JPH08242459A - Light source information collectng device and image pickup device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain the light source information collection device in which information of a light source lighting an object is grasped with high accuracy and white balance of the image pickup device is easily and accurately corrected and to obtain the image pickup device using it. CONSTITUTION: A color correction processing section of the image pickup device obtains a spectral distribution of a light source lighting an object based on both spectral distribution characteristics of the object obtained by a spectral measurement means 6 when a flash 5 is flashed and not flashed and a spectral distribution characteristic of a flash light stored in a memory. Then a WB coefficient generating means 8 generates a white balance coefficient with respect to each color based on the spectral sensitivity distribution of each color of an image pickup element 2 and the spectral distribution of the light source lighting the object.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light source information collecting device capable of accurately grasping information on a light source illuminating a subject and an image pickup device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image pickup apparatus such as an electronic still camera or a video camera, an unnatural screen may be displayed due to a change in color temperature of a light source that illuminates a subject.

For example, when a white subject is photographed under sunlight, the primary color image signals R (red) and G from the image pickup device are taken.
(Green) and B (blue) are obtained at the same level. Then, it is assumed that the same subject is photographed under the illumination of a halogen lamp and image signals R1, G1, and B1 are obtained. In such a case, since the halogen lamp has a lower color temperature than that of sunlight, the image signal R1 is the other two image signals G1,
This is larger than B1, and thus a reddish, unnatural image is obtained for a subject that should originally be white.

Therefore, in order to prevent such a problem, white balance correction is performed in which the color reproduction of the image pickup device is corrected electrically or by a built-in filter, and white color is adjusted so as to appear white.

In the conventional white balance correction method, T
There are a TL (through-the-lens) type color correction processing method and an external sensor (white balance sensor) type color correction processing method.

The color correction processing method of the TTL method is carried out by a general video camera, and utilizes a color temperature information of programmed sunlight or illumination light and a video signal from an image pickup device to make a subject. The light source that illuminates the light source is specified, and the white balance that matches the light source is set.

In the external sensor type color correction processing method, a white balance sensor having a white diffusion plate is attached to an image pickup device, and each color signal detected by the white balance sensor through the diffusion plate is converted into an electric signal. Then, after calculating the level ratio between the primary color image signal G and the primary color image signal R and the level ratio between the primary color image signal G and the primary color image signal B, the white balance is set using the ratio.

[0008]

However, the color correction processing method of the image pickup apparatus as described above has the following problems, and correct color reproduction may not be obtained in some cases.

In the TTL method, for example, the image pickup area is divided into a plurality of areas, and the white color of the subject is judged to adjust the color balance. Therefore, if a white place is in a special position on the screen, or if many yellow or reddish subjects occupy the screen, the light source that illuminates the subject cannot be specified, and accurate white balance processing cannot be performed. is there.

Also, since the S / N ratio of the image signal is not good for a dark subject, it is difficult to perform accurate white balance processing, and a complicated algorithm is required to accurately grasp the white judgment. There is.

In the external sensor system, for example, the color balance of the color is adjusted by measuring the color temperature of the light source from the light that strikes the white balance sensor of the image pickup device. Therefore, the color temperature of the light hitting the subject and the white balance sensor mounted on the image pickup device are different, or the color temperature information alone is not sufficient as the light source information of the subject, so accurate white balance processing can be performed. There is a problem that there is no.

Further, the incorporation of a white balance sensor having a white diffuser plate in the image pickup device causes a problem that the product cost becomes high and the circuit itself becomes complicated.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention uses a light source information collecting device and a light source information collecting device which can accurately and accurately grasp the light source information for illuminating an object and correct the white balance of the image pickup device. An object is to provide an imaging device.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the light source information collecting apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is a light emitting means for illuminating an object and a spectroscopic measuring means for measuring spectral distribution characteristics of the object. And light source information of the subject is obtained from the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measurement means when the light emitting means emits light and the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measurement means when the light emitting means does not emit light. And an information collecting means.

