JP6262958B2 - Imaging apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an imaging apparatus having an automatic exposure control function (program AE function) that determines an exposure condition using a program diagram that defines a combination of a shutter speed and an aperture value according to subject brightness. In such an automatic exposure control function, when the subject brightness value is lower (higher) than the minimum (maximum) subject brightness value supported by the program diagram, the shutter for the corresponding minimum (maximum) subject brightness value is used. A combination of speed and aperture value is determined as a shooting condition.

  Therefore, for example, if the subject brightness values before and after exposure correction are both lower than the minimum subject brightness value supported by the program diagram, the exposure condition corresponding to the minimum subject brightness value with or without exposure compensation Is determined, and the effect of exposure compensation cannot be obtained.

  In Patent Document 1, if the subject brightness value is lower than the minimum subject brightness value corresponding to the program diagram in which the lower limit value of the shutter speed is set to prevent camera shake, the insufficient amount of exposure is emitted from the flash. It has been proposed to compensate for this by increasing the shooting sensitivity.

JP 2006-72047 A

  The method described in Patent Document 1 has an advantage that the exposure can be controlled in finer units than when the aperture is opened in units of one stage (1 EV). However, the method of adjusting the light emission amount of the flash cannot be used when the flash light emission is prohibited, and is not effective for a subject at a distance where the flash light does not reach. Further, cited document 1 is intended to realize an appropriate exposure with respect to a subject luminance value reflecting exposure correction without making the shutter speed lower than a lower limit value for preventing camera shake. For this reason, for example, when the subject brightness is very low and the amount of exposure that is insufficient to achieve a proper exposure is large, it is not practical to deal with only an increase in sensitivity.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of obtaining an effect of exposure correction by a simple method even when the subject brightness value is out of the subject brightness range supported by the automatic exposure control function, and a control method therefor.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus having an automatic exposure control function, and the subject brightness is outside the range of subject brightness supported by the automatic exposure control function, or the subject brightness If there is a possibility that the range is out of the range, the automatic exposure control function changes the subject brightness range corresponding to the exposure correction amount, and the shooting condition is determined using the automatic exposure control function. determining means, have a control unit, when exposure compensation plus direction have been made to expand the range of the low luminance side of the subject luminance for automatic exposure control features correspond, exposure compensation minus direction is made If it is, the range on the lower luminance side of the subject luminance is reduced .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of obtaining an effect of exposure correction by a simple method and a control method thereof even when the subject brightness value is out of the subject brightness range supported by the automatic exposure control function.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement in the still image recording mode of the digital camera shown in FIG. It is an example of the program diagram of the starry night view mode which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the program diagram of the starry sky locus mode which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the effect of embodiment of this invention

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to an apparatus mainly intended for imaging such as a camera, and can be applied to any device having a camera function. Examples of such devices include mobile phones, tablet terminals, personal computers, game consoles, drive recorders, car navigation systems, and the like.

  The imaging unit 10 includes an imaging lens, an aperture, a shutter, an imaging device, an A / D conversion circuit, and the like, and outputs a digital image signal (image data) representing a subject image formed by the imaging lens. In the case of an interchangeable lens digital camera, the imaging unit 10 does not have an imaging lens and a diaphragm. The system controller 40 controls the shutter and aperture through the exposure controller 20, and the focus lens of the imaging lens through the focus controller 30. The system control unit 40 obtains subject brightness from image data output from the imaging unit 10 and realizes an automatic exposure control function for determining an exposure condition, and performs flash emission control through the flash control unit 35. The system control unit 40 includes, for example, a programmable processor such as a CPU or MPU, a nonvolatile storage device that stores a control program, and a memory. Then, by loading the control program into the memory and executing it, the operation of the entire digital camera including the operation described later is realized.

  Image data output from the imaging unit 10 can be input to the image processing unit 60 and simultaneously stored in the memory 50. The image data stored in the memory 50 can be read from other functional blocks connected to the bus 100, and can be referred to by the system control unit 40 or used by the image processing unit 60. Further, the image data processed by the image processing unit 60 can be written back to the memory 50, or arbitrary data can be written from the system control unit 40.

