivalent to the image data read out thinned out. The circuit 5 is caused to execute a resizing process. next,
The system controller 8 causes the liquid crystal display device 13 to execute a through image display using the image data resized by the process processing circuit 5. In this case, the through image display has a delay of about 1/15 second, which is about twice as long as when the release button is not pressed, but has a very high immediacy that does not hinder the user from confirming the subject. Will still be maintained.

As described above, the system controller 8
Since the image data at the time of standby read out thinned out from the CCD 1 and the image data at the time of high-speed continuous shooting read out of all pixels can be connected in a time series, a through image display can be continuously created. However, such a problem does not occur that the display of the subject image on the monitor is temporarily interrupted.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a description will be given of the through-image creation control in the case where the continuous shooting speed is set so that five images are taken per second, that is, at 1/5 second intervals. Here, this is referred to as low-speed continuous shooting. FIG. 3 is a second timing chart for explaining the live view image creation control unique to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the release button is not depressed (standby), the system controller 8 performs thinning-out reading for displaying a through image in a short time of 1/30 second, that is, 30 seconds per second. The reading of the image data from the CCD 1 is repeated every cycle. Therefore, the through image display is executed while maintaining a very high immediacy such as a delay of about 1/30 second. The operation principle at this time is the same as in the case of the high-speed continuous shooting described above.

On the other hand, pressing the release button (low-speed continuous shooting)
At this time, the system controller 8 repeats the reading of the image data from the CCD 1 at a cycle of five times per second by reading all the pixels completed in 1/15 second for recording. In addition to this, the system controller 8
The interval between reading of image data from the CCD 1 by reading all pixels, that is, 1/5 second (imaging interval) to 1 /
15 / second (time required for reading all pixels) 2 /
The readout of image data from the CCD 1 is repeated four times at a cycle of 30 times per second by thinning-out reading which is completed in 1/30 seconds for displaying a through image in 15 seconds.

The system controller 8 controls the driving of the process processing circuit 5 and the liquid crystal display device 14 in order to display a through image by using the image data read out from all pixels for recording. Further resizes the thinned-out image data for live view image display and causes the liquid crystal display device 13 to display it.

That is, the system controller 8 first causes the process processing circuit 5 to execute a resizing process in order to convert the image data read out from all pixels into image data for display equivalent to the image data read out thinned out.
Next, the system controller 8 causes the liquid crystal display device 13 to execute a through image display using the image data resized by the process processing circuit 5. Furthermore, during the all-pixel reading process, the thinned-out read image data is resized and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13.

As a result, in the through image display in this case, compared to the case where all the image data read out from all the pixels for recording are diverted, almost one-third of the continuous shooting period is used. The / 15 second delay can be reduced to about 1/30 second delay, and a more immediate subject image can be presented.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, an application example of the through image creation control specific to the present invention will be described.

This camera is provided with a rec view function for displaying a photographed image immediately after the photographing so that the user can confirm the photographed image. Then, when performing continuous shooting in a state in which the rec view function is set to be valid, the system controller 8 applies the above-described operation principle of the through image creation control in which thinning-out reading is interposed between all pixel readings.

Now, the rec view function is enabled and the continuous shooting function is set so that the continuous shooting speed is set so that three shots are taken per second, that is, at 1/3 second intervals. (FIG. 4A).

At the time of continuous shooting in this case, the system controller 8 repeats reading of image data from the CCD 1 three times per second by reading all pixels which are completed in 1/15 second for recording. In addition, in addition to this, the system controller 8 controls the C
Between reading image data from CD1, that is, 1 /
In 4/15 seconds obtained by subtracting 1/15 second (required time for reading out all pixels) from 3 seconds (imaging interval), by thinning-out reading completed in 1/30 second for displaying a through image,
Reading of image data from the CCD 1 is repeated eight times at a cycle of 30 times per second.

Then, the system controller 8 operates the process processing circuit 5 and the liquid crystal display device 1 so as to display the image data read out of all pixels for recording in a rec-view display.
4 is controlled, and in the meantime, the image data that has been thinned and read out for displaying a through image is further resized and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13.

