JP2007180615A - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology capable of revising a resolution of RAW data into an optimum resolution depending on a photographing state and recording the resulting RAW data. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus disclosed herein includes: an imaging means for imaging an image; an image data generating means for generating image data from the image imaged by the imaging means; a recording means for recording the image data on a recording medium; an estimate means for estimating a noise amount of the image imaged by the imaging means; and an information amount setting means for setting an information amount of the image data recorded by the recording means on the basis of the noise amount estimated by the estimate means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for recording image data in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera.

  In an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, original image data (also referred to as RAW data) obtained by digitizing an image captured by an image sensor can be recorded on a storage medium in JPEG format or RAW format. it can. In the case of the JPEG format, the RAW data is subjected to predetermined image processing (white balance or the like). Further, it is compressed by an irreversible compression method such as baseline JPEG (see ISO / IEC 10918-1: 1994, ISO / IEC 10918-2: 1995, etc.) and recorded on a storage medium.

On the other hand, the RAW format is a useful recording format that can freely adjust the white balance and the like after imaging. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose inventions related to the RAW format.
JP 2001-060876 A JP 2004-260813 A

  However, in the conventional imaging apparatus, when RAW data is recorded on the storage medium in the RAW format, the RAW data is processed with the maximum data resolution and recorded on the storage medium. For this reason, the data size of the RAW data increases with an improvement in the resolution of the A / D converter of the image sensor, and there is a problem that the RAW data that can be recorded decreases.

  In addition, when the data size of the RAW data is very large, the processing time for the RAW data also increases, so the time from when an image is captured until the RAW data of the image is recorded on a storage medium increases, and continuous shooting is performed. There is also a problem that the interval cannot be shortened.

  For this reason, it is desired that future imaging apparatuses be able to record RAW data with a reduced data size as much as possible without causing the photographer to feel deterioration in image quality.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a technique capable of changing and recording RAW data to an optimum resolution in accordance with a shooting situation.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, an imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image, an image data generation unit that generates image data from an image captured by the imaging unit, and the image data. Recording means for recording the image on the recording medium, estimation means for estimating the noise amount of the image captured by the imaging means, and the image recorded by the recording means based on the noise amount estimated by the estimation means Information amount setting means for setting the information amount of data.

  The image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes an image pickup means for picking up an image, an image data generation means for generating image data from an image picked up by the image pickup means, a recording means for recording the image data on a recording medium, Based on the continuous shooting number setting means for setting the continuous shooting number of the imaging means and the continuous shooting number set by the continuous shooting number setting means, the information amount of the image data recorded by the recording means is set. Information amount setting means.

  The control method of the present invention is a control method for an imaging apparatus that generates image data from a captured image and records the image data on a recording medium, and includes an estimation step for estimating a noise amount of the captured image, and the estimation And an information amount setting step of setting an information amount of the image data to be recorded on the recording medium based on a noise amount estimated by the step.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an image pickup apparatus that generates image data from a picked-up image and records the image data on a recording medium, and a continuous shooting number setting step for setting a continuous shooting number of the image pickup apparatus; And an information amount setting step for setting an information amount of the image data to be recorded on the recording medium based on the continuous shooting number set by the continuous shooting number setting step.

  According to the present invention, since the RAW data is changed to the optimum resolution according to the shooting situation, it is possible to reduce the data amount without greatly degrading the image quality, and to improve the photographer's operability. It becomes.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment to which an imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a photographing lens, and 102 denotes an image sensor (image sensor) such as a CMOS sensor for receiving a subject image via the photographing lens and photoelectrically converting the subject image.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes an A / D converter that digitizes an image captured by the image sensor 102 and generates original image data. In this embodiment, the A / D converter has a function of converting into 14-bit digital data. Also, the original image data output from the A / D converter 103 and digital image data in which white balance, contrast, sharpness, color density, hue, etc. are not adjusted is referred to as RAW data.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a memory controller for storing RAW data output from the A / D converter 103 in the memory 105. In the present embodiment, the memory controller 104 has a function of changing the resolution of the RAW data and storing it in the memory in accordance with an instruction flag indicating the quality of the image quality described later. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the 14-bit output data from the A / D converter 103 is transferred to the memory 105 with all the bits valid, or the upper 12 bits are validated and transferred to the memory 105 as 12-bit data. It is possible to choose what to do.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a memory having a storage capacity for holding RAW data for a plurality of images.

