JP2013123185A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of allowing a user to obtain high-quality captured images even in electronic zoom processing.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging part for photoelectrically converting a subject image guided by a zoom lens and outputting a captured image; an optical zoom control part for driving the zoom lens in response to a zoom operation; an electronic zoom control part for controlling an electronic zoom operation in which a portion of the captured image is cuts out in response to a telescopic side zoom operation beyond the telephoto side limit of the zoom lens; and a zoom position determination part for controlling the optical zoom control part so that the zoom position of the zoom lens is returned to a wide-angle side from the telephoto side limit by a specified amount while the electronic zoom is controlled by the electronic zoom control part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus having an electronic zoom function.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable devices (photographing devices) with a photographing function such as digital cameras have various photographing functions by making full use of image processing. Many of this type of photographing apparatus have a zoom function. Optical zooming is possible by advancing and retracting the zoom lens in the optical axis direction in response to a zoom operation by the user. In addition, photographing devices that enable electronic zoom that cuts out and outputs a part of an image region in an imaging range by an imaging element are also widespread.

  In addition, some photographing devices having both optical zoom and electronic zoom functions continuously perform optical zoom processing and electronic zoom processing. Since the electronic zoom cuts and enlarges a part of the imaging range, the image quality is deteriorated as compared with the optical zoom. For this reason, in Patent Document 1, an optical zoom process is first performed by a user's zoom operation, and after reaching the limit point of the zoom process, an electronic zoom process is performed for a period in which the zoom operation is maintained at the limit point thereafter. Is disclosed. Patent Document 2 also proposes a technique for suppressing image quality degradation by adopting a super-resolution technique during electronic zoom processing.

JP 2006-157225 A JP 2007-135133 A

  However, conventionally, since the electronic zoom process is only used by cutting out a part of the photographing range, there is a problem that sufficient image quality cannot be obtained even if the super-resolution process is performed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus that can obtain a photographed image with sufficient image quality even in an electronic zoom process.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image guided by a zoom lens and outputs a captured image, an optical zoom control unit that drives the zoom lens in response to a zoom operation, and the zoom In response to a zoom operation to the telephoto side exceeding the telephoto limit of the lens, an electronic zoom control unit that performs electronic zoom control to cut out a part of the captured image, and electronic zoom control by the electronic zoom control unit, A zoom position determination unit that controls the optical zoom control unit to return the zoom position of the zoom lens from the telephoto limit to a wide angle side by a predetermined amount.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a captured image with sufficient image quality even in the electronic zoom process.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The graph which shows the change of the resolving power from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end by taking a zoom position on a horizontal axis and taking a resolving power on a vertical axis. A graph in which the horizontal axis indicates the position where the light beam intersects the optical axis, and the vertical axis indicates the height at which the light beam enters the optical system, and the spherical aberration is displayed as longitudinal aberration. FIG. 3 is a lens cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of a lens in the photographing optical system 21. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the zoom process by the zoom position determination part 12a. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the electronic zoom process by the cutting position control part 12b. The flowchart for demonstrating camera control. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating a user's imaging | photography operation. The flowchart which shows the specific flow of the telephoto electronic zoom of step S8 in FIG. The flowchart which shows the specific flow of the wide-angle electronic zoom of step S12 in FIG. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the effect of image quality improvement processing, such as contrast emphasis processing, smoothing processing, and super-resolution processing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the electronic zoom process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a graph showing a change in resolving power from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end with the zoom position on the horizontal axis and the resolving power on the vertical axis.

  Generally, a camera lens is designed so as to have a predetermined resolving power or higher according to product standards. However, it is extremely difficult to design with uniform resolving power from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end due to lens aberration. For example, as shown in the relationship between the zoom position and the resolving power in FIG. 2, the design is often such that the resolving power is reduced on the telephoto side at the center of the imaging range. Conventionally, in the electronic zoom, since the central portion of the imaging range is cut out and enlarged, it is conceivable that sufficient image quality cannot be obtained if the electronic zoom process is performed with the zoom position at the telephoto end.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the electronic zoom process is performed in a state where the zoom position is positioned at a position on the wide angle side by a predetermined amount from the telephoto end, thereby improving the image quality during the electronic zoom process. Yes.

