JP2007258999A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera, wherein consumption of its power supply is prevented by displaying a through-image, in a state where a lens cap or the like is left mounted and the power supply being turned off, when object luminance is temporarily decreased is prevented, then. <P>SOLUTION: Before start of the through-image display (steps S9, S73), the digital camera measures the object luminance (steps S1, S61), decides whether the luminance or a value associated with the luminance is a prescribed value or smaller, or is less than the prescribed value (steps S2, S62), and the digital camera displays a warning; when the luminance is a prescribed value or smaller, or is less than the prescribed value, as a result of the decision. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a digital camera having a through image display function, and more specifically, a digital camera having a so-called through image display function (also referred to as a live view display function or an electronic viewfinder function) for displaying an image acquired by an image sensor on a display device. About.

In conventional compact digital cameras, the subject image was observed using an optical finder, but recently, the optical finder has been eliminated, and the output of an image sensor provided for recording subject image data is used instead. It is also used for display. That is, there are an increasing number of images having a through image display function for displaying an image acquired by an image sensor on a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor for observing a subject image.

Such a live view display function is effective, for example, during macro photography because no parallax occurs. For this reason, various examples mounted on a digital single lens reflex camera have been proposed. For example, a digital single-lens reflex camera has been proposed in which a mirror is disposed in the optical path of a single-lens reflex finder, a part of a light beam is guided to an image sensor, and a subject image captured by the image sensor is displayed on a display device for observation. (Patent Document 1). In addition, the optical finder display mode and the electronic finder display mode can be selected. When the electronic finder display mode is selected, the movable mirror is retracted from the photographing optical path and the focal plane shutter is fully opened to guide the subject image to the image sensor. A digital single-lens reflex camera is proposed in which a subject image obtained thereby is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor for observation (Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-175100 A JP 2002-369042 A

A digital camera with a through image display function has been proposed in this way, but if the shooting environment is completely dark or if the photographer forgets to remove the lens cap, it is wastefully imaged The imaging operation by the element is repeated. In this state, since the display screen of the monitor is black, it is difficult for the photographer to notice that the live view display operation continues, and as a result, the power supply may be consumed in a short time. In addition, a long-time imaging operation may cause heat generation of the imaging device, and may increase noise in the image or cause a failure of the camera.

There is a conventional technique described in Patent Document 3 for preventing power consumption due to forgetting to remove the lens cap. This document discloses that a video signal output from an imaging unit is used, it is determined whether or not a lens cap is attached based on the level of the video signal, and a warning display or power supply is stopped.
JP-A-6-22198

However, in the case of the camera disclosed in Patent Document 3, since the detection is based on the video signal output from the imaging means, it is necessary to supply the power to the imaging means to determine whether the lens cap is attached. That is, it cannot be determined whether or not the brightness is low. Further, there may be a case where the brightness is temporarily reduced depending on the subject condition. At this time, if the power is turned off, it cannot be said that the camera is convenient for the photographer.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera capable of preventing power consumption when a lens cap or the like is attached and the luminance becomes low. It is another object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use digital camera that does not turn off to prevent power consumption when the subject brightness temporarily decreases.

In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image pickup means for picking up a subject image via a photographing lens and a through image display operation for performing a through image display operation based on the subject image output from the image pickup means. Display means, photometric means for measuring subject brightness via the taking lens, and information related to subject brightness measured by the photometry means at the start of the live view display operation when the information is less than or less than a predetermined value And control means for prohibiting power supply to the imaging means.

In the digital camera according to the second invention, in the first invention, the through image display means displays a warning when power is not supplied to the imaging means.
Furthermore, the digital camera according to a third aspect is the digital camera according to the first aspect, wherein the control means has information relating to the subject brightness measured by the photometry means in a state where the power supply is prohibited. When less than or less than this, supply of power to the imaging means is started.

In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an image pickup means for picking up a subject image via a photographing lens, and a through image display operation for performing a through image display operation based on the subject image output from the image pickup means. Prior to the start of the through image display operation by the through image display means, the photometry operation by the photometry means is performed prior to the start of the through image display operation by the display means, the photometry lens, and the subject brightness at that time. The control means for prohibiting the start of the operation of the through image display means when the information is less than or less than a predetermined value.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the control means repeatedly performs the photometry operation by the photometry means in a state where the operation of the through image display means is prohibited. When the information related to the subject brightness is less than or less than the predetermined value, the prohibition of the through image display means is canceled.

In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an image pickup means for picking up a subject image through a photographing lens, and a through image display operation for performing a through image display operation based on the subject image output from the image pickup means. A display means, a cap attachment detection means for determining whether or not a lens cap of the photographing lens is attached, and the lens cap is attached by the cap attachment detection means at the start of the through image display operation. When it is detected, a control means for prohibiting power supply to the imaging means is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a subject image display method in a digital camera according to a seventh aspect of the present invention measures luminance through a taking lens, and when a value related to the measured luminance is less than or equal to a predetermined value, In addition to prohibiting power supply to the imaging means and displaying a warning, if the value related to the measured brightness is not less than or less than a predetermined value, permit power supply to the imaging means When the power supply is permitted, the image pickup means photoelectrically converts the subject image received through the photographing lens, generates image data based on the photoelectric conversion, and generates the generated image data. Display on the display means.
In the subject image display method for a digital camera according to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the determination as to whether the value relating to the luminance is less than or less than a predetermined value is the start of display of the subject image. Prior to.

The digital camera of the present invention includes a control unit that prohibits power supply to the imaging unit when the subject brightness measured by the photometry unit at the start of the live view display operation is less than or less than a predetermined value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power from being consumed when the lens cap or the like is attached and the brightness is low. Prior to the start of the live view display operation by the live view display device, the photometry operation is performed by the photometry device, and the start of the live view display device is prohibited when the subject brightness at that time is below or below a predetermined value. Thus, it is possible to provide a user-friendly digital camera that is not turned off to prevent power consumption when the subject brightness temporarily decreases.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied. This single-lens reflex camera is composed of a camera body 20 and a lens barrel 10 as an interchangeable lens. The lens barrel 10 is detachably attached to the front mounting portion of the camera body 20. In the present embodiment, the lens barrel 10 and the camera body 20 are configured separately and are electrically connected via a communication contact (not shown). However, the lens barrel 10 and the camera body 20 are integrally configured. It is also possible to do.

