JPH04165886A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always operate a satisfactory white balance adjustment regardless of a condition that a single object occupies the large part of a screen by providing a correcting means which adds a correction to a white balance adjusting means when the area of the screen which is occupied by the single object is more than a prescribed value. CONSTITUTION:The flicker component F of an outside light is derived from the output of a light measuring sensor 15 when judging that the single object occupies the large area of an image pickup screen, and compared with a reference value F0. Then, in the case of F<F0, the flicker component F is defined as a non-flicker light source, and in the case of F>=F0, it is defined as a flicker light source, that is, a fluorescent lamp. Control voltages RC and BC obtained like this are transmitted through a D/A converter 14 to R and B gain controlling parts 5 and 6, a color difference signal level is changed, and the white balance adjustment is satisfactorily operated by repeating it based on the changed output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an imaging device equipped with a white balance adjustment means.

(Prior Art) Imaging devices such as video cameras and electronic still cameras are equipped with white balance adjustment means so that the reproduced white color is correct white. In recent years, T
T L (through the taking 1e
ns) type adjustment is often used.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conventional imaging apparatus equipped with an integral type (averaging type) TTL type white balance adjustment means. In the figure, 1 is a lens, 2 is an image sensor such as a CCD that performs photoelectric conversion, and 3 is a luminance signal Y from the output of the image sensor 2.
A brightness signal processing unit 4 derives low frequency components YL of the brightness signal, red signal R9 and blue signal B from the output of the image sensor 2.
5 and 6 are R gain control units and B gain control units that respectively change the signal levels of the output signals R and B of the chroma signal processing unit, and 7.8 is the output YL of the chroma signal processing unit 4. and the output R' of R,B gain control JlalS5゜6
, B', the color difference signals are R-Y.

9 is the output Y of the luminance signal processing section 3 and the output R of the matrix amplifier 7.8 for deriving B-Y.
This is a modulation processing unit that modulates -Y and B-Y into specified signals and enables recording on a recording medium (not shown) or displaying an image on a monitor. 10.11 is an averaging section that averages several screens by integrating the outputs R-Y and B-Y of the matrix amplifier 7.8, and 32 calculates the white balance from the outputs of the averaging sections to and tt. This is a control voltage derivation section that derives an appropriate control voltage for the R and B gain control sections 5.6.

The operation of the conventional example will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the subject image formed on the image sensor 2 is converted into an electrical signal, and the output signal is sent to the luminance signal processing section 3. The luminance signal Y is sent to the chroma signal processing section 4, and the luminance signal Y is sent to the luminance signal processing section 3.
The chroma signal processing section 4 derives the low frequency component YL, red signal R1, and blue signal B of the luminance signal. Here, Y is YL=0
．． This signal is a mixture of red:R9, blue:B, and ii:G at a ratio of 3OR+0.590+O, IIB. Of the outputs derived from the chroma signal processing section 4, the signals R and B are respectively input to the R gain control section 5. The signal R is sent to the B gain control section 6, where its signal level is changed for white balance adjustment.
', B' are derived. Output Y of chroma signal processing section 4
The outputs R' and B' of the L, R, and B gain control section 5.6 are as follows:
The color difference signal R-Y is sent to the matrix amplifier section 7.8.
.

B-Y is obtained (where R-Y=0.7OR-0,5
9G-0, IIB B-Y=0.89B~0.59G
-0,3OR).

The signals Y, R-Y, and B-Y are sent to the modulation processing section 9, and are modulated into a prescribed signal format and outputted so as to enable recording on a recording medium or displaying an image on a monitor.

On the other hand, the outputs R-Y and B- of the matrix amplifier 7.8
The Y signal is sent to the averaging section 10. It is also sent to ll, and the average value for one or more screens is derived. Then, in the control voltage deriving section 32, the average signal level is set to the θ level (that is, R
The white balance adjustment is performed by deriving the control voltage to the R, B gain control section 5.6 so that the ratio B=G) is satisfied.

(A!fW to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional example, there is a problem in that it is difficult to appropriately adjust the white balance when capturing a scene in which a highly saturated subject occupies most of the screen.