  By the way, among the aberrations generated in the zoom lens, chromatic aberration is the most likely to change in design and greatly affects the change in resolution. In recent years, with monochromatic spherical aberration, it has become easier to suppress fluctuations caused by zooming due to improvements in the technology of aspherical lenses. However, with regard to correction of chromatic aberration, unless a glass having no dispersion is developed, even if a cemented lens is used, chromatic aberration is generated, and it is extremely difficult to correct variations in chromatic aberration due to zoom.

  In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis indicates the position where the light beam intersects the optical axis, and the vertical axis indicates the height at which the light beam enters the optical system, and c-line (R) and F- based on e-line (G). It is the graph which displayed the longitudinal aberration of the spherical aberration of line (B). In FIG. 3, on the horizontal axis, the direction away from the lens is the plus direction.

  In the example of chromatic aberration shown in FIG. 3, for R, the image point generated on the minus side (subject side) at the wide-angle end changes to the plus side (image plane side) on the telephoto side, and for B, on the contrary As the angle changes from wide angle to telephoto, the image point changes from the plus side to the minus side.

  As described above, when the chromatic aberration is generated in R and B, the direction of the image point change due to the zoom is often opposite to each other. Therefore, a zoom position where the chromatic aberration is minimized exists between the wide-angle end and the telephoto end. The zoom position where the chromatic aberration is minimized (hereinafter referred to as the minimum aberration zoom position) has a higher resolution than the telephoto end.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the electronic zoom process is performed at the minimum aberration zoom position (zoom position Fg in FIG. 2) where the chromatic aberration is minimized and the resolving power is higher than that at the telephoto end. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure a sufficient zoom magnification and improve the image quality as compared with the case where the electronic zoom process is performed at the zoom position at the telephoto end where the resolving power is low.

  In FIG. 1, an imaging device body 10 has an imaging unit 11 constituted by an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor. The imaging unit 11 photoelectrically converts the subject image from the interchangeable lens 20 provided on the front surface of the imaging device body 10 to obtain a captured image signal.

  The interchangeable lens 20 has a photographic optical system 21 that guides a subject image to the imaging unit 11 of the photographic device body 10. The imaging optical system 21 includes a lens for zooming and focusing, and the like, and includes a ring operation unit 22a and a shift operation unit 22b (hereinafter also referred to as an operation unit 22) for driving and controlling these lenses. ing. By operating the ring operation unit 22a and the shift operation unit 22b configured by a zoom ring, a focus ring, or the like, not only the focus but also the zoom position and the aperture can be adjusted.

  FIG. 4 is a lens cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the lens in the photographic optical system 21. 4A shows the wide-angle end when focusing on an object point at infinity, FIG. 4B shows the intermediate state, and FIG. 4C shows the telephoto end.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the photographing optical system 21 includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, and a positive refraction. It has a third lens group G3 having a strong power, a fourth lens group G4 having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens group G5 having a positive refractive power. In FIG. 4, the parallel flat plate constituting the low-pass filter provided with the wavelength band limiting coat for limiting the infrared light is indicated by F, the parallel flat plate of the cover glass of the electronic image sensor is indicated by C, and the image plane is indicated by I. In addition, you may give the multilayer film for a wavelength range restriction | limiting to the surface of the cover glass C. FIG. Further, the cover glass C may have a low-pass filter action.

  In such a lens configuration, the first lens group G1 moves to the object side during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. The second lens group G2 moves to the image side. The third lens group G3 moves to the object side. The fourth lens group G4 moves to the object side. The fifth lens group G5 moves to the image side after moving to the object side. Therefore, the distance between the lens groups is such that the distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 increases, the distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3 decreases, and the third lens group G3 The distance between the fourth lens group G4 changes and the distance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5 increases. The aperture stop S moves together with the third lens group G3.

  The fifth lens group or the fourth lens group is desirable for focusing for performing focus adjustment. When focusing is performed in this group, the load on the motor is small because the lens weight is light. Focusing may be performed with another lens group. Further, focusing may be performed by moving a plurality of lens groups. Further, focusing may be performed by extending the entire lens system, or focusing may be performed by extending or retracting some lenses.

