JP4157228B2 - Electronic camera and image printer apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic camera having a continuous shooting function and an image printer apparatus for printing a continuous shooting image taken by the electronic camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, as the capacity of recording media (memory) has increased and the processing speed of captured images has increased, not only still images but also continuous shooting functions that capture continuous images consisting of temporally continuous still images have been developed. Various electronic still cameras have been commercialized.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Thus, when the continuous shooting function obtains a continuous image file consisting of a large number of still images continuous in time, there is no problem in handling the entire continuous image file as one moving image file. If the continuous shooting function is used to avoid missing the desired shutter chance, or if the continuous shooting function is used because there is a fear that only one still image shooting will fail, from among the continuous shooting image file It is necessary to select an appropriate shutter timing or the best image.
[0004]
However, in general, in order to select an arbitrary still image from among continuous shot images, it is necessary to instruct frame advance in the playback mode and display individual still images constituting the continuous shot image one by one. The operation was very complicated.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to select a still image with the best image from among continuously shot images taken without requiring a complicated operation. It is an object to provide an electronic camera and an image printer apparatus that can be displayed or used for printing.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a first instruction means for instructing photographing of continuous shot images composed of still images that are temporally continuous; the above First instruction means Instructions Photographing means for photographing continuous shot images by, the above Calculation means for calculating an evaluation value from the shooting conditions for each still image constituting a continuous shot image shot by the shooting means; the above Add the evaluation value calculated by the calculation means to the corresponding still image Record Recording means for recording on a medium; and Record Second instruction means for instructing output of a continuous shot image recorded on the medium; the above Selecting means for selecting a still image according to an evaluation value added to each still image constituting the continuous image instructed by the second instruction means; the above The still image selected by the selection means Record Output means for reading out from the medium and outputting the medium.
[0007]
With such a configuration, a still image that seems to have the best shooting conditions among continuous shot images can be selectively read out without requiring any special operation, and can be displayed or printed out. The effort for selecting a desired still image from the captured image can be greatly simplified.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the calculation means uses at least one of a contrast value, an automatic focus value, and an automatic exposure value as a photographing condition.
[0009]
With such a configuration, in addition to the operation of the first aspect of the invention, the evaluation value is calculated from the value used in normal still image shooting, so that no special calculation is required and the evaluation is performed. The reliability of can be increased.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the still images constituting the continuous shot image photographed by the photographing means is configured. Thinned out pixels A preview image creating means for creating a preview image is further provided, and the recording means creates the evaluation value obtained by the calculating means and the preview image creating means. preview Append the image to the corresponding still image Above record The still image recorded in the medium and having the same composition is obtained by performing correlation calculation of the preview image added to each still image constituting the continuous shot image selected by the second instruction unit. A still image range is specified, and a still image is selected according to the evaluation value from among the still images within the specified range.
[0011]
With such a configuration, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, for example, a still image other than the intended composition is included in the continuous shot image, and the evaluation value of the still image is originally Even when the evaluation value is higher than the evaluation value of the still image with the composition, it is possible to remove the influence and select the still image with the higher evaluation value from the still images having the intended composition. In addition, since the preview (thumbnail) image has a data amount much smaller than that of the main image, the correlation calculation to determine the rough composition is not burdened and can be processed in a short time.
[0014]
Claim 4 In the described invention, continuous shooting images are recorded with their shooting conditions added to temporally continuous still images. Record Load media Record Medium mounting means, and Record Instruction means for instructing output of continuous shot images recorded on the medium; the above Calculating means for calculating an evaluation value from each shooting condition added to each still image constituting the continuous shot image instructed by the instruction means; the above Selection means for selecting a still image according to the evaluation value obtained by the calculation means; the above The still image selected by the selection means Record And printing means for reading out from the medium and printing out.
[0015]
With such a configuration, it is possible to selectively read out and print out a still image that seems to have the best shooting conditions during continuous shooting recording without requiring a special operation. It is possible to greatly simplify the effort for selecting a still image. Also, in order to calculate the evaluation value from the shooting conditions of each still image on the printer side, it is normal for many electronic cameras to add shooting condition data to the image. It can support many models.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(First embodiment)
A first embodiment when the present invention is applied to an electronic still camera having a continuous shooting function will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
First, FIG. 1 illustrates a specific circuit configuration of the electronic camera. In the figure, in the recording mode, the optical lens system 11 forms an optical image of the subject on the CCD 12 as an image pickup device, and the output of the CCD 12 is digitized by the A / D converter 13 for each pixel. It is sent to the image processing circuit 14.