According to the above structure, the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject is measured by the spectroscopic measuring means, and the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measuring means when the light emitting means for illuminating the subject emits light and the non-uniformity of the light emitting means. The light source information of the subject is obtained from the spectral distribution characteristics of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measurement means at the time of light emission. As a result, it is possible to obtain light source information that actually illuminates the subject (for example, the spectral distribution of the light source). Therefore, if color correction (for example, white balance correction) is performed using such light source information, even if a white place is at a special position on the screen of the image pickup device or a yellow or redish subject occupies a large amount on the screen, Accurate color correction processing can be performed. Moreover, since the light emitting means is used,
It is possible to perform highly accurate color correction processing even on a dark subject.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device which comprises a light emitting means for illuminating a subject, a spectroscopic measuring means for measuring a spectral distribution characteristic of the subject, and a spectroscopic measurement of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measuring means when the light emitting means emits light. Information collecting means for obtaining light source information of the subject from the distribution characteristic and the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measurement means when the light emitting means does not emit light,
A color correction unit that corrects a color signal obtained from the image pickup device using the light source information.

According to the above construction, the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject is measured by the spectroscopic measuring means, and the information collecting means obtains the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measuring means when the light emitting means illuminates the subject. And light source information of the subject from the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measurement means when the light emitting means is not emitting light, and a color signal obtained from the image sensor by the color correction means using the light source information. Is corrected. With this, it is possible to obtain light source information that actually illuminates the subject, and it is possible to execute color correction based on the light source information. Therefore, accurate color correction processing can be performed even when a white place is at a special position on the screen of the image pickup apparatus or a large number of yellowish or reddish subjects occupy the screen. Further, since the light emitting means is used, highly accurate color correction processing can be performed even on a dark subject.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device for illuminating a subject, image pickup data obtained from an image pickup device when the subject emits light to photograph the subject, and the subject is photographed without causing the light emitter to emit light. And a color correction unit that corrects a color signal obtained from the image pickup device by using image pickup data obtained from the image pickup device.

According to the above arrangement, the color correction means
The imaging is performed using imaging data obtained from the image sensor when the light emitting means that illuminates the subject is emitted to photograph the object and imaging data obtained from the image sensor when the subject is photographed without causing the light emitting means to emit light. The color signal obtained from the device is corrected. As a result, accurate color correction processing can be performed as in the second aspect of the invention. Also, since means for measuring the spectral distribution or color temperature of the light source is unnecessary,
Furthermore, the circuit itself can be simplified.

An image pickup apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises an illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance of external light, and the color correcting means, when the illuminance of external light is low, the light source of the object obtained by the information collecting means. A color signal obtained from the image sensor is corrected using information.

When the illuminance of the external light detected by the illuminance detecting means is low, the color correcting means uses the light source information of the subject obtained by the information collecting means to obtain a color signal obtained from the image pickup device. to correct. On the other hand, when the illuminance of the detected external light is high, another color correction method is used.
Thereby, appropriate color correction can be performed according to the illuminance of external light.

An image pickup device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises shutter means and
It is characterized by further comprising flash photographing means for controlling the shutter means so as to expose the image pickup element only during a period when the light intensity of the light emitting means is high when the light emitting means is caused to emit light for photographing.

According to this structure, when the flash photographing means causes the light emitting means to emit light for photographing, the shutter means is controlled so as to expose the image pickup device only during a period when the light intensity of the light emitting means is high. . Thereby, the light source information can be collected efficiently.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of an image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup section consisting of a lens 1, an image pickup element 2 and an A / D converter 3, a control computer 9, a color separation circuit 4 for performing color separation of image signals,
A flash 5 for illuminating an object, an illuminance detecting means 26 for detecting illuminance, a spectroscopic measuring means 6 for measuring spectral distribution characteristics of the object, and a white balance coefficient W for each color.
It is composed of a B coefficient generating means 8 and a color correction processing section including a white balance circuit 7 for sending a signal whose white balance has been adjusted to a signal processing circuit 10 in the subsequent stage.

