JP2004056222A - Imaging apparatus, control method for imaging apparatus, program, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus that can be downsized and made lightweight at a low cost and realize photographing of a moving picture and photographing of a highly precise still picture. <P>SOLUTION: In the moving picture photographing mode, a read area of a solid-state imaging element 106 is set to a moving picture mode, and in the still picture photographing mode, the read area of the solid-state imaging element 106 is set to a still picture of a small size or a still picture of a large size depending on whether the selected image size for still picture recording is small or large. Furthermore, in the still picture photographing mode, when a light receiving area at a position of a second lens group 102 at present is smaller than a read area which a solid-state imaging element control means 109 is going to read, the imaging apparatus inhibits a camera signal processing means 108 to output an imaging signal and outputs a prescribed muting signal instead of the imaging signal as its control and forcibly moves the second lens group 102 up to a prescribed position in a telescopic direction to set the light receiving area to be the read area or wider. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a video camera equipped with an inner focus type lens system, a control method of the image pickup apparatus, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium, particularly using an image pickup element having a wide image pickup area. This is suitable when video signals having different imaging regions are generated and these video signals are switched to operate.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional imaging device. As shown in the figure, the imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device 501, a solid-state imaging device control unit 502, an AD converter 503, a camera signal generation unit 504, a DA converter 505, a first clock generation unit 506, and a second Clock generating means 507, first control signal generating means 508, second control signal generating means 509, low-pass filter means 510, thinning means 511, first converting means 512, second converting means 513, third clock Means 514, third control signal generating means 515, selecting means 516 and the like.
[0003]
In such a configuration, by switching between the two clocks, a video signal in an arbitrary region of the solid-state imaging device 501 can be selectively read. Therefore, when shooting a moving image, it is possible to shoot an image necessary for the moving image standard, and when shooting a still image, it is possible to shoot a high-definition image using more pixels.
[0004]
Further, according to the image quality setting of the still image recording medium, for example, setting of the image size such as small / large, the first clock is used to read out a small pixel area in the small size and read out all the pixel areas of the solid-state imaging device 501 in the large size. If the generating means 506 and the second clock generating means 507 are set, the small-size image data amount can be recorded with a small image compression ratio, so that high-quality video can be recorded in a short recording time. Will be possible.
[0005]
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of a conventionally used inner focus type lens system. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a fixed first lens group, 102 denotes a second lens group for performing magnification, 103 denotes an aperture, 104 denotes a fixed third lens group, and 105 denotes a focus adjustment function and magnification. A fourth lens group (focus lens) having also a so-called competition function for correcting the movement of the focal plane due to the solid-state imaging device 106 (the solid-state imaging device 501 shown in FIG. 4). )).
[0006]
As is well known, in the lens system configured as shown in FIG. 5, the focus lens 105 has both the focus adjustment function and the competition function. The position of the focus lens 105 for focusing differs depending on the subject distance.
[0007]
When the subject distance is changed at each focal length, the position of the focus lens 105 for focusing on the imaging surface is plotted continuously as shown in FIG. During zooming, if the trajectory shown in FIG. 6 is selected according to the subject distance and the focus lens 105 is moved along the trajectory, zooming without blurring becomes possible.
[0008]
In recent years, in order to reduce the size of the imaging device, the area of light received on the image sensor is made variable by the focal length, and the light receiving area (the so-called effective image circle diameter) on the wide-angle side is reduced, so that the front lens ( A method of reducing the diameter of the first lens group 101) in FIG. 5 is employed. For example, an imaging device that uses an image sensor having more pixels than the moving image standard and changes the light receiving area so that only the pixel region of the moving image standard can receive light on the wide side and the entire image sensor on the tele side can receive light. .
[0009]
In such an imaging apparatus, it is possible to perform electronic camera shake correction by cutting out a pixel area of the moving image standard and moving the cutout position by an amount corresponding to the surplus pixels from a focal length that can be received by pixels of the moving image standard or more.