[0018]
The image processing circuit 14 appropriately performs pixel thinning processing or the like on the digital value image data sent from the A / D converter 13 based on control from a system controller 22 described later, and then sends it to the buffer memory 15. .
[0019]
The buffer memory 15 stores a plurality of bitmap format image data, and the individual image data stored in the buffer memory 15 is subjected to data compression by a compression circuit 16 at any time in a predetermined file format, for example, JPEG. Then, it is filed and sent to the medium control circuit 17 to be written into a detachably mounted memory card 18 as a recording medium of the electronic camera 1.
[0020]
In addition, when it is desired to monitor the photographing contents in this recording mode, the number of pixels is greatly increased from the buffer memory 15 to the display control circuit 19 in order to use the TFT-LCD panel 20 that also functions as an EVF (electronic viewfinder). The reduced image data is read out, and the display control circuit 19 displays the content captured by the CCD 12 in real time by driving the color TFT-LCD panel 20 with backlight based on the image data.
[0021]
On the other hand, in the reproduction mode, the image data file recorded on the memory card 18 is selectively read out by the medium control circuit 17 and decompressed by the decompression circuit 21 in the opposite procedure to the processing in the compression circuit 16. After being expanded into the bitmap format, it is stored in the buffer memory 15.
[0022]
The image data stored in the buffer memory 15 is read out to the display control circuit 19, and the display control circuit 19 displays and reproduces the recorded image by driving the TFT-LCD panel 20 based on the image data. Make it.
[0023]
Thus, the system controller 22 performs overall control of the operations of the CCD 12, the A / D converter 13, the image processing circuit 14, the buffer memory 15, the compression circuit 16, the medium control circuit 17, the display control circuit 19, and the decompression circuit 21. To do.
[0024]
This system controller 22 controls the operation of all the circuits of the electronic camera, and is also connected to and controls a strobe control circuit 23, a key switch (SW) unit 24, and a guide panel 25.
[0025]
The strobe control circuit 23 drives the strobe 26 to flash when taking a still image under the control of the system controller 22.
[0026]
The key switch unit 24 sets various modes such as a release switch for shooting the still image and the continuous shot image, a recording mode and a playback mode, a still image mode and a continuous shot image mode in the recording mode, and an image quality setting mode. A mode setting switch, a power switch, a cursor key switch, an LCD display switch for switching on / off the display on the TFT-LCD panel 20, and the like are sent directly to the system controller 22.
[0027]
The guide panel 25 displays and outputs various operating states of the electronic camera as described above based on the drive control signal from the system controller 22.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
[0029]
Here, the operation mode of the electronic camera includes a recording (REC) mode and a playback (PLAY) mode. In the recording mode, either a still image or a continuous continuous image is switched by mode setting. It shall be possible to shoot. For example, it is assumed that continuous shot images can obtain images of a maximum of 20 images in a total of 4 images per second × maximum 5 seconds.
[0030]
The still image file is in JPEG format (extension .jpg), the continuous shot image file is in motion JPEG format (extension .mjp), and the date and time information at that time is filed in the memory card 18 as a medium. It shall be recorded as a name.
[0031]
First, processing in the recording mode will be described.
[0032]
FIG. 2 mainly shows the contents of processing by the system controller 22 in the recording mode, and at the beginning, it is determined whether or not an instruction for photographing has been given based on whether or not the release switch of the key switch unit 24 has been operated (step A01). ) When there is no operation, it is determined whether or not there has been an operation of a mode setting switch for switching between still image shooting and continuous shooting image shooting (step A02). Wait for these inputs.
[0033]
If it is determined in step A02 that there has been an operation of a mode setting switch for switching between still image shooting and continuous shooting image shooting, the still image mode and the continuous shooting image mode are set in response to the operation. Is switched (step A03), and then the process returns to the standby process from step A01.
[0034]
If it is determined in step A01 that the release switch has been operated, it is then determined whether or not the still image mode is set at that time (step A04). If the still image mode is set, the release is performed. In response to the switch operation, a still image shooting process is executed (step A05), and then the process returns to step A01.
