JP2008227839A - Image-taking device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-taking device capable of avoiding blurring attributable to too small an aperture. <P>SOLUTION: The image-taking device includes an image-taking means which takes an image of an object to produce image data showing the object, a photometric means which measures luminance of the object, an exposure setting means which sets a degree of exposure based on the luminance of the object measured by the photometric means, a recording means in which information is recorded that indicates relationship between an F value determined by the degree of exposure and pixel pitches of the image data and more specifically the information indicates the relationship that the larger the F value, the larger the pixel pitch, a pixel pitch setting means which obtains, by the information recorded in the recording means, a pixel pitch corresponding to the F value determined by the degree of exposure set by the exposure setting means and then sets a pixel pitch of the image data produced by the image-taking means so that the pixel pitch becomes the one obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus that avoids occurrence of small aperture blur.

  In recent years, imaging devices such as digital cameras have been miniaturized and the number of pixels has been increasing. However, when an aperture is used to control the amount of light, the image quality (resolution) deteriorates due to the diffraction phenomenon when the F value is increased. It is known to do. In this way, it is generally said that blurring of an image due to the above-described diffraction phenomenon caused by the above-described diffraction phenomenon due to excessively narrowing the aperture in order to increase the depth of field is small aperture blur.

  In order to prevent such deterioration of image quality, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for limiting the minimum aperture value in accordance with the pixel pitch of the CCD.

Other techniques include limiting the upper limit of the F value or limiting the amount of light by attaching an ND (Neutral Density) filter.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-8803

