JP5432503B2 - Imaging apparatus having image display means - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus having image display means, such as a digital single-lens reflex camera capable of TTL phase difference AF (autofocus) and having a through image display function.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a digital camera includes an image display device that includes a liquid crystal display (LCD). The liquid crystal monitor is mainly used as a display member for reproducing and displaying image data recorded on a recording medium.

By the way, in recent years, when a photographer decides framing at the time of shooting, the digital camera sequentially and continuously outputs image data generated by the image pickup device of the digital camera (as a moving image appears to human eyes). It has a function to display. This is a so-called through image display function (also referred to as an electronic viewfinder function). In other words, the through image display function is a function that can constantly monitor the image data generated by the imaging device of the digital camera. A liquid crystal monitor that displays such a through image can be used in place of the optical viewfinder.

A through image display function is often seen in compact digital cameras. In recent years, various proposals have been made to mount a through image display function in a digital single-lens reflex camera.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a digital single-lens reflex camera capable of selectively performing optical finder display and live view display. In this digital single-lens reflex camera, the subject image is guided to the image sensor by retracting the movable mirror that guides the subject light flux to the finder optical system from the photographing optical path and fully opening the focal plane shutter. In this digital single-lens reflex camera, through images are displayed by continuously displaying the subject images acquired by the image sensor in this manner on the liquid crystal monitor. According to the through image of the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, an advantage that an image substantially equivalent to a captured image can be confirmed as a through image, and an advantage that it is not necessary to add a new part for the through image. There is.

For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a digital single-lens reflex camera capable of performing TTL phase difference AF with a high response speed even during live view display. In this camera, when a release signal that starts shooting is detected during live view display, the retracted movable mirror enters the shooting optical path and guides the subject luminous flux to the focus detection means. The TTL phase difference AF is made possible.
JP 2002-369042 A JP 2007-279138 A

However, the following points are pointed out regarding the digital single-lens reflex camera disclosed in Patent Document 1. That is, during the live view display, the movable mirror that guides the subject light flux to the optical viewfinder optical system must be retracted outside the photographing optical path, so that the subject light flux cannot be guided to the focus detection (focus detection) circuit. It is. Therefore, the digital single-lens reflex camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot perform TTL phase difference AF that is generally employed in conventional single-lens reflex cameras during live view display.

Further, as described above, the digital single-lens reflex camera disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 causes the movable mirror to enter the photographing optical path when the release signal is detected during the through image display, and the subject light flux is detected by the focus detection unit. Lead to. Thus, TTL phase difference AF is possible, but the following points are pointed out.

This point will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 15A shows a state in which a through image is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor (the liquid crystal monitor 13 in Patent Document 1) mounted on the back of a known digital single-lens reflex camera. As disclosed in Patent Document 2, since a TTL phase difference AF is impossible while a through image is displayed, the photographer performs focusing with manual focus. The positional relationship among the person 601, the tree 602, and the photographer is such that the tree 602 is closer to the photographer.

In FIG. 15A, the photographer focuses on the person 601 with manual focus. However, it is difficult to accurately determine the focus state on the liquid crystal monitor. Especially in the outdoors, it is difficult to see the image on the liquid crystal monitor due to the influence of sunlight, and it may be difficult to check the focus state. In such a case, the focus is finally adjusted by autofocus. Therefore, when release is performed from the state of FIG. 15A, the movable mirror is lowered to perform TTL phase difference AF.

FIG. 15B shows the inside of the optical viewfinder 605 of the digital camera. Here, since the movable mirror is lowered, the optical finder display can be observed. Conversely, the through image cannot be displayed. In FIG. 15B, reference numeral 604 denotes a liquid crystal display in the finder showing the setting state of the camera, which can display, for example, the set shutter time and aperture value. Reference numeral 603 denotes a focus detection point indicating an area where focus detection is possible. In the case of the digital camera, there are 25 focus detection points 603.

Since TTL phase difference AF is now possible, one of 25 focus detection points 603 is selected and focused. When a normal digital single lens reflex camera automatically selects the focus detection point 603, the closest one is selected. That is, in the case of FIG. 15B, the tree 602 is closest to the front, and as shown in FIG. 15C, the focus detection point 603a is selected and the TTL phase difference AF is performed.

In this way, as described with reference to FIG. 15A, the photographer has focused on the person 601, but the situation where the photographer does not intend to focus on the near tree 602 is in focus. Will occur. In order to avoid such a situation, a method in which the photographer himself selects the focus detection point 603 can be considered, but the problem that the operation is troublesome remains.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide the following imaging apparatus. That is, a digital single-lens reflex camera that can select a focus detection region that matches the photographer's intention when the autofocus function is executed after manual operation by the photographer, including when performing TTL phase difference AF during live view display. An imaging device such as a camera is provided.

The image pickup apparatus of the present invention comprises an image pickup means, an image display means, an autofocus means, and a control means for controlling the autofocus means. The image pickup means includes an image pickup element on which a subject light beam from the photographing lens forms an image. The image display means displays the image data acquired by the imaging means. The autofocus means performs an autofocus function by automatically adjusting the focus of the photographic lens with respect to the focus detection region of the selected photographic field. The control unit is configured to control the autofocus unit to execute the autofocus function after the manual focus operation in which the photographer manually adjusts the focus of the photographing lens while observing the subject image on the image display unit. Then, based on the information related to the manual focus operation, the focus detection area with the smallest defocus amount in the shooting field is selected, and the autofocus unit is caused to execute the autofocus function.

According to the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, when the autofocus function is executed after the manual operation, the photographer's intention is recognized based on the information related to the manual operation, and the focus detection of the shooting field is performed based on the recognition. Select an area to execute the autofocus function. Therefore, for example, an imaging apparatus such as a digital single-lens reflex camera capable of performing TTL phase difference AF, which is AF with high response speed at a focus detection point intended by a photographer, even during live view display. Can do.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a digital single lens reflex camera as an example. What is important in the imaging apparatus of the present invention is the following. When the control means for controlling the autofocus (AF) means controls the AF means after the manual operation to execute the AF function, it selects the focus detection area of the shooting field based on the information related to the manual operation. The AF means executes an AF function. As a result, based on the information related to manual operation, the main target subject at the time of autofocus is recognized, and when the operation shifts from manual operation to execution of the autofocus function, You can now shoot in focus.