On the upper surface of the camera body 20, a release button 21, a mode dial 22, a power switch lever 23, a control dial 24, and the like are arranged. The release button 21 has a first release switch that is turned on when the photographer is half-pressed and a second release switch that is turned on when the photographer is fully pressed. When the first release switch (hereinafter referred to as 1R) is turned on, the camera performs photographing preparation operations such as focus detection, focusing of the photographing lens, and photometry of the subject brightness, and the second release switch (hereinafter referred to as 2R). When it is turned on, a photographing operation for capturing image data of the subject image is executed based on the output of the image sensor.

The mode dial 22 is an operation member configured to be rotatable. By matching a picture display representing a shooting mode (not shown) on the mode dial with an index, a program mode, an aperture priority mode, a shutter priority mode, a portrait mode, A shooting mode such as an auto mode can be selected. The power switch lever 23 is an operation member for turning on / off the power of the digital single-lens reflex camera, and is configured to be rotatable at two positions, on and off. The control dial 24 is an operation member for setting photographing information such as a shutter speed, an aperture value, a sensitivity, and a correction value, and various setting values can be changed by a rotating operation.

A liquid crystal monitor 26, a playback button 27, a menu button 28, a cross key 30, an OK button 31, a viewfinder 33, a through image switching button 34, a display switching button 35, and a preview button 36 are disposed on the back of the camera body 20. . The playback button 27 is an operation button for instructing display of a subject image recorded on the liquid crystal monitor 26 after shooting. The subject image data stored in a later-described SDRAM 237 or recording medium 245 in a compression mode such as JPEG is expanded and displayed. The cross key 30 is an operation member for instructing movement of the cursor in the two-dimensional direction of the X direction and the Y direction on the liquid crystal monitor 26. The OK button 31 is an operation member for confirming various items selected by the cross key 30 or the like. The menu button 28 is a button for switching to the menu mode. When the menu mode is selected by operating the button 28, a menu screen is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26. The menu screen has a plurality of hierarchical structures, and various items are selected with the cross key 30 and the selection is determined by operating the OK button 31.

The display switching button 35 is an operation member for switching to a through image display for displaying a subject image on the liquid crystal monitor 26 based on the output of the image sensor. As will be described later in the through image display, the digital single-lens reflex camera of the present embodiment has two types of A mode display and B mode display, and the through image switching button 34 is an operation button for switching between these two mode displays. . The preview button 36 is an operation button for issuing a command for narrowing the aperture of the photographing lens from the open state in order to confirm the depth of focus when observing the subject image. The playback button 27, menu button 24, through image switching button 34, display switching button 35, and preview button 36 are all linked to an on / off switch, and signals generated in response to the operation of the operation buttons will be described later. It is transmitted to ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 263. The liquid crystal monitor 26 is a display device for displaying a subject image as a through image for observation, reproducing and displaying a photographed subject image, and displaying camera information and menus. Any liquid crystal display can be used as long as it can perform these displays. Although not shown, the angle with respect to the camera body 20 can be freely changed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic optical configuration of a digital single lens reflex camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A first reflecting mirror 201 is disposed in the camera body 20 on the optical axis of the photographing lens 101 disposed in the lens barrel 10. The first reflecting mirror 201 captures a subject image at a position inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the photographic lens 101 in order to reflect the subject luminous flux to the finder optical system, and a subject image (a main CCD (Charge Coupled Device) described later). 221), it can be rotated to a position retracted from the photographing optical path. The rotation axis 201a of the first reflection mirror 201 is along the height direction of the camera body 20, and can be rotated around the symbol R. The first reflecting mirror 201 totally reflects the subject luminous flux to the right as viewed from the front surface of the camera body 20. In the present embodiment, the light is totally reflected to the right. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reflection direction of the subject light flux is most appropriate in terms of the arrangement of the mechanism members and optical members, both above and to the left of the camera body. You may choose to Moreover, although the movable mirror is used as the optical path changing member, the present invention is not limited to this, and any member that can change the optical path, such as a liquid crystal mirror that can be electrically switched between a transmission state and a reflection state, may be used.

A screen mat 205 is disposed on the reflection optical axis of the first reflection mirror 201, and a second reflection mirror 271 formed of a half mirror is disposed behind the screen mat 205. The screen mat 205 is a mat surface for forming an image of a subject light flux by the photographing lens 101, and is disposed at a position equivalent to the main CCD 221 (see FIG. 3) at a distance from the first reflection mirror 201. The second reflecting mirror 271 reflects a part of the subject luminous flux above the camera body 20, and the remaining subject luminous flux passes through the second reflecting mirror 271 and enters the photometric sensor 281 disposed behind. The photometric sensor 281 is a 7 × 7 divided photometric sensor for measuring subject luminance, and is connected to an input / output circuit 239 in the ASIC 263.

A third reflection mirror 273 is disposed on the reflection optical axis of the second reflection mirror 271, and the subject luminous flux is totally reflected by the third reflection mirror 273 on the upper left side of the camera body 20. A fourth reflection mirror 275 configured with a half mirror is disposed on the reflection optical axis of the third reflection mirror 273. On the transmission optical axis of the fourth reflection mirror 275, an imaging lens 277 and a CCD 279 in the finder as a two-dimensional imaging device are arranged. The in-viewfinder CCD 279 converts the subject image formed on the screen mat 205 into a photoelectric signal and outputs it to the CCD drive circuit 283 (FIG. 3). The fourth reflecting mirror 275 reflects the remaining subject light beam behind the camera body 20, and an eyepiece lens 209 is disposed on the reflected optical axis. The subject luminous flux reflected by the fourth reflecting mirror is observed as a subject image by the photographer E through the eyepiece 209 and the finder 33 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment.
Inside the lens barrel 10, photographing lenses 101a and 101b for adjusting the focal length and adjusting the focal length, and a diaphragm 103 for adjusting the aperture amount are arranged. The lens 101 a and the lens 101 b are driven by the lens driving mechanism 107, and the diaphragm 103 is driven by the diaphragm driving mechanism 109. These lens driving mechanism 107 and diaphragm driving mechanism 109 are each connected to a lens CPU 111, and this lens CPU 111 is connected to the camera body 20 via a communication contact (not shown). The lens CPU 111 controls the lens barrel 10 and controls the lens driving mechanism 107 to perform focusing and zoom driving, and also controls the aperture driving mechanism 109 to control the aperture value.