The image processing unit 60 has the following functions, for example.
Apply a gamma curve to the brightness value of image data.
The image data for a plurality of frames (sheets) read from the memory 50 is synthesized to generate one synthesized image.
A specific subject such as a person's face is detected by extracting feature amounts of image data or using template matching.
The brightness difference of the image data for a plurality of frames is calculated. In particular, a difference between two consecutive frames of image data is output to determine whether or not there is a change in the subject.
A luminance histogram of the image data is generated.

  The display unit 70 can D / A convert the image data processed by the image processing unit 60 and stored in the memory 50, and can display the data on a display device such as a liquid crystal display. It is also possible to display not only image data but also arbitrary information alone or together with an image, display exposure information at the time of shooting, and display information indicating a detected subject area. .

The recording unit 80 can store captured image data in a medium.
The operation unit 90 is an input device group for a user to give various instructions to the digital camera, and has a switch SW1 92 for giving a shooting preparation instruction and a switch SW2 94 for giving a shooting start instruction. Yes. The switch SW1 92 is turned on during the operation of the shutter button, and instructs the start of shooting preparation operations such as determination of exposure conditions and focus detection. The switch SW2 94 is turned on when the operation of the shutter button is completed, and instructs to start shooting a still image or a moving image. In addition to the switch SW1 92 and the switch SW2 94, the operation unit 90 includes a mode switch for switching camera operation modes such as a still image shooting mode, a moving image shooting mode, and a playback mode, a parameter selection switch for changing camera settings, and the like. Is included. Note that the operation is not limited to a switch such as a button or a switch but may be performed by a touch panel or voice recognition.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 in the still image recording mode. In the still image recording mode, a so-called live view function may be realized by continuously capturing moving images and displaying the captured moving images on the display unit 70.

  The system control unit 40 determines whether or not the switch SW1 92 is ON (S201). If the switch SW1 92 is ON, the system control unit 40 advances the process to S202, and if not, repeats the process of S201.

In step S <b> 202, the system control unit 40 performs photometry processing and calculates a luminance value of the subject (hereinafter, subject luminance). The luminance value of the subject is calculated from the luminance signal value of the image data output from the imaging unit 10 and the used exposure condition.
When the photometry process is completed, in S203, the system control unit 40 determines the focus detection exposure based on the subject brightness calculated in S202, and controls the determined focus detection exposure. In determining the exposure for focus detection, a program diagram for focus detection is used, and an aperture in the vicinity of the open is used as much as possible to reduce the depth of field.

  In step S <b> 204, the system control unit 40 performs focus detection processing based on image data captured under exposure conditions for focus detection. Specifically, the system control unit 40 controls the focus control unit 30 to perform shooting while moving the focus lens, and obtains an AF evaluation value indicating the contrast of the image data output from the imaging unit 10. Then, the system control unit 40 sets the focus lens position where the AF evaluation value is maximized as the in-focus position. Here, contrast-type focus detection is performed, but phase-difference focus detection may be performed.

In S205, the system control unit 40 controls the focus control unit 30 to move the focus lens to the in-focus position obtained in S204.
In S206, the system control unit 40 determines whether or not the currently set shooting mode is a predetermined shooting mode. Here, the starry sky mode is illustrated as a shooting mode in which a subject outside the range of subject brightness corresponding to the automatic exposure control function may be shot, but other modes such as a fireworks mode may be used.

  If the starry sky mode is set, the system control unit 40 advances the process to S207, and performs a change process (exposure limit setting) of the subject luminance range corresponding to the automatic exposure control function. The starry sky mode is a starry sky shooting mode in which star enhancement processing and the like are performed by the image processing unit 60. In the starry sky mode, three modes of a starry night view, a starry sky locus, and a starry sky interval movie can be selected. A starry night view mode is used to capture a single image. A starry sky trajectory is a mode in which shooting is repeated for a predetermined time and the shot images are compared and synthesized to output a single composite image. Is a mode to generate and output. Different program diagrams are prepared for each of these three modes, and an exposure limit is set for each diagram (change in the range of subject luminance corresponding to the automatic exposure function).

