JP2013162415A - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus in which time required for displaying a live view image on an EVF when the imaging apparatus is started is shortened and to provide an imaging method.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus 10 having a plurality of image display sections includes: an imaging section 204 for acquiring image data by imaging; an image processing section 2206 for processing the image data which the imaging section 204 acquires and generating display image data; a finder liquid crystal monitor 211 being an image display section which preferentially displays the display image data among the plurality of image display sections; and body CPU 2201 which starts the imaging section 204 and the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 in response to a starting instruction of the camera and controls only the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 to display the display image data for at least a prescribed time.

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera and an imaging method.

  For example, an imaging device such as a digital camera is usually provided with a liquid crystal monitor (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display: hereinafter abbreviated as LCD) as a display device used for visually recognizing a shooting standby image or a reproduced image. In recent years, display devices represented by this liquid crystal monitor have been improved in definition.

  In recent years, single-lens digital cameras have become widespread. In this single lens type digital camera, an electronic viewfinder (hereinafter abbreviated as EVF) for high-speed continuous shooting is becoming popular. The technique related to EVF is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like.

  Examples of the display means in the EVF include an LCD provided on the back of the camera and an LCD provided in a view type finder unit. In this way, when the camera has a plurality of LCDs, the LCD for displaying the live view image can be switched as appropriate.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting an eyepiece in the vicinity of a display unit and controlling display of an image on the display unit based on the detection result.

JP-A-2-179076

  By the way, the user visually recognizes the live view image and performs framing and focusing. In this case, the user can observe the subject while firmly holding the camera by using the view-type finder unit for live view display with EVF. That is, there is a demand for a technique for displaying an object on the LCD provided in the finder unit in a short time.

In live view display with EVF, real-time performance and high-speed display are required. Therefore, it is desired to shorten the time required for displaying the live view image on the EVF (time required for displaying the subject).
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method that shorten the time required for displaying a live view image on an EVF when the imaging apparatus is activated. To do.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
An imaging apparatus having a plurality of image display units for displaying image data,
An activation instructing unit for instructing to activate the imaging apparatus;
An imaging unit that acquires image data by imaging;
An image processing unit that processes image data acquired by the imaging unit to generate display image data;
A priority image display unit that is an image display unit that preferentially displays the image data for display among the plurality of image display units;
A control unit configured to activate the imaging unit and the priority image display unit in response to an activation instruction by the activation instruction unit, and to control the display image data to be displayed only on the priority image display unit for at least a predetermined time; ,
It is characterized by comprising.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging method according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
An imaging method using an imaging device having a plurality of image display units for displaying image data,
Instructing to start the imaging device,
After being activated according to the instructions, obtain image data by imaging,
The image data acquired by the imaging is subjected to image processing to generate display image data,
The display image data is preferentially displayed on a predetermined image display unit among the plurality of image display units,
In response to the instruction, the imaging unit and the predetermined image display unit are activated, and the display image data is displayed only on the predetermined image display unit for at least a predetermined time.
It is characterized by that.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging device and imaging method which shortened the time required to display the live view image on EVF at the time of starting of an imaging device can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a processing flow of the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a first part of a flowchart of a series of processes relating to the main operation of the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a second part of a flowchart of a series of processes relating to the main operation of the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing an example of the state transition of the monitor display of the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of subject shooting when a live view image is acquired. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a live view image generation process for starting display in step S5. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the camera is used when step S9 is branched to YES (when the user is going to take a picture using the built-in finder unit). FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating how the camera is used when step S9 is branched to NO (when the user is about to confirm / change the setting of the camera using the rear monitor). FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating how the camera is used when step S9 is branched to NO (when the user is going to take a picture using the rear monitor as a viewfinder). FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the detection interval of the eye sensor when the camera according to the embodiment of the present invention is set to the sleep mode. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the “shooting operation” subroutine of step S7 in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the “power off” subroutine of step S29 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3B. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage mode of an external finder unit that is mounted on a camera and actually used. It is a figure which shows the 1st part of the flowchart of a series of processes which concern on the main operation | movement of the camera which concerns on the 1st modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd part of the flowchart of a series of processes which concern on the main operation | movement of the camera which concerns on the 1st modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st part of the flowchart of a series of processes which concern on the main operation | movement of the camera which concerns on the 2nd modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd part of the flowchart of a series of processes which concern on the main operation | movement of the camera which concerns on the 2nd modification of one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the camera 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a processing flow of the camera 10 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 10 includes an interchangeable lens 100, a camera body 200, and an external viewfinder unit 300u.

The interchangeable lens 100 includes a focusing lens 101, a diaphragm mechanism 102, a focus driving mechanism 103, a diaphragm driving mechanism 104, and a lens CPU 105.
The focusing lens 101 is an optical system for forming an image of light from a subject (not shown) on the image sensor 2041 inside the camera body 200. The focusing lens 101 is driven in the optical axis direction indicated by a one-dot chain line in the figure, and the focal position thereof is adjusted.

The aperture mechanism 102 adjusts the amount of light from the subject incident on the image sensor 2041 via the focusing lens 101.
The focus driving mechanism 103 includes a motor and the like, and drives the focus lens in the optical axis direction under the control of the lens CPU 105.

The aperture drive mechanism 104 includes a motor and the like, and drives the aperture mechanism 102 to open and close under the control of the lens CPU 105.
The lens CPU 105 is communicably connected to a sequence controller (body CPU) 2201 in the camera body 200 via the communication terminal 106 when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 200. The lens CPU 105 controls operations of the focus drive mechanism 103 and the aperture drive mechanism 104 in accordance with control from the CPU.

  The camera body 200 includes a focal plane shutter (shutter) 201, a shutter driving mechanism 202, an imaging unit 204, an imaging element driving circuit 205, a preprocessing circuit 206, an SDRAM 207, a flash memory 209, and a recording medium 208. A monitor driving circuit 210, a viewfinder liquid crystal monitor 211, an eyepiece lens 212, an eyepiece sensor 213, a rear liquid crystal monitor 214, an operation unit 301, an attachment / detachment detection switch 217, a control circuit 220, and a dustproof filter driving circuit. 254, a body vibration sensor 251, a body vibration isolation control circuit 252, and a body vibration isolation mechanism 253. Here, the finder liquid crystal monitor 211, the eyepiece lens 212, and the eyepiece sensor 213 constitute a built-in finder unit 200u.

