JP2012019343A - Imaging device, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device capable of changing an aspect ratio even during multiple exposure photography.SOLUTION: The imaging device is provided with: an imaging element 5 for converting an object image photoelectrically; and image composing means for composing a plurality of images obtained by the imaging element 5 in a plurality of imaging times to generate a multiplexed image when multiple exposure photography is specified. When a change of an aspect ratio is instructed during multiple exposure photography, the image composing means composes a plurality of the images in the aspect ratio of the portion where images are overlapped. For example, when the aspect ratio of a first image of multiple exposure photography is 3:2 and the aspect ratio of the second image is 4:3, a multiplexed image is generated by performing an image composing processing in the aspect ratio of 4:3 because the aspect ratio 4:3 is smaller than the aspect ratio 3:2 in image size.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus capable of changing the aspect ratio of multiple exposure shooting and a recorded image, a control method thereof, and a program.

  Conventionally, as an imaging apparatus having an imaging element capable of multiple exposure photography, there is one described in Patent Document 1.

  Another camera that can be optionally cropped to a desired aspect ratio before an image to be photographed is stored is disclosed in Patent Document 2.

JP 2007-212237 A JP 2005-198318 A JP-A-63-298230

  In the imaging apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, multiple exposure shooting is realized by performing digital addition processing on an image for each shooting. In this case, for example, if the aspect ratio is changed for each shooting, a part to be added and a part not to be added are mixed due to a difference in the size of the cutout range, resulting in a multiple-exposed area and a non-multi-exposed area. was there. For this reason, the photographer may change the aspect ratio during the multiple exposure shooting, and the multiple image may become unintended.

  In view of this, it is conceivable to prohibit changing the aspect ratio at the time of multiple exposure shooting in order to avoid mixing a portion to be added and a portion not to be added due to a difference in the size of the cutout range. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a camera that prohibits changing the aspect ratio during multiple exposure shooting.

  However, if the user cannot freely change the aspect ratio during multi-exposure shooting, a creative image with a free idea cannot be created.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to change the aspect ratio even during multiple exposure photography.

  The image pickup apparatus of the present invention generates an image by photoelectrically converting a subject image and a plurality of images obtained by the image pickup device by multiple times of shooting when multiple exposure shooting is instructed. An image synthesizing unit configured to synthesize the plurality of images with an aspect ratio of a portion where the images overlap when an instruction to change the aspect ratio is issued during multiple exposure shooting.

  According to the present invention, since the aspect ratio can be changed even during multiple exposure shooting, it is possible to create a creative image by multiple exposure shooting with a user's free idea.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the imaging | photography process performed with the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of a photographing operation in the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the image composition process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining transition of various screens. It is a figure explaining transition of various screens. It is a figure explaining transition of various screens. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of imaging | photography operation | movement in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the image composition process in 2nd Embodiment.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera that is an example of an imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. Reference numeral 100 denotes a digital single-lens reflex camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera), and 220 denotes a photographing lens that can be attached to and detached from the camera 100. The present invention is not limited to a digital single-lens reflex camera, but can be applied to other imaging apparatuses such as a digital camera and a digital video camera.

  In the camera 100, reference numeral 2 denotes a main mirror, which is inclined or moved away from the photographing optical path according to the observation state and the photographing state. Reference numeral 3 denotes a sub-mirror, which reflects the light beam transmitted through the main mirror 2 obliquely arranged with respect to the photographing optical path toward the lower side of the camera body and guides it to the focus detection device 6. Reference numeral 4 denotes a shutter for controlling the exposure amount of the image sensor 5 described later. Reference numeral 5 denotes an image sensor composed of a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, or the like, which photoelectrically converts a subject image formed by the photographing lens 220.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a focus detection device, which includes a phase difference detection sensor having a plurality of distance measuring areas. A photometric sensor 7 receives a part of the light beam reflected by the main mirror 2 and outputs a luminance signal of the subject to the photometric circuit 42.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog image pickup signal from the image pickup device 5 into a digital signal. A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal to the image sensor 5, the A / D converter 16, and a D / A converter 26 described later. The timing generation circuit 18 is controlled by a memory control circuit 22 and a system control circuit 50 described later.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes an image processing circuit. Various images such as pixel interpolation processing, color conversion processing, AWB (auto white balance), and image composition processing are applied to the digital image pickup signal from the A / D converter 16 or the memory control circuit 22. Processing is performed to generate an image signal (video).