In addition, in the case of the peak method used for white balance adjustment by sampling the color difference signal of the portion where the luminance level is above a certain value instead of using the average value of the color difference signal as in the conventional example, it is not always necessary to use the signal above a certain level. Since it is not an achromatic color, good white balance adjustment is impossible. Furthermore, it has been proposed to use a combination of both methods, but there are problems in that it is complicated due to the large number of elements involved, and the improvement effect is not significant.

The present invention was made under these circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device that can always perform suitable white balance adjustment regardless of conditions.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention configures an imaging device as shown in (1) to (6) below.

(1) An image sensor, a white balance adjustment means for adjusting white balance based on a signal including a signal obtained by averaging the output of the image sensor, and an area occupied by a single subject on the screen based on the output of the image sensor. An imaging device comprising: a determining means for determining that the value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value; and a correcting means for correcting the white balance adjusting means when the determining means determines that the white balance is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

(2) In the imaging device described in (1), the correction by the correction means is to further limit the adjustment range by the white balance adjustment means.

(3) The imaging device according to (1) above, wherein the imaging optical system includes a zoom lens, and the correction by the correction means is to set the zoom lens to a wide state when obtaining data for white balance adjustment.

(4) The imaging device according to (1) above, wherein the correction by the correction means weights a partial area of the screen when averaging the output of the image sensor.

(5) In the imaging device described in (4) above, a part of the area within the screen is an area occupied by a single subject.

(6) an image sensor, a first white balance adjustment unit that performs white balance adjustment based on a signal including a signal obtained by averaging the output of the image sensor, and a first white balance adjustment means that adjusts the white balance when the luminance signal level is within a predetermined range a second white balance adjustment unit that performs a small wide balance adjustment based on the output signal of the image sensor; and a determination unit that determines that the area occupied by a single subject on the screen is equal to or larger than a predetermined value based on the output of the image sensor. and a selection means for preferentially selecting the second white balance: A adjustment means to perform white balance adjustment when the determination means determines that the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

(Function) According to the configurations (1) to (6) above, when the area occupied by a single subject on the screen exceeds a predetermined value, correction is added to the white balance adjustment.

According to the configuration (2) above, correction is added in such a way that the range of white balance adjustment is more limited, and the above (2)
According to configuration 3), correction is made by setting the zoom lens in a wide-angle state and obtaining white balance adjustment data, and according to configuration (4), when averaging the output of the image sensor, Correction is applied in the form of weighting some areas of the screen, and according to configuration (5) above, correction is applied in the form of weighting the area occupied by a single subject. According to configuration 6),
Correction is made by preferentially selecting the second white balance adjustment means and performing white balance adjustment.

(Example) The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Examples. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an "imaging device" that is a first example of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, numerals 1 to 11 are block diagrams similar to those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 17. 12 is an A/D (analog-digital) converter, 13 is a microcomputer system (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer), 14 is a D/A (digital-analog) converter, and 15 is a photometric sensor that measures the brightness of external light. be. Figures 2 and 3 are the microcontroller 1 in Figure 1.
FIG. 4 is a supplementary explanatory diagram thereof, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are block diagrams and timing charts for explaining the operation of the averaging section 10.11. Furthermore, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the limited range of white balance adjustment in this embodiment.

The present embodiment will be explained below using FIGS. 1 to 7.

First, although the operations 1 to 11 in FIG. 1 are the same as in the conventional example, the operations of the averaging section 10.11 will be explained using FIGS. 5 and 6.

In the case of the block 10, the RY signal is input to the input terminal of the switch 16 in FIG. 5, and in the case of the block 11, the BY signal is input. At this time, the switch 16 is closed when the NTE shown in FIG. 6 is at a high level, and becomes an oven when it is at a low level.

B-Y is resistance 17. Capacitor 19. reference voltage source 20,
The signal is input to an integrating circuit consisting of a differential amplifier 21. on the other hand,
Since the switch 18 is closed when RESET in FIG. 6 is at a high level, the charge stored in the capacitor 19 is discharged during that period.

