JP2008245129A - Electronic camera and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera in which convenience in use is improved and a shutter chance is not missed. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic camera comprises: an image pickup element 10; a single lens reflex type finder section FD; a mirror member RM for selectively guiding an image of a subject to the finder section FD or to the image pickup element 10; a display device 17 for displaying an image thereon; an operation means which outputs an operation signal for selecting any one of at least one photographing mode for a still picture and at least one photographing mode for a motion picture; a setting means which sets an internal state of the relevant camera including a switching operation of the mirror member RM to a predetermined state corresponding to the relevant photographing mode in response to the operation signal from the operation means; a storage means for storing the photographing mode for the still picture being set prior to setting the photographing mode for the motion picture; and a control means which controls the setting means, when the photographing mode for the motion picture is set, and a predetermined interruption condition for the photographing mode is established, so as to change the photographing mode into the photographing mode stored in the storage means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic camera and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a single-lens reflex electronic camera and a control method thereof capable of taking a picture while directly viewing an image of a subject via a taking lens.

  In recent years, an optical image of a subject is formed on a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD via a photographing lens, and an image signal output by photoelectric conversion by the image sensor is recorded on a recording medium or the like. Digital cameras have been put into practical use. This type of single-lens reflex electronic camera has a first position (mirror down position) arranged in the optical path of the photographing lens to guide the optical image from the photographing lens to the optical viewfinder, and to the imaging element. And a mirror member that rotates between a second position (mirror up position) disposed outside the optical path.

  Due to the nature of a single-lens reflex camera that captures a subject image from a taking lens while viewing it through an optical viewfinder, the mirror member has a basic position at which the first position is taken. In general, only when the image is captured, it is instantaneously rotated to the second position so that an optical image from the photographing lens is formed on the image sensor.

  The mirror member is driven by a driving device including an actuator (electromagnet, motor, etc.) in conjunction with driving of a mechanical shutter or the like provided on the front surface of the image sensor. Since the position 1 is the basic position, the first position is set when the electromagnet is not energized, and the second position is set when the electromagnet is energized. This is because an electromagnet or the like generates heat when energized, so that adverse effects on the photographing due to the heat are reduced.

  By the way, in a single-lens reflex digital camera as well as a compact digital camera equipped with a transmission type finder for observing an optical image of an optical axis different from the optical axis of the taking lens, an image from the taking lens is imaged. In recent years, a function for continuously capturing images and displaying a moving image on a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a function for recording a moving image has been carried out. When performing such moving image display or moving image recording, in order to continuously guide the image of the subject to the image sensor, it is necessary to continue the state in which the above-described mirror member is set to the second position for a long time, Recently, since an image sensor having as many as 10 million pixels has been adopted, special measures different from those of a compact digital camera or the like are required for heat countermeasures.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses the moving image display operation in a single-lens reflex electronic camera, and Patent Document 2 below describes the moving image recording operation. Those described in these patent documents basically have a still image shooting mode and a movie shooting mode, and a photographer manually operates a changeover switch, a dial switch, or the like provided on the camera body. , The mode is selectively switched.

  However, in the prior art in which the mode is switched only by manual operation by operating the changeover switch etc., the changeover switch etc. is switched to the moving image display or moving image recording mode while moving image display or moving image recording is performed. If you want to take a picture, you must switch to the still picture mode by operating the changeover switch, etc., and you cannot take a still picture, which is complicated and easy to use. At the same time, there was a problem that a so-called photo opportunity could be missed because a still image could not be taken immediately.

  Even if the camera automatically forcibly interrupts the video display due to the temperature rise due to heat generation parts such as the driving means inside the camera or the image sensor, the changeover switch etc. can be set as it is. For this reason, when still images are taken, manual operation such as a changeover switch has to be performed, which causes a similar problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic camera that is easy to use and does not miss a photo opportunity, and a control method thereof.
JP 2006-33705 A JP 2004-109831 A

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image sensor that captures an optical image from a photographic optical system, a finder for a photographer to directly view the optical image from the photographic optical system, and the finder to the finder A first position arranged in the optical path of the photographic optical system for guiding an optical image from the photographic optical system, or an optical path of the photographic optical system for guiding an optical image from the photographic optical system to the image sensor A mirror member that is selectively switched to a second position disposed outside, a display device that displays an image based on an output signal of the imaging device, and at least one shooting mode and at least moving image related to a still image An operation means for outputting an operation signal for selecting any one of the shooting modes from one shooting mode; and a state inside the camera including a switching operation of the mirror member in accordance with the operation signal of the operation means. Setting means for setting the image to a predetermined state corresponding to the shooting mode, storage means for storing the shooting mode for the still image set before setting the shooting mode for the moving image, and the shooting mode for the moving image. Mode control for controlling the setting means to change the shooting mode to the shooting mode stored in the storage means when a predetermined interruption condition for the shooting mode is satisfied. And an electronic camera comprising the means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a single-lens reflex electronic camera having a plurality of shooting modes relating to still images and moving images, wherein the shooting mode is set to a shooting mode relating to moving images. Thus, there is provided an electronic camera control method in which, when a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied, the mode is changed to the shooting mode related to the still image set before the shooting mode related to the moving image is set.

  In the first and second aspects of the invention described above, although not particularly limited, the interruption condition is a predetermined recording capacity set in advance for the still image when the power is turned off. If the recording of the moving image exceeds a predetermined recording capacity set in advance for the moving image, or if the duration of the shooting mode related to the moving image exceeds a predetermined time set in advance, the imaging element This can be established when the temperature detected by the sensor for measuring the temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, or when a shooting instruction for shooting a still image is given. However, in this interruption condition, when the mode relating to the moving image ends normally, for example, the live view operation mode started by the full-press operation of the release button (the full-press switch ON operation) as described later is the release mode. When a button is half-pressed (a half-press switch is turned on), the video is recorded normally or when the release button is fully pressed and continued. The moving image mode is not included when it is normally terminated by releasing the full-press operation. Further, the interruption condition is not included in the case where the photographer manually operates the mode switch or the like to switch from the shooting mode related to the moving image to the shooting mode related to the still image.

  In the present invention, when a shooting mode is set to a shooting mode related to a moving image, and a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied, shooting related to a still image set before the shooting mode related to the moving image is set Since the mode is changed, if you want to shoot a still image while displaying or recording a movie, change the mode to a mode related to the still image by switching the switch. This makes it possible to immediately shoot a still image without performing complicated operations, improving usability and reducing the chance of missing a so-called shutter opportunity.

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

[Overall configuration of electronic camera]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a schematic configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. This camera is a digital single-lens reflex camera, a single-frame shooting mode (first shooting mode) for shooting one still image, and a continuous shooting mode (second shooting mode) for shooting a plurality of still images at predetermined time intervals. Various shooting modes related to still images and moving images, such as a shooting mode, a live view mode (third shooting mode) for displaying a real-time image on a display device, and a moving image mode (fourth shooting mode) for shooting and recording a moving image. This is an electronic camera that can be selected.

  In FIG. 1, the electronic camera CM is configured to include a camera body CB and a photographing lens CL that is interchangeably attached to the camera body CB. However, the photographing lens CL may be integrally fixed to the camera body CB. A finder portion FD is integrally fixed to the upper portion of the camera body CB.

  Inside the camera body CB, an image sensor 10 such as a CCD having a high resolution (for example, 10 million pixels) is attached. The imaging element 10 converts an image of a subject formed on the imaging surface into an image signal and outputs the image signal. Although not shown, the imaging element 10 has an infrared cut filter for cutting infrared light, an optical low-pass filter for preventing moire, and the like on the front surface (photographing lens CL side). I have. The image sensor 10 includes an electronic shutter (function) for adjusting the exposure time of an image of a subject projected by electrical control.

  Further, a mechanical shutter 11 for adjusting the exposure time by mechanically driving the light shielding member is provided on the front side of the image sensor 10. Although not shown in detail, the mechanical shutter 11 has a front curtain and a rear curtain as the light-shielding members driven by a driving device including an actuator and the like, and a release button for taking a still image is pressed (all First, the front curtain travels from the state of shielding the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 10 to the state of opening the image pickup surface, and after elapse of a time corresponding to a preset shutter speed. The rear curtain travels from the state where the imaging surface is open to the state where the imaging surface is shielded. After the front curtain travels and until the rear curtain travel is completed, an image of the subject through the photographing lens CL is formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 10.

  The finder unit FD is an optical finder for visually observing an optical image of a subject formed through the photographing lens CL, a quick return mirror RM as a mirror member to be described later, and the like, and a focusing screen (focus plate) 12. , A pentaprism 13, a photometric element 14, a photometric optical system 15, an eyepiece (eyepiece lens) 16, and the like. The photometric element 14 is an element that measures the brightness of an image formed on the light to determine the shutter speed and the aperture value.

  An image display monitor (liquid crystal panel) 17 capable of displaying an image formed on the image sensor 10 is provided on the back surface of the camera body CB. Accordingly, the image of the subject can be viewed through either the eyepiece unit 16 of the finder unit FD or the image display monitor 17.

  In the camera body CB, a quick return mirror RM is pivotally supported on the front side of the image sensor 10 (front side further than the mechanical shutter 11). A sub mirror 19 is provided on the back side (lower side) of the main mirror 18 of the quick return mirror RM. As shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1, the quick return mirror RM blocks the front surface of the image pickup device 10 at about 45 degrees with respect to the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 10, that is, is arranged in the optical path of the photographing lens CL. A first posture set at a position (first position / mirror down position) and substantially clockwise with respect to the imaging surface of the image sensor 10 by rotating clockwise in FIG. 1 (substantially below the focusing screen 12). It is a mirror that can be selectively operated at high speed so as to be in a second posture set at a position (second position / mirror up position) arranged outside the optical path of the photographing lens CL.

