JP2019219566A - Imaging device, exposure control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To perform appropriate exposure control for a subject.SOLUTION: An imaging device acquires an image from a second imaging element 116 when spot augmented photometry is set to be performed by a spot photometry mode, detects a face of a subject from the acquired image, determines whether or not the detected face detection area 302 is in the vicinity of a spot photometry area 301, compares sizes of the face detection area 302 and the spot photometry area 301 when determining that the face detection area 302 is in the vicinity of the spot photometry area 301, performs a photometric calculation on the basis of luminance in the face detection area 302 not in the spot photometry area 301 when the size of the face detection area 302 is a predetermined standard or less for the spot photometry area 301, and sets an exposure condition at photographing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device, an exposure control method, and a program, and more particularly, to a photometric method for controlling exposure conditions in an imaging device such as a digital camera.

  A digital single-lens reflex camera having a structure in which incident light from a subject passes through a photographing lens, a quick return mirror, and a pentaprism in order to be guided to an optical finder, and to a photometric sensor located at a position off the finder optical axis. 2. Description of the Related Art A camera (imaging device) is known. In such a digital single-lens reflex camera, various functions such as photometric calculation, exposure calculation, subject color determination, face detection, and subject tracking are realized using output signals from a photometric sensor.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a photometry method in which a distance measurement point and a light measurement range are separately set such that a distance measurement point matches a human eye and a light measurement range matches human skin. In Patent Literature 1, when it is determined that a face has been detected, the photometric range is set to a range other than hair and eyes, thereby suppressing the influence of dark portions such as hair and eyes on photometry.

JP 2012-63385 A

  However, Patent Document 1 describes a means for appropriately exposing the skin of a face when a face is detected, but mentions a means for a photographer to select an area such as spot metering. Absent. Further, in the technique described in Patent Literature 1, since the imaging device selects a subject, there is a possibility that a subject different from the photographer's intention is selected. Therefore, it may not be possible to obtain an image based on the photometry result in the intended area for the subject selected by the photographer.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of performing appropriate exposure control on a subject to be photographed.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes: an obtaining unit that obtains an image; a detecting unit that detects a face of a subject from the image obtained by the obtaining unit; a specifying unit that specifies a partial area of the image; Calculating means for performing photometric calculation based on the luminance in the face detection area detected by the means or the designated area specified by the specifying means; and when the position of the face detection area with respect to the specified area satisfies a predetermined condition. Position determination means for determining that the face detection area is near the designated area; and comparison means for comparing the size of the face detection area with the size of the designated area. When the area is determined to be in the vicinity of the specified area, and when the face detection area is determined to be smaller than or equal to a predetermined standard with respect to the specified area, the luminance in the face detection area Based And performing photometric calculation.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform appropriate exposure control on a subject to be photographed.

It is a block diagram of an imaging device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a sectional view showing the schematic structure of an imaging device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship when it is assumed that a first image sensor and a second image sensor are placed on the same plane. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a subject image formed on a second image sensor, a spot metering area, and a face detection area. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting sequence in the imaging device. It is a flowchart explaining the sequence of photometry processing of S104 and 110. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of determination in the processing of S207. It is a schematic diagram explaining the example of determination in the process of S208. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of faces are detected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the imaging device illustrated in FIG. The imaging device according to the present embodiment is, specifically, a digital single-lens reflex camera, but is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be applied to an electronic device capable of performing imaging using an imaging device. is there. Examples of the electronic device having an imaging function include a compact digital camera, a digital video camera, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal computer, a portable game machine, and the like.

  The imaging device has a camera body 100 and an interchangeable lens 200 that is detachable from the camera body 100. The camera body 100 includes an overall control unit 101, a mirror 102, a mirror driving device 103, a shutter 104, a shutter driving device 105, a first image sensor 106, an image processing unit 107, a first timing generation unit 108, a memory unit 109, and a storage medium. An I / F 110 and an operation unit 125 are provided. The camera body 100 includes a display drive unit 112, a display unit 113, an external I / F 114, a second image sensor 116, an image signal processor 117, a second timing generator 118, a pentaprism 119, a distance measurement drive 120, A phase difference measuring section 121 and an optical finder 123 are provided.

