JP5047907B2 - Imaging apparatus and imaging method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method.

  Examples of imaging devices such as digital still cameras that can mainly shoot still images include digital single-lens reflex cameras and compact digital cameras. A user usually confirms a subject through an optical viewfinder in a digital single-lens reflex camera. In the compact digital camera, the user checks a subject displayed in a live view on a liquid crystal panel (LCD) provided in the main body.

  In recent years, some digital single-lens reflex cameras can check a subject displayed in a live view on a liquid crystal panel provided in the main body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a camera having two image pickup elements, an image pickup element that receives light from a subject reflected by a mirror mechanism and an image pickup element for main photographing, for live view display. .

JP 2007-49667 A

  However, digital single-lens reflex cameras capable of live view display in recent years usually have a movable mirror mechanism, and cannot image a subject directly on the image sensor when the mirror is down. The digital single-lens reflex camera displays a photographed image on the liquid crystal panel of the main body while leaving the conventional optical viewfinder as it is. Therefore, a single-lens reflex camera capable of live view display requires a more complicated optical system than the conventional ones in a mirror mechanism, a pentaprism, and the like. Further, there is a problem that the display position is shifted depending on the optical accuracy and the mounting accuracy. Furthermore, it has been difficult to reduce the size of the camera, to prevent dust inside the camera, and to reduce costs.

  Therefore, as a camera in which the lens can be attached to and detached from the main body, there is a method in which a photographed image is confirmed by the LCD alone without using an optical viewfinder unlike a compact digital camera.

  However, when performing live view display, when taking out a small image for live view from an image sensor with a large number of still image pixels, there are problems that display takes time and image quality deteriorates. . Further, when performing focus control by the contrast method, an imaging device having a large number of pixels has a problem in that it takes time until the in-focus position is detected because reading speed from the imaging device is slow. Furthermore, when the still image sensor is also used for moving image shooting, the readout speed from the image sensor does not keep up with the frame rate of the moving image, and the required frame rate cannot be obtained, or the image quality deteriorates. There was a problem to do.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow a plurality of modes suitable for an image sensor to be shot by simply switching the plurality of image sensors. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved imaging apparatus and imaging method.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, a subject image that is fixedly disposed on the optical axis and is irradiated on the first imaging surface in the first imaging mode is converted into an electrical signal. A first imaging device and a second imaging device that is arranged on the optical axis in the second imaging mode and closer to the subject side than the first imaging device, and converts a subject image irradiated on the second imaging surface into an electrical signal And the element, disposed on the optical axis in the first shooting mode and closer to the subject side than the first imaging element, and provided at a position where the distance from the subject is the same as the distance from the subject to the second imaging surface. A focusing screen having an imaging surface on which a subject image is formed, transmitting the formed subject image and irradiating the subject image on the first imaging surface, and a second imaging element and the focusing screen are illuminated. A support member for supporting in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction; In the second imaging mode, the support member is driven so that the second image sensor is disposed on the optical axis, and in the first imaging mode, the support member is disposed so that the focusing screen is disposed on the optical axis. There is provided an imaging apparatus including a driving unit for driving.

  With this configuration, the first imaging element is fixedly disposed on the optical axis, converts the subject image irradiated on the first imaging surface in the first imaging mode into an electrical signal, and the second imaging element. Is arranged on the optical axis and in the second imaging mode on the subject side with respect to the first image sensor, converts the subject image irradiated on the second imaging surface into an electrical signal, and the focusing screen performs the first imaging A subject image is formed on the optical axis in the mode and on the subject side with respect to the first image sensor and provided at a position where the distance from the subject is the same as the distance from the subject to the second imaging surface. An imaging surface is provided, the imaged subject image is transmitted, and the subject image is irradiated onto the first imaging surface. The support member supports the second image sensor and the focusing screen in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the drive unit arranges the second image sensor on the optical axis in the second imaging mode. In the first photographing mode, the support member is driven so that the focusing screen is disposed on the optical axis.

  The first imaging surface of the first imaging device is narrower than the second imaging surface of the second imaging device. With this configuration, different types of signals can be acquired depending on the shooting mode. The second image sensor has, for example, the number of pixels for still image shooting, and the first image sensor has a smaller number of pixels than the second image sensor, for example, the number of pixels for moving image shooting.