  The quick return mirror RM is driven by a driving device (not shown). In the present embodiment, the quick return mirror RM and the mechanical shutter 11 described above are driven by the same driving device. However, each may be driven by another driving device. A part of the main mirror 18 of the quick return mirror RM (near the central part) is a half mirror, and the other part is a total reflection mirror. The quick return mirror RM is in the first posture, and the photographing lens CL Most of the light from the light is reflected by the main mirror 18 toward the viewfinder FD (focusing screen 12), and a part of the light transmitted through the half mirror of the main mirror 18 is reflected by the sub mirror 19. It has become. The light reflected by the sub mirror 19 enters the phase difference detection AF detection element 20 via an optical system (not shown).

  In FIG. 1, the sub mirror 19 is depicted as being integrally fixed to the main mirror 18, but one end of the sub mirror 19 (one end on the main mirror 18 side) is also pivotally supported. When the quick return mirror RM rotates in conjunction with the operation of the main mirror 18 and is in the first posture, the posture is such that the light transmitted through the half mirror of the main mirror 18 is reflected downward, and the quick return When the mirror RM is in the second posture, the posture is substantially parallel to the main mirror 18.

  When the quick return mirror RM is switched to the second posture, the light from the photographing lens CL is incident on the image sensor 10 via the mechanical shutter 11 described above. The phase difference detection type AF detection element 20 includes two line sensors and a mask or the like that divides incident light into two and makes each incident on the line sensor. The light divided into two by the mask is re-imaged on the two line sensors, respectively, and the difference between the image plane positions is detected. This difference corresponds to the amount of focus shift (defocus amount).

  The photographing lens CL is an optical system for forming an image of a subject on the imaging surface of the image sensor 10. In FIG. 1, the photographing lens CL is a zoom lens whose focal length can be changed, but may be a single focal lens. A fish eye lens, a wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens, a micro lens, and the like can be arbitrarily exchanged and mounted.

  The photographing lens CL is configured to include lens systems 21 and 21 including a plurality of lenses including a main lens, a focal length adjustment lens, a focus lens (focus adjustment lens), an aperture 22 and the like inside the lens barrel. Yes. The focal length adjustment lens and the focus adjustment lens are each attached to be movable in a direction along the optical axis AX of the photographing lens CL.

  The focal length adjustment lens is configured such that when the photographer manually rotates a zoom ring (not shown), the position in the optical axis AX direction changes, and the focal length of the photographing lens CL can be changed accordingly. ing. The position of the focus adjustment lens in the direction along the optical axis AX is changed by a drive motor (actuator), and the change in the position is monitored by an encoder. The diaphragm 22 is a variable aperture diaphragm for adjusting the amount of light incident on the image sensor 10, and the diaphragm setting is set based on the output of the photometric element 14 or the like, or manually by the photographer. During still image shooting, when the release button is not operated, the aperture 22 of the taking lens CL is set to the full aperture, and the aperture 22 is set by exposure calculation in response to the full-press operation of the release button. Set to the control aperture value.

  Although not shown, an upper portion or a rear surface of the camera body CB includes various push buttons, an operation unit (operation means) such as a dial and a cross key, and a photographing mode for a photographer to manually input instruction content. An information display panel (a small liquid crystal panel different from the image display monitor 17) for displaying various settings is arranged. The operation unit includes a power dial for turning on / off the power, a release button having a half-press switch and a full-press switch, a shooting operation mode button, a command dial, and the like.

  The photographing operation mode button is internally set so that, when pressed, the photographing operation mode can be changed, and the command dial functions as an operation unit for switching the photographing operation mode. By operating the command dial in this state, the shooting operation mode can be changed sequentially. Here, as described above, there are four shooting modes, that is, the single frame shooting mode, the continuous shooting mode, the live view mode, and the moving image mode. For example, starting from the single frame shooting mode, the command dial can be operated. Accordingly, it is possible to perform cyclic switching sequentially in the order of the continuous shooting mode, the live view mode, the moving image mode, the single frame shooting mode, or in the reverse order.

  When the command dial is operated, every time the command dial is operated, the mode setting parameter as the internal flag is changed to the photographing operation mode in terms of software processing by the control device (101 in FIG. 2) provided in the electronic camera CM. The value is sequentially changed to the corresponding value. The currently set shooting operation mode is displayed on the information display panel with characters, numbers, pictographs, etc. according to the value of this mode setting parameter, and it is visually determined which shooting operation mode the photographer is currently set to. It can be confirmed. The change of the shooting operation mode, that is, the change of the mode setting parameter can be changed by manual operation of the command dial, and as will be described in detail later, when a predetermined interruption condition is met, It is also possible to change, and in that case, the changed shooting operation mode is displayed on the display unit.

  As interruption conditions, when the power is turned off by the power-off operation of the power dial, when the recording of the still image exceeds a predetermined recording capacity set in advance for the still image, the recording of the moving image is performed for the moving image. When the preset predetermined recording capacity is exceeded, or when the duration of the live view mode or the moving image mode exceeds a preset predetermined time, the temperature detected by the sensor that measures the temperature of the image sensor is set to a predetermined value. This can be established when the temperature becomes higher than the temperature or when a shooting instruction for shooting a still image is given. However, in this interruption condition, when the live view mode or the moving image mode is normally terminated, for example, the live view operation mode started by the full release operation of the release button (the full press switch ON operation) as will be described later. However, when the release button is half-pressed (half-press switch ON operation), or when the release button is fully pressed, This does not include the case where the moving image mode for recording is normally terminated by releasing the full press operation. Further, the case where the photographer manually operates the command dial or the like to switch from the live view mode or the moving image mode to the single frame shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode is not included.

  In the quick return mirror RM, the first posture is a basic posture, which is normally this posture, and the photographer can visually observe the image of the subject from the photographing lens CL via the finder unit FD. . When the shooting operation mode is set to the single frame shooting mode and a still image shooting operation (operation in which the release button is fully pressed) is performed, the quick return mirror RM is switched to the second posture. After the mechanical shutter 11 is operated almost simultaneously, the quick return mirror RM is quickly returned to the first basic posture. As a result, one image is captured and recorded. When the quick return mirror RM is in the second posture, the supply of the subject image to the finder unit FD is interrupted for a moment, and the photographer can recognize the shooting time point by this momentary interruption.

  When the continuous shooting mode is set, the same operation as that in the single frame shooting mode described above is repeatedly performed at a predetermined time interval only by continuing to fully press the release button. Thereby, a plurality of images are captured at a predetermined time interval and recorded on the recording medium.

  When the photographer performs a mode change operation from a still image mode (single frame shooting mode, continuous shooting mode) to a video mode (live view mode, video mode) and the release button is fully pressed. The quick return mirror RM is switched to the second posture and maintains the posture. At this time, the mechanical shutter 11 travels only in the front curtain, and the rear curtain is held (not traveled), so that the imaging surface of the image sensor 10 is opened. Thereby, in the moving image mode, the moving image can be shot and recorded on the recording medium, and in the live view mode, the moving image is displayed on the image display monitor 17 in real time. When a mode end command (including not only the above-described normal end operation but also a condition that satisfies the interruption condition) is issued, the quick return mirror RM enters the first position (mirror down state) as the basic position. Can be switched.

  In the live view mode, an image displayed on the image display monitor 17 is a through image. Here, the through image is an image captured at a predetermined sampling interval by the image sensor 10 (this sampling interval is an interval that is continuously viewed by the human eye), and is a display device (here, an image display monitor). 17) An image used to be displayed above.

  Further, a temperature sensor 23 for detecting the temperature of the image sensor 10 is provided in the vicinity of the image sensor 10. Recent single-lens reflex electronic cameras have come to use CCDs with ultra-high resolution close to or exceeding 10 million pixels as the image sensor. As a result, the problem of heat generation has become apparent. In the live view mode and the moving image mode, the image sensor 10 is fully operated for a long time, and therefore, there is a possibility that shooting is adversely affected by a temperature rise due to heat generation of the image sensor 10. The temperature sensor 23 forcibly interrupts the live view mode and the moving image mode until the temperature of the image sensor 10 becomes higher than a predetermined temperature set in advance, and uses the image sensor 10. Used for heat generation measures such as limiting.

  Further, in the live view mode and the moving image mode, the quick return mirror 17 needs to be held in the second posture and the mechanical shutter 11 needs to be held in an open state. Therefore, a driving device including a motor or the like for driving them. There is also a possibility that shooting will be adversely affected by the temperature rise accompanying the heat generation. Therefore, in addition to or instead of the temperature sensor 23 that detects the temperature of the image sensor 10, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the drive device described above may be provided.

[Control system configuration]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the electronic camera according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a control device (control means) constituted by a microcomputer or the like, which receives a signal output from each block to be described later, performs a predetermined calculation, and outputs a control signal based on the calculation result. Output to each block. Each block including the control device 101 that requires a power supply is supplied with power from a battery (battery pack) (not shown).

  SW1 is a power switch that is turned on / off in conjunction with the rotational position of the power dial described above. The power switch is turned on when the power dial is set to the on position (on operation), and the power dial is set to the off position (off operation). Then it turns off. SW2 is turned on by depressing the release button to the half-pressed position, and is kept on even when the release button is pushed further thereafter, and is turned off when the release is released from the half-pressed position of the release button. is there. SW3 is a full-push switch that is turned on when the release button described above is depressed to the full-press position and turned off when the release is released from the full-press position of the release button.