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32 described later. . An image signal from the image processing circuit 20 or a digital image pickup signal from the A / D converter 16 is sent to the image display memory 24, the memory 30, and the system control circuit 50 via the memory control circuit 22.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory. Reference numeral 26 denotes a D / A converter. Reference numeral 28 denotes an image display unit composed of a TFT LCD or the like. Image data such as display image data and camera setting menu written in the image display memory 24 is sent to the image display unit 28 via the D / A converter 26 and displayed on the image display unit 28.

  A memory 30 stores the generated still image. The memory 30 is also used as a work area for the system control circuit 50. A compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses / decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and stores the processed data again in the memory. Write to 30.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control circuit that controls the shutter 4, and also controls the aperture 224 of the photographing lens 220 via the system control circuit 50. A photometric circuit 42 outputs an output from the photometric sensor 7 to the system control circuit 50.

  A system control circuit 50 controls the operation of the entire camera 100. The system control circuit 50 performs accumulation control and readout control of the focus detection device 6, calculates a defocus amount by a well-known phase difference detection method, and performs focus driving and diaphragm driving of the photographing lens 220 from the defocus amount and the like. Control. The system control circuit 50 has functions as a storage control unit and a display control unit (not shown).

  Reference numeral 52 denotes a memory for storing data such as constants, variables and computer programs for operation of the system control circuit 50. 54 is an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. Reference numeral 56 denotes an information output unit that outputs information indicating the operating state of the camera 100, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like. The information output unit 56 includes a liquid crystal display element, a speaker, and the like.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which is an operation member for switching off the power supply and switching the imaging mode (aperture priority mode, program mode, etc.). Reference numeral 62 denotes an imaging preparation switch (SW1) and a shooting start switch (SW2). When a shutter button (not shown) performs a first stroke operation (half-press), SW1 is turned on and imaging such as AE (photometry) processing and AF processing is performed. Start the preparation operation. Further, SW2 is turned on by the second stroke operation (full press) of the shutter button, and the imaging operation is started. The imaging operation here refers to the opening / closing operation of the shutter 4, the operation of generating an image signal in the image processing circuit 20 based on the imaging signal from the imaging device 5, and the writing of the image signal into the memory 30 via the memory control circuit 22. Including actions. Also included is an operation of reading image data from the memory 30, compressing it by the compression / decompression circuit 32, and recording it on recording media 200 and 210, which will be described later. These series of imaging operations can also be referred to as recording image acquisition operations. Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and is operated to display a menu screen for selecting functions and various settings of the camera 100 and determining menu items. The operation unit 70 includes a MENU button for displaying a menu screen, a SET button for determining menu items, a dial for selecting items, and the like.

  Reference numeral 78 denotes a power supply control circuit, which includes a battery detection circuit that detects the remaining battery level, a DC-DC converter that converts the power supply voltage from the battery into a predetermined operating voltage, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. A battery 80 is detachable from the camera. A power source 86 in the battery 80 is a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, or a secondary battery such as a NiMH battery or a Li battery. Reference numerals 82 and 84 denote connectors for electrical connection between the power source 86 and the camera 100.

  Reference numerals 90 and 94 denote interfaces for communicating with the recording media 200 and 210, and reference numerals 92 and 96 denote connectors connected to the recording media 200 and 210. A recording medium attachment / detachment detector 98 detects whether or not the recording mediums 200 and 210 are attached to the connectors 92 and 96.

  A communication unit 110 has communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, and wireless communication. Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting another device to the camera 100 via the communication unit 110, and an antenna is connected when performing wireless communication.

  Reference numerals 200 and 210 denote recording media, each of which includes a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a hard disk, and the like. The recording media 200 and 210 include interfaces 204 and 214 for performing communication with the camera 100 and connectors 206 and 216 for performing electrical connection with the camera 100. In the recording units 202 and 212, compressed image data output from the camera 100 is written.