  The second imaging element and the focusing screen are adjacent to each other on the support member, and the second imaging surface and the imaging surface are located on the same reference plane. With this configuration, the shooting mode can be switched smoothly, and subject images having the same size can be acquired on the second imaging surface and the imaging surface.

  The second shooting mode is a mode for shooting a still image, and the first shooting mode is a mode for shooting a moving image. With this configuration, it is possible to switch between still image shooting and moving image shooting by switching between the second image sensor and the first image sensor.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, the second image sensor and the focusing screen are supported in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the object side from the first image sensor. In the second imaging mode, the second imaging element is driven in the second imaging mode, and the second imaging element is in the second imaging mode. Converting the subject image irradiated on the imaging surface into an electrical signal, driving the support member so that the focusing screen is disposed on the optical axis in the first imaging mode, and first imaging In the mode, a focusing screen having an imaging surface located at a distance where the distance from the subject is the same as the distance from the subject to the second imaging surface transmits the subject image formed on the imaging surface and transmits the first image First imaging surface of the image sensor A step of irradiating an object image, the first imaging mode in the first imaging device, imaging method and a step of converting the subject image illuminated on the first imaging plane into an electrical signal.

  With this configuration, the second imaging element and the focusing screen are supported in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the support member disposed on the subject side from the first imaging element is in the second imaging mode. The second image sensor is driven so as to be arranged on the optical axis, and the subject image irradiated on the second imaging surface is converted into an electric signal by the second image sensor in the second imaging mode. Then, the support member is driven so that the focusing screen is disposed on the optical axis in the first shooting mode, and the distance from the subject is the same from the subject to the second imaging surface in the first shooting mode. The subject image formed on the imaging surface is transmitted by the focusing screen having the imaging surface located at a distance such that the subject image is irradiated onto the first imaging surface of the first image sensor. In addition, the subject image irradiated on the first imaging surface is converted into an electrical signal by the first imaging element in the first imaging mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform shooting in a plurality of modes suitable for an image sensor by simply switching the plurality of image sensors.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

(Configuration of one embodiment)
First, the configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
1 and 2 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The position of the sensor unit 116 in FIG. 1 indicates the position in the second shooting mode, and the position of the sensor unit 116 in FIG. 2 indicates the position in the first shooting mode. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the sensor unit 116 of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cut surface taken along line AA in FIG.

  The imaging apparatus 100 is, for example, a digital camera, and includes an imaging element 110 for still image shooting and an imaging element 118 for moving image shooting or live view display shooting, and the imaging elements 110 and 118 in the still image shooting mode and the moving image shooting mode. Switch to and shoot.

The imaging apparatus 100 includes, for example, a lens body 102 and a camera body 103.
The lens body 102 incorporates a lens block 104 as an optical system. Although not shown, the lens block 104 includes, for example, a zoom lens, a focus lens, and a diaphragm. The light flux from the subject passes through the lens block 104 and reaches the inside of the camera body 103. The lens body 102 has a configuration that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 103. If the lens body 102 is compatible with the camera body 103, various lens bodies 102 having different characteristics such as angle of view and focal length can be attached to the camera body 103 in a replaceable manner.

  The lens block 104 is an optical system that focuses external light information on the image sensor 110 and the focusing screen 107, and transmits light from the subject to the image sensor 110 and the focusing screen 107. The zoom lens is a lens that changes the angle of view by changing the focal length, and the diaphragm is a mechanism that adjusts the amount of light transmitted. The focus lens moves in the optical axis direction to focus the subject image on the imaging surface 110A of the imaging device 110 and the imaging surface 107A of the focusing screen 107. The focus lens is driven by a motor. The motor is driven by receiving a drive signal from the AF driver 144.

  The camera body 103 includes, for example, a focal plane shutter 109, a sensor unit 116 provided with a focusing screen 107 and an image sensor 110, a lens 117, an image sensor 118, and the like.

  The focal plane shutter 109 is provided on the optical axis of the light beam that passes through the lens block 104. The focal plane shutter 109 is provided at a position near the imaging surface 110A of the imaging device 110 when the imaging device 110 moves on the optical axis of the light beam from the subject in the second imaging mode. The focal plane shutter 109 opens and closes at a predetermined shutter speed to expose the image sensor 110 during still image shooting (second shooting mode) shown in FIG. On the other hand, the focal plane shutter 109 is kept open during moving image shooting (first shooting mode) shown in FIG.

