JP2017163254A - Imaging apparatus and control method of imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a more convenient imaging apparatus, and a control method of the imaging apparatus.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus according to an embodiment, includes: an imaging element comprising an imaging surface in which an imaging pixel that converts a light into an image signal is arranged; a shutter unit that is provided between an imaging lens imaging a photogenic subject image to the imaging surface and the imaging surface, and adjusts an exposure time when acquiring a still image; an image output part that outputs the image; a through-image processing part that generates a through-image on the basis of the image signal, and outputs the generated through-image from the image output part; and a through-image control part that controls the through-image processing part so as to start to form the through-image at a first timing corresponding to a frequency of an opening of the shutter unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a method for controlling the imaging apparatus.

  An imaging apparatus generally has an imaging device that converts light into an image signal, an optical system such as a lens that forms an image of light on the imaging device, and an exposure time during which light transmitted through the optical system enters the imaging device. A shutter for controlling time; and a display device for displaying an image based on the image signal. The imaging apparatus can allow the user to confirm the subject by performing a through image display in which images captured by the imaging element are sequentially displayed on the display device.

JP 2009-21991

  When performing the imaging operation, the imaging apparatus as described above stops the acquisition of the through image and operates the shutter to control the exposure time of the imaging element. When the exposure is completed, the imaging apparatus reads an image signal from the imaging element. When the reading of the image signal is completed, the imaging device opens the shutter and resumes acquisition of the through image. However, there is a problem that the user may lose sight of the subject when the period during which the through image is not displayed (image disappearance period) becomes long.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus with high convenience and a method for controlling the imaging apparatus.

  An imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes an imaging device including an imaging surface on which imaging pixels that convert light into an image signal are arranged, an imaging lens that forms a subject image on the imaging surface, and the imaging surface. A shutter unit that adjusts an exposure time when acquiring a still image, an image output unit that outputs an image, and generates a through image based on the image signal, and outputs the generated through image to the image A through image processing unit that outputs the image and a through image control unit that controls the through image processing unit to start generating the through image at a first timing according to the degree of opening of the shutter unit. It has.

  A more convenient imaging device and a method for controlling the imaging device can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an example of a control system of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the appearance of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing an example of the configuration in the vicinity of the shutter unit of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment and a control method of the imaging apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a control system of the imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing an example of the appearance of the imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing an example of a configuration near the shutter unit of the imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the imaging apparatus 1 includes a lens 10, a shutter unit 11, an imaging element 12, a signal processing unit 13, an image processing unit 14, an operation unit 15, a display unit 16, a memory I / F 17, an acceleration. A sensor 18 and a main control unit 19 are provided.

  The lens 10 focuses the transmitted light on the image sensor 12. The lens 10 includes an imaging lens in which a plurality of lenses are combined, an aperture mechanism, a lens control unit that controls operations of the imaging lens and the aperture mechanism, a focus ring, and a zoom ring.

  The imaging lens focuses light rays from the subject on the imaging surface of the imaging element 12. The imaging lens includes a focusing lens (focus lens), a lens for changing a focal length (variator lens and compensator lens), and a relay lens. The imaging lens forms a subject image on the imaging surface of the imaging element 12 by moving the focus lens in the optical axis direction of the imaging lens based on the control of the lens control unit or the operation of the focus ring. The imaging lens changes the focal length by moving the variator lens and the compensator lens in the optical axis direction of the imaging lens based on the control of the lens control unit or the operation of the zoom ring.

  The aperture mechanism is configured to be openable and closable, and adjusts the amount of light incident on the image sensor 12 via the imaging lens based on the control of the lens control unit.

  The lens control unit is configured to be communicable with the main control unit 19. The lens control unit controls the driving of the focus lens, the variator lens and the compensator lens, and the driving of the diaphragm mechanism according to the input from the main control unit 19, the operation of the focus ring, and the operation of the zoom ring. Further, the lens control unit can detect the focal length of the imaging lens by detecting the positions of the variator lens and the compensator lens. The lens control unit inputs the detected focal length of the imaging lens to the main control unit 19.

  The shutter unit 11 is a mechanism that adjusts the amount of light that passes through the lens 10 and enters the image sensor 12. The shutter unit 11 is a focal plane shutter, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the shutter unit 11 is provided between the lens 10 and the imaging device 12, and is in an open state in which light transmitted through the lens 10 is incident on the imaging surface of the imaging device 12 and light transmitted through the lens 10. To a light shielding state in which the imaging surface of the image sensor 12 is shielded. The shutter unit 11 includes a front curtain 21, a rear curtain 22, and a shutter driving device 23 that drives the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22. The shutter driving device 23 operates the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 at a speed and timing based on the shutter speed input from the main control unit 19, and the light transmitted through the lens 10 enters the imaging surface of the imaging device 12. By adjusting the time, the amount of light incident on the image sensor 12 is adjusted.

  The shutter unit 11 maintains an open state in which the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 are fully opened in an imaging standby state in which the imaging device 1 can execute an imaging operation for recording a still image. The front curtain 21 is provided at the lower part of the shutter unit 11, and the rear curtain 22 is provided at the upper part of the shutter unit 11. When performing the imaging operation, the shutter unit 11 first starts the operation of closing the front curtain 21 from the bottom to the top. The shutter unit 11 is in a semi-light-shielded state in which a part of the image sensor 12 is shielded by the front curtain 21 from the start of the operation of closing the front curtain 21 until the front curtain 21 is completely closed. create. When the front curtain 21 is completely closed and light is blocked, the shutter unit 11 starts an operation of opening the front curtain 21 from the top to the bottom and starts an operation of closing the rear curtain 22 from the top to the bottom. In this case, light that has passed through a slit (opening) formed between the front curtain 21 that opens from the top to the bottom and the rear curtain 22 that closes from the top to the bottom enters the image sensor 12. When the front curtain 21 is fully opened and the rear curtain 22 is completely closed, the shutter unit 11 starts an operation of opening the rear curtain 22 from the bottom to the top. From the start of the operation of opening the rear curtain 22 until the rear curtain 22 is completely opened, the shutter unit 11 creates a semi-light-shielded state in which a part of the image sensor 12 is shielded by the rear curtain 22. When the rear curtain 22 is completely opened, the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 are opened again, and the imaging apparatus 1 enters an imaging standby state.