  An image processing unit 106 performs scratch correction processing on the RAW data. The process of correcting a defect on the image sensor 102 and a missing part due to dust attached to the image sensor 102 is referred to as a defect correction process. Further, when the RAW data is recorded in the JPEG format, the image processing unit 106 performs predetermined image processing (processing for adjusting white balance, contrast, sharpness, color density, color tone, etc.) on the RAW data.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a storage medium (for example, a memory card with a built-in nonvolatile semiconductor memory) that can be randomly accessed and is removable from the digital camera.

  A control unit 108 controls the operation of the digital camera.

  A RAW processing unit 109 compresses RAW data, and performs lossless compression according to a predetermined lossless compression method (original lossless compression method, lossless compression method defined by JPEG2000 or TIFF, etc.).

  A JPEG processing unit 110 compresses digital image data output from the image processing unit 106 according to the baseline JPEG when the recording format is the JPEG format.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes an AF circuit for automatically detecting a focus, and reference numeral 112 denotes an AE circuit for determining exposure of a captured image. An operation switch 113 is used to set various shooting conditions, and ISO sensitivity and other shooting conditions are set.

  Reference numeral 114 denotes a release switch having first and second strokes. When SW1 is turned on in the first stroke, shooting preparation operations such as AF and AE are started. When SW2 of the second stroke is turned on, a photographing operation is performed. Reference numeral 115 denotes a recording format setting switch for setting a data recording format at the time of shooting, and sets whether to record image data in RAW format or JPEG format.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. Note that the processing executed in the flow of FIG. 2 can be controlled by a program that can be executed by the control unit 108.

  In FIG. 2, when the camera is activated by turning on the power with a power switch (not shown) in S201, initial operations such as a battery check and confirmation of whether a lens is attached are performed in S202. In step S203, the settings of the operation switch 113 and the recording format setting switch 115 are read, and the control unit 108 determines the recording format and each operation mode of the camera.

  Next, when the first stroke switch SW1 of the release switch 114 is turned on in S204, the AE circuit 111 is operated by the control unit 108 in S205 to perform a photometric operation to obtain an exposure value. Further, in S206, the AF circuit 112 is operated by the control unit 108 to perform a distance measuring operation.

  Next, when SW1 is maintained in the ON state after completion of photographing preparation such as photometry and distance measurement in S207, the second stroke switch SW2 of the release switch 114 is turned on while holding the distance measurement information and the exposure value data. The system enters a standby state and proceeds to S208. On the other hand, if SW1 is off, the process proceeds to S203.

  In step S208, when SW2 is turned on, an imaging / recording operation described later is performed in step S209. The image is recorded on the recording medium 107 in the JPEG or RAW recording format selected by the user, and the series of operations ends. .

  Next, the imaging / recording process in S209 of FIG. 2 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the imaging / recording process of the digital camera.

  When the process is started, in step S301, the control unit 108 opens and closes a shutter mechanism (not shown) based on the distance measurement result to expose the image sensor 102, thereby photoelectrically converting the optical image of the subject.

  Next, in S302, it is determined whether or not the image recording format set by the user before shooting is the RAW format. If it is determined that the image recording format is the RAW format, the process proceeds to S303. If it is determined that the image recording format is not the RAW format but the JPEG format, the process proceeds to S315.

  In S315, the image exposed and photoelectrically converted in S301 is converted into 14-bit digital image data by the A / D converter 103, and stored in the memory 105 via the memory controller 104.