  However, as the pixel pitch of the image sensor becomes smaller, image quality deterioration starts from a small F value, so that exposure control becomes difficult for a bright subject, resulting in a whiteout image or a small aperture blur.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that avoids the occurrence of small aperture blur.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is directed to image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject and generating image data indicating the subject, photometry means for measuring the brightness of the subject, and photometry by the photometry means. This is information indicating the correspondence between the exposure setting means for setting the exposure state based on the brightness of the subject, the F value determined by the exposure state, and the pixel pitch of the image data. And a recording unit in which information indicating a correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch is increased is recorded, and a pixel pitch corresponding to an F value determined by an exposure state set by the exposure setting unit is acquired from the information recorded in the recording unit. Pixel pitch setting means for setting the pixel pitch of the image data generated by the imaging means so as to be the acquired pixel pitch.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the imaging unit images a subject, generates image data indicating the subject, the photometric unit measures the brightness of the subject, and the exposure setting unit measures the subject measured by the photometric unit. The exposure state is set based on the brightness, and the recording means is information indicating the correspondence between the F value determined by the exposure state and the pixel pitch of the image data, and the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases. Information indicating an increasing correspondence is recorded, and the pixel pitch setting unit acquires the pixel pitch corresponding to the F value determined by the exposure state set by the exposure setting unit from the information recorded in the recording unit, The pixel pitch of the image data generated by the imaging means is set so as to be the pixel pitch. As described above, the pixel pitch that does not cause a small aperture blur can be set from the F value determined by the exposure state by using the information indicating the correspondence relationship that the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases. The occurrence of blur can be avoided.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 2 is directed to an imaging unit that images a subject and generates image data indicating the subject, and a pixel pitch that sets a pixel pitch of image data generated by the imaging unit. Information indicating the correspondence relationship between the setting means, the F value determined by the exposure state, and the pixel pitch of the image data, and information indicating the correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases. F value corresponding to the pixel pitch set by the recording means and the pixel pitch setting means is acquired from the information recorded in the recording means, and the acquired F value is determined by the exposure state when photographing the subject. An upper limit F value setting means for setting an upper limit F value that is an upper limit of the value, a photometric means for measuring the brightness of the subject, and the brightness of the subject measured by the photometric means. Hazuki has, an exposure setting means for setting an exposure condition such that the F value below the upper limit F value.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the imaging unit images a subject, generates image data indicating the subject, the pixel pitch setting unit sets the pixel pitch of the image data generated by the imaging unit, and the recording unit Information indicating the correspondence between the F value determined by the exposure state and the pixel pitch of the image data. Information indicating the correspondence that the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases is recorded, and the upper limit F value is set. The means obtains an F value corresponding to the pixel pitch set by the pixel pitch setting means from the information recorded in the recording means, and the obtained F value is an F value determined by an exposure state when photographing the subject. An upper limit F value that is an upper limit is set, the photometry means measures the brightness of the subject, and the exposure setting means measures the upper limit F value based on the brightness of the subject measured by the photometry means. Setting the exposure state so that the F value below. Thus, in order to generate image data by shooting with an F value equal to or lower than the upper limit F value determined from the set pixel pitch, using information indicating a correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases. Occurrence of small aperture blur can be avoided.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 3 is directed to an imaging unit that images a subject and generates image data indicating the subject, and a pixel pitch that sets a pixel pitch of image data generated by the imaging unit. Information indicating the correspondence relationship between the setting means, the F value determined by the exposure state, and the pixel pitch of the image data, and information indicating the correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases. F value corresponding to the pixel pitch set by the recording means and the pixel pitch setting means is acquired from the information recorded in the recording means, and the acquired F value is determined by the exposure state when photographing the subject. An upper limit F value setting means for setting an upper limit F value that is an upper limit of the value, a photometric means for measuring the brightness of the subject, and the brightness of the subject measured by the photometric means. An exposure setting means for setting an exposure state; a determination means for determining whether an F value determined by the exposure state set by the exposure setting means is an F value equal to or less than the upper limit F value; and the determination means. When it is determined that the F value determined by the exposure state is not the F value equal to or lower than the upper limit F value, the pixel pitch corresponding to the F value is acquired from the information recorded in the recording means, and the acquired pixel pitch and And a pixel pitch setting means for setting a pixel pitch of the image data generated by the imaging means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the imaging means images a subject, generates image data indicating the subject, the pixel pitch setting means sets the pixel pitch of the image data generated by the imaging means, and the recording means Information indicating the correspondence between the F value determined by the exposure state and the pixel pitch of the image data. Information indicating the correspondence that the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases is recorded, and the upper limit F value is set. The means obtains an F value corresponding to the pixel pitch set by the pixel pitch setting means from the information recorded in the recording means, and the obtained F value is an F value determined by an exposure state when photographing the subject. An upper limit F value, which is an upper limit, is set, the metering means meteres the brightness of the subject, and the exposure setting means sets the exposure state based on the brightness of the subject metered by the metering means. The determination means determines whether or not the F value determined by the set exposure state set by the exposure setting means is an F value equal to or less than the upper limit F value, and the pixel pitch setting means determines the exposure state by the determination means. When it is determined that the F value determined by is not the F value equal to or less than the upper limit F value, the pixel pitch corresponding to the F value is acquired from the information recorded in the recording means so as to be the acquired pixel pitch. The pixel pitch of the image data generated by the imaging means is set. As described above, when it is determined that the small aperture blur is generated using the information indicating the correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases, the pixel pitch is set so that the small aperture blur does not occur. Since the pixel pitch is changed, the occurrence of small aperture blur can be avoided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between an F value determined by an exposure state and a pixel pitch of the image data, and the pixel pitch is stepped as the F value increases. This is information indicating a correspondence relationship that increases in size.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the information amount of the information can be reduced by setting the information to be gradually increased.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that can avoid the occurrence of small aperture blur.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, an external configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In front of the digital camera 10, a lens 21 that is an optical member for forming a subject image, a strobe 44 that emits light to irradiate the subject as necessary during photographing, and a composition of the subject to be photographed are determined. And a finder 20 used in the above. Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 10, a release button (so-called shutter button) 56A that is pressed when shooting is performed, and a power switch 56B are provided.

  Note that the release button 56A of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is pressed down to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “half-pressed state”) and to a final pressed position beyond the intermediate position. A two-stage pressing operation of a state (hereinafter referred to as a “fully pressed state”) can be detected.

  In the digital camera 10, the brightness of the subject is measured by pressing the release button 56 </ b> A halfway, and an AE (Automatic Exposure) function is activated based on the measured brightness of the subject. After the shutter speed and the aperture state) are set, the AF (Auto Focus) function is activated and the focus is controlled. After that, when the shutter button is fully pressed, exposure (photographing) is performed.