  SW4 is a photographing operation mode switch that is turned on when the photographing operation mode button described above is pressed and turned off when the photographing operation mode button is released. SW5 and SW6 are switches that are turned on / off by the rotation of the command dial described above, and are used to determine the rotation direction of the command dial.

  An image sensor 10 such as a CCD receives the subject light transmitted through the photographing lens CL and outputs an image signal (analog signal as accumulated charge). As the sensitivity of the imaging device 10, for example, a predetermined sensitivity SV equivalent to IS0100 is set. The image signal from the image sensor 10 is supplied to the A / D conversion circuit 103, and after processing such as gain adjustment, it is converted into a digital signal and sent to the image processing circuit 105. The timing circuit 104 outputs a timing signal for driving the image sensor 10 and a timing signal for driving the A / D conversion circuit 103.

  The image processing circuit 105 is configured by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like, and performs image processing such as white balance (WB) adjustment, contour compensation, and gamma correction on the original image data that is a digital signal. The original image data of the digital signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 103 is output to the buffer memory 106 described later. Further, after the original image data is subjected to image processing, compression processing for compressing in a predetermined format, decompression processing for decompressing the compressed data, and the like are performed. Further, the compressed image data is output to a recording medium 107 described later.

  The buffer memory 106 is a memory for temporarily storing original image data and compressed image data after compression processing, and SRAM, VRAM, SDRAM, or the like can be used. The recording medium 107 is a memory card composed of a flash memory or the like, and records image data (still image, moving image) after compression processing, and is configured to be detachable from the camera.

  The display drive circuit 108 outputs the input image signal (through image, reproduced image of the image recorded on the recording medium 107, etc.) to the image display monitor 17 and displays the image. It is a circuit which drives. The photometric device 110 is composed of an IC or the like, transmits the photographing lens CL, and detects the lens transmitted light amount based on the detection value of the photometric element 14. The information display panel (liquid crystal element or the like) 111 includes a display drive circuit and the like, and displays a photographing operation mode, a shutter speed, an aperture value, and the like.

  The shutter drive circuit 112 controls the holding and release of the front curtain and rear curtain of the shutter 11. Since the shutter 11 is released from the charge in the middle of a mirror drive of a sequence driving device (not shown) to be described later, it is necessary to hold the front curtain and the rear curtain of the shutter 11 before the mirror up operation by the sequence driving device. .

  The motor drive circuit 114 controls the rotation of the sequence motor 115. The sequence motor 115 is incorporated in a sequence drive device that is already known and not shown. By driving this sequence drive device, the quick return mirror (hereinafter also simply referred to as a mirror) RM is raised and lowered, and the aperture 22 is narrowed and opened. Return and charge the shutter 11. In the following description, the mirror up refers to an operation of switching the quick return mirror RM from the first posture to the second posture or the state set to the second posture, and the mirror down refers to the quick return mirror RM. Is an operation of switching from the second posture to the first posture or a state set to the first posture.

  The sequence driving device includes a sequence switch SW7. The sequence switch SW7 is turned off immediately after the start of the mirror up operation, and turned on immediately before the completion of the mirror up. Also, it is turned off immediately after the start of the mirror down, and is turned on during the mirror down immediately before the mirror down. By controlling the sequence motor 115 and the brake according to the state of the sequence switch SW7 that is turned on / off at such timing, the operation of the sequence drive device can be controlled.

  That is, first, in a state where the sequence drive device is in the mirror-down state and the sequence motor 115 is stopped, the sequence switch SW7 is kept on. When the sequence motor 115 is rotated forward for mirror up, the sequence drive device operates and the sequence switch SW7 is turned off with a slight time delay. When the sequence motor 115 continues to rotate forward, the mirror drive and the diaphragm 22 are narrowed by the operation of the sequence driving device. Furthermore, if the sequence motor 115 continues to rotate forward, the sequence switch SW7 is turned on immediately before the completion of mirror raising by the operation of the sequence drive device. Therefore, the brake control of the sequence motor 115 is performed here to stop the sequence motor 115. Then, the mirror-up operation by the sequence driving device is stopped.

  Note that the sequence driving device is configured so that the operation of narrowing down the diaphragm 22 is completed before the mirror up is completed. On the other hand, in the mirror up state, the sequence switch SW7 is kept on. When the sequence motor 115 is rotated in reverse for mirror down, the sequence drive device (not shown) is operated and the sequence switch SW7 is turned off with a slight time delay. If the reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 is continued, the mirror is lowered by the operation of the sequence driving device. When the diaphragm 22 is locked, the locking is released and the diaphragm 22 is returned to the open state. Is done.

  When the diaphragm 22 is locked, the locking is released, the diaphragm is returned to the open position, and the shutter 113 described later is charged. Furthermore, if the reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 is continued, the sequence switch SW7 is turned on immediately before the completion of the mirror down by the operation of the sequence drive device. Therefore, the brake control of the sequence motor 115 is performed here, and the sequence motor 115 is stopped. The mirror down operation by the sequence driving device is stopped. Note that the sequence driving device is configured so that the return of the aperture 22 to the open state and the charging of the shutter 11 are completed before the mirror down is completed.

  The aperture position detection device 116 detects and outputs the aperture position as a pulse when the aperture is reduced by the sequence driving device. Reference numeral 117 denotes a stop locking device. By operating the stop locking device 117, the stop 22 is locked and the stop of the stop 22 is stopped. Note that the sequence driving device is configured such that the locking of the aperture 22 by the aperture locking device 117 is released during the mirror down of the sequence driving device. The focus detection device 20 detects and outputs an adjustment state of the focus position by the photographing lens CL. The lens driving device 119 adjusts the focal position of the photographing lens CL by driving the focus lens of the photographing lens CL forward and backward in the optical axis AX direction.

[Processing by control system]
Next, processing according to the photographing operation mode by the control device 101 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. When a battery (not shown) is loaded in the electronic camera CM, the program starts, and each step is executed sequentially from S1 in FIG.

(Main process)
FIG. 3 shows the main process of the process related to the shooting operation mode executed by the control device. In FIG. 3, first, initial setting is performed (S1). That is, “1” is set as the initial value in the shooting operation mode parameter (mode setting flag) M, and “1” is set as the initial value in the mode storage parameter MM. Here, when the shooting operation mode parameter M is “1”, the single-frame shooting mode for still images, when it is “2”, the continuous shooting mode for still images, when it is “3”, the live view mode, and “4”. It shall indicate the video mode. The mode storage parameter MM is a parameter indicating whether the single-frame shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode is set for the still image before the live view mode or the moving image mode is set. When the shooting mode is “2”, the continuous shooting mode is indicated.

  Next, whether or not the power dial is set to the on position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S2). If it is determined that the power dial is set to the on position (Y), the process proceeds to S3. If it is determined that the power dial is set to the off position (N), the power dial is set to the on position. It stays at S2 until it is determined that it has been.

  Next, setting processing (FIG. 4) is performed (S3), and it is determined whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “4” (S4), and when it is “4” (in the case of Y). Is determined to be the moving image mode, and the process proceeds to S8 (FIGS. 10 to 12). If it is not “4” (in the case of N), whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “3”. Is determined (S5). In S5, when the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “3” (in the case of Y), it is determined that the camera is in the live view mode, and the process proceeds to S7 (FIGS. 7, 8, and 9). Otherwise (N), it is determined that the still image single frame shooting mode or the still image continuous shooting mode is selected, and the process proceeds to S6 (FIGS. 5 and 6). After executing S6, S7, and S8, the process returns to S2.

(Setting process)
Details of the setting process S3 of FIG. 3 are shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, first, whether or not a shooting operation mode button (not shown) has been pressed is determined by turning on / off the shooting operation mode switch SW4 (S11). If it is determined that the shooting operation mode switch SW4 is on and the shooting operation mode button is pressed (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S12, and the shooting operation mode switch SW4 is off and the shooting operation mode button is not pressed. If it is determined (N), the process returns and proceeds to S4 in FIG.

  Next, in S12, the counterclockwise rotation of the command dial is determined by turning on / off the switches SW5 and SW6. If it is determined that the command dial is rotated counterclockwise (in the case of Y), it is determined whether or not the shooting operation mode parameter M is “4” (S13). 1) is added to the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M (S14), and when it is “4” (Y), “1” is set to the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M. Then, the process proceeds to S20.

  From S12 to S15, the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M sequentially changes in the order of “1” → “2” → “3” → “4” → “1” → “the same” in accordance with the counterclockwise rotation of the command dial. To do. That is, “single frame shooting mode” → “continuous shooting mode” → “live view mode” → “moving image mode” → “single frame shooting mode” → “the same applies” is sequentially changed.

  If it is determined in S12 that the command dial is not rotated counterclockwise (in the case of N), the command dial is determined by turning SW5 and SW6 on / off (S16), and the command dial is rotated clockwise. If it is determined that no has been made (in the case of N), the process proceeds to S20. If it is determined in S16 that the command dial has been rotated clockwise (in the case of Y), it is determined whether or not the shooting operation mode parameter M is “1” (S17). In the case of N), “1” is subtracted from the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M (S18), and in the case of “1” (in the case of Y), the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is set to “4”. And proceed to S20.

  From S16 to S19, the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M sequentially changes in the order of “4” → “3” → “2” → “1” → “4” → “the same” in accordance with the clockwise rotation of the command dial. . That is, “moving image mode” → “live view mode” → “continuous shooting mode” → “single frame shooting mode” → “moving image mode” → “and so on” are sequentially changed.