[0010]
7A shows an example of a change characteristic of the effective image circle diameter with respect to the focal length, FIG. 7B shows the relationship between the pixel area at the wide end and the effective image circle diameter, and FIG. 7C shows the specific focal length 401 ( (A)) shows the relationship between the pixel area and the effective image circle diameter.
[0011]
As can be seen from FIG. 7, if the cutout position is changed at the wide end with respect to the focal length, vignetting occurs on the photographing screen, but on the telephoto side above the point 401, vignetting on the screen occurs even if the cutout position is changed. It turns out that it does not. In other words, the image stabilization range is limited at a wide angle from the point 401 (the image stabilization cannot be performed at the wide end), whereas it is possible to perform the image stabilization at a telephoto angle from the point 401.
[0012]
Although the vibration reduction range is limited as described above, the downsizing of the lens has a great advantage of reducing the cost and size and weight of the image pickup apparatus main body.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional example, the readout area of the solid-state imaging device 501 is different between the first clock for capturing a moving image and the second clock for capturing a still image. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, in the first clock, an image of an area which is a partial area (broken line) of the subject image in the solid-state imaging device 501, that is, FIG. 8B is read. On the other hand, in the second clock, an image which is the entire area of the solid-state imaging device 501, that is, FIG. 8C is read.
[0014]
Therefore, when an imaging device capable of capturing both a moving image and a still image as described above is combined with an effective image diameter variable lens type that is excellent in size and weight, the effective image diameter is, for example, as shown in FIG. When only the pixel area necessary for the broadcasting method is the light receiving area as in the minimum effective image circle diameter 601 of a), a moving image can be captured, but the entire effective pixel of the solid-state image sensor 501 is captured like a still image. When a video signal is created by using the video signal, there is a problem that vignetting of the screen occurs.
[0015]
Further, if the effective image circle diameter is always set as the minimum effective image circle diameter 602 in FIG. 8A, the diameter of the front lens must eventually be increased, and the size of the lens is reduced. In addition to this, the advantage of downsizing of the imaging apparatus body is lost, and the camera is expensive and large and heavy for the user.
[0016]
Similarly, when the effective image circle diameter is only the small-sized pixel region at the time of photographing a still image, such as the minimum effective image circle diameter 601, the small-size photographing is possible, but the large-size photographing is possible. In the case where a video signal is generated using the entire effective pixels of the solid-state imaging device 501 as described above, there is a problem that vignetting of the screen occurs.
[0017]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems, to reduce the size and weight of the camera at low cost, and to realize moving image shooting and high-definition still image shooting.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The imaging apparatus of the present invention is an imaging apparatus that uses an optical lens group including a zoom lens group that performs at least a zoom operation, and an imaging element that converts a subject image that has passed through the optical lens group into a video signal. Light-receiving area control means for controlling the position of the optical lens group to change the size of the light-receiving area on the image sensor; and image sensor control means for reading an arbitrary read area from the effective pixel area of the image sensor as a video signal And control means for setting different readout areas in the moving image shooting mode and the still image shooting mode, and setting different reading areas in accordance with the selected image size of the still image recording in the still image shooting mode. It is characterized by points.
[0019]
According to another feature of the imaging apparatus of the present invention, the light receiving area control unit may be configured such that when only a part of the reading area is a light receiving area, the entire reading area is a light receiving area. This is in controlling the position of the optical lens group.
[0020]
Another feature of the imaging apparatus of the present invention is that, when the light receiving area control means controls the position of the optical lens group so that the entire surface of the readout area becomes the light receiving area, the selection of the still image recording is performed. It has a plurality of optical lens group position control targets according to the image size.
[0021]
Another feature of the imaging apparatus of the present invention is that output of a video signal received by the image sensor is inhibited while the light receiving area control unit controls the optical lens group to change a light receiving area. That is, there is provided a prohibition means.
