JP4891132B2 - Imaging device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having a shooting mode switching means for switching between a normal shooting mode in which a subject image can be observed with an optical viewfinder and a live view shooting mode in which a subject image can be observed with an image display. It is.

  The single-lens reflex type digital camera has a quick return mirror that can advance and retreat with respect to the imaging optical path in front of the image sensor. The quick return mirror is configured to guide the subject light that has entered the imaging optical path and transmitted through the imaging lens to the finder during framing, and retracts from the imaging optical path during imaging. Also, an image display is provided on the back of this type of camera body, which is used for confirming and displaying captured images, and for various camera operation setting values (shutter speed, aperture value, imaging sensitivity, shooting mode, etc.). It is used for confirmation.

  On the other hand, a compact camera type digital camera is not equipped with the quick return mirror described above, and performs a so-called live view display in which an image obtained by an image sensor is displayed on an image display in real time to enable framing. ing. As another means for enabling framing, there is an optical finder that does not have a quick return mirror.

  An optical viewfinder having a quick return mirror used in a single-lens reflex type digital camera does not need to display an image on an image display during framing, and thus saves power. However, since the viewfinder image that can be confirmed by the viewfinder has optical members such as a pentaprism, an eyepiece lens, and a focus plate, a difference from the image obtained by the image sensor occurs.

  On the other hand, a compact camera type digital camera that performs framing by performing live view display displays an image obtained by an image sensor on an image display, so that there is no difference between an image at the time of framing and a photographing result. However, live view display does not save power because it requires power to drive an image sensor, an image display, and the like. In addition, an optical viewfinder that does not have a quick return mirror and is used in a compact camera type digital camera is an optical system that is completely independent of the imaging optical system. Therefore, the difference between the finder image that can be confirmed by the imaging device and the finder is larger than that of the single-lens reflex type finder.

In view of the above points, a single-lens reflex type digital camera has been disclosed in which a quick return mirror is retracted from a photographing optical path to perform live view display (Patent Document 1). Also, in a compact camera type digital camera, for the purpose of power saving, when the use of the optical viewfinder is detected by the eyepiece detection means while displaying an image on the image display, the backlight of the image display is turned off. Have been disclosed (Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-272593 A JP 2000-165705 A

  By the way, it is effective to provide the single-lens reflex digital camera having the live view display function disclosed in Patent Document 1 with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2. For example, when a replayed image is displayed on the image display, if the eyepiece detection means detects that the photographer (user) has looked into the viewfinder, the image replay is stopped and a shooting mode using the optical viewfinder is used. To move to. This makes it possible to perform normal shooting preparation operations and operations without requiring any operation for mode transition. Therefore, the operability is improved and the operation of the image display can be stopped quickly, so that power saving can be realized.

  However, when trying to realize a single-lens reflex digital camera having the above-described configuration, there are the following problems. That is, it is assumed that live view display is performed in which the quick return mirror is retracted, an image is captured by the image sensor, and an image is displayed on the image display to perform framing. At this time, if an eyepiece or similar state is detected by the eyepiece detection means, the image display on the image display is stopped, and framing while viewing the live view display by the photographer becomes impossible.

(Object of invention)
An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that does not impair operability during live view shooting.

In order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus of the present invention has a normal shooting mode in which a subject image can be observed with an eyepiece finder and a live view shooting mode in which a subject image can be observed with an image display. Photographing mode switching means for switching;
An approach detecting means for detecting whether or not an object has approached the eyepiece finder, and when the mode is switched to the normal photographing mode, the approach detecting means has detected that the object has approached the eyepiece finder. When controlling to turn off the display of the image display, and when switching to the live view shooting mode and performing live view display on the image display, by the approach detection means, Control means for controlling to continue the display of the image display device even if it is detected that an object approaches the eyepiece finder.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a normal shooting mode in which a subject image can be observed with an eyepiece finder, and a live view shooting mode in which a subject image can be observed with an image display. Shooting mode switching means for switching between,
An approach detecting means for detecting whether or not an object has approached the eyepiece finder, and when the mode is switched to the normal photographing mode, the approach detecting means has detected that the object has approached the eyepiece finder. When the display of the image display device is controlled to be turned off, and the live view display is performed on the image display device by switching to the live view shooting mode, the detection of the approach detection means And control means for controlling the operation to be prohibited.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus that does not impair operability during live view shooting.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention is as shown in the following examples.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital camera which is a single-lens reflex type imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The imaging lens unit 100 can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 200 via a mount mechanism (not shown). The mount portion is provided with an electrical contact group 107 for performing communication between the digital camera 200 and the imaging lens unit 100, and driving of the imaging lens 101 and the diaphragm 102 via the electrical contact group 107. Exchange of signals is performed.

