JP2018050345A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To check a composition and a focus by a live view image before correction by a simple operation.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes: an image output unit for outputting a display image on the basis of each set value of a plurality of set items relating to an exposure condition or image processing; a display unit; a manual setting unit for making a user manually set a set item out of the plurality of set items, which is desired to be changed; a first output control unit for making the image output unit output a first display image by using the set value manually set by the manual setting unit; a second output control unit for making the image output unit output a second display image by using a predetermined value in place of the set value manually set by the manual setting unit; and an image recording unit for generating recording image data relating to a subject image imaged on the basis of the set value manually set by the manual setting unit. When a user operates a predetermined operating member within a time period when the first output control unit makes the image output unit output the first display image, the second output control unit is operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.

  A slide bar for manually adjusting the brightness, focus, saturation, etc. of the image is superimposed on the live view image, and the live view image with the brightness, focus, saturation, etc. corrected according to the slide bar operation An imaging device that obtains an image that matches a user's preference by displaying the image is known. (Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-155449 A

  For beginners who are unfamiliar with shooting using an imaging device such as a digital camera, it may be difficult to check the composition and focus state by viewing only the corrected live view image. However, when the image is corrected while displaying the live view image as in the invention of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to escape from the operation mode in which manual adjustment is performed in order to check the live view image before correction. In addition, when returning to the operation mode in which manual adjustment is performed again, it is necessary to perform adjustment again, which impairs convenience. In particular, resetting by manual operation has been a heavy burden for beginners unfamiliar with photography.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an input unit to which an imaging signal obtained by imaging a subject is input, a setting unit capable of setting conditions relating to image processing of the imaging signal, and the imaging based on conditions after setting by the setting unit A first conversion unit that converts a signal into a first display signal, a second conversion unit that converts the imaging signal into a second display signal based on a predetermined value related to image processing, and the first display signal or An output unit that outputs the second display signal; and a switching unit that switches the output of the output unit between the first display signal and the second display signal. The switching unit includes the setting unit When the setting according to (2) satisfies a predetermined condition, the output of the output unit is switched from the first display signal to the second display signal. The predetermined condition is the first display signal, the second display signal, Differences due to image processing It is that it can be visually recognized.

  According to the present invention, composition and focus can be confirmed with a live view image before correction by a simple operation, and after confirmation, the live view image after correction can be easily restored.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a timing chart regarding the drive signal used for control of an image sensor. It is a functional block diagram of ASIC. It is a functional block diagram of CPU. It is a figure which shows an example of the image for a display with which the slide bar was superimposed. It is a table | surface which shows the image effect added to a live view image, the switching conditions with respect to them, and a fixed value. It is a flowchart regarding the process performed in the imaging device by one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart regarding the operation in the second live view display mode. It is a flowchart regarding the production | generation of the image for a display.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An electronic camera 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a photographing lens 7, a diaphragm 8, a diaphragm driving unit 9, an image sensor 10, an analog signal processing circuit 11, an A / D conversion circuit 12, and an ASIC (Application Specific). Integrated Circuit) 13, driver 16, timing generator (TG) 17, CPU 18, RAM 19, ROM 20, display monitor 21, main switch 22, half-press switch 23, full-press switch 24, photometry A device 25, a recording medium 27, a selection switch 28, a changeover switch 29, and a set value change switch 30 are provided.

  The photographing lens 7 includes a plurality of lens groups including a zoom lens and a focusing lens, and forms a subject image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 10. In FIG. 1, the photographing lens 7 is illustrated as a single lens for the sake of simplicity. The diaphragm 8 is formed from a plurality of diaphragm blades (not shown), and adjusts the amount of light flux received by the image sensor 10. The aperture drive unit 9 drives aperture blades (not shown) based on the aperture value set by the CPU 18.

  The electronic camera 200 shown in FIG. 1 is a digital camera in which the photographing lens 7 is formed integrally with the camera (the photographing lens cannot be attached or detached). However, the configuration described later can also be applied to a camera system including a camera body and an interchangeable lens that can be attached to and detached from the camera body. In this case, among the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the photographing lens 7, the diaphragm 8, and the aperture driving unit 9 are the configuration on the interchangeable lens side, and the other configuration is the configuration on the camera body side.

  The imaging element 10 has an imaging pixel and a focus detection pixel on its imaging surface. The imaging pixels are arranged on the imaging surface of the imaging device 10 according to, for example, a Bayer array. A subject image is formed on the imaging surface of the imaging element 10 by the photographing lens 7. Each pixel of the image sensor 10 is exposed during the shutter speed, and signal charges corresponding to the brightness of the subject image are accumulated.

  The image sensor 10 includes an internal oscillation device 10a. The internal oscillation device 10a generates a drive signal at a predetermined frame rate. The signal charges accumulated in the image sensor 10 are read according to a drive signal output from the internal oscillation device 10a or a driver 16 described later and output to the analog signal processing circuit 11. The signal charges accumulated in the imaging pixels are used for generating a live view image, a recording image compressed in various compression formats, and the like.

