JP2007057704A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera good in responsiveness while restraining power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: The camera is equipped with: a sensor which has a plurality of photodetector parts, and generates image data of field before photography based on output from the photodetector parts, and generates image data by setting either a first mode for generating the image data of the prescribed number of pixels or a second mode for generating the image data of the smaller number of pixels than the prescribed number of pixels; and a selection part which selects either the first mode or the second mode before photography according to the operation circumstances of the camera. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera that captures an image of an object scene.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been considered a technique for performing pixel addition in a camera including a sensor that captures an image of a subject and generates image data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the invention of Patent Document 1, whether or not to perform pixel addition is set to be switchable.
JP 2001-292376 A

However, in the invention of Patent Document 1 described above, it is desirable to perform pixel addition, but the switching setting may not be performed properly. In such a case, normal imaging without pixel addition is performed, resulting in an increase in power consumption and a poor response.
An object of the present invention is to provide a camera with good response while suppressing power consumption.

  The camera of the present invention is a sensor that has a plurality of light receiving units and generates image data of a scene before photographing based on an output from the light receiving unit, and generates image data of a predetermined number of pixels. According to the operation state of the camera, the sensor that generates the image data by setting any one of the first mode and the second mode that generates image data having a smaller number of pixels than the predetermined number of pixels, A selection unit that selects one of the first mode and the second mode before photographing;

Preferably, an imaging sensor that captures an image for recording may be provided separately from the sensor.
Preferably, the selection unit may select the second mode immediately after the camera is turned on.
In a preferred embodiment, the photometric device further comprises a photometric unit that performs photometry on the object field, and when the photometric result of the photometric unit is lower than a predetermined value, the selection unit may select the second mode. .

Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a setting unit capable of setting continuous shooting for continuously capturing images of the object scene, and when the continuous shooting is set by the setting unit, the selection unit includes the first shooting unit. Two modes may be selected.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes a setting unit for setting a shooting mode for shooting a person. When the shooting mode for shooting a person is set by the setting unit, the selection unit selects the first mode. May be.

Preferably, the light emitting unit further emits light to the object field, and when the preliminary light emission for determining the main light emission amount is performed by the light emitting unit, the selection unit is configured to perform the second mode. May be selected.
Preferably, the selection unit further includes at least one of a remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining battery level of the camera, a type detection unit that detects a type of a power source, and a setting unit that can set a power saving mode. Is one of the first mode and the second mode based on at least one of the remaining battery level, the type of power source, and whether the power saving mode is set by the setting unit. A mode may be selected.

Preferably, the sensor may perform analog addition at the time of output from the light receiving unit when setting the second mode and outputting the image data.
Preferably, the sensor performs output from the light receiving unit according to a predetermined frequency, and sets the first mode when setting the second mode and outputting the image data. The frequency may be set lower than when outputting the image data, and output from the light receiving unit may be performed.

  Preferably, when the analog addition is performed, the sensor may determine an addition number at the time of the analog addition according to a situation of the object scene.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera with good response while suppressing power consumption.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a single lens reflex type electronic camera will be described as an example of the camera of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic camera 1 includes a photographing lens 2, an aperture 3, a quick return mirror 4, a sub mirror 5, a diffusion screen 6, a condenser lens 7, a pentaprism 8, a beam splitter 9, an eyepiece lens 10, and an imaging lens. 11, an analysis sensor 12, a shutter 13, a recording sensor 14, a focus detection unit 15, and a flash light emission unit 16.

  When not photographing, that is, when photographing is not performed, the quick return mirror 4 is disposed at an angle of 45 ° as shown in FIG. The light beam that has passed through the photographic lens 2 and the diaphragm 3 is reflected by the quick return mirror 4 and guided to the eyepiece lens 10 through the diffusion screen 6, the condenser lens 7, the pentaprism 8, and the beam splitter 9. The photographer confirms the composition by viewing the image of the subject through the photographing lens 10. On the other hand, the light beam split upward by the beam splitter 9 is re-imaged on the imaging surface of the analyzing sensor 12 via the imaging lens 11. Further, the light beam transmitted through the quick return mirror 4 is guided to the focus detection unit 15 through the sub mirror 5.

