JPH11331669A - Video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the video camera with a slim body where a display section for an electronic display device is not exposed externally when the video camera is not in use and the holding operability of a longitudinal grip providing excellent operating convenience is attained. SOLUTION: In the video camera 1 having an electronic display device 3, the electronic display device 3 is provided with an integrated grip 5 and an integrated photographing button 6 and is pivotally supported in front of a camera main body 1 turnably. Thus, in the photographing state, the electronic display device 3 is turned by about 90 degrees from the contained state. In the contained state of the electronic display device 3, a display section 4 of the electronic display device 3 is directed inward and placed in parallel with the camera main body and the entire components are housed in parallel in a slim form entirely so that the grip 5 is not overlapped in the broadwise direction of the camera main body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video camera having an electronic display such as a liquid crystal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of video cameras for photographing moving images and still images using an image pickup device such as a CCD have been released. In these cameras, an electronic display represented by a liquid crystal display is generally mounted. It is becoming. In many of these conventional models, as shown in FIG. 8, an electronic display 25 is arranged on the back of the camera body 24 for easy viewing.

[0003] Further, as in a conventional example shown in Fig. 9, an electronic display 27 is foldably arranged on the upper surface of the camera main body 26 in order to make the camera main body 26 thinner in the vertical direction.

[0004]

However, in the above conventional example, in the example of FIG. 8, since the large electronic display 25 is entirely exposed to the outside, dust and scratches are apt to be formed, and a fingerprint of the hand is attached. Problem.

[0005] In the example of FIG.
Although the display surface of No. 7 can be protected, there is a problem that the operability of holding the camera body is not good due to the shooting button 28 being arranged on the upper surface of the thin camera body 26 and the like.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a camera body which is slim in the housed state and long in the front-rear direction.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a video camera that does not expose the display unit of an electronic display to the outside when it is not in use and that is easy to use and has good operability with a vertical grip.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video camera having an electronic display, wherein an electronic display member is provided with an integrated grip portion and a video camera. The electronic display member is provided with a button, and is rotatably supported in front of the camera body, so that the electronic display member is rotated by approximately 90 ° from a stored state to a normal shooting state, and the electronic display member is stored in the stored state of the electronic display member. Wherein the display part is located on the inner surface and positioned parallel to the camera body, and the grip part is housed in parallel in a slim form so that the grip part does not overlap in the thickness direction of the camera body. In the camera.

According to the above configuration, in the stored state,
Since the electronic display member is parallel to the camera body,
The display portion of the electronic display is protected without being exposed to the outside, and the entire display can be stored in a slim state. In a shooting state in which the electronic display is rotated by about 90 ° from the stored state, the display unit of the electronic display becomes visible from behind, and the grip unit is vertically positioned at the side end of the electronic display, so that operability is good. It can be configured.

A specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application is, as described in claim 2, in the video camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera body is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped whose vertical direction is smaller than the other. A rotatable electronic display member horizontally supported at the front of the camera body has a grip portion integrally, and in a stored state, the display section of the electronic display is parallel to the upper surface of the camera body. The video camera is characterized in that the video camera is positioned on the side of the camera body such that the grip portion is generally slim.

According to this configuration, when the horizontal camera body is housed, the display portion of the electronic display is vertically positioned in parallel with the upper surface of the thin camera body, and the grip portion is located on the side of the camera body. Since the camera is configured to fit, the entire camera can be stored in a slim form.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, as in the third aspect, in the video camera according to the second aspect, the camera body has an optical finder, The video camera is characterized in that the display member is housed on the upper surface of the camera body and a second shooting button is provided outside the electronic display member.

With this configuration, it is possible to take a picture with the second photographing button while looking through the optical viewfinder while the electronic display is housed in the upper surface of the camera body.