  The interchangeable lens 200 includes a photographing lens 202, a lens driving device 203, an aperture mechanism 204, an aperture driving device 205, and a lens control unit 201. The taking lens 202 constitutes an imaging optical system that forms light (incident light) from a subject on the first imaging element 106. The taking lens 202 includes at least a focus lens, and may include a zoom lens, a blur correction lens, and the like. The lens driving device 203 performs a focusing operation (focusing) by driving a focus lens included in the photographing lens 202. Further, the lens driving device 203 drives the zoom lens to realize a photographing angle of view desired by the photographer, and drives the image blur correction lens to suppress image blur. The aperture mechanism 204 adjusts the amount of light incident on the camera body 100. The aperture driving device 205 drives the aperture mechanism 204.

  When the interchangeable lens 200 is mounted on the camera body 100, the lens control unit 201 communicates with the overall control unit 101. The lens control unit 201 receives various information (signals) for controlling the interchangeable lens 200 from the overall control unit 101, and transmits a signal indicating the state of the interchangeable lens 200 to the overall control unit 101. Thus, the lens control unit 201 controls the driving of the lens driving device 203 and the aperture driving device 205 in cooperation with the overall control unit 101.

  The overall control unit 101 is a microprocessor (microcomputer) that controls the overall operation of each unit included in the imaging apparatus, thereby controlling the entire imaging apparatus. The mirror 102 is generally called a quick return mirror, and guides a light beam incident through the photographing lens 202 to a display device (not shown) in the viewfinder and the second image pickup device 116 when the optical viewfinder 123 is used. It jumps up and is guided to the first image sensor 106. The mirror driving device 103 drives the mirror 102. The shutter 104 is a focal plane type shutter having first and second curtain shutter blades, and controls an exposure time of a light beam incident through the imaging lens 202 to the first image sensor 106. The shutter driving device 105 drives the shutter 104.

  The light beam incident through the imaging lens 202 forms an optical image of the subject on the first image sensor 106. The first imaging element 106 is a photoelectric conversion element that converts an optical image of a subject into an analog electric signal, and is, for example, a CMOS sensor.

  The image processing unit 107 performs amplification processing of an analog electric signal output from the first imaging element 106 and conversion processing (A / D conversion) from the analog electric signal to a digital image signal (hereinafter, referred to as “image data”). Further, the image processing unit 107 performs various types of correction processing such as flaw correction on generated image data, compression processing of image data, and writing / reading processing of compressed image data to / from the storage medium 111 via the storage medium I / F 110. And so on. The first timing generator 108 outputs various timing signals to the first image sensor 106 and the image processor 107.

  The memory unit 109 temporarily stores image data and the like on which predetermined processing has been performed by the image processing unit 107. Further, the memory unit 109 stores various adjustment values used for the operation of the imaging device, a program executed by the overall control unit 101 to control the imaging device, and the like. The storage medium I / F 110 is an interface for writing image data and the like to a storage medium 111 that is detachable from the camera body 100 and reading image data and the like from the storage medium 111. The storage medium 111 is, for example, a semiconductor memory card or the like.

  The display unit 113 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays an image being captured (live view video), a playback display of a captured still image or moving image, a menu for performing various settings of the imaging device, and the like. The display drive unit 112 controls display on the display unit 113. The external I / F 114 is an interface for performing communication between the imaging device and an external device (for example, a personal computer or a smartphone), and enables transmission and reception of various data (information) between the imaging device and the external device. I do.

