JP2013207333A - Photographing device and photographing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cause a user to recognize brightness and a depth of field of a photographic subject when a manual exposure parameter is applied to a photographing device in a case where a live-view image is displayed on the photographing device at the time of a manual exposure mode.SOLUTION: A photographing device comprises: an image capture section for capturing an image of a photographic subject; an image data generation section for generating image data on the basis of output data of the image capture section; a setting acceptance section for accepting a manual aperture value and a manual shutter speed set by a user; an aperture priority automatic exposure processing section for specifying a shutter speed causing appropriate exposure in response to brightness of the photographic subject as an automatic shutter speed when the manual aperture value is applied to the photographing device; and a controller that applies the manual aperture value and the automatic shutter speed to the photographing device, causes the image capture section to capture the image, causes the image data generation section to generate automatic exposure image data, generates manual exposure image data on the basis of the automatic exposure image data, the manual aperture value and the manual shutter speed and causes an automatic exposure image indicated by the automatic exposure image data and a manual exposure image indicated by the manual exposure image data to be displayed on a display section.

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus and a photographing method, and particularly relates to a live view display in a manual exposure mode.

  Patent Document 1 superimposes a luminance histogram of a subject image in a case where an image is captured by applying a manual exposure parameter on a subject image captured by applying an automatic exposure parameter that provides an appropriate exposure in live view display. An imaging apparatus for displaying on a display unit is described.

JP 2007-110454 A

  In the case of a photographing apparatus adopting EVF (Electronic View Finder) as an alternative to the optical viewfinder, it is assumed that the live view image is photographed with automatic exposure when photographed and displayed. Even in the manual exposure mode where shooting is performed by applying manual exposure parameters such as manual shutter speed and manual aperture value, if the manual exposure parameter deviates significantly from the appropriate value, the subject can be visually recognized in the live view image. Therefore, in order to ensure the visibility of the subject in the live view image, the image is captured and displayed with automatic exposure. However, the user cannot determine whether or not the manual exposure parameter set by himself / herself is appropriate by looking at the live view image captured by automatic exposure. With the technique of Patent Document 1, the user can recognize the luminance distribution when shooting with manual exposure parameters while visually recognizing a live view image of a subject with proper exposure. Therefore, it is possible for the user to adjust the shutter speed and aperture value with reference to the luminance histogram (however, it is not easy for a skilled person to use the histogram shape as a judgment material for manual exposure parameter adjustment). . On the other hand, in the manual exposure mode, the image capturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can recognize the luminance distribution of the image of the subject when the manual exposure parameter is applied, but the exposure when the manual exposure parameter is applied. The depth of field cannot be confirmed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and allows a user to recognize the brightness and depth of field when a manual exposure parameter is applied when displaying a live view image in the manual exposure mode. Objective.

  An imaging device for achieving the above object includes an imaging unit, an image data generation unit, a setting reception unit, an aperture priority automatic exposure processing unit, and a control unit. The imaging unit images a subject and outputs data indicating an image of the subject. The image data generation unit generates image data based on the output data of the imaging unit. The setting reception unit receives a manual aperture value and a manual shutter speed set by the user. The aperture-priority automatic exposure processing unit specifies a shutter speed at which an appropriate exposure according to the brightness of the subject is obtained as the automatic shutter speed when the manual aperture value is applied. That is, automatic exposure processing is performed with priority on the aperture, and the automatic shutter speed is specified.

  The control unit applies the manual aperture value and the automatic shutter speed specified by the aperture priority automatic exposure processing unit, causes the imaging unit to perform imaging, and causes the image data generation unit to generate automatic exposure image data. The control unit also generates manual exposure image data based on the generated automatic exposure image data, manual aperture value, and manual shutter speed. For example, the exposure value indicated by the manual aperture value, the automatic shutter speed specified by the aperture priority automatic exposure processing unit, and the sensitivity of the image sensor (these are parameters that affect the brightness of the automatic exposure image data) Then, an exposure correction value represented by the difference between the manual aperture value, the manual shutter speed, and the exposure value indicated by the sensitivity of the image sensor is obtained. Then, manual exposure image data is generated by correcting the luminance of each pixel of the image data photographed and generated by automatic exposure based on the automatic exposure image data and the exposure correction value. The control unit causes the display unit to display the automatic exposure image indicated by the automatic exposure image data and the manual exposure image indicated by the manual exposure image data.