  In the photographing lens 220, reference numeral 1 denotes a lens group including a plurality of lenses, which includes a focus lens that moves in the optical axis direction and performs focus adjustment, and a zoom lens that moves in the optical axis direction and performs zooming. A diaphragm 224 adjusts the amount of light reaching the image sensor 5. The imaging lens group 1 and the diaphragm 224 constitute an imaging optical system.

  A lens control circuit 226 controls an actuator (not shown) that drives the focus lens, the zoom lens, and the diaphragm 224 in accordance with a control signal from the system control circuit 50. The lens control circuit 226 also has a memory function for storing constants, variables, programs, and the like for taking lens operations. In addition, it also has a non-volatile memory function for storing identification information such as a number unique to the photographing lens, management information, function information such as an open aperture value, minimum aperture value, focal length, and current and past set values.

  A connector 228 is connected to the communication contact 41 of the camera 100 and enables communication between the lens control circuit 226 and the system control circuit 50. Further, the connector 228 supplies the power supply voltage from the power supply 86 into the photographing lens 220.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of photographing processing executed by the digital camera according to the present embodiment. This process is executed under the control of the system control circuit 50. In step S101, the system control circuit 50 performs initial settings such as register initialization, data initialization, and peripheral part initialization.

  In step S102, the system control circuit 50 detects states of camera setting buttons (MENU button, SET button, etc.), shutter button, main electronic dial, sub electronic dial, mode dial switch 60, etc. included in the operation unit 70.

  If it is determined in step S103 that the MENU button for making various camera settings has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S104. If not, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S104, the system control circuit 50 performs various camera settings. Details regarding this setting will be described later.

  If the photometry / AF start SW (imaging preparation switch SW1) is off in step S105, the process proceeds to step S114, and if not, the process proceeds to S106. In step S <b> 106, the system control circuit 50 reads various information of the attached photographic lens 220. When acquiring lens information from the photographic lens 220, the system control circuit 50 communicates with the photographic lens 220 to acquire lens information of the photographic lens 220. The lens information includes information such as lens specific information, focal length, aperture value, and focus lens position.

  In step S107, under the control of the system control circuit 50, distance measurement is performed by a known phase difference detection method in order to focus on the subject. In step S108, the lens driving amount is calculated based on the data obtained by the distance measurement calculation to drive the lens.

  In step S109, under the control of the system control circuit 50, photometric calculation processing for determining the shutter speed (CMOS accumulation time), aperture value, and the like from the output from the photometric circuit 42, camera settings such as setting ISO and shooting mode, etc. I do. In step S <b> 110, the system control circuit 50 displays camera information such as shutter time and aperture value obtained by photometric calculation on the display unit.

  In step S111, if the shooting operation SW (shooting start switch SW2) is on, the process proceeds to step S112, and a still image shooting operation is performed.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3, the details of the photographing operation in step S112 in FIG. 2 will be described. In step S201, the system control circuit 50 starts mirror up, and proceeds to step S202 after completion of mirror up. In step S202, the system control circuit 50 starts accumulation of the image sensor 5 that is an image sensor. In step S203, the system control circuit 50 runs the shutter front curtain, starts exposure, and runs the shutter rear curtain after the shutter time. In step S204, the process loops until the rear curtain travel of the shutter is completed.

  In step S <b> 205, the system control circuit 50 ends the accumulation of the image sensor 5. In step S206, the system control circuit 50 starts mirror down and shutter charge.