[0022]
Another feature of the image pickup apparatus of the present invention is that while the light receiving area control means controls the optical lens group to change the light receiving area, a predetermined signal generating section outputs a predetermined image as a video signal. The point is that there is a means.
[0023]
The method for controlling an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is a method for controlling an imaging apparatus having an imaging element that converts an object image into a video signal using an optical lens group including a zoom lens group that performs at least a zooming operation. A step of controlling a position of an optical lens group to change a size of a light receiving area on the image sensor; and a step of reading an arbitrary read area as a video signal from an effective pixel area of the image sensor. It is characterized in that different readout areas are set in the mode and the still image shooting mode, and different readout areas are set in accordance with the selected image size of the still image recording in the still image shooting mode.
[0024]
The program according to the present invention is a program for controlling an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device that converts a subject image into a video signal by using an optical lens group including a variable power lens group that performs at least a variable power operation. A process of controlling a lens group position to change a size of a light receiving area on the image sensor, and a process of reading an arbitrary read area as a video signal from an effective pixel area of the image sensor, A different read area is set between the time and the still image shooting mode, and different read areas are set according to the selected image size of the still image recording in the still image shooting mode.
[0025]
A computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention is characterized in that the above-described program is stored.
[0026]
According to the present invention as described above, the video signal readout area in the solid-state imaging device is changed in accordance with the switching of the shooting mode of the moving image shooting or the still image shooting or the switching of the selected image size of the still image recording in the still image shooting mode. Can be set to be different. When setting the readout area, the position of the lens group is controlled so that the light receiving area of the solid-state imaging device is equal to or larger than the video signal readout area. By taking advantage of this advantage, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the imaging device body and reduce the cost, and to realize high-resolution still image shooting.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of an imaging apparatus, a control method of an imaging apparatus, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0028]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, a fixed first lens group 101 (front lens), a second lens group 102 (magnifying lens) for performing magnification, a diaphragm 103 such as an iris stop, and the like are fixed. The third lens group 104 and the fourth lens group 105 (focus lens) having both a focusing function and a competing function constitute an inner focus type lens system.
[0029]
The image light transmitted through the lens system forms an image on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 106, and is converted into a video signal by photoelectric conversion. The video signal is amplified to an optimum level by the amplifier 107, and then input to the camera signal processing unit 108, where it is converted into a standard television signal.
[0030]
The camera signal processing unit 108 performs an aperture process, a gamma correction process, a knee process, a Y / C separation process, and the like on the input digital video signal, and particularly performs an interpolation process for converting the number of scanning lines when capturing a still image. Then, a process of outputting a one-frame still image is performed.
[0031]
In addition, the camera signal processing unit 108 responds to a command from the system control unit 111 to replace a predetermined image signal (for example, a color fade signal such as blue, white, or black, A predetermined signal generation unit 108a capable of outputting a signal such as a warning screen to the photographer), and performs a process of muting the imaging signal under predetermined conditions.
[0032]
The solid-state imaging device control unit 109 drives the solid-state imaging device 106 in accordance with a command from the system control unit 111 to control signal reading and charge accumulation time. In particular, it is possible to perform control such that a video signal of an arbitrary area in the solid-state imaging device 106 is read according to a shooting mode or a selected image size (small / large) of still image recording transferred from the system control unit 111.
[0033]
The system control unit 111 includes a motor driver 112 for performing zoom driving, an aperture driving unit 116, a motor driver 114 for performing focus driving, a solid-state image sensor control unit 109, a camera signal processing unit 108, and a recorder signal processing unit 110. In accordance with the selected image size for moving image shooting, still image shooting, and still image recording, commands are given to perform appropriate operations in conjunction with each other. It is configured by executing.
[0034]
The system control unit 111 includes a light receiving area control unit 111c, and controls the position of the second lens group 102 to change the size of the light receiving area of the solid-state imaging device 106, as will be described in detail later.