The present invention is more effective in the configuration of a digital single-lens reflex camera capable of performing TTL phase difference AF, but the application range is not limited thereto. In addition, in a configuration in which the imaging plane of the subject of the AF means that performs the AF function is different from the imaging plane for imaging, it is not easy to match the measurement areas in the two unless some measures are taken. Although it demonstrates, the scope of application is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to a configuration in which an optical system that guides a subject light beam to an image sensor and an optical system of an AF unit or an optical finder optical system are completely different, or a configuration in which these optical systems are all or partly in common. . As an example of the former, an optical finder optical system is provided separately from the optical system that guides the subject light beam to the image sensor, and the optical system of the AF unit is provided in parallel with the optical system that guides the subject light beam to the image sensor. There are things provided. Examples of the latter include a configuration of an embodiment to be described later and a configuration in which a contrast detection method using an output of an image sensor is adopted as a focus detection method.

Based on the above concept, the basic embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, an image display unit, an autofocus unit using a TTL phase difference method, and a control unit that controls the autofocus unit. The image pickup means includes an image pickup element such as a CCD on which a subject light beam from the taking lens forms an image. The image display means such as a color liquid crystal monitor displays the image data acquired by the imaging means. The autofocus means performs an autofocus function by automatically adjusting the focus of the photographic lens with respect to the focus detection region of the selected photographic field. The control means selects the focus detection area of the shooting field based on the information related to the manual operation when the autofocus means performs the autofocus function after the photographer's manual operation, and the autofocus function is set in the autofocus means. Is executed.

In the basic embodiment, more specific embodiments as described below are possible. Examples of the manual operation include the following. While the photographer observes the subject image on the image display means, the focus operation for manually adjusting the focus of the taking lens, the manual display box selection operation for manually selecting the display box, or the selection of the enlarged display area This is an enlarged display operation performed manually.

The autofocus unit includes, for example, a focus detection unit that detects an amount of defocus of a subject image formed on an imaging unit or an equivalent imaging plane thereof in a plurality of focus detection regions of a shooting field. Then, an autofocus function for performing focus adjustment of the photographing lens based on a signal from the focus detection means is executed.

In addition, the imaging apparatus includes, for example, a first mirror unit and a second mirror unit. The first mirror means is capable of freely entering and retracting into the photographing optical path, which is a path of the subject luminous flux from the photographing lens, and when the first mirror means is located in the photographing optical path, Lead to optical viewfinder optical system. The second mirror means is disposed between the first mirror means and the image sensor, and can freely enter and retreat out of the photographing optical path and is located in the photographing optical path. When the light is on, the subject light flux is guided to the focus detection means.

Further, the imaging apparatus includes, for example, an AF start unit that performs the autofocus function. The control means retracts the first and second mirror means from the photographing optical path, displays the image data acquired by the imaging means on the image display means in real time as a through image, and further displays one of the through images. The part can be enlarged. The control means performs the following when an operation of the AF start means is detected during enlargement display of a part of the through image. That is, the second mirror means enters the photographing optical path, and the autofocus function is performed on the autofocus means by selecting the focus detection area closest to the area where the through image is enlarged and displayed among the plurality of focus detection areas. Make it.

Further, the imaging apparatus includes, for example, an AF start unit that performs the autofocus function. The control means can retract the first and second mirror means from the imaging optical path and display the image data acquired by the imaging means on the image display means in real time as a through image. The control means performs the following when an operation of the AF start means is detected after the manual focus operation is executed in the through image display state. That is, the second mirror means is caused to enter the photographing optical path, and the focus detection area with the smallest focus shift amount is selected from among the plurality of focus detection areas, and the autofocus means performs the autofocus function.

Further, the imaging apparatus includes, for example, an AF start unit that performs the autofocus function. The control means can retract the first and second mirror means from the imaging optical path and display the image data acquired by the imaging means on the image display means in real time as a through image. You can display a display box that overlaps. In addition, when the operation of the AF start unit is detected while displaying the through image, the control unit performs the following. That is, the second mirror means enters the photographing optical path, and the focus detection area in the display box is selected from the plurality of focus detection areas, and the autofocus means performs the autofocus function. In this case, the control means performs, for example, an exposure calculation that is appropriate for the range indicated by the display box.

Hereinafter, more specific examples will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of a digital single-lens reflex camera to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are external views showing the external appearance of the digital single-lens reflex camera of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the digital single-lens reflex camera.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the camera as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera as viewed from the back side. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital single-lens reflex camera according to the first embodiment includes a camera body 1 and a photographing lens unit 200 as an interchangeable lens. The taking lens unit 200 is detachable from a mount surface (not shown) of the camera body 1. The photographing lens unit 200 is provided with a manual focus ring 205 for focusing with manual focus. When the photographer rotates the manual focus ring 205, the photographing lens 206 (shown in FIG. 3) disposed in the photographing lens unit 200 is driven, and focusing is possible (corresponding to a manual focus function).

In the first embodiment, the photographing lens unit 200 and the camera body 1 are configured separately and are electrically connected via a mount contact 21 shown in FIG. However, it is of course possible to integrally form the photographic lens unit 200 and the camera body 1.

The camera body 1 is provided with a grip portion 1a that protrudes forward so that the user can easily hold the camera body 1 stably during shooting. The photographing lens unit 200 can be detached from the camera body 1 by pressing the lens lock release button 4.

A shutter button 7 as a start switch for starting shooting and a main operation dial 8 for setting a shutter speed and a lens aperture value according to an operation mode at the time of shooting are arranged on the left side of the camera (as viewed from the front). Yes. In addition, an LCD display panel 9 indicating each operation mode of the camera and an upper surface operation mode setting button 10 of the photographing system are also arranged. The upper surface operation mode setting button 10 is used to set whether continuous shooting or only one frame shooting is performed when a shutter button 7 described later is pressed once, self-shooting mode setting, and the like. The setting status is displayed on the LCD display panel (external liquid crystal display device) 9.