  The shutter unit 11 includes a sensor that detects the open / closed state of the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 (the positions of the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22), for example. The shutter unit 11 can detect whether the shutter unit 11 is in an open state or a semi-light-shielded state by detecting the open / closed state of the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 using this sensor. The shutter unit 11 includes, for example, an optical sensor such as a photocoupler or a magnetic sensor as a sensor that detects the open / closed state of the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22. Further, the shutter unit 11 may be configured to recognize the open / closed state of the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 according to the elapsed time from the start of the operation of each of the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22, for example.

  The image sensor 12 is provided at the rear of the lens 10, that is, on the inner side of the housing of the image pickup apparatus 1. The imaging device 12 includes an imaging surface configured by arranging a plurality of imaging pixels that photoelectrically convert light and store charges. A color filter is provided on a surface on which light of each imaging pixel is incident. The imaging device 12 is configured by, for example, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or other imaging device. The image sensor 12 generates an image signal by converting a subject image collected through the lens 10 and formed on the imaging surface into an electric signal corresponding to the amount of light. Note that the plurality of pixels constituting the imaging surface of the imaging element 12 may be arranged in a planar shape or in a curved shape.

  The opening formed by the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11 moves along the short direction of the imaging surface during a still image imaging operation. For this reason, the generation of the image signal is completed for each pixel group (for each line) composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in the longitudinal direction of the imaging surface of the imaging element 12. As the opening moves from the upper end to the lower end in the lateral direction of the imaging surface, an image signal is generated by a plurality of pixel groups constituting the imaging surface.

  The signal processing unit 13 reads the image signal generated by the image sensor 12 based on the control of the main control unit 19. For example, the signal processing unit 13 reads an image signal from the image sensor 12 in accordance with a synchronization signal input from the main control unit 19. More specifically, the signal processing unit 13 reads an image signal for each line, that is, for each pixel group arranged in the longitudinal direction of the imaging surface, from a plurality of pixels constituting the imaging surface of the imaging device 12.

  The signal processing unit 13 performs signal processing on the read image signal. For example, the signal processing unit 13 performs signal processing for converting the read analog image signal into a digital image signal (image data). The signal processing unit 13 may convert the read analog image signal into image data after performing gain adjustment for amplifying the read analog image signal at an amplification factor set by the main control unit 19.

  The signal processing unit 13 has a buffer memory for writing digital image signals. The signal processing unit 13 writes the digital image signal subjected to signal processing into the buffer memory. More specifically, the signal processing unit 13 reads an image signal for each of a plurality of lines constituting the imaging surface of the image sensor 12, converts it into a digital image signal, and writes it into a buffer memory.

  The image processing unit 14 performs image processing on the image signal (digital image signal) subjected to signal processing by the signal processing unit 13 based on the control of the main control unit 19. The image processing includes, for example, color correction, gamma (γ) correction, contrast correction, monochrome / color mode processing, resizing processing, and the like. The image processing includes processing for converting image data into a predetermined format. The predetermined format includes, for example, the Jpeg method and the PNG method.

  The image processing unit 14 performs image processing based on the control of the main control unit 19 and converts the image data into recordable image data (still image). In addition, the image processing unit 14 performs image processing based on the control of the main control unit 19 and converts image data (through image) capable of displaying a through image as image data. The still image is image data generated based on the image signal generated by the image sensor 12 while driving the shutter unit 11 by the above-described imaging operation. The through image is image data based on an image signal periodically read from the image sensor 12 when the imaging operation is not performed. For example, the image processing unit 14 generates a still image or a through image by performing image processing on the image data written in the buffer memory. More specifically, the image processing unit 14 generates a still image or a through image by performing image processing on image data written in a predetermined area on the buffer memory. Note that image processing for generating a still image by the image processing unit 14 is referred to as still image processing, and image processing for generating a through image is referred to as through image processing.

  The operation unit 15 includes a plurality of operation members for the user to perform various operations on the imaging apparatus 1. The operation member includes, for example, a touch sensor 15t, a release button, a cross button, a power button, and various other buttons. The touch sensor 15t is, for example, a resistive touch sensor or a capacitive touch sensor. That is, the touch sensor 15t is a designated position acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a designated position in a certain area. The touch sensor 15t is provided integrally with a display panel 31 of the display unit 16 to be described later, detects a signal (touch position signal) indicating a touched position on the display panel 31, and uses the detected touch position signal as a main control unit. 19 is input.

  The release button is an operation member for instructing the imaging apparatus 1 to perform various processes for acquiring an image. When the release button is half-pressed, the operation unit 15 gives an instruction to the main control unit 19 to execute automatic exposure (AE) processing, automatic focusing (AF) processing, and the like. Further, the operation unit 15 gives an instruction of an imaging operation for acquiring an image by the imaging unit to the main control unit 19 when the release button is fully pressed.

  The cross button is an operation member for the user to instruct the imaging device 1 to perform the up / down / left / right selection operation. For example, the operation unit 15 gives an instruction to the main control unit 19 to select up, down, left, and right in various menus according to the operation of the cross button by the user.

  The power button is an operation member for the user to switch on / off the power of the imaging apparatus 1.

  The display unit 16 is an image output unit that outputs an image input from the main control unit 19. The display unit 16 displays a screen based on the image data input from the main control unit 19. The display unit 16 includes a display device and a drive circuit that causes the display device to display a screen based on the image data. The display unit 16 includes, for example, a display panel 31 and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) 32 as a display device. The display unit 16 includes an eye sensor 33 that detects whether or not the user is looking into the EVF 32. The display panel 31 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or another device for displaying a screen. The EVF 32 includes, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and an eyepiece optical system.

