JP2009017368A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of setting photographing conditions while taking into account a camera-shake amount that may be greatly different among individuals, and user's preference. <P>SOLUTION: A shutter speed that determines an exposure time to a CCD 14 and photographic sensitivity (an amplification factor of an image signal captured using the CCD 14) can be changed and in response to a one-time photographing instruction, either a normal photographing mode during which one digital image data are captured or a continuous photographing mode during which a plurality of digital image data are captured is selectively executed. In photographing processing during the continuous photographing mode, the plurality of digital image data are captured while making the exposure time and the amplification factor different from each other in the photographing conditions, and one of the captured digital image data is selected. The photographing conditions of the selected digital image data are then stored, selection tendency information is derived on the basis of the stored photographing conditions and when setting the photographing conditions in photographing processing during the normal photographing mode, the derived selection tendency information is taken into account. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera that acquires digital image data indicating a subject image by imaging.

  The digital camera is provided with a shutter button, and when shooting with the digital camera, the shooting timing is instructed by pressing the shutter button.

  It is known that the pressing operation of the shutter button induces a so-called camera shake in which the subject image is blurred due to the movement of the digital camera itself.

  Conventionally, in order to prevent blurring of a subject image due to camera shake, for example, as in Patent Document 1, the amount of camera shake is detected and stored as a camera shake amount, and an exposure mode program line is set according to the amount of camera shake. It has been proposed to shift.

  Also, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is proposed to detect the moving speed of a subject and change the photographing sensitivity according to the speed of the subject.

  Further, as in Patent Document 3, when a user instructs continuous shooting, a combination of shutter speed and shooting sensitivity is changed without changing the exposure with a constant aperture value, and a plurality of images are taken. It has also been proposed to obtain.

Further, as in Patent Document 4, it is determined whether to perform continuous shooting based on shooting conditions or captured images, and the camera determines which image is to be recorded among a plurality of acquired images. It has also been proposed to do.
JP 2006-330159 A JP 2004-120576 A JP2003-51982A JP 2001-8087 A

  However, in the techniques of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a one-to-one correction amount is applied according to the amount of camera shake when setting shooting conditions. In the technique of Patent Document 4, recording is performed on the camera side. In any case, there is a problem that individual differences for each user and user preferences cannot be reflected in order to select an image to be selected.

  That is, since there is a large individual difference in the amount of camera shake, if a one-to-one correction amount is applied according to the amount of camera shake, the sensitivity may be excessively increased and the image quality may deteriorate. The allowable range of the image quality deterioration and the blur of the subject image is determined by the user's preference, and the desired image cannot always be captured.

  In the technique of Patent Document 3, since shooting is not performed under a plurality of shooting conditions unless the user sets continuous shooting, in order to obtain a favorite image, a plurality of images are set by setting continuous shooting each time. Need to shoot.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera capable of setting shooting conditions in consideration of the amount of camera shake having a large individual difference and user preference.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to an image pickup device for acquiring digital image data indicating a subject image, and an input unit for instructing acquisition timing of digital image data via the image pickup unit. And an exposure control means for controlling an exposure time for the image sensor, and a switching means for switching the gain when acquiring digital image data via the image sensor to any of a plurality of preset gains. A setting unit that derives and sets a shooting condition including the exposure time and the amplification factor when a shooting instruction is input by the input unit; Shooting execution means for executing shooting processing in either of a normal shooting mode for acquiring digital image data and a continuous shooting mode for sequentially acquiring a plurality of digital image data sequentially The setting unit is configured to acquire the digital image data having a constant exposure and different exposure time and amplification factor when executing the shooting process in the continuous shooting mode by the shooting execution unit. The photographing condition is set by the means, and the control means for controlling the switching means and the exposure control means so as to change the amplification factor and the exposure time every time one digital image data is acquired, and photographing via the image sensor Selecting means for selecting any one of the plurality of digital image data acquired by the above, and the exposure time when the selected digital image data is acquired according to the selection result by the selecting means And storage means for storing the imaging conditions such as the amplification factor, and selection tendency information of the imaging conditions based on the imaging conditions stored in the storage means. Deriving means for outputting, and when the photographing executing means executes the photographing process in the normal photographing mode, the control means is configured to take the photographing based on the selection tendency information derived by the deriving means. The setting means is controlled so as to set conditions.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the exposure time for the image sensor and the amplification factor when acquiring digital image data using the image sensor can be changed. Further, in accordance with one shooting instruction, either a normal shooting mode for acquiring one digital image data or a continuous shooting mode for acquiring a plurality of digital image data can be selectively executed. .

  Here, in the present invention, in the shooting process in the continuous shooting mode, a plurality of digital image data is acquired by changing the exposure time and the amplification factor so that the exposure is constant among the shooting conditions, and the acquired digital Any one of the image data is selected, and the photographing condition of the selected digital image data is stored.

  Furthermore, the selection tendency information is derived based on the stored photographing conditions, and the derived selection tendency information is taken into account when setting the photographing conditions in the photographing process in the normal photographing mode.

  Therefore, it is possible to learn the selection tendency of the shooting conditions of the user of the digital camera, and to set the shooting conditions according to the user.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set the photographing condition in consideration of the amount of camera shake having a large individual difference and the user's preference.

  In the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 2, the derivation unit derives a standard deviation according to the number of the same conditions among the photographing conditions stored in the storage unit as selection tendency information, and The control means can switch to the continuous shooting mode when the standard deviation is smaller than a preset threshold when executing the shooting process in the normal shooting mode.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 3, the derivation means derives an optimum exposure time as selection tendency information based on the exposure time stored in the storage means, and the control means When the absolute value of the difference between the exposure time derived by the setting means and the optimum exposure time is larger than a preset threshold value, the shooting process may be executed by switching to the continuous shooting mode. .

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 4, the selection tendency information derived by the deriving means includes at least an optimum exposure time based on an exposure time stored in the storage means, and the control means The optimum exposure time can be compared with a preset threshold value, and the program diagram used for setting the photographing conditions by the setting means can be switched according to the comparison result.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the selection tendency information derived by the deriving unit includes an optimum exposure time based on at least an exposure time stored in the storage unit, and the setting unit includes: It is also possible to set the optimum exposure time as the exposure time and set other photographing conditions in accordance with the optimum exposure time.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, as in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the derivation unit derives a weighting coefficient according to the frequency of the photographing condition stored in the storage unit as the selection tendency information, and the setting unit includes: The exposure time and the amplification factor may be set using the weighting coefficient derived by the coefficient deriving means.

  Further, the present invention further includes an identification information storage unit that stores identification information of a plurality of photographers, and an acquisition unit that acquires the photographer identification information, as in the invention of claim 7, The storage means stores the photographing conditions for each photographer stored in the identification information storage means, and the control means is stored in the photographer identification information acquired by the acquisition means and the identification information storage means. The photographer may be specified based on the identification information, and the photographing process may be executed for a storage area corresponding to the specified photographer in the storage unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 8, the acquisition means acquires fingerprint data indicating a photographer's fingerprint image, and the identification information storage means is acquired by the acquisition means for each photographer. The acquired fingerprint data is further associated and stored, and the control unit is configured to detect that the correlation between the fingerprint data acquired by the acquiring unit and the fingerprint data stored in the identification information storage unit is higher than a preset threshold value. The photographer associated with the fingerprint data may be specified as the photographer.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the shooting condition can be set in consideration of the amount of camera shake having a large individual difference and the user's preference.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, an external configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the front of the digital camera 10 is provided with a lens 12 for forming a subject image and a viewfinder 70 used for determining the composition of the subject to be photographed. On the top surface of the digital camera 10, a release button (so-called shutter) 56A that is pressed by a photographer when performing shooting and a power switch 56B are provided.

  Note that the release button 56A according to the present embodiment is in a state where it is pressed down to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “half-pressed state”), and in a state where it is pressed down to a final pressed position that exceeds the intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “herein”). It is configured to be able to detect a two-stage pressing operation of “fully pressed state”.

  In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the exposure state (shutter speed, aperture state) is set by operating the AE (Automatic Exposure) function by pressing the release button 56A halfway. After that, AF (Auto Focus) function is activated and focus control is performed, and then exposure (photographing) is performed when it is fully pressed.