That is, the system controller 8 first causes the process processing circuit 5 to perform a resizing process in order to convert the image data read out from all pixels into image data equivalent to the image data read out thinned out. Next, the system controller 8 causes the liquid crystal display device 13 to execute a display process in order to perform a rec view display using the image data resized by the process processing circuit 5. This rec view display is executed, for example, every 2/15 seconds for each frame. Further, during the rec view display, the thinned-out image data is resized and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 (FIG. 4B).

As described above, the system controller 8
In order to display a through image between Rec View displays,
Even when continuous shooting is performed with the rec view function enabled, an instant subject image can be provided to the user.

Further, the system controller 8 controls the display time of the rec view display according to the continuous shooting speed at that time. For example, as shown for reference in FIG. 4C, it is assumed that the continuous shooting speed is set so that shooting is performed at five frames per second, that is, at an interval of 1/5 second.

In this case, the system controller 8 performs the recording shown in FIG. 4B when the continuous shooting speed is set to three frames per second, that is, when shooting is performed at intervals of 1/3 second. Unlike the view display time (2/15 second), the rec view display is executed for each frame, for example, 1/15 second.

As described above, by controlling the display time of the rec view display in accordance with the continuous shooting speed, the confirmation of the photographed image by the rec view display and the confirmation of the subject image by the through image display can be achieved in a well-balanced manner. Is possible.

When performing the rec-view display, the system controller 8 controls the drive of the process processing circuit 5 so as to add a mark or a text to the image for notifying that the display is the rec-view display.

Now, it is assumed that, as a result of continuous shooting with the rec view function set to be valid, display is performed in the order shown in FIG. 5, for example. That is, it is assumed that two through image displays are performed between successive rec view displays. Under the control of the system controller 8, at the time of the rec view display, a mark (a) for notifying the user is given to each image.

Thus, it is possible for the user to recognize whether the image being displayed is a captured image by the rec view display or a subject image by the through image display.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, an operation procedure relating to the live view image display of the camera will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure relating to the live view image display when performing high-speed continuous shooting.

The system controller 8 first checks whether the release button has been pressed (step A).
1) If not pressed (NO in step A1),
The reading of image data from the CCD 1 is executed by thinning-out reading (step A2). Then, the system controller 8 executes through-image display using the thinned-out read image data (step A3).

On the other hand, if the release button is pressed (YES in step A1), the system controller 8
After adjusting the focus and exposure (step A4), C
The reading of the image data from the CD1 is executed by reading all the pixels (step A5). Then, the system controller 8 executes the recording processing of the photographed image using the image data read out from all pixels (step A6), and similarly diverts the image data read out from all pixels to perform the resizing processing. A through image display is executed (step A7).

Thereafter, the system controller 8 checks whether or not the release button is continuously depressed (step A8). If the release button is continuously depressed (YES in step A8), the processing from step A5 is repeated. . If the release button has been pressed (NO in step A8), a through image display at the time of standby by CCD 1 thinning-out reading is executed (step A8).
2 to step A3).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure relating to the display of a through image when low-speed continuous shooting is performed.

The system controller 8 first checks whether the release button has been pressed (step B).
1) If not pressed (NO in step B1),
Reading of image data from the CCD 1 is executed by thinning-out reading (step B2). Then, the system controller 8 executes the through image display using the thinned-out image data (step B3).

On the other hand, if the release button has been pressed (YES in step B1), the system controller 8
After adjusting the focus and exposure (step B4), C
The reading of the image data from the CD 1 is executed by reading all the pixels (step B5). Then, the system controller 8 executes the recording processing of the photographed image using the image data read out from all the pixels (step B6), and also uses the image data read out from all the pixels to perform the resizing processing. A through image display is executed (step B7).

Next, the system controller 8 includes a CCD
The image data is read from 1 by thinning-out reading (step B8), and a through image display including a resizing process is executed using the thinned-out image data (step B9). The system controller 8 uses this CCD
Execution of a through image display by one thinning-out reading (steps B8 to B9) is executed for a cycle corresponding to the continuous shooting speed (step B10).