The switch SW1_7a shown in FIG. 3 is turned ON by the first stroke of the shutter button 7, and the switch SW2_7b shown in FIG. 3 is turned ON by the next second stroke. When the switch SW1_7a is turned on, the camera performs photographing preparation operations such as focus detection and focusing driving of the photographing lens 206 disposed in the photographing lens unit 200. Then, when the switch SW2_7b is turned on, photometry of the subject brightness is performed, and then a photographing operation for capturing image data of the subject image is executed based on the output of the image sensor 33 shown in FIG. The shutter button 7 and the switch SW1_7a constitute an AF start means.

In the upper center of the camera body 1, there are a strobe unit 11 that pops up with respect to the camera body 1, a shoe groove 12 for attaching a flash, and a flash contact 13. A shooting mode setting dial 14 is arranged from the upper right of the camera.

An openable / closable external terminal lid 15 is provided on the right side of the camera, and a video signal output jack 16 and a USB output connector 17 are housed inside the lid 15 as an external interface.

As shown in FIG. 2, an optical viewfinder eyepiece window 18 is provided on the back of the camera above the center of the optical axis, and a color liquid crystal monitor 19 (corresponding to image display means) capable of displaying an image is further provided in the center of the back of the camera. Is provided. The sub operation dial 20 arranged beside the color liquid crystal monitor 19 plays an auxiliary role of the function of the main operation dial 8. For example, in the AE mode of the camera, it is used to set an exposure correction amount for the appropriate exposure value calculated by the automatic exposure device. Further, in the manual mode in which each of the shutter speed and the lens aperture value is set according to the user's will, the shutter speed is set with the main operation dial 8 and the lens aperture value is set with the sub operation dial 20. The sub operation dial 20 is also used as display selection means for a captured image displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19.

Reference numeral 43 denotes a main switch for prohibiting all operations of the digital single lens reflex camera. A through image switching button for switching to the through image display for displaying the subject image on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 based on the output of the image sensor 33 is also provided. When the through image switching button is turned on (pressed), the display is switched to the through image display, and the through image is displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 for observing the subject image. When it is turned on again, the through image display is canceled.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration built in the digital single-lens reflex camera having the above-described configuration, and the same components as those in FIGS.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 100 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as MPU) of a microcomputer built in the camera body 1. Connected to the MPU 100 (corresponding to the control means) are a mirror drive circuit 101, a focus detection circuit 102, a shutter drive circuit 103, a video signal processing circuit 104, a switch sense circuit 105, a photometry circuit 106, and a liquid crystal display drive circuit 107. ing. The MPU 100 sequentially controls each element and the circuit in a predetermined order.

Further, the MPU 100 communicates with the lens control circuit 201 arranged in the photographing lens unit 200 via the mount contact 21. The mount contact 21 has a function of transmitting control signals, status signals, data signals, and the like between the camera body 1 and the photographing lens unit 200 and supplying currents of various voltages. The mount contact 21 may be configured to enable not only electrical communication but also optical communication and voice communication. As a result, communication is performed between the camera body 1 and the photographing lens unit 200, and the photographing lens 206 and the diaphragm 204 in the photographing lens unit 200 can be driven.

In the first embodiment, one photographic lens 206 is shown for convenience, but it is well known that the photographic lens is actually composed of a larger number of lenses.

Reference numeral 202 denotes an AF (autofocus) drive circuit, which is composed of, for example, a stepping motor. The AF drive circuit 202 focuses on the solid-state image sensor 33 by changing the focus lens position in the photographic lens 206 under the control of the lens control circuit 201 in response to an instruction from the MPU 100 (autofocus function).

Reference numeral 203 denotes an aperture drive circuit, which is constituted by, for example, an auto iris, and changes the optical aperture value by changing the aperture 204 under the control of the lens control circuit 201 in response to an instruction from the MPU 100.

As described above, the focus lens position in the photographing lens 206 can be changed even if the manual focus ring 205 is rotated. Thus, the photographer can focus manually (manual focus function) while looking through the viewfinder eyepiece window 18 or viewing a through image on the color liquid crystal monitor 19.

A main mirror 6 guides the subject image formed by the photographing lens 200 to the pentaprism 22 and transmits part of the subject image to the focus detection sensor unit 31 through a sub-mirror 30 described later. The main mirror 6 is configured to be movable between a position at which a subject image can be observed with an optical viewfinder and a retreat position where the main mirror 6 is retracted from the optical path of the subject light beam at the time of photographing by a mirror driving circuit 101 described later. The main mirror 6 constitutes the first mirror means together with the mirror drive circuit 101.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a sub-mirror for reflecting subject light transmitted through a part of the main mirror 6 and guiding the subject image to the focus detection sensor unit 31. The sub mirror 30 is linked to the main mirror 6 or the mirror driving circuit 101 of the main mirror 6. When the main mirror 6 is at a position where the subject image can be observed with the optical viewfinder, the main mirror 6 is at a position for guiding the subject light to the focus detection sensor unit 31. At the time of shooting, the main mirror 6 is at a retracted position for retracting from the optical path of the subject luminous flux. Thus, it is configured to be movable between both positions. The sub mirror 30 and the mirror drive circuit 101 constitute second mirror means.

31 is a well-known TTL phase difference AF type focus detection sensor unit including a field lens, a reflection mirror, a secondary imaging lens, a diaphragm, a line sensor composed of a plurality of CCDs, and the like disposed in the vicinity of the imaging surface. It is. Reference numeral 101 denotes a mirror drive circuit, which includes a DC motor and a gear train, for example, and drives the main mirror 6 and the sub mirror 30 under the control of the MPU 100.