[0035]
FIG. 3 shows a sub-routine of the still image shooting process. Immediately based on this switch operation, the distance to the subject image at that time is measured (step B01), and the appropriate exposure is measured (step B02). At the same time, after adjusting the appropriate white balance (step B03), the strobe control circuit 23 causes the strobe 26 to emit light as necessary to take a still image (step B04).
[0036]
In this case, image data obtained from the CCD 12 by photographing is digitized by the A / D converter 13 for each constituent pixel, and pixel thinning or the like is appropriately performed by the image processing circuit 14 according to the image quality set at that time. After being performed, the data is stored in the buffer memory 15, and then compressed by the compression circuit 16 and subjected to data compression such as ADCT based on JPEG, Huffman coding, and the like (step B05).
[0037]
At this time, the calculation is performed by using an arithmetic expression prepared in advance based on the contrast value of the image data, the automatic focus value (distance value) obtained in steps B01 and B02, and the automatic exposure value. The evaluation value of the still image is calculated (step B06), and then a thumbnail image is created as a preview image in which the constituent pixels are substantially thinned out from the image data (step B07).
[0038]
Then, the evaluation value and the thumbnail image are added to the image data file of the compressed still image, and the date and time information at that time is added to the memory card 18 by the medium control circuit 17 as a file name, for example, “1999903091030.jpg (JPEG file recorded at 10:10:30 on March 9, 1999) ”(step B08), the subroutine is terminated, and the process returns to the process of FIG.
[0039]
If it is determined in step A04 of FIG. 2 that the release switch is operated not in the still image mode but in the continuous image mode, the continuous image corresponding to the release switch is operated. Is executed (step A06), and then the process returns to step A01.
[0040]
FIG. 4 shows a sub-routine of the continuous image photographing process. Immediately based on this switch operation, the distance to the subject image at that time is measured (step C01), and the appropriate exposure is measured (step C02). In addition, after adjusting the appropriate white balance (step C03), if necessary, the strobe control circuit 23 causes the strobe 26 to emit light to capture a still image (step C04).
[0041]
In this case, image data obtained from the CCD 12 by photographing is digitized by the A / D converter 13 for each constituent pixel, and pixel thinning or the like is appropriately performed by the image processing circuit 14 according to the image quality set at that time. After being performed, the data is stored in the buffer memory 15 and then subjected to data compression such as ADCT and Huffman coding based on JPEG in the compression circuit 16 to be filed (step C05).
[0042]
At this time, the calculation is performed by using an arithmetic expression prepared in advance based on the contrast value of the image data, the automatic focus value (distance value) obtained in steps C01 and C02, and the automatic exposure value. The evaluation value of the still image thus calculated is calculated (step C06), and then a thumbnail image is created as a preview image obtained by thinning out the constituent pixels from the image data (step C07).
[0043]
Then, the evaluation value and the thumbnail image are added to the image data file of the compressed still image, and the date and time information at that time is recorded as a file name in the memory card 18 by the medium control circuit 17 (step C08). .
[0044]
Thereafter, it is confirmed that the release switch is still operated (step C09), and further, while confirming that the elapsed time from the start of continuous shooting has not reached the previously limited 5 seconds (step S09). C10) Waits for the next shooting timing based on the continuous shooting speed (4 frames / second), that is, 0.25 seconds after the previous shooting (step C11), and determines that the next shooting timing has come. At this point, the processing from step C01 is repeated.
[0045]
Thus, until it is determined in step C09 that the operation of the release switch has been released, or until it is determined in step C10 that the elapsed time from the start of continuous shooting has reached the previously limited 5 seconds, The processes in steps C01 to C11 are repeatedly executed, and a plurality of still image JPEG files that are temporally continuous are recorded in the memory card 18.
[0046]
If it is determined in step C09 that the release switch operation has been released, or if it is determined in step C10 that the elapsed time from the start of continuous shooting has reached 5 seconds, which is limited in advance, at that time. The continuous shooting image shooting is finished, and a plurality of temporally continuous still image JPEG files recorded in the memory card 18 as post-processing are used as motion JPEG files. .mjp (meaning the motion JPEG file recorded at 10:10:35 on March 9, 1999) ”(step C12), and this subroutine is completed to execute the processing of FIG. Return.
[0047]
Next, an operation for displaying and outputting the image file recorded on the memory card 18 as described above in the playback mode will be described.
