JP2012124785A - Imaging apparatus, and method and program for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce a composite image having little object blur and desired brightness with a simple operation, when obtaining an image having little influence of camera shake and target exposure by composing a plurality of continuously photographed images.SOLUTION: When obtaining an image having little influence of camera shake and target exposure by composing a plurality of continuously photographed images, each of the continuously photographed images is shrunk, and one simple composite image, two simple composite images, ..., n simple composite images which are obtained by composing the shrunk images one by one are displayed on a display part, and a photographer is made to select the images having no object blur and desired brightness. The images continuously photographed with the number of composite images having no object blur used and with desired brightness given to the images are composed to produce this composite image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that obtains a target exposure image by synthesizing a plurality of underexposed images that are continuously shot, and a control method and program thereof.

  In recent years, various techniques have been proposed for correcting camera shake that occurs during hand-held shooting of still cameras, video cameras, and the like. In particular, we propose a technology that captures images with less camera shake by taking multiple images at a shutter speed that is unlikely to cause camera shake (low-exposure images), and combining them while aligning each image in the post-shooting process. Has been.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for synthesizing sequentially captured images after performing coordinate conversion corresponding to a positional shift with time. Patent Document 2 discloses an imaging apparatus that obtains a target exposure image with less influence of camera shake by combining a plurality of underexposed images, and is based on an upper limit value of sensitivity of the imaging unit. Thus, there is disclosed a technique for controlling the shooting conditions of each image that is continuously shot and the number of images that are shot continuously.

Japanese Patent No. 3110797 JP 2009-152803 A

However, the following problems occur in the shooting method for obtaining a target exposure image with less influence of camera shake by combining a plurality of underexposed images continuously shot as described above. .
The first is subject blur due to subject movement. The displacement of the entire surface, such as camera shake, can be corrected to some extent by aligning, but the subject movement will appear as subject blur when combined.
The second is the brightness of the image. The shutter speed of each image is determined by the product of the shutter speed for proper exposure and the number of combined images. When the shutter speed for proper exposure is 1/10 (s) and the number of combined images is 10, the shutter speed of each image is 1/100 (s). However, since the appropriate exposure is determined for any photometric frame in the image, if all the captured images are combined, the photometric frame will have the same brightness as the appropriate exposure, but outside the frame will have whiteout and brightness. There may be a shortage. Therefore, the completed composite image does not always have the brightness desired by the photographer.
That is, there arises a problem that the composite number that does not cause subject blur does not match the composite number that achieves a desired brightness.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a desired brightness with less subject blur when a target exposure image with less influence of camera shake is obtained by synthesizing a plurality of consecutively shot images. An object of the present invention is to generate such a composite image by a simple operation.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that combines a plurality of images that are continuously captured, and includes a capturing unit that captures a subject and a storage unit that stores images continuously captured by the capturing unit. Each of the images continuously photographed by the photographing means, and a reduction means for generating a reduced image, and the reduced images generated by the reduction means are combined, and a plurality of first composite images having different composite numbers A first composing unit that generates the image, a display control unit that displays the plurality of first composite images generated by the first compositing unit that are different in the number of compositing on the display unit, and is displayed on the display unit. First selection means for selecting an image from the plurality of first composite images; second selection means for selecting an image from the plurality of first composite images displayed on the display means; First combination selected by one selection means The continuously shot images stored in the storage unit are combined with the number of combined images and the brightness of the first combined image selected by the second selecting unit to generate a second combined image. And a second combining means.

  According to the present invention, when a target exposure image that is less affected by camera shake is obtained by combining a plurality of images that have been continuously shot, the subject has less blur and has a desired brightness. Such a composite image can be generated by a simple operation.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement in the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display in the imaging device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the imaging device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(First embodiment)
1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an imaging apparatus (digital camera) according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the imaging apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining operations in the imaging apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example in the imaging apparatus. In the first embodiment, in order to obtain a target exposure image with little influence of camera shake, ten images are continuously captured. At that time, the shutter speed of each image is set to 10 times the shutter speed at which the appropriate exposure determined in an arbitrary photometric frame is obtained. Then, a mode will be described in which the number of combined images in which subject blurring is reduced and the number of combined images with a desired brightness are determined by a simple operation while viewing the simple combined result.