On the other hand, at the time of photographing, the quick return mirror 4 is retracted to the position indicated by the broken line, the shutter 13 is opened, and the light flux from the photographing lens 2 is guided to the recording sensor 14.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment. The analysis sensor 12 is a sensor for analyzing the subject situation, and is a sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) having a division number of about 320 × 200 pixels as shown in FIG. The output from the analysis sensor 12 is input to an analysis preprocess circuit 20 incorporating an analog gain circuit and an A / D conversion circuit, and converted into digital data. The image data digitized by the analysis preprocess circuit 20 is input to the analysis digital process circuit 21 that performs pixel interpolation calculation, color generation, gamma correction, and the like, and information on RGB three colors is obtained for each 320 × 200 pixel. It is converted into image data. The image data converted by the analysis digital process circuit 21 is input to the analysis calculation unit 22. The calculation unit 22 for analysis creates luminance data blocked in a 32 × 20 area, detects a face to determine whether a person's face exists in the object scene, and blocks the object field for each object. Calculations such as grouping to be performed, main subject recognition for determining the position and size of the main subject, a subject tracking function for moving the frame following the movement of the subject within the designated frame, and calculation of appropriate exposure are performed. Since each of these processes is performed in the same manner as in the prior art, description thereof is omitted. The calculation result by the analysis calculation unit 22 is appropriately input to the focus detection unit 15, the analysis preprocess circuit 20, the analysis digital process circuit 21, the analysis sensor driver 23, and the camera control unit 24. The analysis sensor driver 23 is a first imaging mode (hereinafter referred to as “normal mode”) for reading 320 × 200 pixel image data from the analysis sensor 12 based on an input from the analysis calculation unit 22. The analysis sensor 12 is driven in one of the second imaging modes (hereinafter referred to as “addition mode”) in which the image data of 320 × 20 pixels is read by analog addition of 10 pixels in the vertical direction (details will be described later). To do). The focus detection unit 15 performs focus detection for focusing on the focus detection area corresponding to the main subject position in the shooting screen based on the input from the analysis calculation unit 22, and drives the lens driving unit 25 to perform shooting. The lens 2 is guided to the in-focus state.

  The recording sensor 14 is, for example, an imaging sensor for recording a still image having a total number of pixels of about 6 megapixels, and is a semiconductor device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The electronic camera 1 also includes a recording sensor driver 26, a recording preprocess circuit 27, and a recording digital process circuit 28 in the same manner as the analysis sensor 12 described above for the recording sensor 14. The respective units of the recording sensor driver 26, the recording preprocess circuit 27, and the recording digital process circuit 28 are controlled by the recording operation unit 29 so that the photographed image has an optimum quality. An image captured by the recording sensor 14 and processed by the recording preprocess circuit 27 and the recording digital process circuit 28 is a memory card 31 formed of a semiconductor memory or the like via the recording circuit 30. To be recorded.

  The camera control unit 24 is an arithmetic circuit for setting the shooting mode of the electronic camera 1 and controlling the shooting sequence, and includes a one-chip microcontroller or the like. The camera control unit 24 controls each part of the electronic camera 1 including the flash light emitting unit 16, the analysis calculation unit 22, the recording calculation unit 29, and the sequence driving unit 32, and detects the state of the setting unit 33 and the release button 34. To do.

  The sequence driving unit 32 performs control of the main mirror 4, control of the diaphragm 3 and the shutter 13, and the like according to instructions from the camera control unit 24. The setting unit 33 is a member that receives a user operation related to the setting of the shooting mode of the electronic camera 1. For example, upon receiving a user operation related to setting of a shooting mode such as a portrait mode, a landscape mode, a close-up mode, a sports mode, or a continuous shooting mode, the camera control unit 24 controls each unit according to the set shooting mode. Then, settings such as exposure, focusing, continuous shooting or single shooting, and image processing are optimally performed. When the release button 34 is half-pressed, the camera control unit 24 detects this and starts various programs. When the release button 34 is fully pressed, the camera control unit 24 detects this, and controls the sequence driving unit 32 and the recording calculation unit 29 in accordance with the setting status. Further, when the flash light emitting unit 16 is turned on at the time of shooting, the camera control unit 24 causes the flash light emitting unit 16 to emit a monitor immediately before the shooting operation, and the reflected light at that time is imaged by the analysis sensor 12. By doing so, the main light emission amount at the time of photographing is determined.