Here, the focus detection sensor unit 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. As shown in FIG. 13, this includes a field lens 31a, reflection mirrors 31b and 31c, a secondary imaging lens 31e, a diaphragm 31d, and a line sensor 31f composed of a plurality of CCDs arranged in the vicinity of the imaging surface of the photographing lens. Consists of The focus detection apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 3 detects a focus adjustment state in a plurality of focus detection areas in the object scene, corresponding to each focus detection area in the optical finder field to be described later.

As shown in FIG. 13, part of the light incident from the photographing lens passes through the main mirror 6 and is reflected downward by the sub mirror 30. The light reflected by the sub mirror 30 passes through the primary focus surface p, and further passes through the field lens 31a, the reflection mirror 31b, and the stop 31d, and reaches a secondary imaging lens 31e called an eyeglass lens, where two images A , B (see FIG. 14) are formed separately.

The two separately formed images A and B are reflected by the reflection mirror 31c and projected onto the line sensor unit 31f. The line sensor unit 31f is configured by arranging photoelectric conversion elements (line sensors SPC) having a predetermined number of pixels at a predetermined pitch, and the two images A and B projected on the line sensor unit 31f are photoelectrically converted. Thereby, the output shown in FIG. 14 is obtained.

This output varies depending on the relative positional relationship between the light amount distributions of the two images A and B, that is, the amount of deviation of the light amount distribution, and the amount of deviation of the light amount distribution varies depending on the focus adjustment state of the photographing lens 206. For example, the amount of lateral deviation appears in the arrangement direction of the elements on the line sensor in accordance with the amount of defocus from the planned imaging plane (primary focus plane) p of the photographic lens.

14A shows the state of the subject image on the line sensor in the focused state, FIG. 14B shows the state of the front pin, and FIG. 14C shows the state of the subject image on the line sensor in the rear pin state. Is determined to be in focus when the value reaches a predetermined value.

Returning to the description of FIG. 3, reference numeral 22 denotes a pentaprism, which is an optical member that converts and reflects the subject image guided by the main mirror 6 into an erect image. The subject luminous flux that has passed through the photographing lens 200 passes through the diaphragm 204, is reflected by the main mirror 6, is guided to the pentaprism 22, and the subject image can be observed through the viewfinder eyepiece window 18. Furthermore, the light is also guided to the photometric sensor 37.

As described above, the light beam that has passed through the main mirror 6 is reflected by the sub-mirror 30 and re-imaged on the detection surface of the focus detection sensor unit 31 placed at an image formation position substantially equivalent to the surface of the solid-state imaging device 33. The The optical image is converted into an electrical image signal and supplied to the focus detection circuit 102. The focus detection circuit 102 performs accumulation control and readout control of the signal from the focus detection sensor unit 31 according to the signal of the MPU 100, and outputs pixel information to the MPU 100. The MPU 100 performs focus detection calculation based on the TTL phase difference AF detection method based on the image signal of the subject image from the focus detection circuit 102. Then, the difference (focus shift amount) between the image forming surface formed by the photographing lens 200 and a planned image forming surface such as a film surface, that is, the defocus amount and the defocus direction are obtained.

Further, based on the calculated defocus amount and defocus direction, the MPU 100 changes the focus lens position in the photographing lens 200 via the lens control circuit 201 and the AF drive circuit 202 and drives the focus position. The larger the defocus amount, the larger the focus (focal point) shift amount, and conversely, the smaller the defocus amount, the smaller the focus shift amount (in a more focused state).

Reference numeral 32 denotes a mechanical shutter device that blocks a subject light beam when observing an optical viewfinder. The mechanical shutter device 32 is a focal plane shutter having a front curtain and a rear curtain (not shown). The front curtain retracts from the optical path of the subject luminous flux and starts exposure according to the release signal at the time of imaging. The rear curtain is retracted from the optical path of the subject luminous flux during viewfinder observation, while the subject luminous flux is shielded at a predetermined timing after the start of traveling of the front curtain during imaging. The mechanical shutter device 32 is controlled by a shutter drive circuit 103 that has received a command from the MPU 100. Here, the case of having both the front curtain and the rear curtain is described, but with only one shielding member, when exposure is started, the subject is retracted from the optical path of the luminous flux and after the photographing is finished. The configuration may be such that it returns to the position where the optical path of the subject luminous flux is again blocked.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a solid-state imaging device (imaging means) that captures a subject image formed by the photographing lens 206 in the photographing lens unit 200 and converts it into an electrical signal. Here, the solid-state imaging device 33 is a CCD which is a two-dimensional imaging device. There are various types of imaging devices such as a CCD type, a MOS type, and a CID type, and any type of imaging device may be adopted. In this embodiment, photoelectric conversion elements (photosensors) are two-dimensionally arranged, and signal charges accumulated by each sensor are output via a vertical transfer path and a horizontal transfer path. Is adopted.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a clamp / CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, which performs basic analog processing before A / D conversion and can also change the clamp level. Reference numeral 35 denotes an AGC (automatic gain adjusting device) which performs basic analog processing before A / D conversion and can change the AGC basic level. Reference numeral 36 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog output signal of the CCD 33 into a digital signal.

Reference numeral 104 denotes a video signal processing circuit, which is responsible for overall image processing by hardware such as gamma / knee processing, filter processing, and information composition processing for monitor display on the digitized image data of the solid-state imaging device 33. The image data for monitor display from the video signal processing circuit 104 is displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 via the color liquid crystal drive circuit 109. Switching of these functions is performed by exchanging data with the MPU 100, and the white balance information of the output signal of the solid-state imaging device 33 can be output to the MPU 100 as necessary. Based on this information, the MPU 100 can perform white balance adjustment, Adjust the gain.

Further, it is also possible to store image data in the buffer memory 37 (internal memory) through the memory controller 38 without doing anything in response to an instruction from the MPU 100. The video signal processing circuit 104 also has a function of performing compression processing such as JPEG. In the case of continuous shooting, image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 37, and unprocessed image data is read through the memory controller 38 when processing time is required. The video signal processing circuit 104 performs image processing and compression processing, and then sequentially stores them in the memory 39 to increase the continuous shooting speed.