[0048]
FIG. 5 shows the processing contents from the state in which the playback mode is set by the mode setting switch of the key switch unit 24. As shown in the figure, at the beginning of the mode setting, the latest one of the plurality of image data files recorded on the memory card 18 is set from the file names (step D01).
[0049]
Next, it is determined whether or not the selected latest image data file is a continuous shot image based on whether or not the extension of the file name is “.mjp” (step D02).
[0050]
If it is determined that the selected image data file is a continuous shot image, the correlation between the temporally adjacent images is determined by the thumbnail images of each of the plurality of still image files constituting the continuous shot image file. And a continuous range of images whose correlation value is within a preset threshold is determined as a range having the same composition (step D03).
[0051]
In this case, since the correlation calculation is performed using the thumbnail image having a significantly small amount of data, not the original still image file itself, the correlation calculation to the extent that the rough composition is determined becomes a burden on the system controller 22. It can be processed in a very short time.
[0052]
Next, among the still image data files in the range having the same composition, the one with the highest evaluation value added is selected as a still image representing the continuous shot image (step D04).
[0053]
Then, the selected still image data file is read from the memory card 18 by the medium control circuit 17, decompressed by the decompression circuit 21, decompressed to the bitmap format, and stored in the buffer memory 15.
[0054]
The image data stored in the buffer memory 15 is read by the display control circuit 19, and is reproduced and displayed on the TFT-LCD panel 20 by the display control circuit 19 (step D05).
[0055]
If it is determined in step D02 that the selected image data file is not a continuous image but a still image and the file name extension is “.jpg”, the above-described steps D03 and D04 are performed. The processing is omitted, and the selected still image data is directly read from the memory card 18 and displayed on the TFT-LCD panel 20 in step D05.
[0056]
An operation for switching the image displayed at that time to another image depending on whether or not the “→” key or the “←” key of the key switch unit 24 is operated in the state of performing the reproduction display. (Steps D06, D07).
[0057]
If it is determined in step D06 that the “→” key has been operated, the file name of the image data recorded on the memory card 18 is determined to be an operation for instructing to switch the display to a newer image file. After selecting the image data with date and time information one newer than the currently displayed image data (step D08), the processing from step D02 is executed again.
[0058]
Similarly, if it is determined that the “←” key has been operated, it is assumed that this is an operation for instructing to switch the display to an older image file, and the file name of the image data recorded in the memory card 18 is currently displayed. After selecting the date and time information that is one older than the image data being processed (step D09), the processing from step D02 is executed again.
[0059]
In this way, since a still image that seems to have the best shooting conditions during continuous shooting recording can be selectively read out and displayed without requiring any special operation, a desired still image can be reproduced from the continuous shooting image. The labor for selection can be greatly simplified.
[0060]
Furthermore, contrast values, autofocus values, and autoexposure values are used as the above shooting conditions, and evaluation values are calculated from general values used for normal still image shooting, requiring special calculations. In addition, the reliability of the evaluation can be increased.
[0061]
In addition, even if still images other than the intended composition are included in the continuous shot image, and the evaluation value of the still image is higher than the evaluation value of the still image of the original composition, the influence is removed, An image having a high evaluation value can be selected from a range considered to be the same composition in time sequence by image correlation calculation using thumbnail images.
[0062]
In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a still image with a high evaluation value is selected from the continuously shot images recorded on the memory card 18 and is displayed for reproduction. Even when the still image is printed out, the still image to be printed out is selected on the electronic camera side, so that the same operability can be obtained.
[0063]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment when the present invention is applied to an image printer apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0064]
First, FIG. 6 illustrates a specific circuit configuration of the image printer apparatus. In the figure, a memory card 18 on which image data is recorded by photographing with an electronic camera is connected to a memory read control circuit 31 by being inserted into a memory card slot of the image printer apparatus.
[0065]
The memory read control circuit 31 reads a file of arbitrary image data from the memory card 18, performs a process such as data decompression, expands it into a bitmap format, and stores it in the frame memory 32.
[0066]
The frame memory 32 stores still image data for one screen, and the stored contents are read out to the thermal transfer printing unit 33 and the display circuit 34.
[0067]
The thermal transfer printing unit 33 is, for example, a sublimation type thermal transfer printer, and prints image data sent from the frame memory 32 on a dedicated paper and discharges it.