  Each internal module will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 100 denotes a lens. Reference numeral 101 denotes a shutter. Reference numeral 102 denotes a sensor that is a photographing means for photographing a subject, and converts an optical signal input through the lens 100 into an analog electric signal. Note that the shutter in the text includes an electronic shutter that is read by the sensor 102 in addition to the mechanical shutter 101. Reference numeral 103 denotes an AD converter that digitizes an analog electrical signal acquired by the sensor 102. Reference numeral 104 denotes a camera signal processing unit, and reference numeral 105 denotes a memory (buffer A). The camera signal processing unit 104 performs various image processing such as resizing and development on the image digitized by the AD conversion unit 103. Store and hold.

  A reduction unit 107 reduces the image held in the memory 105 at a predetermined magnification. A gain correction unit 108 performs gain correction on an image held in the memory 105. Reference numeral 106 denotes a switch, which switches whether an image read from the memory 105 is input to the reduction unit 107 or the gain correction unit 108. Reference numeral 109 denotes a switch which switches between outputting an image reduced by the reduction unit 107 or outputting an image corrected by the gain correction unit 108. The method of switching the switches 106 and 109 is determined depending on whether simple synthesis or main synthesis described later.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a synthesis unit, and 111 denotes a memory (buffer B). The synthesizing method of the imaging apparatus is a method of synthesizing a plurality of images captured successively while sequentially aligning the images. When the first photographed image is input to the composition unit 110, the composition unit 110 holds the image in the memory 111. Next, when the second photographed image is input to the synthesizing unit 110, the first image and the second image held in the memory 111 are synthesized, and the second synthesized image is obtained. Stored in the memory 111. For the third and subsequent images, the same processing as the second image is repeated to generate a three-image composite image, a four-image composite image,..., A ten-image composite image.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a switch, and reference numeral 115 denotes a recording unit, which switches whether to record the composite image generated by the synthesizing unit 110 via the recording unit 115. Reference numeral 113 denotes a switch, and reference numeral 114 denotes a memory (buffer C), which switches whether to hold the composite image generated by the combining unit 110 in the memory 114.

  Reference numeral 116 denotes a display unit that displays a composite image held in the memory 114. Reference numeral 117 denotes an operation unit. Reference numeral 118 denotes a controller (microcomputer) that controls the entire imaging apparatus. Although details will be described later, the controller 118 performs display control of the display unit 116 to display a simple composite image. When the photographer selects an image from the images displayed on the display unit 116 by the operation unit 117, the image and the number of images to be used for composition are determined, the number of images read from the memory 105, and the gain amount by the gain correction unit 108. To control.

  Reference numeral 119 denotes a gain correction unit that performs gain correction on the composite image held in the memory 114. Reference numeral 120 denotes a switch, which switches between inputting the composite image read from the memory 114 as it is to the display unit 116, or performing gain correction by the gain correction unit 119 and then inputting it to the display unit 116.

  Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes an image of each frame continuously captured by the sensor 102 and held in the memory 105 (buffer A). In this embodiment, it is assumed that subject movement occurs when the sixth image is captured. Reference numeral 302 denotes each image stored in the memory 114 by performing simple composition for each frame. The upper part indicates the frame number to be combined, and the lower part indicates the number of images to be combined. Reference numeral 303 denotes an actually synthesized image.

  In step S201, the signal input through the lens 100 and captured by the sensor 102 at a predetermined shutter speed is digitized by the AD conversion unit 103, various image processing is performed by the camera signal processing unit 104, and the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the image processed by the camera signal processing unit 104 is held in the memory 105 (buffer A), and the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the processes in steps S201 and S202 are repeated until all the images to be combined, in this case 10 images, are captured in the memory 105 (buffer A). When all the images are captured, the process proceeds to step S204. At this time, as indicated by 301 in FIG. 3, the memory 105 (buffer A) holds ten images from frames 0 to 9.

  Steps S <b> 204 to S <b> 207 are simple combining processes, and the reduced images reduced by the reducing unit 107 are combined to generate a plurality of simple combined images (first combined images) having different composite numbers.

  In step S204, the switch 106 is switched so that the output of the memory 105 (buffer A) becomes the input of the reduction unit 107. Then, the image read from the memory 105 (buffer A) is reduced by the reduction unit 107 to generate a reduced image, and the process proceeds to step S205. Note that the specific method of reduction is not limited in this embodiment, but in this embodiment, reduction processing is performed by the bicubic method.

