JP2017050893A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce random noise generated in a wide dynamic range image.SOLUTION: An imaging device includes an imaging part for generating image data imaged on a first exposure condition, and image data imaged on a second exposure condition on which an exposure amount is smaller than an exposure amount by the first exposure condition, and an image processing part for generating composite image data obtained by compositing image data obtained by compositing a plurality of pieces of image data picked up on the first exposure condition and image data picked up on the second exposure condition. The image processing part changes the number of a plurality of pieces of image data during compositing the plurality of pieces of image data picked up on the first exposure condition with the sensitivity of the imaging part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that combines a plurality of images acquired by a plurality of imaging operations to obtain a single composite image.

  Conventionally, in order to generate an image with a wide dynamic range (hereinafter referred to as a “wide dynamic range image”), a plurality of images of the same subject picked up with different exposure amounts are combined by, for example, addition averaging to form one image An imaging apparatus that obtains a composite image is known (Patent Document 1). The image synthesizing means of this image pickup device uses image data obtained with an exposure amount larger than the standard as data on the low luminance side, and image data obtained with the standard exposure amount as data on the high luminance side. The image data obtained by the amount is combined as the data on the ultra-high brightness side, or the image data is synthesized in any combination.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-135599

  By the way, an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor tends to generate fixed pattern noise at high output (low ISO sensitivity), and random noise such as light shot noise at low output (high ISO sensitivity). Cheap. Fixed pattern noise is a noise whose value can be estimated if the conditions are the same to some extent, so it can be reduced by image processing, etc., whereas random noise occurs at unspecified positions, so image processing, etc. Mitigation is difficult.

  In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device devised to reduce random noise generated in a wide dynamic range image.

In one aspect of the present invention, the imaging apparatus captures image data captured under a first exposure condition, and image data captured under a second exposure condition in which the exposure amount is smaller than the exposure amount according to the first exposure condition. A composite image data obtained by combining image data obtained by combining a plurality of image data picked up under the first exposure condition and image data picked up under the second exposure condition An image processing unit, and the image processing unit changes the number of the plurality of image data when combining the plurality of image data captured under the first exposure condition according to sensitivity of the imaging unit. . Alternatively, the imaging apparatus generates image data captured under the first exposure condition and image data captured under the second exposure condition in which the exposure amount is smaller than the exposure amount based on the first exposure condition. Combined image data obtained by combining image data obtained by combining a plurality of image data captured under the first exposure condition and image data obtained by combining a plurality of image data captured under the second exposure condition. An image processing unit for generating the image processing unit, wherein the image processing unit includes the number of the plurality of image data when combining the plurality of image data captured under the first exposure condition, and the second exposure condition. The number of the plurality of pieces of image data when combining the plurality of pieces of image data picked up in (1) is changed according to the sensitivity of the image pickup unit. Alternatively, the imaging apparatus generates image data captured under the first exposure condition and image data captured under the second exposure condition in which the exposure amount is smaller than the exposure amount based on the first exposure condition. And when the sensitivity of the imaging unit is higher than a predetermined value, image data obtained by combining a plurality of image data captured under the first exposure condition and a plurality of image data captured under the second exposure condition An image processing unit that generates synthesized image data obtained by synthesizing the image data obtained by synthesizing the image data.
In another aspect of the present invention, the imaging apparatus includes image data captured under a first exposure condition, and image data captured under a second exposure condition in which the exposure amount is smaller than the exposure amount according to the first exposure condition. An imaging unit for generating image data; when the sensitivity of the imaging unit is higher than a predetermined value, image data obtained by combining a plurality of image data captured under the first exposure condition and the second exposure condition An image processing unit that generates combined image data obtained by combining the image data.
In another aspect of the present invention, the imaging device generates image data captured under a first exposure condition and image data captured under a second exposure condition having a smaller exposure amount than the first exposure condition. A combined image data obtained by combining image data obtained by combining a plurality of image data imaged under the first exposure condition and image data obtained by combining a plurality of image data imaged under the second exposure condition. And an image processing unit for generating. Alternatively, the imaging device generates image data captured under a first exposure condition and image data captured under a second exposure condition with a smaller exposure amount than the first exposure condition; An image processing unit that generates composite image data obtained by combining image data obtained by combining a plurality of image data captured under the exposure condition 2 and image data captured under the first exposure condition, The image processing unit changes the number of the plurality of image data when combining the plurality of image data captured under the second exposure condition, depending on the sensitivity of the imaging unit.
In another aspect of the present invention, the imaging apparatus combines setting means for setting the sensitivity of the imaging device; and a plurality of main processing image data generated by imaging the same subject with different exposure amounts by the imaging device. A main image synthesizing unit for generating a single wide dynamic range image data; and when the sensitivity set by the setting unit is a low sensitivity less than a threshold, the subject is imaged a plurality of times with an exposure amount smaller than the standard exposure The plurality of generated preprocessing image data are combined to generate one noise reduction image data, and the noise reduction image data is exposed under the exposure condition with the lowest exposure amount of the main processing image data. Preprocessing synthesis means for outputting as captured image data.