  In FIG. 1, the ring operation unit 22 a and the shift operation unit 22 b output operation signals based on user operations to the control unit 23. The control unit 23 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and generates a focus signal and a zoom signal based on a rotation operation and a shift operation based on operation signals from the ring operation unit 22a and the shift operation unit 22b, and a drive unit 24a. , 24b.

  The drive units 24a and 24b configured by a motor or the like include a lens (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a focus lens) provided in the photographing optical system 21 and a lens (hereinafter referred to as a focus lens) related to zooming. (Collectively referred to as a zoom lens) to perform focus control and zoom control. The photographing optical system 21 is provided with a focus control unit 21a and a zoom control unit 21b. The focus control unit 21a outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the focus lens to the focus position determination unit 25a. Further, the zoom control unit 21b outputs a signal corresponding to the position (zoom position) of the zoom lens to the zoom position determination unit 25b.

  The focus position determination unit 25 a determines the focus position based on the output of the focus control unit 21 a and outputs the determination result to the control unit 23. The zoom position determination unit 25 b determines the zoom position based on the output of the zoom control unit 21 b and outputs the determination result to the control unit 23. The control unit 23 receives the determination result of the focus position and the zoom position, and controls the drive units 24 a and 24 b so that the focus position and the zoom position corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 22 are obtained.

  The interchangeable lens 20 is provided with a communication unit 28. The photographing device main body 10 is provided with a communication unit 13. The communication unit 28 transmits and receives information to and from the communication unit 13 of the photographing apparatus main body 10 via a predetermined transmission path. When communication with the communication unit 13 of the photographing apparatus main body 10 is established, the control unit 23 transmits the lens information stored in the recording unit 26 and zoom information related to the zoom operation to the photographing apparatus main body 10 through the communication units 28 and 13. Can be made.

  Based on the lens information, the photographing apparatus body 10 can recognize what zoom function the interchangeable lens 20 has, the focal length range (magnification), the focal length, the brightness number, and the like of the zoom lens. Based on the zoom information, the photographing apparatus body 10 can recognize the zoom position based on the zoom operation of the user.

  The control unit 23 is configured to be controlled by the signal processing and control unit 12 by receiving a control signal from the signal processing and control unit 12 of the photographing apparatus body 10 via the communication units 13 and 28. Further, when the control unit 23 reaches the limit point (telephoto end) of the optical zoom by the zoom operation of the operation unit 22, it can generate limit point information indicating that the optical zoom has reached the limit point. The limit point information is supplied to the control unit 12 of the photographing apparatus main body 10 via the communication units 28 and 13. Note that when zoom control is performed on the photographing apparatus body 10 side, zoom information need not be generated in the interchangeable lens 20.

  In the present specification, zoom processing performed by driving a zoom lens by a user operation or the like of the operation unit 22 is referred to as optical zoom processing, and an apparent angle of view by signal processing and image cut-out processing by the control unit 12 described later. The zoom process for changing is referred to as an electronic zoom process.

  In the present embodiment, various interchangeable lenses can be employed. FIG. 1 shows an example in which an interchangeable lens that can be zoom controlled by operating the operation unit 22 is shown. However, zoom control may be performed by an operation on the photographing apparatus body 10 side, or a lens that is not interchangeable is employed. May be.

  The imaging unit 11 of the imaging apparatus main body 10 is driven and controlled by the signal processing and control unit 12 to capture a subject through the interchangeable lens 20 and output a captured image. The signal processing and control unit 12 outputs a driving signal for the imaging element to the imaging unit 11 and reads a captured image from the imaging unit 11. The signal processing and control unit 12 performs predetermined signal processing, for example, color adjustment processing, matrix conversion processing, noise removal processing, and other various signal processing on the read captured image.

  The photographing device main body 10 is also provided with a clock unit 14 and an operation determination unit 15. The clock unit 14 generates time information used by the signal processing and control unit 12. The operation determination unit 15 generates an operation signal based on a user operation with respect to various switches such as a release switch (not shown) provided in the imaging apparatus body 10 and a shooting mode setting, and outputs the operation signal to the signal processing and control unit 12. ing. The signal processing and control unit 12 controls each unit based on the operation signal.