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a program diagram for the starry night view mode. The program diagrams of FIGS. 3A to 3C show cases where the exposure correction values set by the user through the operation unit 90 are 0, +2, and −2, respectively. For ease of explanation and understanding, here, the aperture is opened, and the relationship between exposure time (shutter speed) and sensitivity is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 3A, which is a program diagram without exposure correction (referred to as a reference program diagram), in a range where the subject brightness is high (bright), the subject brightness is low while the sensitivity is ISO200. The exposure time is increased as it becomes darker. When the exposure time reaches 1 second and the subject brightness further decreases, the sensitivity is increased to ISO 400, and the exposure time is further extended for a dark subject. When the exposure time reaches 8 seconds, the sensitivity is increased to ISO 800, the exposure time is further extended for dark subjects, and the exposure time is finally extended to 16 seconds. When the exposure correction value is 0, the exposure limit is point A (aperture, exposure time, sensitivity) = (open, 16 seconds, ISO 800).

  When the exposure correction value is +2 steps, the system control unit 40 shifts the exposure limit of the reference program diagram in the direction of 2 steps plus (exposure amount +2 EV) in S207. That is, the low brightness side of the subject brightness range supported by the automatic exposure control function is expanded by 2 EV. In the example of FIG. 3B, the sensitivity and the exposure time are shifted by one stage, respectively, so that (aperture, exposure time, sensitivity) = (open, 32 seconds, ISO 1600) (point B is the exposure limit).

  If the exposure correction value is -2 steps, the system control unit 40 shifts the exposure limit of the reference program diagram in the minus direction (exposure amount-2 EV) in S207. That is, the low brightness side of the subject brightness range supported by the automatic exposure control function is reduced by 2 EV. In the example of FIG. 3C, the sensitivity and the exposure time are shifted by one step, and (aperture, exposure time, sensitivity) = (open, 8 seconds, ISO 400) (point C is the exposure limit). .

  Actually, a program diagram having the highest exposure limit (corresponding to a low EV value or a low subject luminance value) is stored as the program diagram data for the starry night view mode, and according to the exposure correction value. What is necessary is just to restrict | limit the range to be used. Therefore, it can be said that the exposure limit setting in S207 is the setting of the use range of the program diagram. For example, if the exposure correction amount is 0, the range up to point A is set as the use range, if the exposure correction amount is +2 steps, the range up to point B is set as the use range, and if the exposure correction amount is -2 steps, the point is set. The use range up to C can be set.

  FIG. 4A is a program diagram for the starry sky trajectory mode. The program diagrams of FIGS. 4A to 4C show cases where the exposure correction values set by the user via the operation unit 90 are 0, +2, and −2, respectively. For ease of explanation and understanding, here, the aperture is opened, and the relationship between exposure time (shutter speed) and sensitivity is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 4A, which is a program diagram without exposure correction (referred to as a reference program diagram), in a range where the subject luminance is high (bright), the subject luminance is low while the sensitivity is ISO200. The exposure time is increased as it becomes darker. When the exposure time reaches 32 seconds and the subject brightness further decreases, the program diagram increases sensitivity to ISO400. When the exposure correction value is 0, the exposure limit is point A (aperture, exposure time, sensitivity) = (open, 32 seconds, ISO 400).

  When the exposure correction value is +2 steps, the system control unit 40 shifts the exposure limit of the reference program diagram in the direction of 2 steps plus (exposure amount +2 EV) in S207. That is, the low brightness side of the subject brightness range supported by the automatic exposure control function is expanded by 2 EV. In the example of FIG. 4B, the sensitivity is shifted by two steps, and (aperture, exposure time, sensitivity) = (open, 32 seconds, ISO 1600) (point B is the exposure limit).

