JP2009272799A - Imaging device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set a photographic mode based upon the kind of a subject identified in consideration of multi-spot ranging results. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 1 images a photographic range including the subject to be recorded, measures distances between the digital camera 1 and a plurality of measurement points within the photographic range to identify the kind of the subject based upon the measured distances, sets a photographic mode based upon the identified kind of the subject, and images the subject in the set photographic mode and records it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a multipoint ranging function, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, imaging devices such as a digital camera and a digital video camera that image a subject using a CCD or MOS type solid-state imaging device are known.
This type of imaging apparatus analyzes a through image, selects an appropriate shooting mode from a plurality of shooting modes based on the analysis result, and recommends the selected shooting mode to the user (see Patent Document 1). ). More specifically, the through image is analyzed, and the area occupied by each object (subject) such as a person, sky, sea, tree, building, etc., within the shooting range displayed by the through image is extracted and extracted. Based on the result, a shooting mode is selected.
The shooting modes to be selected include, for example, a portrait shooting mode suitable for shooting a person, a landscape shooting mode suitable for landscape shooting, a close-up mode suitable for shooting close to the subject, and a night shooting mode. There are night shooting modes.

JP 2007-184733 A

  However, even in the case of image analysis from a through image, an appropriate shooting mode corresponding to the subject may not be selected. For example, when shooting a poster on which a predetermined subject is printed, it is determined that the predetermined subject printed by image analysis is a subject having a depth even though the shooting range has a shallow depth of field. In some cases, a shooting mode suitable for shooting the subject is actually selected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of setting a shooting mode based on the type of subject identified in view of multipoint distance measurement results, and a program. And

  The image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention includes a multipoint distance measuring unit that measures the distance between the apparatus main body and a plurality of measurement points set in the imaging range, and a distance measured by the multipoint distance measuring unit. Based on the identification means for identifying the type of the subject existing in the imaging range, and on the basis of the type of the subject identified by the identification means, a photographing mode setting means for setting a photographing mode suitable for recording the subject An imaging unit; and a recording control unit configured to control the imaging unit to capture and record the imaging range in the imaging mode set by the imaging mode setting unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, the distances measured by the multipoint distance measuring means determine whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. The shooting mode setting means sets a shooting mode suitable for recording the subject when the first determination means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

  The image pickup apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image pickup apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the image pickup unit is controlled to acquire an image in the image pickup range prior to recording by the recording control unit. Control means, and image analysis means for analyzing the image acquired by the acquisition control means, wherein the photographing mode setting means is based on the analysis result of the image analysis means in addition to the identification result by the identification means. Then, a shooting mode suitable for recording the subject is set.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein, as a result of the analysis by the image analysis unit, the image acquired by the acquisition control unit determines whether a character is included. The image forming apparatus further includes a second determining unit, and the shooting mode setting unit sets a shooting mode suitable for recording the character when the second determining unit determines that the character is included. .

  An imaging apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, based on a photographing mode storage unit that stores a plurality of photographing modes and a type of subject identified by the identifying unit. Selection means for selecting a shooting mode suitable for recording the subject from a plurality of shooting modes stored in the shooting mode storage means, wherein the shooting mode setting means is the shooting mode selected by the selection means. The mode is read out from the photographing mode storage means and set.

  An imaging apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the imaging apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising third determination means for determining whether or not a plurality of shooting modes are selected by the selection means. When a plurality of shooting modes are selected by the third determination unit, the mode setting unit sets a shooting mode suitable for recording the subject from the selected plurality of shooting modes based on the analysis result of the image analysis. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein a third determination unit that determines whether or not a plurality of shooting modes has been selected by the selection unit; An operation detecting unit that detects the operation of the image capturing mode, and the shooting mode setting unit selects a plurality of shooting modes based on the detection contents of the operation detecting unit when a plurality of shooting modes are selected by the third determining unit. A shooting mode suitable for recording the subject is set from the plurality of shooting modes.

  The image pickup apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image pickup apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the identification means is a maximum value and a minimum value of distances measured by the multipoint distance measurement means, respectively. The type of the subject is identified based on the difference between the two.