When the execution of the through image display by the thinning-out reading of the CCD 1 (steps B8 to B9) is completed for the cycle corresponding to the continuous shooting speed (step B1).
0 (YES), the system controller 8 checks whether or not the release button is continuously pressed (step B11). If the release button is kept depressed (YES in step B11), the processing from step B5 is repeated, and if the release button is ended (NO in step B11), execution of a through image display during standby by thinning-out reading of the CCD1 is performed. The process proceeds to (Step B2 to Step B3).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure relating to the live view image display when continuous shooting is performed in a state where the rec view function is enabled.

The system controller 8 first checks whether the release button has been pressed (step C).
1) If not pressed (NO in step C1),
Reading of image data from the CCD 1 is executed by thinning-out reading (step C2). Then, the system controller 8 executes a through image display using the thinned-out image data (step C3).

On the other hand, if the release button has been pressed (YES in step C1), the system controller 8
After adjusting the focus and exposure (step C4),
Reading of image data from CD1 is executed by reading all pixels (step C5). Then, the system controller 8 executes the recording process of the photographed image using the image data read out from all pixels (step C6), and also performs the resizing process by diverting the image data read out from all pixels. A rec view image display is executed (step C7). Further, the system controller 8 continues to display the rec-view image until the rec-view display time corresponding to the continuous shooting speed has elapsed (step C8).

Next, the system controller 8 has a CCD
Image data is read out by thinning-out reading from step 1 (step C9), and a through image display is executed using the thinned-out image data (step C10). The system controller 8 executes the through image display by the thinning-out reading of the CCD 1 (step C9 to step C10) for the cycle corresponding to the continuous shooting speed (step C11).

The execution of the through image display by the CCD 1 thinning-out reading (step C9 to step C10) is as follows.
Upon completion of the cycle corresponding to the continuous shooting speed (step C
11), the system controller 8
It is checked whether or not the release button is continuously pressed (step C12). If the release button is kept depressed (YES in step C12), the processing from step C5 is repeated, and if the release button is ended (NO in step C12), execution of a through image display during standby by CCD 1 thinning-out reading is performed. The process proceeds to (Step C2 to Step C3).

As described above, according to the through image creation control peculiar to the present invention, the so-called through image for monitor for confirming the subject even at the time of so-called continuous shooting in which a temporally continuous image is taken. Can be displayed continuously.

[0067]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the image data read thinned out from the CCD and the C
Since the through image can always be created continuously using both the image data read from the CD and all the pixels, the image data read from the CCD is read even during continuous shooting. , The display of the through image can be continued, so that, for example, the display of the subject image on the monitor is not temporarily interrupted or the subject image immediately before the start of the photographing is not continuously displayed as in the related art.

Further, during continuous shooting, in addition to displaying a through image using the image data read out from all pixels, a through image display is performed using the image data read out decimated between shootings. Thereby, it is possible to present a subject image with a smaller delay, that is, a more immediate image for confirmation.

Further, as an application thereof, when continuous shooting is performed with a so-called rec view function in which a photographed image is displayed immediately after photographing for confirmation, a through image is displayed between the confirmation displays. By performing the display, the user can continuously check the subject image.

By controlling the display time in accordance with the continuous shooting speed, it is possible to achieve a good balance between the confirmation of the photographed image by the rec view function and the confirmation of the subject image by the through image display function. By notifying that the image is the rec-view display, it is possible to recognize whether the image being displayed is a captured image by the rec-view function or a subject image by the through-image display function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a first timing chart for explaining through-image creation control specific to the present invention, which is executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a second timing chart for explaining through-image creation control specific to the present invention, which is executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining an application example of live view image creation control unique to the present invention, which is executed by the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining an example in which the electronic camera of the embodiment attaches a mark to an image to notify that the electronic camera is in the rec view display.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure related to live view display when the electronic camera of the embodiment performs high-speed continuous shooting.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure relating to live view display when the electronic camera of the embodiment performs low-speed continuous shooting.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining an operation procedure related to live view display when continuous shooting is performed in a state where the rec view function of the electronic camera according to the embodiment is set to valid.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CCD two-dimensional color image sensor (CCD) 2 ... Correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 3 ... Gain control amplifier (AMP) 4 ... Analog digital converter (A / D) 5 ... Process processing circuit 6 ... Timing generator (TG) 7) Signal generator (SG) 8 ... System controller 9 ... DRAM 10 ... Autofocus circuit (AF) 11 ... Automatic exposure control circuit (AE) 12 ... Auto white circuit (AWB) 13 ... Liquid crystal display device 14 ... External display Terminal 15: Compression / expansion circuit 16: Recording medium 17: Lens and aperture 18: Release switch 19: Flash device