  In step S205, a simple composite image using the reduced image is generated. First, the switch 109 is switched so that the output of the reduction unit 107 becomes the input of the synthesis unit 110. Further, the switch 113 is switched so that the output of the combining unit 110 becomes the input of the memory 114 (buffer C), and the switch 112 is switched so that the output of the combining unit 110 does not become the input of the recording unit 115. If the reduced image input to the combining unit 110 is the first image taken, the combining unit 110 holds the reduced image in the memory 111 (buffer B) and at the same time stores the reduced image as a single simple combined image. 114 (buffer C), and the process proceeds to step S207. In step S207, it is determined whether or not the simple combining process has been completed. If there is an image that has not been simply combined in the memory 105 (buffer A), the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S <b> 204, the second photographed image is input to the combining unit 110. The synthesizing unit 110 performs a process of synthesizing the single simple composite image held in the memory 111 (buffer B) and the second reduced image to obtain a two simple composite image, and again holds it in the memory 111 (buffer B). To do. At the same time, the data is held in the memory 114 (buffer C), and the process proceeds to step S207. This process is repeated with three simple composite images, four simple composite images,..., And when there is no simple composite image in the memory 105 (buffer A), the simple composite ends, and the process proceeds to step S208. At this time, as shown by 302 in FIG. 3, ten simple composite images are held in the memory 114 (buffer C).

  In step S208, the switch 120 is switched so that the simple composite image held in the memory 114 (buffer C) is displayed on the display unit 116, and the process proceeds to step S209. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 400 denotes a display screen of the display unit 116. Reference numerals 401 to 410 denote simple composite images, 401 is a single simple composite image, 402 is a two simple composite image,..., 410 is a 10 simple composite image. Reference numeral 401 denotes a single simple composite image (that is, an image taken on the first sheet), which is a dark image. Reference numeral 405 denotes a five-sheet simple composite image that is brighter than the simple composite images 401 to 404 but slightly darker. Reference numeral 406 denotes a 6-sheet simple composite image, which is brighter than the simple composite images 401 to 405, but the subject image such as a person or a tree has occurred on the 6th image. . After the simplified composite image 406, the image is blurred, but the brightness is increased.

  In steps S209 and S210, the photographer selects an image without subject blurring while looking at the display unit 116 (first selection), and selects an image having a desired brightness (second selection). The process proceeds to S211. In the case of FIG. 4, it is assumed that the image with no subject blur corresponds to the simple composite images 401 to 405, but the photographer selects the five simple composite images 405 that are the brightest images among them. In addition, it is assumed that the photographer has selected the eight simple composite images 408 as images having desired brightness. The desired brightness here refers to the brightness preferred by the photographer, and the criteria for selecting an image is determined by the photographer. It should be noted that if the photographer does not select an image in which the subject is not blurred or does not select an image having a desired brightness, 10 images are combined.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus may automatically determine both or either one of the selection of an image that does not shake the subject and the selection of an image that has a desired brightness. For example, the photographer selects an image that is not blurred, but the image with the desired brightness is determined by automatically calculating the appropriate number of images from the brightness histogram and whiteout amount of the simple composite image. May be. On the other hand, the photographer selects an image with a desired brightness, but an image with no subject blurring is automatically calculated from the information at the time of alignment performed during simple composition. You may do it.

  Further, as a display method other than that shown in FIG. 4, as shown in display screens 501 and 502 shown in FIG. 5, simple composite images 401 to 410 may be scroll-displayed one by one on display unit 116.

  In step S211, the number of images to be used for the main composition and the gain correction amount of each image are calculated from the unblurred image determined in step S209 and the image having the desired brightness determined in step S210. Migrate to In order to obtain an image that does not blur the subject, it is sufficient to combine five images, but it is necessary to combine eight images as brightness. Therefore, when performing this composition, (the number of composites with desired brightness / number of composites without subject blurring) = 8/5 times for each image held in the memory 105 (buffer A). The controller 118 controls the gain amount of the gain correction unit 108 so as to apply the gain (FIG. 3).

  Further, an image closer to the main composite image may be simply displayed before the main composition is actually performed. That is, since five simple composite images are held in the memory 114 (buffer C), the input of the switch 120 is connected to the output of the gain correction unit 119, and the gain correction unit 119 applies a gain of 8/5 times. The five simple composite images are displayed on the display unit 116.

  Steps S212 to S214 are the main composition process. Here, the image stored in the memory 105 (buffer A) is synthesized with the number of synthesized simple images selected in step S209 and the brightness of the simple synthesized image selected in step S210, and this synthesized image is synthesized. (Second composite image) is generated.