  In step S <b> 207, the system control circuit 50 performs signal readout processing of the image sensor 5. In step S208, the read signal is corrected under the control of the system control circuit 50. In step S209, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not it is multiple exposure shooting in which multiple shootings are performed. If multiple exposure shooting is performed, the process proceeds to step S210. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S210, the system control circuit 50 counts down (-1) the multiple counter. In step S211, the system control circuit 50 checks whether the aspect ratio has changed. In step S212, if the aspect ratio has been changed in step S211, the image composition process for obtaining a multiplexed image is an image composition process in which an overlapping part of the image remains (with an aspect ratio of the overlapping part of the image). Applied. When the aspect ratio is not changed, the image composition process is performed as it is.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the aspect ratio of the first image in the multiple exposure shooting is 3: 2 and the aspect ratio of the second image is 4: 3, the image size is 4 in aspect ratio. : 3 is smaller than aspect ratio 3: 2. Therefore, an image composition process is performed with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 to generate a multiple image. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the aspect ratio of the first image of the multiple exposure shooting is 3: 2 and the aspect ratio of the second image is 16: 9, the image size is the aspect ratio. The ratio 16: 9 is smaller than the aspect ratio 3: 2. Therefore, an image composition process is performed with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 to generate a multiple image. The image composition process is performed so that the centers of the images overlap. When the shooting order is reversed, for example, when shooting is performed in the reverse order of FIG. 4A, that is, the aspect ratio of the first image in the multiple exposure shooting is 4: 3, and the aspect ratio of the second sheet is 3. : 2, even if the ratio is 2: 3, an image composition process is performed with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 to generate a multiple image. In the present embodiment, the image composition processing is performed by aligning the images so that the centers of the images overlap. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any one of the four corners of the image data is aligned. Various methods of alignment are conceivable.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in step S213, the system control circuit 50 checks whether or not the multiplex counter has become zero. If the multiple counter is not 0, that is, if there is a remainder of the multiple exposure shooting, the subroutine is exited and the next shooting is performed (returning to FIG. 2). When the multiple counter is 0, that is, when there is no remaining multiple exposure shooting, the process proceeds to step S214, and multiple image processing is performed.

  In step S214, the image data is compressed by a predetermined method under the control of the system control circuit 50. In step S215, the system control circuit 50 creates header information. In step S216, the system control circuit 50 creates an image file from header information, image data, and the like. In step S217, the system control circuit 50 writes the created image file in the hard disk, and ends this photographing operation flow. When the photographing operation is completed as described above and the process returns to FIG. 2, the process proceeds to step S102, and the switch is detected again.

  If the photographing operation SW is off in step S111, the process proceeds to step S113. If the photometry / AF start SW is on in step S113, the process proceeds to step S106, and if not, the process proceeds to step S114.

  In step S114, if the power is turned on by the mode dial switch 60, the process proceeds to step S102, and the camera setting change and photographing operation are continued. In the case of multiple exposure shooting, this loop is repeated until shooting is performed for the set number of times. If the power is not on, the process proceeds to step S115. In step S115, in order to end the operation of the camera, the system control circuit 50 performs an end setting such as an instruction to turn off the power to the peripheral circuits and save data, and ends the operation.

  Various settings in step S104 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C. When the MENU button is pressed, a camera setting menu is displayed. The camera setting menu includes a menu related to shooting, a menu related to image playback, and a menu related to various setting items. Here, only the setting of multiple exposure and aspect ratio will be described. The multiple exposure and aspect settings are classified into the same shooting as the recording size.

  When the MENU button is pressed, [Screen 1] in FIG. 5A is displayed. By operating the dial, items to be set (recording size, multiple exposure, aspect ratio,...) Can be focused.

  When the aspect ratio item is focused as shown in [Screen 2] in FIG. 5A and the SET button is pressed, the screen moves to the aspect ratio setting screen as shown in [Screen 3]. The aspect ratio has options of 3: 2, 4: 3, 16: 9, and 1: 1, and can be selected by operating the dial. The captured image is trimmed to the aspect ratio set here. When 3: 2 which is the same as the aspect ratio of the image sensor is selected, the captured image is saved in a file without being trimmed. When 4: 3 or 1: 1 is selected, a trimming process for cutting out the left and right is performed. When 16: 9 is selected, a trimming process for cutting up and down is performed. In the present embodiment, the aspect ratio of the image sensor is described as 3: 2, but it is of course not limited to this. Trimming processing is performed on an image having an aspect ratio different from that of the image sensor.

  When the multiple exposure item is focused as shown in [Screen 1] in FIG. 5A and the SET button is pressed, the screen shifts to a multiple exposure setting screen as shown in [Screen 4] in FIG. 5B. On the multiple exposure setting screen, there are multiple exposure / multiple number / multiple aspect ratio setting items, and each item can be focused by turning the dial. When a desired item is focused like [Screen 4] ⇔ [Screen 5] ⇔ [Screen 6] and the SET button is pressed, the respective items like [Screen 7], [Screen 8], and [Screen 9] are displayed. Move to the setting screen.