The imaging unit 204 includes an imaging device 2041, a filter group 2042, and a dustproof filter 2043.
The image sensor 2041 has a photoelectric conversion surface on which a plurality of pixels are arranged, and converts light from a subject imaged on the photoelectric conversion surface via the focusing lens 101 into an electrical signal (image signal).

  The filter group 2042 includes a plurality of filters such as an infrared cut filter that removes an infrared component of light incident through the focusing lens 101 and a low-pass filter that removes a high frequency component of light incident through the focusing lens 101. It is a filter group consisting of these filters.

  The dust filter 2043 is a member that performs a dustproof operation so that dust does not adhere to the imaging unit 204. The image sensor 2041 is protected from dust and the like by a glass dustproof filter 2043, for example. A piezoelectric element 2043p for vibrating the dustproof filter 2043 at a predetermined vibration frequency is attached to the periphery of the dustproof filter 2043.

  The dust filter driving circuit 254 is a driving circuit for the piezoelectric element 2043p. The dust filter driving circuit 254 is controlled by the control circuit 220. By vibrating the piezoelectric element 2043p by the dustproof filter driving circuit 254, the dustproof filter 2043 vibrates. As a result, dust attached to the surface of the dustproof filter 2043 is removed.

Here, the image sensor 2041 and the piezoelectric element 2043p are integrally stored in a case having the dustproof filter 2043 as one surface. Thereby, the adhesion of dust to the image sensor 2041 can be reliably prevented.
The body vibration sensor 251 includes an angular velocity sensor, detects camera shake using the angular velocity sensor, and generates a camera shake detection signal indicating the detection result. The camera shake detection signal generated by the body vibration sensor 251 is output to the body image stabilization control circuit 252.

Based on the camera shake detection signal output from the body vibration sensor 251, the body image stabilization control circuit 252 generates a control signal for moving the imaging unit 204 and correcting camera shake.
Based on the control signal output from the body image stabilization control circuit 252, the body image stabilization mechanism 253 moves the imaging unit 204 to perform camera shake correction.

The preprocessing circuit 206 performs analog processing such as noise removal and amplification on the image signal read from the image sensor 2041 via the image sensor driving circuit 205, and converts the analog processed image signal into a digital signal (image data). Pre-processing such as processing is performed.
The image sensor driving circuit 205 controls driving of the image sensor 2041 according to an instruction from the body CPU 2201 via the input / output circuit 2211 and controls reading of an image signal obtained by the image sensor 2041.

  The shutter 201 is disposed so as to be movable back and forth with respect to the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 2041. The shutter 201 is driven by a shutter driving mechanism 202 to bring the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 2041 into an exposed state or a light-shielded state. The shutter drive mechanism 202 opens and closes the shutter 201 according to the control of the body CPU 2201.

The SDRAM 207 is a buffer memory for temporarily storing data obtained in the preprocessing circuit 206.
The flash memory 209 stores a control program read by the body CPU 2201, various setting values of the camera body 200, and the like.

The recording medium 208 is a memory card configured to be detachable from the camera body 200, for example, and records the image data compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 2207.
The monitor driving circuit 210-1 drives the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 and the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 included in the external finder unit 300u according to the video signal input from the video signal output circuit 2208 to display an image on the screen of each monitor. Do.

The monitor driving circuit 210-2 drives the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 in accordance with the video signal input from the video signal output circuit 2208 to display an image on the monitor screen.
That is, the monitor driving circuits 210-1 and 210-2 as display drivers are connected to the "image corresponding to image data" output from the image processing circuit 2206 and the body CPU 2201 as the information display calculation unit as shown in FIG. It functions as a display driver for displaying the output “setting state information” on the finder liquid crystal monitors 211 and 311 / the rear liquid crystal monitor 214.

  Although details will be described later, as shown in FIG. 2, the monitor driving circuits 210-1 and 210-2 determine which monitor of the finder liquid crystal monitors 211 and 311 and the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 to display. It may be determined according to the detection result by the sensors 213 and 313.

  The viewfinder liquid crystal monitor 211 is a monitor for a view-type viewfinder. That is, the image is visually recognized on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 while being looked into by the user. As the finder liquid crystal monitor 211, for example, a liquid crystal monitor is used. The finder liquid crystal monitor 211 is driven by the monitor driving circuit 210-1, and displays a subject observation image obtained through the image sensor 2041.

The finder liquid crystal monitor 211 in the present embodiment also performs display for setting AF (autofocus) during observation of a subject and display of a screen for setting parameters.
The eyepiece 212 is an eyepiece optical system for forming an image displayed on the screen of the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 on the user's eye.

The eye sensor 213 is a sensor for detecting whether the user is looking through the viewfinder. As the eye sensor 213, for example, an infrared sensor can be used.
The rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is a monitor that functions as a second display unit, and is disposed so as to be exposed on the rear surface of the camera body 200. The rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is driven by the monitor driving circuit 210-2 and displays various images such as an image expanded by the compression / expansion circuit 2207. Unlike the viewfinder liquid crystal monitor 211, the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 allows the user to view the image without looking into it. In addition, the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 according to the present embodiment also performs display for setting AF (autofocus) during observation of a subject and display of a screen for setting parameters.

  The operation unit 301 is, for example, various operation units such as a power switch 301a (see FIG. 4), a shutter button 301b (see FIG. 4), a setting button (not shown), and an operation dial (not shown). The power switch 301 a is an operation unit for the user to instruct on / off of the power supply of the camera body 200. The shutter button 301b is an operation unit for a user to instruct execution of shooting. A setting button (not shown) is an operation unit group for the user to perform various parameter settings. An operation dial (not shown) is a dial type operation unit. This operation dial (not shown) is also used for setting various parameters, for example.

The attachment / detachment detection switch 217 is a switch that is turned on when the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 200, and a signal indicating that the interchangeable lens 100 is attached to the camera body 200 when turned on is a switch detection circuit 2210. Output to -1.
The control circuit 220 controls various operations of the camera body 200. The control circuit 220 includes a sequence controller (body CPU) 2201, a contrast AF circuit 2202, an SDRAM control circuit 2203, a flash memory control circuit 2204, a recording medium control circuit 2205, an image processing circuit 2206, and a video signal output. A circuit 2208, a compression / decompression circuit 2207, switch detection circuits 2210-1 and 210-2, an input / output circuit 2211, a communication circuit 2212, and a data bus 2213 are included.