As a result of the above, the output of the averaging section 10.11 is S in FIG.
The waveform will be as shown in I GNAL, and the SA in Figure 6 will be
By A/D converting the output of MPLE while it is at a high level, the average level of each RY and BY signal within one screen can be detected. Note that VD is a vertical drive signal.

Now, each average value obtained in the above manner is input to the microcomputer 13 via the A/D converter 12, and based on this value, a control voltage for white balance adjustment is derived within the microcomputer 13. do. The operation will be explained below using FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 7.

First, as shown in step (3) of the flowchart in FIG. 2, the values α, β, A, and B are predetermined as initial values in the microcomputer memory.

C, D, 1. m, m, Lo, X, Y, Rc.

Give them as Bc and Fo. Next, as shown in step (2) of the same flowchart, the output Ls of the photometric sensor 15 is read through the A/D conversion 1) 12 and divided by a constant Lo to obtain L (see step (2)). Here it is. is a value indicating the average brightness of outdoor light. And the result was 1
If you are confused, fix L = 1 (■, ■)
, if L<1, proceed directly from step (2) to step (2). In step ■, the R-Y and B-Y signals at the position on the screen indicated by the "mouth" in Figure 4 are (R-Y)+~(R-Y)s
, (B Y)+ to (B-'t) r, are read through the A/D converter 12.

Next, read the averaging section outputs (RY)s and (B-Y)S (■, ■), and if (RY), <-α, then Rc=Rc+1(RY)! l
>α then Rc=Rc-1(B-Y)H<-β then B
If c=9c+1(BY)*>β, Be=Bc-1 Otherwise, the control voltages RC and BC for the R gain and B gain for white balance adjustment are left as they are, that is, the initial values (■~ [phase]).

Here, if the R gain control voltage Rc has a large value, the gain of the R gain control section increases and the R signal level becomes large, and conversely, if the B gain control voltage Bc has a large value, the B gain control section 6 The gain of B decreases and the No. 3 level is set to be small. Also, the initial values of control voltages RC and BC are Rc,
In order to speed up the determination of the final output of Bc, the intermediate value of each applicable range is set. As described above, the control voltage R
After setting the values of c and BC, the state of the captured image is determined to determine whether a single subject occupies a large area (0). This determination method will be explained in more detail using FIG. 3.

In Figure 3, first, R-Y in the center of the screen (see Figure 4),
B-Yi, No. 1 (R-Y)I.

(B-Y), Am constant 4IIk, l, m, and n are added or subtracted (RY),, = (RY)+ +k(RY) +-
= (RY) + -1(B Y) +*= (B
Y) + ”'(B Y)+-= (B-Y)+
-n is derived (0-1 to 0-4).

Next, with P=2 as the initial value, (RY)P and (RY)
Compare the magnitude with +-, (RY-n, -, and (B-Y)
Compare the magnitude of P and (B-Y)+, , (B-Y)+- ([phase]-6 to [phase]-9), step [phase]-6 to
If any one of o-9 is NO, go to step (Ii) in Figure 2. If all of the questions are YES, check whether P is 5 (G)-10), P#5 Then, increase Lr and P by one [phase]-1l), return to step [phase]-6, and repeat the same process. If P=5, it means that all five points in Figure 4 have been compared, so step @-10 to ◎, that is, step Qh in Figure 2 is also advanced.

As described above, according to the flow shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to detect whether the color difference signals of points 2 to 5 shown in FIG. 4 are all at a similar level to the color difference signal of point 1. As a result, if all the values are at the approximate level, it is determined that the area occupied by the chest of drawers and the subject is large.

Then, if the single object is not large in area, the limited range a of the control voltage is applied so that step O is successful.

Let b, c, and d be initial values A, B, C, and D (0, see FIG. 7).

On the other hand, if the area occupies a large area, first, in step 0, the Futzker component F of the external light is calculated from the output of the photometric sensor 15.
Derive the reference value F. Compared with F<F. If so, it is considered a non-flickering light source, and if F≧Fo, it is considered a flickering light source, that is, a fluorescent lamp. Therefore, F<F. Then, set a= (X-A)xL+A b= (B-X)xL+X c= (C-Y)xL+Y d= (Y-D)xL+D (see Figure 7), and if F≧F, then ba@=X,
Select b=B, c=Y, and d=D.