  If the exposure correction value is -2 steps, the system control unit 40 shifts the exposure limit of the reference program diagram in the minus direction (exposure amount-2 EV) in S207. That is, the low brightness side of the subject brightness range supported by the automatic exposure control function is reduced by 2 EV. In the example of FIG. 4C, the sensitivity and the exposure time are shifted by one stage respectively, and set to (aperture, exposure time, sensitivity) = (open, 16 seconds, ISO 200) (point C is the exposure limit). .

  Actually, a program diagram having the highest exposure limit (corresponding to a low EV value or a low subject luminance value) is stored as the program diagram data for the starry night view mode, and according to the exposure correction value. What is necessary is just to restrict | limit the range to be used. Therefore, it can be said that the exposure limit setting in S207 is the setting of the use range of the program diagram. For example, if the exposure correction amount is 0, the range up to point A is set as the use range, if the exposure correction amount is +2 steps, the range up to point B is set as the use range, and if the exposure correction amount is -2 steps, the point is set. The use range up to C can be set.

  When the exposure limit is changed according to the exposure correction amount, there is no particular limitation on how the change amount (shift amount) is narrowed down and assigned to the exposure time and sensitivity. Here, since the aperture is opened, the shift amount is realized by a combination of exposure time and sensitivity. However, when the aperture is not opened, the aperture value may be changed.

  Here, for ease of explanation and understanding, the exposure correction amount has been described as being in units of 1 EV. However, even when exposure correction is possible in units of less than 1 EV (for example, 1/2 EV or 1/3 EV unit). The amount of change in sensitivity and exposure time may be a unit of less than 1 EV.

  When the setting of the exposure limit is completed, in S208, the system control unit 40 determines the exposure condition from the photometric result and program diagram of S202. When determining the exposure condition, if the shooting mode is the starry sky mode, the system control unit 40 uses a program diagram according to the exposure limit set in S207.

  In order to help understanding of the effect of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the program diagram for the starry night view mode is only the reference program diagram (FIG. 3A) and the exposure limit setting in S207 is not performed. Then, it is assumed that the EV value corresponding to the photometric result in S202 is lower than the EV value corresponding to the exposure limit A as shown in FIG. 5 in both the proper exposure and the exposure correction amount ± 2EV.

In such a case, the exposure conditions (open, 16 seconds, ISO 800) corresponding to the point A, which is the exposure limit, are determined for the range of the appropriate exposure ± 2 steps. Therefore, the exposure amount is the same whether or not exposure correction is performed, and the exposure correction is not reflected in the image data.
On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the exposure limit is changed in S207 according to the exposure correction value, for example, exposure correction +2 steps, point B (+2 EV with respect to point A), exposure correction -2 steps The exposure condition corresponding to point C (−2 EV with respect to point A) is determined. Therefore, an exposure condition having a difference corresponding to the exposure correction value is determined with respect to the exposure condition determined when there is no exposure correction value. That is, an exposure condition reflecting exposure correction can be realized.

  In S209, the system control unit 40 changes the exposure set for focus detection in S203 to the exposure for main photographing. In order to reduce the time lag from when the switch SW2 94 is turned on until the actual shooting is performed, the system control unit 40 sets the aperture of the imaging unit 10 to the aperture value of the shooting conditions determined in S208 at this time. Control is performed through the exposure control unit 20.

In S210, the system control unit 40 determines whether or not the switch SW293 is ON. If the switch SW2 93 is OFF, the system control unit 40 proceeds to S211. If the switch SW2 93 is ON, the system control unit 40 proceeds to S212.
In S211, the system control unit 40 determines whether or not the switch SW1 92 is ON. If the switch SW1 92 is ON, the process proceeds to S210. If the switch SW1 92 is OFF, the process returns to S201. That is, while the switch SW1 92 is ON and the switch SW2 94 is OFF, the system control unit 40 repeatedly executes the processes of S210 to S211.