  A photographic light beam from a subject (not shown) is guided to a quick return mirror 202 that is rotated so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the photographic optical path through an imaging lens 101 and an aperture 102 that is an exposure means for adjusting the light amount. The central portion of the quick return mirror 202 is a half mirror, and when the quick return mirror 202 enters the imaging optical path (hereinafter referred to as “down”) as shown in FIG. To do. The transmitted light beam is reflected downward in FIG. 1 by the sub-mirror 203 installed on the quick return mirror 202 and guided to an AF (autofocus) sensor 204 for automatic focus adjustment. The AF sensor 204 can detect the focus at a plurality of positions on the imaging screen.

  On the other hand, the photographing light beam reflected upward in FIG. 1 by the quick return mirror 202 is guided to the photographer's eyes through the pentaprism 201 and the eyepiece lens 206.

  Further, when the quick return mirror 202 is retracted (hereinafter referred to as “up”) from the photographing optical path, the light flux from the imaging lens 101 is an image that is an imaging element typified by a CMOS or the like via the focal plane shutter 208 and the filter 209. Guided to sensor 210. The filter 209 has two functions. One is a function of cutting infrared rays and guiding only visible light to the image sensor 210, and the other is a function as an optical low-pass filter. The focal plane shutter 208 includes a front curtain and a rear curtain, and adjusts the amount of light to the image sensor 210 by transmitting and blocking the light beam from the imaging lens 101.

  When the quick return mirror 202 is up, the sub mirror 203 is folded and retracted from the photographing optical path in the same manner as the quick return mirror 202.

  The digital camera 200 according to the present embodiment includes a system controller 223 including a CPU that controls the entire digital camera, and each unit is connected to the system controller 223. These units are appropriately controlled by the system controller 223.

  The system controller 223 controls the lens control circuit 104 that controls the lens driving mechanism 103 for moving the imaging lens 101 in the optical axis direction and focusing, and the aperture driving mechanism 105 for driving the aperture 102. A diaphragm control circuit 106 is connected. Further, a shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 211 for controlling up / down of the quick return mirror 202 and shutter charge of the focal plane shutter 208 is connected. Further, a shutter control circuit 212 for controlling the traveling of the front curtain and rear curtain of the focal plane shutter 208, and a split photometry means for automatic exposure connected to a photometric sensor disposed in the vicinity of the eyepiece lens 206. A photometric circuit 207 is connected. Furthermore, parameters that need to be adjusted to control the digital camera 200, camera ID information that enables individual identification of the digital camera, AF correction data adjusted by the reference lens, and automatic exposure correction values are stored. An EEPROM 222 which is a storage unit is connected.

  The lens control circuit 104 includes a lens storage unit that stores lens-specific information, for example, information such as focal length, open aperture, and lens ID assigned to each lens, and information received from the sequence controller 223.

An external control device 300 typified by a personal computer (PC) can be connected to the digital camera 200, and the personal computer 300 and the system controller 223 can communicate with each other via a communication interface circuit 224. .

  The photometric sensor connected to the photometry circuit 207 for automatic exposure adjustment is a sensor for measuring the luminance of the subject, and its output is supplied to the system controller 223 via the photometry circuit 207. The system controller 223 controls the lens driving mechanism 103 to form a subject image on the image sensor 210. Further, the system controller 223 controls the aperture driving mechanism 105 that drives the aperture 102 based on the set Av value (aperture value information), and further controls signals based on the set Tv value (shutter speed information). Is output to the shutter control circuit 212.

  The front and rear curtains of the focal plane shutter 208 are configured with springs as drive sources, and require a spring charge for the next operation after the shutter travels. The shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 211 controls the spring charge. Further, the click return mirror 202 is raised and lowered by the shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 211.

