JP2009071515A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus evaluating the photographing conditions of still images obtained under the plurality of different photographing conditions, and displaying the evaluation results together with the respective still images. <P>SOLUTION: When the photographing condition is automatically or manually set and photographing is directed, the still image is photographed a plurality of times under the set photographing condition and the other photographing conditions obtained by finely adjusting the set photographing conditions (step S1). After the still images are photographed, an image evaluation value for evaluating the respective still images is calculated (step S2). The still image under the optimum photographing condition is discriminated based on the calculated image evaluation value (step S3). After discriminating the still image under the optimum photographing condition, the still images are simultaneously displayed and also a recommendation is displayed in the sill image under the optimum photographing condition (step S4). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of confirming an image obtained by still image shooting.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 proposes an imaging apparatus that can check imaging results corresponding to a plurality of imaging conditions for a scene on a display device provided integrally with the imaging apparatus. In the proposal of Patent Document 1, a plurality of image signals with different exposure or focus are generated in an image signal processing circuit based on a single image picked up by an image pickup means, and exposure or focus is based on the generated image signals. Are displayed simultaneously, and only images selected from the simultaneously displayed images are recorded on the recording medium.
Japanese Patent No. 3139028

  Here, as in Patent Document 1, it may be difficult to determine which image is good only by displaying a plurality of still images at the same time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an imaging apparatus capable of evaluating shooting conditions of still images obtained under a plurality of different shooting conditions and displaying the evaluation results together with the still images. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that images a subject, a shooting condition setting unit that sets shooting conditions for still image shooting by the imaging unit, Control means for taking a still image by the imaging means based on the set shooting conditions and a plurality of shooting conditions obtained by finely adjusting the set shooting conditions, and a plurality of obtained by the still image shooting A multi-window display means for simultaneously displaying still images; and an image evaluation means for obtaining an evaluation value by evaluating the shooting conditions of each of the plurality of still images. The multi-window display means includes the plurality of still images. When the image is displayed, the evaluation value obtained by the image evaluation means is displayed so as to be superimposed on a still image corresponding to each photographing condition.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device which can evaluate the imaging condition of the still image obtained by several different imaging conditions, and can display the evaluation result with each still image can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The digital camera shown in FIG. 1 includes a focus lens 12, a zoom lens 13, a diaphragm mechanism 14, an image sensor 15, a focus control unit 16, an AF motor 17, a zoom control unit 18, a zoom motor 19, Aperture control unit 20, aperture motor 21, image sensor driver 22, timing generator (TG) circuit 23, imaging circuit 24, bus 25, AE processing unit 26, AF processing unit 27, and image processing circuit 28, a compression / decompression unit 29, an SDRAM 30, a recording medium 31, an LCD driver 32, an LCD 33, a flash memory 34, a CPU 35, an operation unit 36, a speaker 37, and a power supply unit 38. It is configured.

  The focus lens 12 is a lens system for performing focus adjustment in a photographing lens including the focus lens 12 and the zoom lens 13. The focus lens 12 is driven in the optical axis direction indicated by a dashed line in the drawing to adjust the focal position of the photographing lens. The zoom lens 13 is a lens system for performing zoom adjustment in the photographing lens. The zoom lens 13 is driven in the optical axis direction indicated by a dashed line in the drawing to adjust the focal length of the photographing lens. The aperture mechanism 14 is configured to be openable and closable, and adjusts the amount of light incident on the image sensor 15 from a subject (not shown) that enters through the focus lens 12 and the zoom lens 13. The image sensor 15 converts light from a subject (not shown) into a charge corresponding to the amount of light, and outputs the converted charge as an electrical signal (imaging signal).

  The focus control unit 16 drives the AF motor 17 under the control of the CPU 35 to move the focus lens 12 in the optical axis direction. The zoom control unit 18 drives the zoom motor 19 under the control of the CPU 35 to move the zoom lens 13 in the optical axis direction. The diaphragm control unit 20 opens and closes the diaphragm mechanism 14 by driving the diaphragm motor 21 under the control of the CPU 35.

  The image sensor driver 22 controls the driving of the image sensor 15 according to the timing signal output from the TG circuit 23 under the control of the CPU 35. The imaging circuit 24 performs imaging processing on the imaging signal output from the image sensor 15 according to the timing signal output from the TG circuit 23 under the control of the CPU 35. This imaging processing includes analog processing such as correlated double sampling (CDS) processing for removing noise in the imaging signal and gain adjustment (AGC) processing for amplifying the imaging signal according to a predetermined gain amount, and these analog processing. AD conversion (ADC) processing for obtaining image data by converting the captured image signal into a digital signal is included.