  In step S212, the switch 106 is switched so that the output of the memory 105 (buffer A) becomes the input of the gain correction unit 108. Then, the gain correction unit 108 performs gain correction on the image read from the memory 105 (buffer A) according to the number of images determined in step S211 and the gain correction amount of each image, and the process proceeds to step S213.

  In step S213, the switch 109 is switched so that the output of the gain correction unit 108 becomes the input of the synthesis unit 110. Further, the switch 112 is switched so that the output of the combining unit 110 does not become the input of the recording unit 115. When the image input to the combining unit 110 is the first image taken, the combining unit 110 performs gain correction on the image by the gain correction unit 108 and holds the image in the memory 111 (buffer B). . In step S214, it is determined whether or not the synthesis of five images has been completed. If there is an unsynthesized image in the memory 105 (buffer A), the process proceeds to step S212.

  Next, in step S212, the second photographed image is input to the composition unit 110. The synthesizing unit 110 performs the synthesizing process of the first image held in the memory 111 (buffer B) and the second image whose gain is corrected by the gain correction unit 108, and again in the memory 111 (buffer B). The process proceeds to step S214. This process is repeated with a composite image of three images, a composite image of four images, and a composite image of five images. When the five images have been combined, the main composition ends, and the process proceeds to steps S215 and S217. Note that the state of the switch 113 is arbitrary. If the switch 113 is connected so as to write to the memory 114 (buffer C), an image being synthesized is displayed on the display unit 116. On the other hand, if the connection is made so as not to write to the memory 114 (buffer C), nothing is displayed on the display unit 116. Further, at that time, an OSD or the like meaning that synthesis is in progress may be displayed on the display unit 116.

  In steps S215 and S217, the switch 112 is switched so that the output of the synthesizing unit 110 becomes the input of the recording unit 115, and the five synthesized images (the main synthesized image) are sent to the recording unit 115, and the SD card and other recordings are recorded. Record on media.

  Further, in steps S216 and S218, the switch 113 is switched so that the output of the combining unit 110 becomes the input of the memory 114 (buffer C), and an image (main combined image) combined with five images is held in the memory 114 (buffer C). Then, the image is displayed on the display unit 116. When the recording and display are completed, the process proceeds to step S219, and this process is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the result of simple composition of a plurality of captured images is displayed in sequence, and the user can specify the desired number of composites and the desired number of composites with reference to the images. Like that. As a result, the user can acquire, for example, a composite image with a desired brightness with a simple operation and a composite image with a reduced number of subject blurs.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the synthesis of the simple synthesized image for reducing and synthesizing the captured image for display and the actual synthesized image for recording is realized by the same synthesis circuit by switching the switch 106. By using this configuration and performing simple synthesis at a timing that does not require synthesis for the main composite image, the present invention can be implemented without requiring a separate composite image for simple synthesis.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the gain correction is performed on the pre-combination image read from the memory 105 (buffer A). However, in the second embodiment, the gain correction is performed on the composite image. It is the form which performs. Note that the configuration and basic operation of the imaging apparatus are the same as those in the first embodiment, and differences will be mainly described below. Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, ten images are continuously photographed in order to obtain a target exposure image with little influence of camera shake. At that time, the shutter speed of each image is set to 10 times the shutter speed at which the appropriate exposure determined in an arbitrary photometric frame is obtained. It is assumed that subject movement occurs when the sixth image is captured.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. Each internal module will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 600 denotes a lens. Reference numeral 601 denotes a shutter. Reference numeral 602 denotes a sensor that is a photographing unit for photographing a subject, and converts an optical signal input through the lens 600 into an analog electric signal. Note that the shutter in the text includes an electronic shutter by reading of the sensor 602 in addition to the mechanical shutter 601. Reference numeral 603 denotes an AD conversion unit that digitizes an analog electric signal acquired by the sensor 602. Reference numeral 604 denotes a camera signal processing unit, and reference numeral 605 denotes a memory (buffer A). The camera signal processing unit 604 performs various image processing such as resizing and development on the image digitized by the AD conversion unit 603, and the memory 605 stores the image. Store and hold.

  Reference numeral 607 denotes a reduction unit that reduces an image stored in the memory 605 at a predetermined magnification. Reference numeral 609 denotes a switch that switches between outputting an image reduced by the reduction unit 607 or outputting an image held in the memory 605.

  Reference numeral 610 denotes a combining unit, and 611 denotes a memory (buffer B). As in the first embodiment, the composition method of the imaging apparatus is a method of performing composition while sequentially aligning a plurality of images captured continuously.