  The signal processing and control unit 12 can compress the captured image after the signal processing and give the compressed image to the recording unit 16 for recording. As the recording unit 16, for example, a card interface can be adopted, and the recording unit 17 can record image information, audio information, and the like on a recording medium such as a memory card.

  Further, the signal processing and control unit 12 can provide the captured image after the signal processing to the display unit 17. The display unit 17 is configured by an LCD (liquid crystal display panel) or the like, and displays an image given from the signal processing and control unit 12.

  Further, the photographing apparatus main body 10 is provided with a touch panel 17a. For example, by providing the touch panel 17a on the display screen of the display unit 17, it is possible to generate an operation signal corresponding to the position on the display screen pointed by the user with a finger. Thereby, the user can easily perform a zoom operation or the like on the zoom button displayed on the display screen of the display unit 17. The signal processing and control unit 12 controls each unit to set a shooting mode based on a user operation, and realize a shooting function according to each shooting mode.

  For example, an operation signal obtained from the operation determination unit 15 by an operation of a zoom switch (not shown) provided in the photographing apparatus body 10 or an operation signal obtained from the touch panel 17a by an operation of a zoom button displayed on the display unit 17 is zoomed. The signal processing and control unit 12 can realize optical zoom processing and electronic zoom processing based on the zoom information and transmit the zoom information to the control unit 23 of the interchangeable lens 20. It can be done. In this case, the control unit 23 performs optical zoom processing according to the zoom information supplied from the signal processing and control unit 12.

  Further, the eyepiece unit 30 can be attached to the photographing apparatus main body 10. The eyepiece unit 30 is provided with an eyepiece display unit 31 and a communication unit 32. The photographing device main body 10 is provided with a communication unit 18, and the communication unit 32 transmits and receives information to and from the communication unit 18 of the photographing device main body 10 via a predetermined transmission path. The eyepiece display unit 31 is supplied with a captured image from the signal processing and control unit 12 via the communication units 18 and 32 and displays the captured image. The eyepiece display unit 31 can perform display similar to the display on the display unit 17.

  In the present embodiment, the signal processing and control unit 12 includes a zoom position determination unit 12a and a cutout position control unit 12b. The zoom position determination unit 12a determines the zoom position of the optical zoom based on, for example, the zoom operation of the operation unit 22 of the interchangeable lens 20, the operation of the zoom button displayed on the touch panel 17a, or the like. Further, when the zoom process of the optical zoom has reached the limit point, the zoom position determination unit 12a performs the electronic zoom process by the zoom operation during the period in which the optical zoom has reached the limit point, and the zoom Based on the information, the zoom position of the optical zoom process and the zoom position of the electronic zoom are determined.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining zoom processing by the zoom position determination unit 12a.

  The zoom position determination unit 12a receives lens information, zoom information, and limit point information transmitted from the control unit 23 of the interchangeable lens 20. The lens information includes information such as Fot, Fg, Fm, Kot, and Kg shown in FIGS. The zoom position determination unit 12 determines the zoom position of the optical zoom process until the zoom process by the operation of the operation unit 22 reaches the limit point. For example, it is assumed that zooming is performed with a constant magnification change by a user operation of the operation unit 22. FIG. 5 shows a change in the zoom position in this case. Optical zooming to the telephoto side where the zoom lens is driven is performed in a period from time 0 to T0, and the zoom position is the maximum zoom in the optical zoom processing. It shows that the position Fot, that is, the limit point is reached.

  At time T0, limit point information is supplied to the zoom position determination unit 12a. Furthermore, when the user continues the operation for zoom processing toward the tele side, the zoom position determination unit 12a switches from optical zoom processing to electronic zoom processing. In this case, the zoom position determination unit 12a returns the zoom position by the optical zoom process to the minimum aberration zoom position Fg and performs the electronic zoom process.

  That is, the zoom position determination unit 12a transmits zoom information for returning the zoom position by the optical zoom process to the minimum aberration zoom position Fg to the control unit 23 of the optical lens 20 via the communication units 13 and 28.