Q■, see Figure 7). This is a constant that limits the range in which each value of control voltages Rc and Bc can take in the operation in steps 0 to 0. In other words, if Rc≧a is No, then Rc=
a If RC≦b is No, Rc=b If Be2C, Bc=C If BC≦d, then Bc=d By setting the following, the limited range of the control voltage is within the range surrounded by the opening k1mn shown in Fig. 7. can be set.

The control voltages RC and Bc obtained in this way are sent to the control unit 5.6 via the D/A converter 14, the color difference No. 18 level is changed, and based on the changed output, steps ◎By repeating the above operation, white balance adjustment can be performed appropriately.

Now, using FIG. 7, control T1 of the first embodiment. The pressure range setting will be explained in detail. For example, in step 0 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether the area occupied by a single object is large or not, and if the area occupied is small, the limited range of the control voltage is within the range k1mn of FIG. 7. The control voltages Rc and Be are set to take values over a wide range (O
).

On the other hand, in the case of a large occupied area, it is assumed that a highly saturated object may occupy most of the screen, so the output of the averaging section is strongly influenced by the object color, and the white balance may shift significantly. be. Therefore, in this state, the control voltage Re.

The limited range of Bc is made narrower, and the position of the limited range is set to an optimal position based on information from other sensors, etc. In this embodiment, first in step C, it is detected whether the light source is a fluorescent lamp, and if it is a fluorescent lamp, the limited range is set to oqms. In addition, if the light source is a non-flickering light source, it is determined whether it is outdoor light or indoor light based on the brightness L8 of the external light, and L=1 and ≧1−.
+L=1.

If there is, it is completely regarded as outdoor light, and assuming a bluish light source, the control voltage limited range is set to orlq in FIG. On the other hand, if, for example, L≦O, OOl, the limited range is approximately OSNP. In this case, since it is quite dark, the limited range is set assuming a reddish light source, considering it as indoor light. In addition, since tungsten light generally becomes reddish as it gets darker, it is thought that this setting of the limited range fits well.

If L is an intermediate value, as L=0.001→L=1, the limited range will move from mouth 05np to mouth orlq.

As described above, the size of the single object area is detected, and if it is large, the limited range is further narrowed (limited) based on information from the photometric sensor 15 (brightness of external light and amount of flicker), thereby affecting the object color. You can adjust the white balance without being affected too much.

Note that in the embodiment, the control voltage Rc.

A warning device may be provided to alert the photographer when Bc reaches the limit of the limited range.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, with the same configuration as the first embodiment, it is possible to not only determine the size of the area occupied by a single subject on the screen, but also to
The saturation is also used as a deciding factor.

That is, in step 0 of FIG. 8, the size of the area occupied by a single high-saturation subject is determined. The steps are explained in more detail in FIG. 9, and operations G1 to Q-1t in FIG. 9 are the same as in the first embodiment. In Figure 9, step O
-1, the color difference at point 1 shown in Figure 4 (No. 3 (
RY) Compare the absolute value of I and the constant M, and find I(RY)+I>
If it is M, it is determined that the subject is of high saturation, and the process proceeds to O-1. I
(RY)l IBM compares the absolute value of the color difference signal (B-Y)l at the point in FIG. 4 with 0-2 and the constant N. If 1(BY)+l>N, it is determined that the subject is a highly saturated object and proceeds to ■-1, l(BY)+l)'N
If so, it is determined that the subject is a low-saturation object, and the process proceeds to step ◎h in FIG.

Through the above operations, it is determined whether the occupied area of a single high chroma object is large or small, and if it is large, the limited range of the control voltage is narrowed as shown in the first embodiment.

As a result, the control voltage range is not narrowed when a low-saturation subject that does not have a negative effect on white balance adjustment occupies a large area of the screen, but it is narrowed only for a high-saturation subject that has a negative effect. Since the width is narrowed, more suitable white balance adjustment is possible.