  The bus 25 is connected to the image pickup circuit 24, the AE processing unit 26, the AF processing unit 27, the image processing circuit 28, the compression / decompression unit 29, the SDRAM 30, the recording medium 31, the LCD driver 32, the flash memory 34, and the CPU 35. This is a transfer path for transferring data generated in the above.

  The AE processing unit 26 calculates an AE evaluation value for each predetermined area of the image data obtained by the imaging circuit 24 and outputs the calculated AE evaluation value to the CPU 35. The AF processing unit 27 calculates an AF evaluation value for each predetermined area of the image data obtained by the imaging circuit 24 and outputs the calculated AF evaluation value to the CPU 35. The CPU 35 evaluates the AE evaluation value and performs AE processing for controlling the exposure time of the image sensor 15 and the aperture amount of the aperture mechanism 14, and also evaluates the AF evaluation value and controls the focus control unit 16 to control the focus of the photographing lens. AF processing for adjusting the position is performed.

  The image processing circuit 28 performs image processing such as white balance correction and edge processing on the image data obtained by the imaging circuit 24. When the image is recorded, the compression / decompression unit 29 compresses the image data processed by the image processing circuit 28 using a predetermined compression method such as the JPEG method. The compression / decompression unit 29 decompresses the compressed image data when the image is reproduced.

  The SDRAM 30 is a storage unit that temporarily stores processing data generated in each unit such as the imaging circuit 24, the image processing circuit 28, and the compression / decompression unit 29. Here, the SDRAM 30 in the present embodiment has a plurality of buffer memories (buffers 1, 2, 3, 4) as shown in FIG. The buffer memory has a capacity enough to store image data for one frame, and is provided at least for the number of still images to be displayed on the LCD 33 at the same time for simultaneous display of still images (to be described later) (here, four images). It has been.

  The recording medium 31 is a recording medium such as a memory card configured to be detachable from the digital camera, and records the image data compressed by the compression / decompression unit 29.

  The LCD driver 32 converts the image data processed by the image processing circuit 28 or the image data expanded by the compression / decompression unit 29 into a video signal, and displays an image on the LCD 33 based on the video signal.

  The flash memory 34 records various control programs executed by the CPU 35, parameters used when executing the various control programs, and the like. The CPU 35 controls various operations of the digital camera such as a through image display operation, an image shooting operation, and an image reproduction operation by controlling the operation of each unit in FIG. 1 according to the control program recorded in the flash memory 34. Control. The operation unit 36 is connected to the CPU 35 and gives various instructions to the CPU 35. The CPU 35 performs various operation controls in accordance with the contents of instructions from the operation unit 36.

  The speaker 37 emits a warning sound according to the control of the CPU 35. The power supply unit 38 includes a power source such as a dry battery and a DC / DC converter. The DC / DC converter generates a voltage required by each unit in FIG. 1 from the voltage of the power source and supplies the generated voltage to each unit. .

  Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Here, the operation of simultaneous display after still image shooting in the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 will be particularly described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of each unit during simultaneous display. Here, the operation of FIG. 3 is performed after the user instructs execution of still image shooting. For example, when execution of still image shooting is instructed by a user, shooting conditions set automatically or manually prior to still image shooting, and a plurality of shooting conditions obtained by finely adjusting the set shooting conditions, A plurality of times of still image shooting (exposure) are performed. FIG. 3 shows an example in which shooting is performed under four different shooting conditions A, B, C, and D. Note that as the shooting conditions, the exposure amount of each still image, the blur amount of each still image, the white balance of each still image, the sensitivity, and the like can be changed. Which of these is to be changed can be set by the user.

  Still image shooting in each frame is started when a timing signal from the TG circuit 23 is output to the image sensor driver 22. A timing signal is output to the image sensor driver 22 and the imaging circuit 24 every time the exposure time set in each frame elapses. Thereby, the exposure in the imaging frame is completed, and the image signal is read by the imaging circuit 24. Thereafter, a timing signal is output from the TG circuit 23, and still image shooting in the next frame is executed. In the imaging circuit 24, CDS processing, AGC processing, ADC processing, and the like are performed on the image signal. Image data obtained by the imaging circuit 24 is stored in the SDRAM 30 via the bus 25. Note that the still image shooting here is an example using a so-called electronic shutter, but still image shooting in each frame may be performed using a mechanical shutter.