  The analog signal processing circuit 11 includes an AGC circuit, a CDS circuit, etc., performs analog signal processing (gain control, noise removal, etc.) on the signal charge read from the image sensor 10, and outputs an image signal. The A / D conversion circuit 12 converts the imaging signal after the analog signal processing by the analog signal processing circuit 11 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the ASIC 13. The analog signal processing circuit 11 and the A / D conversion circuit 12 can be formed integrally with the image sensor 10.

  The ASIC 13 uses the RAM 19 as a work area, performs image processing to be described later on the digital signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 12, and outputs a live view image, a recording image compressed in various compression formats, and the like.

  The timing generator 17 generates a timing signal under the control of the CPU 18. The timing signal is supplied to each of the analog signal processing circuit 11, the A / D conversion circuit 12, and the driver 16. The driver 16 generates a drive signal using the timing signal and outputs the drive signal to the image sensor 10.

  The CPU 18 is configured by a microcomputer or the like, and controls each part of the electronic camera 200 by executing a program stored in the ROM 20 using the RAM 19 as a work area. The RAM 19 is a working memory that temporarily stores data when the ASIC 13, the CPU 18, and the like execute processing of each unit. The ROM 20 is a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, and stores a control program, setting information, and the like of the electronic camera 200.

  The display monitor 21 is a liquid crystal monitor, for example, and displays a live view image, a menu screen, a recording image stored in a recording medium 27 described later, and the like. Display data displayed on the display monitor 21 is generated by the CPU 18, the ASIC 13, or the like.

  The main switch 22 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the on operation or the off operation to the CPU 18. The CPU 18 starts power supply to each block from a power circuit (not shown) when receiving an ON operation signal, and stops power supply from the power circuit to each block when receiving an OFF operation signal.

  The half-press switch 23 and the full-press switch 24 are turned on / off in conjunction with a pressing operation of a release button (not shown), and each outputs an operation signal to the CPU 18. The half-press switch 23 outputs a half-press signal when a release button (not shown) is pressed down to about half of the normal stroke. The half-press switch 23 cancels the output of the half-press signal by releasing the half-stroke pressing operation.

  The full push switch 24 outputs a full push signal when a release button (not shown) is pushed down to a normal stroke. The full push switch 24 releases the output of the full push signal when the normal stroke push-down operation is released.

The selection switch 28 is an operation member for performing an operation of selecting a desired option when a menu screen on which a plurality of options are displayed is displayed on the display monitor 21.
The changeover switch 29 is an operation member used when switching the operation of the electronic camera 200. The half-press switch 23 may be used as the changeover switch 29.
The setting value change switch 30 is, for example, a rotary multi-selector, and is an operation member for performing an operation of changing a setting value related to an image effect during a period in which an image effect is added to a live view image to be described later. It is.

  The photometry device 25 calculates the luminance of the subject when a half-press signal of the half-press switch 23 is input to the CPU 18. The recording medium 27 is composed of a data storage member such as a flash memory card, for example, and stores recording images and the like.

(Drive signal)
FIG. 2A is a timing chart regarding the drive signal output from the internal oscillation device 10a. In FIG. 2A, the drive signal output from the internal oscillation device 10a temporarily falls from the H level to the L level every time a time corresponding to a predetermined frame rate has elapsed. The exposure of each pixel of the image sensor 10 is started when the drive signal output from the internal oscillation device 10a falls (for example, time T1, time T2), and is ended after the set shutter speed has elapsed. This shutter speed is limited to the frame rate of the drive signal. When the set shutter speed is longer than the frame rate of the drive signal, each pixel of the image sensor 10 is exposed for a time corresponding to the frame rate.

  On the other hand, FIG. 2B is a timing chart regarding the drive signal output from the driver 16 provided outside the image sensor 10. In FIG. 2B, the drive signal output from the driver 16 falls from the H level to the L level at time T3, and rises from the L level to the H level at time T4. When the drive signal falls (for example, time T3), exposure of each pixel of the image sensor 10 is started. When the drive signal rises (for example, at time T4), the exposure is completed and reading of the signal charge is started. The time from the fall of the drive signal output from the driver 16 to the rise (for example, the period from time T3 to time T4) is the shutter speed. When the drive signal output from the driver 16 is used, the frame rate is variable by controlling the falling and rising of the pulse signal of the drive signal output from the driver 16. That is, unlike the drive signal output from the internal oscillation device 10a, the shutter speed is not limited to the frame rate of the drive signal, and the pixel exposure time and signal readout from the pixel can be appropriately controlled.

(Signal charge readout method)
The electronic camera 200 has a plurality of readout methods for reading out signal charges accumulated in the image sensor 10. For example, the electronic camera 200 has a readout method such as an all-pixel readout method or a thinning readout method.

  The all-pixel readout method is used, for example, when recording image data relating to a still image is recorded on the recording medium 27. In the all-pixel readout method, when a drive signal is input from the driver 16 toward the image sensor 10, signal charges are read from all pixels of the image sensor 10 according to the drive signal.

  The thinning readout method is used, for example, when displaying a live view image on the display monitor 21. In the thinning readout method, the internal oscillation device 10a oscillates a drive signal at a predetermined frame rate, and signal charges are read by thinning out some pixels of the image sensor 10 according to the drive signal. Thereby, the data size of the image data to be subjected to image processing is reduced, and the processing load is reduced.