The first reflection mirror 201 described above is disposed in the camera body 20, and on the right side of the first reflection mirror 201 (in FIG. 3, the drawing is above the first reflection mirror 201). The above-described screen mat 205 is arranged to form a subject image, and the second reflecting mirror 271, the third reflecting mirror 273, and the fourth reflecting mirror 275 are arranged behind the screen mat 205, and the second A photometric sensor 281 is disposed behind the reflection mirror 271, and an imaging lens 277 and a viewfinder CCD 279 (abbreviated as “F CCD” in FIG. 3) are disposed behind the fourth reflection mirror 275. An eyepiece lens 209 is disposed on the reflection optical axis of the fourth reflection mirror 275.

Near the center of the first reflection mirror 201 described above, a half mirror is formed, and on the back surface of the first reflection mirror 201, a sub mirror 203 for reflecting a subject light beam transmitted through the half mirror portion is provided. . The sub mirror 203 is rotatable with respect to the first reflecting mirror 201. When the first reflecting mirror 201 is retracted from the photographing optical path and the subject light flux is incident on the main CCD 221, the sub mirror 203 is positioned so as to cover the half mirror portion. When the first reflecting mirror 201 is in the subject image observation position as shown in the drawing, the first reflecting mirror 201 is in a position perpendicular to the first reflecting mirror 201. The first reflecting mirror 201 is driven by a mirror driving mechanism 219. In addition, a phase difference type distance measuring circuit 217 including a distance measuring sensor is disposed on the reflected optical path of the sub mirror 203, and this circuit detects a focus shift amount of a subject image formed by the lenses 101a and 101b. It is a circuit for doing.

A focal plane type shutter 213 for controlling the exposure time is disposed behind the first reflecting mirror 201, and the shutter 213 is driven and controlled by a shutter driving mechanism 215. A main CCD 221 serving as a two-dimensional imaging device is disposed behind the shutter 213, and subjects images formed by the lenses 101a and 101b are photoelectrically converted into electric signals. In the present embodiment, a CCD is used as the image pickup device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that a two-dimensional image pickup device such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) can be used. The main CCD 221 is connected to a CCD drive circuit 223, and the analog / digital conversion (AD conversion) is performed by the CCD drive circuit 223. The CCD drive circuit 223 receives control from a later-described sequence controller (hereinafter referred to as “body CPU”) 229 via the input / output circuit 239, performs on / off control of the power of the main CCD 221, and performs imaging timing of the main CCD 221. To adjust the variation with the output of the CCD 279 in the finder, and amplify the photoelectric conversion signal (gain adjustment). A CCD drive circuit 283 described later has a similar function. The in-viewfinder CCD 279 is an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed on the screen mat 205, and may be an image pickup device such as a CMOS like the main CCD 221, and the number of pixels is only used for observation of the subject image. The number may be smaller than that of the main CCD 221. The in-finder CCD 279 is connected to a CCD drive circuit 283, and the CCD drive circuit 283 performs analog-digital conversion (AD conversion).

The CCD drive circuit 223 and the CCD drive circuit 283 are connected to a CCD switching circuit 285, and this CCD switching circuit 285 is controlled to selectively output any one of the CCDs by a switching control line from the input / output circuit 239. . The CCD switching circuit 285 is connected to the image processing circuit 227 via the CCD interface 225. The image processing circuit 227 performs various kinds of image processing such as color correction, gamma (γ) correction, contrast correction, and contour display / color mode processing. The image processing circuit 227 is connected to the data bus 261 in the ASIC 263. In addition to the image processing circuit 227, the data bus 261 includes a body CPU 229, a compression circuit 231, a flash memory control circuit 233, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) control circuit 236, an input / output circuit 239, a communication circuit 241, and a recording medium. A control circuit 243, a video signal output circuit 247, and a switch detection circuit 253 are connected.

The body CPU 229 connected to the data bus 261 controls the flow of the digital single lens reflex camera. A compression circuit 231 connected to the data bus 261 is a circuit for compressing image data or the like stored in an SDRAM 237 described later with JPEG. Note that image compression is not limited to JPEG, and other compression methods can be applied. The flash memory control circuit 233 connected to the data bus 261 is connected to the flash memory 235. The flash memory 235 stores a program for controlling the flow of the electronic camera, and the body CPU 229 The electronic camera is controlled according to the program stored in H.235. Note that the flash memory 235 is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory. The SDRAM 237 is connected to the data bus 261 via the SDRAM control circuit 236, and the SDRAM 237 temporarily stores the image information processed by the image processing circuit 227 or the image information compressed by the compression circuit 231. It is a memory for.

The input / output circuit 239 for connecting the shutter driving mechanism 215, distance measuring circuit 217, mirror driving mechanism 219, CCD driving circuit 223, photometric sensor 281, CCD driving circuit 283, and CCD switching circuit 285 is connected via the data bus 261. Controls data input / output with each circuit such as the body CPU 229. A communication circuit 241 connected to the lens CPU 111 via a communication contact (not shown) is connected to the data bus 261 and exchanges data with the body CPU 229 and the like and communicates control commands. A recording medium control circuit 243 connected to the data bus 261 is connected to the recording medium 245 and controls recording of image data and the like on the recording medium 245. The recording medium 245 includes a rewritable recording medium such as an xD picture card (registered trademark), a compact flash (registered trademark), an SD memory card (registered trademark), a memory stick (registered trademark), or a hard disk drive (HD). The camera body 20 is detachable.

The video signal output circuit 247 connected to the data bus 261 is connected to the liquid crystal monitor 26 via the liquid crystal monitor drive circuit 249. The video signal output circuit 247 is a circuit for converting image data stored in the SDRAM 237 or the recording medium 245 into a video signal to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26. The liquid crystal monitor 26 is arranged on the back surface of the camera body 20 as shown in FIG. 1, but it is not limited to the back surface as long as it can be observed by the photographer. . A switch for detecting the first stroke and the second stroke of the release button 21, a mode dial 22, a power switch 23, a control dial 24, a playback button 27, a menu button 28, a cross key 30, an OK button 31, and a through image switching button 34 Various switches 255 (abbreviated as various SWs in FIG. 3) including a display switching button 35, a preview button 36, a lens detection switch (not shown), and the like are connected to the data bus 261 through a switch detection circuit 253.