  Reference numeral 608 denotes a gain correction unit that performs gain correction on the output of the synthesis unit 610. Reference numeral 612 denotes a switch that switches between outputting an image synthesized by the synthesis unit 610 and outputting an image corrected by the gain correction unit 608.

  Reference numeral 612 denotes a switch, and reference numeral 615 denotes a recording unit, which switches whether to record the combined image generated by the combining unit 660 via the recording unit 615. Reference numeral 613 denotes a switch, and reference numeral 614 denotes a memory (buffer C), which switches whether to hold the synthesized image generated by the synthesis unit 610 in the memory 614.

  Reference numeral 616 denotes a display unit that displays the composite image held in the memory 614. Reference numeral 617 denotes an operation unit. Reference numeral 618 denotes a controller (microcomputer) that controls the entire imaging apparatus. Although details will be described later, the controller 618 performs display control of the display unit 616 to display a simple composite image. When the photographer selects an image from the images displayed on the display unit 616 using the operation unit 617, the number and number of images to be used for composition are determined, the number read out from the memory 605, and the gain amount in the gain correction unit 608. To control.

  A gain correction unit 619 performs gain correction on the composite image held in the memory 614. Reference numeral 620 denotes a switch, which switches between inputting the composite image read from the memory 614 as it is to the display unit 616, or performing gain correction by the gain correction unit 619 and then inputting to the display unit 616.

  Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. The process up to generating a simple composite image and selecting an image is the same as in the first embodiment (steps S201 to S210 in the flowchart of FIG. 2). During this synthesis, the switch 609 is switched so that the output of the memory 605 (buffer A) becomes the input of the synthesis unit 610, and the switch 621 is switched so that the output of the synthesis unit 610 becomes the input of the gain correction unit 608. Further, since the image being combined is not recorded, the switch 612 is switched so that the output of the switch 621 does not become the input of the recording unit 115 until the combination is completed. If the image input to the combining unit 610 is the first image taken, the combining unit 610 holds the image in the memory 611 (buffer B). Next, it is determined whether or not the five images have been combined. If there is an image that has not been combined in the memory 605 (buffer A), the second image is input to the combining unit 610. The composition unit 610 performs composition processing of the first image and the second image held in the memory 611 (buffer B), and again holds them in the memory 611 (buffer B). This process is repeated for a 3-synthesized image, 4-synthesized image, and 5-synthesized image. When the synthesis of the five images is completed, the gain correction unit 608 applies a gain of 8/5 times to generate the main synthesized image. Thereafter, the switch 612 is connected to the recording unit 615 to perform recording on the recording medium. In addition, the switch 613 is switched so that the output of the combining unit 610 is held in the memory 614 (buffer C), and the combined image (the main combined image) is stored in the memory 614 (buffer C) and the image is displayed. This is displayed on the part 616.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the result of simple composition of a plurality of captured images is displayed in sequence, and the user can specify the desired number of composites and the desired number of composites with reference to the images. Like that. As a result, the user can acquire, for example, a composite image with a desired brightness with a simple operation and a composite image with a reduced number of subject blurs.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, when selecting an image that does not blur the subject and an image that has a desired brightness from the display of the simple composite image, the brightness difference is selected within a predetermined range. This is a form that limits the range of possible images. Note that the configuration and basic operation of the imaging apparatus are the same as those in the first embodiment, and differences will be mainly described below. In the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, ten images are continuously captured in order to obtain an image with a target exposure that is less affected by camera shake. At that time, the shutter speed of each image is set to 10 times the shutter speed at which the appropriate exposure determined in an arbitrary photometric frame is obtained. It is assumed that subject movement occurs when the third image is captured.

  FIG. 7 shows a display screen 700 on which a simple composite image is displayed on the display unit 161. Similar to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, reference numeral 701 denotes one simple composite image, 702 denotes two simple composite images,... 710 denotes a ten simple composite image. If the second image is selected as an image with no subject blur and the ninth image as a desired brightness image is selected from among ten images taken, the gain applied to the image becomes 9/2 times, resulting in noise. Becomes too big. Therefore, when the second image is selected as an image in which the subject is not blurred, a gain amount in which noise is not noticeable is calculated inside the apparatus. If the gain amount is three times, the noise will not be noticeable until 6 sheets are combined. Then, when selecting an image from the display unit 116, display is performed so that one simple composite image 701 to six simple composite images 706 can be selected and seven simple composite images 707 to ten simple composite images 710 cannot be selected. To do.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the result of simple composition of a plurality of captured images is displayed in sequence, and the user can specify the desired number of composites and the desired number of composites with reference to the images. Like that. Further, at this time, the range of selectable images is limited so that the brightness difference between the designated number of synthesized images and the designated number of synthesized images having a desired brightness falls within a predetermined range. As a result, it is possible to generate a synthesized image with less image corruption while giving the user a degree of freedom of synthesis.