  With the above configuration, in the manual exposure mode in which the user manually sets the aperture value and the shutter speed, it is possible to visually recognize a subject image (automatic exposure image) with proper exposure when the manual aperture value is applied. In addition, the subject image (manual exposure image) when the manual aperture value and the manual shutter speed are applied can be visually recognized. That is, since an automatic exposure image with appropriate exposure is displayed on the display unit, the user can easily confirm the state of the subject. Further, since the manual exposure image is displayed on the display unit, the user can recognize the brightness of the image when the image is taken with the set manual exposure parameters (shutter speed and aperture value). Therefore, the user can adjust the manual exposure parameter while looking at the display unit. The control unit only needs to be able to display the automatic exposure image indicated by the automatic exposure image data and the manual exposure image indicated by the manual exposure image data so that the user can compare them. For example, two images may be displayed at the same time on the same display unit, or the two images may be switched and displayed according to some trigger.

  In addition, since the auto-exposure image is an image obtained by performing automatic exposure processing with the aperture set to the aperture indicated by the manual aperture value, the user can display the auto-exposure image in a state where his / her intended blur is expressed. Can be visually recognized.

  Further, in the photographing apparatus for achieving the above object, the aperture priority automatic exposure processing unit specifies the highest speed value as the automatic shutter speed when the automatic shutter speed is faster than the highest speed value that the photographing apparatus can handle. In addition, an aperture value indicating an aperture diameter smaller than the aperture diameter indicated by the manual aperture value may be specified as an automatic aperture value that provides proper exposure. Also, if the automatic shutter speed is slower than the minimum speed value that can be handled by the photographing apparatus, the minimum speed value is specified as the automatic shutter speed, and the aperture corresponding to the aperture diameter larger than the aperture diameter indicated by the manual aperture value The value may be specified as an automatic aperture value that provides proper exposure. In that case, the control unit applies the automatic shutter speed and the automatic aperture value to cause the imaging unit to perform imaging, and causes the image data generation unit to generate automatic exposure image data.

  In other words, when a proper aperture value cannot be obtained by applying a manual aperture value in the aperture priority automatic exposure processing unit, the aperture value is changed from the manual aperture value, but the aperture value (automatic aperture value) should be a manual aperture value. Close values can be applied. As a result, in the auto-exposure image, the difference from the depth of field of the image generated when shooting is performed by applying the manual aperture value can be minimized. Also in the manual exposure image indicated by the manual exposure image data generated based on the automatic exposure image data, the difference from the depth of field of the image generated when shooting is performed by applying the manual aperture value. It can be made as small as possible.

  Further, in the photographing apparatus for achieving the above object, the control unit, when the brightness of the manual exposure image data becomes brighter than a predetermined upper limit value, the manual exposure image data so that the brightness becomes the upper limit value. May be generated and displayed. Further, when the brightness of the manual exposure image data is darker than a predetermined lower limit value, the manual exposure image data may be generated and displayed so that the brightness becomes the lower limit value. A range that is greater than or equal to the lower limit value and less than or equal to the upper limit value is determined in advance as a brightness range of an image in which the subject is easily visible. The brightness of the image may be expressed by any index. For example, the exposure value may be used. Or the average value of the brightness | luminance of the pixel contained in the predetermined area | region in an image may be sufficient.

  Therefore, when the manual exposure image data becomes extremely bright, the manual exposure image data is not displayed as it is, and the manual exposure image data is set so that the brightness does not exceed the upper limit of the brightness at which the subject is easily visible. Can be generated and displayed. As a result, it is possible to ensure the visibility of manual exposure image data while allowing the user to recognize overexposure. Also, if the manual exposure image data becomes extremely dark, the manual exposure image data is not displayed as it is, and the manual exposure image data is set so that the brightness does not fall below the lower limit of the brightness at which the subject can be easily viewed. Can be generated and displayed. As a result, it is possible to ensure the visibility of manual exposure image data while allowing the user to recognize underexposure.

  Note that the function of each means described in the claims is realized by a hardware resource whose function is specified by the configuration itself, a hardware resource whose function is specified by a program, or a combination thereof. The functions of these means are not limited to those realized by hardware resources that are physically independent of each other. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as an imaging method, a control program for an imaging apparatus, and a recording medium for recording the program. Of course, the recording medium for the computer program may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium that will be developed in the future.

1 is a block diagram of a photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a live view and this imaging | photography. The flowchart which shows the production | generation process of automatic exposure image data and manual exposure image data. The figure which shows the example of a display concerning 1st embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display concerning other embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the corresponding component in each figure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

1. 1. First embodiment 1-1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a photographing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The photographing apparatus 1 includes a display unit 20, a recording unit 30, an operation unit 40, an optical system 10, an area image sensor 14, a control unit 15, and an adjustment unit 80.