  Image data stored in the SDRAM 30 is read out by the image processing circuit 28. Then, the image processing circuit 28 processes the still image data (A, B, C, D). Still image data A, B, C, D obtained by processing in the image processing circuit 28 are sequentially stored in the buffers 1, 2, 3, 4 of the SDRAM 30.

  When still image data is stored in the buffers 1, 2, 3, 4 of the SDRAM 30, the still image data stored in each buffer memory is read out by the image processing circuit 28. Then, image processing for simultaneous display such as resizing processing is performed on each still image data, and then each still image data subjected to image processing for simultaneous display by the LCD driver 32 is displayed on the LCD 33 in FIG. As shown, they are displayed simultaneously. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each still image to be displayed simultaneously is evaluated, and the evaluation result is displayed on the LCD 33.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which recommended display is performed as an example of evaluation display when simultaneously displaying the results of still image shooting with a plurality of exposure times. Here, the example of FIG. 4 shows an example in which the still image C is selected as a still image with an optimal exposure amount by the digital camera. As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, a character display (FIG. 4) indicating which still image is photographed under the optimum photographing condition as a recommended display on the still image selected as the optimum photographing condition. In the example of FIG. 4, “recommended” character display) 33 a and a display indicating the reason why the still image is recommended, for example, a character display (shown in FIG. 4) for indicating a photographing condition as a reference for evaluating the still image. In the example, "Exposure" character display) 33b is displayed.

  The user can select a still image to be recorded on the recording medium 31 from the still images displayed as shown in FIG. For this reason, at the time of simultaneous display, a frame 33 c for confirming the still image currently selected by the user is also superimposed on the LCD 33. The user operates the operation unit 36 to move the frame 33c and select a still image with desired shooting conditions. As an operation unit for selecting a still image, for example, an operation unit such as a cross key can be considered, but the operation unit is not limited thereto. For example, by providing a touch panel on the LCD 33, the LCD 33 can be used as an operation unit for selecting a still image.

  Here, the image size at the time of simultaneous display is changed according to the number of still images to be simultaneously displayed on the LCD 33. For example, when four still images A, B, C, and D are simultaneously displayed on the LCD 33, the image size of each still image data is reduced to 1/4 of the normal display size.

  Hereinafter, the simultaneous display and evaluation display during still image shooting will be further described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow at the time of still image shooting in the present embodiment. 5 is performed according to the control of the CPU 35. Further, the processing before receiving the photographing execution operation such as pressing the release button of the operation unit 36 is the same as the conventional processing, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  The processing of FIG. 5 is started in response to a shooting execution operation such as pressing the release button of the operation unit 36. In FIG. 5, the CPU 35 performs still image shooting for the number of still images to be displayed simultaneously (four times in the example of FIG. 3) while changing the shooting conditions, and a plurality of still images obtained by a plurality of still image shootings. The image data is sequentially stored in the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30 (step S1). Here, when evaluating the blur amount, the shooting conditions (exposure amount, sensitivity, white balance, etc.) of each still image shooting are made equal. Further, when evaluating the exposure amount, still image shooting with the exposure amount set manually or automatically prior to the shooting execution operation, and increasing or decreasing the exposure amount by a predetermined fine adjustment width (for example, 1 EV). A plurality of still images for simultaneous display are obtained by executing still image shooting with a plurality of exposure amounts obtained. Further, when evaluating the white balance, a plurality of still images are taken while changing the white balance correction amount (white balance gain) of the white balance correction by the image processing circuit 28 to obtain a plurality of still images for simultaneous display. To get.

  Next, the CPU 35 calculates an image evaluation value for evaluating each still image data from the still image data stored in the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30 (step S2). Here, when evaluating the blur amount, for example, a high-frequency component (contour component) in a still image of each frame is extracted by the image processing circuit 28, and the amount of movement of the high-frequency component between frames is determined as an image of the blur amount. Calculated as an evaluation value. Further, when the exposure amount is evaluated, for example, the AE processing unit 26 calculates an average value of the AE evaluation values of the still images as the image evaluation value. Further, when evaluating the white balance, for example, the image processing circuit 28 performs well-known face detection on each still image, and calculates the RGB value of the face portion as an image evaluation value.