(Operation of ASIC 13)
The electronic camera 200 has a plurality of operation modes such as a shooting mode, a first live view display mode, and a second live view display mode. The ASIC 13 generates image data corresponding to each operation mode based on the digital signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 12. The first live view display mode and the second live view display mode are collectively referred to as a live view display mode.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram relating to the ASIC 13. The ASIC 13 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a first ASIC 131 and a second ASIC 132. The first ASIC 131 includes a first input unit 100, a first resize unit 101, a second resize unit 102, a first pre-processing unit 103, a first output unit 104, and a second output unit 105.

  The second ASIC 132 includes a second input unit 301, a third input unit 302, a second pre-processing unit 303, an evaluation value processing unit 304, a second image processing unit 305, a resizing processing unit 306, a first image processing unit 307, and a DSP ( A digital signal processor) unit 308, a display control unit 309, a compression unit 312, and a recording unit 313.

(Shooting mode)
When the full push signal is output, the electronic camera 200 shifts to the shooting mode. When the electronic camera 200 is in the shooting mode, the readout method of the image sensor 10 is set to the all-pixel readout method. The signal charge of the image sensor 10 is read based on the drive signal output from the driver 16. These signal charges are converted into digital signals via the analog signal processing circuit 11 and the A / D conversion circuit 12 and output to the ASIC 13. The digital signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 12 is taken into the first input unit 100 of the first ASIC 131.

  In the shooting mode, the first input unit 100 outputs the digital signal captured from the A / D conversion circuit 12 to the first resizing unit 101. In the shooting mode, the first resizing unit 101 performs a resizing process for the recording image on the digital signal. The digital signal subjected to the resizing process by the first resizing unit 101 is output to the first output unit 104. The first output unit 104 outputs a digital signal to the second input unit 301 of the second ASIC 132.

  The second input unit 301 of the second ASIC 132 acquires the output signal of the first output unit 104 and outputs it to the second pre-processing unit 303 and the evaluation value processing unit 304. The second pre-processing unit 303 performs image preprocessing such as contour compensation and gamma correction on the signal acquired by the second input unit 301 and stores the processing result in the RAM 19 as first captured image data 401.

  The evaluation value processing unit 304 calculates an evaluation value 402 used for contrast adjustment, white balance adjustment, and the like, and stores the evaluation value 402 in the RAM 19. Based on the evaluation value 402 stored in the RAM 19, the DSP unit 308 sets parameters related to contrast adjustment and white balance adjustment in the first image processing unit 307.

  The first image processing unit 307 performs white balance adjustment, exposure correction, and contrast adjustment (dynamic range expansion) on the first captured image 401 stored in the RAM 19 based on each parameter output from the DSP unit 308. Image processing such as select color, miniature effect, and soft filter is performed, and the developed image 405 is stored in the RAM 19.

  The exposure correction is to change the brightness of the image by changing the exposure from the appropriate exposure determined by the automatic exposure control by the CPU 18 of the electronic camera 200. The intensity of exposure correction can be set to a value within a predetermined range with zero as the center value.

  Brightness / darkness adjustment is image processing for suppressing overexposure in the highlight portion of the first captured image 401 and reducing blackout in the shadow portion, and the processing is executed based on parameters set by the DSP portion 308. Is done. Brightness / darkness adjustment processing has many processing steps and consumes more power than other image processing. In addition, the intensity of contrast adjustment includes stages such as “strong”, “medium”, “weak”, and “none”.

Select color is image processing that leaves only the color specified by the user and converts other colors to monotone.
The miniature effect is image processing that expresses a miniature (model) as close-up by blurring the top and bottom of the subject image. The intensity of blurring due to the miniature effect includes stages such as “strong”, “medium”, “weak”, and “none”.
Soft filter is image processing that blurs the entire image and softens the impression of the image, and the strength of blurring by soft processing includes stages such as “strong”, “medium”, “weak”, and “none”. is there.

The developed image 405 is compressed by the compression unit 312 into a compressed image 406 in a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG). The compressed image 406 that has been compressed is recorded on the recording medium 27 of FIG. 1 by the recording unit 313 as a recording image.
A series of processes from when the electronic camera 200 is shifted to the shooting mode to when the recording image is recorded on the recording medium 27 is referred to as a shooting process.

(First live view display mode)
When the electronic camera 200 is in the first live view display mode, the readout method of the electronic camera 200 is set to the thinning readout method. The signal charge of the image sensor 10 is read at a predetermined frame rate based on the drive signal output from the internal oscillation device 10a. These signal charges are converted into digital signals via the analog signal processing circuit 11 and the A / D conversion circuit 12 and output to the ASIC 13. The digital signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 12 is taken into the first input unit 100 of the first ASIC 131.

  In the first live view display mode, the first input unit 100 outputs the digital signal captured from the A / D conversion circuit 12 to the second resize unit 102. The second resizing unit 102 performs resizing processing for image processing on the digital signal. The digital signal subjected to the resizing process by the second resizing unit 102 is a digital signal having smaller image data than the digital signal subjected to the resizing process performed by the first resizing unit 101 described above. The digital signal that has been subjected to the resizing process by the second resizing unit 102 is subjected to image preprocessing such as contour compensation and gamma correction by the first pre-processing unit 103, and is output to the second output unit 105. The second output unit 105 outputs the signal after image preprocessing to the third input unit 302 of the second ASIC 132.