  On the other hand, on the back of the digital camera 10, an eyepiece of the above-described finder 20, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 38 for displaying a photographed subject image, a menu screen, and the like are photographed. A mode changeover switch 56C that is slid to operate in any one of a shooting mode that is a mode to be performed and a playback mode that is a mode in which a subject image obtained by shooting is played back and displayed on the LCD 38. .

  Further, on the back surface of the digital camera 10, a cross cursor button 56D and a forced light emission switch 56E that is pressed when setting the forced light emission mode, which is a mode for forcibly causing the flash 44 to emit light during photographing, are further provided. It has been.

  The cross-cursor button 56D includes four arrow keys that indicate four moving directions of up, down, left, and right in the display area of the LCD 38, and a determination key that exists in the center of the arrow keys. ing.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the main part of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The digital camera 10 includes an optical unit 22 that includes the lens 21 described above, a charge coupled device (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 24 that is an imaging device disposed behind the optical axis of the lens 21, and And an analog signal processing unit 26 that performs various analog signal processing on the input analog signal. A CMOS image sensor, a CCD having a honeycomb pixel arrangement, a Bayer CCD, or the like may be used as the image sensor.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes an analog / digital (AD) converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 28 that converts an input analog signal into digital data, and various digital signals for the input digital data. And a digital signal processing unit 30 that performs processing.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 has a built-in line buffer having a predetermined capacity, and also performs control to directly store the input digital data in a predetermined area of the memory 48 described later.

  The output terminal of the CCD 24 is connected to the input terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26, the output terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 28, and the output terminal of the ADC 28 is connected to the input terminal of the digital signal processing unit 30. . Therefore, the analog signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 24 is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 26 and converted into digital image data (hereinafter, simply referred to as image data) by the ADC 28. This is input to the digital signal processor 30 later.

  The CCD 24, the analog signal processing unit 26, the ADC 28, and the digital signal processing unit 30 described above are imaging units that capture an image of a subject and generate image data indicating the subject. It is good also as one individual imaging device by manufacturing using a manufacturing technique.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 generates a signal for displaying a subject image, a menu screen or the like on the LCD 38 and supplies the signal to the LCD 38, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10. A memory 48 for storing digital image data obtained by photographing, and a memory interface 46 for controlling access to the memory 48 are included.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes an external memory interface 50 for enabling the portable memory card 52 to be accessed by the digital camera 10, and a compression / decompression processing circuit 54 for performing compression processing and decompression processing on the digital image data. It is configured to include.

  In the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, a VRAM (Video RAM) is used as the memory 48 and a smart media (Smart Media (registered trademark)) is used as the memory card 52.

  The digital signal processing unit 30, the LCD interface 36, the CPU 40, the memory interface 46, the external memory interface 50, and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 are connected to each other via a system bus BUS. Accordingly, the CPU 40 controls the operation of the digital signal processing unit 30 and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54, displays various information via the LCD interface 36 to the LCD 38, the memory interface 46 to the memory 48 and the memory card 52, and the external memory interface. 50 can be accessed each.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 includes a timing generator 32 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 24 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 24, and the driving of the CCD 24 is controlled by the CPU 40 via the timing generator 32.

  Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with a motor drive unit 34, and driving of a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor, and an aperture drive motor (not shown) provided in the optical unit 22 is also controlled by the CPU 40 via the motor drive unit 34. The

  In other words, the lens 21 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses, is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length, and includes a lens driving mechanism (not shown). The lens drive mechanism includes the focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor, and these motors are each driven by a drive signal supplied from the motor drive unit 34 under the control of the CPU 40. In particular, the CPU 40 adjusts the aperture amount by controlling the aperture amount with an aperture driving motor so as to obtain an appropriate exposure amount.

  Further, the release button 56A, the power switch 56B, the mode changeover switch 56C, the cross cursor button 56D, and the forced light emission switch 56E (generally referred to as “operation unit 56” in the figure) are connected to the CPU 40, and the CPU 40. Can always grasp the operation state of the operation unit 56.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes a charging unit 42 that is interposed between the strobe 44 and the CPU 40 and charges power for causing the strobe 44 to emit light under the control of the CPU 40. Further, the strobe 44 is also connected to the CPU 40, and the light emission of the strobe 44 is controlled by the CPU 40.