  When the eye sensor 33 detects that the user is looking into the EVF 32, the display unit 16 turns off the display on the display panel 31 and causes the EVF 32 to perform display. When the eye sensor 33 does not detect that the user is looking into the EVF 32, the display unit 16 turns off the display of the EVF 32 and causes the display panel 31 to perform display. The display unit 16 may be configured as an output unit that outputs an image input from the main control unit 19 to an external device.

  The memory I / F 17 includes a card slot into which a recording medium M having a plurality of contact terminals can be inserted, and a contact terminal that is electrically connected to the contact terminals of the recording medium M when the recording medium M is inserted into the card slot. And comprising. The recording medium M is a memory card, for example. The memory I / F 17 relays data input / output between the recording medium M and the main control unit 19.

  The acceleration sensor 18 detects the inclination of the casing of the imaging apparatus 1 by detecting a change in acceleration of the casing of the imaging apparatus 1. Further, the acceleration sensor 18 detects whether or not panning is performed in which the lens 10 and the housing of the imaging device 1 are swung left and right by detecting a change in acceleration of the housing of the imaging device 1. . That is, the acceleration sensor 18 detects that the user is following the subject by panning.

  The main control unit 19 controls the operation of each unit of the imaging device 1. The main control unit 19 includes, for example, a CPU and a memory. The main control unit 19 implements various functions by, for example, the CPU reading and executing a program stored in the memory. For example, the main control unit 19 functions as an operation determination unit 41, an imaging control unit 42, a recording control unit 43, a through image processing unit 44, a through image control unit 45, and a display control unit 46.

  The operation determination unit 41 determines the operation input by the operation unit 15. That is, the operation determination unit 41 recognizes what operation is instructed by the operation unit 15.

  When an operation for instructing an imaging operation is input, the imaging control unit 42 controls each unit to execute the imaging operation. For example, when an operation for instructing an imaging operation is input, the imaging control unit 42 inputs a control signal to the lens 10 to drive the aperture mechanism, and inputs a control signal to the shutter unit 11 to input the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 21. By driving the curtain 22, an imaging operation for imaging a still image is executed.

  In addition, the imaging control unit 42 performs imaging assistance control before executing the imaging operation. The imaging assist control is, for example, processing such as AF processing and AE processing. The imaging control unit 42 performs imaging assistance control based on the through image captured by the imaging element 12. The imaging control unit 42 performs an imaging operation using the result of the imaging assistance control. Note that since the through image cannot be captured by the image sensor 12 during the imaging operation, the imaging control unit 42 stops the imaging assistance control during the imaging operation.

Further, the imaging control unit 42 can continuously perform the imaging operation. For example, when an operation for instructing to continuously perform the imaging operation is input, the imaging control unit 42 inputs the control signal to the lens 10 to drive the aperture mechanism and continuously operate the shutter unit 11. Thus, a continuous shooting operation for continuously capturing still images is executed. For example, the imaging control unit 42 switches between a mode in which continuous shooting imaging operation is performed (continuous shooting mode) and a mode in which continuous shooting imaging operation is not performed based on the operation of the operation unit 15.

The recording control unit 43 includes an intermediate buffer that temporarily records still images and moving images. The recording control unit 43 sequentially records still images, moving images, and the like acquired by the imaging operation in the intermediate buffer. The recording control unit 43 converts the still image and moving image recorded in the intermediate buffer into a file, and writes the file into the recording medium M mounted in the memory I / F 17. A still image file is a file in which a predetermined header is added to image data of a still image. In the header, for example, data indicating exposure conditions is recorded as tag data.

  The through image processing unit 44 generates a through image by the imaging device 12, the signal processing unit 13, and the image processing unit 14. The through image processing unit 44 outputs the generated through image through the display unit 16. For example, the through image processing unit 44 periodically reads out the image signal generated by the image sensor 12 by the signal processing unit 13 and performs through image processing on the read image signal by the image processing unit 14. Thus, a through image is generated.

  For example, the through image processing unit 44 reads an image signal from the image sensor 12 by the signal processing unit 13 at the first frame rate, and performs image processing for through image by the image processing unit 14 to perform a through image (first through image). ) And the first through image processing to be output to the display unit 16 is performed. Further, for example, the through image processing unit 44 reads out an image signal from the image sensor 12 at a second frame rate higher than the first frame rate by the signal processing unit 13 and performs image processing for through image by the image processing unit 14. The through image (second through image) is acquired and the second through image processing to be output to the display unit 16 is performed. The through image processing unit 44 switches between the first through image processing and the second through image processing based on the control of the through image control unit 45.

  The second frame rate is an integer multiple of the first frame rate. More specifically, the first frame rate is 60 frames per second (60 fps), and the second frame rate is 120 frames per second (120 fps).

  Further, when performing the first through image processing, the through image processing unit 44 adjusts the image signal read out from the image sensor 12 by the signal processing unit 13 with the first gain and converts the image signal into image data. The through image processing unit 44 adjusts the image signal read out from the image sensor 12 by the signal processing unit 13 with the second gain higher than the first gain when performing the second through image processing. Convert to image data. For example, the second gain is set to a value that cancels the decrease in exposure caused by changing the first frame rate to the second frame rate. Thereby, the through image processing unit 44 compensates for the shortage of exposure of the second through image in which the exposure time of the image sensor 12 is shorter than that of the first through image.

  The through image control unit 45 switches the through image processing executed by the through image processing unit 44 between the first through image processing and the second through image processing according to the state of the opening of the shutter unit 11. Further, for example, the through image control unit 45 determines whether or not the state of the imaging device 1 corresponds to a specific condition (specific condition), and when the state of the imaging device 1 corresponds to the specific condition, the shutter unit The through image processing executed by the through image processing unit 44 may be switched between the first through image processing and the second through image processing in accordance with the state of the 11 openings.