  In addition, in order to control the exposure time of the image sensor 110, the example in which the focal plane shutter 109 is applied so that the light is blocked at the time of non-photographing and the light is irradiated only at the time of photographing has been described. (Not shown) may be applied. The operation of the focal plane shutter 109 or the electronic shutter is performed by a switch of a shutter button (operation unit 180) connected to the overall signal processing unit / control unit 140.

  The sensor unit 116 is an example of a support member, and supports the image sensor 110 and the focusing screen 107. The sensor unit 116 supports the imaging device 110 and the focusing screen 107 so that the imaging surface 110A of the imaging device 110 and the imaging surface 107A of the focusing screen 107 are within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction. .

  The sensor unit 116 is, for example, a plate-like member as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. An opening 116A is provided in a portion where the focusing screen 107 is installed. Thereby, the subject image formed on the focusing screen 107 can be formed on the image sensor 118 in the first photographing mode.

  The sensor unit 116 is driven by, for example, a sensor unit driving unit 146 (see FIG. 5). The sensor unit 116 is driven in a direction parallel to the direction connecting the center of the focusing screen 107 and the center of the image sensor 110. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor unit 116 is driven so that a subject image is irradiated onto the image sensor 110 in the second shooting mode, and in the first shooting mode, as shown in FIG. It is driven so that the subject image is irradiated to the image 107. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the movable direction of the sensor unit 116 is defined by the bearing 122. The driving means and the driving direction defining means of the sensor unit 116 are not limited to the above example, and can be realized by applying other means.

  The focusing screen 107 is provided in the sensor unit 116. The focusing screen 107 has an image forming surface 107A on which a subject image is irradiated. The imaging surface 107A is one surface of the focusing screen 107 and is matted, for example. A subject image is formed on the imaging surface 107A in the first shooting mode. The focusing screen 107 is a transparent member, and the subject image formed on the image forming surface 107A is transmitted to the image sensor 118 side.

  The image sensor 110 is an example of a second image sensor, and is composed of a plurality of elements capable of photoelectric conversion that converts optical information transmitted through the lens block 104 into an electrical signal. Each element generates an electrical signal corresponding to the received light. As the image sensor 110, a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, or the like can be applied.

  The image sensor 110 is for still image shooting, and is larger in size than the image sensor 118 for moving image shooting and is compatible with high resolution and high image quality. The image sensor 110 is provided in the sensor unit 116. The imaging element 110 has an imaging surface 110A on which a subject image is irradiated. A subject image is formed on the imaging surface 110A in the second shooting mode. Thereby, in the second shooting mode, a high-quality still image can be shot.

The field angle size of the imaging surface 107A of the focusing screen 107 is the same as the field angle size of the imaging surface 110A of the image sensor 110. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the field angle size of the imaging surface 107A is vertical L ₁ × horizontal W ₁ , and the field angle size of the imaging surface 110A is vertical L ₂ × horizontal W ₂ . Then, L ₁ = L ₂ and W ₁ = W ₂ are satisfied.

  In addition, the imaging surface 110A of the imaging device 110 and the imaging surface 107A of the focusing screen 107 are located in the same reference plane. As a result, even when the lens body 102 is used while changing the focal length and the angle of view, the subject image formed on the imaging surface 107A matches the subject image formed on the imaging surface 110A of the image sensor 110. . In addition, a subject image that is imaged on the focusing screen 107 and coincides with a subject image in the still image capturing image sensor 110 is irradiated to the moving image capturing image sensor 118. As a result, in the live view display in the first shooting mode, it is possible to confirm the framing and zooming of the subject during still image shooting.

  The lens 117 is an optical member that guides the subject image formed on the focusing screen 107 to the image sensor 118. The lens 117 forms the subject image formed on the focusing screen 107 on the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 118 so as to match the size of the image pickup surface of the image pickup device 118.

  The image sensor 118 is an example of a first image sensor, and includes a plurality of elements capable of performing photoelectric conversion that converts optical information that has passed through the lens block 104 and entered via the focusing screen 107 into an electrical signal. . Each element generates an electrical signal corresponding to the received light. As the imaging devices 110 and 118, a CCD (charge coupled device) sensor, a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor, or the like can be applied.

  The image pickup device 118 is used for moving image shooting or live view display shooting, and has a smaller size and a smaller number of pixels than the image pickup device 110 for still image shooting, but the image pickup device 118 is an image pickup device 110 for still image shooting. Faster reading. The image sensor 118 is provided on the opposite side of the lens body 102 with the sensor unit 116 interposed therebetween. A subject image formed on the focusing screen 107 is formed on the imaging surface of the image sensor 118 in the first shooting mode. Thereby, in the first shooting mode, shooting for moving images or live view display can be performed.