  The second image sensor 116 has an RGB Bayer array and acquires an AE signal / light source detection signal. In general, a CCD sensor having a function of a global electronic shutter is used for the second image sensor 116, but a CMOS sensor with a fast readout (short readout time) may be used. The imaging signal processing unit 117 performs amplification processing, A / D conversion processing, image data correction processing, image data compression processing, and the like of the analog electric signal output from the second imaging element 116. The second timing generator 118 outputs various timing signals to the second image sensor 116 and the image signal processor 117.

  The pentaprism 119 guides the light beam received from the mirror 102 to the second image sensor 116. The phase difference measuring unit 121 receives the light beam transmitted through the mirror 102, acquires two (one pair) images whose phases change according to the defocus amount of the subject, and obtains two images by a phase difference detection method. Then, the defocus amount of the subject is calculated from the deviation amount. The overall control unit 101 transmits a lens driving amount based on the calculated defocus amount to the lens control unit 201, and the lens driving device 203 drives the photographing lens 202 according to the lens driving amount, thereby performing a focusing operation ( AF) is executed. Note that the lens drive amount may be calculated by the lens control unit 201. The distance measurement driving device 120 drives the phase difference distance measurement unit 121. The operation unit 125 sends an instruction to the overall control unit 101 according to an operation by the user.

  The operation unit 125 includes mechanical operation members such as a power button, a release button, a shooting mode setting dial, and a touch panel for selecting from items displayed on the display device. The release button has a release switch SW1 that is turned on when the first stage is pressed (half-pressed), and a release switch SW2 that is turned on when the second stage is pressed (fully pressed). When the release switch SW1 is turned on, AE or AE or the like for photographing preparation is executed, and when the release switch SW2 is turned on, photographing is performed by the first image sensor 106. The AE lock switch described later is one of the operation units 125. Also, the operation unit 125 can set the light metering mode used in the AE process to the spot light metering mode, and further set whether to set the spot expansion metering or the spot normal metering described later.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship when it is assumed that the first image sensor 106 and the second image sensor 116 are placed on the same plane. However, in practice, the first imaging element 106 and the second imaging element 116 do not overlap because their optical paths are different, but FIG. 3A shows the positional relationship and the shape relationship when the optical axis centers are matched. Is shown.

  When performing the photometric calculation, the second image sensor 116 for photometry performs the photometric calculation by obtaining the photometric value not for each pixel but for each block in which a plurality of pixels are combined. In this case, the second image sensor 116 is divided into 54 block-divided photometric regions 300 divided into nine in the horizontal direction and six in the vertical direction. At the time of performing the photometric calculation, each luminance value of the block divided photometric region 300 is obtained, and the respective luminance values of the block divided photometric region 300 at a predetermined position are integrated according to the situation of the subject (for example, according to the shooting mode). Performs an evaluative metering operation.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the spot metering area 301 superimposed on FIG. 3A. The spot metering area 301 is a part of an image acquired by the second image sensor 116 and is an area (designated area) that can be designated by the photographer for photometry. When the light metering mode is the spot metering mode, the brightness value is calculated for the block-divided metering area 300 overlapping the spot metering area 301, and the light metering calculation is performed. Note that, in the example of FIG. 3B, a state in which the spot metering area 301 is set at the center of the second image sensor 116 is shown, but the spot metering area 301 is moved according to a distance measuring point or the like. It is also possible.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a subject image formed on the second image sensor 116, a spot metering area 301, and a face detection area 302. Here, an example in which the face detection area 302 is larger than the spot photometry area 301 is shown, and it is assumed that the photometry value is determined in the face detection area 302 in advance. When the photographer visually recognizes the subject image through the optical viewfinder 123, the display on the display device in the viewfinder (not shown) is controlled so that the frame indicating the face detection area 302 can be visually recognized.