Next, a hierarchical structure of display / operation modes of the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
There are three main display / operation modes: information display M100, A mode display M200, and B mode display M300. The information display M100 is initially set in a state where the camera body 20 is turned on. In this information display mode, basic information is displayed when the camera shoots. The liquid crystal monitor 26 has a shooting mode, a shutter speed, an aperture, an AF mode, and a flash as shown in FIG. Then, a screen for displaying information such as the number of pixels is displayed. Shooting modes such as a program mode and a shutter speed priority mode are set by rotating the mode dial 22. Items such as sensitivity, shutter speed, aperture value, correction value, and number of pixels are selected by operating the cross key 30 on the information display screen, and numerical values are set by operating the control dial 24.

The A mode display M200 is a mode in which the subject image formed on the screen mat 205 is photoelectrically converted by the in-finder CCD 279 and the observation subject image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26 based on the photoelectric conversion signal. In this mode, the subject luminous flux is guided to the distance measuring circuit 217 via the sub mirror 203 provided in the first reflecting mirror 201, so that the automatic focus detection operation can be performed together with the observation of the subject image. In the screen display on the liquid crystal monitor 26, as shown in FIG. 8A, “A” (see reference numeral 305) is displayed at the lower left of the screen to indicate the A mode display. In this mode, the AF frame 303 engraved on the screen mat 205 can also be visually recognized.

In the B mode display M300, the first reflecting mirror 201 is retracted from the photographing optical path, the shutter 213 is opened, the subject luminous flux is directly formed on the main CCD 221, and the subject image is converted into a photoelectric conversion signal. In this mode, an object image for observation is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26 based on the signal. In this mode, since the subject light flux is directly received by the main CCD 221 without using the half mirror in the finder optical system, the reduction in the amount of light reaching the CCD 221 can be prevented, and a subject image can be sufficiently obtained even for a low-luminance subject. Can be displayed. Since the first reflecting mirror 201 is retracted, the automatic focus detection is not activated and the focusing is performed manually. As shown in FIG. 8B, “B” (see reference numeral 307) is displayed at the lower left of the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 26 to indicate that the mode is B mode display. In this mode, since the distance measurement by the distance measurement circuit 217 is impossible, the AF frame is not displayed unlike the A mode display. Of course, the symbols for indicating the A mode display and the B mode display are not limited to “A” and “B”, but may be symbols, characters, pictograms, etc. such as “main CCD” and “in-finder CCD”. .

As described above, when the camera body 20 is turned on, the information display M100 is initialized. Switching from the information display M100 to the A mode display M200 or the B mode display M300 is performed by operating the display switching button 35. In this case, when the display switching button 35 is operated, the display mode is switched to the A mode display M200 or the B mode display M300 set most recently. At the time of shipment from the factory, if the A mode display is set as a default value (of course, B mode display is also possible), when the display switching button 35 is first operated, the mode is switched to the A mode display M200 and displayed again. When the switch button 35 is operated, the display returns to the information display M100. When the through image display switching button 34 is operated when the A mode display M200 is set, the mode is switched to the B mode display M300. When the through image display switching button 34 is operated again in this state, the display returns to the A mode display M200. . When the display switching button 35 is operated in the B mode display M300, the display returns to the information display M100. That is, switching from the information display M100 to the A mode display M200 or the B mode display M300 is performed by operating the display switching button 35 to shift to the most recently set mode, and the A mode display M200 and the B mode display M300. Switching between them is performed by a through image display switching button 34.

Here, since the fact that the A mode display M200 and the B mode display M300 are set is stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown), the storage is maintained even when the power of the camera body 20 is turned off. However, it goes without saying that the display may be reset to either the A mode display or the B mode display in accordance with the power on. As a special case, when the lens detection switch (not shown) detects that the lens barrel 10 has been removed from the camera body 20, the B mode display M300 is switched to the information display M100.

As described above, in this embodiment, the light amount of the subject light flux is reduced, but the A mode display capable of performing the automatic focus adjustment and the automatic focus adjustment are disabled, but the light amount of the subject light flux is not reduced and is reduced. The B mode display capable of sufficiently displaying the subject image even with the brightness is switched by a simple operation.

Next, the lower hierarchy of the information display M100 will be described. When the preview button 36 is pressed on in the state of the information display M100, the preview C is executed (M110). When the preview button 36 is released and turned off, the display returns to the information display M100. In the information display M100, when the release button 21 is half-pressed (1R on), photographing preparation operations such as photometry and distance measurement are performed (M120), and when the release button 21 is fully pressed (2R on), the main The output of the CCD 221 is read, and the photographing operation C for recording the recording image data on the recording medium 245 is executed (M121). When the shooting operation is finished and the release button 21 is half-pressed (1R off), the display returns to the information display M100. When the menu button 28 is turned on, a menu screen for setting card setting, drive mode, flash correction, etc. as shown in FIG. 9B appears (M130). It can be determined by operating the cross key 30 on this screen to move the cursor, select a desired item, and press the OK button 31 (M131). When menu button 28 or OK button 31 is turned on from menu display M130, it is possible to return to information display M100. Furthermore, on the information display M100 screen (FIG. 9A), the mode dial 22, the control dial 24 and the cross key 30 can be operated to set the desired mode / value (M140).

Next, the process proceeds to the lower hierarchy of the A mode display M200. First, when the preview button 36 is pressed on in the A mode display M200, the preview A is executed (M210). The preview A is a mode in which the subject image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26 based on the image signal from the main CCD 221 in a state where the aperture 103 is stopped down to a set aperture value. Release the preview button 36 and turn it off to cancel the preview mode and return to the A mode display M200.

In the A mode display, when the release button 21 is pressed halfway and 1R is turned on, shooting preparation is performed in the same manner as the shooting preparation operation M120 (M220), and when the release button 21 is fully pressed and 2R is turned on, the shooting operation is performed. A is performed (M221). When the menu button 28 is turned on, a menu screen shown in FIG. 9B appears (M230). In this state, the cross key 30 is operated to move the cursor, select an item, determine a desired item with the OK button 31, and return to the menu display M230 (M231). When the menu button 28 or the OK button 31 is turned on in this display state, the screen returns to the A mode display M200.

Next, moving to the lower layer of the B mode display M300, first, when the menu button 28 is pressed and turned on in the B mode display M300, a menu display as shown in FIG. 9B is obtained (M310). Here, when the cross key 30 is operated (M311) and the desired item is determined by the OK button 31, the display returns to the menu display M310. From the menu display, it is possible to return to the B mode display M300 by turning on the menu button 28 or the OK button 31. Even in the B mode display state, even if the release button 21 is half-pressed, the first reflecting mirror is in the retracted state and the shutter is in the open state. When turned on, the photographing operation B for recording the recording image data on the recording medium 245 is executed based on the image signal from the main CCD (M320). When the preview button 36 is turned on, a narrowing operation of the diaphragm 103 is performed, and a preview B for displaying a through image on the liquid crystal monitor 26 based on an image signal from the main CCD 221 is executed (M330). This preview B is a mode in which the subject image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26 on the basis of the image signal from the main CCD 221 in a state where the aperture 103 is stopped down to the set aperture value, similarly to the preview A.