  After calculating the image evaluation value, the CPU 35 evaluates the image evaluation value of each still image and discriminates the still image under the optimum shooting conditions (step S3). Here, when evaluating the blur amount, for example, an image with the smallest amount of high-frequency component motion between frames is set as a still image with an optimum blur amount. When evaluating the exposure amount, for example, among the AE evaluation values obtained for each still image, a still image closest to the value corresponding to the appropriate exposure amount is set as a still image with an appropriate exposure amount. . Furthermore, when evaluating the white balance, for example, the still image with the RGB value of the face portion of each still image closest to the skin color RGB value set for each digital camera is selected as the still image with the optimum white balance. And

  In step S3, after selecting a still image with optimal shooting conditions, the CPU 35 controls the LCD driver 32 so that a recommended display is superimposed on the still image selected as having the optimal shooting conditions (step S4). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where recommended display regarding the amount of blur is performed on a still image. In the example of FIG. 6, the still image C is selected as a still image having the optimum blur amount. In this case, the “blurr” indicating the recommended display 33 a and the reason why the still image is recommended for the still image C. The character display 33b is displayed.

  After performing the recommendation display in step S4, the CPU 35 starts counting of an internal timer (not shown) (step S5). This timer is a timer for counting a waiting time until automatic recording of a still image. After the timer starts counting, the CPU 35 determines whether a still image has been selected by the user (step S6). When the still image is selected in the determination in step S6, the CPU 35 resets the timer (step S7), and then compresses the still image data selected by the user in the compression / decompression unit 29 and stores it in the recording medium 31. Recording is performed (step S8).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the user has not selected a still image, the CPU 35 determines whether the timer has counted a predetermined time (step S9). If it is determined in step S9 that the timer has not counted the predetermined time, the process returns to step S6, and the CPU 35 determines again whether the user has selected a still image. On the other hand, when the timer counts a predetermined time in the determination in step S9, the CPU 35 compresses the still image data recommended to the user as the optimum photographing condition by the compression / decompression unit 29 and records it on the recording medium 31. (Step S10). Note that when recording still image data recommended to the user as the optimum shooting condition in step S10, the fact may be notified to the user, for example, by displaying it on the LCD 33.

  After recording the still image on the recording medium 31, the CPU 35 discards the still image data not recorded on the recording medium 31 from the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30 (step S11). As a result, the recording capacity of the recording medium 31 can be saved. Further, all still image data may be discarded from the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30. Here, only when still image data other than the recommended still image data is recorded on the recording medium 31, the recommended still image data may be recorded together. Since the still image data other than the selected recommended still image data has similar shooting conditions to the recommended still image data, by recording the recommended still image data on the recording medium 31, the user can later When it is considered that the recommended still image data is more optimal, it is possible to delete the selected still image data from the recording medium 31 and leave only the recommended still image data.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when a plurality of still image shootings are performed under a plurality of shooting conditions and the still images are simultaneously displayed on the LCD 33, the digital camera has an optimum shooting condition. A still image is discriminated and recommended display is performed on the discriminated still image. Therefore, the user can select a still image to be recorded on the recording medium 31 in consideration of not only his / her own judgment but also the judgment by the digital camera.

  Here, in the process of FIG. 5, the recommended display is performed on the still image, but the image evaluation value may be displayed on the still image. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for displaying an image evaluation value on a still image.

  The processing of FIG. 7 is started in response to a shooting execution operation such as pressing the release button of the operation unit 36. In FIG. 7, the CPU 35 performs still image shooting for the number of still images to be displayed simultaneously (four times in the example of FIG. 3) while changing the shooting conditions, and a plurality of still images obtained by a plurality of still image shootings. The image data is sequentially stored in the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30 (step S21).

  Next, the CPU 35 calculates, from the still image data stored in the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30, an image evaluation value for evaluating each still image data (for example, a high-frequency component motion amount that is an image evaluation value related to the blur amount). (Step S22). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 35 controls the LCD driver 32 so that the image evaluation value 33d is superimposed on each still image (step S23). The image evaluation value may not only display the numerical value as it is, but also display a character or the like indicating the size. For example, in the case of blurring, “blur large” or the like may be displayed when blurring is large. In addition, bar display or the like may be performed.