  An imaging apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the identifying unit is based on a degree of variation in distance measured by the multipoint ranging unit. The type of the subject is identified.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program comprising: a computer provided in an imaging apparatus including a multipoint distance measuring unit that measures the distance between the apparatus main body and a plurality of measurement points set in the imaging range. Identification means for identifying the type of subject existing in the imaging range based on the distance measured by the distance unit, and a shooting mode suitable for recording the subject based on the type of subject identified by the identification means. It functions as a photographing mode setting means for setting.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device which can set imaging | photography mode based on the kind of to-be-photographed identified in view of the multipoint ranging result, and a program can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera 1 as an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The digital camera 1 has functions of automatic exposure adjustment (AE) control and automatic focusing (AF) control, and mainly includes the following units.

  That is, the digital camera includes an optical system 19, CCD 2, timing generator (TG) 3, CCD drive circuit 4, A / D converter 5, image processing unit 6, control unit 7, lens drive circuit 8, SDRAM 9, and display unit 10. , A JPEG conversion unit 11, an external memory I / F 12, an external memory 13, a key input block 14, AF lenses 15R and 15L, sensor arrays 16R and 16L, a correlation calculation unit 17, and a flash memory 18.

The optical system 19 forms an optical image of the subject. The optical system 19 includes a focus lens and a lens motor that moves the focus lens along the optical axis.
The lens driving circuit 8 drives the lens motor in accordance with the command from the control unit 7, thereby controlling the position of the focus lens on the optical axis.

The timing generator 3 generates a timing signal, and the CCD driving circuit 4 generates a driving signal based on the timing signal.
The CCD 2 captures an optical image of the subject based on the timing signal output from the CCD drive circuit 4 and outputs the converted image signal.
The A / D converter 5 converts the imaging signal output from the CCD 2 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the image processing unit 6.

The image processing unit 6 performs RGB interpolation processing for generating R, G, and B color component data (RGB data) for each pixel, and luminance signals (Y) from the RGB data. YUV conversion processing for generating YUV data composed of color difference signals (U, V) for each pixel, and digital signal processing for improving image quality such as auto white balance and edge enhancement are performed.
The image processing unit 6 sequentially stores the generated YUV data in the SDRAM 9.

The key input block 14 has a function of detecting an operation from outside the main body of the digital camera 1, and is a mode switch for switching between a power key and a recording mode and a playback mode which are basic operation modes of the digital camera 1 It includes a plurality of keys such as a key, a MENU key, a shutter key, a multi-contact cursor key used for detection of various selections, and a set key for detecting determination of selected contents.
The shutter key has a so-called half shutter function that allows a two-step operation of a half-pressed position for a user to make a shooting advance notice and a fully-pressed position for instructing an actual shooting operation. Further, when the fully-pressed position is detected by the user's operation, the imaging range based on the imaging signal output from the CCD 2 is compression-encoded and controlled to be recorded in the external memory 13 described later. Further, the operation state of each key of the above key input block 14 is scanned by the control unit 7 as needed.

The display unit 10 includes a liquid crystal monitor and a drive circuit for the liquid crystal monitor. In the recording mode, whenever one frame of YUV data is stored in the SDRAM 9, the YUV data is converted into a video signal by the image processing unit 6 and displayed as a through image on the display unit 10.
When shooting in the recording mode, the image data temporarily stored in the SDRAM 9 is compressed and encoded by the JPEG conversion unit 11 using the JPEG method, and then configured by, for example, various memory cards via the external memory I / F 12. It is recorded in the external memory 13 as a still image file.

  In the reproduction mode, the still image file recorded in the external memory 13 is appropriately read in accordance with the user's selection operation, decompressed by the JPEG conversion unit 11 and expanded on the SDRAM 9 as YUV data, and is statically displayed on the display unit 10. Displayed as an image.

The AF lenses 15R and 15L image light from the subject on the sensor arrays 16R and 16L.
The sensor arrays 16 </ b> R and 16 </ b> L convert the formed image into an electrical signal and output it to the correlation calculation unit 17.
The correlation calculation unit 17 calculates the distance between the two images formed by the principle of triangulation based on the electrical signals from the sensor arrays 16R and 16L, and thereby the distance between the digital camera 1 and the subject. Is calculated.
That is, the sensor arrays 16R and 16L and the correlation calculation unit 17 each have a function of measuring the distance between the digital camera 1 body and a plurality of measurement points set in the imaging range.