  The third input unit 302 of the second ASIC 132 acquires the output signal of the second output unit 105 and outputs it to the second image processing unit 305. The second image processing unit 305 executes a second captured image by performing, on the signal acquired by the second output unit 105, image processing excluding at least contrast adjustment among the image processing performed by the first image processing unit 307. Data 403 is generated, and the second captured image data 403 is stored in the RAM 19. Since the second image processing unit 305 does not perform contrast adjustment, the power consumption is smaller than that of the first image processing unit 307.

  The resizing processing unit 306 performs resizing processing on the second captured image data 403 again, generates a display image 404, and stores it in the RAM 19. The display control unit 309 outputs the display image 404 to the display monitor 21. In this way, the display image 404 is displayed as a live view image on the display monitor 21 at the frame rate of the drive signal output from the internal oscillation device 10a.

(Second live view display mode)
In the second live view display mode, a live view image to which the same image effect as that added to the developed image 405 generated in the shooting mode is added is displayed on the display monitor 21. For example, live image effects by aperture value and shutter speed used in the shooting mode, exposure correction performed by the first image processing unit 307 of the second ASIC 132 in the shooting mode, contrast adjustment, select color, miniature effect, and image effect by the soft filter. Append to view image. Thereby, the user can confirm the image effect added to the image obtained by photographing before photographing.

  In the second live view display mode, the readout method of the image sensor 10 and the processing procedure in the ASIC 13 differ depending on which image effect is added to the live view image. For example, in the second live view display mode, the electronic camera 200 sets the readout method of the image sensor 10 to the all-pixel readout method when an image effect based on the shutter speed used in the shooting mode is added to the live view image. That is, signal charges are read from all the pixels of the image sensor 10 based on the drive signal output from the driver 16 (FIG. 2B).

  On the other hand, when an image effect other than the image effect due to the shutter speed is added to the live view image, the readout method of the image sensor 10 is set to the thinning readout method. That is, signal charges are read from the image sensor 10 based on the drive signal (FIG. 2A) output from the internal oscillation device 10a. When an image effect based on the shutter speed is added to the live view image, as described above, when signal charge read-out control from the image sensor 10 is performed based on the drive signal output from the internal oscillation device 10a, the shutter speed becomes the drive signal. The frame rate may be limited. Therefore, by controlling the rising and falling timing of the drive signal output from the driver 16, it is possible to cope with the shutter speed used in the shooting mode.

  The read signal charges are converted into digital signals via the analog signal processing circuit 11 and the A / D conversion circuit 12 and output to the ASIC 13. The digital signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 12 is taken into the first input unit 100 of the first ASIC 131. Note that when an image effect by contrast adjustment is added to a live view image, the digital signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 12 is underexposure controlled.

  The destination to which the first input unit 100 of the first ASIC 131 outputs the digital signal captured from the A / D conversion circuit 12 is switched based on the image effect added to the live view image. For example, when adding an image effect by contrast adjustment to a live view image, the first input unit 100 outputs a digital signal to the first resizing unit 101. On the other hand, when adding an image effect other than the image effect by contrast adjustment to the live view image, the first input unit 100 outputs a digital signal to the second resize unit 102. When adding an image effect by contrast adjustment to a live view image, the first input unit 100 outputs a digital signal to the first resize unit 101 in the same manner as in the shooting mode. This is because the possible first image processing unit 307 is used. On the other hand, when an image effect other than the image effect by contrast adjustment is added to the live view image, a digital signal is sent to the second resizing unit 102 in the same manner as when the first input unit 100 is in the first live view display mode. The reason for outputting is to use the second image processing unit 305 that consumes less power than the first image processing unit 307. In addition, when a circuit for adjusting the brightness difference is provided in the second image processing unit 305 in order to add the image effect by the brightness difference adjustment to the live view image, the process of calculating the evaluation value increases, Power consumption and processing load increase when an image effect other than the image effect by contrast adjustment is added to the live view image.

  When adding an image effect by contrast adjustment to the live view image, the first input unit 100 outputs the digital signal captured from the A / D conversion circuit 12 to the first resizing unit 101. The first resizing unit 101 performs resizing processing on the digital signal output from the first input unit 100 so that the size of the display image is smaller than that of the recording image. The first resizing unit 101 outputs the digital signal after the resizing process to the first output unit 104. The first output unit 104 outputs the resized digital signal to the second input unit 301 of the second ASIC 132.

  The second input unit 301 of the second ASIC 132 acquires the output signal of the first output unit 104 and outputs it to the second pre-processing unit 303 and the evaluation value processing unit 304. The second pre-processing unit 303 performs image preprocessing such as contour compensation and gamma correction on the signal acquired by the second input unit 301 and stores the processing result in the RAM 19 as first captured image data 401.