[0068]
The display circuit 34 displays the content selectively read from the memory card 18 by driving the display of the color TFT-LCD panel 35 with backlight based on the image data read from the frame memory 32.
[0069]
However, the control unit 36 comprehensively controls the operations of the memory read control circuit 31, the frame memory 32, and the thermal transfer print unit 33.
[0070]
In response to the operation of the “← / →” key 37 for selecting an image and the “print” key 38 for instructing execution of printing, the control unit 36 controls the operation of all the circuits of the image printer apparatus.
[0071]
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
[0072]
Here, a data file of still image data in JPEG format (extension .jpg) and a data file of continuous shot images in motion JPEG format (extension .mjp) are stored in the memory card 18 inserted in the memory card slot. Date and time information at the time of shooting is recorded together as a file name for each shot, and thumbnail images and evaluation values are added in advance not only to still image data but also to individual still images constituting continuous shot images. It is assumed that
[0073]
FIG. 7 shows the processing contents from the state in which the memory card 18 is inserted into the memory card slot and the power of the image printer is automatically turned on. As shown in the figure, at the beginning of the operation, the latest one is set from the file names among the plurality of image data files recorded in the memory card 18 (step E01).
[0074]
Next, it is determined whether or not the selected latest image data file is a continuous image based on whether or not the extension of the file name is “.mjp” (step E02).
[0075]
If it is determined that the selected image data file is a continuous shot image, the correlation between the temporally adjacent images is determined by the thumbnail images of each of the plurality of still image files constituting the continuous shot image file. A continuous range of images whose correlation value is within a preset threshold value is obtained as a range having the same composition (step E03).
[0076]
In this case, since the correlation calculation is performed using the thumbnail image having a significantly small data amount, not the original still image file itself, the correlation calculation to the extent that the rough composition is determined becomes a burden on the control unit 36. It can be processed in a very short time.
[0077]
Next, among the still image data files within the range having the same composition, the one with the highest evaluation value added is selected as a still image representing the continuous shot image (step E04).
[0078]
The selected still image data file is read from the memory card 18 by the memory read control circuit 31, decompressed and expanded into a bitmap format, and then stored in the frame memory 32.
[0079]
The image data stored in the frame memory 32 is read out by the display circuit 34 while appropriately performing pixel thinning, and is reproduced and displayed on the TFT-LCD panel 35 by the display circuit 349 (step E05).
[0080]
If it is determined in step E02 that the selected image data file is not a continuous shot image but a still image and the file name extension is “.jpg”, the above steps E03 and E04 are performed. The processing is omitted, and the selected still image data is directly read from the memory card 18 and displayed on the TFT-LCD panel 35 in step E05.
[0081]
While this playback display is being performed, the image displayed at that time is switched to another depending on whether the “→” key or the “←” key is operated with the “← / →” key 37. It is determined whether or not there has been an operation for the purpose (steps E06 and E07), and it is further determined whether or not a key operation for instructing print output of the still image displayed by the “print” key 38 is performed (step E08) These key inputs are waited by repeatedly executing the process.
[0082]
If it is determined in step E06 that the “→” key of the “← / →” key 37 has been operated, it is recorded on the memory card 18 as an operation for instructing to switch the display to a newer image file. After selecting the file name of the image data that has date and time information that is one newer than the currently displayed image data (step E09), the processing from step E02 is executed again.
[0083]
Similarly, when it is determined in step E07 that the “←” key of the “← / →” key 37 has been operated, this is recorded in the memory card 18 as an operation for instructing switching of display to an older image file. After selecting the file name of the image data to which the date / time information one older than the currently displayed image data is attached (step E10), the processing from step E02 is executed again.
[0084]
If it is determined in step E08 that the “print” key 38 is operated, the thermal transfer print unit 33 makes full use of the bitmap-like still image stored in the frame memory 32 at that time. Are printed out (step E11), and then the process returns to step E02.
[0085]
In this way, it is possible to selectively read out and print out a still image that seems to have the best shooting conditions among continuous shot images consisting of still images continuous in time, without requiring a special operation. The effort for selecting a desired still image from the continuous shot images can be greatly simplified.
[0086]
In the above-described embodiment, the still image recorded on the memory card 18 and the individual still images constituting the continuous shot image have been described as having the evaluation value added in advance. Instead of adding shooting conditions such as contrast value, autofocus value, automatic exposure value, etc., especially when a continuous shot image is selected, the shooting conditions for each individual still image constituting the continuous shot image are added. An evaluation value may be calculated, and a still image having the highest evaluation value may be selected and displayed as a representative of the continuous shot image.