  The cutout position control unit 12b trims the captured image from the imaging unit 11 in accordance with the zoom position determined by the zoom position determination unit 12a to reduce the apparent angle of view.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the electronic zoom processing by the cutout position control unit 12b. FIG. 6 shows the range of the captured image to be recorded. A region 41 indicates a range when electronic zoom processing is not performed, and a region 42 indicates a minimum range narrowed by trimming by zoom processing. The arrows in FIG. 6 indicate that the size of the area 42 changes according to the magnification of the electronic zoom processing, and the range of the captured image to be recorded changes in the range from the area 41 to the area 42, that is, apparent It shows that the angle of view above changes.

  During time 0 to T0 in FIG. 5, the electronic zoom process is not performed, and the range of the captured image to be recorded is the entire area 41. When the user continues the zoom process toward the tele end, the range of the captured image to be recorded gradually decreases to the range of the area 42. If the zoom position by the optical zoom processing is the zoom position Fot in FIG. 5, the zoom position changes to the zoom position Fm in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the zoom position by the optical zoom process is returned from Fot to Fg between time T0 and time T1. Thereby, the chromatic aberration of the optical system at the time of the electronic zoom processing is sufficiently reduced, and degradation of resolution can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the zoom magnification of the optical zoom process is decreased in order to make the zoom operation of the user coincide with the change of the combined zoom magnification by the optical zoom process and the electronic zoom process even during the electronic zoom process. The zoom magnification by the electronic zoom is changed according to the degree. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the combined zoom magnification changes at the same time as the magnification change of the optical zoom processing from time 0 to T0 at time T0 to Tm.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which the zoom position of the optical zoom is gradually returned to the minimum aberration zoom position Fg. However, the zoom position of the optical zoom is returned to the minimum aberration zoom position Fg much faster than the electronic zoom speed. You may do it.

  In FIG. 1, the signal processing and control unit 12 has a contrast enhancement unit 12c. The contrast enhancement unit 12c performs contrast enhancement processing on the captured image. During the electronic zoom process, a part of the captured image is enlarged and the resolution deteriorates. Therefore, the contrast enhancement unit 12c suppresses deterioration of image quality by enhancing the contrast of the captured image during the electronic zoom process. Note that the signal processing and control unit 12 may perform not only contrast enhancement processing but also interpolation processing, smoothing processing, super-resolution processing, and the like.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining camera control. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a user's photographing operation.

  In step S1 of FIG. 7, the signal processing and control unit 12 determines whether or not the shooting mode is set. If the shooting mode is not instructed, the signal processing and control unit 12 determines whether or not lens replacement has been performed in step S31. The signal processing and control unit 12 determines the presence or absence of lens replacement based on information from the communication unit 13, and when the lens is replaced with a zoom lens, the process proceeds from step S32 to step S33, and the control unit 23, lens information is acquired via the communication units 28 and 13.

  If the signal processing and control unit 12 determines in step S31 that lens replacement has not been performed, the signal processing and control unit 12 determines in step S41 whether or not the reproduction mode is designated. When the reproduction mode is designated, the signal processing and control unit 12 reads out an image from the recording unit 16 and gives it to the display unit 17 in step S42 to perform image reproduction. When the reproduction image changing operation is performed, the signal processing and control unit 12 shifts the processing from step S43 to step S44 and changes the image to be read.

  Here, it is assumed that the shooting mode is instructed. In this case, the signal processing and control unit 12 displays a through image in step S2. The signal processing and control unit 12 takes a photographed image from the imaging unit 11 and performs predetermined signal processing. Next, the signal processing and control unit 12 acquires zoom information and limit value information in step S3.

  When the user performs a zoom operation, zoom information is supplied to the signal processing and control unit 12. FIG. 8 shows an example of the zoom operation of the user. FIG. 8A illustrates an example in which the user 51 performs a zoom operation while placing the eyepiece display unit 31 of the eyepiece unit 30 ahead of the line of sight (arrow) of the eye 52 and checking the display of the eyepiece display unit 31. Is shown. The photographing posture shown in FIG. 8A is preferred as a traditional way of holding the camera when the eyepiece display unit 31 is provided. Because the side is tightened, it is a shooting posture that does not cause camera shake. .

  The user operates the operation unit 22 of the interchangeable lens 20 with the left hand 53 while supporting the photographing apparatus main body 10 with the left and right hands. In this case, lens information and limit value information are supplied from the control unit 23 of the interchangeable lens 20 to the signal processing and control unit 12 via the communication units 28 and 13.