Next, the analysis sensor 12 that is a feature of the present invention will be described in detail. The analysis sensor 12 is a sensor such as a CCD having a division number of about 320 × 200 pixels as shown in FIG. The analysis sensor 12 is a so-called Bayer array sensor in which the G pixel has twice the number of pixels as the R pixel and the B pixel.
FIG. 4 is a diagram simply showing the structure of the analysis sensor 12, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the read timing. In FIG. 4, a part of the analysis sensor 12 is enlarged and displayed. The analysis sensor 12 includes light receiving units corresponding to G pixels, R pixels, and B pixels, a vertical register 120, a horizontal register 121, an FD (Floating Diffusion) unit 122, and an amplifier 123.

  In the normal mode in which image data of 320 × 200 pixels is read, the analysis sensor 12 moves the charge from the light receiving unit in the odd field to the vertical register 120 in the part a and in the part b as shown in FIG. 5A. The charge is moved by one pixel from the vertical register 120 to the horizontal register 121, and the charge is moved from the horizontal register 121 to the FD unit 122 at a portion c. The same applies to even fields. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, 320 × 200 pixel image data is read out.

  On the other hand, in the addition mode in which the analysis sensor 12 performs analog addition of 10 pixels in the vertical direction and reads image data of 320 × 20 pixels, as shown in FIG. The charge is moved to the register 120, the charge for 10 pixels is moved from the vertical register 120 to the horizontal register 121 in the portion b ′, and the charge is moved from the horizontal register 121 to the FD portion 122 in the portion c. The same applies to even fields. That is, in the addition mode, reading is performed by adding 10 pixels in the vertical direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, image data of 320 × 20 pixels obtained by adding 10 pixels in the vertical direction as compared with FIG. 3 is read.

  The image data read by the analysis sensor 12 is subjected to pixel interpolation calculation by the analysis digital process circuit 21. As a result, as the image data read out in the normal mode, image data having RGB information is generated for each of 320 × 200 pixels as shown in FIG. 7A. On the other hand, the image data read out in the addition mode is digitally added in the horizontal direction by pixel interpolation. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, image data having RGB information is generated for each of 32 × 20 pixels. However, one pixel in FIG. 7B corresponds to 10 pixels vertically and 10 pixels horizontally in FIG. This is because 10 pixels are added in the vertical direction by analog addition at the time of reading, and 10 pixels are added in the horizontal direction by digital addition at the time of pixel interpolation calculation.

The operation at the time of shooting of the electronic camera 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In step S1, the camera control unit 24 initializes the analysis sensor 12.
In step S2, the camera control unit 24 drives the analysis sensor 12 via the analysis sensor driver 23, and acquires image data in the addition mode.

In step S3, the camera control unit 24 calculates a luminance value based on the image data acquired in step S2.
In step S4, the camera control unit 24 performs an appropriate exposure calculation based on the luminance value calculated in step S3.
In step S5, the camera control unit 24 determines whether or not the release button 34 has been fully pressed. If the camera control unit 24 determines that the release button 34 is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S6. If the camera control unit 24 determines that the release button 34 is not fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S <b> 6, the camera control unit 24 determines whether or not the flash emission by the flash emission unit 16 is turned on. If the camera control unit 24 determines that the flash emission is ON, the process proceeds to step S7. If the camera control unit 24 determines that the flash emission is not ON, the process proceeds to step S11.
In step S7, the camera control unit 24 controls the flash light emitting unit 16 to perform monitor light emission.

In step S8, the camera control unit 24 drives the analysis sensor 12 via the analysis sensor driver 23 and acquires image data in the addition mode.
In step S9, the camera control unit 24 calculates a luminance value based on the image data acquired in step S8.
In step S10, the camera control unit 24 calculates the main light emission amount by the flash light emitting unit 16 based on the luminance value calculated in step S9.

In step S11, the camera control unit 24 drives the recording sensor 14 via the recording sensor driver 26, and acquires image data in the addition mode. At this time, the camera control unit 24 performs light emission by the flash light emitting unit 16 based on the main light emission amount calculated in step S10.
If it is determined in step S5 that the release button 34 has not been fully pressed, in step S12, the camera control unit 24 determines whether or not the object scene is in a low luminance state based on the luminance value calculated in step S3. Determine. The determination as to whether or not the low luminance state is present is made by comparing the luminance value calculated in step S3 with a predetermined luminance value. If the camera control unit 24 determines that it is in the low luminance state, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the camera control unit 24 drives the analysis sensor 12 via the analysis sensor driver 23, and acquires image data in the addition mode.
In step S14, the camera control unit 24 calculates a luminance value based on the image data acquired in step S13.
In step S15, the camera control unit 24 controls the analysis calculation unit 22 to perform subject tracking. The subject tracking is a method of performing focus adjustment by tracking when the subject A moves to the subject A ′ as shown in FIG. 9A. The camera control unit 24 performs subject tracking based on the output of the analysis sensor 12. Note that the subject tracking may be image data acquired in any one of the normal mode and the addition mode.