FIG. 1O is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.
N13 is the same block as the first embodiment, 22 is to, t
This is an averaging section having the same configuration as t. The operation of the third embodiment will be explained below.1 to 11, 14. The operation of the IS block is the same as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the signals input to the microcomputer 13 are R-Y,
R-Y average value, B-Y, B-Y average value.

In addition to the photometric sensor output, signals averaged by the YL ratio output averaging section 22 of the chroma signal processing section 4 are input to the microcomputer 13 via the A/D converter 12. In microcontroller 13, YL, R
-Y, B-Y averaged signals vts, (R-Y)S
, (B-Y)S to derive RlG,B signals. For example, the following monuments will be performed.

0.59 From the R, B, and G signals derived in this way, R, G, and B
and G, and calculate control voltages Rc and Bc at which the six ratios R/G and B/G become 1, respectively. And the derived Rc,
D/A conversion of Bc: 1% via R gain control unit 5. White balance adjustment is performed by sending the signal to the B gain control section 6. In this embodiment as well, the size of the area of a single object is determined, and when it is determined that the area is large, the control is performed based on the light amount value and flicker amount obtained from the output of the photometric sensor 15, as in the first embodiment. Further limitations are added to the ranges of voltages Rc and Bc. As a result, suitable white balance adjustment can be performed, and at the same time, in this embodiment, each (R
-Y)s, (BY)sYbs (Since the control voltages RC and Bc can be calculated immediately from the M number, it is suitable for a white balance adjustment device for an imaging device such as an electronic still camera that requires immediacy. Also, - skin difference signal (RY, B-Y)
Since R, G, and B (No. 3) are calculated after that, it is easy to clip the output color of the averaging section to the high chroma object signal, and it is possible to prevent an adverse effect on the object object color. If this clipping is not necessary, the R, G, and B signal states may be directly sent to the averaging section before being converted into color difference signals.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
~14.22 is the same block as in the third embodiment, and 23
24 is a shutter that determines the exposure time, and 24 is an aperture.

In this embodiment, the photometric sensor 15 used in the first to third embodiments is removed and replaced with a shutter.

Aperture and Y3. It is configured to measure the brightness of external light and the amount of flicker from the output. In other words, the brightness is determined from the shutter speed and aperture value when the YL signal level is appropriate, controlled by the microcomputer 13, and the time change of the YL output is measured by intermittently obtaining the output from the image sensor 2. Detect the amount of flicker. Based on the above information, the limited range of the control voltages Rc and Bc when the area of a single object is large is determined. In this embodiment, since the photometric sensor 15 can be omitted, costs can be reduced.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
5.22 is the same block diagram as the third embodiment, and 25 is a zoom lens for changing the focal length of the imaging optical system.

In this example, when it is determined that a single object area is large, especially in an imaging device such as an electronic still camera that does not need to constantly output imaging signals, the focal length of the zoom lens is temporarily shortened as a data measurement, and Control voltages Rc and Bc are determined as the lens state, and during actual photographing, the focal length is returned to an arbitrary value for photographing. As a result, the area of the highly saturated object color within the screen can be made as small as possible, and more suitable white balance adjustment data can be obtained.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart of the main part of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, showing the switching period and averaging period of the averaging section corresponding to the averaging section 10.11 in FIG. This embodiment has the same configuration as that in FIG. 1 except for the portion related to the average value.

As can be seen from FIG. 13, in this embodiment, when it is determined that a single object area is large, the averaging period is partially intermittent. In other words, in such a case, it is assumed that a highly saturated object occupies a large area in the center of the screen, so the central part (both horizontal scanning period and vertical scanning period) is divided into discrete pulses, as shown in INTE in Figure 13. By doing so, the sampling period for that part can be reduced to prevent the influence and enable the influence to be achieved with a good white balance.

That is, in this embodiment, a partial area of the screen is weighted during averaging. Note that, as described above, instead of producing discrete pulses, the color difference signals may be weighted and averaged by applying an appropriate coefficient in the central area of the screen.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
~15.22 is the same blower as in the third embodiment, 26 is Y
A comparator section (Y, PEAK detector) that detects whether or not No. 3 is partially within the level range is shown in FIG. 15.