  In FIG. 8B, the user 51 places the display unit 17 provided on the back surface of the photographing apparatus main body 10 at the end of the line of sight (arrow) of the eye 52, and performs a zoom operation while checking the display on the display unit 17. An example is shown. FIG. 8B shows a shooting posture in a shooting device that prioritizes carrying by eliminating the eyepiece 30 and reducing the size. The user operates the zoom button displayed on the display unit 17 with the right hand 54 via the touch panel 17a while supporting the photographing apparatus main body 10 with the left hand. In this case, zoom information is given to the signal processing and control unit 12 by an operation signal from the touch panel 17a.

  In step S4, the signal processing and control unit 12 determines whether zoom control has been performed from the input zoom information. If the user's zoom operation is being performed, the signal processing and control unit 12 moves the process to step S5 and determines whether or not the telephoto side zoom control is being performed. If the zoom operation to the telephoto side is being performed, in the next step S6, the signal processing and control unit 12 determines whether or not the zoom position of the optical zoom has reached the telephoto side zoom end Fot. .

  If not, the process proceeds to step S7, and the signal processing and control unit 12 performs telephoto side optical zoom control. That is, the control unit 23 drives the zoom lens according to zoom information based on a user operation such as the operation unit 22 and performs optical zoom to the telephoto side.

  When the optical zoom by the user's zoom operation reaches the limit point, the limit point information is supplied to the signal processing and control unit 12, and the signal processing and control unit 12 shifts the processing from step S6 to step S8 and sets the telephoto side. Telephoto electronic zoom, which is an electronic zoom to

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a specific flow of the telephoto electronic zoom in step S8 in FIG.

  In step S51 of FIG. 9, the zoom position determination unit 12a determines whether or not there is information regarding the minimum aberration zoom position Fg in the lens information. If there is information on the minimum aberration zoom position Fg, it is determined in step S52 whether or not to return the zoom position by the optical zoom to the minimum aberration zoom position Fg during electronic zoom. The zoom position determination unit 12a uses the electronic zoom when the zoom position by the optical zoom is the zoom position Fot where the optical zoom limit is set or the electronic zoom when the zoom position is the minimum aberration zoom position Fg. The zoom position of the optical zoom at is determined.

  For example, the zoom position determination unit 12a determines the zoom position of the optical zoom depending on whether or not Kg> Kot × Fot / Fg is satisfied. When Kg is larger than Kot × Fot / Fg, the zoom position determination unit 12a determines that the image quality during electronic zooming is better when the optical zoom position is returned to the minimum aberration zoom position Fg, and the process is performed. The process proceeds to S53. Conversely, when Kg is equal to or less than Kot × Fot / Fg, the zoom position determination unit 12a determines that the image quality is better when the electronic zoom is performed at the zoom position Fot at the limit of the optical zoom, The process proceeds to step S56.

  In steps S53 and S56, the signal processing and control unit 12 determines whether or not the image quality limit is reached by electronic zoom. The limit of the electronic zoom magnification for maintaining the required image quality is determined according to the resolution at the time of shooting, and the signal processing and control unit 12 warns in step S58 if the image quality limit is exceeded. Display the display.

  In step S54, the zoom position determination unit 12a performs control so as to move the zoom position to the minimum aberration zoom position Fg. In step S55, the cutout position control unit 12b cuts the screen with a change in the angle of view faster than the optical zoom movement. Thereby, a change in the composite zoom magnification corresponding to the zoom operation can be obtained. In this way, zoom processing at a sufficient magnification is performed while suppressing deterioration in image quality due to electronic zoom processing.

  When the zoom position determination unit 12a determines that Kg ≦ Kot × Fot / Fg, the optical zoom is maintained at the limit position during the electronic zoom. In step S57, the cutout position control unit 12b performs trimming from the peripheral part toward the center of the screen to perform electronic zoom.

