KR20070120012A - Photographing apparatus, and photographing method - Google Patents

Abstract

An image capturing apparatus and method are provided to solve a problem that when a hand movement occurs in capturing multiple images, the multiple images would be displaced when combined. An image comparison region setting unit(158) sets an image comparison region near a main subject in single exposed image data. A displacement detecting unit(160) compares one image of the image comparison region in one exposure state and another image corresponding to the one image among image data in another exposure state, and detects a relative displacement between the images. An image combining unit(120) combines the multiple images such that one image and another image can correspond to each other by removing the relative displacement.

Description

Imaging Apparatus and Imaging Method {Photographing apparatus, and photographing method}

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a timing chart showing processing performed in one imaging operation.

3 is a timing chart showing post-processing after exposure.

4 is a diagram illustrating four of a plurality of images obtained by a plurality of exposures.

FIG. 5 shows an image obtained by synthesizing four images shown in FIG. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a state in which the AF area is displayed together with the captured image on the LCD.

7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of AF areas are set in the AF area.

8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which comparison area data is set regardless of the AF area.

9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the photographer can arbitrarily set an area for setting comparison area data.

10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the imaging apparatus of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: imaging device 120: image synthesizing unit

130: operation unit 158: comparison area setting unit

160: position shift detection unit 170, 170a, 170b, 170c: AF area

172, 174: comparison area border

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an image combining method, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus and an image combining method capable of accurately correcting a position shift when synthesizing a plurality of images.

Recently, a technique for synthesizing successive images in time using functions such as a digital camera is known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-158905 discloses a method of detecting a moving subject in a series of images captured continuously and synthesizing a plurality of images with the moving subject as a comparison target.

However, when a hand shake or the like occurs when imaging a plurality of images, there is a problem that a positional displacement between the plurality of images occurs when the images are synthesized. In particular, when the main subject is moving, the amount of misalignment between the main subject and the background is different. Therefore, when the entire image is subjected to comparison, it is impossible to accurately correct the misalignment.

In addition, when a plurality of images are synthesized based on a moving subject, there is a problem that a deviation occurs in an image of a background. In addition, when the moving subject is a person, an animal, or the like, the appearance of the subject changes from time to time. Therefore, it is difficult to correct the position shift by synthesizing a plurality of images based on the moving subject. For this reason, a problem arises in that a clear image cannot be obtained when camera shake or the like occurs.

It is a main object of the present invention to provide an imaging device and an image combining method capable of accurately correcting positional shifts caused by camera shake and the like when synthesizing a plurality of images.

The present invention is an image pickup device for time-dividing an exposure time in one shooting operation to perform a plurality of exposures and imaging a plurality of images, wherein an image comparison area for setting an image comparison area around a main subject among image data of one exposure A setting unit; and compares one image in the image comparison area in the one exposure with another image corresponding to the one image among the image data of another exposure, and compares the one image with the other image. A position shift detection unit for detecting position shift; and an image synthesizing unit for combining the plurality of images so that the one image and the other image coincide by removing the relative position shift. Therefore, the imaging device can synthesize the images so that the positional shift is eliminated even when the positional shift occurs in the plurality of images due to the camera shake of the photographer. This makes it possible to obtain a clear image with image stabilization regardless of whether or not the main subject is moving.

Here, the one exposure is the first exposure of the plurality of exposures, and the position shift detection unit detects a relative position shift with the other image in the image data of each subsequent exposure based on the one image. Can be. This configuration makes it possible to synthesize an image of subsequent exposure on the basis of the image of the first exposure.

Here, the image comparison area can be set outside the area of the focusing area. Since the in-focus detection area is usually located at the center of the image and corresponds to the position of the main subject, the image comparison area can be set around the main subject by setting the image comparison area outside the area of the in-focus detection area.

Here, the image comparison area may be set in an area of a predetermined range extending toward the center from the outer edge of the image. Since the main subject is usually located at the center of the image, the image comparison area can be set around the main subject by setting the image comparison area in a predetermined range of areas extending from the outer edge of the image toward the center.

Here, the operation part which sets the position of the said image comparison area | region is provided, The position of the said image comparison area | region can be arbitrarily set by operation of the said operation part. This configuration enables the photographer to set the image comparison area around the main subject by operating the operation unit.

Further, the present invention is an image synthesizing method of time-dividing an exposure time in one shooting operation to perform a plurality of exposures, and synthesizing a plurality of obtained images, wherein the image comparison area is surrounded by a main subject in the image data of one exposure. A first step of storing a second image; and a second step of storing one image in the image comparison area; and a third step of storing another image corresponding to the one image among image data of another exposure; and A fourth step of detecting a relative positional shift between the one image and the other image; and a fifth step of synthesizing the plurality of images so that the one image and the other image coincide by removing the relative positional shift. Disclosed is an image synthesizing method comprising a. Therefore, in the image synthesizing method, even when the position shift occurs in a plurality of images due to the camera shake of the photographer, the image shift can be synthesized so as to eliminate the position shift. This makes it possible to obtain a clear image with image stabilization regardless of whether or not the main subject is moving.