In step S16, the camera control unit 24 performs an appropriate exposure calculation based on the luminance value calculated in step S14.
If it is determined in step S12 that the brightness is not low, in step S17, the camera control unit 24 determines whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set. If it is determined that the continuous shooting mode is set, the camera control unit 24 proceeds to step S13 described above, and performs the processing after step S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that the continuous shooting mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S18. The continuous shooting mode is a shooting mode in which images of the object scene are continuously captured, and is set based on a user operation via the setting unit 33.

In step S18, the camera control unit 24 drives the analysis sensor 12 via the analysis sensor driver 23, and acquires image data in the normal mode.
In step S19, the camera control unit 24 calculates a luminance value based on the image data acquired in step S18.
In step S20, the camera control unit 24 controls the analysis calculation unit 22 to perform grouping processing. The grouping process is a technique for grouping the object scene into a plurality of areas. The analysis calculation unit 22 divides the object scene illustrated in FIG. 10A into, for example, a plurality of regions illustrated in A1 to A5 in FIG. 10B. When the area is divided, adjacent pixels are regarded as the same subject and grouped based on luminance and hue. The camera control unit 24 performs grouping processing based on the output of the analysis sensor 12 acquired in the normal mode.

  In step S21, the camera control unit 24 determines whether the portrait mode is set. If the camera control unit 24 determines that the portrait mode is set, the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, if it is determined that the portrait mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S15 described above, and the processes after step S15 are performed. The portrait mode is a shooting mode for shooting a person and is set based on a user operation via the setting unit 33.

In step S22, the camera control unit 24 controls the analysis calculation unit 22 to perform face detection. The face detection is processing for detecting the face portions of the subject A and the subject B as shown in FIG. 9B. The camera control unit 24 performs face detection based on the output of the analysis sensor 12 acquired in the normal mode.
In step S23, the camera control unit 24 controls the analysis calculation unit 22 to perform main subject recognition. The main subject recognition is a technique for recognizing the main subject when a plurality of face portions are detected by the face detection in step S22. For example, as shown in FIG. 9C, the subject A is recognized as the main subject based on the size of the face area of the face portions of the subject A and the subject B. If only one face portion is detected by the face detection in step S22, the subject may be recognized as the main subject. The camera control unit 24 performs main subject recognition based on the output of the analysis sensor 12 acquired in the normal mode.

  When the processing of either step S11 or step S16 is completed, in step S24, the camera control unit 24 determines whether or not a timer (not shown) in the camera control unit 24 is up. When the camera control unit 24 determines that the timer is up, the camera control unit 24 ends the series of processes. When the camera control unit 24 determines that the timer is not up, the camera control unit 24 returns to step S5 and repeats the processes after step S5.

Immediately after the power is turned on, as shown in FIG. 11A, after the accumulation operation is completed, image data is acquired in the addition mode, and brightness value calculation and proper exposure calculation are performed based on the acquired image data. Immediately after the power is turned on, it is necessary to make preparations for shooting earlier, so that the response can be improved by acquiring image data in the addition mode.
When the continuous shooting mode is set, as shown in FIG. 11B, after the accumulation operation is completed, image data is acquired in the addition mode, subject tracking is performed, and brightness value calculation and proper exposure calculation are performed based on the acquired image data. I do. That is, after the completion of one shooting, only the necessary minimum processing is performed and the next shooting operation is started immediately. In many cases, a moving subject is photographed when the continuous shooting mode is set. Therefore, by performing subject tracking, the movement of the subject can be tracked to perform focus adjustment more accurately. When the continuous shooting mode is set, it is preferable to reduce the amount of work other than the operation sequence in which shooting is performed in order to increase the frame speed, shorten the processing time, and reduce power consumption. By acquiring image data in the addition mode, the processing time can be shortened and the power consumption can be suppressed.