  The operation unit 40 includes a shutter operation unit, an operation unit for switching a shooting mode, an operation unit for switching an aperture, an operation unit for switching a shutter speed, and an operation unit for operating various setting menus. The user can give various instructions to the photographing apparatus 1 by operating the operation unit 40.

  The display unit 20 includes an interface circuit (not shown), a liquid crystal panel driver, a liquid crystal panel, an eyepiece (not shown), and the like. In the present embodiment, the display unit 20 is an EVF (Electronic View Finder) that displays an image showing a subject to be photographed and allows the user to grasp information such as the state of the subject before photographing and photographing conditions. The imaging device 1 according to the embodiment is a mirrorless digital camera provided with an EVF.

  The recording unit 30 can insert a recording medium (not shown), and records information on the recording medium and reads information from the recording medium with the recording medium inserted in the recording unit 30. Can do. That is, the image data indicating the photographed image can be recorded on the recording medium.

  The optical system 10 includes a lens 11 that forms an image of a subject on the area image sensor 14, an aperture 12, and a shutter 13. In the present embodiment, the lens 11 and the diaphragm 12 are attached to a housing (not shown) in a replaceable manner. In the present embodiment, the lens 11 shows only one lens in FIG. 1, but includes a plurality of lenses arranged in the optical axis direction, and each lens is supported at the outer edge and at least one lens is included. The single lens is movable in the optical axis direction. In the present embodiment, the diaphragm 12 is constituted by a plurality of shielding plates that are rotatably supported in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 11, and the plurality of shielding plates rotate in conjunction with each other. Thus, it is possible to change the area of the unshielded portion in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The value indicating the unshielded portion by the distance from the center of the optical axis is the aperture diameter of the diaphragm 12.

In the photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the aperture value can be selected from 1.4 to 22.0. The aperture diameter of the aperture 12 increases as the aperture value decreases, and the aperture 12 is changed by one step. By doing so, the amount of light can be changed to 1/2 or 2 times. When the shutter speed is fixed and the aperture value is changed, the amount of light reaching the area image sensor 14 is increased when the aperture value is increased by one step (approximately ^21/2 times the aperture value: the aperture diameter is reduced). When the aperture value is halved and the aperture value is decreased by one step (the aperture value is approximately 1/2 ^1/2 times), the light amount is doubled.

  The shutter 13 is a mechanical shutter, and includes a light-shielding curtain as a flat plate-shaped light-shielding portion parallel to the imaging element surface of the area image sensor 14. The light-shielding curtain can be driven in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and normally the light-shielding curtain is held in a state where the light path in the direction parallel to the optical axis is not obstructed. In addition, when the light shielding curtain is held without blocking the light path, when the predetermined trigger is given, the state where the light shielding curtain is held is released, and the light shielding curtain is driven in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. As a result, the light path is blocked. In the present embodiment, the exposure time when taking an image to be recorded on a recording medium is controlled by combining the shutter 13 and the electronic shutter of the area image sensor 14.

  The area image sensor 14 as an image pickup unit is a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor including a color filter arranged in a Bayer array and a plurality of photodiodes that accumulate charges corresponding to the amount of light for each pixel by photoelectric conversion. . Of course, the image sensor may be a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. In the present embodiment, the area image sensor 14 can perform an electronic shutter operation. That is, the area image sensor 14 can control the exposure start timing and the exposure end timing for each photoelectric conversion element for each line, and the time during which the image sensor detects light in each line is determined. It is possible to adjust the start and end timing of exposure while adjusting. In the present embodiment, the exposure time for capturing an image for performing live view display is controlled by an electronic shutter.

  Therefore, the photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can control the exposure time by a combination of the shutter 13 that is a mechanical shutter and the electronic shutter of the area image sensor 14, and the exposure time can be controlled by the electronic shutter of the area image sensor 14. It can be controlled. That is, when an image to be recorded on a recording medium is taken, the exposure time is controlled by an electronic front curtain-mechanical rear curtain shutter system. Specifically, first, exposure is started in a line-sequential manner by the electronic shutter, and light shielding by the mechanical shutter is started so that each line is shielded at a timing at which the exposure time for each line becomes a set shutter speed. On the other hand, when taking an image for live view display, the exposure time is controlled by an electronic shutter method. That is, both the front curtain and the rear curtain are controlled by the electronic shutter. Specifically, first, exposure is started in line order by the electronic shutter, and exposure is ended in line order so that the exposure time for each line becomes a set shutter speed.