[0087]
In this way, since it is common for many electronic cameras to add the shooting conditions and the like to the image data as data, without limiting the model of the electronic camera that shot the image. It is possible to select and print an image with a high image evaluation.
[0088]
At this time, since the evaluation value is calculated from the general value used for normal still image shooting, no special calculation is required and the reliability of the evaluation can be increased.
[0089]
The first and second embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to selectively read out and display or print out a still image that seems to have the best shooting conditions among continuous shot images without requiring any special operation. Thus, the effort for selecting a desired still image from the continuous shot images can be greatly simplified.
[0091]
According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 above, the evaluation value is calculated from the value used in normal still image shooting, so no special calculation is required. Moreover, the reliability of evaluation can be increased.
[0092]
According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, for example, a still image other than the intended composition is included in the continuous shot image, and the evaluation value of the still image Even if the evaluation value is higher than the evaluation value of the still image of the original composition, it is possible to select the one having a high evaluation value from among the still images having the aimed composition by removing the influence. In addition, since the preview (thumbnail) image has a data amount much smaller than that of the main image, the correlation calculation to determine the rough composition is not burdened and can be processed in a short time.
[0094]
Claim 4 According to the described invention, a still image that seems to have the best shooting conditions during continuous shooting recording can be selectively read out and printed out without requiring any special operation. The effort for selecting a still image can be greatly simplified. Also, in order to calculate the evaluation value from the shooting conditions of each still image on the printer side, it is normal for many electronic cameras to add shooting condition data to the image. It can support many models.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing contents in a recording mode according to the embodiment.
3 is a flowchart showing the contents of a still image shooting processing subroutine of FIG. 2;
4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine for continuous image shooting processing in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing contents in a playback mode according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an image printer apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing contents of print output according to the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... Optical lens system
12 ... CCD
13 ... A / D converter
14 Image processing circuit
15 ... Buffer memory
16: Compression circuit
17 ... Medium control circuit
18 ... Memory card
19 ... Display control circuit
20 ... TFT-LCD panel
21 ... Extension circuit
22 ... System controller
23. Strobe control circuit
24 ... Key switch
25 ... Guide panel
26 Strobe
31. Memory read control circuit
32 ... Frame memory
33 ... Thermal transfer print section
34. Display circuit
35 ... TFT-LCD panel
36 ... Control unit
37 ... "← / →" key
38 ... "Print" key

Claims (4)

First instruction means for instructing to shoot continuous images composed of still images that are temporally continuous;
A photographing means for photographing a continuous image by an instruction of said first instruction means,
To each still image constituting the continuous image captured by the imaging means, and calculating means for calculating an evaluation value from the imaging conditions,
Recording means for recording on a recording medium in addition to the still image corresponding evaluation value calculated by the calculating means,
Second instruction means for instructing output of continuous shot images recorded on the recording medium;
Selection means for selecting a still image according to the evaluation value that is added to each still image constituting the continuous image instructed by the second instructing means,
An electronic camera, characterized in that the still image selected by the selection means to and an output means for outputting reads from the recording medium.   2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the calculating means uses at least one of a contrast value, an automatic focusing value, and an automatic exposure value as a photographing condition. A preview image creating means for creating a preview image obtained by thinning out constituent pixels from individual still images constituting a continuous shot image photographed by the photographing means;
It said recording means adds the preview image evaluation value obtained by the calculating means and the preview image creating device creates the corresponding still image recorded on the recording medium,
The selection means performs a correlation operation of the preview images added to the still images constituting the continuous shot image selected by the second instruction means, thereby causing a still image range of still images having the same composition. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a still image is selected according to an evaluation value from among still images within the specified range. A recording medium mounting unit for mounting the recording medium are recorded as continuous images temporally continuous respectively to the still image that photographing condition is appended to,
Instruction means for instructing output of continuous shot images recorded on the recording medium;
Calculation means for calculating the respective evaluation values from the imaging condition that is added to each still image constituting the continuous image instructed by the instruction means,
Selection means for selecting a still image according to the evaluation value obtained by the calculating means,
Image printing apparatus, characterized in that the still image selected by the selection means to and a printing means for printing out by reading from the recording medium.

Images