Here, the one exposure is the first exposure of the plurality of exposures, and in the fourth step, relative position shift with the other image in the image data of each subsequent exposure is detected based on the one image. Can be. This configuration makes it possible to synthesize an image of subsequent exposure on the basis of the image of the first exposure.

Here, in the first step, the image comparison area may be set outside the area of the in-focus detection area. Since the in-focus detection area is usually located at the center of the image and corresponds to the position of the main subject, the image comparison area can be set around the main subject by setting the image comparison area outside the area of the in-focus detection area.

Here, in the first step, the image comparison area may be set to an area of a predetermined range extending toward the center from the outer edge of the image. Since the main subject is usually located at the center of the image, the image comparison area can be set around the main subject by setting the image comparison area in a predetermined range of areas extending from the outer edge of the image toward the center.

Here, in the first step, the position of the image comparison area may be arbitrarily set according to the position of the main subject.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, redundant description is omitted by attaching the same reference numerals to components having substantially the same functional configuration.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, the structure of the imaging device which concerns on the Example of this invention is demonstrated.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an imaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a zoom lens (group) 102, a shutter 104, an aperture 106, and a focus lens (group) 108. ), A CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) element 110 as an imaging device, a Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) / AMP (amplifier) circuit 112, an A / D converter 114, and an image input controller 116 ), An image signal processor 118, an image synthesizer 120, a compression processor 122, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) driver 124, an LCD 126, a timing generator 128, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 150, operation unit 130, shutter button 132, memory 134, VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 136, media controller 138, And a recording medium 140, and drivers 142, 144, 146, and 148.

The zoom lens 102, the shutter 104, the aperture 106, and the focus lens 108 are driven with the actuators controlled by the drivers 142, 144, 146, and 148, respectively. .

The zoom lens 102 is a lens which is moved back and forth in the optical axis direction to continuously change the focal length.

The shutter 104 controls the exposure time to the CCD element 110 when capturing an image.

The diaphragm 106 adjusts the amount of light incident on the CCD element 110 when the image is captured.

The focus lens 108 is moved back and forth in the optical axis direction to adjust the focus of the image of the subject formed on the CCD element 110.

The CCD element 110 is an element for converting light incident through the zoom lens 102, the shutter 104, the aperture 106, and the focus lens 108 into an electrical signal.

In the present embodiment, the CCD element 110 is used as the imaging element, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) element may be used instead of the CCD element 110, and other image sensors. You can also use In this case, when the CMOS element is used, the CMOS element can convert the video light of the subject into an electrical signal at a higher speed than the CCD element, so that the time from capturing the subject to performing the image combining process can be shortened. .

The CDS / AMP circuit 112 is a circuit in which a CDS circuit which is a kind of sampling circuit that removes noise of an electrical signal output from the CCD element 110 and an amplifier that amplifies the electrical signal after removing the noise are integrated. . In this embodiment, a circuit in which the CDS circuit and the amplifier are integrated is used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the CDS circuit and the amplifier may be constituted by respective circuits.

The A / D converter 114 converts an electric signal generated in the CCD element 110 into a digital signal to generate raw data (image data) of an image.

The image input controller 116 controls the input of the raw data (image data) of the image generated by the A / D converter 114 into the memory 134.

The image signal processing unit 118 calculates an AF evaluation value as contrast information from data of the image output from the CCD element 110.

In addition, the image signal processing unit 118 corrects gain of light amount, edge processing of the image, gradation processing, and color processing for the data of the image output from the CCD element 110 and the data of the image synthesized by the image synthesizing unit 120. And white balance adjustment.

The image synthesizing unit 120 synthesizes a plurality of photographed images. The image synthesizing unit may be a circuit for synthesizing the images, or may be a computer program for synthesizing the images.

The compression processing unit 122 performs a compression process of compressing the image synthesized by the image synthesizing unit 120 into image data of an appropriate format. The compressed format of the image may be a reversible format or an irreversible format. As an example of a suitable format, you may convert into JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format or JPEG 2000 format.

The LCD 126 performs live view display before the shooting operation, various setting screens of the imaging device 100, and an indicator of the captured image. The display of the image data and various information of the imaging device 100 on the LCD 126 is performed through the LCD driver 124.