  Further, an image data controller 220 is connected to the system controller 223. The image data controller 220 is a correction data sample unit and a correction unit configured by a DSP (digital signal processor). The image data controller 220 executes control of the image sensor 210 and correction and processing of image data input from the image sensor 210 based on a command from the system controller 223. Image data correction and processing items include auto white balance. The auto white balance is a function for correcting the maximum luminance portion in the captured image to a predetermined color (white). In auto white balance, the correction amount can be changed by a command from the sequence controller 223.

  Connected to the image data controller 220 is a timing pulse generation circuit 217 that outputs a pulse signal necessary for driving the image sensor 210. Further, an A / D converter 216 for receiving the timing pulse generated by the timing pulse generation circuit 217 together with the image sensor 210 and converting an analog signal corresponding to the subject image output from the image sensor 210 into a digital signal is provided. Connected. Furthermore, a DRAM 221 for temporarily storing the obtained image data (digital data), a D / A converter 215, and an image compression circuit 219 are connected.

  The DRAM 221 is used as a storage means for temporarily storing image data before processing or data conversion into a predetermined format. An image display circuit 213 is connected to the D / A converter 215 via an encoder circuit 214. The image compression circuit 219 is connected to an image data recording medium 218 serving as recording means.

  The image display circuit 213 is for displaying the image data captured by the image sensor 210 on the image display 236. The image display unit 236 is an image display unit that externally displays a live view display, a reproduction image, and a captured result confirmation image, and is generally configured by a color liquid crystal display element. During live view shooting, live view display (meaning that images captured by the image sensor are continuously captured and the captured images are displayed continuously) is performed on the image display 236. After shooting, a preview image at the time of shooting is displayed.

  The image data controller 220 converts the image data on the DRAM 221 into an analog signal by the D / A converter 215 and outputs the analog signal to the encoder circuit 214. The encoder circuit 214 converts the output of the D / A converter 215 into a video signal (for example, an NTSC signal) necessary for driving the image display circuit 213.

  The image compression circuit 219 is for performing compression and conversion (for example, JPEG) of image data stored in the DRAM 221. The converted image data is stored in the image data recording medium 218. As a recording medium, a hard disk, a flash memory, or the like is used.

  The system controller 223 is further connected to an operation display circuit 225 for displaying operation mode information and exposure information (shutter time, aperture value, etc.) of the digital camera 200. Further, a first stroke switch 230 (hereinafter referred to as switch SW1) for starting image capturing preparation operations such as photometry / focus detection (ranging) and image capture in the live view image capturing mode is connected. Further, a second stroke switch 231 (hereinafter referred to as switch SW2) for instructing the start of the photographing operation in the normal photographing mode is connected. Further, a mode setting switch 229 for setting a mode so that the photographer (user) causes the digital camera 200 to perform a desired operation is connected. Furthermore, an AF area selection switch 228 for selecting an AF area to be used from a plurality of AF areas of the AF sensor 204 is connected. Further, a photometric area selection switch 235 for selecting a photometric area to be used and an electronic dial switch 226 for displaying the parameters up and down by rotating operation are connected. The switch SW2 also has a function as a switch for starting live view shooting and ending live view shooting in the live view shooting mode.

Reference numeral 233 denotes a light projecting unit of the eyepiece detecting unit, and 227 denotes a light receiving unit of the eyepiece detecting unit. Infrared light is emitted from the light projecting unit 233. When the photographer's eye is in the viewfinder, the near infrared light emitted from the light projecting unit 233 is reflected by the eye, and the reflected infrared light reaches the light receiving unit 227. This makes it possible to detect whether the finder has a photographer's face. In the normal shooting mode, when the eyepiece detection unit detects the eyepiece state of the photographer, the display function of the image display 236 provided on the back of the camera body is turned off. This makes it possible to save energy by stopping the operation of the image display circuit 213 and the image display device 236 when the image display device 236 on the rear surface is not required, such as when the photographer looks into the viewfinder. Can be realized.

  Next, a shooting mode selection sequence will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S101, it is determined whether or not a shooting mode selection operation has been performed. The shooting mode selection operation is performed by the mode setting switch 229 and the electronic dial switch 226. When the electronic dial switch 226 is operated while the mode setting switch 229 is on, the photographing modes are sequentially switched.