  On the other hand, on the back of the digital camera 10, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “the eyepiece” of the finder 70 and a subject image, various menu screens, messages, etc. indicated by the digital image data obtained by photographing). 30), a shooting mode that is a mode for performing shooting, and a playback mode that is a mode for displaying (reproducing) a subject image indicated by digital image data obtained by shooting on the LCD 30. A cross-cursor button 56D configured to include a mode selector switch 56C that is slid for setting, and four arrow keys that indicate four directions of movement in the display area of the LCD 30, up, down, left, and right; Is provided.

  Also, on the back of the digital camera 10, a menu key 56E that is pressed when displaying the main menu screen on the LCD 30, and an execution key 56F that is pressed when executing processing specified on the menu screen, A cancel key 56G that is pressed when various operations are canceled (cancelled) is provided.

  Next, the configuration of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 32 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10, a first memory 38 that is used as a work area when the CPU 32 executes various processes, And a second memory 40 for storing digital image data obtained mainly by photographing. The CPU 32, the first memory 38, and the second memory 40 are connected to each other via a bus BUS.

  Therefore, the CPU 32 can perform access to the first memory 38 and the second memory 40 and access to the recording medium 42A via the media controller 42, respectively.

  The first memory 38 can be configured by, for example, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), and the second memory 40 can be configured by, for example, VRAM (Video RAM).

  As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 includes an optical unit 13 including the lens 12 described above, a CCD 14 arranged behind the optical axis of the lens 12, and a correlated double sampling circuit (hereinafter referred to as a correlated double sampling circuit). , “CDSAMP”) 16, and an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 18 for converting an input analog signal into digital data, and an output terminal of the CCD 14. Are connected to the input terminal of the CDSAMP 16, and the output terminal of the CDSAMP 16 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 18.

  Here, the correlated double sampling process by the CDSAMP 16 is a feed included in the output signal for each pixel of the solid-state image sensor for the purpose of reducing noise (particularly thermal noise) included in the output signal of the solid-state image sensor. This is processing for obtaining accurate pixel data by taking the difference between the through component level and the pixel signal component level.

  The CDSAMP 16 includes an amplifier, and the image signal input from the CCD 14 is subjected to correlated double sampling processing and is amplified and output with a predetermined amplification factor.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 has a line buffer having a predetermined capacity and an image input controller 20 that performs control for directly storing the input digital image data in a predetermined area of the second memory 40, and various kinds of digital image data. An image signal processing circuit 22 that performs image processing, a compression processing for compressing digital image data in a predetermined compression format, and a decompression processing circuit 24 that performs decompression processing on the compressed digital image data, and digital image data And a display control circuit 28 that generates a signal for displaying the displayed image, menu screen, and the like on the LCD 30 and supplies the signal to the LCD 30. The input terminal of the image input controller 20 is connected to the output terminal of the ADC 18.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes an AF detection circuit 34 that detects a physical quantity required for operating the AF function, and a physical quantity (this embodiment) required for operating the AE function and the AWB (Automatic White Balance) function. In the embodiment, it is configured to include an AE / AWB detection circuit 36 for detecting luminance information indicating the brightness of an image obtained by imaging by the CCD 14 and color difference information).

  Further, the digital camera 10 has a predetermined interface standard (for example, between a media controller 42 for making the recording medium 42A removable from the main body accessible by the digital camera 10 and an external device connected to the digital camera 10 (for example, And an external device interface 64 that manages communication according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.

  The image input controller 20, the image signal processing circuit 22, the compression / decompression processing circuit 24, the display control circuit 28, the AF detection circuit 34, the AE / AWB detection circuit 36, the media controller 42, and the external device interface 64 are each a CPU 32 or the like. Are connected to each other via the bus BUS described above.

  Therefore, the CPU 32 detects the operations of the image input controller 20, the image signal processing circuit 22, the compression / expansion processing circuit 24, and the display control circuit 28, and the AF detection circuit 34 and the AE / AWB detection circuit 36. Acquisition of the physical quantity, access to the recording medium 42A via the media controller 42, and communication with an external device such as a PC or a printer connected to the external device interface 64 can be performed.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 is provided with a timing generator 48 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 14 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 14. The timing generator 48 has an input terminal connected to the CPU 32 and an output terminal connected to the CCD 14, and the driving of the CCD 14 is controlled by the CPU 32 via the timing generator 48.

  The operation unit 56 including the release button 56A, the power switch 56B, the mode switch 56C, the cross cursor button 56D, the menu key 56E, the execution key 56F, and the cancel key 56G is connected to the CPU 32. The operation state for each of the operation units 56 can be always grasped.

  Further, the lens 12 included in the optical unit 13 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses and is configured as a zoom lens capable of changing (magnifying) the focal length. A lens driving mechanism including a motor 50B and an aperture driving motor 50C is provided. Output terminals of the motor drive units 50A, 50B, and 50C are connected to the zoom motor 13A, the focus adjustment motor 13B, and the aperture drive motor 13C.

  The input terminals of these motor drive units 50A, 50B, and 50C are connected to the CPU 32, respectively, and the zoom motor 13A, the focus adjustment motor 13B, and the aperture drive motor 13C constituting the lens drive mechanism are respectively motors under the control of the CPU 32. It is driven by a drive signal supplied from the drive unit 50.

  When changing the optical zoom magnification, the CPU 32 controls the zoom motor 13 </ b> A to change the focal length of the lens 12 included in the optical unit 13.

  Here, the CPU 32 performs focusing control by driving and controlling the focus adjustment motor 13B so that the contrast of the image obtained by imaging by the CCD 14 is maximized. That is, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, as the focus control, the AF detection circuit 34 detects an evaluation value indicating a high-frequency component of the luminance of an image obtained by imaging with the CCD 14, and the detected evaluation is detected. It is possible to execute contrast AF control by a so-called TTL (Through The Lens) method in which the lens position is set so that the contrast of the read image is maximized based on the value.

  Further, the CPU 32 executes AE control for setting the exposure state based on the detection result by the AE / AWB detection circuit 36. Note that the exposure state is determined by the interrelation between the aperture, shutter speed, photographing sensitivity, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the photographing sensitivity in photographing using the CCD 14 is set by selecting one of a plurality of preset types (for example, six types of ISO100, ISO200, ISO400, ISO800, ISO1600, ISO3200). It has a function to do.

  Sensitivity selection and setting can be automatically performed at the time of shooting by the CPU 32 of the digital camera 10, a sensitivity setting screen is displayed on the LCD 30 in accordance with the operation of the menu switch 56 E, or shooting sensitivity setting is separately set. For example, it is possible to provide a dedicated switch for the user so that the user can select the sensitivity, and the setting can be made according to the selection result by the user.

  Further, the photographing sensitivity is changed by changing the amplification factor of an amplifier which is built in the CDSAMP 16 and amplifies the image signal output from the CCD 14, or driving the aperture motor 13C provided in the optical unit 13 to enter the CCD 14. It can be executed by changing the amount of light. Furthermore, the photographing sensitivity can be changed by combining these two methods.

  Here, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment has a normal shooting process for acquiring one digital image data in response to an operation of one release button 56A operating in the shooting mode, and a single release button 56A. And a continuous photographing process for sequentially acquiring a plurality of digital image data in accordance with the above operation.

  In the present embodiment, when execution of continuous shooting is instructed, multi-sensitivity continuous shooting processing is performed in which sensitivities are different from each other when each of a plurality of digital image data is acquired.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram related to setting of shooting conditions, in particular, in the shooting processing according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the imaging processing unit 36 that executes the imaging process, the AF detection circuit 34, the AE / AWB detection circuit 36, the first memory 38, and the second memory 40 according to the operation state of the operation unit 56. Etc. are used to execute the photographing process.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 36 includes a detection control unit 84, a normal shooting exposure calculation unit 86, and a continuous shooting exposure calculation unit 88. In the detection control unit 84, shooting performed by the shooting processing unit 80 is performed. Depending on the content of the process (normal shooting process or continuous shooting process), the exposure calculation unit 86 for normal shooting or the exposure calculation unit 88 for continuous shooting is selectively used to derive the exposure state during shooting.

  The exposure state derived by the normal photographing exposure calculation unit 86 is output to the photographing processing unit 80 and used for exposure setting at the time of photographing.

  On the other hand, the exposure state derived by the continuous shooting exposure calculation unit 88 is temporarily stored in the continuous shooting exposure storage area 92 of the first memory 38, and sequentially read out during the continuous shooting process and used for setting the exposure state.

  Here, as described above, the exposure calculation unit 88 for continuous shooting makes the sensitivities different when acquiring each of the plurality of digital image data.