  The specific condition indicates a scene where the user needs to confirm the through image earlier. For example, the specific conditions are continuous shooting, tracking a subject, a subject moving more than a predetermined amount between frames, a user looking into the EVF 32, and an autofocus mode being AF-C. The shutter speed is faster than the preset shutter speed, and the focal length of the imaging lens of the lens 10 is longer than the preset focal length. The through image control unit 45 determines whether or not the state of the imaging device 1 satisfies the specific condition, and performs the through image processing executed by the through image processing unit 44 based on the determination result as the first through image processing. And the second through image processing.

  When the state of the imaging device 1 corresponds to the specific condition, the through image control unit 45 determines whether the shutter unit 11 is in the open state or the semi-light-shielded state as the state of the imaging device 1. The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 to execute the first through image processing when it is determined that the shutter unit 11 is in the open state. The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 so as to execute the second through image processing when the shutter unit 11 is in a semi-light-shielded state.

  The display control unit 46 controls display processing by the display unit 16. For example, the display control unit 46 controls the screen displayed on the display device of the display unit 16 by inputting image data to the display unit 16. For example, the display control unit 46 causes the display unit 16 to display a still image acquired by the imaging operation. Further, the display control unit 46 causes the display unit 16 to display a through image by causing the display unit 16 to display the through image generated by the through image processing unit 44.

Further, the display control unit 46 displays OSD data for causing the display unit 16 to display an on-screen display (OSD) display including various icons and characters based on various setting information and the state of the imaging device 1. Is generated. For example, the display control unit 46 displays OSD data for causing the display device of the display unit 16 to display the shooting mode of the imaging device 1, various setting information, the remaining battery level, the number of shootable images and the shootable time, and the AF area. Is generated. The display control unit 46 inputs a screen on which the OSD display based on the OSD data is superimposed on the display unit 16.
(First embodiment)
Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. 4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining an operation example of the imaging apparatus 1. FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining an operation example of the imaging apparatus 1.

  When the imaging apparatus 1 is in the imaging standby state, the main control unit 19 performs the first through image processing by the through image processing unit 44. Thereby, the through image processing unit 44 reads the image signal from the image sensor 12 at the first frame rate and images the first through image (step S11). The through image processing unit 44 causes the display device of the display unit 16 to display the first through image at the first frame rate by inputting the first through image to the display unit 16 (step S12). According to the example of FIG. 6, the through image processing unit 44 executes the first through image processing from timing t0 to t1.

  The main control unit 19 determines whether or not the release button of the operation unit 15 is half pressed (step S13). That is, the main control unit 19 determines whether or not an operation for instructing imaging assistance control such as AE processing and AF processing is input by the operation unit 15. When it is determined that the release button of the operation unit 15 is half-pressed (step S13, YES), the main control unit 19 executes imaging assistance control such as AE processing and AF processing (step S14).

  The main control unit 19 determines whether or not the release button of the operation unit 15 has been fully pressed (step S15). That is, the main control unit 19 determines whether an operation for instructing an imaging operation is input by the operation unit 15. When it is determined that the release button of the operation unit 15 has been half-pressed (step S15, YES), the main control unit 19 stops the first through image processing and executes an imaging operation for capturing a still image (step S15). S16). In this case, the main control unit 19 operates the shutter unit 11, picks up a still image with the image pickup device 12, converts the still image into a file, and records it on the recording medium M.

  The through image control unit 45 of the main control unit 19 determines whether or not the state of the imaging device 1 satisfies the specific condition as described above (step S17). When the main control unit 19 determines that the state of the imaging apparatus 1 does not correspond to the specific condition, the first through image processing by the through image processing unit 44 is resumed after the trailing curtain 22 is completely opened after the imaging operation. The main control unit 19 determines whether or not to end the process (step S18). That is, the main control unit 19 determines whether, for example, a power button or the like of the operation unit 15 is operated and an instruction to end the process is input by the operation unit 15. When it is determined that the process is to be ended (step S18, YES), the main control unit 19 turns off the power and ends the process. When it is determined that the process is not to be ended (step S18, NO), the main control unit 19 returns to the process of step S11.

  The main control unit 19 determines that the release button of the operation unit 15 is not half-pressed in step S13 (step S13, NO), or the release button of the operation unit 15 is fully pressed in step S15. If it is determined that there is not (step S15, NO), the process proceeds to step S18.

  As described above, when the state of the imaging device 1 does not correspond to the specific condition, the main control unit 19 performs the first through image by the through image processing unit 44 until the shutter unit 11 is opened after the imaging operation. Stop processing.

  According to the example of FIG. 6, an operation for instructing an imaging operation is input at timing t2. The main control unit 19 closes the front curtain 21 of the shutter unit 11 from timing t2 to t3 in FIG. 6, and starts exposure by the image sensor 12 from timing t3. The main control unit 19 starts an operation of closing the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11 from timing t4 corresponding to the shutter speed. Further, the main control unit 19 starts reading the image signal from the line where the exposure of the imaging surface of the imaging element 12 is completed. When the main curtain 19 completely closes the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11 at the timing t5, the main control unit 19 reads the image signal from the line where the readout of the image signal is not completed until the timing t6. The main control unit 19 starts an operation of opening the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11 from timing t7. Further, the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11 is completely opened at the timing t9, and the shutter unit 11 is opened.

  Note that the time from the start of closing of the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11 to the complete closing thereof, that is, the time between the timing t4 and the timing t5 is determined by the specifications of the shutter unit 11. Further, the time from when the shutter unit 11 is completely closed to when the opening operation is started, that is, the time between the timing t6 and the timing t7 is determined by the specification of the shutter unit 11. Furthermore, the time from when the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11 starts to open until it fully opens, that is, the time between the timing t7 and the timing t9 is determined by the specifications of the shutter unit 11.