Next, details of the display / operation mode shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the A mode display M200 shown in FIG. As described above, when the display switching button 35 is turned on, an A-mode display operation for displaying a subject image based on the output from the in-viewfinder CCD 279 is performed. Prior to that, in order to determine the driving conditions of the in-viewfinder CCD 279, In step S1, photometric / exposure amount calculation (that is, subject luminance value, shutter speed and sensitivity) is performed based on the output of the photometric sensor 281. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the photometric luminance Bv obtained in step S1 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (S2). If the result of determination is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S3 to display a warning. This warning is for warning that the brightness is low due to the lens cap being attached or the like, and for example, a display as shown in FIG. 8C is made.

After performing this warning display, the process proceeds to step S4 to determine whether or not the display switching button 35 has been operated, that is, whether or not it is turned on. If it is turned on, the process proceeds to the information display M100. On the other hand, if the result of determination is OFF, the process returns to step S1 again, and the above steps are repeated. When the photographer notices the warning display in step S3 that suggests the possibility of wearing the lens cap and the photometric value becomes high brightness by removing the lens cap or the like, the determination in step S2 is No and the determination is step S5. Will go on. In step S5, the in-finder CCD 279 is selected, and power is supplied to it (S6). Subsequently, in order to set the electronic shutter speed and sensitivity conditions for driving the CCD, the through image condition setting 1 subroutine is executed using the photometry / exposure amount calculation result obtained in step S1 (S7). By executing this subroutine, an image with appropriate brightness (brightness) can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26. Details of this subroutine will be described later with reference to FIG. When the through image condition setting 1 is completed, the A mode display is started (S9).

As described above, in this embodiment, when starting the A mode display which is one of the through image displays, the subject brightness is first measured (S1), and it is determined whether or not the brightness is low (S2). In such a case, since a warning display (S3) is performed, a through image display is performed with the lens cap attached, and a waste of power is wasted by performing a through image display in the dark. Can be prevented. The determination of whether or not the luminance is low (S2) is performed only prior to the start of the A mode display for the through image (step S9). However, since the above determination is not performed, it is possible to prevent a problem that the brightness is temporarily reduced during live view display and power supply to the image sensor is stopped and the image is interrupted.

Note that the determination in step S2 may be a value that takes into account the subject brightness Bv itself, as well as the shutter speed and aperture value obtained in relation to the subject brightness, the ISO sensitivity used for exposure control, and the like. However, it may be a value related to the subject brightness. In the determination, it is determined whether or not the value is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Further, the warning display in step S3 may be a picture display or a symbol in addition to a simple character, and may of course be a sound display as well as a visual display. Further, in the present embodiment, whether or not the lens cap is attached is determined based on a value related to the subject luminance transmitted through the photographing lens, but is not limited thereto, and is provided in the photographing lens, for example. A method of providing a switch or the like interlocked with the mounting of the lens cap may be used.

When the live view display in the A mode is started, the photometry / exposure amount calculation is performed similarly to step S1 (S11), and the calculated exposure amount is displayed (S13). Subsequently, in order to keep the brightness of the live view display on the liquid crystal monitor 26 appropriately, a live view condition setting 2 subroutine is executed (S15). Since the through image condition setting 1 in step S7 was before the A mode display on the liquid crystal monitor 26, it was performed based on the output of the photometric sensor 281, but in the through image condition setting 2, the target brightness and the previous imaging The electronic shutter speed and sensitivity at the next imaging are determined from the screen brightness and the difference based on the result. Here, the brightness is a value corresponding to a weighted average value of each pixel output of the CCD, for example. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the release button 21 is half-pressed, that is, whether 1R is turned on (S21).

If the result of determination is that 1R is on, photometry / exposure amount calculation for use in exposure control during shooting operation is performed (S23), and a ranging / focus adjustment subroutine is executed (S25). The distance measurement / focus adjustment subroutine calculates the focus shift amount of the photographing lens 101 based on the output of the distance measurement circuit 217, calculates the lens drive amount based on the focus shift amount, and drives the lens via the lens CPU 111. The mechanism 107 is driven to perform focusing. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the release button 21 is fully pressed, that is, whether or not 2R is turned on. If it is off, it is determined whether or not the release button 21 is half-pressed (S29). In this case, a standby state in which steps S27 and S29 are repeatedly executed is entered. If the photographer's hand is released from the release button 21 in this state, the process skips step S29 with N and returns to step S11 again. On the other hand, when the release button 21 is fully pressed, the process proceeds to step S31 to stop the A mode display, that is, stop displaying the live view on the liquid crystal monitor 26, and turn off the power of the CCD 279 in the finder. (S33), the operation proceeds to the photographing operation A (M221). In the photographing operation A, the first reflecting mirror 201 is retracted from the photographing optical path, the diaphragm 103 is narrowed down to a set value, the shutter 213 is opened, and after the photographing operation by the main CCD 221 is performed, the first reflecting mirror 201 is set to the reflecting position. A known operation of returning the aperture 103 and the shutter 213 to the initial position is performed. When the photographing operation is completed, the process returns to step S1 and the above steps are repeated.

Returning to step S21, if 1R is off, it is determined in step S41 whether the preview button 36 is on. If it is on, the A mode display is fixed, that is, the display subject image as a through image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26 is not updated but is maintained as it is (S43). This is because when the aperture 103 is narrowed down in the preview operation and the subject brightness is lowered, the through image condition setting cannot sufficiently follow, and the brightness of the image changes unnaturally. In order to prevent this unnatural change, the update of the through image is stopped until the image is stabilized. Thereafter, the process proceeds to preview A (M210), and the subject image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26 as a through image based on the output of the main CCD 221 with the aperture 103 set to the set value. When preview A ends, the process returns to step S1 and the above steps are repeated.