  It is desirable that the preprocessing combining unit changes the number of times of imaging for acquiring the preprocessing image data according to the sensitivity so that the number of times of imaging increases as the sensitivity decreases in the range determined to be low sensitivity.

  The preprocessing composition means includes: a determination unit that determines reference image data based on a predetermined condition from preprocessing image data; and alignment that performs alignment processing of the preprocessing image data using the reference image data as a reference It is preferable to use the processing means; because a high-quality image can be obtained.

  In addition, as the pre-processing synthesis means, when the sensitivity set by the setting means is high sensitivity exceeding the threshold value, the short-time exposure imaged under the exposure condition with the lowest exposure amount constituting a plurality of main processing image data Each of image data, standard exposure image data imaged under standard exposure conditions, and long-time exposure data imaged under the exposure conditions with the highest exposure amount is created by combining a plurality of preprocessing image data. This is preferable because random noise that is likely to occur during high-sensitivity imaging can be reduced.

  In this case, the number of times of imaging for acquiring pre-processing image data for short-time exposure image data is “A”, and the number of times of imaging for acquiring pre-processing image data for standard exposure image data is “B”. If the number of times of imaging for acquiring the pre-processing image data for the long-time exposure data is “C”, it is desirable that the relationship of A> B> C is satisfied.

  In this case, the preprocessing synthesis unit changes the number of times of imaging for acquiring the preprocessing image data according to the sensitivity so that the number of times of imaging increases as the sensitivity increases in the range determined to be high sensitivity. Is preferred.

  In the present invention, the image data captured under the exposure condition with the lowest exposure amount among the image data for main processing is created by combining the pre-processing image data obtained by imaging a plurality of times. Can be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows the electrical outline of the electronic camera using this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of an image processing circuit. It is a block part which shows the structure of the alignment process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of composite imaging | photography mode. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement procedure at the time of high sensitivity. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the operation procedure described in FIG. 5. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which changed the acquisition number of the short-time exposure image data in the range of a low sensitivity. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which each changed the acquisition number of each image data with the short time exposure in the range of high sensitivity, standard exposure, and long time exposure.

  An electronic camera will be described as an embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention. In response to one shutter release, the electronic camera has a composite shooting mode in which a plurality of pieces of image data obtained by imaging with different exposure amounts by an image sensor are combined to generate one wide dynamic range image data. Have.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 10 includes a lens optical system 11, an aperture 12, a mechanical shutter 13, an image sensor 14, an AFETG (analog front-end timing generator) 15, a lens driving unit 16, an aperture driving unit 17, and a shutter driving unit. 18, an AE / AF circuit 19, a control unit 20, an operation unit 21, an LCD 22, an image processing circuit 23, a RAM 24, a ROM 25, a VRAM 26, a nonvolatile raw memory 27, a memory slot 28, an external memory 29, and the like.

  The lens driving unit 16 performs zooming and focusing operations of the lens optical system 11. The aperture driving unit 17 drives the aperture 12. The shutter drive unit 18 drives the mechanical shutter 13. The image sensor 14 is an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS that photoelectrically converts a subject image formed through the lens optical system 11 and the diaphragm 12.

  The AFET G15 includes a TG (timing generator) 30, a V-driver (vertical drive unit) 31, and an AFE (analog front end) 32.

  The TG 30 gives the readout timing of the image signal to the image sensor 14 via the V-driver 31. The AFE 32 amplifies the analog image signal read from the image sensor 14 by removing noise or increasing the analog gain, and then A / D converts it to digital image data. The converted image data is converted into an AE / AF circuit. 19 and the image processing circuit 23.