In this embodiment, the spectral distribution S (λ) of the flash 5 is previously stored in a memory (not shown) of the WB coefficient generation means 8.
And spectral sensitivity distributions c (λ), y (λ), m (λ), g of the respective colors (cyan, yellow, magenta, green) of the image sensor 2
(Λ) is stored. The spectral sensitivity distribution of each color of the image sensor 1 will be described in detail later.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the flow of a photographing procedure and white balance processing by the image pickup apparatus of this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

First, the subject is photographed using the flash 5, and the spectroscopic measurement means 6 measures the photometric data (photometric spectral distribution) F (λ) when the flash light is used (step S11).

Equation (1) shows between the photometric spectral distribution F (λ), the spectral distribution S (λ) of the flash, the spectral distribution Sl (λ) of the light source, and the spectral reflectance ρ (λ) of the subject. I have a relationship.

F (λ) = {S (λ) + Sl (λ)} · ρ (λ) (1) Here, the illuminance of external light and flash light will be considered. The illuminance of outside light is about 50,000-100,000 lux outdoors in sunny weather,
It is about 5,000 lux under the fluorescent light in the room. On the contrary,
In the case of flash light, it depends on the guide number, but it is about 1
It is from 0,000 to 50,000 lux. In addition, although it depends on some factors such as the reflectance of the subject and the distance to the subject, the effect of the flash light is much stronger than the outside light when shooting indoors or outdoors when it is not too bright.
(Λ) is negligibly smaller than S (λ), and therefore the equation (1) can be approximated as follows.

F (λ) = S (λ) ρ (λ) (1A) Therefore, based on the equation (1A), the spectral reflectance ρ of the subject is calculated.
(Λ) is obtained (step S12).

When the illuminance detecting means 26 determines that the external light is much stronger than the flash light, the white balance processing according to the present method is not performed, and the white balance processing according to the conventional method such as the TTL method is performed. To do.

Next, normal photographing is performed without using the flash 5 (step S13). At this time, the photometric data Fl (λ) obtained from the spectroscopic measurement means 6 and the spectral distribution Sl (λ) of the light source and the spectral reflectance ρ (λ) of the subject obtained in step S12 are expressed by equation (2). There is a relationship shown.

F (λ) = Sl (λ) · ρ (λ) (2) In the WB (white balance) coefficient generation means 8, the spectral distribution Sl (λ) of the light source is calculated based on the equation (2). Obtained (step S14).

Subsequently, the WB coefficient generating means 8 takes into account the spectral distribution Sl (λ) of the light source, the spectral sensitivity distribution c (λ) of each color in consideration of the spectral sensitivity of each color filter of the image sensor 2, and y.
Using (λ), m (λ), g (λ) and equations (3) to (6), white balance coefficients Cl, Yl, Ml,
Gl is calculated (step S15).

Cl = ΣSl (λ) · C (λ) (3) Yl = ΣSl (λ) · y (λ) (4) Ml = ΣSl (λ) · m (λ) (5) Gl = ΣSl (λ) · g (λ) (6) In normal shooting, image signals are simultaneously obtained from the image sensor 2.

This image signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 3 (step S16), and C by the color separation circuit 4.
The colors are separated into the respective colors of YMG (step S17) and sent to the white balance circuit 7.

Then, in the white balance circuit 7, all the pixel signals CA sent from the color separation circuit 4,
Using YA, MA, and GA, the white balance coefficients Cl, Yl, Ml, and Gl obtained by the WB coefficient generation means 8 are used to calculate equations (7) to (10) to obtain white balance (step S18). ).

C = CA / Cl (7) Y = YA / Yl (8) M = MA / Ml (9) G = GA / Gl (10) Then, the image signal subjected to the white balance processing is sent to the signal processing circuit 10, and subjected to various signal processing and output (step S34).

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the spectral distribution of the flash and the spectral sensitivity distribution of each color of the image pickup device are measured and stored in advance and obtained at the time of flash photography. The spectral reflectance of the subject is obtained from the photometric spectral distribution of the subject and the spectral distribution characteristic of the flash, and the spectral distribution of the light source is obtained from the photometric spectral distribution of the subject obtained during normal shooting and the obtained spectral reflectance, and the obtained Since white balance is taken from the spectral distribution of the light source and the spectral sensitivity distribution of each color of the image sensor, white balance is actually obtained by using the light source information of the subject (spectral distribution of the light source).
It is possible to achieve a very accurate white balance as compared with the conventional method.