Returning to step S41, if the preview button 36 is off, the process proceeds to step S45, where it is determined whether the display switching button 35 has been pressed, that is, whether it is on. If it is ON, the process returns to the information display M100 described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, if the display switching button 35 is off, the process proceeds to step S47 to determine whether the menu button 28 has been pressed, that is, whether it is on. If it is on, the menu described in FIG. Proceed to display M230. If the menu button 28 is off, the process proceeds to step S49, and it is determined whether or not the through image switching button 34 is on (S49). If it is off, no button has been operated, so the process returns to step S11 and the above-described flow is repeated. When the live view display button 34 is operated in the state of the A mode display M200, the mode is switched to the B mode display M300 as described above. Therefore, if it is determined to be on in S49, first, similarly to step S43, the A mode display is fixed and then the process proceeds to the B mode display (M300).

Next, the flow of the B mode display M300 will be described with reference to FIG. When the B mode display is entered, the B mode display operation for displaying the subject image based on the output from the main CCD 221 is performed. Prior to that, the output of the photometric sensor 281 is output in step S61 as in the case of the A mode display. Based on the above, photometric / exposure amount calculation, that is, subject luminance value, shutter speed and sensitivity are obtained. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the photometric luminance Bv obtained in step S61 is a predetermined value or less (S62). As a result of the determination, if the value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S63 to display a warning. Steps S63 and S64 are the same as steps S3 and S4 in the case of the A mode display, and the details are omitted.

In step S62, if the subject brightness is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S65, the main CCD 221 is selected, and the supply of power to the main CCD 221 is started (S65). Next, the first reflecting mirror 201 is rotated around the axis 201a and retracted from the photographing optical path (S67). Subsequently, the focal plane shutter 213 is opened (S69), and a subject image is formed on the main CCD 221. As in step S7, a subroutine for setting the through image display condition 1 is executed (S71), and the through image display in the B mode display is started (S73). When the A mode display M200 is switched to the B mode display M300, the display on the liquid crystal monitor 26 is fixed from the A mode display fixed in step S51 to the start of the B mode display in step S73. The display is switched to B mode display, that is, through image display based on the image signal output from the main CCD 221. Next, a timer is started and the process proceeds to step S81.

As described above, in this embodiment, as in the case of the A mode display, when the B mode display is started, the subject luminance is first measured (S61), and it is determined whether or not the luminance is low (S62). In the case of the brightness, the warning display (S63) is performed, so that the through image display is performed with the lens cap attached, and the power consumption is wasted by performing the through image display in the dark. This can be prevented. The determination of whether or not the luminance is low (S62) is only performed prior to the start of the B mode display for the through image (step S73). However, since the above determination is not made, the problem that the brightness is temporarily reduced during the live view display and the power supply to the image sensor is stopped and the image is interrupted is the same as in the case of the A mode display. Can prevent.

The determination in step S62 may be a value that takes into account the subject brightness Bv itself, as well as the required shutter speed and aperture value related to the subject brightness, ISO sensitivity used for exposure control, and the like. In any case, a value related to the subject brightness is sufficient as in the case of A mode display. In the determination, it is determined whether or not the value is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Further, the warning display in step S63 may be a picture display or a symbol in addition to a simple character, and may of course be a sound display as well as a visual display. Further, in the present embodiment, whether or not the lens cap is attached is determined based on a value related to the subject luminance transmitted through the photographing lens, but is not limited thereto, and is provided in the photographing lens, for example. Similar to the case of the A mode display, a method of providing a switch or the like interlocked with the mounting of the lens cap may be used.

Next, in step S81, it is determined whether the release button 21 is fully pressed, that is, whether 2R is on. First, the through image display displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 26 is stopped, that is, the B mode display is stopped (S83), and the focal plane shutter 213 and the first reflection mirror 201 are returned to the initial state (S85, S87). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the shooting operation B (M320), the shutter 213 is opened, and after the imaging operation by the main CCD 221 is performed, the aperture 103 and the shutter 213 are returned to the initial positions. When the photographing operation B is completed, the process returns to step 61 and the above-described steps are repeated.

Returning to step S81, if the result of determination is that 2R is off, processing proceeds to step S91, where it is determined whether or not the preview button 36 is on. If it is on, the preview operation is started and the B mode display is fixed (S93). This is to prevent the image brightness from unnaturally changing when narrowing down, as in the case of fixing the A mode display in step S43. Thereafter, the process proceeds to preview B (M330), and the subject image is displayed as a through image on the liquid crystal monitor 26 based on the output of the main CCD 221 in a state where the aperture 103 is reduced to the set value.

Returning to step S91, if the result of determination is that the preview button 36 is off, it is determined whether or not the display switching button 35 is on in step S101. If it is on, the process returns to the information display M100, but before that, a process for ending the B mode display is performed from S103 to S109. First, the B mode display is stopped (S103), the focal plane shutter 213 is closed, the first reflecting mirror 201 is returned from the retracted position to the position where the light beam is reflected to the finder optical system (S107), and the main CCD 221 is turned off. (S109). When these operations are completed, the process proceeds to the information display M100.

Returning to step S101, if the display switching button 35 is off, the process proceeds to step S111 to determine whether the menu button 28 is on. If the result of determination is that it is on, menu display M310 is displayed, but before that, processing for stopping the live view display in B mode display is performed in steps S113 to S119. Since this process is the same as steps S103 to S109 described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

Returning to step S111, if the result of determination is OFF, it is determined in step S121 whether or not the through image switching button 34 is ON. If the result of determination is that it is on, the B mode display M300 is switched to the A mode display M200, but before that, switching processing is performed in steps S123 to S129. First, in step S123, the B mode display is fixed. This is to prevent image distortion when the through image display mode is switched. Subsequent steps S125 to S129 are the same as steps S105 to S109 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Returning to step S121, if the result of determination is OFF, processing proceeds to step S131, where it is determined whether or not the lens barrel 10 has been removed from the camera body 20 based on the output of a lens detection switch (not shown). To do. When the determination result is Yes, that is, when the lens barrel 10 is removed, the information display M100 is performed. In the B mode display, the first reflecting mirror 201 is retracted from the photographing optical path, and the focal plane shutter 213 is open. For this reason, the main CCD 221 is directly exposed to the outside, and dust or the like may be attached. Therefore, by closing the B mode display M300, dust or the like is prevented from adhering to the imaging surface of the main CCD 221. In order to end the B mode display, processing is performed in steps S133 to S139. Since these steps are the same as steps S103 to S109 described above, description thereof will be omitted.