  For example, in the continuous shooting exposure calculation unit 88, when continuously acquiring digital image data for three images according to one operation of the release button 56A in the continuous shooting process, the first digital image data The exposure state at the time of acquisition is sensitivity ISO400 and shutter speed 1/60, and the exposure state at the time of second digital image data acquisition is sensitivity ISO800 and shutter speed 1/30, and the exposure state at the time of third digital image data acquisition is Derived as sensitivity ISO 1600 and shutter speed 1/15, respectively.

  That is, when calculating the exposure for continuous shooting processing, the shutter speed is doubled when the sensitivity is doubled, the shutter speed is doubled when the previous shooting and sensitivity are changed, and the sensitivity is set when the shutter speed is changed. In this case, the amount of change in exposure is compensated for, and calculation is performed so that there is no deviation in exposure between captured images.

  FIGS. 4A to 4C show, as an example, three images indicated by digital image data obtained by capturing the same subject image by setting exposure states with different sensitivities by continuous shooting processing. ing. (A) shows sensitivity ISO 400 and shutter speed 1/60, (B) shows sensitivity ISO 800 and shutter speed 1/30, and (C) shows sensitivity ISO 1600 and shutter speed 1/15. Show.

  As shown in the figure, the contour of the subject blurs as the shutter speed decreases, but the influence of noise is small. As the shutter speed increases, the subject blur decreases but the influence of noise increases.

  Since the amount of camera shake varies among individuals, the size of the subject image blur varies from user to user. For this reason, a user with a small amount of camera shake tends to feel that the exposure state of (A) is optimal, and a user with a large amount of camera shake tends to feel that the exposure state of (B) or (C) is optimal.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the imaging processing unit 80 includes a selection processing unit 81 and an imaging condition data management unit 82.

  The selection processing unit 81 displays on the LCD 30 images indicated by a plurality of digital image data acquired by the continuous shooting processing, and operates the user's favorite image among the plurality of images displayed on the LCD 30 by the operation unit 56. The process to select by is executed. The selection processing unit 81 outputs the user selection result to the imaging condition data management unit 82.

  Based on the selection result, the shooting condition data management unit 82 stores, in the shooting condition data storage area 94, the exposure state when the digital image data of the image preferred by the user is acquired as a shooting condition.

  The shooting condition data management unit 82 includes a selection tendency information setting unit 96. The selection tendency information deriving unit 96 obtains a user's favorite image stored in the shooting condition data storage area 94. Based on the shooting conditions at that time, the shooting conditions to be prioritized are derived.

  For example, if the shutter speed may be increased and the sensitivity is not desired to be high, a shooting condition is set so that exposure is derived with priority on sensitivity. On the other hand, if the shutter speed is desired to be shortened because the sensitivity may be increased, shooting conditions are set so that exposure is derived with priority on the shutter speed. Here, although an extreme example was given, selection tendency information that can obtain an image preferred by the user can be set as the amount of data stored in the imaging condition storage area 94 increases.

  The selection tendency information set by the selection tendency information setting unit 96 is used at the time of deriving exposure during normal shooting processing.

  Based on the selection result by the selection processing unit 81, the imaging processing unit 80 determines the representative image of the image obtained by the continuous imaging process, and displays the representative image when the image is reproduced. The plurality of digital image data temporarily stored in the two memories may be changed and stored in the recording medium 42A.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As an overall operation at the time of shooting in the digital camera 10, first, imaging is performed by the CCD 14 via the optical unit 13, and signals indicating the subject image are sequentially output from the CCD 14. The signals output from the CCD 14 are sequentially input to the CDS 16 and subjected to correlated double sampling processing, and then input to the ADC 18. The ADC 18 receives R (red), G (green), and B (input from the CDS 16. The blue signal is converted into 12-bit R, G, and B signals (digital image data) and output to the image input controller 20.

  The image input controller 20 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the ADC 18 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores it in a predetermined area of the second memory 40.

  Digital image data stored in a predetermined area of the second memory 40 is read out by the image signal processing circuit 22 under the control of the CPU 32, and a digital gain corresponding to the physical quantity detected by the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 is added to these. In addition to white balance adjustment, gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed to generate 8-bit digital image data, and further YC signal processing is performed to obtain luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”). And the YC signal is stored in an area different from the predetermined area of the second memory 40.

  The LCD 30 is configured so that it can display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by the CCD 14 and can be used as a finder. In this way, the LCD 30 is used as a finder. The generated YC signal is sequentially output to the LCD 30 via the display control circuit 28. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 30.

  Here, when the release button 56A is half-pressed by the user, after the AE function is activated and the exposure state is set as described above, the AF function is activated and focus control is performed, and then the fully-pressed state is continued. In this case, the YC signal stored in the second memory 40 at this time is compressed in a predetermined compression format by the compression / decompression processing circuit 24 and then recorded as an image file on the recording medium 42A.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a shooting processing program executed every predetermined period by the CPU 32 of the digital camera 10 when the shooting mode is set. Hereinafter, the photographing process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 102, the shooting mode is read out, and in the next step 104, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set.

  If the determination in step 104 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106, the continuous shooting process is executed, and then the main shooting process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 104, the process proceeds to step 108, the normal photographing process is executed, and then the main photographing process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 shows the flow of the continuous shooting process executed in step 106 described above. Hereinafter, the continuous shooting process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 110, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set, and in the next step 112, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been half-pressed is waited for.

  Note that the control parameters according to the shooting mode include selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 3) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (for example, Parameters such as “3”) can be applied.

  In the next step 114, the sensitivity is set based on the luminance information of the digital image data acquired using the CCD 14, and then the process proceeds to step 116 to perform photometry with the set sensitivity, and then the process proceeds to step 118. To do.

  In step 118, the operation waits for an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been fully pressed.

  In the next step 120, the shutter speed is set so that the exposure state is appropriate based on the photometric result at the sensitivity set at this time.

  In the next step 122, a still image is acquired with the set sensitivity and shutter speed, and the process proceeds to the next step 124 to determine whether or not a predetermined number of still image data has been acquired.

  If a negative determination is made in step 124, the process proceeds to step 126, the sensitivity setting for the next photographing is performed, and then the process proceeds to step 127 to perform photometry with the set sensitivity, and then step 120 is performed again. Return to.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 124, the process proceeds to step 128, the still image indicated by the plurality of acquired still image data is displayed on the LCD 30, and then the process proceeds to step 130 to select one of the still images. Wait.

  In the next step 132, the still image data acquired based on the selection result is stored in the recording medium 42A, and then the process proceeds to step 134, where the shooting conditions at the time of acquiring the still image data are stored in the first memory based on the selection result. 38, and the continuous shooting process is terminated.

  For example, when a plurality of still images acquired by the continuous shooting process are displayed on the LCD 30, when a message or the like prompting the user to select the still image that is most highly evaluated is displayed, the selected still image is displayed. It can be recorded on a recording medium as a representative image of a plurality of still images.

  Further, in this case, the shooting condition when the digital image data of the selected still image is acquired can be stored in the first memory 38 as the shooting condition most preferred by the user.

  Thus, the shooting condition data stored in the first memory 38 in the continuous shooting process can be used when setting the shooting conditions in the normal shooting process.

  FIG. 7 shows the flow of the normal photographing process executed in step 108 described above. Hereinafter, with reference to the same figure, the normal imaging | photography process which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, in step 140, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set. The control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode include selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 3) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36, and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (here, , “1”), etc. can be applied.

  In the next step 142, the photographing condition data is read from the first memory 38, and then the process proceeds to step 146, where selection tendency information is set based on the read photographing condition data, and then the process proceeds to step 148.

  In step 148, an input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A is half-pressed is waited. In the next step 150, shooting conditions are set in consideration of selection tendency information, and then the process proceeds to step 152. To do.

  In step 152, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been fully pressed is awaited, and in the next step 154, still image data is acquired, and then the process proceeds to step 156 to record the recording medium 42A. After the digital image data is stored, the normal photographing process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the shutter speed for determining the exposure time for the CCD 14 and the photographing sensitivity (amplification factor of the image signal acquired using the CCD 14) can be changed. In response to the shooting instruction, either the normal shooting mode for acquiring one digital image data or the continuous shooting mode for acquiring a plurality of digital image data is selectively executed, and shooting in the continuous shooting mode is performed. In the processing, a plurality of digital image data is acquired by changing the exposure time and the amplification factor among the photographing conditions, and one of the acquired digital image data is selected, and the selected digital image data The shooting conditions are stored, selection tendency information is derived based on the stored shooting conditions, and the derived selections are set when shooting conditions are set in the shooting process in the normal shooting mode. Since adding the direction information, it is possible to learn the optimum shooting conditions for the user, imaging conditions that match the individual users can be derived.