  In the setting item “multiple exposure”, whether to perform multiple exposure is set. When the multiple exposure setting item is focused as in [Screen 4] and the SET button is pressed, the screen moves to [Screen 7], and “Yes” or “No” can be focused by dial operation. When the SET button is pressed with either of them focused, the focused item is selected and the screen returns to [Screen 4].

  In the setting item “multiple number setting”, the number of images to be overlapped is set. When the setting item for setting the number of multiple sheets is focused as in [Screen 5] and the SET button is pressed, the screen moves to [Screen 8], and the multiple sheets can be changed by dialing. When the SET button is pressed in a state where the multiple number is designated, the number is set and the screen returns to [Screen 5]. The set multiplex number is stored in the multiplex counter. When “No” is set in the setting item “Multiple exposure”, the multiple counter is set to zero.

  In the setting item “multiple aspect ratio”, an aspect ratio (hereinafter referred to as multiple aspect ratio) of a multiple image synthesized by multiple exposure shooting is set. When the setting item for multiple aspect ratio is focused as in [Screen 6] and the SET button is pressed, the screen moves to [Screen 9], and the multiple aspect ratio can be focused. Multiple aspect ratios are 3: 2, 4: 3, 16: 9, 1: 1, and automatic options. When the SET button is pressed while focusing on the multiple aspect ratio to be set, the multiple aspect ratio is set, and the screen returns to [Screen 6]. When “automatic” is selected, the details will be described later in the second embodiment, but the aspect ratio of the automatically synthesized image is determined by the individual aspect ratio during multiple exposure shooting.

  When the MENU button is pressed on the multiple exposure setting screen [Screen 4], [Screen 5], or [Screen 6], the screen returns to [Screen 1].

  With reference to FIG. 5C, various settings in step S104 of FIG. 2 during multiple exposure shooting will be described. When the MENU button is pressed, a camera setting menu is displayed. When multiple exposure shooting is in progress, when “Aspect Ratio” is focused and the SET button is pressed, the state of [Screen 10] is obtained. A confirmation screen is displayed so that the aspect ratio is not changed by mistake during multiple exposure shooting. When the aspect ratio is consciously changed, “YES” is focused and the SET button is pressed to display [Screen 3]. Here, the aspect ratio can be selected in the same manner as when multiple exposure is not performed. If “NO” is focused and the SET button is pressed, the setting is not changed and the screen returns to [Screen 2]. The setting on the menu screen is completed by pressing the MENU button.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when realizing the multiple exposure shooting by digitally adding the images for each shooting, if the shot image size is different from the aspect ratio that has been multiple exposure until the previous time, The image processing is performed with the aspect ratio of the overlapped portion of the image captured this time and the previously exposed multiple exposure image. As a result, even if the aspect ratio changes during multiple exposure, the image can be prevented from failing.

  In addition, when an attempt is made to change the aspect ratio during multiple exposure shooting, a warning or confirmation is displayed. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a change in the aspect ratio during multiple exposure shooting that is not intended by the user.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration and shooting process of the digital camera according to the second embodiment are the same as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, the details of the photographing operation in step S112 in FIG. 2 will be described. In step S301, the system control circuit 50 starts mirror up, and proceeds to step S302 after mirror up is completed. In step S302, the system control circuit 50 starts accumulation of the image sensor 5 that is an image sensor. In step S303, the system control circuit 50 runs the shutter front curtain, starts exposure, and runs the shutter rear curtain after the shutter time. In step S304, the process loops until the rear curtain travel of the shutter is completed.

  In step S305, the system control circuit 50 ends the accumulation of the image sensor 5. In step S306, the system control circuit 50 starts mirror down and shutter charge.

  In step S <b> 307, the system control circuit 50 performs signal readout processing of the image sensor 5. In step S308, under the control of the system control circuit 50, the read signal is corrected and temporarily stored as image data of the current shooting. In step S310, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the multiple exposure shooting in which a plurality of shootings are performed. If multiple exposure shooting is performed, the process proceeds to step S320, and if not, the process proceeds to step S311.