[0035]
The system control unit 111 includes an exposure control unit 111a and an AF control unit 111b, and performs exposure control and focus adjustment control. Exposure signal processing section 108b in camera signal processing section 108, receives the evaluation value signal detected by AF (autofocus) signal processing section 108c via communication, and performs program processing in exposure control section 111a and AF control section 111b. Accordingly, the IG meter 117 is driven via the aperture driving means 116 so that the video signal is properly exposed, the aperture 103 is controlled to adjust the light amount, and the motor is controlled so that the intensity of the AF evaluation signal is maximized. The focus adjustment is performed by driving the focus motor 115 via the driver 114.
[0036]
The AF control unit 111b has a zoom control program shown in FIG. 6 for maintaining the in-focus state while following the cam trajectory and lens cam data (both not shown) referred to when following the cam trajectory. In operation, the focus motor 115 is simultaneously driven via the motor driver 114 in order to maintain the in-focus state while driving the zoom motor 113 via the motor driver 112.
[0037]
The system control unit 111 includes a shooting mode switch unit 118 for selecting a moving image shooting mode or a still image shooting mode, an image size selection switch unit 124 for still image recording in the still image shooting mode, and a zoom switch 119 (unitized). With the zoom switch, a voltage corresponding to the rotation angle of the operation member is output, and the variable speed zoom is performed according to the output voltage.) The AF (autofocus) / MF (manual focus) mode changeover switch 120 is connected. And detects these switches.
[0038]
The video signal generated by the camera signal processing means 108 is output to a display means 121 such as a finder and a recorder signal processing means 110. The recorder signal processing unit 110 performs recording on the moving image recording unit 122 or the still image recording unit 123 while processing the video signal so as to be optimal for the recording medium in accordance with the shooting mode state passed from the system control unit 111.
[0039]
Hereinafter, the light receiving area control processing executed in the imaging device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is executed by the system control unit 111 in one field cycle. This process is a subroutine, and detailed description is omitted. However, in a process different from this process, recorder control such as recording control on a recording medium and camera control such as exposure and focus adjustment control are performed. Shall be.
[0040]
Note that the light receiving region (that is, the effective image diameter) of the solid-state imaging device 106 in the present embodiment will be described as having the characteristics shown in FIG. FIG. 3A shows the change characteristic of the effective image circle diameter with respect to the focal length. A point 800 is a focal length that can be received over the entire readout image of a moving image size, and a point 801 is a light reception over the entire readout image of a small still image size. The possible focal length, point 802, indicates the focal length that can be received over the entire surface of the read image of the still image large size.
[0041]
FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the read area of the moving image size 805, the still image small size 804, and the still image large size 803, and the effective image circle diameter at the point 800, that is, the light receiving area 806. FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the read area of the moving image size 805, the still image small size 804, and the still image large size 803, and the effective image circle diameter at the point 801, that is, the light receiving area 807. FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the read area of the moving image size 805, the still image small size 804, and the still image large size 803, and the effective image circle diameter at the point 802, that is, the light receiving area 808.
[0042]
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, the state of the photographing mode selection switch means 118 is detected, and it is determined whether the photographing mode is the moving image photographing mode or the still image photographing mode (step S201). In the case of the moving image shooting mode, the readout area of the solid-state imaging device 106 is set for the moving image mode (the area 805 shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D), and the recorder signal processing unit 110 is set to the moving image shooting mode. By doing so, the moving image recording medium 122 is selected, and the process proceeds to step S214.
[0043]
In the case of the still image shooting mode, the state of the image size selection switch means 124 is detected, and it is determined whether the selected image size is small or large (step S203). If the selected image size is small, the reading area of the solid-state imaging device 106 is set to a small-sized still image (the area 804 shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D) (step S204). By instructing the recorder signal processing unit 110 to be in the still image shooting mode, the recording medium 123 for the still image is selected. On the other hand, when the selected image size is large, the reading area of the solid-state imaging device 106 is set to a large-sized still image (area 803 shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D) (step S205). ), By instructing the recorder signal processing means 110 to be in the still image shooting mode, the recording medium 123 for the still image is selected.