  The control unit 7 includes a CPU and its peripheral circuits and the like, reads out data stored in the flash memory 18, controls each unit of the digital camera 1, AE control based on luminance information included in the imaging signal, phase difference AF control based on the detection method, shooting mode setting processing, and the like are performed.

  In the shooting mode setting process, the control unit 7 first acquires a frame image at a predetermined frame rate, and includes the digital camera 1 (specifically, the sensor arrays 16R and 16L) and the subject to be recorded by the phase difference detection method. Measure the distance to multiple measurement points in the shooting range. Specifically, a frame image obtained by capturing an imaging range is divided into blocks as a plurality of measurement points, and the distance between the digital camera 1 and the subject corresponding to each block is determined based on the above-described AF lenses 15R and 15L, the sensor array. 16R, 16L and the correlation calculation unit 17 are used.

Next, the control unit 7 identifies the type of the subject based on the plurality of distances, and based on the identified type, from among ten shooting modes stored in advance in a flash memory 18 described later. Then, a photographing mode suitable for recording the subject is selected and read out and set in the control unit 7. When a plurality of shooting modes are selected, the frame image is further analyzed, and the shooting mode is further selected based on the analysis result.
Then, the control unit 7 compresses and codes the shooting range based on the imaging signal output from the CCD 2 based on the control according to the selected shooting mode by detecting the fully pressed position of the shutter key, and stores it in the external memory 13. Control to record.

In this embodiment, the distance to the measurement point is measured by the phase difference detection method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the distance from the digital camera 1 (specifically, the CCD 2) to the measurement point is measured by the contrast detection method. Also good.
Specifically, the focus lens is moved back and forth along the optical axis, the image data acquired by the CCD 2 is moved while moving the focal point of the lens, and a high frequency component is extracted from the spatial frequency components. The position where the component is the largest is taken as the in-focus position. Based on this in-focus position, the distance to the measurement point is obtained.
Further, the distance to the measurement point may be measured by a hybrid method combining a phase difference detection method and a contrast detection method.

  The flash memory 18 is a nonvolatile memory capable of rewriting stored data, and stores various programs executed by the control unit 7 and various data necessary for control by the control unit 7. The flash memory 18 also stores setting information regarding various functions of the digital camera 1 set by the user.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the flash memory 18 stores a table 20 indicating the relationship between shooting mode numbers and shooting modes. Further, for each shooting mode, autofocus, shutter speed, aperture Parameters for shooting conditions such as sensitivity, filter, exposure mode, photometry, white balance, color enhancement, flash light quantity, sharpness, saturation, contrast, and flash are stored.

  A shooting mode setting program for causing the control unit 7 to execute the shooting mode setting process of the present invention is stored in the flash memory 18, and the shooting unit setting program is read out and executed by the control unit 7. Good.

Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the power is turned on, provisional shooting is started for imaging the imaging range at 30 frames per second and outputting the imaging signal to the CCD 2, and the previous shooting mode is called and set. Further, a through image based on the imaging signal is displayed in the display area of the display unit 10 (step ST1). At this point, it is determined whether or not a half-pressed position of the shutter key has been detected (step ST2).

  When the half-pressed position of the shutter key is detected (step ST2 → YES), multipoint distance measurement is performed on the subject (step ST3). That is, the distance to a plurality of measurement points set in the shooting range including the subject to be recorded with the digital camera 1 (specifically, the sensor arrays 16R and 16L) is measured, and the shooting range including the subject to be recorded is measured. Get the total depth of field. Specifically, the through image is divided into a plurality of blocks, the distance to each block is measured, and stored as a measured value.