According to another aspect of the invention for realizing the object of the invention according to the present invention, in the video camera according to the first aspect, the camera body is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having a smaller width than the other. A rotatable electronic display member vertically supported by a front portion of the camera body integrally has a grip portion, and a display portion of the electronic display is positioned parallel to a side surface of the camera body in a stored state. In addition, the video camera is characterized in that the grip portion is located at a rear portion of the camera body such that the grip portion is entirely slim.

According to this structure, the camera body is a vertical type camera in which the camera body is thin in the horizontal direction. In the housed state, the electronic display member is parallel to the side surface of the camera body, and the grip portion is slim at the rear of the camera body. The electronic display member, which is housed and integrated with a grip portion during shooting, can be rotated by 90 ° in the horizontal direction to shoot while viewing the display portion.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, in the video camera according to the first aspect, a displaceable lens barrier is provided on the front surface of the taking lens. Wherein the lens barrier is displaced from a closed state on the front surface of the photographic lens to a released state by interlocking by rotating the electronic display member having the integrated grip portion from the stored state to the photographing state. You have a video camera.

According to this configuration, by automatically opening and closing the lens barrier, the user can be automatically brought into the shooting preparation state without any awareness.

According to another specific configuration for realizing the object of the invention according to the present application, in the video camera according to the second aspect, the video camera is rotated by 90 ° from the stored state and is in a normal shooting state. In addition, the video camera is further characterized in that the display unit of the electronic display is turned forward by 180 ° so that the photographing can be performed while viewing the monitor from the subject side.

According to this configuration, a self-portrait can be photographed.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a normal use state of the video camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electronic display unit of the video camera shown in FIG. 1 is housed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the video camera shown in FIG. 1 with the electronic display unit facing the front of the camera.

1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body.
It has a horizontal configuration that is thin in the vertical direction and long in the front-rear direction. Reference numeral 2 denotes a photographing lens, and reference numeral 3 denotes an electronic display unit. Reference numeral 4 denotes a display unit of the electronic display, and reference numeral 5 denotes a grip unit integrated with the electronic display 3. A photographing button 6 is provided at an upper portion in the state of FIG.
The electronic display unit 3 is pivotally supported by the rotating shaft unit 3A in front of the camera body 1 so that the axis is horizontal. A rotary shaft 3B shown by a broken line in FIG. The electronic display unit 3 can be rotated integrally with the grip unit 5 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the two rotation shafts 3A and 3B.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 1 shows a normal photographing state. In this case, although the camera body 1 is of a horizontal type that is thin in the vertical direction, the user can hold a vertical grip as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2 showing the stored state of the electronic display unit 3, the display unit 4 is protected from scratches and dust because it is not exposed to the outside along the upper surface of the camera body 1. At this time, the grip unit 5 is also attached to the camera body 1 at the same time.
, It is possible to make it extremely slim and excellent in portability.

The video camera of the present invention uses the electronic display unit 3 for photographing, so there is no problem even if there is no optical finder. Thus, more various photographing modes are possible. For example, even in the housed state of the electronic display unit 3 in FIG. 2, it is possible to take a picture using the optical viewfinder while keeping the slim housed state.
In this case, since the photographing button 6 of the grip unit 5 is located behind the camera and is difficult to use, the second photographing button 1
Since the camera 2 is attached to the camera, the camera 2 is used to shoot without using the electronic display unit 3. Also, in the state shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to perform photographing using the second photographing button 12 using the optical viewfinder.

In addition, strobe photography by the strobe 9 is possible, and a display window 10 and an operation member 11 are provided to enable connection with an external device. The display window 10 and the operating member 11 are located on the upper surface of the camera body 1 in the use state of FIG. 1 and thus can be easily visually recognized, and are covered by the electronic display unit 3 and exposed to the outside in the storage state of FIG. Without being protected. In this case, if a basic operation member such as a power switch is installed at another position, it can be used even in the state of FIG.