The memory controller 38 stores unprocessed digital image data input from the video signal processing circuit 104 in the buffer memory 37. Then, the processed digital image data is stored in the memory 39, or conversely, the image data is output from the buffer memory 37 or the memory 39 to the video signal processing circuit 104. The memory controller 38 can execute storage of the video sent from the external interface 40 (corresponding to the video signal output jack 16 and the USB output connector 17 in FIG. 1) in the memory 39. It is also possible to output an image stored in the memory 39 from the external interface 40. The memory 39 can be removed from the camera body 1.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a switch sense circuit, which controls each unit according to the operation state of each switch. 7a is a switch SW1 that is turned on by the first stroke of the release button 7. 7b is a switch SW2 which is turned on by the second stroke of the release button 7. When the switch SW2_7b is turned on, the release operation is started. Further, the main operation dial 8, the sub operation dial 20, the shooting mode setting dial 14, the main switch 43, and the through image switching button are connected, and the state of each SW is transmitted to the MPU 100.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a photometric circuit, which outputs an output from the photometric sensor 37 to the MPU 100 as a luminance signal of each area in the screen. The MPU 100 A / D converts the luminance signal and calculates the exposure for shooting.

Reference numeral 107 denotes a liquid crystal display driving circuit, which drives the external liquid crystal display device 9 and the in-finder liquid crystal display device 41 in accordance with the display content command of the MPU 100. The liquid crystal display driving circuit 107 can put a specific segment in a blinking display state according to an instruction from the MPU 100. A power supply unit 42 supplies power necessary for each IC (integrated circuit) and drive system.

The digital single-lens reflex camera of the first embodiment can drive the main mirror 6 / sub mirror 30 and the shutter charge of the mechanical shutter device 32 independently of each other as in the case of a normal digital single-lens reflex camera. Structure.

Next, the operation in the through image mode in the digital single-lens reflex camera of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

In step S100 of FIG. 4, the switch sense circuit 105 detects whether or not the through image switching button is turned on (turned on when the button is pressed). When it is detected that the switch is turned on, the switch sense circuit 105 immediately outputs to the MPU 100. Then, the MPU 100 starts shifting to the through image mode.

In step S101, the MPU 100 retracts the main mirror 6 / sub mirror 30 from the imaging optical path via the mirror driving circuit 101 (mirror up is performed). In step S102, the MPU 100 causes the front curtain of the mechanical shutter device 32 to travel through the shutter driving circuit 103.

Next, in step S103, the MPU 100 detects, via the switch sense circuit 105, whether the photographer has turned on the through image switching button again. When it is detected that the switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S104, and the rear curtain of the mechanical shutter device 32 is caused to travel via the shutter drive circuit 103. Thereafter, in step S105, the MPU 100 causes the main mirror 6 / sub mirror 30 to enter the position in the imaging optical path via the mirror driving circuit 101. At the same time, shutter charging is performed by the shutter driving circuit 103 so as to be in a standby state in preparation for the next photographing (shutter driving). Then, the process returns to step S100 to detect the through image switching button.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S103 that the through image switching button is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S106, and the MPU 100 causes the solid-state imaging device 33 to perform an imaging operation via the video signal processing circuit 104. In step S107, the electric signal (image signal) obtained from the solid-state imaging device 33 is captured as image data into the video signal processing circuit 104 via the clamp / CDS circuit 34, AGC 35, and A / D converter 36. In step S107, the MPU 100 performs various image processing on the image data via the video signal processing circuit 104, and then displays the image data on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 by the color liquid crystal driving circuit 109.

Here, the display form in the through image mode will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
When the digital single-lens reflex camera of the first embodiment shifts to the through image mode, as shown in FIG. 6A, an enlargement box 300 showing an enlargement area together with a through image display in the display screen of the color liquid crystal monitor 19 is displayed. Is displayed. In FIG. 6A, the image of the subject is omitted.

The enlarged box 300 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is a display that can be moved to a photographer's desired area on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 as shown in FIG. 6A (the broken line portion has moved). Shows the position of the case). Therefore, the photographer selects the enlargement box 300 so as to overlap the desired region including the image of the portion to be enlarged and displayed. The enlargement box 300 is moved by an operation of the main operation dial SW8 and the sub operation dial SW20 by the photographer. Operating the main operation dial SW8 moves in the direction of arrow 304, and operating the sub operation dial SW20 moves in the direction of arrow 305. That is, the enlargement box 300 is moved to a position desired by the photographer in the display screen of the color liquid crystal monitor 19 by the operation of the main operation dial SW8 / sub operation dial SW20 by the photographer. Thereafter, when the manual focus ring 205 is operated by the photographer, an enlarged display of the region where the enlargement box 300 is superimposed is performed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 (see FIG. 6C).

By performing enlarged display in this way, manual focusing is easy for the main subject that is mainly the target.

Returning to step S108 in FIG. 4, the MPU 100 detects whether or not the operation of the main operation dial SW8 / sub-operation dial SW20 has been performed via the switch sense circuit 105. If it is detected that it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S109, the enlarged display box 300 is moved as described with reference to FIG. 6, and the process proceeds to step S110. Also, when no operation is detected in step S108, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S <b> 110, the MPU 100 determines whether the manual focus ring 205 has been operated via the lens control circuit 201. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S111. If it is determined that the operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S108, and the above-described operation is repeated. In step S111, the MPU 100 enlarges the image in the enlargement box 300 via the video signal processing circuit 104 and displays the enlarged image on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 as described with reference to FIG.

Next, in step S112, the MPU 100 detects whether or not the manual focus ring 205 has been operated via the lens control circuit 201. When it is detected that the camera has been operated, the process proceeds to step S113, and the lens control circuit 201 drives the photographic lens 206 in the photographic lens unit 200 according to the amount by which the manual focus ring 205 is operated.

In step S114, the MPU 100 determines whether the switch SW1_7a is turned on via the switch sense circuit 105. Then, when it is determined that it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S115, and when it is determined that it is not turned on, the process returns to step S112 and the above-described operation is repeated.