  The body CPU 2201 controls the operation of each circuit in the control circuit 220 in an integrated manner. In addition, the body CPU 2201 in the present embodiment also has a function as a control unit, and updates the display position of the index on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 and the rear liquid crystal monitor 214. This index is used to change or confirm the setting of the camera 10 described later.

The contrast AF circuit 2202 calculates an evaluation value for evaluating the contrast of an image from image data obtained via the image sensor 2041. The body CPU 2201 performs AF control of the focus lens according to the evaluation value.
The SDRAM control circuit 2203 controls writing and reading of data to and from the SDRAM 207.

The flash memory control circuit 2204 controls writing and reading of data to the flash memory 209.
The recording medium control circuit 2205 controls data writing to and reading from the recording medium 208.
The image processing circuit 2206 performs various types of image processing on the image data obtained in the preprocessing circuit 206 and stored in the SDRAM 207. This image processing includes white balance correction processing for correcting the color balance of the image, color correction processing for correcting the color of the image, gradation correction processing for correcting the gradation of the image, and the like. The image data processed by the image processing circuit 2206 is stored in the SDRAM 207 again.

The video signal output circuit 2208 reads image data from the SDRAM 207, converts the read image data into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the monitor drive circuits 210-1 and 210-2.
The compression / decompression circuit 2207 reads the image data after image processing, and compresses the read image data in a predetermined compression format such as JPEG. The compression / decompression circuit 2207 also reads compressed image data and decompresses the read image data when reproducing an image.

  The switch detection circuit 2210-1 detects the operation state of each operation unit of the operation unit 301, and notifies the detection result to the body CPU 2201. When the operation of the operation unit is detected via the switch detection circuit 2210-1, the body CPU 2201 executes control according to the operation content of the operated operation unit.

  The switch detection circuit 2210-2 detects the sensing state of the eye sensor 213 provided in the camera body 200 and the eye sensor 313 provided in the external viewfinder unit 300u, and notifies the body CPU 2201 of the detection result. When the sensing state of the eyepiece sensors 213 and 313 is detected via the switch detection circuit 2210-2, the body CPU 2201 executes control according to the sensing state.

The input / output circuit 2211 is an interface circuit for outputting a signal for controlling the image sensor driving circuit 205 and the shutter driving mechanism 202 from the control circuit 220.
The communication circuit 2212 performs various processes for performing communication between the body CPU 2201 of the camera body 200 and the lens CPU 105 of the interchangeable lens 100.

The data bus 2213 is a transfer path for transferring various data such as image data obtained by the preprocessing circuit 206 and image data processed by the image processing circuit 2206.
The external finder unit 300u is an external finder unit including a finder liquid crystal monitor 311, an eyepiece lens 312, and an eyepiece sensor 313.

  The viewfinder liquid crystal monitor 311 is a monitor for a view-type viewfinder, and is connected to a monitor drive circuit 210-1 of the camera body 200 via a communication terminal 306 so as to be communicable. That is, the image is visually recognized on the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 while being looked into by the user. For example, a liquid crystal monitor is used as the finder liquid crystal monitor 311. The finder liquid crystal monitor 311 is driven by the monitor driving circuit 210-1, and displays a subject observation image obtained via the image sensor 2041.

The finder liquid crystal monitor 311 in the present embodiment also performs display for setting AF (autofocus) during observation of a subject and display of a screen for setting parameters.
The eyepiece 312 is an eyepiece optical system for forming an image displayed on the screen of the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 on the user's eye.

  The eye sensor 313 is a sensor for detecting whether the user is looking through the viewfinder, and is connected to the switch detection circuit 2210-2 of the camera body 200 via the communication terminal 308 so as to be communicable. As the eye sensor 313, for example, an infrared sensor can be used.

Hereinafter, a series of processes related to the main operation of the camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. 3A and 3B are flowcharts illustrating a series of processes related to the main operation of the camera 10 according to the present embodiment.
Here, in the present embodiment, the following description will be made assuming that the above-described external finder unit 300u is not attached to the camera 10. The processing when the external viewfinder unit 300u is attached to the camera 10 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 13, 14A, and 14B.

  First, when the power switch 301a is set to ON, the body CPU 2201 drives the image sensor 2041 by controlling the image sensor drive circuit 205 via the input / output circuit 2211 and starts an imaging operation (step S1). . Subsequently, the body CPU 2201 causes the image processing circuit 2206 to start photometric processing (live view photometric processing) for the image data acquired by the image sensor 2041 and taken into the image processing circuit 2206 via the preprocessing circuit 206. The exposure amount of the image data is controlled (step S2). Then, the body CPU 2201 starts various image processing of the image data by the image processing circuit 2206 (step S3).

Further, the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor driving circuit 210-1 to drive the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 to start image display on the monitor screen (step S4).
Here, live view display on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 is started (step S5), and the body CPU 2201 controls to start acceptance when the release switch is turned on. That is, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the shutter button 301b has been operated (whether or not the release switch has been turned on) (step S6).

  FIG. 4 is a rear view showing an example of the state transition of the monitor display of the camera 10 according to the present embodiment. At the time when the above-described steps S1 to S6 are performed, the camera 10 is in a state where live view display is performed only on the built-in finder unit 200u, that is, a monitor display state shown on the right side in the upper part of FIG.

  In the camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when the power switch 301a is set to ON and the camera 10 is activated, the camera 10 is compulsory regardless of various conditions such as the detection result of the eye sensor 213. The live view image is controlled to be displayed only on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 of the built-in finder unit 200u. This display is performed until a photographing operation is executed in step S7 (at least for a certain period of time after activation of the camera 10).

As a result, processing related to display on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 and processing / time required for various calculations can be omitted, and even if a photo opportunity comes immediately after startup, the photo opportunity is prevented from being missed. it can.
Incidentally, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of subject photographing when a live view image is acquired. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a live view image generation process for starting display in step S5.

As shown in FIG. 5, when framing is performed in the state where the window W exists behind the subject S, if the optical viewfinder is used, the subject such as backlight is under as shown in the display Im shown in FIG. Even in some cases, it is displayed as it is.
In the camera 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, in one display frame period, a first exposure time (accumulation time) t1 that is so-called underexposure and a second exposure time t2 that is so-called overexposure. And taking images respectively (taking a total of two times with different exposure times).