  In addition, since multiple combinations of shutter speed and sensitivity are used, it is possible to leave an image shot with an appropriate shutter speed and sensitivity even if there is a difference in camera shake. It is possible to suppress image quality deterioration caused by increasing the image quality.

Furthermore, it is possible to cope with different preferences for each user, such as whether to give priority to an image without blurring or an image with low noise and good image quality even when there is blurring.
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, in the normal shooting process, the selection tendency information is derived based on the shooting condition data stored by the continuous shooting process, and the shooting condition is set in consideration of the selection tendency information. In the second embodiment, a mode in which the optimum shutter speed is derived and stored in the first memory 38 in the continuous shooting process, and the normal shooting process is executed based on the optimum shutter speed will be described.

  Note that in the configuration of the digital camera of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 8 shows a functional block diagram related to setting of shooting conditions, among the shooting processes according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the second embodiment, the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 is connected to the optimum shutter speed storage area 98 of the first memory 38.

  In addition, the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 is based on the shooting conditions when the user's favorite image stored in the shooting condition data storage area 94 is obtained, based on the data indicating the shutter speed among the shooting conditions. The shutter speed preferred by the user is derived as the optimum shutter speed.

  As the amount of data stored in the shooting condition storage area 94 increases, the optimum shutter speed at which digital image data preferred by the user can be obtained can be derived. For example, the shutter speed selected most frequently as the preferred shutter speed by the user is optimized. It can be derived as the shutter speed.

  The optimum shutter speed set by the selection tendency information setting unit 96 is stored in the optimum shutter speed storage area 98 of the first memory 38 and used in the normal photographing process.

  The optimum shutter speed stored in the optimum shutter speed storage area 98 is updated and stored every time continuous shooting processing is executed.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. Since the flow of the shooting process in the second embodiment is the same as the flow of the shooting process in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), the illustration and description thereof will be omitted. Use.

  FIG. 9 shows the flow of the continuous shooting process executed in step 106. Hereinafter, the continuous shooting process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 200, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set, and in the next step 202, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A is half-pressed is waited for.

  The control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode include the selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 8) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36, and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (for example, Parameters such as “3”) can be applied.

  In the next step 204, sensitivity is set based on the luminance information of the digital image data acquired using the CCD 14, and then the process proceeds to step 206, and photometry is performed at the set sensitivity, and then the process proceeds to step 208. To do.

  In step 208, the operation waits for an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been fully pressed.

  In the next step 210, the shutter speed is set so that the exposure state is appropriate based on the photometric result at the sensitivity set at this time.

  In the next step 212, a still image is acquired with the set sensitivity and shutter speed, and the process proceeds to the next step 214 to determine whether or not a predetermined number of still image data has been acquired.

  If a negative determination is made in step 214, the process proceeds to step 216, the sensitivity setting for the next photographing is performed, then the process proceeds to step 217, and photometry is performed with the set sensitivity, and then step 210 is performed again. Return to.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 214, the process proceeds to step 218, and the still image indicated by the acquired plurality of still image data is displayed on the LCD 30, and then the process proceeds to step 220 to select one of the still images. Wait.

  In the next step 222, the still image data acquired based on the selection result is stored in the recording medium 42A, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step 224, and the shooting conditions at the time of acquiring the still image data based on the selection result are stored in the first memory. After the data is stored in the 38 shooting condition data storage area 94, the process proceeds to step 226.

  In step 226, the optimum shutter speed is derived, the optimum shutter speed stored in the optimum shutter speed storage area 98 of the first memory 38 is updated and stored, and then the continuous shooting process is terminated.

  For example, when a plurality of still images acquired by the continuous shooting process are displayed on the LCD 30, when a message or the like prompting the user to select the still image that is most highly evaluated is displayed, the selected still image is displayed. It can be recorded on a recording medium as a representative image of a plurality of still images.

  Further, in this case, the shooting condition when the digital image data of the selected still image is acquired can be stored in the first memory 38 as the shooting condition most preferred by the user.

  Thus, the optimum shutter speed stored in the first memory 38 in the continuous shooting process can be used when setting the shooting conditions in the normal shooting process.

  Note that the optimum shutter speed tends to be slower as the user shakes less, and the optimum shutter speed tends to become faster as the user shakes more.

  FIG. 10 shows the flow of the normal photographing process executed in step 108 described above. Hereinafter, with reference to the figure, the normal imaging process according to the second embodiment will be described.

  First, in step 230, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set. Control parameters according to the shooting mode include selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 8) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (here, , “1”), etc. can be applied.

  In the next step 232, the optimum shutter speed is read from the first memory 38, and then the process proceeds to step 234 to determine whether or not the read optimum shutter speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

  If the determination in step 234 is affirmative, it is determined that the shutter speed may be decreased but the sensitivity should not be increased in order to obtain a still image preferred by the user, and the process proceeds to step 236. Thus, setting is made so as to refer to the program diagram 1 in which the sensitivity is prioritized over the shutter speed, and then the process proceeds to step 240.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 234, it is determined that the sensitivity may be increased but the shutter speed should not be decreased in order to obtain a still image preferred by the user. Then, the setting is made so as to refer to the program diagram 2 in which the shutter speed setting is given priority over the sensitivity, and then the process proceeds to step 240.

  In step 240, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A is half-pressed is waited. In the next step 242, the sensitivity is set with reference to the program diagram set to be referred to, and then the step is performed. 244.

  In step 244, photometry is performed with the sensitivity set at this time, and in the next step 246, the shutter speed is set so that the exposure state is appropriate based on the photometry result.

  In the next step 248, an input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been fully pressed is awaited. In the next step 250, still image data is acquired, and then the process proceeds to step 252 to record. After the digital image data is stored in the medium 42A, the normal photographing process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the shutter speed for determining the exposure time for the CCD 14 and the photographing sensitivity (amplification factor of the image signal acquired using the CCD 14) can be changed. In response to the shooting instruction, either the normal shooting mode for acquiring one digital image data or the continuous shooting mode for acquiring a plurality of digital image data is selectively executed, and shooting in the continuous shooting mode is performed. In the processing, a plurality of digital image data is acquired by changing the exposure time and the amplification factor among the photographing conditions, and one of the acquired digital image data is selected, and the selected digital image data When shooting conditions are stored, the optimum shutter speed is derived based on the stored shooting conditions, and the shooting conditions are set in the shooting process in the normal shooting mode. Since selecting a program chart according to the size of the shutter speed, photographing conditions tailored to individual users can be derived.

  In the second embodiment, two types of program diagrams have been described. However, it is possible to cause the user to learn the optimum shooting conditions by increasing the program diagrams.

  In continuous shooting processing, multiple combinations of shutter speed and sensitivity are used, so even if there is a difference in camera shake, it is possible to leave an image shot with an appropriate shutter speed and sensitivity, and to suppress blurring of the shot image. At the same time, it is possible to suppress image quality deterioration due to an increase in sensitivity more than necessary.

Furthermore, it is possible to cope with different preferences for each user, such as whether to give priority to an image without blurring or an image with low noise and good image quality even when there is blurring.
(Modification 1)
In the second embodiment, the optimum shutter speed is compared with a predetermined threshold value and the program diagram corresponding to the comparison result is referred to. However, as a modified example, the optimum shutter speed is directly used as the photographing condition in the normal photographing process. A mode to be applied as the shutter speed will be described.

  FIG. 11 shows a flow of normal photographing processing according to this modification. Hereinafter, with reference to the same figure, the normal imaging | photography process which concerns on this modification is demonstrated.

  First, in step 260, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set. Control parameters according to the shooting mode include selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 8) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (here, , “1”), etc. can be applied.

  In the next step 262, the optimum shutter speed is read from the first memory 38, and then the process proceeds to step 264, where the optimum shutter speed is set as the shutter speed, and then the process proceeds to step 266.

  In step 266, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A is half-pressed is waited. In the next step 268, photometry is performed with the sensitivity set at this time, and in the next step 270, The sensitivity is set so that the exposure state is appropriate based on the photometry result and the shutter speed.

In the next step 272, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A is fully pressed is waited. In the next step 274, still image data is acquired, and then the process proceeds to step 276 to record. After the digital image data is stored in the medium 42A, the normal photographing process is terminated.
(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, a mode in which a weighting coefficient for each shooting condition is derived as selection tendency information will be described.