Next, it is determined whether or not a plurality of measured values satisfy a predetermined condition, that is, whether or not to shoot in close-up (macro) as a result of determining the depth of field. Specifically, the minimum value of a plurality of measured values is extracted, and it is determined whether or not the extracted minimum value is a predetermined value, for example, 30 cm or less (step ST4). If the determination is YES, the process moves to step ST5, and if the determination is NO, the process moves to step ST13.
In the present embodiment, the maximum value of a plurality of measurement values is extracted, and it is determined whether or not the extracted maximum value is equal to or less than a predetermined value. It may be calculated to determine whether this average value is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  If it is determined that a plurality of measured values satisfy a predetermined condition (step ST4 → YES), the type of subject to be recorded for distance is identified (step ST5). Specifically, a maximum value and a minimum value of a plurality of measurement values are extracted, and a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is calculated. Based on this difference, the type of subject is identified according to the table 30 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a table 30 showing the relationship between the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the measurement values and the type of subject, and this table 30 is stored in the flash memory 18.
When the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is 10 cm or less, it is determined that the subject type is a thin object such as a paper medium.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the subject 31 is paper, when the distance to three measurement points 31A, 31B, 31C on the subject 31 is measured, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the distance is measured. This is because is considered to be 10 cm or less.

When the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is more than 10 cm and not more than 30 cm, it is determined that the type of subject is a relatively low object.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the subject 32 is a relatively low object such as food, the distance to the three measurement points 32A, 32B, and 32C on the subject 32 is measured. This is because the difference d1 between the maximum value and the minimum value is considered to be more than 10 cm and not more than 30 cm.

When the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is more than 30 cm and not more than 100 cm, it is determined that the subject type is an object with a height.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), when the object 33 is a tall object such as a planted flower, the distance to the three measurement points 33A, 33B, and 33C on the object 33 is measured. This is because the difference d2 between the maximum value and the minimum value of the distance is considered to be more than 30 cm and not more than 100 cm.
When the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value exceeds 100 cm, it is determined that the subject is a specific subject, for example, a person.

When the type of subject to be recorded is identified in step ST5, a shooting mode suitable for recording the subject is further selected (step ST6). Specifically, the shooting mode is selected according to the table 40 of FIG.
FIG. 6 shows a table 40 showing the relationship between the type of subject and the shooting mode to be selected, and this table 40 is stored in the flash memory 18.

Next, as a result of the selection in step ST6, it is determined whether one shooting mode has been selected (step ST7). When it determines with YES, it moves to step ST13, and when it is NO, it moves to step ST7.
When one shooting mode is not selected, that is, when a plurality of shooting modes are selected (step ST7 → NO), the temporary shooting image is analyzed, and the shooting mode is further selected and narrowed down (step ST8). That is, the through image is analyzed, and the photographing mode is further selected and narrowed down according to the table 50 in FIG. Specifically, it is determined whether the through image includes characters, whether there are many reds, whether there are many greens, whether there are many yellows, whether a face has been detected, or the like.
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a table 50 showing the relationship between the analysis result of the through image and the shooting mode that is a selection candidate. The table 50 is stored in the flash memory 18.

As a result of the analysis in step ST8, it is further determined whether or not there is one selected photographing mode (step ST9). If YES is determined, the process proceeds to step ST13. If NO, a plurality of shooting modes are still selected, and thus the process proceeds to step ST10.
If a plurality of shooting modes are still selected (step ST9 → Nо), the key input block 14 (specifically, the cursor key and the set key) further detects the user's operation, thereby further shooting mode. Is determined (step ST10). Note that, regarding the selection of the shooting mode by detecting the operation to the key input block 14, whether the selection is possible or not can be selected before the present flowchart is started. Therefore, this determination follows the user's selection.
If YES is determined here, the process proceeds to step ST12. If NO is determined, the process proceeds to step ST11.

If NO is determined in step ST10, one shooting mode is automatically set based on the image analysis result (step ST11).
On the other hand, if YES is determined in step ST10, the user detects this by operating the cursor key and the set key, and sets one shooting mode (step ST12).

  After the setting in step ST11 or step ST12, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the shutter key has been operated to the fully pressed position (step ST13). If NO is determined, the process returns to step ST5. If YES is determined, the process proceeds to step ST14.

  If YES in step ST13, shooting conditions are set for the CCD 2, TG 3, CCD drive circuit 4, A / D 5, and image processing unit 6 according to the selected shooting mode, and the shooting conditions are set. Then, the CCD 2 and the image processing unit 6 perform still image shooting processing, and the still image data obtained by the still image shooting processing is compressed by the JPEG conversion unit 11 and then recorded in the external memory 13 as a still image file.