  In the present embodiment, the image is displayed so that the image with excessive noise may not be selected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all images are selected by highlighting an image that requires only a gain amount in which noise is not conspicuous. It may be possible.

(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.

  100, 600: Lens, 101, 601: Shutter, 102, 603: Sensor, 103, 603: AD converter, 104, 604: Camera signal processor, 105, 605: Memory (buffer A), 106: Switch, 107 , 607: reduction unit, 108, 608: gain correction unit, 109, 609: switch, 110, 610: synthesis unit, 111, 611: memory (buffer B), 112, 612: switch, 113, 613: switch, 114 , 614: Memory (buffer C), 115, 615: Recording unit, 116, 616: Display unit, 117, 617: Operation unit, 118, 618: Controller, 119, 619: Gain correction unit, 120, 620: Switch, 621: Switch

Claims (9)

An imaging device that synthesizes a plurality of consecutively shot images,
Photographing means for photographing the subject;
Storage means for storing images continuously photographed by the photographing means;
Reduction means for reducing each of the images continuously photographed by the photographing means to generate a reduced image;
First combining means for combining the reduced images generated by the reducing means and generating a plurality of first combined images having different numbers of images;
Display control means for displaying on the display means a plurality of first synthesized images generated by the first synthesizing means and having a different number of synthesized images;
First selection means for selecting an image from the plurality of first composite images displayed on the display means;
Second selection means for selecting an image from the plurality of first composite images displayed on the display means;
The continuously photographed images stored in the storage means are combined with the number of composite images of the first composite image selected by the first selection means and the brightness of the first composite image selected by the second selection means. An image pickup apparatus comprising: second combining means for combining images and generating a second combined image. A switch for selecting whether to acquire the image stored in the storage means through the reduction means or without passing through the reduction means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first combining unit and the second combining unit are the same combining circuit.   The said 2nd synthetic | combination means produces | generates the 2nd synthetic | combination image of the brightness of the 1st synthetic | combination image selected by the said 2nd selection means by performing gain correction. Imaging device.   The second selection means limits a selectable image range so that a difference in brightness from a brightness of the first composite image selected by the first selection means falls within a predetermined range. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The display control means adds the brightness of the first composite image selected by the second selection means to the first composite image selected by the first selection means before the synthesis is performed by the second synthesis means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein gain correction is performed so as to be displayed on the display unit.   6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first selection unit and the second selection unit selects an image in accordance with an operation of a photographer.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first selection unit and the second selection unit automatically selects an image. A method for controlling an image pickup apparatus that combines a plurality of images taken consecutively,
A storage step of storing, in the storage means, images continuously photographed by the photographing means for photographing the subject;
A reduction step of reducing each of the images continuously photographed by the photographing means to generate a reduced image;
A first combining step of combining the reduced images generated in the reducing step and generating a plurality of first combined images having different numbers of combined images;
A display step of displaying on the display means a plurality of first composite images generated in the first composite step and having a different number of composite images;
A first selection step of selecting an image from the plurality of first composite images displayed on the display means in the display step;
A second selection step of selecting an image from the plurality of first composite images displayed on the display means in the display step;
The continuously photographed images stored in the storage means are composed of the number of composite images of the first composite image selected in the first selection step and the brightness of the first composite image selected in the second selection step. A control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: a second combining step of combining images and generating a second combined image. A program for controlling an image pickup apparatus that synthesizes a plurality of images taken continuously,
Storage means for storing images continuously photographed by photographing means for photographing a subject;
Reduction means for reducing each of the images continuously photographed by the photographing means to generate a reduced image;
First combining means for combining the reduced images generated by the reducing means and generating a plurality of first combined images having different numbers of images;
Display control means for displaying on the display means a plurality of first synthesized images generated by the first synthesizing means and having a different number of synthesized images;
First selection means for selecting an image from the plurality of first composite images displayed on the display means;
Second selection means for selecting an image from the plurality of first composite images displayed on the display means;
The continuously photographed images stored in the storage means are combined with the number of composite images of the first composite image selected by the first selection means and the brightness of the first composite image selected by the second selection means. A program for causing a computer to function as second combining means for combining images and generating a second combined image.

Images