  After performing the superimposed display of the image evaluation values in step S23, the CPU 35 determines whether a still image has been selected by the user (step S24). When the still image is selected in the determination in step S24, the CPU 35 compresses the still image data selected by the user in the compression / decompression unit 29 and records it on the recording medium 31 (step S25). After recording the still image on the recording medium 31, the CPU 35 discards the still image data not recorded on the recording medium 31 from the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30 (step S26). Further, all still image data may be discarded from the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30.

  Even if the image evaluation value is displayed on the LCD 33 in accordance with the processing as shown in FIG. 7, the user not only determines his / her own judgment but also checks the shooting conditions of each still image by numerical values and the like. It is possible to make a selection.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is an example in which still image evaluation is performed in cooperation with AF processing.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow at the time of still image shooting in the present embodiment. 9 is performed according to the control of the CPU 35. Here, an example in which the processing of FIG. 9 evaluates the exposure amount of each still image as a photographing condition will be described.

  The processing of FIG. 9 is started in response to a photographing execution operation such as pressing the release button of the operation unit 36. In FIG. 9, the CPU 35 evaluates the AF evaluation value calculated by the AF processing unit 27, and has a high probability that the main subject exists (for example, the center of the screen, the AF area where the nearest subject exists, AF processing for driving the focus lens 12 so as to focus on the selected AF area or the like is performed (step S31).

  Next, the CPU 35 performs still image shooting for the number of still images to be displayed simultaneously (four times in the example of FIG. 3) while changing the shooting conditions (in this case, the exposure amount), and is obtained by multiple still image shootings. The plurality of still image data thus stored is sequentially stored in the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30 (step S32). Next, the CPU 35 calculates an image evaluation value (here, an AE evaluation value) from the data in the AF area where the focus lens 12 is focused in the still image data stored in the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30 (step S33). ).

  After calculating the image evaluation value, the CPU 35 evaluates the image evaluation value of each still image and discriminates the still image under the optimum shooting conditions (step S34). Here, since the image evaluation value in the AF area where the main subject exists is calculated in step S33, the still image with the optimum exposure amount of the main subject is determined in step S34. .

  In step S34, after selecting a still image under the optimum shooting condition, the CPU 35 calculates a difference between the image evaluation value of the still image under the optimum shooting condition and the image evaluation value of other still images (step S35). . Then, the CPU 35 superimposes the recommended display on the still image selected as the optimal shooting condition, and superimposes the image evaluation value difference with respect to the optimal still image on the other still images. Then, the LCD driver 32 is controlled (step S36).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recommendation display in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a recommended display 33a indicating which still image is shot under the optimal shooting condition and a display indicating the reason why the still image is recommended (FIG. 10). In this example, the “exposure” character display) 33b is displayed, and the AF area display 33e is performed in order to indicate which area in the screen has the optimum shooting condition. The AF area display 33e makes the display color of the AF area (the center in FIG. 10) where the focus lens 12 is focused different from the display color of the other AF areas. Further, for still images other than the still image on which the recommended display 33a is superimposed, an image evaluation value difference (in this case, exposure evaluation value difference) display 33f from the recommended still image is displayed.

  By performing the display as shown in FIG. 10, it becomes easier to understand the recommended reason for the still image recommended by the digital camera, and the user can easily determine the still image to be recorded on the recording medium 31.

  After performing the recommendation display in step S36, the CPU 35 starts counting of an internal timer (not shown) (step S37). After the timer starts counting, the CPU 35 determines whether a still image has been selected by the user (step S38). When the still image is selected in the determination in step S38, the CPU 35 resets the timer (step S39), and then compresses the still image data selected by the user in the compression / decompression unit 29 and stores it in the recording medium 31. Recording is performed (step S40).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S38 that the user has not selected a still image, the CPU 35 determines whether the timer has counted a predetermined time (step S41). If it is determined in step S41 that the timer has not counted the predetermined time, the process returns to step S38, and the CPU 35 determines again whether a still image has been selected by the user. On the other hand, when the timer counts a predetermined time in the determination of step S41, the CPU 35 compresses the still image data recommended to the user as the optimum photographing condition by the compression / decompression unit 29 and records it on the recording medium 31. (Step S42). When still image data recommended to the user as the optimum shooting condition is recorded in step S42, the fact may be notified to the user, for example, by displaying it on the LCD 33.