  If the main control unit 19 determines in step S17 that the state of the imaging device 1 meets the specific condition (step S17, YES), the main control unit 19 determines whether or not the shutter unit 11 has been opened after the imaging operation (step S21). When it is determined that the shutter unit 11 has been opened after the imaging operation (step S21, YES), the main control unit 19 proceeds to the process of step S18.

  When it is determined that the shutter unit 11 is not opened after the imaging operation (step S21, NO), the through image control unit 45 of the main control unit 19 determines whether or not the shutter unit 11 has changed from the light shielding state to the semi-light shielding state. (Step S22). The through image control unit 45 determines that the shutter unit 11 is not in the semi-light-shielded state from the light-shielded state, that is, the shutter unit 11 is already in the semi-light-shielded state, or the shutter unit 11 remains in the light-shielded state. In the case (step S22, NO), the process proceeds to step S24. When it is determined that the shutter unit 11 has changed from the light shielding state to the semi-light shielding state, the through image control unit 45 recognizes the timing at which the image signal is captured in the second through image processing by the through image processing unit 44 (step S23). . That is, the through image control unit 45 starts the second through image processing by the through image processing unit 44 after the shutter unit 11 changes from the light shielding state to the semi-light-shielded state, and the second image processing unit 44 performs the second operation. Recognize the image signal capture timing in the through image processing.

  First, the through image control unit 45 performs a first timing at which the shutter unit 11 is changed from a light shielding state to a semi-light shielding state based on a timing at which a release instruction is input when a still image is captured and a shutter speed, and the shutter unit 11. Is calculated from the second light-blocking state to the open state.

  The through image control unit 45 switches from the second through image processing to the first through image processing at the second timing when the shutter unit 11 is changed from the semi-light-shielding state to the open state. For this reason, the through image control unit 45 can switch from the second through image processing to the first through image processing at the second timing, and read out the image signal for the through image and display the display unit 16. The first timing after the first timing that can be synchronized with the output of the through image is recognized as the timing (third timing) for starting the second through image processing. That is, the through image control unit 45 first turns on the synchronization signal that can be changed from the second frame rate (120 fps) to the first frame rate (60 fps) at the second timing after the first timing. The timing is recognized as a third timing for starting the second through image processing. The through image control unit 45 sets a period from the first timing to the third timing as a timing adjustment period during which the through image processing is not performed. The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 so as to perform the second through image processing from the third timing. Further, the through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit so as to capture image signals at intervals corresponding to the second frame rate from the timing at which the second through image processing is started.

  According to the example of FIG. 6, the timing t7 when the shutter unit 11 is changed from the light shielding state to the semi-light-shielding state is the first timing, and the timing t9 when the shutter unit 11 is opened from the semi-light-shielding state is the second timing. . The timing t8 at which the second through image processing is started is the third timing. As described above, the timing t3 that is the third timing can be calculated if the timing t7, the timing t9, and the second frame rate are determined.

  Note that the through image control unit 45 may not be configured to calculate the third timing after the shutter unit 11 changes from the light shielding state to the semi-light shielding state. The through image control unit 45 may be configured to calculate the third timing whenever a release instruction is input. Further, the synchronization signal indicating the capture timing of the image signal may be generated by either the through image control unit 45 or the through image processing unit 44. The synchronization signal indicating the capture timing of the image signal may be generated by the signal processing unit 13 based on the control of the through image processing unit 44.

  The through image control unit 45 determines whether or not it is time to read out the image signal (step S24). If the through image control unit 45 determines that it is not time to read out the image signal (NO in step S24), the process proceeds to step S21. When it is determined that it is time to read out the image signal (YES in step S24), the through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 to execute exposure control in the second through image processing. (Step S25). For example, the exposure control is control of an amplification factor for gain adjustment with respect to the image signal for the second through image read from the image sensor 12.

  The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 to capture the image signal for the second through image (step S26). The through image processing unit 44 converts the image signal read from the image sensor 12 by the signal processing unit 13 into a digital image signal and writes the digital image signal in the buffer memory.

  The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 to perform image processing on the image signal for the second through image (step S27). The through image processing unit 44 performs image processing by the image processing unit 14 on the digital image signal subjected to signal processing by the signal processing unit 13. For example, the through image processing unit 44 obtains a second through image by performing image processing for through image by the image processing unit 14 on the digital image signal written in the buffer memory.

  The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 so that the display unit 16 outputs the acquired second through image (step S28), and returns to step S21. The through image processing unit 44 causes the display unit 16 to display the second through image generated by the through image processing by the image processing unit 14. The through image control unit 45 repeatedly performs the processing from step S24 to step S28 at the second frame rate from when the shutter unit 11 is changed from the light shielding state to the semi-light shielding state until the shutter unit 11 is opened. Thereby, the through image control unit 45 can execute the second through image processing from when the shutter unit 11 is changed from the light shielding state to the semi-light shielding state until the shutter unit 11 is opened.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment acquires the first through image at the first frame rate and outputs the first through image, and the first through image processing. One of the second through image processing, in which the second through image is acquired at a second frame rate higher than the first frame rate and the second through image is output, is configured to be executable. Furthermore, the imaging apparatus 1 switches the through image processing between the first through image processing and the second through image processing in accordance with the state of the shutter unit 11. For example, the imaging apparatus 1 performs the second through image processing in a semi-shielded state where the shutter unit 11 after the imaging operation is not fully opened, and performs the first through image processing in the opened state where the shutter unit 11 is fully opened. As a result, it is possible to shorten the image disappearance period during which the through image is not displayed after the execution of the imaging operation. That is, the through image control unit determines whether the shutter unit is in an open state or a semi-light-shielded state as the state of the shutter unit, and when the shutter unit is in an open state or a semi-light-shielded state The through image processing unit is controlled so as to change and execute the through image processing. However, this semi-light-shielded state does not necessarily have to be a light-shielded half of the imaging surface as literally. The semi-light-shielding state may be a state where a part of the imaging surface is shielded from light, or a state where most of the imaging surface is shielded from light. That is, since it is important to positively use the obtained image if it is in a state where an image as effective information can be obtained by the image pickup device by an unshielded area on the image pickup surface, as described above. Such cases are collectively referred to as a semi-shielded state. Further, the open state, the light shielding state, and the semi-light shielding state may be rephrased as the degree of opening of the shutter unit. However, the degree of opening of the shutter unit varies with time. Therefore, the relationship with the timing of repeated reading of the image sensor must be considered.