  Further, using the image sensor 118, it is possible to perform contrast-type focus control (contrast AF) based on the video signal read at high speed. Further, by reading a video signal from the image sensor 118 at a frame rate and the number of pixels optimum for recording a moving image, it is possible to obtain a high-quality and high-quality moving image that is difficult to read by the image sensor 110 for still images. Can do.

  Next, the configuration of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The imaging apparatus 100 includes, for example, a preprocessing unit 130, an image memory 132, an image memory 132, a lens block 104, a sensor unit 116, an imaging element 110, a lens 117, an imaging element 118, and the like described with reference to FIGS. Video signal processing unit 134, overall signal processing unit / control unit 140, AF control unit 142, AF driver 144, sensor unit driving unit 146, JPEG processing unit 152, MPEG processing unit 154, LCD 160, memory card 170, operation unit 180, etc. Consists of.

  The image sensors 110 and 118 further include a CDS / AMP unit and an A / D conversion unit. A CDS / AMP unit (correlated double sampling circuit / amplifier) removes low-frequency noise contained in the electrical signals output from the image sensors 110 and 118, and converts the electrical signal into an arbitrary signal. Amplify to level. The A / D conversion unit digitally converts the electrical signal output from the CDS / AMP unit to generate a digital signal. The A / D conversion unit outputs the generated digital signal to the preprocessing unit 130.

  The switch 124 switches between the image sensor 110 and the image sensor 118 in accordance with the first shooting mode and the second shooting mode. In the second imaging mode, the switch 124 is connected so that a signal output from the image sensor 110 is sent to the preprocessing unit 130. In the first shooting mode, the switch 124 is connected so that a signal output from the image sensor 118 is sent to the preprocessing unit 130.

  The pre-processing unit 130 performs processing on the digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit, and generates a video signal that enables video processing. The preprocessing unit 130 performs processes such as pixel defect correction, black level correction, AF (auto focus) evaluation value calculation, shading correction, and the like of the image sensors 110 and 118, for example. The preprocessing unit 130 outputs the generated image signal to the video signal processing unit 134, for example. The preprocessing unit 130 controls reading / writing of image data from / to the image memory 132.

  The image memory 132 is, for example, an SDRAM (synchronous DRAM), and temporarily stores image data of captured images. The image memory 132 has a storage capacity capable of storing image data of a plurality of images. Reading and writing of images to and from the image memory 132 is controlled by the preprocessing unit 130.

  The video signal processing unit 134 receives the video signal from the preprocessing unit 130 and converts it into a luminance signal and a color signal. In addition, the video signal processing unit 134 generates a video signal that has been subjected to video processing based on the WB control value, the γ value, the edge enhancement control value, and the like. The video signal processing unit 134 sends the generated video signal to the entire signal processing unit / control unit 140.

  The overall signal processing unit / control unit 140 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device according to a program, and controls processing of each component provided in the imaging device 100. For example, the overall signal processing unit / control unit 140 outputs a signal to the AF driver 144 via the AF control unit 142 to drive the focus lens of the lens block 104. The overall signal processing unit / control unit 140 controls each component of the imaging apparatus 100 based on a signal from the operation unit 180. In the present embodiment, the entire signal processing unit / control unit 140 is composed of only one. However, the signal processing command and the operation command are executed by separate CPUs. May be.

  Upon receiving the focus control start operation signal, the AF control unit 142 generates a control signal for moving the focus lens in one direction, and outputs the generated control signal to the AF driver 144. The AF control unit 142 calculates the focus position of the focus lens based on the AF evaluation value calculated by the preprocessing unit 130. The AF evaluation value is calculated by the preprocessing unit 130 based on the luminance value of the image signal. The AF evaluation value is, for example, a contrast value of an image, and when the contrast value is maximized, it is determined that the subject image is in focus on the imaging surface 110A of the image sensor 110 (contrast detection method). In focus control, the AF evaluation value is calculated using a signal from the image sensor 118, so that the in-focus position can be determined at a higher speed than in the case of calculating using the still image sensor 110 having a large number of pixels. Can be detected.