In the above-described first embodiment, the white balance processing in the case where the filter array of the image sensor 2 is the complementary color (CYMG) has been described. The white balance processing described in the present embodiment is the filter array of the image sensor 2. Is pure color (RG
It can also be applied to the case of B). Further, it is a general method to obtain white balance by the calculation performed by the above equations (7) to (8), but considering that white balance is taken as the entire image pickup processing, the white balance coefficients Cl, Yl , Ml, Gl or the spectral distribution S (λ) of the light source may be variously applied to perform white balance processing.

Finally, the spectral sensitivity distribution of each color of the image sensor 2 stored in advance in the memory of the WB coefficient generating means 8 will be described.

The spectral sensitivity distribution of each color of the image sensor 2 is obtained by the spectral distribution of the color filter on the image sensor 2, but in addition to this, it is necessary to consider variations in the output value of the image sensor 2 itself. .

Therefore, single-wavelength light (wavelength is 380 to 780 nm in the visible light range) is applied to the image pickup device 2, and the output value of the image pickup device 2 at a wavelength of 555 nm is set to 1 as shown in FIG. A distribution curve with the wavelength λ on the axis and the output value of the image sensor 2 on the y axis is measured in advance as the spectral sensitivity distribution of the image sensor 2 and stored in the memory of the WB coefficient generation means 8.
Do this for all colors in the color filter. In the case of this embodiment, the array of color filters is a complementary color, and CY
It is four colors of MG.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of an image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The image pickup apparatus of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the average value calculating means 25 is used instead of the spectroscopic measuring means 6.
Is provided. Further, in this embodiment, the image pickup device 2 includes an RGB pure color filter as a color filter. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the flow of the photographing procedure and white balance processing by the image pickup apparatus of FIG. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the image pickup device 2 is previously stored as the light source information of the flash light in the memory of the WB coefficient generating means.
The average value of each color output is stored. These average values are obtained by averaging the output values of the respective colors of the image pickup device 2 obtained when the flash is shot toward the white plate and are represented by Rf0, Gf0, and Bf0.

First, the subject is photographed using the flash 5 (step S25).

FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the emission intensity characteristic of the flash 5 and the exposure control of the image sensor 2.

As described in the equations (1) and (1A) of the first embodiment, in order to eliminate the influence of the external light by the flash light, in the range where the light intensity of the flash light is the strongest, That is, it is preferable to expose the image pickup device 2 within the time Δt in FIG.
Controls the shutter speed of the image sensor 2 to be Δt, determines the aperture, synchronizes the exposure start time with t1, and controls to perform flash photography.

Further, as in the first embodiment, the control computer 9 judges the intensity of external light using the data from the illuminance detecting means 26, and the external light is extremely bright with respect to the flash light. If it is determined that the influence of outside light cannot be ignored, the white balance processing in this method is prohibited and the white balance is controlled by the conventional method such as the TTL method.

Thereafter, when flash photography is performed in step S25, the image signal from the image pickup device 2 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 3 and color-separated by the color separation circuit 4 (step S26). Next, the average value calculation means 25
Then, using the image signals of the respective colors separated by the color separation circuit 4,
The average value Rf, G of the output for each color of the image sensor 2 at that time
f and Bf are obtained, and the values are sent to the WB coefficient generation means 8 for storage (step S27).

Next, normal photographing is performed without using the flash 5 (step S28). The image signal from the image sensor 2 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 3 and then color-separated by the color separation circuit 4 as in the case of flash photography.
It is sent to the average value calculating means 25 and the white balance circuit 7 (step S29). At this time, the image signal sent to the white balance circuit 7 is delayed by a delay circuit (not shown) in the white balance circuit 7 for the time for calculating the white balance coefficient, if necessary (step S3).
2).

On the other hand, the average value calculating means 25 calculates the average value Rn, Gn, Bn of the output for each color (step S30).