  When the shooting mode selection operation is performed in step S101 and the live view shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S102, and the process proceeds to the live view shooting sequence. On the other hand, if a mode other than the live view shooting mode is selected in step S101, the process proceeds to step S103, and the process shifts to the normal shooting sequence.

  Next, the normal imaging sequence performed in step S103 of FIG. 2 will be described using FIG.

  In step S201, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on. If not, wait in this step until it is turned on. Thereafter, when the switch SW1 is turned on, the process branches to steps S202 to S203 for determining the exposure amount at the time of shooting and steps S204 to S206 for focusing, and these parallel processes are performed.

  In step S202, the light metering circuit 207 measures the light beam that passes through the imaging lens 101, is reflected by the main mirror 202, and passes through the pentaprism 201. In the next step S203, the sequence controller 223 determines the exposure amount (aperture value and shutter speed information) at the time of shooting according to the output of the photometry circuit 207. Then, the process proceeds to step S208.

  On the other hand, in step S204, the sequence controller 223 performs focus detection using the AF sensor 204 and the focus detection circuit 205. In the next step S205, it is determined whether or not focus detection has been performed. If the subject is low contrast or dark, focus detection may not be possible. If focus cannot be detected, the process proceeds to step S207 to give a warning. If focus detection is possible, the process proceeds to step S206, and the system controller 223 transmits the lens drive amount to the lens control circuit 104 based on the focus detection result. Thereby, the lens control circuit 104 controls the lens driving mechanism 103 based on the lens driving amount, and the imaging lens 101 moves to the in-focus position. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In the next step S208, it is determined whether or not the switch SW2 is turned on. If not, the process waits until it is turned on. Thereafter, when the switch SW2 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S209, where the system controller 223 controls the shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 211 to raise the quick return mirror 202.

  In the next step S210, the system controller 223 transmits the aperture value information set in step S203 to the aperture control circuit 106, and drives the aperture drive mechanism 105 to narrow the aperture 102 to the set aperture value. In the next step S211, the system controller 223 controls each unit so as to open the focal plane shutter 208. In the subsequent step S212, the sequence controller 223 instructs the image data controller (DSP) 220 to perform an integration operation of the image sensor 210 that is an image sensor. In step S213, the process waits for a predetermined time.

  When the integration time ends, the process proceeds to step S214, and the focal plane shutter 208 is closed. In the next step S215, the system controller 223 performs the charge operation of the focal plane shutter 208 and the mirror down drive in preparation for the next operation. In the next step S216, the diaphragm 102 is driven to open, and in the subsequent step S217, the sequence controller 223 instructs the image data controller 220 to take in the image data from the image sensor 210. In step S218, the read image data is recorded on the image data recording medium 218 through the image compression circuit 219.

  Next, the live view shooting sequence performed in step S102 in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S301, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on. If not, wait in this step until it is turned on. Thereafter, when the switch SW1 is turned on, the process branches to steps S302 to S303 for determining the exposure amount immediately after the start of the live view, and steps S304 to S306 for focusing, and parallel processing is performed.

  In step S302, the light metering circuit 207 measures the light beam that passes through the imaging lens 101, is reflected by the main mirror 202, and passes through the pentaprism 201. In the next step S303, the sequence controller 223 determines the exposure amount (aperture value and shutter speed information) immediately after the start of the live view according to the output of the photometry circuit 207. Then, the process proceeds to step S308.

  On the other hand, in step S304, the sequence controller 223 performs focus detection using the AF sensor 204 and the focus detection circuit 205. Then, in the next step S305, it is determined whether or not focus detection has been performed. When the subject is low contrast or dark, focus detection may not be possible. If focus cannot be detected, the process proceeds to step S307 and a warning is given. When focus detection is completed, the process proceeds to step S306, and the system controller 223 transmits the lens drive amount to the lens control circuit 104 based on the focus detection result. Thereby, the lens control circuit 104 controls the lens driving mechanism 103 based on the lens driving amount, and the imaging lens 101 moves to the in-focus position. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S308.