  Next, an overall operation at the time of shooting of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

  First, the CCD 24 performs imaging through the optical unit 22 and sequentially outputs analog signals for R (red), G (green), and B (blue) indicating the subject image to the analog signal processing unit 26. The analog signal processing unit 26 performs analog signal processing such as correlated double sampling processing on the analog signal input from the CCD 24 and sequentially outputs the analog signal to the ADC 28.

  The ADC 28 converts the R, G, and B analog signals input from the analog signal processing unit 26 into 12-bit R, G, and B signals (digital image data) and sequentially outputs them to the digital signal processing unit 30. To do. The digital signal processing unit 30 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the ADC 28 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores the digital image data directly in a predetermined area of the memory 48.

  Digital image data stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 is read out by the digital signal processing unit 30 under the control of the CPU 40, and a white balance is adjusted by applying a digital gain according to a predetermined physical quantity. Processing and sharpness processing are performed to generate digital image data of predetermined bits, for example, 8 bits.

  Further, the digital signal processing unit 30 sets the pixel pitch of the digital image data according to the control by the CPU 40. This pixel pitch can be set by the user using the above-described cross cursor button 56D or the like. The user may set the resolution instead of the pixel pitch. In this case, the pixel pitch becomes smaller as the resolution becomes higher. Details regarding the pixel pitch will be described later.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 performs YC signal processing on the generated digital image data of predetermined bits to generate a luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”), and stores the YC signal in a memory. The data is stored in an area different from the above-mentioned predetermined area. The brightness signal Y generated here is used to measure the brightness of the subject.

  The LCD 38 is configured to display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by the CCD 24 and can be used as a finder. When the LCD 38 is used as a finder, the LCD 38 is generated. The YC signals thus output are sequentially output to the LCD 38 via the LCD interface 36. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 38.

  Here, when the release button 56A is half-pressed by the user, after the AE function is activated and the exposure state is set as described above, the AF function is activated and focus control is performed, and then the fully-pressed state is continued. In this case, the YC signal stored in the memory 48 at this time is compressed in a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG format) by the compression / expansion processing circuit 54 and then the memory card 52 via the external memory interface 50. To record. Composite image data to be described later is recorded in the memory card 52.

  Next, details regarding the pixel pitch of the image data will be described. The digital signal processing unit 30 generates pixels having the set pixel pitch from the image data of the resolution obtained from the CCD 24 (hereinafter referred to as pre-processed image data), so that the set pixel pitch is set. Generate image data. In that case, it produces | generates by performing operations, such as a weighted average, using the pixel of the image data before a process corresponding to the pixel to produce | generate. Various methods conventionally used can be used to generate image data according to such a pixel pitch.

  Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, in order to avoid small aperture blur, information indicating the correspondence between the F value determined by the exposure state as shown in FIG. 3 and the pixel pitch of the image data is stored in the memory. 48. Here, the F value is a numerical value indicating the brightness of the lens, more specifically, a value obtained by dividing the focal length by the effective aperture of the lens. Since the focal length varies depending on the stop, the F value also indicates the size of the stop relative to the size of the lens.

  The unit of the pixel pitch shown in FIG. 3 is μm, which is a distance corresponding to the pixel pitch in the image area of the image sensor. The dotted line in the graph shows an example of the resolution limit that does not cause the F value and small aperture blur. As shown in the figure, this graph is information indicating a correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases. In particular, in the case of the F value and the pixel pitch corresponding to the hatched area, small aperture blur does not occur.

  For example, when the F value is 5.6, the pixel pitch that is the resolution limit is about 2 μm. Therefore, when the F value is 5.6, small aperture blur does not occur if the pixel pitch is 2 μm or more. When the pixel pitch is 6 μm, small aperture blur does not occur if the F value is about 16 or less. That is, when the pixel pitch is 6 μm, the upper limit of the F value is 16.

  Thus, if the F value is large, it is necessary to increase the pixel pitch. Further, if the pixel pitch is reduced, it is necessary to reduce the F value.