  The AE / AF circuit 19 extracts and controls AF (autofocus) information for controlling focus based on contrast information of image data, and optimum AE (auto exposure) information and white balance information based on image data. Send to part 20. The control unit 20 controls the lens driving unit 17, the aperture driving unit 17, the image processing circuit 23, and the like based on the AF information, the AE information, and the white balance information.

  The image processing circuit 23 includes white balance processing, compression encoding, decoding processing, image composition processing, and the like. The VRAM 26 is an image memory for displaying on the LCD 22. The LCD 22 displays a captured image, a menu of various camera settings, and a shooting mode.

  An external memory 29 is detachably connected to the memory slot 28. The external memory 29 stores the compressed and encoded image data generated by the image processing circuit 23.

  The RAM 24 is used as a work area for the control unit 20 and the image processing circuit 23. The ROM 25 stores a program executed by the control unit 20. The non-volatile memory 27 stores various adjustment data of the electronic camera 10, a shooting mode and sensitivity (ISO sensitivity) set by the user, and the like.

  The control unit 20 is configured around a CPU (central processing unit) that operates according to a program stored in the ROM 25 and controls each unit of the electronic camera 10. For example, the control unit 20 gives an instruction to read the image signal of the image sensor 14 to the TG 30 of the AFETG 15, inputs the image signal read from the image sensor 14 to the image processing circuit 23 via the AFE 32, and the image processing circuit 23 After the processing corresponding to the shooting mode at that time is executed, the processed image data is controlled to be recorded in the external memory 29 via the bus 33.

  The operation unit 21 includes a sensitivity setting unit, a mode setting unit, a shutter button, a power button, and the like, which send operation signals and setting signals to the control unit 20. The sensitivity setting unit is an operation unit for changing the sensitivity (ISO sensitivity) of the image sensor 14 in a plurality of stages. Sensitivity is set to an arbitrary sensitivity in advance.

  When the control unit 20 obtains the subject luminance information from the AE / AF circuit 19, the standard exposure is performed according to the program diagram corresponding to the sensitivity set at that time so as to approach the appropriate exposure determined by the sensitivity and the subject luminance. The amount (exposure amount obtained from the aperture value and shutter speed value) is determined.

  The mode setting unit is an operation unit that selectively selects any one of the composite shooting mode, the normal shooting mode, and the playback mode. The composite shooting mode is a mode in which a single wide dynamic range image data is obtained by combining a plurality of main processing image data generated by imaging the same subject with different exposure amounts by the image sensor 14.

  In the composite shooting mode, the exposure amount is controlled by a combination of an electronic shutter that changes the accumulation time of the image sensor 14 and the diaphragm 17. The shutter speed may be determined by, for example, opening / closing the mechanical shutter 13 instead of the electronic shutter, or the exposure timing may be determined by the electronic shutter, and the end of exposure may be determined by the mechanical shutter 13.

  The normal shooting mode is a mode in which one image is generated by the image sensor 14 with a standard exposure amount and one image data is generated. The reproduction mode is a mode in which image data recorded in the external memory 29 is reproduced on the LCD 22.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 20 includes a sensitivity determination unit 35 and a counter 36. The sensitivity determination unit 35 recognizes the set sensitivity set in the sensitivity setting unit at the time of shooting and compares the recognized sensitivity with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the sensitivity is high or low. The counter 36 counts the number of times image data has been captured. The control unit 20 changes the degree at which the analog image data is amplified by increasing the analog gain of the AFE 32 according to the sensitivity determined by the sensitivity determination unit 35.

  The image processing circuit 23 includes a distribution unit 37, a preprocessing composition unit 38, and a main processing composition unit 39. The distribution unit 37 distributes the image data to the pre-processing synthesis unit 38 and the main-processing synthesis unit 39, and this distribution processing is either pre-processing image data at high sensitivity or low sensitivity or an image for main processing. It is controlled by the control unit 20 based on the data.

  The main processing composition unit 39 performs processing for generating one wide dynamic range image data by combining a plurality of main processing image data captured with different exposure amounts in the composite photographing mode. The image data for processing is composed of, for example, short exposure image data, standard exposure image data, and long exposure image data. The short-time exposure image data is image data generated by capturing an image with an exposure amount smaller than the standard by the image sensor 14. The standard exposure image data is image data generated by imaging with a standard exposure amount by the image sensor 14. The long-exposure image data is image data generated by imaging with an exposure amount larger than the standard by the image sensor 14.