  If it is not the multiple exposure shooting, the image data of the current shooting is trimmed to the set aspect ratio under the control of the system control circuit 50 in step S311. The aspect ratio here is set by [Screen 3] in FIG. 5A.

  In step S312, under the control of the system control circuit 50, the trimmed current image data is compressed by a predetermined method. In step S313, the system control circuit 50 creates header information of the image data captured this time. In step S314, the system control circuit 50 creates an image file of the current shooting from the header information and image data. In step S315, the system control circuit 50 writes the created image file in the hard disk, and ends this photographing operation flow.

  In the case of multiple exposure shooting, in step S320, the system control circuit 50 performs an image composition process for obtaining a multiple image. Here, in the case of the first image of the multiple exposure shooting, the image data of the current shooting is temporarily stored in a predetermined memory as image data for synthesis. The image data for synthesis stored here is data before trimming to a specified aspect ratio (multiple materials in FIG. 7). This composition image data is stored until the multiple exposure photographing is completed. In the case of the second and subsequent images in the multiple exposure shooting, the previous combined image data stored in the memory and the current image data are digitally added and stored again in a predetermined memory as combined image data. Since neither the image data of the current image to be subjected to the image composition process nor the image data for composition that has been stored is trimmed, the image data is also stored for the portion that is trimmed at the specified aspect ratio.

  In step S330, the system control circuit 50 counts down (-1) the multiple counter. In step S332, the system control circuit 50 checks whether or not the multiple counter has become zero. If the multiple counter is not 0, that is, if there is a remainder of the multiple exposure shooting, the process branches to step S311 and returns to a process common to normal. When the multiple counter is 0, that is, when there is no remaining multiple exposure shooting, the process proceeds to step S340. In step S340, under the control of the system control circuit 50, the synthesized image is trimmed to the set multiple aspect ratio. The multiple aspect ratio here is set by [Screen 9] in FIG.

  For example, in the case of FIG. 7A, the first image is trimmed at 4: 3, and the second image is trimmed at 1: 1 (FIG. 5A between the first and second images). (Change the setting in [Screen 3]). Further, the aspect ratio of the multiplexed image is set by [Screen 9] in FIG. 5B. For example, when 16: 9 is set, the multiple images are trimmed at 16: 9 (at this time, the two captured images are trimmed at 4: 3, 1: 1 respectively).

  In step S350, under the control of the system control circuit 50, the trimmed composite image (multiple image) data is compressed by a predetermined method. In step S352, the system control circuit 50 creates header information of multiple image data. In step S354, the system control circuit 50 creates an image file of multiple images from the header information and image data. In step S356, the system control circuit 50 writes the created image file on the hard disk. Processing and writing of the 16: 9 multiplexed image synthesized so far is completed.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S311, and the process returns to the common process. From step S311, processing of the last image shot in the multiple exposure shooting mode is performed (in the example of FIG. 7A, processing of 1: 1 image).

  For example, in the case of FIG. 7A, a 4: 3, 1: 1 image and a combined 16: 9 multiple image can be obtained.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary. For example, when the multiple aspect ratio is set to “automatic” in [Screen 9] in FIG. 5B, the aspect ratio most frequently used during multiple exposure shooting is automatically set, and the composited image with the aspect ratio is trimmed. You may do it. For example, in the case of FIG. 7B, when the first image and the second image are shot at an aspect ratio of 1: 1, and the third image is shot at 16: 9 and combined, Trimming is performed at a used aspect ratio of 1: 1.