  Such information indicating the correspondence relationship between the F value and the pixel pitch is represented by, for example, a dotted line shown in FIG. 3 expressed by a mathematical expression (for example, expressed using a C language function) or a solid line. The table shows a correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases stepwise as the F value increases. These are recorded in the memory 48 as described above. When the CPU 40 acquires the pixel pitch from the F value or the F value from the pixel pitch in the flowchart described later, it is acquired from the information recorded in the memory 48. In the case of a table showing a correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases stepwise as the F value increases, the amount of information is reduced compared to a table in which pixel pitches corresponding to all F values are recorded. Can do.

  Hereinafter, processing executed by the CPU 40 will be described. First, using FIG. 4, the exposure state is set based on the brightness of the subject that is measured, and the pixel pitch corresponding to the F value determined by the set exposure state is acquired from the information recorded in the memory 48. A process for setting the pixel pitch of the image data generated so as to have the pixel pitch described above will be described.

  In step 101, the brightness of the subject is measured, and based on the brightness of the subject, an exposure state (aperture, shutter speed) is set in step 102. Next, in step 103, the pixel pitch is set from the F value determined by the exposure state. This step 103 will be described in detail. As described above, the F value is determined by the diaphragm, and the pixel pitch is obtained from the F value using information indicating the correspondence between the F value and the pixel pitch shown in FIG. .

  The processing in steps 101 to 103 is processing executed when the release button 56A is half pressed. Thereafter, when the fully depressed state is reached, photographing is executed in step 104. Then, image data having the pixel pitch set in step 105 is generated, and the image data generated in step 106 is recorded in the memory card 52.

  As described above, since the pixel pitch that does not cause the small aperture blur can be set from the F value determined by the exposure state, the occurrence of the small aperture blur can be avoided.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5, the pixel pitch of the image data is set, the F value corresponding to the set pixel pitch is obtained from the information recorded in the memory 48, and the subject is photographed with the obtained F value. A process of setting the exposure state so as to be set as an upper limit F value that is the upper limit of the F value determined by the exposure state at the time and set to an F value equal to or lower than the upper limit F value based on the brightness of the subject will be described.

  First, in step 201, the pixel pitch is set. This pixel pitch is a pixel pitch set by the user as described above or a pixel pitch set in advance. In the next step 202, an upper limit F value is set from the pixel pitch.

  This step 202 will be described in detail. Since the F value is obtained from the pixel pitch using the information indicating the correspondence between the F value and the pixel pitch shown in FIG. 3 as described above, the F value is the upper limit F. Value. As described above, for example, when the pixel pitch is 6 μm, the upper limit F value is about 16.

  In the next step 203, the brightness of the subject is metered, and based on the brightness of the subject, an exposure state (aperture, shutter speed) having an F value equal to or lower than the upper limit F value is set in step 204.

  Specifically, for example, when the upper limit F value is 16, when the F value determined by the exposure state based on photometry is 22, the aperture and shutter speed are changed so that the F value is 16 or less, and the exposure is Set the state.

  The processes in steps 201 to 204 are executed when the release button 56A is half-pressed. Thereafter, when the fully depressed state is reached, photographing is executed in step 205. Then, image data having the pixel pitch set in step 206 is generated. In step 207, the generated image data is recorded in the memory card 52.

  As described above, since photographing is performed with an F value equal to or less than the upper limit F value determined from the set pixel pitch, and image data is generated, occurrence of small aperture blur can be avoided.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 described above, the exposure state is set so as not to exceed the upper limit F value. However, in the process described below, the F value determined by the set exposure state is F or less. When the F value determined by the exposure state is determined not to be an F value less than or equal to the upper limit F value, the pixel pitch corresponding to the F value is obtained from the information recorded in the memory 48. In this process, the pixel pitch of the image data generated to be the acquired pixel pitch is set. This process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 301, the pixel pitch is set. This pixel pitch is a pixel pitch set by the user as described above or a pixel pitch set in advance. In the next step 302, an upper limit F value is set from the pixel pitch.

  This step 302 will be described in detail. Since the F value is obtained from the pixel pitch using the information indicating the relationship between the F value and the pixel pitch shown in FIG. 3 as described above, the F value is determined as the upper limit F value. Become.

  In the next step 303, the brightness of the subject is measured, and based on the brightness of the subject, an exposure state (aperture, shutter speed) is set in step 304. The processing in steps 301 to 304 is processing executed when the release button 56A is half pressed.