According to this embodiment, there are the following effects.
(1) Measure the distance between the digital camera 1 (specifically, the sensor arrays 16R and 16L) and a plurality of measurement points within the photographing range including the subject to be recorded, and based on the measured distances, Identify object types such as thin objects, relatively low objects, high objects, and specific objects. Thereafter, a shooting mode is selected and set based on the type of the subject. As described above, since the shooting mode suitable for recording is set based on the type of the subject, it is possible to set the shooting mode based on the type of the subject identified in view of the multipoint distance measurement result.

  (2) Even when a plurality of shooting modes suitable for the subject are listed, one shooting mode is finally set by detecting a through image analysis result or a setting operation by the user. Can do.

  (3) Further, when a plurality of candidate shooting modes suitable for the subject are listed and the user determines that they are not suitable for recording the subject, the user operates at the half-pressed position without operating to the full-pressed position. By maintaining this, this is detected and the distance between the digital camera 1 and a plurality of measurement points within the shooting range is measured again, so that recording due to erroneous setting of the shooting mode can be prevented as much as possible.

[Second Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the operation of the digital camera 1 is different from that of the first embodiment.
That is, in the first embodiment described above, in step ST5, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the plurality of measurement values is calculated, and the type of the subject is identified according to the table 30 in FIG. In the present embodiment, measurement is performed for five measurement points, and the type of subject is determined according to the table 60 in FIG. 8 based on these five measurement values. That is, the type of subject is determined based on the measured degree of variation of the plurality of distances.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a table 60 showing the relationship between the five measurement values and the shooting modes that are selection candidates. The table 60 is stored in the flash memory 18.
The measurement values 1 to 5 in the table 60 are obtained by arranging five measurement values in ascending order.

If four or more of the five measurement values are 10 cm or less and the remaining one is 30 cm or less, it is determined that the type of subject to be recorded is a thin object.
If four of the five measured values are 10 cm or less and the remaining one is 100 cm or less, it is determined that the type of subject to be recorded is a thin object.
If three of the five measured values are 100 cm or less, one is 10 cm or less, and the other is 30 cm or less, the type of subject to be recorded is a thin object, a high object, Alternatively, it is determined that the object is relatively low in height.

When four or more of the five measured values are 30 cm or less and the remaining one is 100 cm or less, it is determined that the type of subject to be recorded is an object having a relatively low height.
If three of the five measured values are 30 cm or less and the remaining one is 100 cm or less, it is determined that the type of subject to be recorded is a relatively low object or a high object. To do.

When four or more of the five measured values are 100 cm or less and the remaining one is 30 cm or less or 10 cm or less, it is determined that the type of the subject to be recorded is an object having a height. .
When two or more of the five measured values exceed 100 cm, it is determined that the type of subject to be recorded is a specific subject such as a person.

For example, when the subject to be recorded is a thin object such as a paper medium, when the distance to five measurement points in the shooting range including the subject is measured, most of the measured values are considered to be 10 cm or less. Because it is.
When the subject to be recorded is a relatively low object such as food, when measuring the distance to five measurement points in the photographing range including the subject, most of the measured values exceed 10 cm and 30 cm. This is because it is considered as follows.
In addition, when the subject to be recorded is an object with a height such as a flower, when measuring the distance to five measurement points in the shooting range including the subject, most of the measured values are over 30 cm and 100 cm or less. Because it is considered to be.

  In the table 30 of the first embodiment, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the measurement value is made to correspond to the subject type on a one-to-one basis. However, in the table 60 of the second embodiment, the degree of variation in the measurement value It was made to correspond to all kinds of subjects that can be identified. That is, in the first embodiment, the types of subjects that can be identified are limited as much as possible. However, in the second embodiment, on the contrary, based on the degree of variation of a plurality of measured distances, Since it is configured to determine the types of subjects that can be identified, the user can set the shooting mode more appropriately.

According to this embodiment, there are the following effects.
(4) By using the table 60, the digital camera 1 determines the type of the subject based on the measured degree of variation of the plurality of distances, so that the user can set a more appropriate shooting mode.