  In addition, when flash light emission by the flash light emitting unit 16 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 11C, monitor light emission is performed in synchronization with the accumulation operation, image data is acquired in the addition mode, and a luminance value is calculated based on the acquired image data. And perform proper exposure calculation. Since the first monitor light emission is performed with a predetermined light amount (for example, about guide number 2 / ISO 100), the image data obtained by monitor photometry may not be at an appropriate level depending on the distance of the subject. In preparation for that case, it is determined whether or not the luminance level is appropriate when calculating the luminance value. If the luminance level is not appropriate, an appropriate monitor emission amount is calculated from the luminance value and monitor emission is performed again (2 in FIG. 11C). An example of performing monitor light emission once) is shown. Then, the main light emission amount is determined, and photographing is performed while performing the main light emission according to the determined light emission amount. When the flash emission is ON, a release time lag is likely to occur during flash photography. By acquiring image data in the addition mode, it is possible to reduce power consumption while shortening the time required for preliminary light emission.

  When the portrait mode is set, as shown in FIG. 12A, after the accumulation operation is completed, image data is acquired in the normal mode, grouping processing, face detection, main subject recognition, subject tracking calculations, and luminance value Perform the calculation. Finally, proper exposure is calculated using grouping processing, face detection, main subject recognition, tracking, and luminance value information. Further, each information obtained at the time of grouping processing, face detection, main subject recognition, and tracking is also used for selection of a detection region in the focus detection unit 15 and image processing of the recording sensor 14 as a result of subject analysis. . The specific method of applying the analysis results to those techniques is not directly related to the present invention and will not be described in detail here. When the portrait mode is set, it is preferable to acquire image data that is somewhat fine in order to perform various types of analysis. By acquiring image data in the normal mode, it is possible to acquire image data sufficient for performing various types of analysis.

  When a mode other than the portrait mode is set, as shown in FIG. 12B, after the accumulation operation is completed, image data is acquired in the normal mode, and the grouping process and the luminance value are calculated. Finally, the proper exposure is calculated using the grouping process and the luminance value information. That is, the processing time can be shortened by omitting face detection and main subject recognition.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sensor includes a plurality of light receiving units, and generates image data of a scene before photographing based on an output from the light receiving unit, and has a predetermined number of pixels. Image data is generated by setting one of a first mode (normal mode) for generating image data and a second mode (addition mode) for generating image data having a smaller number of pixels than a predetermined number of pixels. And a selection unit that selects one of the first mode (normal mode) and the second mode (addition mode) before shooting according to the operating state of the camera. Therefore, by selecting a mode according to the operating condition, it is possible to realize a camera with good response while suppressing power consumption.

Further, according to the present embodiment, immediately after the camera is turned on, the selection unit selects the second mode (addition mode). Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time until the photographing is possible immediately after the power is turned on.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the photometric unit is further provided for photometry of the object scene, and when the photometric result of the photometric unit is lower than a predetermined value, the selection unit selects the second mode (addition mode). Therefore, even when the luminance is low, information sufficient for analysis can be acquired by performing pixel addition.

Further, according to the present embodiment, it further includes a setting unit capable of setting continuous shooting for continuously capturing images of the object scene, and when the continuous shooting is set by the setting unit, the selection unit Select the second mode (addition mode). Accordingly, since it is possible to reduce power consumption while shortening the time required for subject analysis, high-speed continuous shooting can be realized.
In addition, according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus further includes a setting unit for setting a shooting mode for shooting a person. When the shooting mode for shooting a person is set by the setting unit, the selection unit sets the first mode (normal mode). Select. Therefore, since detailed information can be acquired without performing pixel addition when photographing a person, more accurate face detection, main subject recognition, and the like can be performed.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the light emitting unit that emits light to the object scene is further provided, and when the preliminary light emission for determining the main light emission amount is performed by the light emitting unit, the selection unit performs the second mode. Select (addition mode). Accordingly, since it is possible to reduce power consumption while shortening the time required for preliminary light emission, the release time lag during flash photography can be shortened.
Further, according to the present embodiment, the sensor performs analog addition at the time of output from the light receiving unit when setting the second mode (addition mode) and outputting image data. Therefore, it is possible to greatly shorten the time for reading from the analysis sensor, and it is possible to acquire sufficient information for analysis even at low luminance.