  Next, in S20, the shooting operation mode set by the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is displayed on the information display panel 111. After this display, whether or not the power dial is set to the off position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S21). If it is determined in S21 that the power dial is set to the off position (in the case of Y), it is determined that the setting process has been interrupted, and the process returns to S2 in FIG. If it is determined in S21 that the power dial is set to the ON position (in the case of N), as in S11, whether or not the shooting operation mode button is pressed is determined by whether the shooting operation mode switch SW4 is turned on / off. It is determined by turning off (S22).

  If it is determined in S22 that the shooting operation mode switch SW4 is on and the shooting operation mode button is pressed (in the case of Y), the process returns to S12, and the shooting operation mode switch SW4 is off and the shooting operation mode button is pressed. If it is determined that it is not (N), the process proceeds to S23. That is, when the shooting operation mode button is pressed, it is determined that the shooting operation mode setting operation is continued, and the process returns to S12 to continue the setting process. When the shooting operation mode button is not pressed, the setting is continued. It is determined that the operation has been completed, and the process proceeds to S23.

  Next, in S23, it is determined whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “2” or less. If it is “2” or less (in the case of Y), the still-frame single-frame shooting mode or still image is set. It is determined that the continuous shooting mode is set, and the process proceeds to S24. When the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M exceeds “2” (N), the live view mode or the moving image mode is set. If it is determined that the process has been performed, the process returns to S4 in FIG. Next, in S24, the current value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is set as the value of the mode storage parameter MM, and the process returns to S4 in FIG. That is, in S23 and S24, when the shooting operation mode is set to the still image single frame mode or the still image continuous shooting mode, the shooting operation mode is set in the memory (not shown) in the control device 101. It is stored as a storage parameter.

(Still image mode)
Details of the processing in the still image mode S6 of FIG. 3 are shown in FIGS. In FIG. 5, first, whether or not the power dial is set to the off position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S31), and it is determined that the power dial is set to the off position (Y 3), the process returns to S2 in FIG. 3, and if it is determined that the power dial is installed at the ON position (in the case of N), the process proceeds to S32, and similarly to S3 in FIG. The setting process of FIG. 4 is performed (S32).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “4” (S33). If it is “4” (in the case of Y), it is determined as the moving image mode and the above-described figure. The process proceeds to S8 of 3, and if it is not “4” (in the case of N), it is further determined whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “3” (S34). In S34, when the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “3” (in the case of Y), it is determined as the live view mode and the process proceeds to S7 of FIG. 3 described above. In the case), it is determined that the still image single frame shooting mode or the still image continuous shooting mode is selected, and the process proceeds to S35.

  In S35, the number of remaining frames is calculated. The number of remaining frames is the number of still images (number of frames) that can be recorded in the future with respect to the recording medium 107 attached to the electronic camera CM. Of the total recording capacity of the attached recording medium 107, One sheet (one frame) is obtained by subtracting the recording capacity occupied by the already recorded still image from the predetermined recording capacity (preset) allocated for recording the still image. It is calculated by dividing by the still image recording capacity and rounding down.

  Here, of the total recording capacity of the recording medium 107, it is assumed that a predetermined recording capacity for recording a still image and a predetermined recording capacity for recording a moving image are separately secured. However, it is of course possible to handle them as one unit without separating them. In this case, the number of remaining frames is still recorded from a predetermined recording capacity (preset) allocated for recording still images and moving images out of the total recording capacity of the recording medium 107. It is calculated based on a value obtained by subtracting the recording capacity occupied by the image and the moving image. In addition, the predetermined recording capacity for still images and / or moving images has been described as being a part of the total recording capacity of the recording medium 107, but may of course be all.

  Next, in S36, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining frame number, that is, whether or not the recording of the still image exceeds a predetermined recording capacity preset for the still image, and there is a remaining frame number (1 or more). )) (In the case of Y), the shooting operation mode and the number of remaining frames are displayed on the information display panel 111 (S37), and then whether or not the release button is pressed down to the half-pressed position is determined by the half-press switch SW2. Judgment is made by ON / OFF (S38), and if it is determined that the release button is not pressed down to the half-pressed position (in the case of N), the process returns to S31, and it is determined that the release button is pressed down to the half-pressed position In the case of Y, the photometric device 110 detects the lens transmitted light amount that has passed through the photographing lens (S39).

  Next, based on the lens transmitted light amount detected in S39, an exposure calculation is performed to calculate a control shutter speed and a control aperture value, and a control aperture pulse number Pc corresponding to the number of apertures to be controlled from the control aperture value is obtained. Calculate (S40). Next, the shutter speed and aperture value calculated in S40 are displayed on the information display panel 111 (S41), and whether or not the release button has been pressed down to the fully-pressed position is determined by turning on / off the full-press switch SW3 (S41). S42). If it is determined in S42 that the release button has been pressed down to the fully-pressed position (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S43 to execute a release sequence (FIG. 6) for performing a shooting operation, and the release button reaches the fully-pressed position. If it is determined that the button is not depressed (N), the process proceeds to S44.

  In S44, the focus detection state of the photographic lens CL is detected by the focus detection device 20, and then it is determined whether or not the focus adjustment state of the photographic lens CL is a focused state (S45). When the determination is made (in the case of N), the drive amount of the focus lens is calculated based on the detection result of the focus adjustment state of the focus detection device 20 (S46), and the focus lens of the photographing lens CL is adjusted by the lens drive device 119. After the drive amount calculated in S46 is driven to achieve a focused state (S47), the process returns to S38. If it is determined in S45 that it is in focus (in the case of Y), the information display panel 111 displays that it is in focus (S48), and returns to S38.

  In S36, if there is no remaining frame number (0) (N), it is displayed on the information display panel 111 that there is no remaining frame number, that is, no more frames can be recorded (S49). Whether or not the dial is set to the off position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S50). If it is determined in S50 that the power dial is set to the OFF position (in the case of Y), the process returns and proceeds to S2 in FIG. If it is determined that the power dial is set to the on position (in the case of N), the process returns to S35. In S50, when it is determined that the power dial is set to the on position and the process returns to S35, an apparently infinite loop is obtained, but during this time, the photographer does not need to use the recording medium 107. It is determined in S36 that there is a remaining number of frames by performing an operation of deleting a still image or a moving image to secure a recording capacity or replacing the recording medium 107 with a new recording medium. You can get out of the loop.

(Release sequence)
Details of the processing in the release sequence S43 of FIG. 5 are shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, first, the shutter drive circuit 112 energizes a magnet (not shown) of the shutter 11 to hold the front curtain and rear curtain of the shutter 11 (S61), and the motor drive circuit 114 corrects the sequence motor 115. Rolling is started (S62). Thereby, the mirror-up operation of the quick return mirror RM and the narrowing of the diaphragm 22 are started. Next, the aperture stop detector 116 detects the drive aperture pulse Pk (S63), and the control pulse Pc is compared with the drive aperture pulse Pk detected in S63 (S64).

  When it is determined in S64 that the detected drive aperture pulse Pk is less than the control pulse Pc (in the case of N), the process returns to S63, and when it is determined that the detected drive aperture pulse Pk is greater than or equal to the control pulse Pc ( In the case of Y), the aperture locking device 117 is operated to lock the aperture 22 and stop the aperture of the aperture 22 (S65). Next, it is determined whether or not the mirror up is completed according to the state of the sequence switch SW7 (S66), and stays at S66 until it can be determined that the mirror up is completed. Then, the motor drive circuit 114 stops the forward rotation of the sequence motor 115 (S67). In this stop process, the sequence motor 115 is stopped instantaneously by a brake process such as reverse energization brake or short brake, and overrun is negligible. Further, it is assumed that the sequence driving device is configured so that the stop of the diaphragm 22 by the stop locking device 117 is completed before it is determined that the mirror is raised in S66.

  Next, the camera waits for a predetermined time until the vibration (bound) of the quick return mirror RM accompanying the mirror up operation converges (S68), and starts to accumulate charges in the image sensor 10 (S69). Note that the light transmitted through the photographic lens CL does not reach the image pickup element 10 until the holding of the front curtain of the shutter 11 is released. Next, the energization of a magnet (not shown) of the shutter 11 is released by the shutter drive circuit 112, the holding of the front curtain of the shutter 11 is released, and the running of the front curtain is started (S70). As a result, the light transmitted through the photographing lens CL reaches the image sensor 10.

  Thereafter, after a time corresponding to the control shutter speed calculated by the exposure calculation in S40 described above has elapsed, the shutter drive circuit 112 releases the holding of the rear curtain of the shutter 11 (S71). After releasing the hold, the rear curtain waits for the time required to complete traveling on the photographing surface (S72). This is because, until the imaging surface of the image sensor 10 is completely shielded by the rear curtain of the shutter 11, it is necessary to accumulate charges and continue imaging of the portion not shielded by the rear curtain of the shutter 11. It is.

  If the running of the rear curtain of the shutter 11 is completed, the charge accumulation of the image sensor 10 started in S69 described above is terminated (S73), and the reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 is started by the motor drive circuit 114 (S74). . As a result, the mirror is lowered and the aperture 22 is returned to the open state. Thereafter, the charge accumulated in the image sensor 10 is read out as an analog image signal by the timing pulse generated by the timing circuit 104 (S75), and input to the A / D conversion circuit 103 by the timing pulse generated by the timing circuit 104. After the A / D conversion circuit 103 performs processing such as gain adjustment, it is converted into a digital signal to obtain original image data.