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/335 H04N 5/335 P 5C053 5/907 5/907 B 5/765 5/91 L 5/91 J F term (Ref.) 5C053 FA08 GB21 HA22 KA04 KA24 KA25 KA26 LA01

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera for photographing an image with a semiconductor imaging device, wherein a part of pixel information is read from the semiconductor imaging device, or all of the pixel information is read from the semiconductor imaging device. Pixel information readout control means for controlling the readout of the pixel information, and a combination of an image obtained from some of the pixel information read out under the control of the pixel information readout control means and an image obtained from all the pixel information. An electronic camera, comprising: a through image creating unit that creates a monitor image for checking a subject. 2. An electronic camera for photographing an image with a semiconductor image sensor, wherein the pixel information is read out by thinning out the semiconductor image sensor, or the pixel information is read from the semiconductor image sensor so that all the pixel information is read from the semiconductor image sensor. A pixel information read control unit that controls reading of pixel information; and a time series of an image obtained from the pixel information read out thinned out under the control of the pixel information read control unit and an image obtained from the pixel information read out from all pixels. An electronic camera, comprising: a through-image creating unit that creates a temporally continuous monitor image for checking a subject by connecting to the camera. 3. An electronic camera which has a continuous shooting function for shooting a continuous image in time and shoots an image by a semiconductor image pickup device, wherein before and after the end of shooting using the continuous shooting function, the semiconductor imaging is performed. Pixel information readout control for reading out pixel information from the semiconductor image pickup device so as to read out pixel information from the device and to read out all pixel information from the semiconductor image pickup device at the time of shooting using the continuous shooting function. Means for connecting an image obtained from the image information read out thinned out under the control of the pixel information readout control means and an image obtained from the pixel information read out from all pixels in a time series to confirm a subject. And a through image creating means for creating a continuous monitor image. 4. An electronic camera which has a continuous shooting function for shooting a continuous image in time and shoots an image with a semiconductor image pickup device, wherein when non-shooting, pixel information is thinned out and read out from the semiconductor image pickup device. At the time of shooting, pixel information read control means for controlling reading of pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor so as to read all pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor, before and after shooting using the continuous shooting function A temporally continuous monitor image for confirming a subject is created from an image obtained from the image information read out thinned out under the control of the pixel information readout control means, and during shooting using the continuous shooting function, From the image obtained from the image information read out thinned out under the control of the pixel information readout control means and the pixel information read out from all pixels. Electronic camera characterized by comprising a through-image creating means for mixedly in time series and images to be to create an image for the monitor. 5. An electronic camera having a continuous photographing function for photographing a temporally continuous image and a rec view function for displaying a photographed image immediately after photographing for confirming the photographed image, and photographing the image with a semiconductor image sensor. In non-photographing, the pixel information is read out by thinning out the pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor, and at the time of image capturing, reading of pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor is performed so as to read out all pixel information from the semiconductor image sensor. Information reading control means, when shooting using the continuous shooting function is performed in a state where the rec view function is set to valid, from pixel information read out of all pixels under the control of the pixel information reading control means The obtained image is displayed for the confirmation, and during the interval between the confirmation displays, the thinning-out readout is controlled by the pixel information readout control means. Electronic camera characterized by comprising a display control means for displaying an image obtained from the pixel information for monitoring of the subject. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display control means includes means for controlling a display time of an image to be displayed for confirmation in accordance with a time interval of photographing using said continuous shooting function. Item 6. The electronic camera according to item 5. 7. The display control device according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit includes a unit that attaches a predetermined mark or text for notifying that the display is the confirmation display to the image displayed for the confirmation. Or the electronic camera of 6.