  When the switch SW2 94 is turned on and a photographing start instruction is given, the system control unit 40 sets the exposure condition determined in S208 in the exposure control unit 20 in S212, and then performs the main exposure (S213). In S214, the system control unit 40 applies processing according to the recording format such as development processing and encoding processing to the obtained image data in the image processing unit 60, and generates an image data file. In step S215, the system control unit 40 uses the recording unit 80 to record the image data file on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory card.

  The starry sky mode described as an example of the shooting mode in which the exposure limit of the program diagram is set (changed) according to the exposure correction amount in the present embodiment is a range from a relatively bright night view including a building to a very dark starry sky. The assumed subject. For this reason, images are often taken at the tracking limit (exposure limit) on the low luminance side of the program diagram. As described with reference to FIG. 5, when shooting is performed under an exposure condition corresponding to the exposure limit of the program diagram, a problem that the effect of exposure correction is not reflected is likely to occur. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the starry sky mode is set, the effect of exposure correction is reflected by resetting the exposure limit according to the exposure correction value. In the description, only the exposure limit on the low brightness side is set, but the exposure limit on the high brightness side may be set in accordance with the exposure correction value.

  Further, by setting the exposure limit according to the program diagram data, it is possible to reflect the exposure correction effect while reflecting the characteristics of the program diagram for each photographing mode such as the starry night view and the starry sky locus.

  In the present invention, when the image is shot at the exposure limit of the program diagram (the program diagram is photographed outside the range of the corresponding subject brightness) or when it is determined that there is a possibility, Change the exposure limit of the program diagram to reflect the exposure compensation amount before decision. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not a specific shooting mode is set by shooting at the exposure limit of the program diagram (the program diagram is shot outside the corresponding subject luminance range). This is an example of determining whether or not, and other methods may be used.

  For example, it may be determined whether the shooting scene is a starry sky scene or a night scene based on the photometric result obtained in S202, and the exposure limit may be set according to the determination result. For example, when the subject brightness is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the shooting scene is a starry sky scene or a night scene, and the exposure limit is set according to the exposure correction value. Similarly, when the subject brightness is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, the exposure limit can be set according to the exposure correction value.

  Note that even if only one of enlargement and reduction of the subject luminance range supported by the program diagram is performed, the effect of exposure correction can be obtained as compared with the case where neither enlargement nor reduction is performed. Specifically, when the subject brightness is low and the exposure correction is in the plus direction, the minimum subject brightness is lowered and the range on the low brightness side is expanded, and when the exposure correction is in the minus direction, the range is not changed. Alternatively, when the subject brightness is low and the exposure correction is in the plus direction, the range is not changed. When the exposure correction is in the minus direction, the minimum subject brightness is increased and the range on the low brightness side is reduced. Further, when the subject brightness is high and the exposure correction is in the plus direction, the maximum subject brightness is lowered to reduce the range on the high brightness side, and in the minus direction, the range is not changed. Alternatively, when the subject brightness is high and the exposure correction is in the plus direction, the range is not changed, and when it is in the minus direction, the maximum subject brightness is increased and the range on the high brightness side is expanded.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the exposure condition is determined using the program diagram, the subject brightness may be out of the subject brightness range to which the program diagram corresponds or may be If so, the exposure limit of the program diagram is changed according to the exposure correction value. Alternatively, the subject luminance range supported by the program diagram is enlarged or reduced in accordance with the exposure correction amount and direction as compared with the case where the exposure correction is not performed. Specifically, if the subject brightness is low and the exposure correction is positive, the minimum subject brightness is lowered to expand the range on the low brightness side, and if the exposure compensation is negative, the range on the low brightness side is increased by increasing the minimum subject brightness. Reduce. Also, when the subject brightness is high and the exposure compensation is positive, the maximum subject brightness is reduced to reduce the range on the high brightness side, and when it is negative, the maximum subject brightness is increased to increase the range on the high brightness side. . Thereby, it is possible to realize photographing that reflects the effect of exposure correction by a simple method without using a light source such as a flash. Note that the effect of exposure correction can be reflected even if the amount of enlargement or reduction is not equal to the exposure correction amount.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. A part of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined. Also, when a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied from a recording medium directly to a system or apparatus having a computer that can execute the program using wired / wireless communication, and the program is executed Are also included in the present invention. Accordingly, the program code itself supplied and installed in the computer in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention. In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS. As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk or a magnetic tape, an optical / magneto-optical storage medium, or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory may be used. As a program supply method, a computer program that forms the present invention is stored in a server on a computer network, and a connected client computer downloads and programs the computer program.