  The AF control unit 142 outputs the in-focus position obtained as a result of the calculation to the AF driver 144 as a control signal. The AF driver 144 generates a drive signal based on the control signal received from the AF control unit 142. The AF driver 144 sends the generated drive signal to the focus lens drive unit.

  The sensor unit driving unit 146 is an example of a driving unit, and drives the sensor unit 116 in parallel with the direction connecting the image sensor 110 and the focusing screen 107. In addition, the sensor unit driving unit 146 drives the sensor unit 116 so that the subject image is irradiated onto the imaging element 110 in the second shooting mode, and the subject image is irradiated onto the focusing screen 107 in the first shooting mode. As described above, the sensor unit 116 is driven.

  The JPEG processing unit 152 performs compression coding processing on the video data from the whole signal processing unit / control unit 140 by a still image coding method such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) standard. Further, decompression decoding processing is performed on the encoded data of the still image supplied from the memory card 170.

  The MPEG processing unit 154 performs compression coding processing on the video data received from the whole signal processing unit / control unit 140 by a moving image coding method such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group). Further, decompression decoding processing is performed on the encoded data of the moving image supplied from the memory card 170. Further, the video signal subjected to the decompression decoding process is output to an LCD (liquid crystal display) 160.

  The LCD 160 displays an image on the screen based on the image data received from the image memory 132, for example. The LCD 160 is provided in the camera body 103, for example. The image displayed on the LCD 160 is, for example, an image before shooting (live view display) read from the image memory 132, various setting screens of the image capturing apparatus 100, images captured and recorded, and the like. In the present embodiment, the LCD 160 is used as the display unit, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and may be an organic EL display, for example.

  The memory card 170 writes image data or reads recorded image data and setting information. The memory card 170 is a recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a semiconductor storage medium, and records captured image data. As long as it is a recording medium, it is not limited to the memory card 170 but may be an optical disc (CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magneto-optical disc, or the like. The memory card 170 may be configured to be detachable from the imaging device 100.

  The operation unit 180 is, for example, an up / down / left / right key, a power switch, a mode dial, or a shutter button provided in the imaging apparatus 100. The operation unit 180 sends an operation signal to the entire signal processing unit / control unit 140 and the like based on an operation by the user. For example, the shutter button can be pressed halfway (S1 operation), fully pressed (S2 operation), and released by the user. When the shutter button is half-pressed, it outputs an operation signal for starting focus control, and when the half-press is released, the focus control ends. Further, when the shutter button is fully pressed, an operation signal for starting shooting is output.

  Note that a series of processing in the imaging apparatus 100 may be processed by hardware or may be realized by software processing by a program on a computer.

(Operation of one embodiment)
Next, a shooting operation of the imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, still image shooting will be described. The imaging apparatus 100 starts the first photographing mode at the same time as the power is turned on. Then, the sensor unit driving unit 146 drives the sensor unit 116 so that the focusing screen 107 provided in the sensor unit 116 is positioned on the optical axis. As a result, a subject image is formed on the focusing screen 107, and the moving image capturing image sensor 118 captures the subject image on the focusing screen 107.

  Next, the image pickup device 118 for moving image shooting is controlled, exposure is performed at regular intervals, and image data is read out. This fixed interval is, for example, in units of 1/60 seconds, and an image read at a fixed interval is called one frame. The image for each frame is displayed in real time (real time) on the LCD 160 provided on the back surface of the imaging apparatus 100, for example (live view display).

  Next, the focus control operation is started by the user pressing the shutter button halfway (S1 operation). In the focus control, the preprocessing unit 130 calculates the AF evaluation value while the focus lens is driven from the position at the infinity shooting distance to the position at the shortest shooting distance (or in the opposite direction), for example.

  When focus control is started, the focus lens is driven at a constant speed in conjunction with the control of the image sensor 118 for moving image shooting. Then, a contrast value (AF evaluation value) is calculated and sampled based on the image data read from the image sensor 118 while the subject image is exposed to the image sensor 118. After sampling, it is determined whether a peak of the AF evaluation value has been detected. When a plurality of peaks are detected, for example, the subject closest to the imaging device 100 is determined as the main subject. On the other hand, when the subject does not detect the peak of the AF evaluation value (for example, when the subject has a small contrast change), the focus control is terminated.