  In step S <b> 316, the image processing unit 106 performs scratch correction processing on the original image data stored in the memory 105.

  In S317, the image processing unit 106 performs predetermined image processing (processing for adjusting white balance, contrast, sharpness, color density, color tone, etc.) on the RAW data after the defect correction.

  In S318, the JPEG processing unit 110 compresses the RAW data processed by the image processing unit 106 according to the baseline JPEG.

  In S 319, RAW data (hereinafter also referred to as JPEG data) compressed according to the baseline JPEG by the JPEG processing unit 110 is stored in the memory 105. The control unit 108 generates a JPEG file including JPEG data stored in the memory 105 and stores the generated JPEG file in the memory 105. The JPEG file also includes data indicating information relating to shooting conditions, information relating to development conditions set in the digital camera, information relating to JPEG data (such as resolution), and the like.

  In step S <b> 309, the control unit 108 records the JPEG file stored in the memory 114 on the storage medium 115. The JPEG format is the same as in the prior art.

  Next, a case where the RAW format is set will be described.

  If it is determined in S302 that the image recording format is the RAW format, the process proceeds to S303. In S303, the quality of the captured image is determined to be good, and an image quality good / bad instruction flag is set. Details of the image quality determination will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, when the image quality determination process is started, the ISO sensitivity set by the user before shooting is determined in S401. Here, when the ISO sensitivity is high, the S / N of the image generally deteriorates. Accordingly, if the ISO sensitivity is high, the process proceeds to S405, and 1 is set in the instruction flag indicating the image quality. When the instruction flag is set to 1, it indicates that there is a lot of noise as the image quality.

  If it is determined in S401 that the ISO sensitivity is low (for example, less than ISO 800), the setting value of the ISO sensitivity is determined to be a shooting condition with little noise, and the process proceeds to S402.

  In S402, it is determined whether or not the exposure time determined by the photometric operation is a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) or more. Here, if it is determined that the exposure time is 1 second or longer, it is considered that noise increases due to the dark current of the image sensor 102, etc., so the process proceeds to S405, where 1 is set in the instruction flag indicating the image quality.

  If it is determined in S402 that the exposure time is less than 1 second, the exposure time setting value is determined to be a shooting condition with slight noise, and the process proceeds to S403.

  In S403, it is determined whether or not temperature data from a temperature measurement sensor (not shown) mounted on the imaging device is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, 40 ° C.). Here, when the temperature of the imaging device including the imaging element 102 is high, noise increases due to dark current or the like. Accordingly, if it is determined that the temperature is 40 ° C. or higher, the process proceeds to S405, and 1 is set in the instruction flag indicating the image quality.

  If it is determined in S403 that the temperature of the imaging device is less than 40 ° C., the imaging device temperature is determined to be an imaging condition in which noise is slight, and the process proceeds to S404.

  In S404, since it is determined that the noise is a minor condition in any of ISO sensitivity setting determination, exposure time determination, and imaging apparatus temperature determination in S401, S402, and S403, the instruction flag indicating the image quality is set to 0. Set. When the instruction flag is set to 0, it indicates that noise is slight as image quality.

  As described above, when image quality is determined according to the flow of FIG. 4 and a value is set in the instruction flag, the process proceeds to S304 of the flow of FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, in S304, it is determined whether the instruction flag indicating whether the image quality is good is set to 0 indicating that the noise is slight or 1 indicating that the noise is large. If the image quality pass / fail instruction flag is 0, the process proceeds to S305. If it is 1, the process proceeds to S311.

  In S <b> 305, the image exposed and photoelectrically converted in S <b> 302 is converted into digital image data in 14 bits by the A / D converter 103 and stored in the memory 105 via the memory controller 104. That is, in S304, since it is instructed that the imaging condition is that the noise is slight and the image quality is good, the output data of the A / D converter is stored in the memory with high resolution.

  In step S <b> 306, the image processing unit 106 performs scratch correction processing on the 14-bit original image data stored in the memory 105.