Claims (11)

An imaging device having an automatic exposure control function,
If the subject brightness is outside the subject brightness range corresponding to the automatic exposure control function or may fall outside the subject brightness range, the automatic exposure control function is set according to the exposure correction amount. Control means for changing the range of the corresponding subject brightness;
Determining means for determining a photographing condition using the automatic exposure control function;
I have a,
The control means expands the range on the low brightness side of the subject brightness corresponding to the automatic exposure control function when the positive exposure correction is performed, and when the negative exposure correction is performed. An image pickup apparatus that reduces a range of a subject brightness on a low brightness side . An imaging device having an automatic exposure control function,
If the subject brightness is outside the subject brightness range corresponding to the automatic exposure control function or may fall outside the subject brightness range, the automatic exposure control function is set according to the exposure correction amount. Control means for changing the range of the corresponding subject brightness;
Determining means for determining a photographing condition using the automatic exposure control function;
Have
When the exposure correction in the positive direction is performed, the control means expands the range of the subject brightness by lowering the minimum subject brightness corresponding to the automatic exposure control function, and the exposure correction in the negative direction is performed. the subject brightness characterized imaging device to reduce the range of by increasing the minimum subject brightness if there. The control means determines that the subject brightness may be outside the range of subject brightness corresponding to the automatic exposure control function when a predetermined shooting mode is set, and sets the exposure correction amount. in response, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the automatic exposure control function and changing the scope of the corresponding object luminance. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined shooting mode is a shooting mode for shooting a night view or a starry sky. The control means determines that the subject brightness may fall outside the range of subject brightness corresponding to the automatic exposure control function when it is determined that the scene is a predetermined shooting scene, and the exposure correction amount depending on the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the automatic exposure control function and changing the scope of the corresponding object luminance. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined shooting scene is a night scene or a starry sky scene. The automatic exposure control function determines a shooting condition using a program diagram,
The control means changes a subject luminance range corresponding to the automatic exposure control function by changing an exposure limit of the program diagram according to the exposure correction amount. Item 7. The imaging device according to any one of Items 6 above. The program diagram is prepared for each shooting mode,
The control means changes a subject luminance range corresponding to the automatic exposure control function by changing an exposure limit of a program diagram corresponding to a shooting mode set in the imaging apparatus according to the exposure correction amount. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 . A method for controlling an imaging apparatus having an automatic exposure control function,
When the subject brightness is out of the subject brightness range to which the automatic exposure control function corresponds or may fall outside the subject brightness range, the automatic exposure control function corresponds to the exposure correction amount. A control process for changing the range of subject brightness;
A determination step of determining shooting conditions using the automatic exposure control function;
Have
In the control step, when the exposure correction in the plus direction is made, the automatic exposure control function expands the range on the low brightness side of the corresponding subject brightness, and when the exposure compensation in the minus direction is made, A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, characterized in that a range on a low luminance side of subject luminance is reduced . A method for controlling an imaging apparatus having an automatic exposure control function,
  When the subject brightness is out of the subject brightness range to which the automatic exposure control function corresponds or may fall outside the subject brightness range, the automatic exposure control function corresponds to the exposure correction amount. A control process for changing the range of subject brightness;
  A determination step of determining shooting conditions using the automatic exposure control function;
Have
  In the control step, when the exposure correction in the plus direction is performed, the automatic exposure control function expands the range of the subject brightness by lowering the corresponding minimum subject brightness, and the exposure correction in the minus direction is performed. And a range of the subject brightness is reduced by increasing the minimum subject brightness. The program for making the computer which an imaging device has perform each process of the control method of the imaging device of Claim 9 or 10 .

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