  Next, the original image data converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 103 is subjected to image processing such as white balance adjustment, contour compensation, and gamma correction by an image processing circuit 105 configured by an ASIC or the like. (S76) The processed image data subjected to the image processing in S76 is further subjected to compression processing by the image processing circuit 105 to create compressed image data (S77). The compressed image data created by the image processing circuit 105 is recorded on a recording medium 107 such as a memory card (S78).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the mirror down is completed according to the state of the sequence switch SW7 (S79). When it is determined that the mirror is down (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S80, and when it is determined that the mirror is not down (N ) Stays at S79. It should be noted that although it takes a relatively long time to record the compressed image data created by the image processing circuit 105 on the recording medium 107, in this embodiment, it is assumed to be completed by the end of mirror down.

  Next, in order to end the mirror down operation, the motor drive circuit 114 stops the reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 (S80). In this stop process, the sequence motor 115 is stopped instantaneously by a brake process such as reverse energization brake or short brake, and overrun is negligible. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “1” (S81). If it is “1” (Y), the single-frame shooting mode is set. The process proceeds to S82, and if it is other than “1” (in the case of N), it is determined that the single-frame shooting mode is not set, and the process returns to S31 in FIG.

  In S82, it is determined whether or not the release button has been fully depressed by releasing the full-press switch SW3. If it is determined that the release button has been released (in the case of Y), the process returns. The process proceeds to S31 of 5, and if it is determined that the release has not been made (in the case of N), the process stays at S82. These S81 and 82 indicate that when the single frame shooting mode is set, the process does not proceed to the next processing until the release of the release button to the fully depressed position is released. ing.

(Live view mode)
Details of the processing in the live view mode S7 of FIG. 3 are shown in FIGS. In FIG. 7, first, whether or not the power dial is set to the off position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S91), and it is determined that the power dial is set to the off position (Y ), The process proceeds to S111. If it is determined that the power dial is installed at the ON position (in the case of N), the process proceeds to S92, and the setting process of FIG. 4 is performed in the same manner as S3 of FIG. Perform (S92).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “4” (S93). If it is “4” (in the case of Y), it is determined as the moving image mode and the above-described figure. The process proceeds to S8 of 3, and if it is not “4” (in the case of N), it is further determined whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “2” or less (S94). In S94, when the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “2” or less (in the case of Y), it is determined as the single frame shooting mode of the still image or the continuous shooting mode of the still image, and the above-described FIG. In S6, when “2” is exceeded (in the case of N), that is, in the case of “3”, the live view mode is determined, and the process proceeds to S95.

  In S95, after calculating the number of remaining frames as in S35 of FIG. 5, whether or not there is a number of remaining frames, that is, recording of a still image is preset for the still image, as in S36 of FIG. It is determined whether or not the predetermined recording capacity is exceeded (S96). If there is a remaining frame number (1 or more) (in the case of Y), it is determined that the shooting operation mode is the live view mode, The number of frames is displayed on the information display panel 111 (S97). Next, whether or not the release button has been pushed down to the half-pressed position is determined by turning on / off the half-push switch SW2 (S98), and if it is determined that the release button has not been pushed down to the half-pressed position (in the case of N) ), The process returns to S91, and if it is determined that the release button has been pressed down to the half-pressed position (in the case of Y), the photometric device 110 detects the amount of transmitted light through the photographing lens CL (S99).

  Next, exposure calculation is performed based on the lens transmitted light amount detected in S99 to calculate the control shutter speed and the control aperture value, and the control aperture pulse number Pc corresponding to the number of apertures to be controlled is calculated from the control aperture value. (S100). Next, the shutter speed and aperture value calculated in S100 are displayed on the information display panel 111 (S101), the focus detection state of the photographing lens CL is detected by the focus detection device 20 (S102), and the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens CL is detected. Whether or not is in focus is determined (S103).

  If it is determined in S103 that it is in focus (in the case of Y), the information display panel 111 displays that it is in focus (S104), and then the release button is pressed down to the fully pressed position. It is determined whether the full-press switch SW3 is turned on or off (S105). If it is determined in S105 that the release button has been pressed down to the fully-pressed position (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S106, and a live view sequence for displaying a real-time image (moving image) on the image display monitor 17 (FIG. 8, FIG. After the execution of 9) is started, the process returns to S91. If it is determined in S105 that the release button has not been pressed down to the fully pressed position (N), the process returns to S98.

  If it is determined in S103 that it is not in focus (in the case of N), the focus lens drive amount is calculated based on the detection result of the focus adjustment state of the focus detection device 20 (S107), and the lens drive device 119 is obtained. As a result, the focus lens of the photographic lens CL is driven by the driving amount calculated in S107 so as to be in focus (S108), and the process returns to S98.

  In S96, if there is no remaining frame number (0) (N), the information display panel 111 displays that there is no remaining frame number, that is, no more frames can be recorded (S109), and the power dial is turned off. Whether the switch is set to the off position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S110). If it is determined in S110 that the power dial is set to the off position (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S111, and if it is determined that the power dial is set in the on position (in the case of N). , Return to S95. In S110, when it is determined that the power dial is set to the on position and the process returns to S95, it appears that an infinite loop appears. However, during this time, the photographer does not need to use the recording medium 107. It is determined in S96 that there is a remaining number of frames by performing an operation such as deleting a still image or moving image to secure a recording capacity or replacing the recording medium 107 with a new recording medium. You can get out of the loop.

  If it is determined that the power is turned off in S91 and the power is turned off in S110, the value of the mode storage parameter MM (the value stored in S24 of FIG. 4) is set in the photographing operation mode parameter M in S111. As a result, the shooting operation mode is changed from the live view mode to the most recently set mode between the single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. This is because there is no remaining frame number, or an operation to turn off the power (operation that satisfies the interruption condition) is performed during the live view mode processing. After executing S111, the process returns and proceeds to S2 in FIG.

(Live view sequence)
Details of the processing in the live view sequence S106 of FIG. 7 are shown in FIGS. 8, first, the shutter drive circuit 112 energizes a magnet (not shown) of the shutter 11 to hold the front curtain and the rear curtain of the shutter 11 (S121), and the motor drive circuit 114 causes the sequence motor 115 to Forward rotation is started (S122). Thereby, the mirror-up operation of the quick return mirror RM and the narrowing of the diaphragm 22 are started. Next, the drive aperture pulse Pk is detected by the aperture position detection device 116 (S123), and the control pulse Pc is compared with the drive aperture pulse Pk detected in S123 (S124).

  When it is determined in S124 that the detected drive aperture pulse Pk is less than the control pulse Pc (in the case of N), the process returns to S123, and it is determined that the detected drive aperture pulse Pk is greater than or equal to the control pulse Pc ( In the case of Y), the aperture locking device 117 is operated to lock the aperture 22 and stop the aperture of the aperture 22 (S125). Next, it is determined whether or not the mirror up is completed according to the state of the sequence switch SW7 (S126). The process stays at S126 until it can be determined that the mirror up is completed. If it is determined that the mirror up is completed (in the case of Y) Then, the motor drive circuit 114 stops the forward rotation of the sequence motor 115 (S127). In this stop process, the sequence motor 115 is stopped instantaneously by a brake process such as reverse energization brake or short brake, and overrun is negligible. Further, it is assumed that the sequence driving device is configured so that the stop of the diaphragm 22 by the stop locking device 117 is completed before the mirror-up is determined in S126.

  Next, the energization of a magnet (not shown) of the shutter 113 is released by the shutter drive circuit 112, the holding of the front curtain of the shutter 113 is released, and the running of the front curtain is started (S128). As a result, the light transmitted through the photographing lens CL reaches the image sensor 10. After releasing the holding of the front curtain of the shutter 11, the front curtain waits for the time required to complete traveling on the imaging surface of the image sensor 10 (S 129). This is to wait until the shielding of the imaging surface of the image sensor 10 by the front curtain of the shutter 11 is completely eliminated.

  Next, charge accumulation of the image sensor 10 is started (S130). Note that the light transmitted through the photographic lens CL does not reach the image pickup element 10 until the holding of the front curtain of the shutter 11 is released. Exposure is performed in order to perform real-time image display (live view) after the image sensor 10 is completely shielded by the front curtain of the shutter 11, that is, in a state where the light transmitted through the photographing lens CL reaches the image sensor 10. Accumulation time control as time control is performed (S131). This control is performed by so-called electronic shutter control.

  When the accumulation time of one frame elapses, an image is captured by receiving an image signal output from the image sensor 10 (S132), and white balance adjustment, contour compensation, gamma correction, and the like are performed on the image data captured in S132. Image processing is performed (S133), and the image data processed in S133 is further compressed (S134).

  Next, the image data compressed in S134 is reproduced and displayed as a moving image on the image display monitor 17 via the display drive circuit 108 (S135). Thereafter, the brightness of the photographed image is measured using the image signal from the image sensor 10, and the shutter speed as the electronic shutter is calculated (S136). Thereafter, whether or not the power dial is set to the off position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S137). If it is determined in S137 that the power dial is set to the on position (in the case of N), whether or not the release button is once released to the half-pressed position after being once released to the off-position. Is determined (S138). In S138, when it is determined that the release button is once released to the half-pressed position after being released from being pressed down to the off position (in the case of Y), the live view operation (live view mode) is executed in order to perform normal termination. Proceed to S151 of 9. On the other hand, if it is determined that the release button has not been pushed down to the half-pressed position after being released from being pushed down to the off position (N), the process returns to S131.

  If it is determined in S137 that the power dial is set to the off position (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S139. That is, when the power dial is turned off, the real-time image display by the image display monitor 17 in the live view mode is interrupted, and the process proceeds to the mirror down process. In S139, the charge accumulation of the image sensor 10 is terminated, and then the shutter drive circuit 112 releases the holding of the rear curtain of the shutter 11 (S140). As a result, the rear curtain of the shutter 11 travels and the image sensor 10 is shielded by the rear curtain of the shutter 11.