  After recording the still image on the recording medium 31, the CPU 35 discards the still image data not recorded on the recording medium 31 from the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30 (step S43). Further, all still image data may be discarded from the buffer memory of the SDRAM 30. Similar to the first embodiment, when still image data other than the recommended still image data is recorded on the recording medium 31, the recommended still image data may also be recorded. Since the still image data other than the selected recommended still image data has similar shooting conditions to the recommended still image data, by recording the recommended still image data on the recording medium 31, the user can later When it is considered that the recommended still image data is more optimal, it is possible to delete the selected still image data from the recording medium 31 and leave only the recommended still image data.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, by performing the evaluation of the still image only in the AF area including the main subject, the recommended display can be performed according to the information that the user really wants to know. Makes it easier to select still images.

  Here, in the second embodiment, an example in which recommended display relating to exposure amount is performed has been described. However, by calculating an image evaluation value relating to white balance and blur amount in the AF area, white balance and blur amount are calculated. It is also possible to make a recommendation display regarding.

  Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are naturally possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

  Further, the above-described embodiments include various stages of the invention, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some configuration requirements are deleted from all the configuration requirements shown in the embodiment, the above-described problem can be solved, and this configuration requirement is deleted when the above-described effects can be obtained. The configuration can also be extracted as an invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure shown about the buffer memory of SDRAM. It is a figure showing about operation of each part at the time of simultaneous display at the time of still picture photography. It is a figure which shows the example in the case of performing the recommendation display at the time of displaying simultaneously the result of having image | photographed the several exposure time. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow at the time of still image shooting in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example in the case of performing the recommendation display regarding a blurring amount on a still image in 1st Embodiment. It is the flowchart shown about the process in the case of displaying an image evaluation value on a still image. It is a figure which shows the example at the time of displaying an image evaluation value on a still image. It is the flowchart shown about the flow at the time of still image photography in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example in the case of performing the recommendation display regarding a blurring amount on a still image in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Focus lens, 13 ... Zoom lens, 14 ... Aperture mechanism, 15 ... Image sensor, 16 ... Focus control part, 17 ... AF motor, 18 ... Zoom control part, 19 ... Zoom motor, 20 ... Aperture control part, 21 ... Aperture motor, 22 ... Image sensor driver, 23 ... Timing generator (TG) circuit, 24 ... Imaging circuit, 25 ... Bus, 26 ... AE processing unit, 27 ... AF processing unit, 28 ... Image processing circuit, 29 ... Compression / decompression unit , 30 ... SDRAM, 31 ... recording medium, 32 ... LCD driver, 33 ... LCD, 34 ... Flash memory, 35 ... CPU, 36 ... operation part, 37 ... speaker, 38 ... power supply part

Claims (8)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Shooting condition setting means for setting shooting conditions for still image shooting by the imaging means;
Control means for performing still image shooting by the imaging means with the set shooting conditions and a plurality of shooting conditions obtained by finely adjusting the set shooting conditions;
Multi-window display means for simultaneously displaying a plurality of still images obtained by the still image shooting;
Image evaluation means for evaluating each of the plurality of still images and obtaining an evaluation value;
Comprising
The multi-window display means displays an evaluation value obtained by the image evaluation means so as to be superimposed on a still image corresponding to each photographing condition when displaying the plurality of still images. . Further comprising an optimum image selection means for evaluating the evaluation value obtained by the image evaluation means and selecting a still image under optimum photographing conditions;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multi-window display unit performs a recommended display so as to overlap the still image selected as the optimum photographing condition instead of displaying the evaluation value. Prior to the still image shooting, the control means performs focus control of the imaging means for a distance measuring area including the selected subject,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image evaluation unit evaluates the imaging condition within a distance measurement area in each of the plurality of still images. Further comprising selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of still images displayed by the multi-window display means,
The control means determines whether selection by the selection means has been made within a predetermined time after the recommendation display has been made, and if the selection by the selection means has been made within the predetermined time as a result of the determination, the control means The still image selected by the selection unit is recorded on a recording medium, and if the selection by the selection unit is not performed within the predetermined time, the still image selected as the optimum shooting condition is recorded on the recording medium. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging apparatus is recorded.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit discards a still image that has not been recorded on the recording medium.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit discards all still images after recording on the recording medium.   The control means is when the selection means makes a selection within the predetermined time, and when the selection means selects a still image other than the still image selected as the optimum shooting condition. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the still image selected as the optimum photographing condition is recorded on the recording medium together with the selected still image.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing condition includes at least one of an exposure time of the imaging unit, a blur amount of the still image, and a white balance of the still image.

Images