In the present embodiment, a single-lens reflex type electronic camera has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention may be applied to a compact electronic camera having only one image sensor. Further, the present invention may be applied to a silver salt camera.
In the present embodiment, the analysis sensor 12 is an example of a Bayer array sensor, but may be another array. Also, the number of analog additions when the addition mode is executed may be variable. In the present embodiment, an example in which analog addition for 10 pixels is performed in the addition mode has been described, but the number of analog additions can be made variable by changing the number of pulses in the portion b ′ in FIG. 5B. In this way, when performing analog addition, the number of additions at the time of analog addition is determined according to the situation of the scene, thereby shortening the readout time according to the situation of the scene and the size of the image data (Precision) can be changed.

Further, in this embodiment, the frequency at the time of reading is not mentioned, but in the second mode (addition mode), the frequency may be set lower than that in the first mode (normal mode). Thus, in the second mode (addition mode), the power consumption can be further suppressed by setting the frequency low.
Further, in the present embodiment, in the second mode (addition mode), analog addition is performed at the time of reading, and later digital addition is performed, but either one may be used.

In the present embodiment, a part of the processing described in the flowchart of FIG. 8 may be omitted depending on the configuration of the camera, or the processing order of the flowchart of FIG.
In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which an analysis sensor 12 that also serves as a so-called photometric sensor is provided. However, an analysis-dedicated sensor that acquires image data for analysis according to luminance or the like is provided separately from the photometric sensor. Also good.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the example in which the second mode (addition mode) is selected and the response is improved immediately after the power is turned on has been described. That is, it further comprises at least one of a remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining battery level of the camera, a type detection unit that detects the type of power supply, and a setting unit that can set the power saving mode, One of the first mode (normal mode) and the second mode (addition mode) is selected based on at least one of the type of power supply and whether or not the power saving mode is set by the setting unit. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the response while suppressing power consumption according to the state of the power supply.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the electronic camera 1 of this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of electronic camera 1 of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the sensor 12 for analysis. It is the figure which showed the structure of the sensor 12 for analysis simply. It is a figure explaining the timing of reading. It is a figure explaining the sensor 12 for analysis. It is a figure explaining the sensor 12 for analysis. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of photographing by the electronic camera 1. It is a figure explaining subject tracking, face detection, and main subject recognition. It is a figure explaining a grouping process. It is a figure explaining the timing of each process. It is a figure explaining the timing of each process.

Explanation of symbols

1, electronic camera 12, analysis sensor 14, recording sensor 16, flash light emission unit 23, analysis sensor driver 24, camera control unit

Claims (11)

A first mode for generating image data of a predetermined number of pixels, the sensor including a plurality of light receiving units, and generating image data of a scene before photographing based on an output from the light receiving unit; A sensor for generating the image data by setting any one of the second mode for generating image data having a number of pixels smaller than a predetermined number of pixels;
A camera comprising: a selection unit that selects one of the first mode and the second mode before photographing according to an operation state of the camera. The camera of claim 1,
In addition to the sensor, the camera includes an imaging sensor that captures an image for recording. The camera of claim 1,
Immediately after the camera is powered on, the selection unit selects the second mode. The camera of claim 1,
A metering unit for metering the object scene;
The camera, wherein the selection unit selects the second mode when a photometric result of the photometric unit is lower than a predetermined value. The camera of claim 1,
A setting unit capable of setting continuous shooting for continuously capturing images of the object scene;
The camera is characterized in that when the continuous shooting is set by the setting unit, the selection unit selects the second mode. The camera of claim 1,
A setting unit for setting a shooting mode for portrait shooting;
The camera is characterized in that when the shooting mode for the person shooting is set by the setting unit, the selection unit selects the first mode. The camera of claim 1,
A light emitting unit for emitting light to the object scene;
When the preliminary light emission for determining the main light emission amount is performed by the light emitting unit, the selection unit selects the second mode. The camera of claim 1,
And further comprising at least one of a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting a battery remaining amount of the camera, a type detecting unit for detecting a type of power source, and a setting unit capable of setting a power saving mode,
The selection unit may determine whether the first mode and the second mode are based on at least one of the remaining battery level, the type of the power source, and whether the power saving mode is set by the setting unit. A camera characterized by selecting any mode. The camera of claim 1,
The camera, when setting the second mode and outputting the image data, performs analog addition at the time of output from the light receiving unit. The camera of claim 1,
The sensor performs output from the light receiving unit according to a predetermined frequency, and sets the first mode and outputs the image data when the second mode is set and the image data is output. The camera is characterized in that the frequency is set lower than when performing the output from the light receiving unit. The camera according to claim 9, wherein
The sensor, when performing the analog addition, determines an addition number at the time of the analog addition according to the state of the object scene.

Images