  Note that in the configuration of the digital camera of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 12 shows a functional block diagram related to setting of shooting conditions, in particular, in the shooting processing according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the third embodiment, the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 is connected to the weighting coefficient storage area 99 of the first memory 38.

  In addition, the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 derives a weighting coefficient based on the shooting conditions stored in the shooting condition data storage area 94 so that the shooting conditions when the user's favorite image is obtained can be easily selected. .

  The weighting coefficient is derived so that the more shooting conditions stored in the shooting condition data storage area 94 are easier to select. Therefore, the more data stored in the imaging condition storage area 94, the more weighting coefficients that can be obtained by the user can be obtained.

  The weighting coefficient set by the selection tendency information setting unit 96 is stored in the weighting coefficient storage area 99 of the first memory 38 and is used for setting shooting conditions in the normal shooting process.

  Note that the weighting coefficient of each shooting condition stored in the weighting coefficient storage area 99 is updated and stored every time continuous shooting processing is executed.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. Since the flow of the shooting process in the third embodiment is the same as the flow of the shooting process in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), the illustration and description thereof will be omitted. Use.

  FIG. 13 shows the flow of the continuous shooting process executed in step 106. The continuous shooting process according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 300, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set, and in the next step 302, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been half-pressed is waited for.

  The control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode include selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 12) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (for example, Parameters such as “3”) can be applied.

  In the next step 304, sensitivity is set based on the luminance information of the digital image data acquired using the CCD 14, and then the process proceeds to step 306 to perform photometry at the set sensitivity, and then proceeds to step 308. To do.

  In step 308, the operation waits for an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been fully pressed.

  In the next step 310, the shutter speed is set so that the exposure state is appropriate based on the photometric result at the sensitivity set at this time.

  In the next step 312, a still image is acquired with the set sensitivity and shutter speed, and the process proceeds to the next step 314 to determine whether or not a predetermined number of still image data has been acquired.

  If a negative determination is made in step 314, the process proceeds to step 316, the sensitivity setting for the next photographing is performed, and then the process proceeds to step 317 where photometry is performed with the set sensitivity, and then step 310 is performed again. Return to.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 314, the process proceeds to step 318, the still image indicated by the acquired plurality of still image data is displayed on the LCD 30, and then the process proceeds to step 320 to select one of the still images. Wait.

  In the next step 322, the still image data acquired based on the selection result is stored in the recording medium 42A. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 324, and the shooting conditions at the time of acquiring the still image data are stored in the first memory based on the selection result. After the data is stored in the 38 shooting condition data storage area 94, the process proceeds to step 326.

  For example, when a plurality of still images acquired by the continuous shooting process are displayed on the LCD 30, when a message or the like prompting the user to select the still image that is most highly evaluated is displayed, the selected still image is displayed. It can be recorded on a recording medium as a representative image of a plurality of still images.

  Further, in this case, the shooting condition when the digital image data of the selected still image is acquired can be stored in the first memory 38 as the shooting condition most preferred by the user.

  In step 326, the weighting coefficient of the shooting condition is derived based on the shooting condition data stored in the first memory 38, and the weighting coefficient for each shooting condition stored in the weighting coefficient storage area 99 of the first memory 38 is updated and stored. Thereafter, the continuous shooting process is terminated.

  Thus, the weighting coefficient stored in the first memory 38 in the continuous shooting process can be used when setting the shooting conditions in the normal shooting process.

  FIG. 14 shows a flow of normal photographing processing according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to the figure, the normal imaging process according to the third embodiment will be described.

  First, in step 330, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set. The control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode include selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 12) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (here, , “1”), etc. can be applied.

  In the next step 332, the weighting coefficient for each photographing condition is read from the first memory 38, and then the process proceeds to step 334 to set the sensitivity, and then the process proceeds to step 336.

  In step 336, an input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been pressed halfway is waited. In the next step 338, photometry is performed with the sensitivity set at this time, and in the next step 340, The sensitivity is set so that the exposure state is appropriate based on the photometric result.

  In the next step 342, an optimum shooting condition is derived by applying the read weighting coefficient, and then the process proceeds to step 344, where the shutter speed and sensitivity are determined according to the optimum shooting condition derived by applying the weighting coefficient. Set again.

  In the next step 346, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A is fully pressed is waited for, and in the next step 248, still image data is acquired, and then the process proceeds to step 350 to record. After the digital image data is stored in the medium 42A, the normal photographing process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the shutter speed for determining the exposure time to the CCD 14 and the photographing sensitivity (the amplification factor of the image signal acquired using the CCD 14) can be changed. In response to the shooting instruction, either the normal shooting mode for acquiring one digital image data or the continuous shooting mode for acquiring a plurality of digital image data is selectively executed, and shooting in the continuous shooting mode is performed. In the processing, a plurality of digital image data is acquired by changing the exposure time and the amplification factor among the photographing conditions, and one of the acquired digital image data is selected, and the selected digital image data Stores shooting conditions, derives a weighting coefficient according to the selection frequency of each shooting condition based on the stored shooting conditions, and weights in shooting processing in normal shooting mode Since in consideration of the number to set the photographing conditions, photographing conditions tailored to individual users can be derived.

  In continuous shooting processing, multiple combinations of shutter speed and sensitivity are used, so even if there is a difference in camera shake, it is possible to leave an image shot with an appropriate shutter speed and sensitivity, and to suppress blurring of the shot image. At the same time, it is possible to suppress image quality deterioration due to an increase in sensitivity more than necessary.

Furthermore, it is possible to cope with different preferences for each user, such as whether to give priority to an image without blurring or an image with low noise and good image quality even when there is blurring.
(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, a description will be given of a mode in which selection tendency information is derived and the digital camera 10 side determines whether or not continuous shooting processing can be performed using the selection tendency information.

  Note that in the configuration of the digital camera of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram related to setting of shooting conditions in the shooting processing according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the fourth embodiment, the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 is connected to the optimum shutter speed storage area 98 of the first memory 38.

  The selection tendency information deriving unit 96 derives an optimum shutter speed based on the shooting conditions stored in the shooting condition data storage area 94 so that the shooting conditions when the user's favorite image is obtained can be easily selected. To do.

  Note that as the amount of data stored in the imaging condition storage area 94 increases, the shutter speed at which digital image data preferred by the user can be obtained can be derived as the optimum shutter speed.

  The optimum shutter speed derived by the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 is stored in the optimum shutter speed storage area 98 of the first memory 38.

  The optimum shutter speed stored in the optimum shutter speed storage area 98 is updated and stored every time continuous shooting processing is executed.

  Here, the imaging processing unit 80 according to the fourth embodiment is configured to further include a continuous imaging transition determination unit 89. The continuous shooting transition determination unit 89 compares the shutter speed derived by the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 with the optimum shutter speed derived by the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 when performing normal shooting processing, If the absolute value of the difference between the two is larger than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the shutter speed set in the normal shooting process is not appropriate, and the process of the entire shooting processing unit 80 is shifted to the continuous shooting process.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. In addition, since the flow of the imaging process in the fourth embodiment is the same as the flow of the imaging process in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), the illustration and description thereof will be omitted, and the same step numbers will be given below. Use.

  FIG. 16 shows the flow of the continuous shooting process executed in step 106 described above. The continuous shooting process according to the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 400, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set, and in the next step 402, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A is half-pressed is waited for.

  The control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode include selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 15) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (for example, Parameters such as “3”) can be applied.

  In the next step 404, sensitivity setting is performed based on the luminance information of the digital image data acquired using the CCD 14, and then the process proceeds to step 406 to perform photometry at the set sensitivity, and then proceeds to step 408. To do.

  In step 408, the operation waits for an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been fully pressed.

  In the next step 410, the shutter speed is set so that the exposure state is appropriate based on the photometric result at the sensitivity set at this time.

  In the next step 412, a still image is acquired with the set sensitivity and shutter speed, and the process proceeds to the next step 414 to determine whether or not a predetermined number of still image data has been acquired.

  If a negative determination is made in step 414, the process proceeds to step 416, the sensitivity setting for the next photographing is performed, and then the process proceeds to step 417 where the photometry is performed with the set sensitivity, and then step 410 is performed again. Return to.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 414, the process proceeds to step 418, the still image indicated by the acquired plurality of still image data is displayed on the LCD 30, and then the process proceeds to step 420 to select one of the still images. Wait.