  Next, reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 is started by the motor drive circuit 114 (S141). As a result, the mirror is lowered and the aperture 22 is returned to the open state. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the mirror down is completed according to the state of the sequence switch SW7 (S142). When it is determined that the mirror is down (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S143, and when it is determined that the mirror is not down ( N), the process stays at S142. Next, in order to end the mirror down operation, the motor drive circuit 114 stops the reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 (S143). In this stop process, the sequence motor 115 is stopped instantaneously by a brake process such as reverse energization brake or short brake, and overrun is negligible.

  Next, the value of the mode storage parameter MM (the value stored in S24 of FIG. 4) is set in the shooting operation mode parameter M (S144). As a result, the shooting operation mode is changed from the live view mode to the most recently set mode between the single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. This is because the real-time image display displayed on the image display monitor 17 in the live view mode is interrupted by turning off the power. Thereafter, the process returns to S91 in FIG.

  In S138, when it is determined that the release button is once released to the half-pressed position after being released from being pressed down to the off position (in the case of Y), the live view operation (live view mode) is terminated normally as shown in FIG. In S151, the storage of the electric charge of the image sensor 10 is terminated, and then the shutter drive circuit 112 releases the holding of the rear curtain of the shutter 11 (S152). As a result, the rear curtain of the shutter 11 travels and the image sensor 10 is shielded by the rear curtain of the shutter 11.

  Next, reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 is started by the motor drive circuit 114 (S153). Thereby, the mirror down and the return of the aperture 22 to the open state are started. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the mirror down is completed according to the state of the sequence switch SW7 (S154). When it is determined that the mirror is down (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S155, and when it is determined that the mirror is not down ( In the case of N), the process stays at S154. Next, in order to end the mirror down operation, the motor drive circuit 114 stops the reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 (S155). In this stop process, the sequence motor 115 is stopped instantaneously by a brake process such as reverse energization brake or short brake, and overrun is negligible. The live view operation is ended in step S155, and the AE operation and AF operation before photographing are subsequently performed from step S156.

  The lens transmitted light amount that has passed through the taking lens CL is detected from the photometric device 110 (S156), exposure calculation is performed based on the lens transmitted light amount detected in S156, and the control shutter speed and the control aperture value are calculated. The number of control aperture pulses Pc corresponding to the number of aperture stages to be controlled is calculated from (S157). Thereafter, the focus detection state of the photographing lens CL is detected by the focus detection device 20 (S158), and it is determined whether or not the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens CL is an in-focus state (S159). If it is determined in S159 that the in-focus state is obtained (Y), the process proceeds to S160. If it is determined that the in-focus state is not obtained (in the case of N), the process proceeds to S164.

  In S160, it is displayed on the information display panel 111 that the in-focus state has been reached, and then it is determined whether or not the release button has been pressed down to the fully-pressed position by turning on / off the full-press switch SW3 (S161). If it is determined in S161 that the release button has been pressed down to the fully pressed position (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S162, and if it is determined that the release button has not been pressed down to the fully pressed position (in the case of N). , The process proceeds to S163.

  In S162, the release sequence is executed as in S43 of FIG. Details of the release sequence are shown in FIG. When the release sequence S162 ends, the live view sequence ends and returns, and the process proceeds to S91 in FIG. In S163, whether or not the release button is half-pressed is determined by turning on / off the half-press switch SW2, and if it is determined that the half-press of the release button is released (in the case of Y). Return to S121 in FIG. 8, and if it is determined that the half-press of the release button has not been released (in the case of N), return to S161.

  If it is determined in S159 that the subject is not in focus (in the case of N), the driving amount of the focus lens is calculated based on the detection result of the focus adjustment state of the focus detection device 20 (S164), and the lens is driven. The focus lens of the photographic lens CL is driven by the driving amount calculated in S164 by the device 119 so as to be in a focused state (S165). Next, it is determined whether or not the release button is half-pressed by releasing the half-press switch SW2 (S166), and when it is determined that the release button is half-pressed (Y ), The process returns to S121 in FIG. 8, and if it is determined that the half-press of the release button has not been released (in the case of N), the process returns to S158.

(Movie mode)
Details of the processing in the moving image mode S8 of FIG. 3 are shown in FIGS. In FIG. 10, first, whether or not the power dial is set to the off position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S171), and it is determined that the power dial is set to the off position (Y ), The process proceeds to S191. If it is determined that the power dial is installed at the ON position (in the case of N), the process proceeds to S172, and the setting process of FIG. 4 is performed in the same manner as S3 of FIG. I do.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “3” (S173). If it is “3” (in the case of Y), the live view mode is determined, and the above-described operation is performed. Proceeding to S7 of FIG. 3, if it is not “3” (in the case of N), it is further determined whether or not the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “2” or less (S174). In S174, when the value of the shooting operation mode parameter M is “2” or less (in the case of Y), it is determined as the single frame shooting mode of the still image or the continuous shooting mode of the still image, and the above-described FIG. In S6, when “2” is exceeded (in the case of N), that is, in the case of “4”, the moving image mode is determined, and the process proceeds to S175.

  In S175, the remaining recording time is calculated. The remaining recording time is a recording time of a moving image that can be recorded in the future with respect to the recording medium 107 attached to the electronic camera CM. Of the total recording capacity of the attached recording medium 107, recording of a still image is performed. Is calculated on the basis of the remaining recording capacity obtained by subtracting the recording capacity occupied by the already recorded moving image from the predetermined recording capacity allocated for the purpose (preset).

  Here, of the total recording capacity of the recording medium 107, it is assumed that a predetermined recording capacity for recording a still image and a predetermined recording capacity for recording a moving image are separately secured. However, it is of course possible to handle them as one unit without separating them. In this case, the remaining recording time is a still recording that has already been recorded from a predetermined recording capacity (preset) assigned for recording still images and moving images out of the total recording capacity of the recording medium 107. It is calculated based on the remaining recording capacity after subtracting the recording capacity occupied by the image and the moving image. In addition, the predetermined recording capacity for still images and / or moving images has been described as being a part of the total recording capacity of the recording medium 107, but may of course be all.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining recording time, that is, whether or not the recording of the moving image exceeds a predetermined recording capacity preset for the moving image (S176). In the case of (), the shooting operation mode is the moving image mode and the remaining recording time is displayed on the information display panel 111 (S177). Next, whether or not the release button has been pressed down to the half-pressed position is determined by turning on / off the half-press switch SW2 (S178), and if it is determined that the release button has not been pressed down to the half-pressed position (N ), The process returns to S171, and when it is determined that the release button has been pressed down to the half-pressed position (in the case of Y), the lens transmitted light amount transmitted through the photographing lens CL is detected from the photometry device 110 (S179).

  Next, based on the lens transmitted light amount detected in S179, an exposure calculation is performed to calculate a control shutter speed and a control aperture value, and a control aperture pulse number Pc corresponding to the number of aperture stages to be controlled from the control aperture value is obtained. Calculate (S180). Next, the shutter speed and aperture value calculated in S180 are displayed on the information display panel 111 (S181), and the focus detection state of the photographing lens CL is detected by the focus detection device 20 (S182). It is determined whether or not the focus adjustment state is an in-focus state (S183).

  If it is determined in S183 that it is in focus (in the case of Y), the information display panel 111 displays that it is in focus (S184), and then the release button is pushed down to the fully pressed position. It is determined by turning on / off the full-press switch SW3 (S185). If it is determined in S185 that the release button has been pressed down to the fully pressed position (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S186, and after executing the moving image sequence (FIGS. 11 and 12) for recording the moving image, the process returns to S171. . If it is determined in S185 that the release button has not been pressed down to the fully pressed position (in the case of N), the process returns to S178.

  If it is determined in S183 that it is not in focus (in the case of N), the driving amount of the focus lens is calculated based on the detection result of the focus adjustment state of the focus detection device 20 (S187), and then the lens The driving device 119 drives the focus lens of the photographing lens CL by the driving amount calculated in S187 so as to be in focus (S188), and then returns to S178.

  In S176, if there is no remaining recording time (in the case of N), the information display panel 111 displays that there is no remaining recording time, that is, that no more moving images can be recorded (S189). Whether the switch is set to the off position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S190). If it is determined in S190 that the power dial is set to the off position (Y), the process proceeds to S191, and if it is determined that the power dial is set to the on position (N). , The process returns to S175. In S190, when it is determined that the power dial is set to the on position and the process returns to S175, an apparently infinite loop is obtained, but during this time, the photographer does not need to use the recording medium 107. It is determined in S176 that there is a remaining recording time by performing an operation such as deleting a still image or a moving image to secure a recording capacity or replacing the recording medium 107 with a new recording medium. You can get out of the loop.

  If it is determined that the power is turned off in S171 and the power is turned off in S190, the value of the mode storage parameter MM (the value stored in S24 of FIG. 4) is set in the photographing operation mode parameter M in S191. As a result, the shooting operation mode is changed from the moving image mode to the most recently set mode between the single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. This is because there is no remaining recording time of the recording medium 107 or an operation to turn off the power (operation satisfying the interruption condition) is performed during the moving image mode processing. After executing S191, the process returns and proceeds to S2 in FIG.