  When the peak of the AF evaluation value is detected, the position of the focus lens corresponding to the maximum AF evaluation value (peak value) is calculated as the final focus position. For example, since AF evaluation values obtained by sampling are obtained discretely, the corresponding focus lens position may be determined as the in-focus position. Alternatively, in order to calculate the in-focus position more accurately, the AF evaluation values before and after the peak may be extracted, and interpolation calculation may be performed using these AF evaluation values. The final in-focus position is calculated by interpolation calculation. Thereafter, the AF control unit 142 drives the focus lens to the calculated in-focus position. Thus, a series of operations for focus control is completed.

  Next, when the user presses the shutter button fully (S2 operation), the actual shooting is performed. First, the focal plane shutter 109 is fully closed. Then, the second photographing mode is started, and the sensor unit driving unit 146 drives the sensor unit 116 so that the still image photographing image sensor 110 provided in the sensor unit 116 is positioned on the optical axis. Then, the image sensor 110 is exposed based on the in-focus position obtained by the focus control, the exposure value obtained by the exposure control, and the like. Then, each image process is performed based on the image data output from the image sensor 110, and the processed image data is recorded in, for example, the memory card 170. This completes the actual shooting of the still image.

  Next, movie shooting will be described. The imaging apparatus 100 starts the first photographing mode at the same time as the power is turned on. Then, the sensor unit driving unit 146 drives the sensor unit 116 so that the focusing screen 107 provided in the sensor unit 116 is positioned on the optical axis. As a result, a subject image is formed on the focusing screen 107, and the moving image capturing image sensor 118 captures the subject image on the focusing screen 107.

  Next, the image pickup device 118 for moving image shooting is controlled, exposure is performed at regular intervals, and image data is read out. The image for each frame is displayed in real time (real time) on the LCD 160 provided on the back surface of the imaging apparatus 100, for example (live view display). Next, when the button is pressed by the user, the actual shooting of the moving image is performed.

  First, subsequently, the image sensor 118 is exposed in a state where the focusing screen 107 provided in the sensor unit 116 is positioned on the optical axis. Then, each image processing is performed based on the image data output from the image sensor 118, and the processed image data is recorded in the memory card 170, for example. Thereafter, when the user presses the button again, the main shooting of the moving image is completed.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the still image sensor 110 and the moving image sensor 118 provided in the drivable sensor unit 116. In the second shooting mode, a still image can be shot by moving the sensor unit 116 so that the image sensor 110 is positioned on the optical axis. In the first shooting mode, a moving image can be shot by moving the sensor unit 116 so that the focusing screen 107 moves on the optical axis and exposing the image sensor 118.

  The imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can perform live view display on the LCD 160 without including an optical viewfinder, and does not require a member for switching an optical path such as a mirror or a beam splitter. In addition, because it is equipped with an image sensor suitable for still image shooting and movie shooting, for example, data suitable for live view display, high-speed AF, and movie shooting is obtained without performing image processing with the image sensor for still image shooting. You can get it concisely.

  For example, when a small image for live view is taken out from an image pickup device for taking a still image with a large number of pixels, there is a problem that it takes time to display the data of the previous pixel. Further, if a part of the data is taken out, processing such as skipping of the pixel data is necessary, and there is a problem that the image quality is deteriorated. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, live view display can be executed by an image pickup device for moving image shooting, so that conventional problems do not occur.

  In addition, when performing contrast-type focus control, using an image sensor for still image shooting with a large number of pixels has a problem in that it takes time to detect the in-focus position because the reading speed from the image sensor is slow. . On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the focus control can be executed by the imaging device for moving image shooting, and high-speed reading can be performed, so that the conventional problems do not occur.

  In addition, when shooting a moving image using an image pickup device for still image shooting, the image pickup device for still image shooting is not compatible with the number of pixels and resolution of the moving image, so image processing for obtaining moving image data is performed. There was a need. In addition, there is a problem that the reading speed from the image sensor for still image shooting is not in time for the frame rate for moving images (for example, 60 fps), and a necessary frame rate cannot be obtained. Furthermore, when image processing for obtaining moving image data is performed based on data from an image sensor for still image shooting, there is a problem in that image quality is deteriorated. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the above-described problem does not occur because the image pickup device for moving image shooting is provided.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, although the case where the sensor unit 116 is a plate-like member has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, as long as the imaging device 110 and the focusing screen 107 can be supported, they may have other shapes or structures.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the sensor unit 116 is movable in the vertical direction of the camera body 103 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the focusing screen 107 and the image sensor 110 may be arranged on the sensor unit 216 in the left-right direction of the camera body 103. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the sensor unit 216 of the imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. At this time, the sensor unit 216 moves in the left-right direction of the camera body 103. In this example, the moving distance of the sensor unit 216 is longer than that of the sensor unit 116 of the above embodiment, but the vertical dimension (height direction) of the camera body 103 can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, the positional relationship between the image sensor 110 and the focusing screen 107 in the sensor units 116 and 216 may be upside down or left and right opposite to the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