  In the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to change the shutter speed within the same range regardless of the method, and in the present embodiment, the shutter speed is set to 1 for each step. It is possible to select between 1/4000 (seconds) and 1 second while changing to 2 times or 2 times. When the aperture diameter of the aperture stop 12 is fixed and the shutter speed is changed, if the shutter speed is increased by one step, the amount of light reaching the area image sensor 14 is halved, and if the shutter speed is decreased by one step, the amount of light is Doubled.

  The control unit 15 is an SOC (System On a Chip) configured with a circuit that executes various processes for controlling each unit of the photographing apparatus 1. The control unit 15 operates the display unit 20, the recording unit 30, and the operation. The operations of the unit 40, the optical system 10, and the area image sensor 14 are controlled. For this control, the control unit 15 includes a live view processing unit 15a, a display control unit 15b, a shooting processing unit 15c, a recording image data generation unit 15d, and a setting reception unit 15e. The setting receiving unit 15e has a function of receiving a user instruction input using the operation unit 40 and giving an instruction to each unit so as to perform processing according to the instruction. A manual aperture value, a manual shutter speed, and a sensitivity setting value of the area image sensor 14 input by the user by operating the operation unit 40 are received by the setting receiving unit 15e.

  The live view processing unit 15a has a function of specifying a shooting condition of an image to be a live view display target based on an instruction or default setting in the operation unit 40 and outputting a parameter for shooting under the shooting condition. Yes. In the present embodiment, the setting of the shooting condition according to the parameter is executed by the adjustment unit 80. In other words, the adjustment unit 80 is a processor that gives control signals to the focus adjustment unit 80a, the diaphragm adjustment unit 80b, and the shutter speed adjustment unit 80c to adjust the focus, the diaphragm 12, and the shutter speed. The shutter speed adjusted during live view display is an electronic shutter.

  In addition, the live view processing unit 15a has a function of performing predetermined image processing such as γ conversion on an image shot under shooting conditions for performing live view display to generate image data indicating an image for display. I have. In this case, the live view processing unit 15a corresponds to an image data generation unit. The image processing includes processing for outputting an evaluation value for performing AE (Automatic Exposure) processing. That is, the live view processing unit 15a specifies an evaluation value (for example, an average value of luminance) for evaluating the brightness of pixels included in a predetermined photometry area set within the shooting range by the area image sensor 14. It is possible to output it as an evaluation value for performing the AE process. In the present embodiment, during live view display, the AE process is performed with priority on the manual aperture value. Therefore, in this case, the live view processing unit 15a corresponds to an aperture priority automatic exposure processing unit.

  The display control unit 15b has a function of causing the display unit 20 to display image data on which image processing has been performed by the live view processing unit 15a. That is, the display control unit 15b outputs the image data output from the live view processing unit 15a to the display unit 20. In addition, the display control unit 15b includes a vertical synchronization signal that defines a period for performing display for one frame based on a clock signal having a predetermined period, a horizontal synchronization signal that defines a period for performing display for one line, A data active signal for defining the image data capture period in each line and a data clock signal for defining the image data capture timing of each pixel are generated and output to the display unit 20. As a result, the display unit 20 performs drawing for each line at a cycle specified by the horizontal synchronization signal, and performs frame drawing at a cycle specified by the vertical synchronization signal to display an image. , 60 fps), live view display can be performed.

  The photographing processing unit 15c has a function of outputting a parameter when photographing an image recorded on a recording medium. In the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 80 includes parameters indicating a manual aperture value and a manual shutter speed setting value. Output. The adjusting unit 80 outputs a control signal corresponding to the parameter to the aperture adjusting unit 80b and the shutter speed adjusting unit 80c. As a result, the aperture 12 and the shutter speed are adjusted so as to be set according to the user settings, and shooting is performed and recorded on the recording medium. Note that when an image recorded on a recording medium is taken, the shutter speed is adjusted by both the mechanical shutter and the electronic shutter.

  The recording image data generation unit 15d performs predetermined image processing such as γ conversion on an image captured with the settings instructed by the imaging processing unit 15c to generate image data indicating a recording image, and a recording medium It has a function to record. That is, image processing is performed on an image photographed by the area image sensor 14, and image data indicating the image after image processing is recorded on a recording medium inserted in the recording unit 30.