  In step S308, it is determined whether or not the switch SW2 is turned on. If not, the process waits until it is turned on. Thereafter, when the switch SW2 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S309. Note that after the switch SW2 is detected to be turned on in step S308, the switch SW1 is a switch for instructing to capture a live view image, and the switch SW2 is a switch for instructing completion of live view shooting. In step S309, the system controller 223 controls the shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 211 to raise the quick return mirror 202.

  In the next step S310, the system controller 223 transmits the aperture value information set in step S303 to the aperture control circuit 106, and drives the aperture drive mechanism 105 to narrow the aperture 102 to the set aperture value. In step S311, the system controller 223 controls each unit so as to open the focal plane shutter 208. In subsequent step S312, the sequence controller 223 instructs the image data controller 220 to take in the image data from the image sensor 210.

  In the next step S313, a focusing operation is performed based on the captured image data, and exposure (AE) is determined. In the subsequent step S314, the sequence controller 223 instructs the image data controller 220 to capture image data from the image sensor 210. Thus, live view display for assisting framing is performed on the image display 236 via the image display circuit 213 or the like.

  In the next step S315, eyepiece detection is performed by an eyepiece detection unit including the light projecting unit 233 and the light receiving unit 227. If a photographer's face looking into the viewfinder (viewing the eyepiece) to see the live view image is detected, the process proceeds to step S316. Similarly, if no face is detected, the process proceeds to step S316. In this embodiment, since the operation of the image display circuit 213 is not controlled by the detection result of the eyepiece detection unit in the live view imaging mode, the live view display on the image display 236 is continued regardless of the detection result of the eyepiece detection unit. Will be.

  In step S316, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 for starting the live view image capture is turned on. If not, the process returns to step S312 to repeat the same operation. On the other hand, when the switch SW1 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S317, and the sequence controller 223 instructs the image data controller 220 to capture an image at the timing when the switch SW1 is turned on from the image sensor 210 as a recording image. In the next step S318, the read image data is recorded on the image data recording medium 218 through the image compression circuit 219.

  In the next step S319, it is determined whether or not the switch SW2 is on. If it is off, it is determined that the live view shooting is continued, and the process returns to step S312 to repeat the same operation. On the other hand, if the switch SW2 is on, it is determined that the live view shooting is completed, and the process proceeds to step S320.

  In step S320, the focal plane shutter 208 is closed. In the next step S321, the system controller 223 performs the charge operation of the focal plane shutter 208 and the mirror down drive in preparation for the next operation. Then, in the next step S322, the diaphragm 102 is driven to open.

  According to the above-described embodiment, during the live view display in the live view shooting mode, the eyepiece detection unit detects a state similar to the use of the finder (not only face detection but also a case where a hand is approached). ) Even if it is live view display. Therefore, for example, even if the optical viewfinder is looked at temporarily during framing while viewing the live view display, the live view display does not end, so the operability during live view shooting is not impaired.

  In the above embodiment, an eyepiece detection unit using an infrared light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is used as an eyepiece detection unit that detects whether or not the photographer is observing a subject image with an optical viewfinder. However, the same effect can be obtained by using a means for detecting the line of sight using the infrared light projecting unit and the light receiving unit and performing AF area selection or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the display state on the image display 236 is not switched depending on the detection result of the eyepiece detection unit. However, in the live view imaging mode, the same effect can be obtained even if the detection operation itself of the eyepiece detection unit is stopped (prohibited).

  According to the above embodiment, when the mode is switched to the normal shooting mode, when the eyepiece detection unit detects that the user's eyes are close to the optical viewfinder, the display on the image display 236 is displayed. Control to turn off. When the camera is switched to the live view shooting mode, the display on the image display 236 is controlled so that the eyepiece detection unit detects that the user's eyes have approached the optical viewfinder. Yes. Alternatively, when the camera is switched to the live view shooting mode, control is performed to prohibit the detection operation of the eyepiece detection unit.

  Thus, in a digital camera having a click return mirror, operability at the time of live view shooting is not impaired.

(Correspondence between the present invention and the embodiment)
The pentaprism 201 and the eyepiece 206 correspond to the optical viewfinder of the present invention, the image display 236 corresponds to the image display, and the light reception unit 227 and the light projection unit 233 for the eyepiece detection unit correspond to the eyepiece detection unit. Further, the mode setting switch 229 and the electronic dial switch 226 correspond to the photographing mode switching means of the present invention, and the system controller 223 corresponds to the control means.