The electronic display unit 3 is rotated by about 270 ° from the storage state of FIG. 2 (180 degrees from the state of FIG. 1).
FIG. 3 shows a state in which the rotation is performed. In this position, the user holds the electronic display 4 from the front of the camera.
It is also possible to take a self-portrait or the like while taking the self as a subject while watching.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, FIG.
The user can enjoy the normal shooting state indicated by, the shooting with the electronic display of FIG. 2 housed, the face-to-face shooting shown in FIG. 3, and the shooting in three states. Also, it is of course possible to shoot at an intermediate display angle in the middle of FIGS.

In the state shown in FIG. 3, photographing is generally performed using a known remote controller or a self-timer function (not shown), and photographing is generally performed by attaching a tripod screw on the bottom of the camera body 1 (not shown) to a tripod. However, in the case of the present invention, as is apparent from FIG. 3, the electronic display unit 3 and the grip unit 5 are L-shaped on the lower surface. Due to the weight of the battery, it is possible to use the stand-alone as shown in FIG. 3 without using a tripod.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the camera shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the camera shown in FIG.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a photographing lens 2 on a camera body 1.
4 is an example in which the opening and closing of the lens barrier 13 is linked to the opening and closing of the electronic display unit 3. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the electronic display unit 3 corresponding to FIG. 2 is stored, and FIG. The corresponding normal shooting is shown. The lens barrier 13 is supported by the rotation shaft 3B,
A shielding portion 13A on the arc is located between the lens window 1A of the camera body 1 and the photographing lens (not shown) 2 to protect the front surface of the photographing lens. In this case, the lens barrier 13 is urged clockwise by a spring 14 provided between the projection 13B of the lens barrier 13 and a part 1B of the camera body. The lens of FIG. 4 is regulated by the pin 15 attached thereto, and the state in which the lens of FIG.

Now, when the electronic display unit 3 and the grip unit 5 are rotated from the state shown in FIG. 4, the state shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. The pin 15 of the grip unit 5 rotates clockwise, and the lens barrier 13 rotates accordingly. Then, the shielding portion 13A is retracted from the taking lens window 1A of the camera body, and the front surface of the taking lens is opened.

As described above, the lens barrier 13 of the photographing lens can be automatically opened in conjunction with the rotation of the electronic display unit 3 and the grip unit 5 at the time of preparation for photographing. However, this application example is not compatible with the shooting with the electronic display unit 3 shown in FIG. Therefore, in order to enable photographing in the housed state shown in FIG. 2, the lens barrier 13 must not be employed, or another configuration such as interlocking with a power switch or the like is required.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the video camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention in use. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the video camera when the electronic display shown in FIG. 6 is housed.

The video camera according to the second embodiment is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having a small horizontal width. The video camera according to the second embodiment is a vertical camera body as compared with the horizontal camera body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a photographing state, and FIG. 7 shows a stowed state.

In the video camera shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the camera main body 16 has an elongated (high-magnification zoom lens or the like) photographing lens 17 as shown by a broken line, and the electronic display section 18 is disposed in front of the camera main body 16 in the vertical direction. Is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft 19. The electronic display unit 18 is integrally provided with a display unit 20 and a grip unit 21. It is effective to provide a battery storage space inside the grip portion. In addition, a shooting button 22 is provided above the grip portion 21. An optical viewfinder 23 may be attached to the camera body 16 as in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the user can operate the photographing button 22 while holding the vertical grip portion 21 with the right hand, thereby realizing an extremely easy-to-use configuration similar to the first embodiment. Further, by rotating the grip 21 from this state, the electronic display 18 is stored with the display 20 inside in parallel with the side surface of the camera body, so that the display 20 can be protected without being exposed to the outside. It can be. At this time, since the grip portion 21 is located at the rear portion of the camera body, it is possible to make the configuration extremely slim and excellent in portability as shown in FIG.