  In the state of FIG. 4A, photometry only in the spot photometry area 301 (hereinafter, referred to as “spot normal photometry”) is conventionally performed. In this case, photometry is performed including the background other than the face, and an inappropriate photometry value is obtained for the face, so that an image with a too bright face or an image with a dark face is taken. May be done.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between the subject image formed on the second image sensor 116, the spot metering area 301, and the face detection area 302. Here, an example in which the face detection area 302 is smaller than the spot photometry area 301 is shown. As in the case of FIG. 4A, it is assumed that the photometry value is determined in the face detection area in advance. I assume. Also in this case, in the conventional spot normal photometry, the photometry is performed including many backgrounds other than the face, so that an appropriate exposure for the face cannot be obtained, and the image of the face is too bright or the face is dark. An image that has become lost is captured.

  In each case of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the photographer intends to perform photometry with the face of the subject and determines that the photometry is performed with the face of the subject. Nevertheless, in order to avoid the problem that the proper exposure cannot be obtained by the spot normal photometry as described above, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment uses the spot photometry from the viewpoint of extending the function. The “spot extension photometry” described below is executed. In the spot extension photometry, when the face detection area 302 is located near the spot photometry area 301 or when the face detection area 302 is superimposed, the face photometry area 302 is larger than the spot photometry area 301. Photometry is performed in the face detection area 302 instead of 301. In the spot extension photometry, when the spot photometry area 301 and the face detection area 302 are overlapped and the face detection area 302 is smaller than the spot photometry area 301, the spot photometry area 301 is used instead of the spot photometry area 301. Photometry is performed in the face detection area 302. This makes it possible to obtain an image captured with appropriate luminance for the face in any of the situations shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

  Next, a shooting sequence in the imaging device will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting sequence in the imaging apparatus. Each process (step) indicated by an S number in FIG. 5 is realized by the overall control unit 101 executing a predetermined program and totally controlling the operation of each unit configuring the imaging apparatus.

  After the start of imaging, in S101, the overall control unit 101 resets the AE lock flag. The AE lock flag is a flag indicating whether or not the AE lock is turned on. When the AE lock flag is set (when the AE lock flag is set), the overall control unit 101 sets the AE lock flag. Do not update. The AE lock flag is stored in a RAM (cache memory) or the like included in the overall control unit 101.

  In S102, the overall control unit 101 determines whether the AE lock switch is turned on. The AE lock switch is one of a group of switches included in the operation unit 125. When it is determined that the AE lock switch is off (NO in S102), overall control unit 101 advances the process to S103, and when it is determined that the AE lock switch is on (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S105. Proceed. In S103, the overall control unit 101 determines whether the AE lock flag is set. When determining that the AE lock flag has not been set (NO in S103), the overall control unit 101 advances the process to S104, and determines that the AE lock flag has been set (YES in S103). Proceed to S106. In S105, the overall control unit 101 sets the AE lock flag, and then advances the processing to S104.

  In S104, the overall control unit 101 performs photometry, and then advances the processing to S106. The details of the photometry processing in S104 will be described later. In S106, the overall control unit 101 determines whether or not the release switch SW1 is on. When it is determined that release switch SW1 is off (NO in S106), overall control unit 101 returns the process to S102, and when it is determined that release switch SW1 is on (YES in S106), the process proceeds to S107. Proceed.

  Note that S101 to S106 are processes related to the AE lock. First, the AE lock is reset to an initial state (the AE lock flag is released). If the AE lock switch is off, the photometry is repeated. However, when the AE lock switch is turned on, the AE lock flag is set and the photometry is stopped. No updates will be made. However, when the AE lock is set (the AE lock flag is set) and the photometry is not updated, when the AE lock switch is turned off, photometry is performed again. Such processing corresponds to an operation in which the photographer is trying to determine a photometric value with the face of the subject.

  In step S107, the overall control unit 101 controls the phase difference distance measurement unit 121 and the distance measurement driving device 120 to measure the distance to the subject to obtain a defocus amount, and based on the obtained defocus amount, drives the lens. The amount is calculated and transmitted to the lens control unit 201. In step S108, the lens control unit 201 controls the lens driving device 203 to move the photographing lens 202 to the focus position based on the amount of lens driving. In subsequent S109, the overall control unit 101 reconfirms whether the AE lock flag is set. When determining that the AE lock flag is not set (reset) (NO in S109), the overall control unit 101 advances the process to S110, and determines that the AE lock flag is set (S109). Is YES), the process proceeds to S111.