  With this imaging, in one display frame period, first reference image data D1 that is image data of underexposure and second reference image data D2 that is image data of overexposure are obtained. Then, the live view image D3 is generated by combining the portion other than the blackout portion in the first reference image data D1 and the portion other than the whiteout portion in the second reference image data D2.

  As a result, in the case of using the optical viewfinder, the live view display with poor visibility as shown by the display Im shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. According to the camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the visual view is shown as shown in the live view image D3. Live view display with good characteristics. Therefore, it is possible to provide a live view display with good visibility for the subject S and the branches B and clouds C constituting the scenery behind the window W.

  When step S6 is branched to YES (when the release switch is turned on), the body CPU 2201 ends the operation related to the live view display executed in steps S1 to S5 and executes the shooting operation. Are controlled (step S7). The processing relating to the photographing operation in step S7 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when step S6 is branched to NO (when the release switch is OFF) and after the processing of step S7 is completed, the body CPU 2201 performs “information display calculation” to perform “setting state”. Information (to be described later) "is calculated and stored in the SDRAM 207 (step S8).

  This “information display calculation” is a process in which the body CPU 2201 detects the setting state of the camera 10 and generates “setting state information” which is monitor display data indicating the detection result. Specific examples of the “setting state information” include various information indicating the state of the camera 10 such as “ISO sensitivity”, “program mode”, “aperture value”, and “shutter speed”. it can.

  When the processing in step S8 is completed, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the user is going to perform shooting using the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 (hereinafter referred to as finder shooting) based on the output of the eye sensor 213. It is determined whether or not the user is looking into the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 (step S9).

Here, a specific situation relating to the determination in step S9 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the camera 10 is used when step S9 is branched to YES (when the user is going to take a picture using the built-in finder unit 200u). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user's eye E is close to the built-in finder unit 200 u (in an eyepiece state), and this state is detected by the eyepiece sensor 213. Based on the detection signal output from the eye sensor 213, the body CPU 2201 branches step S9 to YES.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing how the camera 10 is used when step S9 is branched to NO (when the user is about to confirm / change the setting of the camera 10 using the rear liquid crystal monitor 214). is there. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the user's eye E is separated from the built-in finder unit 200u (not in an eyepiece state), and this state is detected by the eyepiece sensor 213. Based on the detection signal output from the eye sensor 213, the body CPU 2201 branches step S9 to NO.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing how the camera 10 is used when step S9 is branched to NO (when the user is going to take a picture using the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 as a viewfinder). In the example shown in FIG. 9, the user's eye E is separated from the built-in finder unit 200u (not in an eyepiece state), and this state is detected by the eyepiece sensor 213. Based on the detection signal output from the eye sensor 213, the body CPU 2201 branches step S9 to NO.

  By the way, when step S9 is branched to YES (when the user intends to perform viewfinder shooting), the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor driving circuit 210-1 via the video signal output circuit 2208, and the viewfinder liquid crystal monitor 211. Is turned on (step S10). At this time, the body CPU 2201 drives the image sensor 2041 by controlling the image sensor drive circuit 205 via the input / output circuit 2211. Then, the image data obtained via the image sensor 2041 is processed in the image processing circuit 2206, and then an image based on the processed image data is displayed on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211.

When the display of the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 is turned on in step S10, the body CPU 2201 also starts displaying the “setting state information” generated in step S8 on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 (step S11).
During the processing in step S10 and step S11 described above, the body CPU 2201 controls to turn off the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 via the monitor drive circuit 210-2 (step S12).

  The display control in steps S10 to S12 allows the camera 10 to observe the subject with the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 as shown in the lower left side of FIG. The state of the camera 10 can be confirmed at the same time. Further, since the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is controlled to be turned off, the visibility of the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 due to the lighting of the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is not deteriorated, and the power saving and the processing load are reduced.

  When step S9 is branched to NO (when the user does not perform viewfinder shooting), the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor drive circuit 210-2 via the video signal output circuit 2208 to display on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214. Is turned on (step S13). At this time, the body CPU 2201 drives the image sensor 2041 by controlling the image sensor drive circuit 205 via the input / output circuit 2211. Then, image data obtained via the image sensor 2041 is processed in the image processing circuit 2206, and then an image based on the processed image data is displayed on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214.

When the display on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is turned on in step S13, the body CPU 2201 also starts displaying the “setting state information” generated in step S8 on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 (step S14).
During the processing in steps S13 and S14 described above, the body CPU 2201 controls the viewfinder liquid crystal monitor 211 to be turned off via the monitor drive circuit 210-1 (step S15). Note that the body CPU 2201 may perform fade-out display by performing control to gradually reduce the luminance in the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 during the turn-off control.

  As a result of the display control in steps S13 to S15, the camera 10 can observe the subject with the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 as shown in the lower right side of FIG. The state of the camera 10 can be confirmed at the same time. Further, since the viewfinder liquid crystal monitor 211 is controlled to be turned off, power saving and a reduction in processing load are also achieved.

  Here, the three display modes of the camera 10 shown on the lower right side of FIG. 4 are “first display mode” in which so-called classical single-lens reflex style display is performed in order from the left side. A monitor display example is shown in “second display mode” for displaying flex-style display, “third display mode” for displaying so-called mirrorless single-lens reflex style with EVF.

By the way, after completing the processing in step S12 or step S15, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the shutter button 301b has been operated (whether or not the release switch has been turned on) (step S17).
When step S17 is branched to YES (when the 1st or 2nd release switch is turned on), the body CPU 2201 ends the operation related to the live view display executed in steps S10 to S15 and executes the shooting operation. Each part of the camera 10 is controlled (step S7). The processing relating to the photographing operation in step S7 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when step S17 is branched to NO (when the release switch is off) and after the processing of step S7 is completed, the body CPU 2201 determines whether the power switch is turned off. (Step S19). When step S19 is branched to YES, the body CPU 2201 powers off the camera 10 (step S29). A series of processing relating to the power-off executed in step S29 will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When step S19 is branched to NO, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not a predetermined sleep timer has expired (step S20). When this step S21 is branched to NO (when the sleep timer is not up), the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, when step S21 is branched to YES (when the sleep timer expires), the body CPU 2201 sets the camera 10 to the “sleep mode” that is the power saving mode (step S21). In this sleep mode, the main components of the camera 10 are held in a power saving state, and the recorded contents of the SDRAM 207 are also held.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the detection interval of the eye sensor 213 when the camera 10 according to the present embodiment is set to the sleep mode. In the example shown in the figure, the detection interval by the eye sensor 213 is set to a longer time interval than that in the normal state in the sleep mode. By setting in this way, for example, when detection of the eyepiece state by the eyepiece sensor 213 is used as a power-on trigger of the camera 10, the eyepiece state in a short time (for example, a time shorter than the detection interval of the eyepiece sensor 213) Since the camera 10 is not powered on, it is possible to determine whether or not the user actually intends to shoot.