1-2. Live View Processing Next, operations in live view shooting will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Live view shooting described below is performed in a manual exposure mode in which shooting is performed by applying a manual shutter speed and a manual aperture value during main shooting. When live view shooting or manual exposure mode ends, the following operations end. First, the setting reception unit 15e acquires a manual aperture value and a manual shutter speed (step S100). In the present embodiment, for the setting value indicating the sensitivity of the area image sensor 14, the setting receiving unit 15 e has acquired a value set in advance by the user through the operation unit 40 (or a default value has been acquired). Then, the live view processing unit 15a controls the aperture 12 based on the acquired manual aperture value (step S105). Specifically, the live view processing unit 15 a outputs the manual aperture value to the adjustment unit 80. When the adjustment unit 80 acquires the manual aperture value, the aperture control unit 60 controls the aperture 12 so that the aperture diameter of the aperture 12 becomes the diameter indicated by the manual aperture value.

  Subsequently, the setting reception unit 15e determines whether or not the shutter operation unit is fully pressed (step S110). If it is not fully pressed, that is, if it is in a half-pressed state or a state where the shutter operation unit is not pressed, the live view processing unit 15a sets the shutter speed for obtaining an appropriate exposure when the manual aperture value is applied to the automatic shutter speed. (Step S115). That is, the AE process is performed in a state where the aperture 12 is controlled so as to have an aperture diameter indicated by the manual aperture value of the live view processing unit 15a. Specifically, the live view processing unit 15a calculates an evaluation value for performing AE processing, and a value indicating that the evaluation value is within a range of a value indicating the appropriate exposure range or brighter than the appropriate exposure range. Or a value indicating darker than the appropriate exposure range. Note that the default value or the value used for the previous shooting is applied to the shutter speed at this stage. When the evaluation value is within the range of the value indicating the proper exposure range, the shutter speed in that case is specified as the automatic shutter speed for obtaining the proper exposure when the manual aperture value is applied.

  When the evaluation value is a value indicating that it is brighter than the appropriate exposure range, the live view processing unit 15a outputs a control signal for increasing the shutter speed by one step to the adjustment unit 80. As a result, the shutter speed adjustment unit 80c increases the shutter speed of the electronic shutter in the area image sensor 14 by one step from the previous shutter speed. In this case, since the amount of light reaching the area image sensor 14 is smaller than that in the previous state, if the evaluation value for the live view processing unit 15a to perform the AE processing in this state is calculated, it is darker than in the previous state. It becomes the value shown. Therefore, by repeating the processing for increasing the shutter speed as described above until the evaluation value reaches the appropriate exposure range, it is possible to specify the automatic shutter speed for obtaining the appropriate exposure when the manual aperture value is applied. .

  On the other hand, when the evaluation value for performing the AE process is a value indicating that the evaluation value is darker than the appropriate exposure range, the live view processing unit 15a outputs a control signal for reducing the shutter speed by one step to the adjustment unit 80. To do. As a result, the shutter speed adjustment unit 80c causes the shutter speed of the electronic shutter in the area image sensor 14 to be one step slower than the previous shutter speed. In this case, since the amount of light reaching the area image sensor 14 is larger than that in the previous state, if the evaluation value for the live view processing unit 15a to perform the AE process again in this state is calculated, the evaluation value is higher than that in the previous state. Indicates a bright value. Therefore, the automatic shutter speed for obtaining the proper exposure when the manual aperture value is applied by repeating the process for reducing the shutter speed as described above until the evaluation value for performing the AE process reaches the appropriate exposure range. Can be specified. When the evaluation value is greatly deviated from the appropriate exposure range, the shutter speed may be changed in multiple steps at a time.

  Subsequently, the live view processing unit 15a applies an automatic exposure image for live view display using output data obtained by causing the area image sensor 14 to capture the image by applying the manual aperture value and the automatic shutter speed specified in step S115. Generate (step S120). FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed to generate automatic exposure image data and manual exposure image data from output data. In step S120, processing in steps S200 to S225 is performed. That is, the live view processing unit 15a performs gain adjustment processing (step S200), thinning / pixel interpolation processing (step S205), white balance correction processing (step S210), color reproduction processing (step S215, human's) on the output data. Automatic exposure image data for live view display is generated by performing tone correction / γ correction processing (step S220) and noise removal / sharpness processing (step S225) in this order. To do.