  In S110, the overall control unit 101 performs the same photometry as in S104. In S111, the overall control unit 101 determines whether or not the release switch SW2 has been turned on. When it is determined that release switch SW2 remains off (NO in S111), overall control unit 101 returns the processing to S109, and when it is determined that release switch SW2 is turned on (YES in S111), the processing is performed. Proceed to S112.

  S112 to S117 are general processes from the exposure process to the storage process of the captured image. That is, in S112, the overall control unit 101 controls the mirror driving device 103 to move up the mirror 102 and open the optical path to the first image sensor 106. In S112, the overall control unit 101 drives the aperture 204 by the lens control unit 201 and the aperture driving device 205. Note that the aperture value (F value) of the aperture 204 is determined based on the photometric value obtained in S104 or S110.

  In step S113, the overall control unit 101 controls the shutter driving device 105 to cause the front curtain of the shutter 104 to travel, thereby starting exposure of the first image sensor 106. In S114, the overall control unit 101 measures the exposure time. The exposure time is set based on the photometric value obtained in S104 or S110. In S115, the overall control unit 101 controls the shutter driving device 105 to move the rear curtain of the shutter 104 in accordance with the end of the exposure time. Thus, the exposure is completed. In the exposure processing from S113 to S115, depending on the exposure time (shutter speed), the front curtain and the rear curtain may run at the same time with a predetermined gap formed.

  In step S <b> 116, the overall control unit 101 controls the mirror driving device 103 to lower the mirror 102 to close the optical path to the first image sensor 106, and also opens the aperture 204 by the lens control unit 201 and the aperture driving device 205. It drives so that it may become. In step S117, the overall control unit 101 controls the image processing unit 107 and the like to generate image data of the captured image, and writes the image data to the storage medium 111 via the storage medium I / F 110. finish.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the photometry sequence in S104 and S110. In step S201, the overall control unit 101 checks the currently set photometry mode, and branches the process according to the check result. When the overall control unit 101 determines that the evaluation photometry mode is set, the process proceeds to S202. In the evaluation photometry mode, the photometry value is integrally calculated by taking into account the luminance value obtained from each of the block division photometry areas 300 (see FIG. 3), distance measurement point information, face position information, and the like.

  In step S202, the overall control unit 101 performs photometry in the evaluation photometry mode, determines an exposure condition based on the obtained photometry result, and thereafter ends this processing. If the overall control unit 101 determines that the center-weighted average metering mode is set, the process proceeds to S203. In the center-weighted average metering mode, the brightness value obtained from each of the block-divided metering areas 300 (see FIG. 3) is used to calculate the average brightness with a weight at the center, and the photometric value is calculated from the obtained average brightness. You. In S203, the overall control unit 101 performs photometry in the center-weighted average photometry mode, determines an exposure condition based on the obtained photometry result, and thereafter ends this processing.

  If the overall control unit 101 determines that the spot metering mode is set, the process proceeds to S204. In S204, the overall control unit 101 determines whether or not the spot extension metering is set in the spot metering mode. If spot extension metering is not set, it is assumed that spot normal metering is set. If it is determined that the spot extension photometry is set (YES in S204), the overall control unit 101 advances the process to S205, and if it is determined that the spot normal photometry is set (NO in S204), the process is performed. Proceed to S209.

  In step S205, the overall control unit 101 performs face detection of the subject using the image obtained by the second image sensor 116. In S206, the overall control unit 101 determines whether a face has been detected in the process of S205. When determining that a face has been detected (YES in S205), overall control unit 101 proceeds with the process to S207, and in the case of determining that a face has not been detected (NO in S205), advances the process to S209.