In step S <b> 115, the MPU 100 causes the rear curtain of the mechanical shutter device 32 to travel via the shutter driving circuit 103. Thereafter, in step S116, the MPU 100 causes the main mirror 6 / sub mirror 30 to enter the position in the imaging optical path via the mirror driving circuit 101. At the same time, shutter charging is performed by the shutter driving circuit 103 so as to be in a standby state in preparation for the next photographing (shutter driving). Then, the process proceeds to step S117.

Next, in step S117, one point is selected from a plurality of focus detection areas (also referred to as focus detection points) which are a plurality of focus detection areas, and then TTL phase difference AF is performed. Here, the method of selecting the focus detection point in step S117 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a state of display in the finder viewed through the finder eyepiece window 18 (since the main mirror 6 has entered the imaging optical path in step S116 of FIG. 4, observation with the finder eyepiece 18 is possible). . The same number is attached to the same thing as the through image display state described in FIG. The positional relationship between the person 301 and the tree 302 is such that the tree 302 is closer to the photographer.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 41 denotes an in-finder liquid crystal display. Reference numeral 303 denotes a focus detection point indicating a focus detectable region. As shown in FIG. 7A, the digital single-lens reflex camera of the first embodiment includes 25 focus detection points 303, of which One point is selected and TTL phase difference AF is performed. Reference numeral 300 denotes the enlarged display box described with reference to FIG. 6, which is an optical finder, and cannot be actually observed, but is displayed in FIG. 6 for the purpose of explaining the present embodiment. The position corresponding to the enlarged display box 300 is shown.

In step S117, as shown in FIG. 7B, the focus detection point 303a in the enlarged display area (that is, the area selected in the enlarged display box 300) is selected. This is because, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the photographer performs the enlarged display by putting the enlarged display box 300 on the person 301. That is, the person 301 is regarded as a main subject, and there is an intention to focus on the person 301. By selecting the focus detection point 303a existing in the enlarged display area as shown in FIG. 7B in accordance with this intention, it is possible to focus on the person 301 intended by the photographer. In this way, it is possible to avoid a situation where the tree 302 existing near the photographer is in focus like the conventional digital single lens reflex camera described above. The MPU 100 executes the selection of the focus detection point 303 based on the position of the enlarged display box 300.

Returning to step S117 of FIG. 4, the focus detection point is selected as already described, and the process proceeds to step S118. In step S <b> 118, the MPU 100 starts the operation of the focus detection sensor unit 31 via the focus detection circuit 102. Sensor data output from the focus detection sensor unit 31 is input to the MPU 100 via the focus detection circuit 102. Based on the sensor data, the MPU 100 calculates a defocus amount of the photographing lens 206 at the selected focus detection point 303a, a lens driving amount and a driving direction of the photographing lens 206 for focus adjustment.

Next, in step S119, the photographing lens 206 is driven based on the calculation result in step 118. In step S120, the calculation result in step S118 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the position of the photographic lens 206 is within the in-focus range. If it is determined that it is within the range, the driving of the taking lens 206 is stopped and the process proceeds to step S121.

In step S121, the MPU 100 determines whether or not the switch SW2_7b is turned on via the switch sense circuit 105. When the switch SW2_7b is turned on, the MPU 100 proceeds to step S122 and calls the “shooting processing subroutine”.

The “shooting processing subroutine” will be described with reference to FIG.
When the “imaging processing subroutine” is called in step S122 of FIG. 4, the photometric process is performed by the photometric sensor 37 in step S200, and the photometric process result is input to the photometric circuit 106 and then output to the MPU 100. The MPU 100 calculates the exposure amount and the exposure time based on the photometric processing result, and proceeds to step S201.

In step S <b> 201, the mirror drive circuit 101 retracts the main mirror 6 and the sub mirror 30 from the imaging optical path (moves to the mirror up position) according to an instruction from the MPU 100. Further, the MPU 100 transmits the aperture value calculated based on the value calculated in step S200 to the lens control circuit 201. Then, the lens control circuit 201 drives the diaphragm 204 through the diaphragm driving circuit 203 to the transmitted diaphragm value, and proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, the MPU 100 starts charge accumulation in the solid-state imaging device 33, and proceeds to step S203. In step S203, the MPU 100 drives a front curtain (not shown) in the mechanical shutter device 32 via the shutter drive circuit 103 (the shutter is opened), and starts exposure of the solid-state imaging device 33 in step S204.

Next, in step S205, the MPU 100 instructs the shutter drive circuit 103 to drive the rear curtain in the mechanical shutter device 32 when the exposure time for the solid-state imaging device 33 calculated in step S200 is completed. Close the shutter. Thus, the exposure to the solid-state image sensor 33 is finished.

Next, in step S206, the aperture driving circuit 203 drives the aperture 204 to the full aperture value, and causes the main mirror 6 and the sub mirror 30 to enter the position in the photographing optical path by the mirror driving circuit 101 (mirror down). 207. In step S207, the shutter drive circuit 103 returns the front and rear curtains (not shown) to their original positions in accordance with the command from the MPU 100, and the process proceeds to step S208.

In step S208, the MPU 100 ends the charge accumulation of the solid-state image sensor 33, reads the charge signal from the solid-state image sensor 33, performs a series of analog processing, and then performs A / D conversion by the A / D converter 36. , And input to the video signal processing circuit 104.

In step S209, the video signal processing circuit 104 performs predetermined image processing, and then performs compression processing. In step S210, the memory controller 38 once records the compressed data in the buffer memory 37, and then sequentially records it in the memory 39 in step S210. Then, the “shooting processing subroutine” is completed. Here, it returns to FIG. 4 and transfers to step S123.

In step S123 of FIG. 4, the display is performed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 via the color liquid crystal drive circuit 109, and the series of operations is completed.

In the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment, when the autofocus function is executed after a manual operation called manual enlargement display operation using an enlargement display box by the photographer, the main subject intended by the photographer exists in the enlarged display area. A reasonable analogy is made. And a control means selects the focus detection area | region of an imaging | photography field based on recognition which is this rational analogy, and performs an auto-focus function. Therefore, AF can be performed at the focus detection point intended by the photographer.