Subsequently, the live view processing unit 15a generates manual exposure image data based on the automatic exposure image data, the manual shutter speed, and the manual aperture value (step S125). Specifically, the live view processing unit 15a performs steps S230 to S240 on the image data after the color reproduction processing in step S215 in FIG. 3 which is image data in the process of generating automatic exposure image data. In the exposure correction process of step S230, the live view processing unit 15a first determines an exposure value (automatic) from a shutter speed (automatic shutter speed), an aperture value (manual aperture value), and a sensitivity setting value of the area image sensor 14 at which proper exposure is achieved. This is referred to as an exposure value, which is the exposure value of the appropriate exposure calculated by the AE process. The automatic shutter speed, manual aperture value, and sensitivity setting value of the area image sensor 14 are parameters that affect the brightness of the automatic exposure image data. In addition, the live view processing unit 15a calculates an exposure value (referred to as a manual exposure value) from the manual shutter speed, the manual aperture value, and the sensitivity setting value of the area image sensor 14. Then, the live view processing unit 15a obtains an exposure correction value a obtained as (manual exposure value−automatic exposure value). When a <0, it means that underexposure occurs when the manual aperture value and the manual shutter speed are applied. When a> 0, it means that overexposure occurs when the manual aperture value and the manual shutter speed are applied. The live view processing unit 15a calculates P _out = P _in × 2 ^a for the luminance value P _in of each pixel of the image data after the color reproduction processing to calculate the luminance value P _out after exposure correction. For example, if the exposure correction value a is “+3 (EV)”, P _out = P _in × 8. Then, the live view processing unit 15a performs tone correction / γ correction processing (step S235) and noise removal / sharpness processing (step S240) on the image data after exposure correction to generate manual exposure image data.

  When the automatic exposure image data and the manual exposure image data are generated, the display control unit 15b causes the display unit 20 to display the automatic exposure image indicated by the automatic exposure image data and the manual exposure image indicated by the manual exposure image data ( Step S130). FIG. 4 shows a display example on the display unit 20 of the automatic exposure image and the manual exposure image. FIG. 4 shows that a screen 200 of the display unit 20 is provided with a live view image display area 201 and an exposure meter display area 202. An area 201 a is set in the live view image display area 201. The display control unit 15b causes the display unit 20 to display a manual exposure image in a range corresponding to the region 201a in the region 201a, and excludes the region 201a from the remaining regions other than the region 201a in the live view image display region 201. An automatic exposure image corresponding to the remaining area is displayed on the display unit 20. Or conversely, the automatic exposure image may be displayed in the area 201a, and the manual exposure image may be displayed in the remaining area excluding the area 201a. Note that the position, shape, and number of the regions 201a are not limited thereto. The live view image display area 201 may be located at a position other than the center. For example, any one of the areas obtained by dividing the live view image display area 201 vertically and horizontally or diagonally may be the area 201a. In the live view image display area 201, an OSD (On Screen Display) indicating a shooting condition or the like may be displayed superimposed on the live view image. The exposure meter displayed in the exposure meter display area 202 represents the exposure correction value a described above. In the example of FIG. 4, the exposure correction value a is −3.5 (EV), that is, the exposure value of the manual exposure image is −3.5 (EV) based on the exposure value of the automatic exposure image. It shows that there is. The display control unit 15 b displays an image indicating the exposure meter in the exposure meter display area 202. While the shutter operation unit is not fully pressed, the live view image can be displayed on the display unit 20 by repeating steps S100 to S130 at least in the frame cycle of the display unit 20.

  As described above, since the automatic exposure image and the manual exposure image are generated from the output data captured in a state where the aperture diameter of the aperture 12 is the aperture diameter indicated by the manual aperture value, the aperture 12 intended by the user is used. The depth of field can be confirmed with the setting of. In addition, since the automatic exposure image and the manual exposure image are displayed on the screen of the display unit 20, the user can determine the composition and shooting timing by visually recognizing the subject with appropriate exposure during the live view display. The exposure when shooting with manual aperture value and manual shutter speed can also be checked at the same time during live view display. Therefore, the user can adjust the angle of view and adjust the shutter speed and aperture value while recognizing the state of the image captured by the area image sensor 14 in real time.

  If it is determined in S110 that the shutter operation unit has been fully pressed, the imaging processing unit 15c outputs parameters indicating the manual aperture value and the manual shutter speed to the adjustment unit 80 and causes the area image sensor 14 to capture an image (step S135). ). Then, the recording image data generation unit 15d generates an image converted from the output data output from the area image sensor 14 into a recording format (step S140), and outputs the generated image to the recording unit 30 to be recorded on a recording medium. Recording is performed (step S145). Thereafter, the processing from step S100 is repeated again.