[0044]
Next, it is determined whether the read pixel area selected one field before and the currently set read pixel area are the same (step S206). In the same case, it is determined that the read image area has not changed from one field before, and the process proceeds to step S214. If they are different, it is determined that the currently read image area has been switched, and the process proceeds to step S207. To determine if it is over.
[0045]
If the light receiving area is larger in step S207, the process proceeds to step S214. On the other hand, when the light receiving area is smaller, the output of the image pickup signal is prohibited to the camera signal processing means 108, and a control is performed so that a predetermined muting signal is output instead, and a predetermined screen is displayed on the display means 121 such as a finder. Is displayed, and the recording operation on the recording medium is also prohibited at the same time (step S208). As described above, when the light receiving area is smaller, the second lens group 102 is controlled as described below, but by displaying a predetermined image during that time, an imaging apparatus that does not cause confusion to the photographer is realized. be able to.
[0046]
Then, the second lens group 102 is forcibly moved in the telephoto direction in order to set the light receiving area equal to or larger than the readout area (step S209), and according to whether the selected image size for still image recording is small or large (step S209). S210), in the case of the small size, stands by until the focal length of the point 801 in FIG. 3A is reached (S211), and in the case of the large size, the focal length of the point 802 in FIG. 3A is reached. The second lens group 102 is stopped after reaching each of them (S212).
[0047]
In step S214, the camera signal processing unit 108 is permitted to output the imaging signal, cancel muting, and at the same time, permit the recording operation on the recording medium, and back up the currently selected image size state (step S214). S215) The process is terminated as it is used in step S206 in the next field process.
[0048]
If it is determined in step S201 that the mode is the moving image shooting mode, the read area read for the moving image is smaller than the light receiving area at all focal lengths, as is apparent from FIG. It is not necessary to move the zoom lens to forcibly widen the range, so that the process directly proceeds to step S214.
[0049]
If it is determined in step S206 that there is no change in the readout image area selected one field before and the current field, switching from the moving image mode to the still image mode or switching from the small mode to the large mode has already been performed. Since the setting of the light receiving area is optimized, it is not necessary to forcibly move the zoom lens, and the process proceeds to step S214 as it is.
[0050]
Further, in step S207, even if the light receiving area is already wider than the reading area that the solid-state image sensor control means 109 is trying to read, it is not necessary to move the zoom lens. It is processing to proceed.
[0051]
As described above, using a solid-state imaging device having a larger number of pixels than the broadcasting method, the light receiving region of the solid-state imaging device is telephoto at least in a wide angle at least the minimum region of the readout image size to be selected. In accordance with the selected image size for the shooting mode and the still image recording, the light receiving area is larger than the pixel area (readout area) used, while combining a lens system with a variable effective image diameter so that the light receiving area expands according to the following. Since the variable power lens is controlled, it is possible to provide an imaging device capable of capturing a high-definition still image as a product that is inexpensive, small and lightweight, and attractive to users without causing vignetting or the like on the imaging screen.
[0052]
In particular, according to the image quality setting of the still image recording medium, for example, setting of the image size such as small / large, the entire pixel area of the solid-state image sensor is light-receiving so that the entire small pixel area becomes the light receiving area in the small size. Since it is possible to control the image data to be an area, an optimal image data amount can be selected while utilizing the miniaturization of the lens, and an imaging device capable of recording high-quality video in a short recording time can be provided. It becomes possible.
[0053]
(Other embodiments)
A software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is provided to an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system so that the various devices operate to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. The present invention also includes a code that is supplied and executed by operating the various devices according to a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus.