(Video sequence)
Details of the processing in the moving image sequence S186 of FIG. 10 are shown in FIGS. In FIG. 11, first, the shutter drive circuit 112 energizes a magnet (not shown) of the shutter 11 to hold the front curtain and the rear curtain of the shutter 11 (S201), and the motor drive circuit 114 causes the sequence motor 115 to Forward rotation is started (S202). Thereby, the mirror-up operation of the quick return mirror RM and the narrowing of the diaphragm 22 are started. Next, the drive aperture pulse Pk is detected by the aperture position detector 116 (S203), and the control pulse Pc is compared with the drive aperture pulse Pk detected in S203 (S204).

  When it is determined in S204 that the detected drive aperture pulse Pk is less than the control pulse Pc (in the case of N), the process returns to S203, and when it is determined that the detected drive aperture pulse Pk is greater than or equal to the control pulse Pc ( In the case of Y), the aperture locking device 117 is operated to lock the aperture 22 and stop the aperture of the aperture 22 (S205). Next, it is determined whether or not the mirror up is completed according to the state of the sequence switch SW7 (S206). The process stays at S206 until it can be determined that the mirror up is completed. Then, the motor drive circuit 114 stops the forward rotation of the sequence motor 115 (S207). In this stop process, the sequence motor 115 is stopped instantaneously by a brake process such as reverse energization brake or short brake, and overrun is negligible. Further, it is assumed that a sequence driving device (not shown) is configured so that the stop of the diaphragm 22 by the stop locking device 117 is completed before it is determined that the mirror is raised in S206.

  Next, the shutter drive circuit 112 releases the energization of a magnet (not shown) of the shutter 113, releases the holding of the front curtain of the shutter 113, and starts running of the front curtain (S208). As a result, the light transmitted through the photographing lens CL reaches the image sensor 10. Next, after the holding of the front curtain of the shutter 11 is released, the front curtain waits for the time required to complete traveling on the imaging surface of the image sensor 10 (S209). This is to wait until the shielding of the imaging surface of the imaging device 10 by the front curtain of the shutter 11 is completely eliminated.

  Next, charge accumulation of the image sensor 10 is started (S210). Note that the light transmitted through the photographic lens CL does not reach the image pickup element 10 until the holding of the front curtain of the shutter 11 is released. If the image sensor 10 is completely blocked by the front curtain of the shutter 11, that is, if the light transmitted through the photographing lens CL reaches the image sensor 10, a real-time image display (live view) is performed. Therefore, accumulation time control as exposure time control is performed (S211). This control is performed by so-called electronic shutter control.

  When the accumulation time of one frame elapses, an image is captured by receiving an image signal output from the image sensor 10 (S212), and white balance adjustment, contour compensation, gamma correction, and the like are performed on the image data captured in S212. Image processing is performed (S213), and the image data processed in S213 is further compressed (S214). Thereafter, the compressed image data is recorded as a moving image on the recording medium 107 (S215).

  Next, the image data compressed in S214 is reproduced and displayed as a moving image on the image display monitor 17 via the display drive circuit 108 (S216). In the next step S216-1, it is identified whether or not the release button full-press operation is continued (held). If the full-press operation is continued, the brightness of the photographed image is measured using the image signal from the image sensor 10 and the shutter speed as the electronic shutter is calculated (S217). Thereafter, the remaining recording time of the recording medium 107 mounted on the electronic camera CM is calculated (S218), and the presence / absence of the remaining recording time calculated in S218 is determined (S219). In S219, when there is no remaining recording time (in the case of N), the process proceeds to S231 in FIG. 12, and when there is remaining recording time (in the case of Y), the remaining recording time is displayed on the information display panel 111 ( S220).

  Next, whether or not the power dial is set to the off position is determined by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S221), and it is determined that the power dial is set to the on position (in the case of N). In step S211, if it is determined that the power dial is set to the off position (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step S222. That is, when the power dial is turned off, the moving image recording in the moving image mode and the real-time image display by the image display monitor 17 are interrupted, and the process proceeds to the mirror down process. In S222, the charge accumulation of the image sensor 10 is terminated, and then the shutter drive circuit 112 releases the holding of the rear curtain of the shutter 11 (S223). As a result, the rear curtain of the shutter 11 travels and the image sensor 10 is shielded by the rear curtain of the shutter 11.

  Next, reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 is started by the motor drive circuit 114 (S224). Thereby, the mirror down and the return of the aperture 22 to the open state are started. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the mirror down is completed according to the state of the sequence switch SW7 (S225). When it is determined that the mirror is down (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S226, and when it is determined that the mirror is not down ( N), stay at S225. Next, in order to end the mirror down operation, the motor drive circuit 114 stops the reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 (S226). In this stop process, the sequence motor 115 is stopped instantaneously by a brake process such as reverse energization brake or short brake, and overrun is negligible.

  Next, the value of the mode storage parameter MM (the value stored in S24 of FIG. 4) is set in the shooting operation mode parameter M (S227). As a result, the shooting operation mode is changed from the moving image mode to the most recently set mode between the single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. This is because the image recording in the moving image mode and the real-time image display displayed on the image display monitor 17 are interrupted by performing an operation of turning off the power. Thereafter, the process returns and proceeds to S171 in FIG.

  If it is determined in S216-1 that the release button has not been fully pressed, the same operations as those in steps S222 to S226 described above are performed, and then the process returns to S171 in FIG. Since the release button full release operation is an operation that normally ends the moving image recording operation, the operation is returned without performing the operation of step S227 described above.

  If it is determined in S219 that there is no remaining recording time (in the case of N), the process proceeds to S231 in FIG. 12, and the information display panel 111 displays that there is no remaining recording time in S231. Next, the charge accumulation of the image sensor 10 is terminated (S232), and the shutter drive circuit 112 releases the rear curtain of the shutter 11 (S233). As a result, the rear curtain of the shutter 11 travels and the image sensor 10 is shielded by the rear curtain of the shutter 11.

  Next, reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 is started by the motor drive circuit 114 (S234). Thereby, the mirror down and the return of the aperture 22 to the open state are started. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the mirror down is completed according to the state of the sequence switch SW7 (S235). When it is determined that the mirror is down (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S236, and when it is determined that the mirror is not down ( If N), stay at S235. Next, in order to end the mirror down operation, the motor drive circuit 114 stops the reverse rotation of the sequence motor 115 (S236). In this stop process, the sequence motor 115 is stopped instantaneously by a brake process such as reverse energization brake or short brake, and overrun is negligible.

  Next, the remaining recording time of the recording medium 107 attached to the camera is calculated again (S237), and the presence / absence of the remaining recording time calculated in S237 is determined (S238). If it is determined in S238 that there is a remaining recording time (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S241. If it is determined that there is no remaining recording time (in the case of N), the process proceeds to S239. In S239, the information display panel 111 displays that there is no remaining recording time, and then determines whether the power dial is set to the OFF position by turning on / off the power switch SW1 (S240). If it is determined in S240 that the power dial is set to the off position (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to S241, and if it is determined that the power dial is set in the on position (in the case of N). , Return to S237. In S240, when it is determined that the power dial is set to the on position and the process returns to S237, it appears that an infinite loop appears. However, during this time, the photographer does not need to use the recording medium 107. It is determined in S238 that there is a remaining recording time by performing an operation such as deleting the still image or moving image to secure the recording capacity or replacing the recording medium 107 with a new recording medium. You can get out of the loop.

  Next, in S241, the value of the mode storage parameter MM (the value stored in S24 of FIG. 4) is set in the shooting operation mode parameter M. As a result, the shooting operation mode is changed from the moving image mode to the most recently set mode between the single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. This is because the moving image recording in the moving image mode and the real-time image display by the image display monitor 17 are interrupted because there is no remaining recording time of the recording medium 107. Thereafter, the process returns and proceeds to S171 in FIG.

  According to the above-described embodiment, when a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied during execution of the live view mode, the shooting operation mode is set to the most recently set mode between the still-frame single-frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. They are changed (S91, S96, S110, S111 in FIG. 7, S137, S144 in FIG. 8). The interruption condition here is satisfied when an operation for setting the power dial to the off position is performed, or when a still image cannot be recorded on the recording medium 107 (when the number of remaining frames is exhausted).

  In addition, when a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied during the execution of the moving image mode, the shooting operation mode is changed to the most recently set mode between the still image single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode (FIG. 10). S171, S176, S190, S191, S219, S221, S227 in FIG. 11, and S238, S240, S241 in FIG. The interruption condition here is satisfied when an operation for setting the power dial to the off position is performed, or when a moving image cannot be recorded on the recording medium 107 (when the remaining recording time runs out).

[Other Embodiments]
Hereinafter, as another embodiment of the present invention, a modification in which a part of the above-described embodiment is modified will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First modification)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a first modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. This first modification is a modification of part of FIG. 7 of the above-described embodiment. If S111 in FIG. 7 is omitted and it is determined that the power is off in S91 or S110 (in the case of Y), The process returns to S2 in FIG. That is, the shooting operation mode is not changed when the power dial is set to the off position or when there are no remaining frames except during the real-time image display in the live view sequence.

(Second modification)
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a second modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. This second modification is a modification of part of FIG. 7 of the above-described embodiment, and the value of the mode storage parameter MM is set in the shooting operation mode parameter M after the live view sequence S106. (S300). That is, even when the shooting operation is completed in the live view sequence (when the live view sequence S106 in FIG. 7 is returned after S162 in FIG. 9), the shooting operation mode is set to the single-frame shooting mode or the continuous shooting mode. The mode is changed to the most recently set mode.