  In step S307, the RAW processing unit 109 performs lossless compression on the 14-bit RAW data processed by the image processing unit 106 according to a predetermined lossless compression method (original lossless compression method, lossless compression method defined by JPEG2000 or TIFF, etc.). .

  In S <b> 308, a RAW file including the RAW data compressed by the RAW processing unit 109 is generated, and the generated RAW file is stored in the memory 105. The RAW file also includes data indicating information relating to shooting conditions, information relating to development conditions set in the digital camera, information relating to RAW data (resolution, etc.), and the like.

  In step S <b> 309, the control unit 108 records the RAW file stored in the memory 105 on the storage medium 107.

  As described above, when the image quality instruction flag indicates that the noise is slight, the image is recorded in the RAW format with a high resolution of 14 bits.

  On the other hand, if the image quality instruction flag indicates that there is a lot of noise in S304, the process proceeds to S311.

  In S <b> 311, the image exposed and photoelectrically converted in S <b> 302 is converted into 14-bit digital image data by the A / D converter 103, and the upper 12 bits of the 14-bit image data are transferred to the memory 105 via the memory controller 104. Store. That is, since it is determined in S304 that the shooting condition is a lot of noise, it is determined that the lower bit information of the image data is buried in noise and is not valid image information, and the lower two bits are unused and stored in the memory. Reduce the amount of data to be stored.

  In step S <b> 312, the image processing unit 106 performs scratch correction processing on the 12-bit image data stored in the memory 105.

  In S307, the RAW processing unit 109 performs lossless compression on the RAW data processed by the image processing unit 106 according to a predetermined lossless compression method (original lossless compression method, lossless compression method defined by JPEG2000 or TIFF, etc.). At this time, lossless compression is performed on 12-bit RAW data.

  In S <b> 314, a RAW file including the RAW data compressed by the RAW processing unit 109 is generated, and the generated RAW file is stored in the memory 105. The RAW file also includes data indicating information relating to shooting conditions, information relating to development conditions set in the digital camera, information relating to RAW data (resolution, etc.), and the like.

  In step S <b> 309, the control unit 108 records the RAW file stored in the memory 105 on the storage medium 107.

  According to the above-described embodiment, when recording in the RAW format with a large image size, it is determined whether or not the shooting condition includes a lot of noise depending on the ISO sensitivity, the exposure time, and the temperature of the imaging device. If it is determined that the shooting condition is a lot of noise, the memory controller 104 makes the lower bits of the output data after A / D conversion unused, and the amount of data stored in the memory 105 can be reduced. Usually, under shooting conditions with a lot of noise, the compression rate is low and the noise is slight. As a result, the number of recordable images, the processing time increases, the number of continuously shot images decreases, and the like occur. Here, in this embodiment, the amount of processing data can be reduced by handling with 12-bit data, so that the performance of the recordable number of sheets, the processing time, and the number of continuously shootable sheets can be improved even under noisy shooting conditions. Is possible. Furthermore, since the lower bits are invalidated only under shooting conditions with a lot of noise, the image quality in normal shooting does not deteriorate significantly.

  In this embodiment, the criteria for determining the quality of image quality are independent for the ISO sensitivity at the time of shooting, the exposure time, and the temperature of the imaging device, but the quality is determined by associating the respective conditions. It is good also as a structure to determine. For example, the exposure time and temperature determination values may be set to different values when the ISO sensitivity is ISO 100 and ISO 800.

  Alternatively, the quality of image quality may be determined by using only one of ISO sensitivity, exposure time, and temperature of the imaging apparatus, or using any two of them.

  In the present embodiment, the form in which the output of the A / D converter always outputs 14-bit digital image data has been described. However, the A / D converter output itself may be switched between 14 bits and 12 bits. That is, it is determined whether the shooting conditions are noisy depending on the ISO sensitivity at the time of shooting, the exposure time, and the temperature of the imaging device, and the A / D converter generates digital image data with 14 bits based on the determination result. Alternatively, whether to generate digital image data with 12 bits may be switched.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that it has a continuously shootable number setting unit 116.