  The evaluation value processing unit 304 calculates an evaluation value 402 used for contrast adjustment, and stores the evaluation value 402 in the RAM 19. The DSP unit 308 sets parameters related to light / dark difference adjustment in the first image processing unit 307 based on the evaluation value 402 stored in the RAM 19. The first image processing unit 307 performs brightness difference adjustment on the first captured image 401 using the parameters, and stores the developed image 405 in the RAM 19.

  When adding an image effect by contrast adjustment to a live view image, the resizing processing unit 306 performs resizing processing on the developed image 405 to generate a display image 404. The display control unit 309 outputs the display image 404 to the display monitor 21 as a live view image.

  When adding an image effect other than the image effect by contrast adjustment to the live view image, the first input unit 100 outputs the digital signal captured from the A / D conversion circuit 12 to the second resizing unit 102. Thereafter, the display image 404 is generated by the same method as in the first live view display mode.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a functional block diagram of the CPU 18. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the CPU 18 executes a program stored in the ROM 20, thereby providing a manual setting unit 181, a first output control unit 182, a second output control unit 183, and a determination unit 184. Function. These functions are used when the electronic camera 200 is set to the second live view display mode.

  In the second live view display mode, the manual setting unit 181 allows the user to manually set parameters (setting values) related to the image effect to be added for the image effect to be added to the live view image (display image 404). As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the manual setting unit 181 displays the slide bar 411 in a superimposed manner on the display image 404a. When the user operates the set value change switch 30, the display position of the memory of the slide bar 411 is changed according to the operation, and the parameter relating to the image effect to be added is changed according to the operation. The set values relating to the image effect to be added are, for example, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure correction intensity, intensity difference adjustment intensity, and the like.

  In the second live view display mode, the first output control unit 182 outputs a setting value related to the image effect set by the manual setting unit 181 to the ASIC 13, and an image for display to which an image effect based on the setting value is added. 404 is output from the display control unit 309 of the ASIC 13.

  For example, when the slide bar 411 shown in FIG. 5A is used for manual adjustment of the shutter speed, when the user sets the shutter speed to a long value as shown in FIG. The control unit 182 causes the display control unit 309 to output the display image 404b to which the image effect due to the shutter speed for a long second is added.

  In the second live view display mode, the second output control unit 183 outputs a predetermined fixed value instead of the setting value set by the manual setting unit 181 to the ASIC 13 for a predetermined time, and sets the fixed value. The display image 404 to which the image effect based is added is output from the display control unit 309 of the ASIC 13 for a predetermined time.

  The determination unit 184 determines whether to operate the second output control unit 183. The determination unit 184 determines that [1] the changeover switch 29 is operated, [2] a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has not elapsed since the changeover switch 29 is operated, and [3] the full press operation is performed. [4] When the parameter set by the manual setting unit 181 satisfies a predetermined switching condition, it is determined that the second output control unit 183 is to be operated. The switching condition is a range of setting values in which each image effect is considered to appear prominently in the live view image, and is determined in advance.

  FIG. 6 shows the switching condition and the setting value set by the manual setting unit 181 for the image effect based on the shutter speed, the image effect based on the aperture value, the image effect based on exposure correction, and the image effect based on contrast adjustment. The predetermined value output to the ASIC 13 is shown.

(1) The switching condition for the image effect by the shutter speed is that the shutter speed A is equal to or higher than the predetermined shutter speed A1. When this switching condition is satisfied, an image effect due to a long time as illustrated in FIG. 5B appears remarkably in the display image 404. The fixed value for the image effect due to the shutter speed is a predetermined shutter speed A2, which is the shortest (minimum) value among shutter speeds that can be set in the electronic camera 200, for example. The predetermined shutter speed A1 is longer (larger) than the predetermined shutter speed A2.

For example, when the user manually sets a shutter speed A equal to or higher than a predetermined shutter speed A1 during the second live view display mode, a live view image (for example, FIG. The display image 404b) of (b) is displayed on the display monitor 21. When the user operates the changeover switch 29, the determination unit 184 determines that the second output control unit 183 is to be operated, and the second output control unit 183 sets the shutter speed A to the predetermined shutter speed A2. A live view image having no image effect due to the shutter speed at a long time, that is, an image equivalent to the live view image displayed in the first live view display mode is displayed on the display monitor 21.
The user can confirm the composition and focus on the live view image before adding the image effect based on the shutter speed by a simple operation such as an operation of the changeover switch 29. In addition, the user can confirm the image effect due to the shutter speed for a long time by comparing live view images displayed before and after the operation of the changeover switch 29.

  On the other hand, when the user has manually set the shutter speed A to be lower than the predetermined shutter speed A1 during the second live view display mode, that is, when the image effect due to the shutter speed at long seconds is not added, the user switches. Even if the switch 29 is operated, the determination unit 184 does not operate the second output control unit 183.

(2) The switching condition for the image effect by the aperture value is that the aperture value B is equal to or less than the predetermined aperture value B1. When this switching condition is satisfied, the background of the display image 404 is blurred, and the image effect due to the aperture value appears remarkably. The fixed value is a predetermined aperture value B2, for example, an aperture value corresponding to a small aperture. By setting the aperture value B to the predetermined aperture value B2, the background of the display image 404 becomes clear as much as the live view image displayed in the first live view display mode. The user can confirm the composition and focus on the live view image before adding the image effect based on the aperture value by a simple operation such as the operation of the changeover switch 29.