(Third Modification)
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a third modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. This third modification is obtained by changing a part of FIG. 9 in the above-described embodiment. In FIG. 9, when it is determined in S163 that the release button half-press is released (in the case of Y), and in S166, it is determined that the release button half-press is released (in the case of Y). 8), the process returns to S121 in FIG. 8, but in this third modification, the process returns to S2 in FIG. In other words, when you want to adjust the focus by pressing the release button halfway while displaying the real-time image in the live view sequence, if you release the release button halfway, the real-time image display by mirror up will not be displayed. Until the shutter is released again, the mirror down state is maintained.

(Fourth modification)
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a fourth modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth modification, a part of FIG. 9 of the above-described embodiment is changed, and the value of the mode storage parameter MM is set to the shooting operation mode parameter M after the release sequence S162. Yes (S310). That is, after shooting by pressing the release button fully during real-time image display in the live view sequence, the shooting mode is set to the most recent one of the single-frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. I am trying to change it.

(5th modification)
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a fifth modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. This fifth modification is obtained by changing a part of FIG. 10 of the above-described embodiment, omitting S191 in FIG. 10 and determining that the power is off in S171 or S190 (in the case of Y). The process returns to S2 in FIG. That is, the shooting operation mode is not changed without the power dial-off position setting and the remaining recording time other than the processing after the interruption of moving image recording in the moving image sequence.

(Sixth Modification)
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a sixth modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the sixth modification, a part of FIG. 10 of the above-described embodiment is changed, and after the moving image sequence S186, the value of the mode storage parameter MM is set in the shooting operation mode parameter M. Yes (S320). That is, after the moving image recording is completed, the shooting operation mode is always changed to the most recently set mode between the still frame single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode.

(Seventh Modification)
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a seventh modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. This seventh modification is a modification of part of FIG. 12 of the above-described embodiment. If it is determined in S238 that there is a remaining recording time (in the case of Y), the new recording medium 107 is changed. Is omitted from the camera, the process skips S242 and returns to S171 in FIG. For this reason, when the remaining recording time runs out during the moving image recording, the recording medium 107 with no remaining recording time is taken out from the camera after the moving image recording is interrupted, and the recording medium 107 with another remaining recording time is loaded into the camera. In this case, the shooting operation mode is maintained in the moving image mode.

(Eighth modification)
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an eighth modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. This eighth modification is a modification of part of FIG. 8 of the above-described embodiment. When real-time image display in the live view mode is continued for a long time, the image sensor 10 becomes high temperature and maintains normal operation. Since there is a possibility that it cannot be performed, a time limit is set for the real-time image display in the live view mode. Prior to the start of charge accumulation in S130, time measurement is started in S330, and after the luminance of the photographed image is measured in S136, the image sensor 10 becomes high temperature in S331, which is different from the normal image quality due to noise or the like. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time shorter than such time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S332. In S332, the time measurement is stopped, and the processing after the end of charge accumulation in S139 I do. In the eighth modified example, when the real-time image display in the live view mode is continued for a predetermined time, the shooting operation mode is set from the live view mode to the most recent one of the still image single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. The mode is changed.

(Ninth Modification)
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a ninth modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. This ninth modification is a modification of part of FIG. 11 of the above-described embodiment. When moving image recording in the moving image mode is continued for a long time, the image sensor 10 becomes high temperature, and normal operation cannot be maintained. Since there is a possibility, there is a limitation on the moving image recording time in the moving image mode. Prior to the start of charge accumulation in S210, time measurement is started in S340, and the luminance of the captured image is measured in S217. After that, in S341, the image sensor 10 becomes high in temperature and differs from normal image quality due to noise or the like. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time shorter than such a time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to S342, the time measurement (time counting operation) is stopped, and the charge accumulation after the end of charge accumulation in S222 Processing is performed. In the ninth modification, when the moving image recording in the moving image mode is continued for a predetermined time, the shooting operation mode is changed from the moving image mode to the mode set to the most recent one of the still image single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. It is supposed to be.

(10th modification)
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a tenth modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. The tenth modification is obtained by changing a part of FIG. 8 of the above-described embodiment. After measuring the brightness of the captured image in S136, the temperature of the image sensor 10 is detected by the temperature sensor 23 in S350, and in S351, the image sensor 10 becomes high temperature and differs from the normal image quality due to noise or the like. It is determined whether or not the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. If the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the process after the end of charge accumulation in S139 is performed. In the tenth modification, when the temperature of the image sensor 10 exceeds a predetermined temperature that differs from normal image quality due to noise or the like, the shooting operation mode changes from the live view mode to the single frame shooting mode of still images and continuous shooting. The mode is changed to the most recently set mode. In this case, the temperature of the image sensor 10 is determined. However, the temperature of other heat generating components (for example, an actuator of the driving device) may be determined.

(Eleventh modification)
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an eleventh modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. This eleventh modification is obtained by changing a part of FIG. 11 of the above-described embodiment. After measuring the brightness of the captured image in S217, the temperature of the image sensor 10 is detected by the temperature sensor 23 in S360, and in S361, the image sensor 10 becomes hot and may differ from the normal image quality due to noise or the like. It is determined whether the temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature. If the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the processing after the end of the charge accumulation in S222 is performed. In the eleventh modified example, when the temperature of the image sensor 10 exceeds a predetermined temperature that differs from the normal image quality due to noise or the like, the shooting operation mode changes from the moving image mode to the still image single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. The mode is set to the most recently set. In this case, the temperature of the image sensor 10 is determined. However, the temperature of other heat generating components (for example, an actuator of the driving device) may be determined.

(Twelfth modification)
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a twelfth modification according to another embodiment of the present invention. This twelfth modification is obtained by changing a part of FIG. 12 of the above-described embodiment. If S237 to S240 are omitted from FIG. The operation mode is changed from the moving image mode to the most recently set one of the still image single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode.

  As described above, according to each modification in the above-described embodiment or other embodiments, the shooting operation is performed when a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied while the shooting operation mode is executing the live view mode or the moving image mode. The mode is automatically changed to the most recently set mode between the still image single frame shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode. Therefore, even if the photographer does not change the mode manually, the camera is automatically changed to a still image shooting operation mode that is frequently used as a single-lens reflex electronic camera in certain cases. The chances of missing a photo opportunity are reduced. In addition, the interruption conditions are: power off, no remaining frames, no remaining recording time, continuous shooting of moving images or live view display for more than a predetermined time, image sensor temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature, still image shooting It is established when an operation is performed, etc., and these operations are usually worthy of changing the shooting operation mode, so that the convenience of use is improved by entering the still image mode when performing subsequent shooting. Can do.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment includes all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the electronic camera of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the electronic camera of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the still image mode of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the release sequence of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the live view mode of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the live view sequence of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the live view sequence of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the moving image mode of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the moving image sequence of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the moving image sequence of embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 1st modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 2nd modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 3rd modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 4th modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 5th modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 6th modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 7th modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 8th modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 9th modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary flowchart which shows the 10th modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a partial flowchart which shows the 11th modification in other embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary flowchart which shows the 12th modification in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  CM: electronic camera, CB: camera body, CL: photographing lens, FD: finder unit, RM: quick return mirror, 10: image sensor, 11: mechanical shutter, 17 ... image display monitor, 23 ... temperature sensor, 101 ... control Device 107, recording medium 111, information display panel, 115 motor.

Claims (10)

An image sensor that captures an optical image from the imaging optical system;
A finder for a photographer to directly view an optical image from the photographing optical system;
A first position arranged in the optical path of the photographic optical system to guide the optical image from the photographic optical system to the finder unit, or the optical position from the photographic optical system to the imaging device A mirror member selectively switched to a second position disposed outside the optical path of the photographing optical system;
A display device for displaying an image based on an output signal of the image sensor;
Operation means for outputting an operation signal for selecting any one of the at least one shooting mode for the still image and at least one shooting mode for the moving image;
Setting means for setting a state inside the camera including a switching operation of the mirror member to a predetermined state corresponding to the photographing mode in response to an operation signal of the operation means;
Storage means for storing the shooting mode related to the still image set before the shooting mode related to the moving image is set;
The setting means is configured to change the shooting mode to the shooting mode stored in the storage means when the shooting mode for the moving image is set and a predetermined interruption condition for the shooting mode is satisfied. Control means for controlling
An electronic camera comprising: The shooting mode for the still image is:
A first shooting mode for recording one image in the recording means when a shooting instruction for shooting a still image is given;
A second shooting mode for recording a plurality of images in a recording unit at predetermined intervals while a shooting instruction for shooting a still image is continuously given;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, comprising: The shooting mode for the video is
A third shooting mode for continuously displaying through images on the display device based on the output signal of the image sensor;
A fourth shooting mode for continuously recording an image based on an output signal of the image sensor on a recording unit;
The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising:   The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the interruption condition is satisfied when the power is turned off.   The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the interruption condition is satisfied when the recording of the still image exceeds a predetermined recording capacity set in advance for the still image.   The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the interruption condition is satisfied when the recording of a moving image exceeds a predetermined recording capacity set in advance for the moving image.   The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interruption condition is satisfied when a duration of the shooting mode relating to the moving image is equal to or longer than a predetermined time set in advance.   The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interruption condition is satisfied when a temperature detected by a sensor that measures the temperature of the imaging element is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature.   The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein the interruption condition is satisfied when a shooting instruction for shooting a still image is issued in the state set in the third shooting mode. A method for controlling a single-lens reflex electronic camera having a plurality of shooting modes relating to still images and moving images,
When the shooting mode is set to a shooting mode related to a moving image and a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied, the shooting mode is changed to a shooting mode related to a still image set before the shooting mode related to the moving image is set. An electronic camera control method characterized by comprising:

Images