  The photographer can set the number of continuously shootable images N to an arbitrary value between N1 and N2 by the continuously shootable image number setting unit 116. Here, N1 is a value that can be continuously recorded in a 14-bit RAW format under any assumed imaging condition, and N2 is a continuous imaging in a 12-bit RAW format under the assumed imaging condition. Possible value. Note that the relationship of N1 <N2 is satisfied.

  Since the main configuration and operation of the digital camera are the same as the block of FIG. 1 and the flow of FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Hereinafter, imaging / recording processing according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following, the imaging / recording process in the RAW format will be described, but the imaging process in the JPEG format is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating imaging / recording processing in the RAW format by the digital camera according to the second embodiment.

  When the process is started, in step S501, the control unit 108 opens and closes a shutter mechanism (not shown) based on the distance measurement result to expose the image sensor 102, thereby photoelectrically converting the optical image of the subject.

  In S502, it is determined whether or not the continuously shootable sheet number N set by the continuously shootable sheet number setting unit 116 is a predetermined value N1. If the continuously shootable number N set in S502 is N1, the process proceeds to S503. If it is not N1, N is set to a value larger than N1, and the process proceeds to S509.

  In S <b> 503, the image exposed and photoelectrically converted in S <b> 501 is converted into digital image data in 14 bits by the A / D converter 403, and stored in the memory 105 via the memory controller 104. That is, since the set number N of continuously shootable images is set to a value N1 that can be achieved in the 14-bit RAW format, the output data of the A / D converter 403 is stored in the memory 105 with a high resolution.

  In step S <b> 504, the image processing unit 106 performs scratch correction processing on the 14-bit original image data stored in the memory 105.

  In S505, the RAW processing unit 109 performs lossless compression on the 14-bit RAW data processed by the image processing unit 106 according to a predetermined lossless compression method (such as an original lossless compression method, a lossless compression method defined by JPEG2000 or TIFF). .

  In step S <b> 506, a RAW file including RAW data compressed by the RAW processing unit 109 is generated, and the generated RAW file is stored in the memory 105. The RAW file also includes data indicating information relating to shooting conditions, information relating to development conditions set in the digital camera, information relating to RAW data (resolution, etc.), and the like.

  In step S <b> 507, the control unit 108 records the RAW file stored in the memory 105 on the storage medium 107.

  As described above, when the number N of continuously shootable images is set to N1, an image is recorded in the RAW format with a high resolution of 14 bits.

  On the other hand, if the number of continuously shootable images N is set to a value other than N1 in S502, that is, if it is set to a value larger than N1, the process proceeds to S509.

  In S509, the A / D converter 103 converts the image exposed and photoelectrically converted in S501 into 14-bit digital image data, and the upper 12 bits of the 14-bit image data are transferred to the memory 105 via the memory controller 104. Stored. In other words, since it is determined in S502 that continuous shooting is difficult in the 14-bit RAW format, the lower 2 bits are unused and the amount of data is reduced.

  In step S <b> 510, the image processing unit 106 performs scratch correction processing on the 12-bit image data stored in the memory 105.

  In S511, the RAW processing unit 109 performs lossless compression on the RAW data processed by the image processing unit 106 according to a predetermined lossless compression method (original lossless compression method, lossless compression method defined by JPEG2000 or TIFF). At this time, lossless compression is performed on 12-bit RAW data.

  In S512, a RAW file including the RAW data compressed by the RAW processing unit 109 is generated, and the generated RAW file is stored in the memory 105. The RAW file also includes data indicating information relating to shooting conditions, information relating to development conditions set in the digital camera, information relating to RAW data (resolution, etc.), and the like.

  In step S <b> 507, the control unit 108 records the RAW file stored in the memory 105 on the storage medium 107.