(Second embodiment)
A digital single lens reflex camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the digital single-lens reflex camera of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3), the description thereof will be omitted and the following description will be made with reference to FIGS. The operation in the through image mode of the digital single lens reflex camera of the second embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 8, the operations in steps S300 to S307 are the same as the operations in steps S100 to S107 described in FIG.

In step S308, the MPU 100 determines whether or not the manual focus ring 205 has been operated via the lens control circuit 201 in the photographing lens unit 200. If it is determined that it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S309, and the lens control circuit 201 drives the photographic lens 206 in the photographic lens unit 200 according to the amount by which the manual focus ring 205 is operated.

Next, in step S310, the MPU 100 determines whether or not the switch SW1_7a is turned on via the switch sense circuit 105. Then, when it is determined that it is turned on, the process proceeds to step S311. When it is determined that it is not turned on, the process returns to step S308 to repeat the above-described operation.

Steps S311 and S312 are the same operations as steps S115 and S116 already described, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

Next, focus detection point selection in step S313 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9A shows a state in which a through image is displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19. While viewing this through image, the photographer focuses on the main subject with manual focus (operation of step S308 in FIG. 8). In this case, it is assumed that the person 401 is focused. However, since it is bright especially outdoors, it is difficult to focus while looking at the liquid crystal display. When you want to focus accurately, you may have to rely on autofocus. Therefore, the switch SW_7a is pressed in step S310 in FIG. 8 to perform TTL phase difference AF. Here again, it is assumed that the positional relationship between the person 401 and the tree 402 is closer to the photographer.

FIG. 9B shows a state of display in the viewfinder when looking through the viewfinder eyepiece window 18 (the main mirror 6 has entered the imaging optical path in step S312 of FIG. Can be observed). In FIG. 9B, reference numeral 41 denotes an in-viewfinder liquid crystal display. Reference numeral 403 denotes a focus detection point indicating a region where focus detection is possible. The digital single-lens reflex camera according to the second embodiment includes 25 focus detection points 403, and one of them is selected to set the TTL phase difference AF. Do.

However, in this state, the person 401 who is already the main subject is focused to some extent by the photographer with manual focus (operation in step S308 in FIG. 8). Therefore, when the focus detection sensor unit 31 is driven and the MPU 100 calculates the defocus amount (focus shift amount) of each focus detection point from the output result of the focus detection circuit 102, the focus detection point 403a at the position of the person 401 is the most. A focus detection point with a small defocus amount. Therefore, the MPU 100 selects this focus detection point (see FIG. 9C).

In this way, the MPU 100 selects the focus detection point 403a at the position focused by manual focus, so that the TTL phase difference AF at the position intended by the photographer is possible. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which focusing is performed on the tree 402 close to the photographer as in the past.

Returning to step S313 in FIG. 8, when the selection of the focus detection point is completed as described above, the process proceeds to step S314. Since the operation from step S314 to step S319 is the same as the operation from step S118 to step 123 in FIG. 4, a detailed description thereof is omitted here. Again, in step S316, the calculation result in step S314 is referred to determine whether or not the position of the photographing lens 206 is within the in-focus range. The driving of the lens 206 is stopped and the process proceeds to step S317.

In the image pickup apparatus of the present embodiment, when the autofocus function is executed after the manual operation of the manual focus while viewing the through image by the photographer, it is reasonable that the main subject intended by the photographer is in focus. Make a similar analogy. And a control means selects the focus detection area | region of an imaging | photography field based on recognition which is this rational analogy, and performs an auto-focus function. Therefore, AF can be performed at the focus detection point intended by the photographer.

(Third embodiment)
A digital single lens reflex camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the digital single-lens reflex camera of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3), the description thereof will be omitted and the following description will be made with reference to FIGS. Next, the operation in the through image mode of the digital single-lens reflex camera of the third embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 10, the operations from step S400 to step S407 are the same as the operations from step S100 to step S107 described in FIG.

The display mode in the dial operation and through image mode in step S408 in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG. When the digital single-lens reflex camera of this embodiment shifts to the through image mode, as shown in FIG. 11A, a photometry area box 500 (display) showing the photometry area together with the through image display in the display screen of the color liquid crystal monitor 19. Is displayed). In FIG. 11A, the image of the subject is omitted.

A photometric area box 500 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B is a display that can be moved to a photographer's desired area on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 as shown in FIG. 11A. Accordingly, the photographer selects the photometric area box 500 by superimposing it on a desired area including an image of a portion that is desired to be exposed as a main subject. The photometric area box 500 is moved by the photographer operating the main operation dial SW8 and the sub operation dial SW20. When the main operation dial SW8 is operated, it moves in the direction of the arrow 504, and when the sub operation dial SW20 is operated, it moves in the direction of the arrow 505. That is, the photometry area box 500 is moved to a position desired by the photographer in the display screen of the color liquid crystal monitor 19 by the operation of the main operation dial SW8 / sub operation dial SW20 by the photographer.

In step S409, when the photometry area box 500 is aligned with the face portion of the person 501 as shown in FIG. 11B, photometry calculation is performed so that the exposure of the face portion of the person 501 is appropriate.

Returning to FIG. 10, the operations in Steps S410 to S414 are the same as those in Steps S112 to S116, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the focus detection point selection method in step S415 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 shows the state of the viewfinder display when looking through the viewfinder eyepiece window 18. The same number is attached to the same thing as the through image display state described in FIG. Again, the positional relationship between the person 501 and the tree 502 is that the tree 502 is closer to the photographer.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 41 denotes a liquid crystal display in the viewfinder. Reference numeral 503 denotes a focus detection point indicating a region where focus detection is possible. The digital single-lens reflex camera according to the third embodiment includes 25 focus detection points 503, and one of them is selected and the TTL phase difference AF is selected. Do. Reference numeral 500 denotes a photometric area box described with reference to FIG. 11, which is not actually visible in the optical viewfinder, but is displayed for the purpose of explaining the present embodiment, and is displayed in FIG. A position corresponding to the photometric area box 500 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 11, the photographer focuses on the main subject with manual focus while viewing the through image displayed on the color liquid crystal monitor 19 (operation in step S410 in FIG. 10). In this case, it is assumed that the person 501 is focused. However, focusing outdoors while watching the liquid crystal display is difficult due to the influence of sunlight, etc., and there is no choice but to rely on auto-focusing when you want to achieve accurate focusing. Therefore, the switch SW_7a is turned on in step S412 in FIG. 10 to perform TTL phase difference AF.