Next, the WB coefficient generating means 8 uses the obtained data values as described above, and as the information of the light source at the time of normal photographing, for example, the white balance coefficient Rl from the following equations (11) to (13), Gl and Bl are obtained (step S31).

Rl = Rn · Rf0 / Rf (11) Gl = Gn · Gf0 / Gf (12) Bl = Bn · Bf0 / Bf (13) Next, in the white balance circuit 7, , Color separation circuit 4
Signal values RA, GA, B of all pixels sent from
With respect to A, the WB coefficients Rl, Gl, Bl obtained above are used to calculate the equations (14) to (16) in the same manner as in the first embodiment to obtain white balance (step S33).

R = RA / Rl (14) G = GA / Gl (15) B = BA / Bl (16) In this way, the image signal subjected to the white balance processing Is sent to the signal processing circuit 10, where it is subjected to various signal processing and output (step S34).

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the light source information of the flash light is obtained and stored in advance, and the output for each color of the image pickup device obtained during flash photography is obtained. White balance processing is performed using the average value and the average value of the output for each color of the image sensor obtained during normal shooting, so light source information of the conventional subject, that is, the spectral distribution or color temperature of the light source is measured. There is no need to provide a means for doing so, and cost reduction and circuit simplification can be realized. Also, the conventional TTL method for white balance is the S / S of an image for a dark subject.
Since the N ratio is not so good, accurate white balance is difficult, whereas in the present embodiment, the light source information is obtained by referring to the flash light whose characteristics are clear. Accurate light source information can be obtained, and more accurate white balance correction can be realized.

In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the white balance processing in the case where the filter array of the image sensor 2 is a pure color (RGB) has been described, but the white balance processing described in this embodiment is the filter of the image sensor 2. The array is a complementary color (YMG
It can also be applied to the case of C).

In each of the above embodiments, the white balance processing when the flash is not used during the actual shooting has been described. However, when shooting with the flash, the spectral distribution characteristics of the flash light are known in advance. Therefore, it is possible to easily adjust the white balance by using it.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the image pickup apparatus having the built-in color correction processing device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, if the information collecting unit of the light source that illuminates the subject is independent, it is possible to provide the light source information collecting device that can accurately measure the light source information.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention of claim 1, the light emitting means for illuminating the subject, the spectroscopic measuring means for measuring the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject, and the spectroscopic measurement when the light emitting means emits light. Since the information collecting means for obtaining the light source information of the subject from the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the means and the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measurement means when the light emitting means is not emitting light is actually provided. It is possible to obtain light source information that illuminates the subject. Therefore, if color correction is performed using such light source information, accurate color correction processing can be performed even in a white place at a special position on the screen of the image pickup device or in a place where many yellowish or reddish subjects occupy the screen. You can do it. Further, since the light emitting means is used, highly accurate color correction processing can be performed even on a dark subject.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device which comprises a light emitting means for illuminating a subject, a spectroscopic measuring means for measuring a spectral distribution characteristic of the subject, and a spectroscopic measurement of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measuring means when the light emitting means emits light. Information collecting means for obtaining light source information of the subject from the distribution characteristic and the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measurement means when the light emitting means does not emit light,
Since the color correction means for correcting the color signal obtained from the image pickup device by using the light source information is provided, the light source information for actually illuminating the subject can be obtained, and the color correction can be executed by the light source information. it can. Therefore, accurate color correction processing can be performed even when a white place is at a special position on the screen of the image pickup apparatus or a large number of yellowish or reddish subjects occupy the screen. Further, since the light emitting means is used, highly accurate color correction processing can be performed even on a dark subject.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light emitting means for illuminating a subject, image pickup data obtained from an image pickup device when the light emitting means is caused to emit light and the subject is photographed without causing the light emitting means to emit light. And a color correction unit that corrects a color signal obtained from the image pickup device using image pickup data obtained from the image pickup device.
An accurate color correction process can be performed in the same manner as in the above invention. Further, since the means for measuring the spectral distribution of the light source or the color temperature is unnecessary, the circuit itself can be further simplified.