The timing generator 128 inputs a timing signal to the CCD element 110. That is, the driving of the CCD element 110 is controlled by the timing signal from the timing generator 128 to generate an electric signal that is the basis of the image data. The timing generator 128 can also impart the function of an electronic shutter to the CCD element 110 by injecting image light from a subject within the time that the CCD element 110 is driven.

The CPU 150 instructs the signal system to the CCD element 110, the CDS circuit 112, or the like, or instructs the operation system according to the operation of the operation unit 130. In the present embodiment, only one CPU is included, but is not necessarily limited thereto. That is, according to the present invention, the command of the signal system and the command of the operation system may be respectively performed by the CPU.

The operation unit 130 is disposed with a member for performing an operation of the imaging apparatus 100 or for performing or performing various settings at the time of photographing. On the member disposed on the operation unit 130, a power button, a cross key for selecting the photographing mode or the photographing drive mode, and setting the effect parameter are arranged.

The shutter button 132 is a button for shooting operation. When the shutter button 132 is in a half-pressed state (hereinafter referred to as a half-press operation of the shutter button 132, also referred to as "S1 operation"), an AF operation for driving the focus lens 108 to the in-focus position is performed. When the shutter button 132 is in a fully pressed state (hereinafter, referred to as a "full operation" of the shutter button 132, also referred to as "S2 operation"), exposure to the CCD element 110 is performed and imaging of the subject is performed.

The memory 134 temporarily stores the captured image and the image synthesized by the image synthesizing unit 120. The memory 134 has a storage capacity capable of storing a plurality of images. Reading and writing of the image to the memory 134 are controlled by the image input controller 116.

The VRAM 136 holds contents displayed on the LCD 126, and the resolution and the maximum number of colors of the LCD 126 depend on the capacity of the VRAM 136.

The recording medium 140 records the photographed image or the image synthesized by the image synthesizing unit 120, and the input / output to the recording medium 140 is controlled by the media controller 138. As the recording medium 140, a memory card which is a card-type storage device for recording data in a flash memory can be used.

The CPU 150 includes an appropriate AE level calculator 152, an exposure condition determiner 154, a focus position detector 156, a comparison area setting unit 158, and a position shift detector 160.

The appropriate AE level calculator 152 performs an automatic exposure in the imaging device 100 to obtain an EV (Exposure Value) value. Based on the acquired EV value, an appropriate combination of aperture value and shutter speed is determined.

As for the EV value, when the aperture value is F1 and the shutter speed is 1 second, the amount of light for obtaining proper exposure is set to EV = 0, and the EV value is changed by changing the aperture value and the shutter speed. The EV value can be obtained from EV = log ₂ (F ² / T) with F as the aperture value and T as the shutter speed. Therefore, the EV value increases as the shutter speed becomes higher with the same aperture value, and as the aperture value increases with the same shutter speed, the EV value increases. The appropriate AE level calculation unit 152 calculates an AE (Auto Exposure) evaluation value of the captured image. Here, the AE evaluation value may be calculated by the image signal processing unit 118.

The exposure condition determiner 154 determines the aperture value and shutter speed when the subject is captured, based on the AE evaluation value calculated by the appropriate AE level calculator 152. The drivers 144 and 146 are controlled based on the determined aperture value and the shutter speed.

The in-focus position detection unit 156 detects the in-focus position of the subject from the AF evaluation value of the image data generated by the image signal processing unit 118 when the image light from the subject is incident on the CCD element 110.

The comparison area setting unit 158 sets a predetermined range of images in the captured image as comparison area data when combining a plurality of images photographed by one shooting operation. As will be described later in detail, in this embodiment, the image of a predetermined range positioned outside the main subject is the comparison area data. When synthesizing the images in the image synthesizing unit 120, the images are synthesized so that the comparison area data set in the comparison area setting unit 158 matches.

The position shift detection unit 160 detects the amount of shift in the relative position between the comparison area data in the first image and the comparison area data and the data of the image corresponding to each image in the second and subsequent images. When synthesizing the images in the image synthesizing unit 120, compositing (pattern matching) of each image is performed so as to remove the amount of misalignment of the relative position detected by the position misalignment detecting unit 160.

The imaging device 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above performs a plurality of exposures during one imaging operation, and synthesizes a plurality of images obtained to acquire one image.

 2 is a timing chart showing processing performed in one imaging operation.

 As shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, for example, ten exposures are performed to obtain one picked-up image.

In the example of FIG. 2, for example, the shutter speed of one exposure is set to a value equal to 1/100 second, the aperture is f11, and the gain is ISO 100 equivalent. In this condition, 10 exposures are performed at predetermined intervals, so that a total of 1/10 second exposure is performed. In addition, the post-treatment is performed every time one exposure is performed.

3 is a timing chart showing post-processing after exposure.