When the switch SW_7a is turned on, the main mirror 6 and the sub mirror 30 enter the photographing optical path (operation of S414 in FIG. 10). As the main mirror 6 enters, the inside of the finder 18 can be observed, and the display of FIG. 12 can be seen.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the digital single-lens reflex camera of the third embodiment has 25 focus detectable regions (focus detection points), and one of these is selected to perform TTL phase difference AF. As described in step S409 in FIG. 10, the photographer aligns the photometry area box 500 with the main subject (person 501) in order to obtain appropriate exposure for the main subject (in this case, the person 501). . In other words, it is desirable to focus on the person 501 as the main subject.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the focus detection point at the position corresponding to the photometry area box 500 is selected. That is, in the case of FIG. 12A, the focus detection point 503a is selected and the state shown in FIG. 12B is obtained.

If the focus detection point 503a does not exist in the photometry area box 500 and only the focus detection point 503b and the focus detection point 503c shown in FIG. 12A are selected, the focus detection point 503c is selected in this case. That is, the focus detection point 503c occupying the largest area in the photometric area box 500 is selected.

In this way, the MPU 100 selects the focus detection point at the position that the photographer has set as the main subject, so that the TTL phase difference AF at the position intended by the photographer is possible. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a situation in which focusing is performed on the tree 502 close to the photographer as in the past.

Returning to step S415 of FIG. 10, when the selection of the focus detection point is completed as described above, the process proceeds to step S416. The operations in steps S416 to S421 are the same as those in steps S118 to S123 in FIG.

In the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the autofocus function is executed after the manual operation in which the photographer manually selects a display box (such as a photometry area box), the main subject intended by the photographer is located near the display box. Make a reasonable analogy. And a control means selects the focus detection area | region of an imaging | photography field based on recognition which is this rational analogy, and performs an auto-focus function. Therefore, AF can be performed at the focus detection point intended by the photographer.

1 is an external front perspective view of a digital single-lens reflex camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external rear perspective view of a digital single-lens reflex camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a digital single-lens reflex camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation control of the through image mode in the digital single-lens reflex camera of 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation control of the imaging | photography process in the digital single-lens reflex camera of 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display state on the color liquid crystal monitor at the time of the through image mode in the digital single-lens reflex camera of 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display in a finder at the time of the focus detection point selection in the digital single-lens reflex camera of 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation control of the through image mode in the digital single-lens reflex camera of 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display state in the color liquid crystal monitor at the time of through image mode in the digital single-lens reflex camera of 2nd Example of this invention, and the display in a finder at the time of a focus detection point selection. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation control of the through image mode in the digital single-lens reflex camera of 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display state on the color liquid crystal monitor at the time of through image mode in the digital single-lens reflex camera of 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display in a finder at the time of the focus detection point selection in the digital single-lens reflex camera of 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the focus detection sensor unit of a TTL phase difference system in an imaging device. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the focus detection sensor unit of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display in a finder at the time of the focus detection point selection in the conventional digital single-lens reflex camera.

Explanation of symbols

1: Camera body 6: Main mirror (first mirror means)
7: Release button 7a: AF start means 19: Color liquid crystal monitor (image display means)
22: Penta prism (finder optical system)
30: Sub mirror (second mirror means)
31: Focus detection sensor unit (focus detection means, autofocus means)
33: Solid-state imaging device (imaging device, imaging means)
100: Microcomputer (control means)
101: Mirror drive circuit 102: Focus detection circuit (autofocus means)
103: shutter drive circuit 200: photographing lens unit 201: lens control circuit 202: AF drive circuit (autofocus means)
203: Aperture driving circuit 206: Shooting lens 207: Manual focus ring 300: Enlargement box 303, 403, 503: Focus detection area 500: Photometry area box (display box)

Claims (4)

An imaging means including an imaging element on which a subject luminous flux from the photographing lens forms an image;
Image display means for displaying the image data acquired by the imaging means;
Auto focus means for automatically performing focus adjustment of the taking lens with respect to a focus detection region of the selected shooting object field to execute an auto focus function;
Control means for controlling the autofocus means;
An imaging device comprising:
The control means executes the autofocus function by controlling the autofocus means after manual focus operation in which a photographer manually adjusts the focus of the photographing lens while observing a subject image on the image display means. A focus detection area having the smallest defocus amount in the shooting field is selected based on information relating to the manual focus operation, and the autofocus unit is configured to execute the autofocus function. Imaging device. The autofocus unit includes a focus detection unit that detects a focus shift amount of a subject image formed on the imaging unit or an equivalent imaging plane thereof in a plurality of focus detection regions of a shooting field, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an autofocus function for performing focus adjustment based on a signal from the focus detection unit is executed. The light beam from the photographing lens can enter the photographing optical path, which is the path of the subject luminous flux, and can be retracted outside the photographing optical path. One mirror means;
It is disposed between the first mirror means and the image sensor, and can freely enter and retreat out of the photographic optical path. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: a second mirror unit that leads to the focus detection unit. An AF start means for performing the autofocus function;
The control means retracts the first mirror means and the second mirror means from the imaging optical path and displays the image data acquired by the imaging means on the image display means in real time as a through image. Is possible,
When the operation of the AF start unit is detected after the manual focus operation is executed in the through image display state, the control unit causes the second mirror unit to enter the imaging optical path, and The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a focus detection area having the smallest defocus amount is selected from among the focus detection areas and the autofocus unit performs the autofocus function.

Images