It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the single-lens reflex digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography mode selection sequence in the single-lens reflex digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the normal imaging | photography sequence in the single-lens reflex digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the live view imaging | photography sequence in the single-lens reflex digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Imaging lens unit 101 Imaging lens 102 Aperture 103 Lens drive mechanism 104 Lens control circuit 105 Aperture drive mechanism 106 Aperture control circuit 200 Digital camera 201 Pentaprism 202 Quick return mirror 204 AF sensor 206 Eyepiece lens 207 Photometric circuit 208 Focal plane shutter 210 Image Sensor 211 Shutter charge / mirror drive mechanism 212 Shutter control circuit 213 Image display circuit 216 Image display 218 Image data recording medium 220 Image data controller 223 System controller 227 Light receiving unit 230 for the eye detection unit Switch (SW2)
231 switch (SW1)
233 Projection unit for eyepiece detection unit 236 Image display

Claims (9)

Shooting mode switching means for switching between a normal shooting mode in which the subject image can be observed with the eyepiece finder and a live view shooting mode in which the subject image can be observed on the image display;
An approach detecting means for detecting whether or not an object has approached the eyepiece finder, and when the mode is switched to the normal photographing mode, the approach detecting means has detected that the object has approached the eyepiece finder. When controlling to turn off the display of the image display, and when switching to the live view shooting mode and performing live view display on the image display, by the approach detection means, An image pickup apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control the display of the image display device even if it is detected that an object approaches the eyepiece finder. Shooting mode switching means for switching between a normal shooting mode in which the subject image can be observed with the eyepiece finder and a live view shooting mode in which the subject image can be observed on the image display;
An approach detecting means for detecting whether or not an object has approached the eyepiece finder, and when the mode is switched to the normal photographing mode, the approach detecting means has detected that the object has approached the eyepiece finder. When the display of the image display device is controlled to be turned off, and the live view display is performed on the image display device by switching to the live view shooting mode, the detection of the approach detection means An imaging apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the operation to be prohibited.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the approach detection unit is for detecting that an eye of a user of the imaging apparatus is approaching. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the eyepiece finder is an optical finder. A quick return mirror that can be moved back and forth with respect to the imaging optical path;
A shutter that transmits and blocks the light flux from the imaging lens to the imaging device;
An image sensor,
The display of the subject image by the image display in the live view shooting mode is performed by retracting the quick return mirror from the shooting optical path, opening the shutter, and capturing image data from the imaging device. The imaging device according to claim 4 . The image display device is an imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that provided on the rear surface of the imaging device. A first stroke switch and a second stroke switch;
In the normal shooting mode, focus detection is performed in response to the first stroke switch being turned on, and an image captured in response to the second stroke switch being turned on is used as a recording medium. Start the recording operation,
In the live view shooting mode, when the first stroke switch is turned on, an operation of recording an image captured on the recording medium is started, and the second stroke switch is turned on. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the shutter is closed and the quick return mirror enters the imaging optical path to end live view imaging. A shooting mode switching step for switching between a normal shooting mode in which the subject image can be observed with the eyepiece finder and a live view shooting mode in which the subject image can be observed on the image display;
An approach detection step for detecting whether or not an object has approached the eyepiece finder, and when the mode has been switched to the normal photographing mode, the approach detection step has detected that an object has approached the eyepiece finder. When controlling to turn off the display of the image display, and switching to the live view shooting mode and performing live view display on the image display, by the approach detection step, And a control step of controlling the display of the image display to continue even if it is detected that an object has approached the eyepiece finder. A control method for an imaging apparatus having an approach detection means for detecting whether an object has approached an eyepiece finder,
A shooting mode switching step for switching between a normal shooting mode in which a subject image can be observed with the eyepiece finder and a live view shooting mode in which the subject image can be observed with an image display;
When the mode is switched to the normal shooting mode, when the approach detection unit detects that an object approaches the eyepiece finder, the display of the image display is turned off. And a control step for controlling to prohibit the detection operation by the approach detection means when the live view display is performed in the image display after being switched to the live view shooting mode. Control method for imaging apparatus.

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