(3) The switching condition for the image effect by the exposure correction is that the intensity C of the exposure correction is not more than the predetermined intensity C1. When this switching condition is satisfied, exposure correction is performed so that the display image 404 becomes dark. The fixed value is a predetermined intensity C2, which is a maximum value that can be set as an exposure correction intensity, for example. By setting the exposure correction intensity C to the predetermined intensity C2, the display image 404 becomes brighter. The user can confirm the composition and focus in the live view image before adding the image effect by the exposure correction by a simple operation such as the operation of the changeover switch 29.

(4) The switching condition for the image effect by contrast correction is that the intensity of contrast correction is other than “None”. When this switching condition is satisfied, contrast correction is applied to the display image 404. The fixed value is to set the intensity of light / dark difference correction to “none”, that is, to not perform light / dark difference correction. By setting the intensity of light / dark difference correction to “None”, the display image 404 is likely to be blacked out or overexposed. The user can confirm the composition and focus on the live view image before adding the image effect by the contrast correction by a simple operation such as the operation of the changeover switch 29.

(5) The switching condition for the image effect by the select color is that a color that is not converted to monotone, that is, a color that remains is designated. When this switching condition is satisfied, the display image 404 is converted to a monotone other than the color designated by the user. The fixed value indicates that there is no designated color, that is, the designation of the color is canceled. By canceling the color designation, the display image 404 returns to full color. The user can confirm the composition and focus in the live view image before adding the image effect of the select color by a simple operation such as the operation of the changeover switch 29.

(6) The switching condition for the image effect by the miniature effect is that the intensity of the blur by the miniature effect is other than “None”. When this switching condition is satisfied, the upper and lower portions of the display image 404 are blurred. The fixed value is to set the intensity of the miniature effect to “none”, that is, not to apply the miniature effect. By setting the intensity of the miniature effect to “none”, the upper and lower portions of the display image 404 are not blurred. The user can confirm the composition and focus in the live view image before adding the image effect due to the miniature effect, by a simple operation such as the operation of the changeover switch 29.

(7) The switching condition for the image effect by the soft filter is that the intensity of blurring by the soft filter is other than “None”. When this switching condition is satisfied, the entire display image 404 is blurred. The fixed value is to set the strength of the soft filter to “no”, that is, not to apply the soft filter. By setting the strength of the soft filter to “None”, the display image 404 is not blurred. The user can confirm the composition and focus in the live view image before adding the image effect by the soft filter, by a simple operation such as the operation of the changeover switch 29.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing started by the CPU 18 when the main switch 22 is turned on and power is supplied to each part of the electronic camera 200. In step S100, the CPU 18 determines whether or not the operation mode of the electronic camera 200 is the live view display mode. When the operation mode of the electronic camera 200 is the first live view display mode or the second live view display mode, an affirmative determination is made in step S100. CPU18 advances a process to step S101, when step S100 is affirmed and advances a process to step S112, when step S100 is negatively determined.

  In step S101, the CPU 18 determines whether or not the operation mode of the electronic camera 200 is the second live view display mode. If the determination in step S101 is affirmative, that is, if the second live view display mode is set, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S102. If the determination in step S101 is negative, that is, the operation mode of the electronic camera 200 is the first live view. If it is the view display mode, the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S <b> 102, the CPU 18 displays a menu screen for the second live view display mode on the display monitor 21. This menu screen lists items indicating image effects that can be added to the live view image in the second live view display mode. For example, “express motion”, “blur background”, “change brightness”, “change contrast”, “select color”, “miniature effect”, “soft filter” are listed on the menu screen. . These show the image effect by shutter speed, the image effect by aperture value, the image effect by exposure correction, the image effect by contrast adjustment, the image effect by select color, the image effect by miniature effect, and the image effect by soft filter, respectively. . The user uses the selection switch 28 to select a desired image effect from the menu screen. In step S103, the CPU 18 executes an operation in a second live view display mode to be described later.

  In step S110, the CPU 18 controls the ASIC 13 to generate the display image 404 for the first live view display mode. In step S111, the display image 404 generated by the ASIC 13 in step S110 is output from the display control unit 309 to the display monitor 21 and displayed.

  In step S112, the CPU 18 determines whether or not a full press signal is output from the full press switch 24. The CPU 18 advances the process to step S113 when step S112 is positively determined, i.e., when a full-press signal is output, and performs processing when step S112 is negatively determined, i.e., when the full-press signal is not output. To step S100. In step S113, the CPU 18 performs a photographing process.

  In step S114, the CPU 18 determines whether or not to end the execution of the process shown in FIG. For example, the CPU 18 determines whether or not the main switch 20 is turned off. CPU18 complete | finishes the process of FIG. 7, when step S114 is determined affirmative, and when step S114 is determined negative, it returns a process to step S100.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart relating to the processing in step S103 of FIG. In step S200, the CPU 18 controls the ASIC 13 to generate the display image 404 for the second live view display mode. In step S201, the CPU 18 controls the display control unit 309 to superimpose the slide bar 411 for manually setting the parameter relating to the image effect selected in step S102 on the display image 404 generated in step S200. Output to the monitor 21.