  In step S <b> 207, the overall control unit 101 determines whether the face detection area 302 is near the spot metering area 301. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of S207. In order to make the determination in S207, the area within a certain distance from the spot photometry area 301 with respect to the spot photometry area 301 is predetermined as the neighborhood area 303 with respect to the spot photometry area 301. In step S207, when the center of the face detection area 302 is within the vicinity area 303, it is determined that the face detection area 302 is near the spot metering area 301. It is determined that it is not near the photometry area 301. FIG. 7 shows an example in which it is determined that the face detection area 302 is not in the vicinity of the spot metering area 301. In this case, although the face is detected, the detected face is It is appropriate to determine that the subject is not the main subject.

  Therefore, when the overall control unit 101 determines that the face detection area 302 is not in the vicinity of the spot photometry area 301 (NO in S207), the processing proceeds to S209. On the other hand, when the overall control unit 101 determines that the face detection area 302 is near the spot photometry area 301 (YES in S207), the process proceeds to S208.

  In step S208, the overall control unit 101 compares the size (area) of the face detection area 302 with that of the spot photometry area 301, and determines whether the size of the face detection area 302 is smaller than a predetermined reference with respect to the size of the spot photometry area 301. Determine whether or not. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of S208. For example, it is determined whether a value obtained by dividing the size of the face detection area 302 by the size of the spot photometry area 301 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold. The threshold value used in the determination in S208 is set in advance as a default value of the setting information of the imaging apparatus or by the photographer, and is stored in the RAM or the like of the overall control unit 101. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the size of the face detection area 302 is determined to be larger than the size of the spot metering area 301 by a predetermined reference. In this case, since it is appropriate for the photographer to determine that a part of the face of the subject is photometrically measured, spot normal photometry is performed.

  If the overall control unit 101 determines that the size of the face detection area 302 is larger than a predetermined reference for the size of the spot photometry area 301 (NO in S208), the process proceeds to S209. On the other hand, when the overall control unit 101 determines that the size of the face detection area 302 is smaller than or equal to a predetermined reference with respect to the size of the spot metering area 301 (YES in S208), the process proceeds to S210.

  In step S209, the overall control unit 101 performs spot normal photometry, determines an exposure condition based on the obtained photometry result, and thereafter ends this processing. In the spot normal photometry, each luminance value of the block divisional photometry area 300 overlapping with the spot photometry area 301 (see FIG. 3) is obtained, and the photometry value is calculated using the obtained luminance value. In S210, as described with reference to FIG. 4, it is appropriate for the overall control unit 101 to determine that photometry is to be performed on a face in the detected face detection area 302. , A face area photometry for calculating a photometric value using the obtained luminance value is performed. Thus, the present process ends.

  By the way, FIG. 7 shows an example in which one face is detected, but the process of S207 when a plurality of faces are detected will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of faces are detected. FIG. 9 shows a state where two face detection areas 302 corresponding to the two detected faces appear, and a spot metering area 301 is located at the center of the two face detection areas 302.

  In the example as shown in FIG. 9, it is desirable to set the exposure condition on the detected face. However, in the spot normal photometry, the photometry area becomes the background, so that there is a high possibility that the exposure to the detected face becomes inappropriate. According to the flow of FIG. 6, if the center of the face detection area 302 does not fall inside the area 303 near the spot photometry area 301, the photometry using the face detection area 302 is not performed.

  Therefore, when a plurality of faces are detected, the overall control unit 101 sets the enlarged neighboring area 304 having a larger area than the neighboring area 303 used when one face is detected as the neighboring area of the spot metering area 301. Is used. As a result, the center of the face detection area 302 (indicated by an X mark in FIG. 9) enters the enlarged vicinity area 304, so that face area photometry is performed in S210. Specifically, an average photometric calculation based on the brightness of each of the plurality of detected face detection areas 302 is performed. At this time, when a plurality of faces are detected, the neighboring area may be set wider as the number of detected faces further increases. Thus, when a plurality of faces are detected, each face can be photographed with an appropriate exposure.