The operation of this embodiment will be explained below.1 to 11.15.
Regarding No. 22, the same operation as in the third embodiment is shown. In the comparator section 26, the Y14 signal is E2<YL<E.

In other words, a high level is output within a certain level range, and a low level is output otherwise.

This FE+, E2 is, for example, 105% of the YL level, 90
% signal level.

In other words, if Y14 level is 90-105%, Y...
The detector output YLP becomes high level at PEA. YshiP
The high level is considered to correspond to a subject with low saturation because the brightness is high and brown saturation has not occurred. Therefore, the color difference signals R-Y and B-Y when YLP is high are sampled by the A/D 12 and sent to the microcomputer 13, and the signals YL, R-Y, B-Y
Perform white balance. Signal Y, , RY.

The means for deriving the control voltages Rc and Bc from BY is the same as in the third embodiment.

Further, the microcomputer 13 combines a white balance adjustment method using a detector with the YLPEA and an adjustment method using an averaging section, and derives a control voltage so as to compensate for the drawbacks of both methods. For example, it is conceivable to preferentially use the information of the method that detects the signal with lower saturation among the detected color difference signals of both methods.

In addition, in this embodiment, when determining whether a single object has a large area, the Y and PEAK detection methods are preferentially used.
The influence of the averaging method on white balance adjustment deterioration can be minimized.

In each of the above embodiments, the A/D input terminal for the color difference signal which is the output of the block 7.8 and the A/D input terminal for its averaged output are provided independently; When the averaging function is turned on/off, the input signal is outputted through, and the averaged output 1 color difference signal is inputted to the A/D converter 12 in time series. The number of input terminals can be reduced.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the sampling positions and numbers of color difference signals are as shown in FIG. 4, but arbitrary positions and numbers may be selected to determine the size of a single object area. .

For example, in the sixth embodiment, 13 sampling points are set as shown in Fig. 16, and intermittent pulses are generated only at positions where an area greater than a certain level is detected (any of the areas marked ■ to ■ in the figure). It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which weighting is performed (weighted).

By changing the position and number of sampling points as described above, it becomes possible to detect and correct a single subject no matter where it is located within the screen.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, a color difference signal is used to determine the area of a single subject, but other signal formats such as a luminance signal may be used.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, suitable white balance adjustment can always be performed regardless of the condition that a single subject occupies most of the screen.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation of the same embodiment, Fig. JR4 is a diagram showing sampling points, and Fig. 5 is the configuration of the averaging section. Figure 6 is a timing chart of the averaging section, and Figure 7 is a timing chart of the averaging section.
The figure is a diagram explaining the limited range of white balance adjustment, Figures 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1θ is a block diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a timing chart of the main part of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, v14 is a block diagram of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a YLPE
A is a circuit diagram of the detector, FIG. 16 is a diagram showing sampling points, and FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conventional example. 2...Image sensor 5---R gain control section 6...-B gain control section 10.1...Averaging section 13... Microcomputer

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) An image sensor, a white balance adjustment means for adjusting white balance based on a signal including a signal obtained by averaging the output of the image sensor, and an area occupied by a single subject on the screen based on the output of the image sensor. An imaging device characterized by comprising a determining means for determining that the value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and a correcting means for correcting the white balance adjusting means when the determining means determines that the white balance is greater than or equal to the predetermined value. Device. (2) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction by the correction means further limits the adjustment range by the white balance adjustment means. (3) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging optical system includes a zoom lens, and the correction by the correction means is to set the zoom lens to a wide state when obtaining white balance adjustment data. . (4) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction by the correction means involves weighting a partial area of the screen when averaging the output of the image sensor. (5) The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the partial area within the screen is an area occupied by a single subject. (6) an image sensor, a first white balance adjustment unit that performs white balance adjustment based on a signal including a signal obtained by averaging the output of the image sensor; a second white balance adjustment means that performs white balance adjustment based on the output signal of the image sensor; and a determination means that determines that the area occupied by a single subject on the screen is equal to or larger than a predetermined value based on the output of the image sensor; and a selection means for preferentially selecting the second white balance adjustment means to perform white balance adjustment when the determination means determines that the value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. .