Further, as described above, the first frame rate is 60 frames per second (60 fps), and the second frame rate is 120 frames per second (120 fps). That is, the second frame rate is an integer multiple of the first frame rate. In this case, the pulse of the synchronization signal at the first frame rate, that is, the capture timing of the image signal is included in the capture timing of the image signal at the second frame rate. For this reason, the imaging device 1 can smoothly switch between the first through image processing and the second through image processing. Of course, neither the integer multiple nor the specific numerical value of each frame rate is limited to this. The second frame rate is more suitable for the purpose of the present application because more information can be obtained by switching at a shorter cycle than the first frame rate.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, another example of the operation of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the operation of the imaging apparatus 1. FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining another example of the operation of the imaging apparatus 1. In the second embodiment, the third live view image is from the first timing when the shutter unit 11 is changed from the light shielding state to the semi-light-shielded state until the third timing when the second live view image processing is started. The point from which a process is performed differs from 1st Embodiment. Note that the configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 and the description of FIG. 4 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the main control unit 19 determines in step S17 of FIG. 4 that the state of the imaging device 1 meets the specific condition (step S17, YES), has the shutter unit 11 been opened after the imaging operation? It is determined whether or not (step S31). When it is determined that the shutter unit 11 has been opened after the imaging operation (step S31, YES), the main control unit 19 proceeds to the process of step S18 in FIG.

  When it is determined that the shutter unit 11 is not opened after the imaging operation (NO in step S31), the through image control unit 45 of the main control unit 19 determines whether or not the shutter unit 11 has changed from the light shielding state to the semi-light shielding state. (Step S32). The through image control unit 45 determines that the shutter unit 11 is not in the semi-light-shielded state from the light-shielded state, that is, the shutter unit 11 is already in the semi-light-shielded state, or the shutter unit 11 remains in the light-shielded state. In the case (step S32, NO), the process proceeds to step S35. When it is determined that the shutter unit 11 has changed from the light shielding state to the semi-light shielding state, the through image control unit 45 recognizes the timing for capturing an image signal in the second through image processing by the through image processing unit 44 (step S33). . That is, the through image control unit 45 calculates the first timing, the second timing, and the third timing as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 to perform the third through image processing from the first timing to the third timing (step S34). . The third through image process is a through image process for outputting a through image at a third frame rate higher than the second frame rate. That is, when executing the third through image processing, the through image processing unit 44 captures the image signal from the image sensor 12 by the signal processing unit 13 at the third frame rate, and performs the image processing for the through image to the captured image signal. To generate a third through image, and the display unit 16 outputs the generated third through image. Furthermore, the through image control unit 45 switches the through image processing executed by the through image processing unit 44 from the third through image processing to the second through image processing when the third timing comes.

  Note that the third frame rate in the third through image processing is, for example, an integer multiple of the second frame rate. More specifically, the third frame rate is 240 frames per second (240 fps).

  Note that the through image processing unit 44 outputs the image signal read from the image sensor 12 by the signal processing unit 13 when performing the third through image processing to a third gain that is higher than the first gain and the second gain. Adjust to gain and convert to image data. For example, the third gain is set to a value that cancels the decrease in exposure caused by changing the first frame rate to the third frame rate. Thereby, the through image processing unit 44 compensates for the shortage of exposure of the third through image in which the exposure time of the image sensor 12 is shorter than that of the first through image and the second through image.

  The through image control unit 45 determines whether or not it is time to read out the image signal (step S35). When the through image control unit 45 determines that it is not time to read out the image signal (NO in step S35), the process proceeds to step S31. When it is determined that it is time to read out the image signal (YES in step S35), the through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 to execute exposure control in the second through image processing. (Step S36). For example, the exposure control is control of an amplification factor for gain adjustment with respect to the image signal for the second through image read from the image sensor 12.

  The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 so as to capture the image signal for the second through image (step S37). The through image processing unit 44 converts the image signal read from the image sensor 12 by the signal processing unit 13 into a digital image signal and writes the digital image signal in the buffer memory.

  The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 to perform image processing on the image signal for the second through image (step S38). The through image processing unit 44 performs image processing by the image processing unit 14 on the digital image signal subjected to signal processing by the signal processing unit 13. For example, the through image processing unit 44 obtains a second through image by performing image processing for through image by the image processing unit 14 on the digital image signal written in the buffer memory.

  The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 so that the display unit 16 outputs the acquired second through image (step S39), and returns to step S31. The through image processing unit 44 causes the display unit 16 to display the second through image generated by the through image processing by the image processing unit 14. The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 so as to perform the third through image processing between the first timing and the third timing, and from the third timing to the second timing. In the meantime, the processing from step S35 to step S39 is repeated at the second frame rate. Thereby, the through image control unit 45 executes the third through image processing as soon as the shutter unit 11 changes from the light shielding state to the semi-light-shielding state, and from the third timing until the shutter unit 11 is opened. In the meantime, the second through image processing can be executed.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment acquires the first through image at the first frame rate and outputs the first through image, and the first through image processing. A second through image processing for obtaining a second through image at a second frame rate higher than the second frame rate and outputting the second through image; and a third frame rate higher than the second frame rate at a second frame rate. The third through image processing for acquiring the third through image and outputting the third through image is configured to be executable. Furthermore, the imaging apparatus 1 switches the through image processing between the first through image processing, the second through image processing, and the third through image processing according to the state of the shutter unit. For example, the imaging apparatus 1 performs the third through image processing between the first timing when the shutter unit 11 after the imaging operation starts to open and the third timing when the second through image processing can be executed. By performing the second through image processing between the 23rd timing and the second timing when the shutter unit 11 is opened, an image in which the through image is not displayed after the imaging operation is performed is performed. The disappearance period can be further shortened.