  After the camera 10 is set to the sleep mode, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the power switch is turned off (step S22). When step S22 is branched to YES (when the power switch 301a is turned off), the body CPU 2201 powers off the camera 10 (step S29). In other words, if the sleep mode canceling factor is “power switch 301a off”, the camera 10 is powered off as it is.

  On the other hand, when step S22 is branched to NO (for example, when an interrupt process is performed by an operation of the operation unit 301 or the like by the user), the body CPU 2201 cancels the sleep mode and returns the camera 10 to the normal state. In addition to the operation of the operation unit 301 and the like, the factor of canceling the sleep mode includes, for example, detection of an eyepiece state by the eyepiece sensor 213. That is, even when the eyepiece state is detected by the eyepiece sensor 213, the camera 10 may be returned to the normal state.

When the sleep mode is canceled by the interrupt process, the body CPU 2201 drives the image sensor 2041 by controlling the image sensor drive circuit 205 via the input / output circuit 2211 to start an imaging operation (step S23).
Subsequently, the body CPU 2201 causes the image processing circuit 2206 to start photometric processing (live view photometric processing) for the image data acquired by the image sensor 2041 and captured by the image processing circuit 2206 via the preprocessing circuit 206 ( Step S24). Then, the body CPU 2201 starts various image processing of the image data by the image processing circuit 2206 (step S25).

Further, the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor driving circuit 210-1 to drive the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 to start image display on the monitor screen (step S26). Thereafter, the process returns to step S9.
Hereinafter, the “shooting operation” subroutine of step S7 in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the “shooting operation” subroutine of step S7 in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

  First, the body CPU 2201 performs so-called contrast AF (step S31). That is, the body CPU 2201 controls the lens CPU 105 via the communication circuit 2212 and the communication terminal 106, and the focus driving mechanism 103 moves the focusing lens 101 to the contrast peak position (the lens position at which the contrast of image data acquired by imaging is maximized). ).

  Subsequently, the body CPU 2201 causes the image processing circuit 2206 to perform photometric processing on the image data acquired by the image sensor 2041 and captured by the image processing circuit 2206 via the preprocessing circuit 206, and based on the photometric processing result. The shutter speed, aperture value, sensitivity, and the like that can obtain appropriate exposure are calculated (step S32).

  Then, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the 2nd release switch is turned on (the shutter button 301b is fully pressed) (step S33). When step S33 is branched to NO (when it is determined that the 2nd release switch is not turned on), the CPU 2201 determines whether or not the first release switch is turned on (the shutter button 301b is half-pressed) (step S34). ).

  When step S34 is branched to YES, the process returns to step S33. On the other hand, when step S34 is branched to NO, the shutter button 301b is in a released state (the 1st release switch and the 2nd release switch are turned off) at that time, so that the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are performed. Return.

  By the way, when step S33 is branched to YES, the body CPU 2201 controls the shutter drive mechanism 202 to close the shutter 201. Thereafter, the body CPU 2201 controls the aperture driving mechanism 104 to narrow the aperture mechanism 102 to the aperture value calculated in step S32 (step S35).

  Subsequently, the body CPU 2201 controls the shutter drive mechanism 202 to perform imaging (exposure) with the imaging element 2041 while opening the shutter 201 for the opening time calculated in step S32 (step S36). Then, the body CPU 2201 controls the shutter drive mechanism 202 to open the aperture mechanism 102 that has been apertured in step S35 (step S37).

  Thereafter, the body CPU 2201 reads the image data obtained by the image sensor 2041 into the image processing circuit 2206 (step S38), performs predetermined image processing by the image processing circuit 2206, and converts it into predetermined format data (for example, JPEG). Conversion is performed (step S39). The body CPU 2201 records the image data processed by the image processing circuit 2206 on the recording medium 208 (step S40).

  The “power off” subroutine in step S29 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3B will be described below. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the “power off” subroutine of step S29 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3B.

First, the body CPU 2201 controls to turn off the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 via the monitor drive circuit 210-2 (step S51).
Subsequently, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the live view image is displayed using the built-in finder unit 200u (step S52). When step S52 is branched to YES, the body CPU 2201 ends the display of “setting state information” on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 started in step S11 described above (step S53).

  Here, the body CPU 2201 starts measuring the finder timer for a predetermined time (step S54), and waits for the finder timer to expire (step S55). The body CPU 2201 ends the display of the live view image using the built-in finder unit 200u when it is determined in step S55 that the time is up (step S56).

  By the way, when step S52 is branched to NO and after the processing in step S56 is completed, the body CPU 2201 performs control to stop the operation of the monitor drive circuit 210-1 (step S57), and the imaging unit 204. (Step S58), and control to stop the power supply to each part of the camera 10 (step S59).

  By executing the above-described series of processing from step S51 to step S59 when the power is turned off, the display of the live view image in the built-in finder unit 200u is not suddenly turned off, and the display is continued for a predetermined time. The display can be turned off. That is, the camera 10 can be powered off in a more natural manner for the user.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus and an imaging method in which the time required for displaying the live view image on the EVF when the imaging apparatus is activated can be shortened.
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on one Embodiment, this invention is not limited to each embodiment mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation and application are possible within the range of the summary of this invention. Of course.
<< First Modification >>
Hereinafter, an imaging device and an imaging method according to a first modification of the embodiment will be described. In order to avoid duplication of explanation, differences from the one embodiment will be described.