In the present embodiment, the image based on the imaging signal is recorded by detecting the operation to the fully-pressed position of the shutter key. However, when the shooting mode is set without waiting for the above-described operation detection. An image based on the imaging signal may be recorded.
That is, by performing such control, it is possible to automatically perform recording in the shooting mode based on the type of subject identified in view of the multipoint distance measurement result without the need for the user to consider a photo opportunity.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the table which shows the relationship between imaging | photography mode number and imaging | photography mode about the imaging device which concerns on the said embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a figure of the table which shows the relationship between the difference of the maximum value and minimum value of a measured value, and the kind of to-be-photographed object about the imaging device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the specific example of a to-be-photographed object, and the difference of a measured value about the imaging device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a figure of the table which shows the relationship between the kind of to-be-photographed object and the imaging | photography mode to narrow down about the imaging device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a figure of the table which shows the relationship between the analysis result of a through image, and the imaging | photography mode to narrow down about the imaging device which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a figure of the table which shows the relationship between the measured value of five measurement points, and the imaging | photography mode to narrow down about the imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital camera 2 CCD
6 Image processing unit 7 Control unit 14 Key input block 16R, 16L Sensor array 17 Correlation calculation unit 18 Flash memory 20 Table showing relationship between shooting mode number and shooting mode 30 Difference between maximum and minimum measured values and subject A table showing the relationship between the type of the subject 40 and a table showing the relationship between the type of the subject and the photographing mode to be selected 50 A table showing the relationship between the analysis result of the through image and the photographing mode as the selection candidate 60 Five measurement values and selection Table showing relationship with candidate shooting modes

Claims (10)

Multi-point distance measuring means for measuring the distance between the apparatus main body and a plurality of measurement points set in the imaging range,
Identifying means for identifying the type of subject existing in the imaging range based on the distances measured by the multipoint distance measuring means;
Shooting mode setting means for setting a shooting mode suitable for recording of the subject based on the type of the subject identified by the identification means;
Imaging means;
Recording control means for controlling the imaging means to capture and record the imaging range in the imaging mode set by the imaging mode setting means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A first judging means for judging whether or not the distances measured by the multipoint distance measuring means respectively satisfy a predetermined condition;
2. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the shooting mode setting unit sets a shooting mode suitable for recording the subject when the first determination unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. apparatus. Prior to recording by the recording control means, an acquisition control means for controlling the imaging means to acquire an image of the imaging range;
Image analysis means for analyzing the image acquired by the acquisition control means;
Further comprising
3. The shooting mode setting unit sets a shooting mode suitable for recording the subject based on an analysis result of the image analysis unit in addition to an identification result of the identification unit. Imaging device. As a result of analysis by the image analysis means, further comprising second determination means for determining whether or not a character is included in the image acquired by the acquisition control means;
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the shooting mode setting unit sets a shooting mode suitable for recording the character when the second determination unit determines that the character is included. Shooting mode storage means for storing a plurality of shooting modes;
Selection means for selecting a photographing mode suitable for recording the subject from a plurality of photographing modes stored in the photographing mode storage means based on the type of the subject identified by the identifying means;
Further comprising
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shooting mode setting unit reads and sets a shooting mode selected by the selection unit from the shooting mode storage unit. And further comprising third determination means for determining whether or not a plurality of shooting modes are selected by the selection means,
When a plurality of shooting modes are selected by the third determination unit, the shooting mode setting unit is configured to select a shooting mode suitable for recording the subject from the selected plurality of shooting modes based on an analysis result of image analysis. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: Third determination means for determining whether or not a plurality of shooting modes are selected by the selection means;
Operation detection means for detecting an operation from outside the apparatus body;
Further comprising
When the plurality of shooting modes are selected by the third determining unit, the shooting mode setting unit is suitable for recording the subject from the selected plurality of shooting modes based on the contents detected by the operation detection unit. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a photographing mode is set.   The said identification means identifies the kind of said subject based on the difference of the maximum value and minimum value of the distance which were respectively measured by the said multipoint ranging means. The imaging device described.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the type of the subject based on a degree of variation in distance measured by the multipoint ranging unit. A computer included in an imaging apparatus including a multipoint distance measuring unit that measures the distance between the apparatus main body and a plurality of measurement points set in the imaging range,
Identification means for identifying the type of subject existing in the imaging range based on the distances measured by the multipoint ranging unit,
A program that functions as a shooting mode setting unit that sets a shooting mode suitable for recording of a subject based on the type of the subject identified by the identification unit.

Images