  In the next step 422, the still image data acquired based on the selection result is stored in the recording medium 42A. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 424, and the shooting condition at the time of acquiring the still image data is stored in the first memory based on the selection result. After the data is stored in the 38 shooting condition data storage area 94, the process proceeds to step 426.

  For example, when a plurality of still images acquired by the continuous shooting process are displayed on the LCD 30, when a message or the like prompting the user to select the still image that is most highly evaluated is displayed, the selected still image is displayed. It can be recorded on a recording medium as a representative image of a plurality of still images.

  Further, in this case, the shooting condition when the digital image data of the selected still image is acquired can be stored in the first memory 38 as the shooting condition most preferred by the user.

  In step 426, the optimum shutter speed is derived based on the shooting condition data stored in the first memory 38, the optimum shutter speed stored in the optimum shutter speed storage area 98 of the first memory 38 is updated and stored, and then the actual shutter speed is stored. The continuous shooting process ends.

  In this way, the optimum shutter speed stored in the first memory 38 in the continuous shooting process can be used to determine whether or not to shift to the continuous shooting process when the shooting condition is set in the normal shooting process.

  FIG. 17 shows a flow of normal photographing processing according to the fourth embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to the figure, the normal imaging process according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

  First, in step 430, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set. Control parameters according to the shooting mode include selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 15) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36, and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (here, , “1”), etc. can be applied.

  In the next step 432, sensitivity setting is performed, and then the process proceeds to step 434 to wait for an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been half-pressed.

  In the next step 436, photometry is performed with the sensitivity set at this time, and in the next step 438, the shutter speed TvA is derived based on the photometry result so that the exposure state is appropriate.

  In the next step 440, the optimum shutter speed TvB stored in the first memory 38 is read, and then the process proceeds to step 342, where the shutter speed TvA and the optimum shutter speed TvB derived so that the exposure state becomes appropriate are obtained. It is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference is smaller than a threshold value.

  If the determination in step 442 is affirmative, it is determined that the shutter speed TvA derived so that the exposure state is appropriate is appropriate, the process proceeds to step 444, the shutter speed TvA is set, and then the process proceeds to step 446. Transition.

  In the next step 446, an input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been fully pressed is waited. In the next step 448, still image data is acquired, and then the process proceeds to step 450 to record. After the digital image data is stored in the medium 42A, the normal photographing process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 442, it is determined that there is a high possibility that the user's favorite still image cannot be obtained even when shooting is performed with the shutter speed TvA set, and the process proceeds to step 452. Then, the exposure state for continuous shooting is derived, and thereafter, in order to obtain a plurality of still images under a plurality of shooting conditions, the process shifts to a continuous shooting process (position indicated by arrow A in FIG. 16).

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the shutter speed for determining the exposure time to the CCD 14 and the photographing sensitivity (amplification factor of the image signal acquired using the CCD 14) can be changed. In response to the shooting instruction, either the normal shooting mode for acquiring one digital image data or the continuous shooting mode for acquiring a plurality of digital image data is selectively executed, and shooting in the continuous shooting mode is performed. In the processing, a plurality of digital image data is acquired by changing the exposure time and the amplification factor among the photographing conditions, and one of the acquired digital image data is selected, and the selected digital image data When shooting conditions are stored, the optimum shutter speed is derived based on the stored shooting conditions, and the shooting conditions are set in the shooting process in the normal shooting mode. Since the executability of continuous shooting is determined on the camera in accordance with the magnitude of the absolute value of the difference between the shutter speed TvA the optimum shutter speed TVB, imaging conditions that match the individual users can be derived.

  In continuous shooting processing, multiple combinations of shutter speed and sensitivity are used, so even if there is a difference in camera shake, it is possible to leave an image shot with an appropriate shutter speed and sensitivity, and to suppress blurring of the shot image. At the same time, it is possible to suppress image quality deterioration due to an increase in sensitivity more than necessary.

  Furthermore, it is possible to cope with different preferences for each user, such as whether to give priority to an image without blurring or an image with low noise and good image quality even when there is blurring.

Note that the number of continuous shots and the sensitivity change resolution may be set according to the magnitude of the absolute value of the difference between the derived shutter speed TvA and the optimum shutter speed TvB.
(Fifth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the mode for determining whether or not to execute the continuous shooting process based on the optimum shutter speed during the normal shooting process has been described. However, in the fifth embodiment, the continuous shooting process is executed. A mode for determining whether or not to perform the normal shooting process before starting execution will be described.

  Note that in the configuration of the digital camera of the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 18 shows a functional block diagram related to setting of shooting conditions, in particular, in the shooting processing according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the fifth embodiment, the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 is connected to the standard deviation storage area 97 of the first memory 38.

  Further, the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 derives a standard deviation based on the frequency of photographing conditions when a user's favorite image is obtained based on the photographing conditions stored in the photographing condition data storage area 94. The shooting conditions for obtaining the user's favorite image tend to be biased for each user. Therefore, as the amount of data stored in the shooting condition storage area 94 increases, the shooting conditions for obtaining digital image data preferred by the user can be obtained. The standard deviation tends to increase.

  The standard deviation may be derived for each of the shutter speed and sensitivity, or may be derived for each combination of the shutter speed and sensitivity.

  The standard deviation derived by the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 is stored in the standard deviation storage area 97 of the first memory 38.

  The standard deviation stored in the standard deviation storage area 97 is updated and stored every time continuous shooting processing is executed.

  Here, the imaging processing unit 80 according to the fifth embodiment is configured to further include a continuous imaging transition determination unit 89. When the standard deviation derived by the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the continuous photographing transition determining unit 89 has an insufficient number of data stored in the photographing condition storage area 94, and photographing. It is determined that it is not appropriate to determine the shooting conditions in the normal shooting process based on the shooting conditions stored in the condition data storage area 94, and the process of the entire shooting processing unit 80 is shifted to the continuous shooting process.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described. First, FIG. 18 shows a flow of photographing processing in the fifth embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to the figure, the imaging process according to the fifth embodiment will be described.

  First, in step 550, the shooting mode is read, and in the next step 552, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set.

  If the determination in step 552 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 554, where continuous shooting processing is executed, and then the main shooting processing ends.

  Here, FIG. 20 shows a flow of the continuous photographing process executed in step 554 (see FIG. 19). Hereinafter, the flow of the continuous shooting process according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, in step 500, control parameters corresponding to the shooting mode are set, and in the next step 502, input of an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been half-pressed is waited for.

  Note that the control parameters according to the shooting mode include selection information of the exposure calculation unit (see FIG. 18) used in the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 and the number of digital image data acquired by one release button (for example, Parameters such as “3”) can be applied.

  In the next step 504, sensitivity is set based on the luminance information of the digital image data acquired using the CCD 14, and then the process proceeds to step 506, and photometry is performed with the set sensitivity, and then the process proceeds to step 508. To do.

  In step 508, the operation waits for an operation signal indicating that the release button 56A has been fully pressed.

  In the next step 510, the shutter speed is set so that the exposure state is appropriate based on the photometric result at the sensitivity set at this time.

  In the next step 512, a still image is acquired with the set sensitivity and shutter speed, and the process proceeds to the next step 514 to determine whether or not a predetermined number of still image data has been acquired.

  If a negative determination is made in step 514, the process proceeds to step 516, the sensitivity setting for the next photographing is performed, and then the process proceeds to step 517 where photometry is performed with the set sensitivity, and then step 510 is performed again. Return to.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 514, the process proceeds to step 518, the still image indicated by the acquired plurality of still image data is displayed on the LCD 30, and then the process proceeds to step 520 to select one of the still images. Wait.

  In the next step 522, the still image data acquired based on the selection result is stored in the recording medium 42A, and then the process proceeds to step 524, where the shooting conditions at the time of acquiring the still image data are stored in the first memory based on the selection result. After the data is stored in the 38 shooting condition data storage area 94, the process proceeds to step 526.

  For example, when a plurality of still images acquired by the continuous shooting process are displayed on the LCD 30, when a message or the like prompting the user to select the still image that is most highly evaluated is displayed, the selected still image is displayed. It can be recorded on a recording medium as a representative image of a plurality of still images.

  Further, in this case, the shooting condition when the digital image data of the selected still image is acquired can be stored in the first memory 38 as the shooting condition most preferred by the user.