In the first modified example, it is assumed that the external finder unit 300u is actually attached to the camera 10 and used.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage mode of the external finder unit 300u that is mounted on the camera 10 and actually used. As shown in the figure, the external viewfinder unit 300u is mounted on the upper surface side of the camera 10, for example. When framing the subject S, the user can use the external finder unit 300u as a so-called waist level finder as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, a series of processes related to the main operation of the camera 10 according to the first modification will be described. 14A and 14B are flowcharts illustrating a series of processes related to the main operation of the camera 10 according to the first modification.
First, when the power switch 301a is set to ON, the body CPU 2201 drives the image sensor 2041 by controlling the image sensor drive circuit 205 via the input / output circuit 2211 and starts an imaging operation (step S101). . Subsequently, the body CPU 2201 causes the image processing circuit 2206 to start photometric processing (live view photometric processing) for the image data acquired by the image sensor 2041 and captured by the image processing circuit 2206 via the preprocessing circuit 206 ( Step S102). Then, the body CPU 2201 starts various image processing of the image data by the image processing circuit 2206 (step S103). Furthermore, the body CPU 2201 starts the operation of the monitor drive circuit 210-1 (step S104).

  Here, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the external finder unit 300u is attached to the camera 10 (step S105). When step S105 is branched to YES (when the external finder unit 300u is attached), the body CPU 2201 starts live view display on the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 provided in the external finder unit 300u (step S106).

  On the other hand, when step S105 is branched to NO (when the external finder unit 300u is not attached), the body CPU 2201 starts live view display on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 provided in the built-in finder unit 200u (step S107).

  After starting the live view display in step S106 or step S107 described above, the body CPU 2201 controls to start accepting when the release switch is turned on. That is, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the shutter button 301b has been operated (whether the 1st or 2nd release switch has been turned on) (step S108).

  In the camera 10 according to the first modified example, when the external viewfinder unit 300u is attached when the power switch 301a is set to ON and the camera 10 is activated as described above, Control is performed so that the live view image is displayed only on the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 of the external finder unit 300u. Thereby, it becomes a display mode in which the intention of the user who dares to attach the external finder unit 300u to the camera 10 is respected. In addition, it is possible to omit processing related to display on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 and processing / time required for various calculations, and even if a photo opportunity comes immediately after activation, it is possible to prevent the photo opportunity from being missed. .

  When step S108 is branched to YES (when the release switch is turned on), the body CPU 2201 ends the operation related to the live view display and controls each part of the camera 10 to execute the photographing operation (step S7). ). The processing relating to the photographing operation in step S7 is as described above with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when step S108 is branched to NO (when the release switch is OFF) and after the processing of step S7 is completed, the body CPU 2201 performs “information display calculation” to perform “setting state”. Information (to be described later) "is calculated and stored in the SDRAM 207 (step S110).

  Here, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the external finder unit 300u is attached to the camera 10 (step S111). When step S111 is branched to YES (when the external finder unit 300u is attached), the body CPU 2201 takes a picture using the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 based on the output of the eye sensor 313 of the external finder unit 300u. Whether or not the user is looking into the viewfinder liquid crystal monitor 311 is determined (step S112).

  When step S112 is branched to YES (when the user intends to perform viewfinder shooting using the external viewfinder unit 300u), the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor drive circuit 210-1 via the video signal output circuit 2208, and the viewfinder. The display on the liquid crystal monitor 311 is turned on (step S113).

When the display of the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 is turned on in step S113, the body CPU 2201 also starts to display the “setting state information” generated in step S110 on the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 (step S114).
During the processing in step S113 and step S114 described above, the body CPU 2201 controls to turn off the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 via the monitor drive circuit 210-1 (step S115), and via the monitor drive circuit 210-2. The rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is controlled to be turned off (step S116).

  By the way, when step S111 is branched to NO and when step S112 is branched to NO, the body CPU 2201 performs shooting using the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 based on the output of the eye sensor 213. Whether or not the user is looking into the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 is determined (step S117).

  When step S117 is branched to YES (when the user is going to perform finder shooting with the built-in finder unit 200u), the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor drive circuit 210-1 via the video signal output circuit 2208, and the finder. The display on the liquid crystal monitor 211 is turned on (step S118).

When the display of the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 is turned on in step S118, the body CPU 2201 also starts displaying the “setting state information” generated in step S110 on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 (step S119).
During the processing in step S118 and step S119 described above, the body CPU 2201 controls the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 to be turned off via the monitor drive circuit 210-1 (step S120), and via the monitor drive circuit 210-2. The rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is controlled to be turned off (step S121).

  By the way, when step S117 is branched to NO (when the user intends to perform viewfinder shooting using the rear liquid crystal monitor 214), the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor driving circuit 210-2 via the video signal output circuit 2208. Then, the display on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is turned on (step S123).

When the display on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is turned on in step S123, the body CPU 2201 also starts displaying the “setting state information” generated in step S110 on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 (step S124).
During the processing in step S123 and step S124 described above, the body CPU 2201 controls to turn off the finder liquid crystal monitor 311 and the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 via the monitor driving circuit 210-1 (steps S125 and S126).

  By the way, after completing the processing in step S116, step S121, or step S126, the body CPU 2201 determines whether the shutter button 301b has been operated (whether the 1st or 2nd release switch has been turned on) (step S127). ).

  When step S127 is branched to YES (when the release switch is turned on), the body CPU 2201 ends the operation related to the live view display and controls each part of the camera 10 to execute the shooting operation (step S7). ). The processing relating to the photographing operation in step S7 is as described above with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when step S127 is branched to NO (when the release switch is off) and after the processing of step S7 is completed, the body CPU 2201 determines whether the power switch 301a is turned off. Determination is made (step S129). When step S129 is branched to YES, the body CPU 2201 powers off the camera 10 (step S29).

  When step S129 is branched to NO, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not a predetermined sleep timer has expired (step S130). When step S130 is branched to NO (when the sleep timer is not up), the process proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, when step S130 is branched to YES (when the sleep timer expires), the body CPU 2201 sets the camera 10 to the “sleep mode” that is the power saving mode (step S131).

  After the camera 10 is set to the sleep mode, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the power switch 301a is turned off (step S132). When step S132 is branched to YES, the body CPU 2201 powers off the camera 10 (step S29). In other words, if the sleep mode canceling factor is “power switch 301a off”, the camera 10 is powered off as it is.

On the other hand, the case where step S132 is branched to NO is a case where an interrupt process is performed by the user by operating the operation unit 301 or the like. In such a case, the body CPU 2201 cancels the sleep mode and returns the camera 10 to the normal state.
When the sleep mode is canceled by the interrupt process, the body CPU 2201 drives the image sensor 2041 by controlling the image sensor drive circuit 205 via the input / output circuit 2211 to start an imaging operation (step S133).