  If the signal processing and control unit 12 determines in step S5 in FIG. 7 that the telephoto zoom control has not been performed, in step S9, whether or not the wide-angle zoom end Fow has been reached. Determine. If it has reached, the process returns to step S4. If it has not reached, the process proceeds to step S10, and the signal processing and control unit 12 determines whether or not the electronic zoom is being performed. When the electronic zoom is not being performed, that is, when the optical zoom is being performed, wide-angle side optical zoom control is performed in step S11. The control unit 23 drives the zoom lens according to zoom information based on user operations such as the operation unit 22 and performs optical zoom to the wide angle side. When the electronic zoom is being performed, the signal processing and control unit 12 shifts the process from step S10 to step S12, and performs wide-angle electronic zoom that is electronic zoom to the wide-angle side.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a specific flow of the wide-angle electronic zoom in step S12 in FIG.

  In step S61 in FIG. 10, the zoom position determination unit 12a determines whether or not the optical zoom position is the maximum zoom position Fot. When the optical zoom position is the maximum zoom position Fot, the clipping position control unit 12b restores the screen clipping to the original by changing the angle of view corresponding to the zoom operation (step S64).

  If the zoom position determination unit 12a determines in step S61 that the optical zoom position is not the maximum zoom position Fot, the zoom position determination unit 12a controls to move the optical zoom position from Fg to Fot in step S62. Further, the cutout position control unit 12b restores the cutout of the screen by changing the angle of view faster than the optical zoom movement (step S63).

  The signal processing and control unit 12 determines whether or not the combined zoom position becomes “Fot”, and continues the wide-angle electronic zoom process until the combined zoom position reaches “Fot”. When the combined zoom position reaches “Fot”, the signal processing and control unit 12 ends the wide-angle electronic zoom processing. Also in the electronic zoom processing to the wide angle side, zooming can be performed by changing the zoom magnification corresponding to the zoom operation of the user.

  Thereafter, when the zoom operation to the wide angle side of the user is continued, the wide angle side optical zoom control is performed in step S11 after the determinations in steps S4, S5, S9, and S10 in FIG.

  When the user stops the zoom operation, the signal processing and control unit 12 determines in step S15 in FIG. 7 whether or not the electronic zoom is being performed. If the electronic zoom is being performed, the signal processing and control unit 12 executes contrast enhancement processing in step S16. In the electronic zoom, the central portion of the image is cut out and enlarged, so that the resolution is lowered. Therefore, during the electronic zoom, the signal processing and control unit 12 performs contrast enhancement processing on the photographed image and then supplies it to the display unit 17 and the like. Thereby, the image quality of the through image can be improved. Note that the signal processing and control unit 12 may perform not only contrast enhancement processing but also smoothing processing and the like.

  Here, when an operation such as a release button is performed and photographing is instructed (step S17), the signal processing and control unit 12 determines whether or not the electronic zoom is being performed in step S18 of FIG. When the electronic zoom is not being performed, the signal processing and control unit 12 performs imaging in step S19, performs signal processing on the captured image in step S21, and then compresses and records the image in the recording unit 16.

  If the signal processing and control unit 12 determines in step S18 that the electronic zoom is being performed, the signal processing and control unit 12 performs super-resolution processing in step S20. Super-resolution processing is a technique for improving resolution using a plurality of captured images, and the signal processing and control unit 12 captures a plurality of images of the same subject. The signal processing and control unit 12 obtains a captured image with sufficient image quality by super-resolution processing using a plurality of captured images, and then compresses and records the captured image on the recording unit 16. Note that the signal processing and control unit 12 may perform not only the super-resolution processing, but also contrast enhancement processing and smoothing processing.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effects of image quality improvement processing such as contrast enhancement processing, smoothing processing, and super-resolution processing in the present embodiment. FIGS. 11A, 11C, and 11E show captured images 61I to 63I obtained by imaging the same subject by electronic zoom. 11B, 11D, and 11F show the recorded images 61P to 63P after the image quality improvement processing for the captured images 61I to 63I in FIGS. 11A, 11C, and 11E, respectively. ing. In the captured images 61I to 63I, the same subject is captured as images 61s to 63s. The recorded images 61P to 63P include images 61sg to 63sg obtained by improving the image quality of the images 61s to 63s. Of the images in the captured images 61I to 63I and the recorded images 61P to 63P in FIG. 11, the image having the closest subject shape is the image 62sg or the image 63sg.