  In step 526, the standard deviation of the shutter speed and sensitivity is derived based on the shooting condition data stored in the first memory 38, and the standard deviation stored in the standard deviation storage area 97 of the first memory 38 is updated and stored. The continuous shooting process ends.

  In this way, the standard deviation stored in the first memory 38 in the continuous shooting process can be used to determine whether or not the normal shooting process can be performed in the shooting process.

  If the determination in step 552 in FIG. 19 is negative, the process proceeds to step 556, where the standard deviation is read, and then the process proceeds to step 558, where it is determined whether the read standard deviation is smaller than the threshold value. .

  If a negative determination is made in step 558, it is determined that sufficient data has not yet been obtained to narrow down the shooting conditions for obtaining the user's favorite still image, and the process proceeds to step 554.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 558, the process proceeds to step 560, and shooting is performed based on shooting conditions such as shutter speed and sensitivity with which the user's favorite still image stored in the shooting condition data storage unit 94 can be obtained. A normal photographing process for setting conditions is executed, and then the main photographing process is terminated.

  Note that, as the normal photographing process according to the present embodiment, the processes described in the respective embodiments can be appropriately executed. In this case, in addition to the processing of step 526 of the continuous shooting process of FIG. 20, other selection tendency information may be derived and stored in the first memory 38 and used during normal shooting processing, or normal shooting. In the process, selection tendency information may be derived.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the shutter speed for determining the exposure time to the CCD 14 and the photographing sensitivity (the amplification factor of the image signal acquired using the CCD 14) can be changed. In response to the shooting instruction, either the normal shooting mode for acquiring one digital image data or the continuous shooting mode for acquiring a plurality of digital image data is selectively executed, and shooting in the continuous shooting mode is performed. In the processing, a plurality of digital image data is acquired by changing the exposure time and the amplification factor among the photographing conditions, and one of the acquired digital image data is selected, and the selected digital image data The shooting conditions are memorized, and a standard deviation corresponding to the selection frequency of each shooting condition is derived based on the stored shooting conditions, and the standard deviation is determined in the shooting process in the normal shooting mode. Since in the case of greater than a threshold execute continuous shooting process, it is possible to perform data collection for deriving a combined image capturing conditions for individual users.

  In continuous shooting processing, multiple combinations of shutter speed and sensitivity are used, so even if there is a difference in camera shake, it is possible to leave an image shot with an appropriate shutter speed and sensitivity, and to suppress blurring of the shot image. At the same time, it is possible to suppress image quality deterioration due to an increase in sensitivity more than necessary.

Furthermore, it is possible to cope with different preferences for each user, such as whether to give priority to an image without blurring or an image with low noise and good image quality even when there is blurring.
(Sixth embodiment)
In the sixth embodiment, a description will be given of a mode in which information for identifying a photographer is registered in the digital camera 10 and normal photographing processing can be executed under photographing conditions according to each photographer.

  Note that in the configuration of the digital camera of the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram related to setting of shooting conditions, in particular, in the shooting processing according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the sixth embodiment, the first memory 38 includes a photographer registration area 87, and the photographer registration area 87 includes a photographer including a user ID and the like. Information for identifying is stored.

  Information for identifying the photographer can be stored by displaying a menu screen or the like on the LCD 30 and allowing the user to input information including a user ID via the operation unit 56.

  Here, the imaging processing unit 80 according to the sixth embodiment includes a photographer specifying unit 89. The photographing processing unit 80 displays a screen for allowing the user to select a photographer on the LCD 30 and selects the photographer. The photographer specifying unit 89 stores the photographer information based on the selection information and the photographer registration area 87. The photographer information is compared with each other, and the matching photographer is specified as the photographer.

  In the sixth embodiment, the shooting condition data management unit 82 stores shooting condition data in shooting condition data storage areas 94A, 94B, 94C,. Further, the selection tendency information derived by the selection tendency information deriving unit 96 (the optimum shutter speed in the example shown in the figure) is also stored in a different storage area for each user.

  In the shooting condition data management unit 82, reading and updating storage of shooting condition data and the like are executed for the storage area corresponding to the photographer specified by the photographer specifying unit 89 in the storage area of the first memory 38. To do.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the sixth embodiment will be described. First, FIG. 22 shows a flow of imaging processing in the sixth embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to the drawing, a photographing process according to the sixth embodiment will be described.

  First, in step 600, the photographing mode is read out, and in the next step 602, photographer information is acquired. The photographer information is a comparison between selection information for selecting a photographer input by an operation by the user via the operation unit 56 and photographer registration information stored in the photographer registration area 87 of the first memory 38. Then, the matching registration information is acquired as the photographer information.

  In the next step 604, the photographer information set at this time is compared with the acquired photographer information to determine whether or not they match.

  If a negative determination is made in step 604, the process proceeds to step 606. After the photographer is switched by setting the acquired photographer information as a photographer, the process proceeds to step 608.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 604, it is not necessary to switch the photographer at this time, so the process proceeds to step 608 without executing the processing in step 606.

  In step 608, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 610 to execute the continuous shooting process, and then the main shooting process is ended. .

  In addition, as the continuous shooting process according to the sixth embodiment, the process described in each of the above embodiments can be applied.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 608, the process proceeds to step 612, and shooting is performed based on shooting conditions such as shutter speed and sensitivity with which the user's favorite still image stored in the shooting condition data storage unit 94 can be obtained. A normal photographing process for setting conditions is executed, and then the main photographing process is terminated.

  Note that, as the normal photographing process according to the sixth embodiment, the processes described in the respective embodiments can be appropriately executed.

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the shutter speed for determining the exposure time to the CCD 14 and the photographing sensitivity (the amplification factor of the image signal acquired using the CCD 14) can be changed, and once. In response to the shooting instruction, either the normal shooting mode for acquiring one digital image data or the continuous shooting mode for acquiring a plurality of digital image data is selectively executed, and shooting in the continuous shooting mode is performed. In the processing, a plurality of digital image data is acquired by changing the exposure time and the amplification factor among the photographing conditions, and one of the acquired digital image data is selected, and the selected digital image data Stores shooting conditions, derives selection trend information based on the stored shooting conditions, and sets shooting conditions with selection trend information in shooting processing in normal shooting mode When that, by identifying and recognizing the photographer, it is possible to read the individual optimal shutter speed for each photographer, photographic conditions tailored to individual users can be derived.

  In continuous shooting processing, multiple combinations of shutter speed and sensitivity are used, so even if there is a difference in camera shake, it is possible to leave an image shot with an appropriate shutter speed and sensitivity, and to suppress blurring of the shot image. At the same time, it is possible to suppress image quality deterioration due to an increase in sensitivity more than necessary.

  Furthermore, it is possible to cope with different preferences for each user, such as whether to give priority to an image without blurring or an image with low noise and good image quality even when there is blurring.

Note that it is possible to adopt a configuration in which shooting without registering a photographer is possible.
(Modification 2)
In the sixth embodiment, the mode in which the user selects the photographer via the operation unit 56 has been described. However, in the second modification, a fingerprint detection device is provided, and the photographer is automatically selected based on the detected fingerprint data. The form to discriminate automatically will be described.

  Note that in the configuration of the digital camera of the second modification, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 23 shows a functional block diagram related to the determination of the photographer among the photographing processes according to the second modification. As shown in the figure, in the second modification, a fingerprint detection device 57 is provided on the surface of the release button 56A that is pressed by a finger. The fingerprint detection device 57 captures a fingerprint, performs image processing, and outputs it as fingerprint data.

  The fingerprint detection device 57 is connected to a photographer specifying unit 89, and when the fingerprint data is input, the photographer specifying unit 89 sequentially reads the photographer information stored in the photographer registration area 87, and Identify the photographer.

  In the photographer registration area 87 provided in the first memory 38, fingerprint data detected by the fingerprint detection device 57 includes a user ID corresponding to the fingerprint data, information indicating a storage area corresponding to the user ID, and the like. It is associated with and stored.

  The photographer specifying unit 89 compares the fingerprint data stored in the photographer registration area 87 with the fingerprint data acquired by the fingerprint detection device 57, and if there is no matching fingerprint data, a new photographer is created. Is determined to be registered.

  For the registration of the photographer, a screen for prompting the user to input a new user ID is displayed on the LCD 30, and the new fingerprint data, the user ID, information indicating the storage area corresponding to the user ID, etc. based on the operation of the operation unit 56, etc. This information can be executed by storing the photographer information in the photographer registration area 87.