  In step S202, the CPU 18 determines whether or not to change the setting value related to the image effect. For example, when the set value change switch 30 is operated, the CPU 18 makes a positive determination in step S202 and advances the process to step S203. For example, when the set value change switch 30 is not operated, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination and performs the process. The process proceeds to S205.

In step S <b> 203, the CPU 18 functions as the manual setting unit 181 and changes parameters relating to image effects. For example, the CPU 18 changes the parameter according to the operation of the setting value change switch 30. The parameters to be changed are as follows, for example.
“Express motion”: Shutter speed “Blur background”: Aperture value “Change brightness”: Exposure compensation strength “Change light / dark difference”: Light / dark difference adjustment strength “Select color”: Selected color to emphasize “ "Miniature effect": The intensity of the blur due to the miniature effect "Soft filter": The intensity of the blur due to the soft filter

  In step S204, the CPU 18 controls the ASIC 13 as the first output control unit 182 to generate the display image 404 for the second live view display mode based on the parameters set in step S203. In step S <b> 205, the CPU 18 controls the display control unit 309 to superimpose the slide bar 411 on the display image 404 generated in step S <b> 204 and output it to the display monitor 21.

  In step S206, the CPU 18 determines whether or not the changeover switch 29 has been operated. When step S206 is affirmatively determined, that is, when the changeover switch 29 is operated, the process proceeds to step S207. When step S206 is negatively determined, that is, when the changeover switch 29 is not operated, the process is performed. Advances to step S212.

  In step S207, the CPU 18 determines whether the parameter that can be changed using the slide bar 411 satisfies a predetermined condition. If the determination in step S207 is affirmative, that is, if a parameter that can be changed using the slide bar 411 satisfies a predetermined condition, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S208. If the determination in step S207 is negative, that is, the slide bar 411. If the parameter that can be changed by using does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S208, the CPU 18 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the changeover switch 29 was operated. If the determination in step S208 is affirmative, that is, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the changeover switch 29 was operated, the CPU 18 proceeds to step S214. If the determination in step S208 is negative, that is, the changeover switch 29 was operated. If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the process, the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, the CPU 18 changes the parameter that can be changed by the user using the slide bar 411 to the predetermined value shown in FIG. If the parameter is changed to the predetermined value, the image effect due to the parameter does not appear.

  In step S210, the CPU 18 controls the ASIC 13 as the second output control unit 183 to generate the display image 404 for the second live view display mode based on the parameter set to the predetermined value in step S209. In step S <b> 211, the CPU 18 controls the display control unit 309 to output the display image 404 generated in step S <b> 210 to the display monitor 21. At this time, the slide bar 411 may be superimposed on the display image 404.

  In step S212, the CPU 18 determines whether or not a full-press signal is output from the full-press switch 24. When step S212 is affirmatively determined, i.e., when a full-press signal is output, the process proceeds to step S213. When step S212 is negatively determined, i.e., when the full-press signal is not output, processing is performed. To step S200. CPU18 repeats the process from step S200 to step S211 until a full press signal is output.

  In step S213, the CPU 18 performs a shooting process using the parameter value determined in step S207 as to whether or not it is within the predetermined range immediately before step S212 is positively determined, and proceeds to step S114 in FIG.

  In step S214, the CPU 18 returns the parameter changed to the predetermined value in step S209 to the parameter before the change, that is, the parameter value set using the slide bar 411. Then, the CPU 18 returns the process to step S200.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart regarding display image generation processing executed in step S110 of FIG. 7, step S200 of FIG. 8, step S204, and step S210.

  In step S601, the CPU 18 determines whether or not the operation mode of the electronic camera 200 is the second live view display mode. When step S601 is affirmatively determined, i.e., in the second live view display mode, the process proceeds to step S602, and when step S601 is negatively determined, that is, the operation mode of the electronic camera 200 is the first live view. If it is the view display mode, the process proceeds to step S610.

  In step S602, the CPU 18 determines whether or not the image effect added to the live view image in the second live view display mode is an image effect due to the shutter speed. CPU18 advances a process to step S603, when step S602 is affirmed and advances a process to step S610, when step S602 is negatively determined.

  In step S <b> 603, the CPU 18 starts reading signal charges of the image sensor 10 using the all-pixel reading method. The signal charge read from the image sensor 10 is converted into a digital signal via the analog signal processing circuit 11 and the A / D conversion circuit 12 and output to the ASIC 13. In step S604, the CPU 18 causes the ASIC 13 to generate the display image 404.

  In step S610, the CPU 18 starts reading signal charges of the image sensor 10 using the thinning readout method. The signal charge read from the image sensor 10 is converted into a digital signal via the analog signal processing circuit 11 and the A / D conversion circuit 12 and output to the ASIC 13.

  In step S611, the CPU 18 determines whether or not the image effect added to the live view image in the second live view display mode is an image effect due to contrast adjustment. CPU18 advances a process to step S612, when step S611 is affirmed and advances a process to step S604, when step S611 is negatively determined. When the operation mode of the electronic camera is the first live view display mode, the CPU 18 makes a negative determination in step S611 and advances the process to step S604.