[0054]
In this case, the software program code itself implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself constitutes the present invention. As a transmission medium of the program code, a communication medium (a wired line or a wireless line such as an optical fiber) in a computer network (WAN such as a LAN or the Internet, a wireless communication network, etc.) system for transmitting and supplying the program information as a carrier wave. Etc.) can be used.
[0055]
Further, means for supplying the program code to a computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing such a program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like can be used.
[0056]
When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) or other application software running on the computer. Needless to say, such a program code 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.
[0057]
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0058]
It should be noted that the shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the specific embodiments for carrying out the present invention, and these limit the technical scope of the present invention. It must not be interpreted. That is, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve inexpensiveness, small size and light weight, and realize moving image shooting and high-definition still image shooting.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a light receiving area control process according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a light receiving region of the solid-state imaging device 106 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a conventional imaging device.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an inner focus type lens system.
FIG. 6 is a diagram in which positions of a focus lens for focusing on an imaging surface are continuously plotted when a subject distance is changed at each focal length.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a light receiving area.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a read area.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 First lens group (front lens)
102 Second lens group (magnification lens)
103 Aperture 104 Third lens group 105 Fourth lens group 105 (focus lens)
106 solid-state imaging device 107 amplifier 108 camera signal processing unit 108a predetermined signal generation unit 108b exposure signal processing unit 108c AF (autofocus) signal processing unit 109 solid-state imaging device control unit 110 recorder signal processing unit 111 system control unit 111a exposure control unit 111b AF control unit 111c Light receiving area control unit 112 Motor driver 113 Zoom motor 114 Motor driver 115 Focus motor 116 Aperture drive unit 117 IG meter 118 Shooting mode switch unit 119 Zoom switch 120 Changeover switch 121 Display unit 122 Video recording unit 123 Still image recording unit 124 image size selection switch means

Claims (8)

An imaging apparatus using an optical lens group including a zoom lens group that performs at least a zoom operation,
An image sensor that converts a subject image that has passed through the optical lens group into a video signal,
Light receiving area control means for controlling the position of the optical lens group to change the size of the light receiving area on the image sensor,
An image sensor control unit that reads an arbitrary read area from the effective pixel area of the image sensor as a video signal;
Control means for setting different read areas in the moving image shooting mode and the still image shooting mode, and setting different reading areas in accordance with the selected image size of the still image recording in the still image shooting mode. An imaging device characterized by the following. The light receiving area control means controls the position of the optical lens group so that the entire reading area becomes a light receiving area when only a part of the reading area is a light receiving area. An imaging device according to item 1. When the light receiving area control means controls the position of the optical lens group so that the entire area of the readout area becomes the light receiving area, the light receiving area control means has a plurality of optical lens group position control targets according to the selected image size of the still image recording. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A prohibition unit for prohibiting output of a video signal received by the image pickup device while the light reception region control unit changes the light reception region by controlling the optical lens group. An imaging device according to item 1. 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a predetermined signal generation unit configured to output a predetermined image as a video signal while the light receiving region control unit changes the light receiving region by controlling the optical lens group. 6. apparatus. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus having an imaging element that converts a subject image into a video signal using an optical lens group including a zoom lens group that performs at least a zoom operation,
A step of controlling the position of the optical lens group to change the size of a light receiving area on the image sensor;
Reading an arbitrary read area as a video signal from the effective pixel area of the image sensor,
A different readout area is set between a moving image shooting mode and a still image shooting mode, and a different reading area is set according to a selected image size of still image recording in the still image shooting mode. Control method. A program for controlling an imaging apparatus having an imaging element that converts a subject image into a video signal using an optical lens group including at least a zooming lens group performing a zooming operation,
A process of controlling the position of the optical lens group to change the size of a light receiving area on the image sensor;
Performing a process of reading an arbitrary read area as a video signal from the effective pixel area of the image sensor,
A program for setting different read areas in a moving image shooting mode and a still image shooting mode, and setting different reading areas in accordance with a selected image size of a still image recording in the still image shooting mode. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 7.

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