  In addition, when the multiple aspect ratio is set to “automatic” in [Screen 9] in FIG. 5B, as the method for determining the aspect ratio of the combined image, the same aspect ratio as that of the final image of the multiple exposure shooting is used. For example, setting the aspect ratio of the first multiple exposure shot.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, for each of a plurality of shootings during multiple exposure shooting, an image using the image sensor fully is temporarily stored and an image having a specified aspect ratio is stored. As a result, an image with a specified aspect ratio and a multiple image with an arbitrary aspect ratio can be obtained for each shooting. That is, in the first embodiment, in order to obtain a multiple image with a multiple aspect ratio of 3: 2, all the multiple exposure shooting must be performed with an aspect ratio of 3: 2. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a multiple image having a multiple aspect ratio of 3: 2 can be obtained, and shooting can be performed at a desired aspect ratio in each of multiple exposure shooting. In this way, the aspect ratio can be freely changed even during multiple exposure shooting, and the aspect ratio of the multiple image can also be changed, so that a creative image in multiple exposure shooting can be created with a user's free idea. it can.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

4: Shutter, 5: Image sensor, 20: Image processing circuit, 30: Memory, 32: Compression / decompression circuit: 50: System control circuit, 70: Operation unit, 200, 210: Recording medium

Claims (10)

An image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image;
When multiple exposure shooting is instructed, image combining means for generating a multiple image by combining a plurality of images obtained by the imaging element by a plurality of shootings,
An image pickup apparatus characterized in that, when an aspect ratio change is instructed during multiple exposure shooting, the image combining means combines the plurality of images with an aspect ratio of a portion where the images overlap.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image synthesizing unit synthesizes the plurality of images such that the centers of the images overlap.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a confirmation unit configured to confirm with a user when an aspect ratio change is instructed during multiple exposure photographing. An image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image;
Aspect ratio setting means for setting an aspect ratio of an image in each of a plurality of shootings in multiple exposure shooting,
Multiple aspect ratio setting means for setting an aspect ratio of a multiple image generated by combining images obtained by multiple exposures in multiple exposure shooting,
When multiple exposure shooting is instructed, image combining means for combining a plurality of images obtained by the imaging device by a plurality of shootings with a predetermined aspect ratio;
An imaging apparatus comprising: an aspect ratio changing unit that changes a multiplexed image synthesized by the image synthesizing unit to an aspect ratio set by the multiple aspect ratio setting unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the multiple aspect ratio setting unit determines the aspect ratio of the multiple image by allowing the user to select from a plurality of aspect ratios.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the multiple aspect ratio setting unit automatically determines an aspect ratio of the multiple image based on the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setting unit. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus including an imaging element that photoelectrically converts a subject image,
A step of generating a multiple image by combining a plurality of images obtained by the imaging element by a plurality of shootings when multiple exposure shooting is instructed;
A method of controlling an imaging apparatus, wherein when a change in aspect ratio is instructed during multiple exposure shooting, the step of generating the multiple image combines the plurality of images with an aspect ratio of a portion where the images overlap. An image sensor that photoelectrically converts a subject image;
Aspect ratio setting means for setting an aspect ratio of an image in each of a plurality of shootings in multiple exposure shooting,
A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: multiple aspect ratio setting means for setting an aspect ratio of a multiple image generated by combining images obtained by multiple exposures in multiple exposure shooting,
When multiple exposure shooting is instructed, a step of generating a multiple image by combining a plurality of images obtained by the imaging element by a plurality of shootings with a predetermined aspect ratio;
And a step of changing the generated multiple image to an aspect ratio set by the multiple aspect ratio setting means. A program for controlling an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts a subject image,
When multiple exposure shooting is instructed, the computer is caused to execute a process of generating a multiple image by combining a plurality of images obtained by the imaging device by a plurality of shootings,
A program characterized in that when a change in aspect ratio is instructed during multiple exposure shooting, the multiple images are synthesized with an aspect ratio of a portion where the images overlap in the process of generating the multiple images. A program for controlling an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts a subject image,
Aspect ratio setting means for setting an aspect ratio of an image in each of a plurality of shootings in multiple exposure shooting,
Multiple aspect ratio setting means for setting an aspect ratio of a multiple image generated by combining images obtained by multiple exposures in multiple exposure shooting,
When multiple exposure shooting is instructed, image combining means for combining a plurality of images obtained by the imaging device by a plurality of shootings with a predetermined aspect ratio;
A program for causing a computer to function as an aspect ratio changing unit that changes a multiplexed image synthesized by the image synthesizing unit to an aspect ratio set by the multiple aspect ratio setting unit.

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