Returning to step S131, if the result of determination is No, the lens barrel 10 remains attached, and the process proceeds to step S141, in which whether or not the value of the timer started in step S75 has elapsed for a predetermined time. Determine. As a result of the determination, if the predetermined time has not elapsed, a through image condition setting 2 subroutine is executed in step S143, and then the process proceeds to step S81 described above. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S133 to end the B mode display and perform the information display M100. In this way, the reason why the B-mode display ends when a predetermined time elapses is that if the B-mode display is continued for a long time, the main CCD generates heat and noise may be generated in the output image. .

As described above, in the present embodiment, the subject image on the monitor is frozen in order to prevent the subject image from being disturbed when switching between A mode display and B mode display. That is, when switching from the A mode display to the B mode display, the A mode display is frozen from step S51 to step S73, and when switching from the B mode display to the A mode display, the B mode display is performed from step S123 to S9. It is frozen. In addition to the method of ending freeze according to a predetermined operation, various methods may be selected as appropriate, such as freezing for a predetermined time until the image is stabilized. In this embodiment, the display is frozen when switching between the A mode display and the B mode display. However, the present invention can be applied to only one of the display modes.

In the B mode display, when it is detected that the lens barrel 10 has been removed, the B mode display is stopped, so that a warning is displayed to the photographer. Furthermore, since the shutter and the movable mirror are driven so as to cover the image sensor, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering. In the present embodiment, both the first reflection mirror 201 and the focal plane shutter 213 cover the main CCD 221. However, even if only one of the main CCD 221 is covered, dust or the like is sufficiently adhered. Can be prevented. Since the CCD 279 used in the A mode display is in the viewfinder, there is almost no risk of dust adhering, so the A mode display is continued even if the lens barrel 10 is removed. Of course, when it is detected, the A mode display may be stopped and the information display M100 may be displayed.

Next, “through image condition setting 1” and “through image condition setting 2” will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, this subroutine is for adjusting the image brightness when displaying the subject image on the liquid crystal monitor 26. First, when the through image condition setting 1 subroutine is entered, in step S341, the electronic shutter speed TV1 and sensitivity SV1 at the time of next imaging are determined based on the output BVs of the photometric sensor 281. Since the aperture value when displaying a through image is an open aperture value, if this aperture value is AVs,
AVs + TV1 = BVs + SV1
There is a relationship
BVs-AVs = TV1-SV1
It becomes. Since the left side of this equation is a known value, TV1 and SV1 may be obtained from the value on the left side according to a program line or a table as appropriate. Thereafter, the determined electronic shutter speed TV1 and sensitivity SV1 are stored and set in the respective registers (S347). The CCD drive circuit 223 or the CCD drive circuit 283 performs drive control of the CCD 221 or 279 based on the TV1 and SV1 set and stored here, and reads out the photoelectric conversion signal.

Subsequently, in step S349 and subsequent steps, countermeasures are taken when the subject light amount that has passed through the photographing lens 101 decreases. When the amount of light received by the main CCD 221 or the CCD 279 in the finder decreases, the electronic shutter speed is reduced and the sensitivity (amplification factor) is increased in order to keep the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 26 at a constant brightness. However, increasing the sensitivity increases the noise, resulting in a rough screen. In view of this, when the amount of light received by the CCD is small, the black-and-white mode, which requires a small amount of information, is selected. In this case, assuming that switching between black and white and color is one threshold value, when the subject light quantity changes before and after this threshold value, the black and white and color change in small increments, making it unsightly. Therefore, a hysteresis characteristic is given to the threshold value for switching between black and white and color.

First, in step S349, it is determined whether or not the current display is in the monochrome mode. Since the color mode and the monochrome mode are set by the image processing circuit 227, the determination here is performed based on the mode set in the image processing circuit 227. If it is determined that the color mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S351 to determine whether TV1−SV1 <α, that is, whether the difference between the electronic shutter speed and the sensitivity is smaller than a predetermined value (threshold value) α. I do. Here, the predetermined value α may be appropriately set as a design value. For example, the lower limit value of the electronic shutter speed TV1 is 1/16 seconds (TV = 4), and the upper limit value of the sensitivity SV1 is ISO1600 (SV = 9). ), The predetermined value α = 4-9 = −5. If it is smaller than the predetermined value α, that is, if the subject light quantity is small and dark, the image processing circuit 227 is set to the monochrome mode (S353), and the original flow is returned to. If TV1-SV1 is greater than the predetermined value α in step S351, the subject light quantity is sufficiently bright and bright, and the process returns to the original flow without changing the color mode setting of the image processing circuit 227.

Returning to step S349, if the current mode is the monochrome mode, the process proceeds to step S355 to determine whether TV1-SV1 <α + Δα. Δα may be appropriately set as a design value, but is preferably a value larger than 0.5 and smaller than 1.5, and more preferably Δα, as a value that makes switching between black and white and color not frequent and easy to view. = 1. If TV1-SV1 is smaller than α + Δα as a result of the determination in step S355, the amount of subject light is small, so the monochrome mode is maintained and the original flow is returned to. On the other hand, when TV1-SV1 is larger than α + Δα, the monochrome mode is canceled (S355), the color mode is set in the image processing circuit 227, and the process returns to the original flow.

Next, “through image condition setting 2” will be described. When the setting 2 subroutine is entered, first, a difference ΔEV between the target image brightness (predetermined value) and the image brightness at the time of previous imaging is calculated (S343). Subsequently, the electronic shutter speed TV1 and sensitivity SV1 at the next imaging are determined so that the image brightness is constant (S345). This decision is based on the following factors:
・ Aperture value AV0 at the time of previous imaging
・ Aperture value AV1 currently set
-Electronic shutter speed TV0 at the time of previous imaging
・ Sensitivity SV0 at the time of previous imaging
The difference ΔEV between the target image brightness and the previous image brightness
First, as a basic expression of the exposure condition, AV0 + TV0 = BV0 + SV0
It is.

Here, BV0 is the previous luminance, but the true value is not known and is a provisional value in the above basic formula. Since the true luminance value BV0 is different from the target, ie, ΔEV,
BV0 = AV0 + TV0−SV0 + ΔEV
= AV1 + TV1-SV1
Thus, TV1 and SV1 are obtained from this relational expression. Here, the difference ΔEV may be obtained from, for example, the difference between the weighted average of the output of each pixel of the image sensor and the target value. When step S345 ends, the process proceeds to step S347 described above, and after executing a predetermined step, the process returns to the original flow.