  Thereafter, when the fully depressed state is reached, the image is shot in the exposure state set in step 305. Then, it is determined whether or not the F value determined by the exposure state set in step 306 is an F value equal to or lower than the upper limit F value. That is, this step 305 is a determination as to whether or not small aperture blur will occur at the pixel pitch set in step 301.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 306, the F value is an F value that is equal to or lower than the upper limit F value, and small aperture blur does not occur. Therefore, image data having the pixel pitch set in step 307 is generated. The recorded image data is recorded in the memory card 52.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 306, a small aperture blur occurs at the pixel pitch set in step 301. Therefore, in step 308, the pixel pitch set in step 301 corresponds to the F value at the time of shooting. In step 309, image data having the changed pixel pitch is generated. In step 310, the generated image data is recorded in the memory card 52.

  As described above, when it is determined that the small aperture blur occurs, the pixel pitch set to the pixel pitch at which the small aperture blur does not occur is changed, so that the occurrence of the small aperture blur can be avoided.

  The processing flow of each flowchart described above is an example, and the processing order may be changed, new steps may be added, or unnecessary steps may be deleted without departing from the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, you can.

It is a figure which shows the structure on the external appearance of the digital camera which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between F value and a pixel pitch. It is a flowchart which shows the process which sets a pixel pitch from an exposure state. It is a flowchart which shows the process which sets an exposure state from a pixel pitch. It is a flowchart which shows the process which sets the pixel pitch corresponding to the set pixel pitch or the image | photographed F value.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital Camera 22 Optical Unit 24 CCD
30 Digital signal processing unit 48 Memory 52 Memory card 56 Operation unit

Claims (4)

Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data indicating the subject;
Metering means for metering the brightness of the subject;
Exposure setting means for setting an exposure state based on the brightness of the subject measured by the photometry means;
A recording unit on which information indicating a correspondence relationship between an F value determined by an exposure state and a pixel pitch of the image data is recorded, and information indicating a correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases;
The pixel pitch corresponding to the F value determined by the exposure state set by the exposure setting unit is acquired from the information recorded in the recording unit, and the image data generated by the imaging unit so as to be the acquired pixel pitch. Pixel pitch setting means for setting the pixel pitch;
An imaging apparatus having Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data indicating the subject;
Pixel pitch setting means for setting a pixel pitch of image data generated by the imaging means;
A recording unit on which information indicating a correspondence relationship between an F value determined by an exposure state and a pixel pitch of the image data is recorded, and information indicating a correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases;
The F value corresponding to the pixel pitch set by the pixel pitch setting means is acquired from the information recorded in the recording means, and the acquired F value is the upper limit of the F value determined by the exposure state when shooting the subject. Upper limit F value setting means for setting as an upper limit F value;
Metering means for metering the brightness of the subject;
Exposure setting means for setting an exposure state based on the brightness of the subject measured by the photometry means so that the F value is equal to or less than the upper limit F value;
An imaging apparatus having Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data indicating the subject;
Pixel pitch setting means for setting a pixel pitch of image data generated by the imaging means;
A recording unit on which information indicating a correspondence relationship between an F value determined by an exposure state and a pixel pitch of the image data is recorded, and information indicating a correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases as the F value increases;
The F value corresponding to the pixel pitch set by the pixel pitch setting means is acquired from the information recorded in the recording means, and the acquired F value is the upper limit of the F value determined by the exposure state when shooting the subject. Upper limit F value setting means for setting as an upper limit F value;
Metering means for metering the brightness of the subject;
Exposure setting means for setting an exposure state based on the brightness of the subject measured by the photometry means;
Determining means for determining whether an F value determined by the set exposure state set by the exposure setting means is an F value equal to or less than the upper limit F value;
When it is determined by the determination means that the F value determined by the exposure state is not an F value equal to or less than the upper limit F value, the pixel pitch corresponding to the F value is acquired from the information recorded in the recording means, and acquired. Pixel pitch setting means for setting the pixel pitch of the image data generated by the imaging means so as to obtain the pixel pitch;
An imaging apparatus having   The information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between an F value determined by an exposure state and a pixel pitch of the image data, and information indicating a correspondence relationship in which the pixel pitch increases stepwise as the F value increases. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

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