  When the preprocessing composition unit 38 determines that the sensitivity is low in the composite photographing mode, a plurality of preprocessing images generated by imaging with an exposure amount smaller than the standard by the imaging device 14 in order to reduce random noise. The data is synthesized to generate one piece of noise reduction image data, and the noise reduction image data is output to the main processing synthesis unit 39 as short exposure image data of the main processing image data.

  In addition, when it is determined that the sensitivity is high in the composite shooting mode, the preprocessing combining unit 38 combines a plurality of pieces of image data generated by imaging with an exposure amount smaller than the standard by the image sensor 14 into one piece of image data. The short-exposure image data is used as the short-exposure image data, and a plurality of pieces of image data generated by imaging with the standard exposure amount are combined into one image data, and the standard exposure image data is used. A combination of a plurality of pieces of image data generated by imaging with an exposure amount and one piece of image data is output to the processing composition unit 39 as long-time exposure image data.

  The preprocessing and main processing synthesis units 38 and 39 include buffer memories 40 and 44, alignment processing 41 and 45, and image synthesis 43 and 47, respectively. The buffer memories 40 and 44 temporarily store a plurality of image data. The alignment processes 41 and 45 perform a process of comparing the image data and correcting the coordinates so that the positions of the image data match. The image compositing 43 and 47 add each image data based on the corrected coordinate information, and then perform an averaging process of dividing by the number of image data to generate one piece of image data.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the alignment processes 41 and 45 include an evaluation unit 48, a determination unit 49, and an alignment unit 50. The evaluation unit 48 evaluates each image data by obtaining at least one of a predetermined condition, for example, a level (brightness) of image data, a contrast, and a high frequency component of spatial frequency. In this case, the evaluation value is increased as the brightest image data among the image data whose monochrome level of the image data does not reach the saturation level, the image data with the highest contrast value, or the image data with the highest high-frequency component. .

  Instead, the main subject is detected from each image data, and the reference image data is obtained by evaluating the condition that the evaluation value is increased as the detected amount of movement of the main subject is smaller, the focus state, the degree of deformation of the main subject, etc. You can decide.

  The determination unit 49 determines the image data most suitable for synthesis based on the evaluation value of each image data obtained by the evaluation unit 48 as the reference image data. The alignment unit 50 performs alignment processing so that the coordinate position matches the remaining image data with reference to the reference image data. Thereby, the image quality of the image data synthesized by the image synthesis 43 and 47 is improved. Note that, after the evaluation unit 48 evaluates each image data, if the evaluation value is lower than a predetermined threshold value, a process of selecting the image data not to be used for composition may be performed. .

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The sensitivity of the image sensor 14 is set in advance to an initial value, for example, ISO sensitivity “400”. The photographer selects the composite shooting mode when shooting a wide dynamic range image.

  In response to one shutter release, the control unit 20 determines the standard exposure amount at that time (S-1), confirms the shooting mode at that time (S-2), and further combines. In the case of the shooting mode, it is determined whether or not the sensitivity set at that time is less than a threshold value (S-3). For example, when the set sensitivity is ISO sensitivity “50” and the threshold is ISO sensitivity “600”, it is determined that the set sensitivity is low.

  When it is determined that the sensitivity is low, the control unit 20 sets an exposure amount that is smaller than the standard exposure amount, for example, an exposure amount that has been corrected for exposure of “−1 EV”, and continuously captures images by the image sensor 14, for example, Five pieces of preprocessing image data are acquired (S-4), and the distribution unit 37 is controlled to fetch the five pieces of preprocessing image data into the buffer memory 40 of the preprocessing composition unit 38.

  The preprocessing synthesis unit 38 receives a signal responding to the count-up from the control unit 20 and sequentially reads out the five preprocessing image data from the buffer memory 40, and the evaluation unit 48 preliminarily reads each preprocessing image data. Evaluation is performed based on the determined conditions, reference image data is determined by the determination unit 49 based on the evaluation result (S-5), and the registration unit 50 determines the remaining image data based on the reference image data. Then, alignment processing is performed (S-6), and then image composition 43 synthesizes the image data that has undergone alignment processing with respect to the reference image data in order by addition averaging processing, and performs short exposure for this processing. Image data is generated (S-7), and the short-time exposure image data is output to the buffer memory 44 of the processing composition unit 39.

  Note that when acquiring five pieces of preprocessing image data, the control unit 20 initializes the counter 36 (S-8), and counts the number of times of imaging in short exposure with the counter 36 (S-9). It is determined whether the number of times of imaging has reached a predetermined number (S-10).