  As described above, the first frame rate is 60 frames per second (60 fps), the second frame rate is 120 frames per second (120 fps), and the third frame rate is 240 frames per second (240 fps). ). That is, the third frame rate is an integer multiple of the second frame rate, and the second frame rate is an integer multiple of the first frame rate. In this case, the pulse of the synchronization signal at the first frame rate, that is, the capture timing of the image signal is included in the capture timing of the image signal at the second frame rate. The synchronization signal pulse at the second frame rate, that is, the image signal capture timing is included in the image signal capture timing at the third frame rate. Therefore, the imaging apparatus 1 can smoothly switch between the first through image processing, the second through image processing, and the third through image processing.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the imaging device 1 uses the through image processing unit 44 according to the state of the shutter unit 11 when the state of the imaging device 1 meets a specific condition. Although it has been described that the through image processing to be executed is switched between the first through image processing and the second through image processing, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The imaging device 1 has an autofocus mode in which the state of the imaging device 1 is continuous shooting, the subject is being tracked, a subject moving more than a predetermined amount between frames is captured, the user is looking into the EVF 32, and Through-through regardless of the state of the shutter unit 11, such as AF-C, where the shutter speed is faster than a preset shutter speed, and the focal length of the imaging lens of the lens 10 is longer than the preset focal length. The configuration may be such that the through image processing executed by the image processing unit 44 is switched between the first through image processing and the second through image processing.
(Third embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, the imaging apparatus 1 has been described as performing image processing by the image processing unit 14 on the entire digital image signal captured by the signal processing unit 13, but is not limited to this configuration. The imaging apparatus 1 may be configured to perform image processing on a range excluding an area shielded by the shutter unit 11 (light-shielded area) from the digital image signal captured by the signal processing unit 13. Note that the configuration of the imaging apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the through image processing unit 44 of the imaging device 1 performs through image processing (fourth through image processing) until the shutter unit 11 is opened after the still image capturing operation is performed. )I do. For example, the through image processing unit 44 starts the fourth through image processing when the shutter unit 11 changes from the light shielding state to the semi-light shielding state. The through image control unit 45 switches the through image processing from the fourth through image processing to the first through image processing when the shutter unit 11 is changed from the semi-light-shielding state to the open state.

  An example of the fourth through image processing in the imaging apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for describing the timing of the fourth through image processing in the imaging apparatus 1. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for describing a range in which image processing is performed in the imaging apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the through image processing unit 44 performs exposure for acquiring a through image (fourth through image) at the timing t11 when the shutter unit 11 is changed from the light shielding state to the semi-light shielding state. Start with 12. The through image processing unit 44 ends the exposure by the image sensor 12 at a timing t12 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the timing t11. The timing t12 at which the exposure ends is determined by the frame rate (fourth frame rate) in the fourth through image processing. The fourth frame rate may be the same value as any of the first to third frame rates, or may be a different value.

  When the through image processing unit 44 ends the exposure, the signal processing unit 13 starts capturing the image signal from the image sensor 12. That is, the through image processing unit 44 starts capturing an image signal at the timing t12 when the exposure is finished. The signal processing unit 13 reads an image signal from the image sensor 12 and writes the read image signal in a buffer memory. More specifically, the signal processing unit 13 reads an image signal for each of a plurality of lines constituting the imaging surface of the image sensor 12, converts the image signal into a digital image signal, and sequentially writes it in the buffer memory. For example, when the shutter unit 11 is in a semi-shielded state as shown in FIG. 10, the signal processing unit 13 reads the image signal 71 including the light-shielded region 72 from the image sensor 12 and writes it in the buffer memory.

  Furthermore, the through image processing unit 44 performs image processing (through image processing) by the image processing unit 14 at a timing t13 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the signal processing unit 13 started to capture the image signal 71 from the imaging device 12. Image processing) starts. The through image processing unit 44 performs image processing (through image image processing) by the image processing unit 14 at a timing t13 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the signal processing unit 13 started to capture the image signal 71 from the imaging device 12. To start. More specifically, the image processing unit 14 reads the image signal 71 for each line from the buffer memory, performs signal processing, and generates a fourth through image 73. Note that the image processing unit 14 performs the through image processing on the image signal 71 written in the predetermined area on the buffer memory as described above to generate the fourth through image 73. When the through image processing is performed on the area on the buffer memory where the image signal 71 is not written, the image processing unit 14 generates the fourth through image 73 including the blank 74. That is, in order to perform the through image processing for the image signal 71 excluding the light-shielded area 72, the through image processing is performed so as not to overtake the capture of the image signal 71 in the range excluding the light-shielded area 72. The timing t13 for starting the image processing for images must be set.

  The timing t13 at which the through image processing is started is determined according to the degree of opening of the shutter unit 11. The through image control unit 45 includes, in the buffer memory, the image signal 71 in a range excluding the light-shielded region 72 shielded by the shutter unit 11 among the image signals 71 for a plurality of lines read from the image sensor 12 by the signal processing unit 13. Recognize the timing of writing. For example, the through image control unit 45 recognizes the positions of the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11 according to, for example, the elapsed time from the imaging operation. The through image control unit 45 recognizes an area shielded by the shutter unit 11 on the imaging surface of the imaging element 12 according to the recognized positions of the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11. As a result, the through image control unit 45 calculates the timing at which the capture of the image signal 71 generated by the area not shielded by the shutter unit 11 on the imaging surface is completed.