  A photographed image 61I shown in FIG. 11A shows an example when electronic zooming is performed in a state where the optical zoom position is at the maximum zoom position Fot. In photographing at the zoom position Fot, the resolving power is relatively low due to the influence of chromatic aberration. For this reason, in the subject image 61s captured in the captured image 61I captured by the electronic zoom, a fine pattern change is not represented. For this reason, the image 61sg in the recorded image 61P obtained by performing the contrast enhancement process and the smoothing process on the captured image 61I does not have sufficient image quality.

  The captured images 62I and 63I shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C show an example in which electronic zoom is performed in a state where the optical zoom position is the minimum aberration zoom position Fg. In photographing at the zoom position Fg, the influence of chromatic aberration is small and sufficient resolving power is obtained. Therefore, even when the electronic zoom is performed, the subject image 62 s captured in the captured image 62 </ b> I shows a fine pattern change. However, the resolution is lowered by the electronic zoom, and the image quality is not sufficient. Therefore, by performing contrast enhancement processing and smoothing processing on the captured image 62I, a recorded image 62P including an image 62sg with sufficient image quality can be obtained as shown in FIG.

  In the super-resolution processing, as shown in FIG. 11C, a plurality of captured images 63I are obtained for the same subject. Even if the captured image is obtained by electronic zoom by super-resolution processing using these captured images 63I, the image 63sg in the recorded image 63P after the super-resolution processing is an image with sufficient image quality.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, during electronic zoom processing, trimming processing for electronic zoom is performed with the optical zoom position set to a zoom position with small aberration and sufficient resolution. Image quality during zooming can be improved. In addition, since a captured image that is a target of image quality improvement processing such as super-resolution processing is captured with sufficient resolution even during electronic zoom processing, the effect of the image quality improvement processing can be expected.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the digital camera is used as the photographing device. However, the camera may be a digital single-lens reflex camera or a compact digital camera, and may be used for moving images such as video cameras and movie cameras. Of course, a camera may be used, and a camera built in a personal digital assistant (PDA) such as a mobile phone or a smartphone may of course be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, you may delete some components of all the components shown by embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  It should be noted that even if the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings is described using “first,” “next,” etc. for convenience, it is essential to carry out in this order. It doesn't mean. In addition, it goes without saying that the steps constituting these operation flows can be omitted as appropriate for portions that do not affect the essence of the invention.

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Imaging device main body, 11 ... Imaging part, 12 ... Signal processing and control part, 12a ... Zoom position determination part, 12b ... Extraction position control part, 12c ... Contrast emphasis part, 13, 28, 18, 32 ... Communication part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Operation determination part, 17 ... Display part, 17a ... Touch panel, 21 ... Shooting optical system, 21a ... Focus control part, 21b ... Zoom control part, 22a ... Ring operation part, 22b ... Shift operation part, 23 ... Control part.

Claims (5)

An imaging unit that photoelectrically converts a subject image guided by a zoom lens and outputs a captured image;
An optical zoom controller that drives the zoom lens in response to a zoom operation;
An electronic zoom control unit that performs electronic zoom control to cut out a part of the captured image in response to a zoom operation to a telephoto side exceeding a telephoto side limit of the zoom lens;
A zoom position determination unit that controls the optical zoom control unit so that the zoom position by the zoom lens is returned from the telephoto limit to a wide angle side by a predetermined amount during electronic zoom control by the electronic zoom control unit. Shooting equipment. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the zoom position determination unit returns the zoom position by the zoom lens from the telephoto limit to the wide angle side by an amount based on characteristics of the zoom lens. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the zoom position determination unit sets a zoom position by the zoom lens to a zoom position at which chromatic aberration of the zoom lens takes a minimum value. The zoom position determination unit includes a ratio between the telephoto limit and a zoom position where the chromatic aberration of the zoom lens takes a minimum value, and a resolution of the zoom lens at the telephoto limit and a resolution at a zoom position where the chromatic aberration takes a minimum value. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount is determined based on a ratio of the imaging device. The electronic zoom control unit performs the clipping at a speed of change in angle of view that cancels a change in zoom magnification caused by returning a zoom position by the zoom lens from the telephoto limit to a wide angle side by a predetermined amount. Item 5. The photographing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

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