In this through image condition setting subroutine, when the subject light quantity is small, the monochrome mode is set, so that noise and roughness can be reduced in the monitor image even in the dark. In addition, since a hysteresis characteristic is provided at the time of switching between color and black and white, it is easy to see without switching between black and white and color in small increments. In this embodiment, whether to enter the monochrome mode or whether to cancel the monochrome mode is determined based on the difference between the electronic shutter speed TV1 and the sensitivity SV1, but both are based on the same data. It does not have to be. For example, whether to enter the monochrome mode may be determined by the TV-SV value, and the release may be determined based on the SV value. When entering the monochrome mode, only the TV value may be determined, and the cancellation may be based on the SV value. Also good.

In the present embodiment, the color mode and the black and white mode are switched. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the display mode may be a sepia tone instead of the black and white mode. Further, the saturation in the color mode may be changed instead of the single color mode. For example, when 8 bits are used to represent the color and the subject brightness is low, flickering of the through image display can be reduced even if the saturation is lowered, such as reducing to 4 bits to represent the color. .

As described above in detail, in this embodiment, the subject brightness is measured (steps S1 and S61), and it is determined whether the information related to the subject brightness is equal to or less than a predetermined value (steps S2 and S62). As a result, in the case of the following or less, since the warning is displayed (steps S3 and S63), the through image display is performed in a situation where the through image display is wasted while the lens cap is attached, It is possible to prevent waste of power. In addition, since this determination is only performed prior to the start of the live view display (steps S9 and S73), the power supply to the image sensor is stopped even if the brightness temporarily decreases during live view display. Because it is not done, it is easy to use without inconvenience.

The digital reflex camera of the present embodiment performs a through image display operation based on the main CCD 221 or the in-viewfinder CCD 279 that is an imaging unit that captures a subject image via the photographing lens 101 and the subject image output from the imaging unit. A liquid crystal monitor 26 as a through image display means and a photometric sensor 281 as a photometry means for measuring subject luminance via the taking lens 101 are provided, and photometry is performed at the start of a through image display operation (A mode display or B mode display). When the information related to the subject brightness measured by the means is less than or less than the predetermined value (steps S2 and S62), the power supply to the image pickup means is prohibited, so that the lens cap remains attached, etc. It is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption in the imaging means. Note that the subject brightness here includes not only mere subject brightness but also a value related to the subject brightness.

In addition, the digital camera of the present embodiment displays a warning as shown in FIG. 8C when power is not supplied to the imaging unit, for example, so that power supply is stopped. It is possible to prevent waste of power by notifying the photographer and removing the cause.
Furthermore, the digital camera according to the present embodiment starts supplying power to the imaging unit when the subject luminance measured by the photometry unit is not less than or less than a predetermined value in a state where power supply is prohibited (step S2). Or, skip S62 with N, and proceed to S5 or S65). After that, even if the brightness is temporarily reduced during live view display, the power is not turned off, so there is no inconvenience and it is easy to use. .

In this embodiment, an example applied to a single-lens reflex camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a single-lens reflex camera. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to any digital camera.

1 is an external perspective view of a digital single lens reflex camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the optical schematic structure of the digital single-lens reflex camera concerning one Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a digital single-lens reflex camera according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hierarchical structure of the display mode of the digital single-lens reflex camera in one Embodiment, and its operation mode menu. It is a flowchart of A mode display in one embodiment. It is a flowchart of B mode display in one embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of through image condition setting 1 and through image condition setting 2 according to an embodiment. 4A and 4B are display screens in a through image display mode in a liquid crystal monitor according to an embodiment, in which (A) shows an A mode display, (B) shows a B mode display, and (C) shows a warning display when the luminance is low. FIG. 4 is a display on a liquid crystal monitor according to an embodiment, where (A) shows an information display screen and (B) shows a menu display screen.

Explanation of symbols

10 Lens barrel 20 Camera body 21 Release button 22 Mode dial 23 Power switch 24 Control switch 26 Liquid crystal monitor 27 Playback button 28 Menu button 30 Four-way key 31 OK button 33 Viewfinder 34 Through-image switching button 35 Display switching button 36 Preview button 101 Shooting Lens 103 Aperture 201 First reflection mirror 213 Focal plane shutter 221 Main CCD
227 Image processing circuit 229 Body CPU
279 CCD in the viewfinder
281 Photometric sensor

Claims (8)

An image pickup means for picking up a subject image through the taking lens;
Through image display means for performing a through image display operation based on the subject image output from the imaging means;
Photometric means for measuring subject brightness via the photographing lens;
Control means for prohibiting power supply to the imaging means when information related to the subject brightness measured by the photometry means at the start of the through image display operation is less than or less than a predetermined value;
A digital camera comprising:   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the through image display unit displays a warning when power is not supplied to the imaging unit.   The control means starts power supply to the imaging means when information related to the subject brightness measured by the photometry means is not less than or less than a predetermined value in a state where the power supply is prohibited. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is configured as described above. An image pickup means for picking up a subject image through the taking lens;
Through image display means for performing a through image display operation based on the subject image output from the imaging means;
Photometric means for measuring subject brightness via the photographing lens;
Prior to the start of the live view display operation by the live view display means, the live view display operation is performed when the photometry operation by the photometry means is performed, and information related to the subject brightness at that time is less than or less than a predetermined value. Control means for prohibiting the start of operation,
A digital camera comprising:   The control means repeatedly performs the photometry operation by the photometry means in a state in which the operation of the through image display means is prohibited, and when the information related to the measured subject brightness is less than or less than a predetermined value, A digital camera characterized in that the prohibition of the through image display means is canceled. An image pickup means for picking up a subject image through the taking lens;
Through image display means for performing a through image display operation based on the subject image output from the imaging means;
Cap mounting detection means for determining whether a lens cap of the photographing lens is mounted;
Control means for prohibiting power supply to the imaging means when the cap wearing detection means detects that the lens cap is attached at the start of the through image display operation;
A digital camera comprising: Measure the brightness through the taking lens,
When the value related to the measured luminance is less than or less than a predetermined value, the power supply to the imaging means is prohibited and a warning is displayed.
If the value related to the measured brightness is not less than or less than a predetermined value, permit power supply to the imaging means,
When the power supply is permitted, the subject image received by the imaging unit via the photographing lens is photoelectrically converted, and image data is generated based on the photoelectric conversion,
A method for displaying a subject image in a digital camera, wherein the generated image data is displayed on a display means.   8. The subject image display method for a digital camera according to claim 7, wherein whether or not the value related to the luminance is equal to or less than a predetermined value is determined prior to the start of display of the subject image.