  As described above, when the number of continuously shootable images predicted is lower than the number of continuously shootable images set by the user, the memory controller 104 sets the lower bit of the output data after A / D conversion. The amount of data is reduced as unused. As a result, the number of continuously shootable images set by the user can be achieved.

  In the second embodiment, switching is performed with 14 bits or 12 bits, but a configuration may be employed in which switching to another number of bits is performed.

[Other Embodiments]
The embodiment according to the present invention has been described in detail using specific examples. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium (recording medium), or the like. is there. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can be achieved even if any part of the illustrated functional blocks and operations is realized by a hardware circuit or by software processing using a computer.

  Note that the present invention includes a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus. In that case, a computer such as a system reads and executes the program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium (storage medium) for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. In addition, there are MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser can be used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention can be downloaded from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and a user who satisfies predetermined conditions downloads key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet. You can also. In this case, the downloaded key information is used to execute the encrypted program and install it on the computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program may be part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

  Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU of the board or the like performs a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment to which the imaging device of this invention is applied. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for describing imaging / recording processing of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart for explaining image quality determination processing of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process which changes the data width of the RAW data recorded on the memory of the digital camera of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures of the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the imaging and recording process of the digital camera of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Lens 102 Image pick-up element 103 A / D converter 104 Memory controller 105 Memory 106 Image processing part 107 Storage medium 108 Control part 109 Raw processing part 110 JPEG processing part 111 AF circuit 112 AE circuit 113 Operation switch 114 Release switch 115 Recording format setting Switch 116 Continuous shooting number setting section

Claims (10)

An imaging means for capturing an image;
Image data generating means for generating image data from an image captured by the imaging means;
Recording means for recording the image data on a recording medium;
Estimating means for estimating a noise amount of an image captured by the imaging means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: an information amount setting unit that sets an information amount of the image data recorded by the recording unit based on a noise amount estimated by the estimating unit.   The information amount setting means discards at least a first information amount that is all of the image data generated by the image data generation means and a part of the image data generated by the image data generation means. 2 can be set, and when the estimation unit estimates that the noise amount is small, the first information amount is set and the estimation unit estimates that the noise amount is large. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second information amount is set.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit designates a noise amount of the image based on at least one of temperature, ISO sensitivity, and exposure time of the imaging unit.   The estimation unit is configured to reduce a noise amount of a captured image when the temperature of the imaging unit is higher than a specified value, when the ISO sensitivity is higher than a specified value, or when the exposure time is longer than a specified value. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the imaging apparatus is estimated to be large. An imaging means for capturing an image;
Image data generating means for generating image data from an image captured by the imaging means;
Recording means for recording the image data on a recording medium;
Continuous shooting number setting means for setting the continuous shooting number of the imaging means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: an information amount setting unit that sets an information amount of the image data recorded by the recording unit on the basis of the number of continuous shootings set by the continuous shooting number setting unit.   The information amount setting means discards at least a first information amount that is all of the image data generated by the image data generation means and a part of the image data generated by the image data generation means. 2 can be set, and when the number of continuous shots set by the continuous shooting number setting means is smaller than a prescribed value, the first information amount is set and the continuous shooting number setting is set. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second information amount is set when the number of continuous shots set by the means is larger than a specified value. An image pickup apparatus control method for generating image data from a picked-up image and recording the image data on a recording medium,
An estimation step of estimating the amount of noise of the captured image;
An information amount setting step of setting an information amount of the image data to be recorded on the recording medium based on a noise amount estimated by the estimating step. An image pickup apparatus control method for generating image data from a picked-up image and recording the image data on a recording medium,
A continuous shooting number setting step for setting the continuous shooting number of the imaging device;
A control method comprising: an information amount setting step for setting an information amount of the image data to be recorded on the recording medium based on the continuous shooting number set in the continuous shooting number setting step.   The program for making the computer of an imaging device perform the control method of Claim 7 or 8.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 9.

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