2. Other Embodiments The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as by combining the following modifications. Of course. For example, when the AE process is performed, the AE process is performed with the aperture priority in the above embodiment. However, there are cases where the shutter speed at which proper exposure is performed cannot be specified by performing AE processing with the aperture value fixed to the manual aperture value. In other words, when the manual aperture value is applied, the shutter speed at which proper exposure is performed may be outside the range of shutter speeds that can be realized in the photographing apparatus 1. In this case, the live view processing unit 15a outputs a control signal for changing the aperture value from the manual aperture value to the adjustment unit 80. Specifically, when the automatic shutter speed at which proper exposure is achieved when the manual aperture value is applied is faster than the maximum shutter speed of the photographing apparatus 1, the live view processing unit 15a sets the shutter speed to the maximum speed. Is output to the adjustment unit 80, and a control signal for reducing the aperture diameter of the diaphragm 12 by one step is output to the adjustment unit 80. In response to these control signals, the shutter speed adjustment unit 80c maximizes the electronic shutter speed, and the aperture adjustment unit 80b reduces the aperture diameter of the aperture 12 by one step. The live view processing unit 15a repeats calculating an evaluation value for the AE process again and outputting a control signal for reducing the aperture diameter of the stop 12 until the evaluation value falls within the appropriate exposure range.

  Further, when the automatic shutter speed at which proper exposure is achieved when the manual aperture value is applied is slower than the minimum shutter speed value of the photographing apparatus 1, the live view processing unit 15a sets the shutter speed to the minimum speed value. A control signal is output to the adjustment unit 80, and a control signal for increasing the aperture diameter of the diaphragm 12 by one step is output to the adjustment unit 80. In response to these control signals, the shutter speed adjustment unit 80c sets the electronic shutter speed to the lowest speed, and the aperture adjustment unit 80b increases the aperture diameter of the aperture 12 by one step. The live view processing unit 15a repeats calculating an evaluation value for the AE process again and outputting a control signal for reducing the aperture diameter of the stop 12 until the evaluation value falls within the appropriate exposure range. When the AE process is performed with the aperture value fixed at the manual aperture value and the automatic shutter speed at which the appropriate exposure is obtained cannot be specified, the automatic aperture value and the automatic shutter speed at which the appropriate exposure is obtained are specified as described above. Then, the automatic aperture value and the automatic shutter speed that are specified are applied to capture and generate automatic exposure image data. As a result, a value close to the manual aperture value can be applied to the automatic aperture value applied at the time of imaging for generating the automatic exposure image data, and therefore the depth of field when the manual aperture value is applied. The difference can be made as small as possible. Therefore, the user can adjust the manual aperture value while checking the depth of field by looking at the live view image including the automatic exposure image or the manual exposure image displayed on the display unit 20.

  By the way, when the manual exposure image is extremely underexposed or overexposed, it may be displayed as an image having a brightness level at which the image can be confirmed. If the exposure is extremely underexposed, the visibility of the subject in the manual exposure image is extremely reduced. In order to prevent this, the exposure meter displayed in the exposure meter display area 202 displays the calculated exposure correction value a as it is, but the manual exposure image data has an exposure correction value a1 having an absolute value smaller than the exposure correction value a. You may make it produce | generate based on automatic exposure image data. More specifically, for example, when “manual exposure value> exposure upper limit value”, manual exposure image data may be generated using the exposure correction value a1 as “a1 = exposure upper limit value−automatic exposure value”. If “manual correction value <exposure lower limit value”, manual exposure image data may be generated using exposure correction value a1 as “a1 = exposure lower limit value−automatic exposure value”. By doing in this way, it is possible to prevent the manually exposed image from being blacked out or whitened out and to ensure the visibility of the manually exposed image portion. Further, by displaying an exposure meter or a histogram as described later, it is possible to guide the user that the camera is in an extremely underexposed or overexposed state. It should be noted that the manual exposure image is displayed in such a manner that blackout and whiteout are suppressed as described above, and the manual exposure image (extremely underexposed) when the manual aperture value and the manual shutter speed are applied as in the above embodiment. In the case of overexposure or overexposure, an image that does not suppress blackout or whiteout) may be switched.

Furthermore, the display mode of the automatic exposure image and the manual exposure image may be as follows in addition to the example shown in the above embodiment. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment relating to the display of the automatic exposure image and the manual exposure image. In the example of FIG. 5, an area 201b and an area 201c are provided in the live view image display area 201. A reduced image of the manually exposed image is displayed in the area 201b. In the area 201c, a luminance histogram of the manual exposure image is displayed. The luminance histogram can be created from the image data after the tone correction / γ correction processing in step S235 of FIG. It should be noted that ^a brightness histogram of the automatic exposure image is created from the image data after the tone correction / γ correction processing in step S220 in FIG. 3, and 2 ^a (a is an exposure correction value) for each brightness value of the brightness histogram of the automatic exposure image. A luminance histogram of a manual exposure image may be created by adding the number of pixels for each luminance value obtained by multiplying.