The rotating shaft 18A of the electronic display unit 18 allows the electronic display unit 18 to rotate in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 6, thereby changing the relationship between the electronic display unit 18 and the camera body 16 in the vertical direction. May be changeable. This is a general configuration in a small video camera, but in the present invention, not only the electronic display unit,
It is characterized by the fact that the integral grip portion is variable in angle with the camera body, and the camera portion can be realized for the first time with a small and light video camera. As in the case of the first embodiment, a one-touch operation at the time of photographing brings the camera into a use state, and it is possible to provide a slim video camera that is easy to use and slim when not in use.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An electronic display member having a grip unit integrally formed is rotatably supported at the front of the camera body, and a photographing button is arranged on the grip unit. To protect the display of the electronic display from being exposed to the outside, and in the shooting state in which the electronic display is rotated by approximately 90 ° from the stored state, the display of the electronic display is visible from behind. The grip section is positioned vertically on the side of the display section of the electronic display, and a camera body that is long in the front-back direction is effective to accommodate a long shooting lens such as a high-magnification zoom lens in the optical axis direction. The camera body is configured taking into account the points, so that it is both slim when not in use and easy to use when in use. In longitudinal direction of the long camera consists of a slim, the display unit of the electronic display when not in use is not exposed to the outside, there is an effect of a holding good operability camcorder vertical grip good usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a normal use state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the video camera shown in FIG. 1 when the electronic display unit is stored.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the video camera shown in FIG. 1 with an electronic display unit facing the front of the camera.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the video camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the video camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention when in use.

7 is a perspective view of the video camera when the electronic display shown in FIG. 6 is housed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional video camera.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a video camera provided with a conventional foldable electronic display.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 16 camera body, 2, 17 shooting lens 3, 18 electronic display unit 3A, 3B, 19 rotation axis 4, 20 display unit of electronic display 5, 21 grip unit 6, 22 shooting button 7, 23 optical viewfinder objective window 8 Optical viewfinder eyepiece window 9 Strobe 10 Display window 11 Operation member 12 Second shooting button 13 Lens barrier 14 Spring

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A video camera provided with an electronic display, wherein the electronic display member has an integral grip portion and a shooting button, and is rotatably supported in front of the camera body so that the electronic display member is housed. The camera is rotated by approximately 90 ° to a normal shooting state, and in a state where the electronic display member is stored, the display portion of the electronic display member is on the inner surface, and is positioned parallel to the camera main body, and the grip portion is provided on the camera main body. A video camera characterized by being housed side by side in a slim form so as not to overlap in the thickness direction. 2. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein
The camera body is configured as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped whose vertical direction is smaller than the other, and a rotatable electronic display member horizontally supported at the front of the camera body has a grip portion integrally therewith. A video camera, wherein a display portion of a display is positioned parallel to an upper surface of the camera body, and the grip portion is positioned on a side portion of the camera body such that the grip portion has a slim shape as a whole. 3. The video camera according to claim 2, wherein
A video camera, wherein the camera body includes an optical finder, and when folded, the electronic display member is housed on the upper surface of the camera body, and a second shooting button is provided outside the electronic display member. 4. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein
The camera body is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having a width smaller than that of the other, and a rotatable electronic display member vertically supported at the front of the camera body has a grip portion integrally therewith. Wherein the display unit is positioned parallel to a side surface of the camera body, and the grip unit is positioned at a rear portion of the camera body such that the grip unit is entirely slim. 5. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein
A displaceable lens barrier is provided on the front surface of the taking lens, and the electronic display member having the integrated grip portion is rotated from the housed state to the photographing state so that the lens barrier interlocks with the front surface of the taking lens. A video camera which is displaced from a state to a released state. 6. The video camera according to claim 2, wherein
The camera is rotated 90 ° from the stowed state to be in a normal shooting state, and further rotated by 180 ° so that the display unit of the electronic display is directed in front of the camera so that shooting can be performed while viewing the monitor from the subject side. Video camera.