  Further, the through image control unit 45 calculates a processing time required for the through image processing. For example, the through image control unit 45 calculates the processing time required for the through image processing for the image signal 71 generated by the area not shielded by the shutter unit 11 on the imaging surface.

  The through image control unit 45 is based on the processing time required for the image processing for the through image and the timing at which the capture of the image signal 71 generated by the area not shielded by the shutter unit 11 on the imaging surface is completed. A timing t13 at which the through image processing is started is calculated. For example, the through image control unit 45 adjusts the timing t13 so that the through image processing is not performed before the image signal 71 in the range excluding the light-shielded region 72 is written in the buffer memory. That is, the through image control unit 45 sets the timing t13 so that the image processing for the through image with respect to the image signal 71 written in the buffer memory does not overtake the capturing of the image signal 71 in the range excluding the light-shielded region 72. The through image control unit 45 controls the through image processing unit 44 to start the through image processing from the calculated timing t13.

  Further, the through image processing unit 44 displays on the display unit 16 a fourth through image 73 generated by performing the through image processing. The through image processing unit 44 starts displaying the fourth through image 73 on the display unit 16 at timing t14 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of through image processing. The through image processing unit 44 sequentially inputs the fourth through image 73 to the display unit 16 line by line, that is, from the line for which the through image processing has been completed.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 1 calculates the timing for completing the capture of the image signal excluding the light-shielded area 72 and calculates the time required for the through image processing for the image signal excluding the light-shielded area 72. The through image processing is started at a timing at which the through image processing does not overtake the image signal excluding the light-shielded area 72. As a result, the through image processing can be started at an earlier timing than the case in which the through image processing is started so that the through image processing does not overtake the image signal capture timing in all lines. it can. As a result, the imaging apparatus 1 can shorten the image disappearance period during which the through image is not displayed after the imaging operation is performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the through image processing unit 44 performs the through image processing for the image signal 71 written in a predetermined area on the buffer memory by the image processing unit 14 and performs the fourth through image processing. Although the configuration has been described as generating 73, it is not limited to this configuration. The through image processing unit 44 may be configured to perform image processing for through image by the image processing unit 14 only on the image signal 71 excluding the light-shielded region 72. For this purpose, the through image processing unit 44 recognizes the positions of the front curtain 21 and the rear curtain 22 of the shutter unit 11 in accordance with the elapsed time from the still image capturing operation, so The area where the image signal 71 excluding 72 is written is recognized. The through image processing unit 44 subjects the image signal 71 written in the recognized area on the buffer memory to the through image processing by the image processing unit 14. According to such a configuration, the time required for the through image processing can be shortened. As a result, the imaging apparatus 1 can shorten the image disappearance period during which the through image is not displayed after the imaging operation is performed.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the imaging apparatus 1 includes the lens 10 has been described. However, the configuration is not limited to this configuration. The imaging apparatus 1 may be configured to include a mount on which the lens 10 can be attached instead of the lens 10.

  It should be noted that the functions described in the above embodiments are not limited to being configured using hardware, but can be realized by causing a computer to read a program describing each function using software. Each function may be configured by appropriately selecting either software or hardware.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging device, 10 ... Lens, 11 ... Shutter unit, 12 ... Image sensor, 13 ... Signal processing part, 14 ... Image processing part, 15 ... Operation part, 15t ... Touch sensor, 16 ... Display part, 18 ... Acceleration sensor , 19 ... main control unit, 21 ... front curtain, 22 ... rear curtain, 23 ... shutter drive device, 31 ... display panel, 32 ... electronic viewfinder, 33 ... eye sensor, 41 ... operation determination unit, 42 ... imaging control unit, 43 ... a recording control unit, 44 ... a through image processing unit, 45 ... a through image control unit, 46 ... a display control unit.

Claims (6)

An imaging device comprising an imaging surface on which imaging pixels for converting light into image signals are arranged;
A shutter unit that is provided between an imaging lens that forms a subject image on the imaging surface and the imaging surface, and adjusts an exposure time when acquiring a still image;
An image output unit for outputting an image;
A through image processing unit that generates a through image based on the image signal and outputs the generated through image by the image output unit;
A through image control unit that controls the through image processing unit to start generating the through image at a first timing according to the degree of opening of the shutter unit;
An imaging apparatus comprising: An image pickup control unit that opens and closes the shutter unit to perform exposure by the image pickup device to acquire image data as a still image;
The through image processing unit performs through image processing on the image signal periodically read from the image sensor to generate the through image,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the through image control unit calculates the first timing according to a degree of opening of the shutter unit after the still image is acquired by the imaging control unit.   The through image control unit calculates a second timing at which reading of the image signal generated by an area not shielded by the shutter unit on the imaging surface is completed, and processing required for the through image processing The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein time is calculated, and the first timing is calculated based on the calculated processing time and the second timing.   The said through image control part calculates the time required for the said image processing for through images with respect to the said image signal produced | generated by the area | region which is not shielded by the said shutter unit on the said imaging surface as said processing time. Imaging device.   The said through image control part recognizes the area | region which is not light-shielded by the said shutter unit on the said imaging surface according to the elapsed time after acquisition of the said still image by the said imaging control part. The imaging device according to item. Provided between an imaging element having an imaging surface on which imaging pixels for converting light into an image signal are arranged, an imaging lens for forming a subject image on the imaging surface, and the imaging surface to acquire a still image A control method for an imaging apparatus comprising a shutter unit that adjusts an exposure time, an image output unit that outputs an image, a through image processing unit, and a through image control unit,
The through image processing unit generates a through image based on the image signal, and outputs the generated through image by the image output unit,
The through image control unit controls the through image processing unit to start generating the through image at a first timing according to a degree of opening of the shutter unit;
Control method of imaging apparatus.