  Further, when the manual exposure image is extremely overexposed or extremely underexposed, the background color of the luminance histogram may be changed in order to make the user intuitively recognize that fact. For example, when the exposure correction value a is within a predetermined range and overexposed, the background color is brown and the graph portion is white, and when the exposure correction value a is within the predetermined range and underexposed, the background color To make the graph part white. When the exposure correction value a is extremely overexposed outside the predetermined range, the background color is yellow and the color of the graph portion is pink. For example, when the exposure correction value a is extremely underexposed outside the predetermined range, the background color is dark blue and the graph portion is pink.

Further, the image processing for generating the automatic exposure image data and the manual exposure image data from the output data of the area image sensor 14 is not limited to the processing as shown in FIG. 3 of the above embodiment. The order may be changed or other processing may be added.
The display of the automatic exposure image and the manual exposure image may be switched between display / non-display of the manual exposure image at a predetermined time interval, for example.
The exposure meter to be displayed may display the value a as in the above embodiment, or may display the value -a.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 10 ... Optical system, 11 ... Lens, 13 ... Shutter, 14 ... Area image sensor, 15 ... Control part, 15a ... Live view process part, 15b ... Display control part, 15c ... Shooting process part, 15d ... Image data generation unit for recording, 15e ... setting reception unit, 20 ... display unit, 30 ... recording unit, 40 ... operation unit, 60 ... adjustment unit, 80 ... adjustment unit, 80a ... focus adjustment unit, 80b ... adjustment unit, 80c ... Shutter speed adjustment section

Claims (4)

An imaging unit for imaging a subject;
An image data generation unit that generates image data based on output data of the imaging unit;
A setting reception unit for receiving a manual aperture value and a manual shutter speed set by the user;
An aperture-priority automatic exposure processing unit that specifies, as an automatic shutter speed, a shutter speed that provides an appropriate exposure according to the brightness of the subject when the manual aperture value is applied;
Applying the manual aperture value and the automatic shutter speed to cause the imaging unit to perform imaging so that the image data generation unit generates automatic exposure image data, and the automatic exposure image data, the manual aperture value, and the manual A control unit that generates manual exposure image data based on a shutter speed, and causes the display unit to display an automatic exposure image indicated by the automatic exposure image data and a manual exposure image indicated by the manual exposure image data;
An imaging device comprising: The aperture priority automatic exposure processing unit specifies the highest speed value as the automatic shutter speed when the automatic shutter speed is faster than the highest speed value that can be handled by the photographing apparatus, and indicates the manual aperture value. An aperture value corresponding to an aperture diameter smaller than the aperture diameter is specified as the automatic aperture value that provides the appropriate exposure, and when the automatic shutter speed is slower than the minimum speed value that can be handled by the photographing apparatus, the minimum speed value is Specify as an automatic shutter speed, and specify an aperture value corresponding to an aperture diameter larger than the aperture diameter indicated by the manual aperture value as an automatic aperture value at which the appropriate exposure is achieved,
The control unit applies the automatic shutter speed and the automatic aperture value, causes the imaging unit to perform imaging, and causes the image data generation unit to generate the automatic exposure image data.
The imaging device according to claim 1. The control unit generates and displays the manual exposure image data so that the brightness becomes the upper limit value when the brightness of the manual exposure image data is brighter than a predetermined upper limit value. When the brightness of the exposure image data is darker than a predetermined lower limit value, the manual exposure image data is generated and displayed so that the brightness becomes the lower limit value.
The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2. An imaging process in which an imaging unit images a subject;
An image data generating step for generating image data based on output data of the imaging unit;
A setting reception step in which the setting reception unit receives the manual aperture value and the manual shutter speed set by the user;
An aperture-priority automatic exposure processing unit that specifies, as an automatic shutter speed, a shutter speed that provides an appropriate exposure according to the brightness of the subject when the manual aperture value is applied;
The control unit applies the manual aperture value and the automatic shutter speed, causes the imaging unit to perform imaging, causes the image data generation unit to generate automatic exposure image data, and the automatic exposure image data and the manual aperture A control step of generating manual exposure image data based on the value and the manual shutter speed, and displaying an automatic exposure image indicated by the automatic exposure image data and a manual exposure image indicated by the manual exposure image data on a display unit;
Including shooting method.

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