  Subsequently, the body CPU 2201 causes the image processing circuit 2206 to start photometric processing (live view photometric processing) for the image data acquired by the image sensor 2041 and captured by the image processing circuit 2206 via the preprocessing circuit 206 ( Step S134). Then, the body CPU 2201 starts various image processing of the image data by the image processing circuit 2206 (step S135).

Further, the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor driving circuit 210-1 to drive the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 to start image display on the monitor screen (step S136). Then, it returns to step S111.
As described above, according to the first modified example, the same effects as those of the imaging apparatus and imaging method according to the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and when an external apparatus such as the external viewfinder unit 300u is attached. The external device is used for EVF with the highest priority. In this way, by performing control that reflects the intention of the user who dares to attach the external finder unit 300u to the camera 10, it is unnecessary for the user to perform a setting operation for using the external finder unit 300u for EVF. be able to.
The body CPU 2201 may activate the camera 10 when detecting that the external finder unit 300u is attached to the camera 10. In such a configuration, the camera 10 is activated when the power switch 301a is turned on or when the external viewfinder unit 300u is attached to the camera 10.
<< Second Modification >>
Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus and an imaging method according to the second modification of the embodiment will be described. In order to avoid duplication of explanation, differences from the one embodiment will be described.

  In the second modification, even when the monitor that displays the live view image is switched from the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 to the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 based on the detection result by the eye sensor 213, The display of the live view image is continued for a predetermined time.

Hereinafter, a series of processes related to the main operation of the camera 10 according to the second modification will be described. 15A and 15B are flowcharts showing a series of processes related to the main operation of the camera 10 according to the second modification.
First, when the power switch 301a is set to ON, the body CPU 2201 drives the image sensor 2041 by controlling the image sensor drive circuit 205 via the input / output circuit 2211 and starts an imaging operation (step S201). . Subsequently, the body CPU 2201 causes the image processing circuit 2206 to start photometric processing (live view photometric processing) for the image data acquired by the image sensor 2041 and captured by the image processing circuit 2206 via the preprocessing circuit 206 ( Step S202). Then, the body CPU 2201 starts various image processing of the image data by the image processing circuit 2206 (step S203).

Further, the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor driving circuit 210-1 to drive the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 to start image display on the monitor screen (step S204).
Here, live view display on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 is started (step S205), and the body CPU 2201 controls to start acceptance when the release switch is turned on. That is, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the shutter button 301b has been operated (whether or not the 1st or 2nd release switch has been turned on) (step S206).

  When step S206 is branched to YES (when the release switch is turned on), the body CPU 2201 ends the operation related to the live view display executed in steps S201 to S205 and executes the shooting operation. Are controlled (step S7). The processing relating to the photographing operation in step S7 is as described above with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when step S206 is branched to NO (when the release switch is OFF), and after the processing of step S7 is completed, the body CPU 2201 performs “information display calculation” to perform “setting state”. Information (to be described later) "is calculated and stored in the SDRAM 207 (step S208).

  Here, the body CPU 2201 starts measuring a predetermined finder timer (step S209). Then, based on the output of the eye sensor 213, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the user is going to take a picture using the finder liquid crystal monitor 211, that is, whether or not the user is looking into the finder liquid crystal monitor 211. (Step S210).

  When step S210 is branched to YES (when the user intends to perform viewfinder shooting), the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor drive circuit 210-1 via the video signal output circuit 2208 to display on the viewfinder liquid crystal monitor 211. Is turned on (step S211).

When the display of the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 is turned on in step S211, the body CPU 2201 also starts displaying the “setting state information” generated in step S208 on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 (step S222).
Here, the body CPU 2201 starts measuring a predetermined finder timer (step S223). Further, the body CPU 2201 controls to turn off the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 via the monitor drive circuit 210-2 (step S224).

  When step S210 is branched to NO (when the user does not perform viewfinder shooting), the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor drive circuit 210-2 via the video signal output circuit 2208 to display on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214. Is turned on (step S225).

When the display on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 is turned on in step S225, the body CPU 2201 also starts displaying the “setting state information” generated in step S208 on the rear liquid crystal monitor 214 (step S226).
Here, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the finder timer has timed up (step S227). When step S227 is branched to YES (when the finder timer has timed up), the body CPU 2201 controls the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 to be turned off via the monitor drive circuit 210-1 (step S228).

By the way, after completing the processing in step S224 or step S228, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the shutter button 301b has been operated (whether or not the release switch has been turned on) (step S229).
When step S229 is branched to YES (when the release switch is turned on), the body CPU 2201 ends the operation relating to the live view display and controls each part of the camera 10 to execute the photographing operation (step S7). ). The processing relating to the photographing operation in step S7 is as described above with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when step S229 is branched to NO (when the release switch is turned off) and after the processing of step S7 is completed, the body CPU 2201 determines whether the power switch 301a is turned off. Determination is made (step S231). When step S231 is branched to YES, the body CPU 2201 powers off the camera 10 (step S29).

  When step S231 is branched to NO, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not a predetermined sleep timer has expired (step S232). When step S232 is branched to NO (when the sleep timer is not up), the process proceeds to step S210. On the other hand, when step S232 is branched to YES (when the sleep timer expires), the body CPU 2201 sets the camera 10 to the “sleep mode” that is the power saving mode (step S233).

  After the camera 10 is set to the sleep mode, the body CPU 2201 determines whether or not the power switch 301a is turned off (step S234). When step S22 is branched to YES (when the power switch 301a is turned off), the body CPU 2201 powers off the camera 10 (step S29).

  On the other hand, when step S231 is branched to NO (for example, when an interrupt process is performed by an operation of the operation unit 301 or the like by the user), the body CPU 2201 cancels the sleep mode and returns the camera 10 to the normal state. When the sleep mode is canceled by the interrupt process, the body CPU 2201 controls the image sensor driving circuit 205 via the input / output circuit 2211 to drive the image sensor 2041 and start an imaging operation (step S235).

  Subsequently, the body CPU 2201 causes the image processing circuit 2206 to start photometric processing (live view photometric processing) for the image data acquired by the image sensor 2041 and captured by the image processing circuit 2206 via the preprocessing circuit 206 ( Step S236). Then, the body CPU 2201 starts various image processing of the image data by the image processing circuit 2206 (step S237).

Further, the body CPU 2201 controls the monitor driving circuit 210-1 to drive the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 to start image display on the monitor screen (step S238). Thereafter, the process returns to step S210.
As described above, according to the second modification, in addition to the same effects as the imaging apparatus and imaging method according to the above-described embodiment, an imaging apparatus and imaging method that provide the following effects are provided. Can do.