An image pickup device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises an illuminance detecting means for detecting the illuminance of external light, and the color correcting means, when the illuminance of external light is low, of the subject obtained by the information collecting means. Since the color signal obtained from the image sensor is corrected using the light source information, it is possible to perform appropriate color correction according to the illuminance of external light.

An image pickup device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention comprises shutter means and
Since flash image capturing means is provided for controlling the shutter means so as to expose the image sensor only during a period when the light emitting means emits light, the light source information is collected. It can be done efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a shooting procedure and a flow of white balance processing by the image pickup apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a curve diagram showing an example of spectral sensitivity distribution characteristics of an image sensor.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a shooting procedure and a flow of white balance processing by the image pickup apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a curve diagram showing a relationship between flash emission intensity characteristics and exposure control of an image sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 lens 2 image sensor 3 A / D converter 4 color separation circuit 5 flash (light emitting means) 6 spectroscopic measurement means 7 white balance circuit 8 white balance coefficient generation means 9 control computer 10 signal processing circuit 25 average value calculation means 26 illuminance detection means

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting means for illuminating a subject, a spectroscopic measuring means for measuring a spectral distribution characteristic of the subject, a spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measuring means when the light emitting means emits light, and a non-existence of the light emitting means. A light source information collecting device comprising: an information collecting unit that obtains light source information of a subject from the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measuring unit during light emission. 2. A light emitting means for illuminating an object, a spectral measuring means for measuring a spectral distribution characteristic of the object, a spectral distribution characteristic of the object obtained by the spectral measuring means when the light emitting means emits light, and a non-existence of the light emitting means. An information collecting unit for obtaining light source information of the subject from the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measuring unit at the time of light emission, and a color correcting unit for correcting a color signal obtained from the image sensor using the light source information. An imaging device comprising: 3. A light emitting means for illuminating a subject, imaging data obtained from an image pickup device when the light emitting means emits light to photograph the subject, and image pickup data when the subject is photographed without the light emitting means emitting light. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a color correction unit that corrects a color signal obtained from the image pickup device using obtained image pickup data. 4. An illuminance detecting means for detecting illuminance of external light, wherein the color correcting means uses the light source information of the subject obtained by the information collecting means when the illuminance of external light is low. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a color signal obtained from the element is corrected. 5. A shutter means and a flash photographing means for controlling the shutter means so as to expose the image pickup device only during a period when the light intensity of the light emitting means is high when the light emitting means emits light for photographing. The imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising: 6. A light emitting means for illuminating a subject, a spectroscopic measuring means for measuring a spectral distribution characteristic of the subject, a memory storing the spectral distribution characteristic of the light emitting means, and the spectroscopic measuring means when the light emitting means emits light. Based on the spectral distribution characteristics of the obtained subject and the spectral distribution characteristics of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measurement means when the light emitting means is not emitting light and the spectral distribution characteristics of the light emitting means stored in the memory, the spectrum of the light source that illuminates the subject A light source information collecting device, comprising: information collecting means for obtaining distribution. 7. A light emitting means for illuminating a subject, a spectroscopic measuring means for measuring a spectral distribution characteristic of the subject, a memory for storing the spectral distribution characteristic of the light emitting means and a spectral sensitivity distribution of each color of the image sensor, and the light emitting device. When the light emitting means emits light, the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measuring means, the spectral distribution characteristic of the subject obtained by the spectroscopic measuring means when the light emitting means does not emit light, and the spectral distribution of the light emitting means stored in the memory Information collecting means for obtaining a spectral distribution of a light source that illuminates a subject from distribution characteristics, and color correction for correcting a plurality of color signals obtained from the image sensor from the spectral sensitivity distribution of each color of the image sensor and the spectral distribution of the light source. And an image pickup device. 8. A light emitting means for illuminating an object, a memory for storing spectral distribution characteristics of the light emitting means, an average output value for each color of an image pickup element when the light emitting means is made to emit light, and the light emitting means. A color correction process for an image pickup apparatus, comprising: a color correction unit that corrects a plurality of color signals obtained from the image pickup element based on an average output value for each color of the image pickup element when the image is picked up without light emission. apparatus.