  Subsequently, the control unit 20 changes the standard exposure amount to capture one image and generates standard exposure image data for main processing (S-11), and controls the distribution unit 37 to combine the standard exposure image data with the main processing composition. Then, the image is taken into the buffer memory 44 of the unit 39 and subsequently set to an exposure amount that is larger than the standard exposure amount, for example, “+1 EV” exposure correction, and one image is taken to generate long-exposure image data for this processing ( S-12) The long-time exposure image data is taken into the buffer memory 44.

  In response to the three main processing image data, that is, the short-exposure image data, the standard exposure image data, and the long-exposure image data, being fetched into the buffer memory 44, the main processing composition unit 39 performs the alignment processing 45. The reference image data is determined by performing the same process as the alignment process 41 described above (S-13), and the remaining image data is aligned with the reference image data (S-14). Then, the image data that has undergone the alignment processing with respect to the reference image data is sequentially combined by the averaging process to generate wide dynamic range image data (S-15), and the wide dynamic range image data is stored in the external memory 29. Record. The wide dynamic range image obtained in the composite shooting mode with low sensitivity determination is an image in which random noise that is likely to occur in low sensitivity shooting is reduced in addition to suppressing the occurrence of overexposure and underexposure.

  Next, for example, when the setting sensitivity is ISO [800] in the determination of FIG. 4 (S-3), the sensitivity determination unit 35 determines that the sensitivity is high because the setting sensitivity exceeds the threshold. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 20 sets the exposure amount smaller than the standard, for example, the exposure amount corrected for exposure of “−1 EV”, and captures a plurality of images by continuously shooting with the image sensor 14. 6 pieces of pre-processing image data, for example, 6 sheets are acquired (S-16), and the distribution unit 37 is controlled to fetch the 6 pieces of pre-processing image data into the buffer memory 40 of the pre-processing composition unit 38.

  The preprocessing composition unit 38 sequentially reads the six pieces of preprocessing image data from the buffer memory 40 in response to the increase in the number of shootings in the short exposure from the control unit 20, and performs the same processing as described above. This is performed in the alignment process 41 and the image composition 43 (S-17) to generate short-exposure image data for the main process (S-18), and the short-exposure image data is stored in the buffer memory 44 of the main process composition unit 39. Output to.

  Subsequently, the control unit 20 sets the standard exposure amount and continuously captures images with the image sensor 14, thereby obtaining a plurality of pre-processing image data, for example, four images, which are smaller than the number of images to be captured with short exposure. (S-19), the distribution unit 37 is controlled, and the four preprocessing image data are taken into the buffer memory 40 of the preprocessing composition unit 38.

  In response to the increase in the number of shootings with standard exposure from the control unit 20, the preprocessing composition unit 38 sequentially reads four preprocessing image data from the buffer memory 40 and aligns the same processing described above. The processing 41 and the image composition 43 are performed (S-20) to generate standard exposure image data for the main processing (S-21), and the standard exposure image data is output to the buffer memory 44 of the main processing composition section 39. .

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 20 sets the exposure amount larger than the standard exposure amount, for example, the exposure amount corrected for exposure of “+1 EV”, and continuously captures images with the image sensor 14, so that the standard exposure is performed. A plurality of, for example, two pieces of preprocessing image data, which are smaller than the number of images to be picked up, are acquired (S-22), and the distribution unit 37 is controlled so that the two pieces of preprocessing image data are obtained by the preprocessing composition unit 38. Capture to buffer memory 40.

  In response to the increase in the number of shootings with standard exposure from the control unit 20, the preprocessing composition unit 38 sequentially reads two preprocessing image data from the buffer memory 40 and aligns the same processing described above. The processing 41 and the image composition 43 are performed (S-23) to generate long exposure image data for the main processing (S-24), and the long exposure image data is stored in the buffer memory 44 of the main processing composition section 39. Output.

  Then, as described in FIG. 4 (S-13 to S-15), the main processing composition unit 39 responds to the three main processing image data being taken into the buffer memory 44, and the alignment processing 45. In step S-25, the reference image data is determined (S-25), the remaining image data is aligned with respect to the reference image data (S-26), and the reference image data is aligned. The image data is sequentially synthesized by the addition averaging process to generate wide dynamic range image data (S-27), and the wide dynamic range image data is recorded in the external memory 29. The wide dynamic range image generated by the high sensitivity determination is an image in which random noise that is likely to occur during high sensitivity shooting is reduced in addition to suppressing the occurrence of overexposure and blackout.