  That is, according to the imaging apparatus and imaging method according to the second modification, once the live view image is displayed on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 of the built-in finder unit 200u (the user once has the eyepiece of the built-in finder unit 200u). 212), even if the display of the live view image is subsequently switched to the rear liquid crystal monitor 214, the display of the live view image on the finder liquid crystal monitor 211 of the built-in finder unit 200u is timed up (the finder timer times out). Until the time).

  Thereby, for example, even if the user moves his / her face away from the built-in finder unit 200u for a short time and the display of the live view image is switched to the rear liquid crystal monitor 214, the user uses the finder liquid crystal monitor 211. The framing can be performed again immediately.

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

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Camera, 100 ... Interchangeable lens, 101 ... Focusing lens, 102 ... Aperture mechanism, 103 ... Focus drive mechanism, 104 ... Aperture drive mechanism, 105 ... Lens CPU, 106 ... Communication terminal, 200 ... Camera body, 200u ... Built-in finder Unit: 201 ... Shutter, 202 ... Shutter drive mechanism, 2041 ... Imaging device, 204 ... Imaging unit, 205 ... Imaging device driving circuit, 206 ... Preprocessing circuit, 2206 ... Image processing circuit, 207 ... SDRAM, 208 ... Recording medium, 209: Flash memory, 210: Monitor driving circuit, 211, 311: Viewfinder liquid crystal monitor, 212, 312 ... Eyepiece, 213, 313 ... Eye sensor, 214 ... Rear liquid crystal monitor, 217: Attachment / detachment detection switch, 220 ... Control circuit, 251 ... Body vibration sensor, 252 ... Body vibration isolation control circuit, 253 ... Body vibration isolation mechanism, 254 ... Dustproof filter drive circuit, 300u ... External viewfinder unit, 301 ... Operating section, 301a ... Power switch, 301b ... Shutter button, 306, 308 ... communication terminal, 311 ... finder liquid crystal monitor, 312 ... eyepiece lens, 313 ... eye sensor, 2041 ... imaging element, 2042 ... filter group, 2043 ... dust filter, 2043p ... piezoelectric element, 2201 ... body CPU 2202 ... AF circuit, 2203 ... SDRAM control circuit, 2204 ... flash memory control circuit, 2205 ... recording medium control circuit, 2206 ... image processing circuit, 2208 ... video signal output circuit, 2207 ... compression / decompression circuit, 2 10 ... the switch detection circuit, 2211 ... input and output circuit, 2212 ... communication circuit, 2213 ... data bus.

Claims (12)

An imaging apparatus having a plurality of image display units for displaying image data,
An activation instructing unit for instructing to activate the imaging apparatus;
An imaging unit that acquires image data by imaging;
An image processing unit that processes image data acquired by the imaging unit to generate display image data;
A priority image display unit that is an image display unit that preferentially displays the image data for display among the plurality of image display units;
A control unit configured to activate the imaging unit and the priority image display unit in response to an activation instruction by the activation instruction unit, and to control the display image data to be displayed only on the priority image display unit for at least a predetermined time; ,
An imaging apparatus comprising: The priority image display unit is a display unit that allows an image to be viewed while being looked into by an operator,
The imaging apparatus further includes a peep detection unit that detects a state in which the priority image display unit is peeped,
The activation instructing unit gives an instruction to activate the imaging device when the state of being viewed is detected by the peeping detection unit or when a power switch of the imaging device is turned on. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. An external display device including an image display unit for displaying the display image data; an external device connection unit for connecting the display image data to the imaging device so as to be able to transmit;
A device connection detection unit for detecting that the external display device is connected to the external device connection unit;
Further comprising
When the power switch of the imaging device is turned on, or when the device connection detection unit detects that the external display device is connected to the external device connection unit, the activation instruction unit Instructions to start
When the device connection detection unit detects that the external display device is connected to the external device connection unit, the priority image display unit is the image display unit included in the external display device. The imaging device according to claim 1. When the imaging device is in a power-off state or in a sleep state, the control unit sets a time interval for detection by the peeping detection unit to be longer than that in a normal state. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2. An information generation unit that generates setting information indicating the setting state of the imaging apparatus;
The control unit causes the information generation unit to generate the setting information when the display image data is displayed on the priority image display unit in response to the activation instruction, and the setting information is displayed on the priority image display unit. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is controlled to be displayed. When an activation instruction is made by the activation instruction unit, the image acquisition unit further includes an accumulation time setting unit that sets a plurality of accumulation times in imaging by the imaging unit,
The image processing unit determines image processing content from a plurality of image data acquired at each of a plurality of storage times set by the storage time setting unit, and executes image processing of the determined image processing content The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display image data is generated. A sleep timer;
The control unit, when the display image data is displayed on the priority image display unit, when the power-off operation of the imaging apparatus is performed or when the sleep timer times out, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image display units other than the image display unit are turned off, and the priority image display unit is turned off when a predetermined time has elapsed thereafter. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the priority image display unit is turned off, the control unit controls to fade out the display on the priority image display unit. A sleep timer;
The controller sets the priority image according to a detection result by the peep detection unit when returning the imaging device from the sleep state after setting the imaging device to the sleep state due to the time-up of the sleep timer. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display device or the other image display unit is controlled to display the display image data. Further comprising a connection means for connecting the external device having the predetermined display unit and the imaging device so that the display image data can be transmitted,
The control unit sets the display unit included in the external device as the priority image display unit when the external device and the imaging device are connected via the connection unit. The imaging device according to claim 1. An imaging method using an imaging device having a plurality of image display units for displaying image data,
Instructing to start the imaging device,
After being activated according to the instructions, obtain image data by imaging,
The image data acquired by the imaging is subjected to image processing to generate display image data,
In response to the instruction, the imaging unit and the predetermined image display unit are activated, and the display image data is displayed only on the predetermined image display unit among the plurality of image display units for at least a predetermined time.
An imaging method characterized by the above. Clocked by a sleep timer,
In a state where the display image data is displayed on the predetermined image display unit, when the power-off operation of the imaging apparatus is performed or when the sleep timer times out, the predetermined image display unit The imaging method according to claim 11, wherein the other image display units are turned off, and the predetermined image display unit is turned off when a predetermined time elapses thereafter.

Images