  In addition, in accordance with the shape of the camera body 103, the image sensor on the sensor unit and the focusing screen may be arranged in a positional relationship (an oblique direction) having a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the camera body 103. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the sensor units 116 and 216 can be moved in the vertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, an imaging apparatus having means for removing dust adhering to the imaging element 110 and the focusing screen 107 can be easily configured. For example, vibrations that cause dust to swing down may be applied to the sensor units 116 and 216, or a brush member that wipes off dust on the surfaces of the sensor units 116 and 216 may be provided.

  Furthermore, although the case where the sensor units 116 and 216 of the present embodiment move only in one direction has been described, the sensor units 116 and 216 may further include means that can move in two directions. Thereby, it is possible to easily configure an imaging apparatus that can also be used for camera shake correction during imaging.

  In addition, since the sensor units 116 and 216 are not fixed to the camera body 103, the sensor units 116 and 216 can be easily detachable from the camera body 103. Therefore, even when the image sensor 110 for still image shooting has higher performance and higher pixels in the future, the image sensor 110 can be replaced. Therefore, there is a great merit for the user such as no need to replace the camera body 103.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows the sensor unit of the imaging device of the embodiment. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected by the AA line | wire of FIG. 3, and looked at the cut surface. It is a block diagram which shows the imaging device which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a front view which shows the sensor unit of the imaging device of the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image pick-up apparatus 102 Lens main body 103 Camera main body 104 Lens block 107 Focusing screen 107A Imaging surface 109 Focal plane shutter 110,118 Image pick-up element 110A Image pick-up surface 116,216 Sensor unit 116A Aperture 117 Lens 130 Pre-processing part 132 Image memory 134 Image | video Signal processing unit 140 Overall signal processing unit / control unit 142 AF control unit 144 AF driver 146 Sensor unit driving unit 152 JPEG processing unit 154 MPEG processing unit 160 LCD
170 Memory card 180 Operation unit

Claims (5)

A first imaging element that is fixedly disposed on the optical axis and converts a subject image irradiated onto the first imaging surface in the first imaging mode into an electrical signal;
A second imaging device that is disposed on the optical axis and in the subject side of the first imaging device in the second imaging mode, and converts a subject image irradiated on the second imaging surface into an electrical signal;
It is arranged on the optical axis in the first imaging mode and on the subject side from the first image sensor, and is provided at a position where the distance from the subject is the same as the distance from the subject to the second imaging surface. A focusing screen that has an imaging plane on which a subject image is formed, transmits the subject image that has been imaged, and irradiates the subject image on the first imaging surface;
A support member that supports the second imaging element and the focusing screen in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction;
In the second photographing mode, the support member is driven so that the second imaging element is disposed on the optical axis, and in the first photographing mode, the focusing screen is disposed on the optical axis. An imaging apparatus comprising: a drive unit that drives the support member.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a first imaging surface of the first imaging device is narrower than a second imaging surface of the second imaging device.   3. The support member is arranged such that the second imaging element and the focusing screen are adjacent to each other, and the second imaging surface and the imaging surface are located on the same reference plane. The imaging device described in 1.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second shooting mode is a mode for shooting a still image, and the first shooting mode is a mode for shooting a moving image. The second imaging device and the focusing screen are supported in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the support member disposed on the subject side with respect to the first imaging device is used for the second imaging in the second imaging mode. Driving the element to be disposed on the optical axis;
The second imaging element in a second imaging mode converting a subject image irradiated on the second imaging surface into an electrical signal;
Driving the support member so that the focusing screen is disposed on the optical axis in a first imaging mode;
In the first shooting mode, a focusing screen having an imaging surface located at a distance where the distance from the subject is the same as the distance from the subject to the second imaging surface is imaged on the imaging surface Irradiating the subject image onto the first imaging surface of the first imaging element by transmitting an image;
The first imaging element in the first imaging mode converting the subject image irradiated on the first imaging surface into an electrical signal;
An imaging method comprising:

Images