  Note that the control unit 20 desirably performs control to clear the buffer memories 40 and 44 after recording the wide dynamic range image data.

  Further, in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that the number of shots and the exposure correction value determined according to the sensitivity are not limited to the above-described numerical values. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable to increase the number of acquired short-time exposure image data as the setting sensitivity is lower in the range where the setting sensitivity is less than the threshold. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable to increase the number of acquired image data for each of the short time exposure, the standard exposure, and the long time exposure as the set sensitivity is higher in a range where the set sensitivity exceeds the threshold. It is. If the number of acquired image data for short-time exposure, standard exposure, and long-time exposure is A, B, and C in order, the acquired number of image data is set so as to maintain the relationship of A> B> C. It is preferable to change.

  In the case of manual setting, a change operation unit such as a cursor button or an OK button is provided in the operation unit, and using these operation units, for example, the number of shots taken in a short exposure when determined as low sensitivity, and high sensitivity The number of shots taken with short exposure, the number of shots taken with standard exposure, and the number of shots taken with long exposure may be set.

  In the embodiment described above, a wide dynamic range image is generated by synthesizing three image data of the short exposure, the standard exposure, and the long exposure. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two exposures with different exposures are generated. A wide dynamic range image may be generated by synthesizing image data or by synthesizing four or more image data to which image data of ultra-low time exposure or ultra-long time exposure is added.

  In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the sensitivity is low, first the pre-processing image is imaged a plurality of times with short exposure, then imaging with standard exposure, and finally imaging with long exposure, In the present invention, the order is not limited to the above order. For example, imaging may be performed in the reverse order, or first in standard exposure, then multiple times in short exposure, and finally in long exposure.

  Similarly, when it is determined that the sensitivity is high, the imaging period for acquiring the preprocessing image data for the short exposure image data, the imaging period for acquiring the preprocessing image data for the standard exposure image data, The order of the period and the imaging period for acquiring the preprocessing image data for the long exposure data may be any order.

  In the above-described embodiment, each time image data is acquired, alignment processing is performed and combined. However, all imaging is performed first and image data is recorded in the RAM. You may comprise so that image data may be read and synthesize | combined. In addition, all images are taken first and image data is recorded in a flash memory or the like, and image processing software is installed in an electronic camera or the like in advance. You may make it synthesize | combine data.

  Furthermore, although the present invention has been described using the electronic camera 10 in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and can be used for a video camera, a television camera, and the like.

14 Image sensor 12 Aperture 13 Mechanical shutter 15 AFETG
23 Image processing circuit 38 Pre-processing synthesis unit 39 Main processing synthesis unit

Claims (4)

An imaging unit that generates image data captured under a first exposure condition and image data captured under a second exposure condition in which an exposure amount is smaller than an exposure amount according to the first exposure condition;
An image processing unit that generates image data obtained by synthesizing a plurality of image data captured under the first exposure condition and image data captured under the second exposure condition;
The image processing unit is an imaging apparatus that changes the number of the plurality of pieces of image data when combining the plurality of pieces of image data captured under the first exposure condition according to sensitivity of the imaging unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of the plurality of image data to be synthesized by the image processing unit is increased as the sensitivity of the imaging unit is higher. An imaging unit that generates image data captured under a first exposure condition and image data captured under a second exposure condition in which an exposure amount is smaller than an exposure amount according to the first exposure condition;
Generating composite image data by combining image data obtained by combining a plurality of image data imaged under the first exposure condition and image data obtained by combining the plurality of image data imaged under the second exposure condition; An image processing unit,
The image processing unit combines the number of the plurality of image data when combining the plurality of image data captured under the first exposure condition and the plurality of image data captured under the second exposure condition. An image pickup apparatus that changes the number of the plurality of pieces of image data at the time of performing depending on the sensitivity of the image pickup unit. An imaging unit that generates image data captured under a first exposure condition and image data captured under a second exposure condition in which an exposure amount is smaller than an exposure amount according to the first exposure condition;
When the sensitivity of the image pickup unit is higher than a predetermined value, the image data obtained by combining the plurality of image data picked up under the first exposure condition and the plurality of image data picked up under the second exposure condition are combined. An image processing unit that generates composite image data obtained by combining the image data that has been processed;
An imaging apparatus comprising:

Images