  In step S612, the CPU 18 causes the ASIC 13 to generate a display image 404 for light / dark difference adjustment. That is, the CPU 18 causes the ASIC 13 to generate a developed image 405 and to generate a display image 404 using the developed image 405.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
The electronic camera 200 includes an ASIC 13, a display monitor 21, and a CPU 18.
The ASIC 13 displays based on each setting value of parameters such as shutter speed, aperture value, exposure correction intensity, intensity of contrast adjustment, select color in select color, blur intensity by miniature effect, blur intensity by soft filter, etc. A work image 404 is output.
The display monitor 21 displays the display image 404 output from the ASIC 13.
The CPU 18 allows the user to manually set one of shutter speed, aperture value, exposure correction strength, contrast adjustment strength, select color in the select color, blur strength due to the miniature effect, and blur strength due to the soft filter. Instead of the manual setting unit 181, the first output control unit 182 that causes the ASIC 13 to output the display image 404 using the parameters manually set by the manual setting unit 181, and the parameters manually set by the manual setting unit 181 Using the predetermined value shown in FIG. 6, the second output control unit 183 that causes the ASIC 13 to output the display image 404 and the determination unit 184 that determines whether or not to operate the second output control unit 183 are functioned.
Regardless of the determination result of the determination unit 184, the ASIC 13 captures the subject based on the parameter setting value manually set by the manual setting unit 181 and generates the compressed image 406.
The determination unit 184 includes: [1] The changeover switch 29 is operated during the period in which the first output control unit 182 outputs the display image 404 to the ASIC 13, and [2] a predetermined time after the changeover switch 29 is operated. [3] When the full-press operation has not been performed, and [4] The parameter set by the manual setting unit 181 satisfies a predetermined switching condition, the second output control unit 183 is Make a decision to activate.
Since the electronic camera 200 has such a configuration, the composition and focus can be confirmed in the live view image before correction by a simple operation such as the operation of the changeover switch 29 and can be confirmed without performing any special operation. It is possible to easily return to the corrected live view image display later.

The embodiment described above can be implemented with the following modifications.
[Modification 1]
Even when an image effect different from the image effect due to the shutter speed is added to the live view image, the signal charge may be read by the drive signal output from the driver 16.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, the live view image is displayed on the display monitor 21 built in the electronic camera 200, but may be displayed on an external display device. When displaying a live view image on an external display device, the ASIC 13 further includes a second display unit different from the display control unit 309, and outputs a display image from the second display unit to the external display device. The second display unit outputs a display image at a frame rate suitable for an external display device. For example, when the screen resolution of the external display device is higher than that of the display monitor 21, the frame rate is lowered.

[Modification 3]
In the process of step S211 in FIG. 8, not only the display image 404 generated in the process of step S210 is displayed, but also the display image 404 generated using the parameters before the change in step S209 is displayed. They may be displayed side by side on the monitor 21, the second display unit, or both. By comparing the two displays, a user unfamiliar with the handling of the electronic camera 200 can deepen their understanding of the image effect.

[Modification 4]
The set value change switch 30 may be a touch panel provided on the display monitor 21. In that case, the manual setting unit 181 causes the user to operate the memory of the slide bar 411 using the touch panel.

  The embodiments and modifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired. Further, the embodiments and modifications described above may be combined and executed as long as the features of the invention are not impaired.

10: imaging device, 21: display monitor, 27: recording medium, 28: selection switch, 29: changeover switch, 181: manual setting unit, 182: first output control unit, 183: second output control unit, 184: determination Part, 200: Electronic camera

An imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the invention has an input unit to which an imaging signal obtained by imaging a subject is input, a setting unit capable of setting conditions relating to image processing of the imaging signal, and the imaging signal set by the setting unit A first conversion unit that converts to a first display signal based on a subsequent post-setting image processing condition; and a second display signal based on the pre-setting image processing condition before the imaging signal is set by the setting unit A second conversion unit for converting the first display signal or the output unit for outputting the second display signal, and an output of the output unit for switching between the first display signal and the second display signal. A switching unit; and an instruction unit for instructing switching by the switching unit, wherein the switching unit outputs the output of the output unit from the first display signal when the setting by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition. Switchable to the second display signal When the instruction is given by the instruction unit, the switching unit outputs the output of the output unit even if the setting unit has not changed the setting from the post-setting image processing to the pre-setting image processing. Switching from one display signal to the second display signal.

Claims (1)

An input unit to which an imaging signal obtained by imaging a subject is input;
A setting unit capable of setting conditions relating to image processing of the imaging signal;
A first conversion unit that converts the imaging signal into a first display signal based on conditions after setting by the setting unit;
A second conversion unit that converts the imaging signal into a second display signal based on a predetermined value related to image processing;
An output unit for outputting the first display signal or the second display signal;
A switching unit for switching the output of the output unit between the first display signal and the second display signal;
With
The switching unit can switch the output of the output unit from the first display signal to the second display signal when the setting by the setting unit satisfies a predetermined condition.
The predetermined condition is that the difference between the first display signal and the second display signal due to image processing is visible to the user.

Images