  The photographer specifying unit 89 is connected to the shooting condition data management unit 82. In the shooting condition data management unit 82, the shooting in the first memory 38 is performed according to the photographer specified by the photographer specifying unit 89. The processing is performed on the storage area corresponding to the person.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the second modification will be described. First, FIG. 24 shows a flow of photographing processing in the second modification. Hereinafter, with reference to the same drawing, a photographing process according to the second modification will be described.

  First, in step 650, the photographing mode is read out, and in the next step 652, the process waits for the finger touching the release button 56A.

  In the next step 654, fingerprint data is acquired through the fingerprint detection device 57, and then the process proceeds to step 656, and 1 is set in the variable n, and then the process proceeds to step 658.

  In step 658, the fingerprint data of the nth registrant is read, and then the process proceeds to step 660, where the correlation between the fingerprint data obtained via the fingerprint detection device 57 and the fingerprint data of the nth registrant is equal to or greater than a threshold value. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 662, the photographer is set as the nth registrant, and then the process proceeds to step 672.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 660, the process proceeds to step 664, and whether or not the value of the variable n is equal to or greater than the number of photographers registered in the photographer registration area 87 of the first memory 38 (number of registered persons). If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 666. In step 666, the variable n is incremented, and then the process returns to step 658 again.

  If the determination in step 664 is affirmative, it is determined that the acquired fingerprint data is that of a new photographer, the process proceeds to step 668, and new registration is executed.

  The new registration can be executed by storing the acquired fingerprint data in the photographer registration area 87 in association with the user ID and information indicating the storage area of the first memory 38.

  In the next step 670, a new registrant is set as the photographer, and then the process proceeds to step 672.

  In step 672, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode is set. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 674, the continuous shooting process is performed, and then the main shooting process is terminated. .

  Note that the processing described in each of the above embodiments can be applied as the continuous shooting processing according to the second modification.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 672, the process proceeds to step 676, and shooting is performed based on shooting conditions such as shutter speed and sensitivity that can obtain a user's favorite still image stored in the shooting condition data storage unit 94. A normal photographing process for setting conditions is executed, and then the main photographing process is terminated.

  In addition, as the normal photographing process according to the second modification, the processes described in each of the above embodiments can be appropriately executed.

  In the second modification, the embodiment is described in which the fingerprint detection and the photographer identification are performed when the finger touches the release button 56A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the release button 56A is in a half-pressed state. At this point, fingerprint detection and photographer identification may be performed.

  Further, as in the sixth embodiment, it is possible to adopt a configuration that allows shooting without registering the photographer.

  Note that the configuration of the digital camera 10 described in the above embodiments (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, when a plurality of still images acquired by continuous shooting processing are displayed on the LCD 30, a message or the like prompting the user to select a still image to be evaluated lowest is displayed. It is also possible to discard the digital image data and store only other digital image data in the recording medium. In this case, the first memory 38 can store shooting conditions when the digital image data of the selected still image is acquired as shooting conditions that the user does not like.

  Further, for example, in the continuous shooting process, the user selects any one of the acquired digital image data, stores only the selected digital image data in the recording medium 42A, and discards the other digital image data. You may do it.

  Furthermore, the shooting conditions at the time of acquisition of the discarded digital image data are also stored as shooting conditions that the user does not like, and normal shooting processing is performed in consideration of both the shooting conditions that the user likes and the shooting conditions that the user does not like. You may make it set the imaging conditions at the time of execution.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the mode in which the exposure state for the continuous shooting is performed by timely photometry to derive the exposure state has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the exposure calculation unit for continuous shooting. In 88, the exposure state when acquiring each of the plurality of still image data acquired by the continuous shooting process may be derived in advance and stored in the continuous shooting exposure storage area 92 of the first memory 38.

It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a functional block diagram regarding the imaging | photography process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the image shown by three digital image data acquired on the mutually different imaging conditions by continuous imaging | photography. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the continuous imaging | photography process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the normal imaging | photography process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram regarding the imaging | photography process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the continuous imaging | photography process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the normal imaging | photography process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of normal photographing processing according to Modification 1. It is a functional block diagram regarding the imaging | photography process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the continuous imaging | photography process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of normal imaging processing according to the third embodiment. It is a functional block diagram regarding the imaging | photography process which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the continuous imaging | photography process which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the normal imaging | photography process which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram regarding the imaging | photography process which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography process which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the continuous imaging | photography process which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram regarding the imaging | photography process which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the imaging | photography process which concerns on 6th Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram related to imaging processing according to Modification 2. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of imaging processing according to Modification Example 2.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital Camera 12 Lens 13 Optical Unit 14 CCD (Image Sensor)
16 CDSAMP (switching means)
30 LCD
32 CPU (setting means, photographing execution means, control means)
34 AF detection circuit 36 AE / AWB detection circuit (setting means)
38 First memory (storage means, identification information storage means)
40 Second memory 42A Recording medium 48 Timing generator (exposure control means)
50 motor drive unit 56 operation unit (selection unit, acquisition unit)
56A Release button (input means)
57 Fingerprint detection device (acquisition means)

Claims (8)

An image sensor for acquiring digital image data representing a subject image;
Input means for instructing acquisition timing of digital image data via the imaging means;
Exposure control means for controlling the exposure time to the image sensor;
Switching means for switching the amplification factor when acquiring digital image data via the image sensor to any of a plurality of preset amplification factors;
Setting means for deriving and setting photographing conditions including the exposure time and the amplification factor when a photographing instruction is input by the input means;
In accordance with one shooting instruction from the input means, the shooting process is performed in either a normal shooting mode in which one digital image data is acquired or a continuous shooting mode in which a plurality of digital image data is sequentially acquired. Photographing execution means to be executed;
The setting means is configured to acquire the digital image data having a constant exposure and the exposure time and the amplification factor different from each other when the photographing execution means executes the photographing processing in the continuous photographing mode. Control means for controlling the switching means and the exposure control means so as to change the amplification factor and the exposure time each time one digital image data is acquired.
Selecting means for selecting any one of a plurality of digital image data acquired by photographing through the image sensor;
Storage means for storing photographing conditions such as the exposure time and the amplification factor when the selected digital image data is acquired according to the selection result by the selection means;
Deriving means for deriving selection tendency information of shooting conditions based on shooting conditions stored in the storage means;
With
The control means sets the shooting conditions based on the selection tendency information derived by the derivation means when the photographing execution means executes the photographing process in the normal photographing mode. A digital camera that controls the means. The derivation means derives a standard deviation according to the number of the same conditions among the photographing conditions stored in the storage means as selection tendency information,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when executing the shooting process in the normal shooting mode, the control unit switches to the continuous shooting mode when the standard deviation is smaller than a preset threshold value. Digital camera. The derivation means derives an optimum exposure time as selection tendency information based on the exposure time stored in the storage means,
When the absolute value of the difference between the exposure time derived by the setting means and the optimum exposure time is greater than a preset threshold value, the control means switches to the continuous shooting mode and executes the shooting process The digital camera according to claim 1. The selection tendency information derived by the deriving means includes at least an optimum exposure time based on the exposure time stored in the storage means,
4. The control unit compares the optimum exposure time with a preset threshold value, and switches a program diagram used for setting an imaging condition by the setting unit according to a comparison result. The digital camera according to any one of the above. The selection tendency information derived by the deriving means includes at least an optimum exposure time based on the exposure time stored in the storage means,
3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the optimum exposure time as the exposure time, and sets other photographing conditions in accordance with the optimum exposure time. The deriving means derives a weighting coefficient according to the frequency of the photographing condition stored in the storage means as the selection tendency information,
4. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets an exposure time and an amplification factor by using the weighting coefficient derived by the coefficient deriving unit. Identification information storage means for storing identification information of a plurality of photographers;
Acquisition means for acquiring photographer identification information;
Further comprising
The storage means stores the shooting conditions for each photographer stored in the identification information storage means,
The control means specifies a photographer based on the photographer identification information acquired by the acquisition means and the identification information stored in the identification information storage means, and stores in accordance with the specified photographer in the storage means The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein a shooting process is performed on a region. The acquisition unit acquires fingerprint data indicating a photographer's fingerprint image;
The identification information storage means further stores in association with fingerprint data acquired by the acquisition means for each photographer,
When the correlation between the fingerprint data acquired by the acquisition unit and the fingerprint data stored in the identification information storage unit is higher than a preset threshold value, the control unit selects a photographer associated with the fingerprint data as a photographer. The digital camera according to claim 7, characterized by:

Images