  Note that, in photographing with an imaging device such as a digital camera, if the photometry device is configured with the reflectance of the face being 18% (under the condition that the reflectance is measured at 18%), the proper exposure to the face can be obtained. It is known to be. Therefore, as described above, when performing spot extension photometry, it is desirable to apply this condition to the face detection area 302.

  On the other hand, not all subjects' faces meet this condition. For example, when photographing a woman, a moderate overexposure generally tends to be preferred. Therefore, the target value in the spot extension photometry is changed to a value (for example, a value smaller than the above 18%). You may. Further, it is desirable to perform a photometric calculation so that the face is appropriately exposed for the color of the clothes. For example, in a wedding, the color of the bride's dress is often white, so it is desirable to perform the photometric calculation so that the bride's face is properly exposed to the dress color (white). In the above-described spot extension photometry, even when the bride and groom's costumes are based on white or black as in a wedding, photometry can be performed in the face detection area, so that an appropriate exposure can be easily obtained. .

  By using the exposure control as described above, based on the position and size of the face detection area detected with respect to the spot metering area when the spot metering mode is selected, It is possible to take an image under an exposure condition that provides an appropriate exposure to the image.

  As described above, the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not depart from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. For example, in the description of the above embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to a digital single-lens reflex camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be realized by an imaging device that does not include the mirror 102 and is generally called a “mirrorless camera”.

  According to the present invention, a program realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus read and execute the program. Processing can also be realized. Further, it can be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Camera body 101 Overall control unit 106 First image sensor 116 Second image sensor 117 Image signal processing unit 301 Spot metering area 302 Face detection area

Claims (10)

Acquisition means for acquiring an image;
Detecting means for detecting the face of the subject from the image obtained by the obtaining means,
Designating means for designating a partial area of the image;
Calculating means for performing a photometric calculation based on the brightness in the face detection area detected by the detection means or in the designated area designated by the designation means,
Position determining means for determining that the face detection area is near the specified area when a position of the face detection area with respect to the specified area satisfies a predetermined condition;
Comparing means for comparing the size of the face detection area and the size of the designated area,
The calculating means, when it is determined that the face detection area is in the vicinity of the specified area, and when it is determined that the face detection area is smaller than the specified area with respect to the specified area, An imaging apparatus, wherein a photometric operation is performed based on luminance in the face detection area.   When it is determined that the face detection area is near the designated area, when at least a part of the face detection area overlaps with a part of the designated area, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a case where the designated area is superimposed on the designated area.   If the face detection area is determined to be larger than the predetermined criterion for the designated area, the calculating means performs a photometric calculation based on the luminance in the designated area. Item 3. The imaging device according to Item 1 or 2.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the calculating unit performs a photometric calculation based on luminance in the designated area when it is determined that the face detection area is not in the vicinity of the designated area. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the calculating unit performs a photometric calculation based on luminance in the designated area when the detecting unit cannot detect the face of the subject. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1.   The position determination unit may determine that the face detection area is in the vicinity of the specified area when the center of the face detection area is within a range of a predetermined distance centered on the specified area. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein   The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the position determining unit sets the certain distance to be long when a plurality of faces are detected by the detecting unit.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit includes a change unit that changes a reflectance of the subject set to the face detection area. An exposure control method in an imaging device,
An acquisition step of acquiring an image from the image sensor,
A detecting step of detecting a face of the subject from the image;
A designation step of designating a partial area of the image;
A determination step of determining whether or not the face detection area detected in the detection step is near the specified area specified in the specification step based on a predetermined condition;
A comparing step of comparing the size of the face detection area and the designated area,
When the face detection area is determined to be in the vicinity of the designated area, and when the face detection area is determined to be smaller than a predetermined standard with respect to the designated area, the face detection area A calculating step of performing a photometric calculation based on the luminance of
Determining an exposure condition based on a result of the photometric calculation. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the exposure control method according to claim 9.