As shown in Fig. 3, each time one exposure is performed, signal readout from the CCD element 110, processing of the read signal, and data storage are performed as post-processing. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this method, and as the post-processing every time one exposure is performed, the next exposure may be started in parallel with the processing of the read signal after the end of the signal reading from the CCD element 110.

At this time, in the case where, for example, a CMOS element is used as the imaging element, the post-processing after exposure can be made high speed. Therefore, even if ten exposures are performed with one shot, the total time required for one shot is minimized.

4 is a diagram illustrating four of a plurality of images obtained by a plurality of exposures.

In the example of FIG. 4, the person as the main subject performs a predetermined operation (golf swing). Since the ten exposures are performed at predetermined intervals, as shown in Fig. 4, the images obtained by the exposure are arranged in the order of Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D. An image corresponding to the operation of the main subject time series is obtained.

FIG. 5 shows an image obtained by synthesizing four images shown in FIG. 4. In this way, by synthesizing the images obtained by a plurality of exposures, a state in which the main subject changes in time series can be obtained as one image.

If the photographer holds the image pickup device by hand when performing ten exposures in succession, camera shake may occur during the ten exposures. In this case, when the 10 images photographed are combined to match the outline of the image, positional shift occurs in the image due to camera shake.

In addition, when the images of the main subject are combined with the comparison area data, as shown in Fig. 4, when the main subject is moving, it is difficult to match the images such as the background to match them.

For this reason, in this embodiment, when synthesizing a plurality of images, an image around the main subject is set as the comparison area data, and each image is synthesized so as to remove the relative shift amounts of the plurality of images.

As an image other than the main subject, an image located outside the AF area can be used, for example.

6 shows a state in which the AF area is displayed together with the captured image on the LCD 126. As shown in FIG. 6, the AF area 170 is displayed in the center of the captured image. The AF area 170 is an area for calculating the contrast value of the image as the AF evaluation value during the AF operation, and the AF operation is performed based on the contrast of the image in the AF area 170.

As shown in FIG. 6, the normal AF area 170 is set in the center of the captured image. Since the main subject is often located in the center of the captured image, the main subject belongs to the range of the AF area 170. Therefore, by making the image located outside the AF area 170 as the comparison area data, it is possible to synthesize using images other than the main subject.

Specifically, the comparison area data is set outside the AF area 170 of the image captured by the first exposure. And the position of the image corresponding to comparison area data is detected from the image imaged by the 2nd-10th exposure. Then, by shifting the respective images so as to remove the amount of shift of the relative position of the image corresponding to the comparison area data of the 2nd to 10th exposures with respect to the comparison area data in the image of the first exposure, the positional shift of the image due to camera shake is eliminated. It can certainly be suppressed.

In particular, in this embodiment, since a plurality of exposures are performed during one shooting operation, even if the total exposure time of one shooting is long, the exposure time for each shot can be shortened. Therefore, at the time of exposure every time, the influence on the picked-up image by the camera shake can be suppressed to the minimum, and a clear image without a shake can be taken even if the whole exposure time is long.

In particular, when the shutter speed is longer than 1 / (focal length of the imaging optical system (mm)), the influence on the image due to camera shake is generally increased, but even in this case, the exposure is divided into a plurality of times, so that It is possible to suppress the effects of hand shake on the image. The synthesized image can be made clearer by suppressing the influence of the camera shake on the image at each exposure time.

In addition, by synthesizing the images obtained by a plurality of exposures, the overall exposure time can be lengthened, and the SN ratio of the image data can be improved.

According to the above-described method, even when the main subject is moving as shown in FIG. 4, a clear image without any misalignment can be obtained with respect to an image of the ground located in front of the main subject, an image of a tree in the background, and the like.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the image shift resulting from the time-series operation | movement of a main subject can be recorded with respect to the moving main subject as shown in FIG. Therefore, according to the method of the present embodiment, the deviation of the image due to the movement of the main subject and the deviation of the image due to the camera shake can be distinguished, and the movement of the main subject can be recorded accurately by correcting only the deviation of the image due to the camera shake.

Therefore, pattern matching can be performed so that the position shift can be eliminated even when the position shift occurs in the plurality of images due to the camera shake of the photographer when the plurality of images are captured. This makes it possible to reliably detect and correct hand shake regardless of whether or not the main subject is moving. In this way, since image shift caused by camera shake can be suppressed from the image obtained by combining, a sharp image with camera shake correction can be obtained.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of AF areas 170a, 170b, and 170c are set in the AF area 170.

In the example of Fig. 7, the contrast information is obtained in each of the AF areas 170a, 170b, and 170c during the AF operation, and the area with the highest contrast is selected as the AF area, and the subject located in this area is selected. The focusing is performed as the subject. In such a configuration, the comparison area data is set in an area other than the AF area in which the contrast information is used at the time of converging among the plurality of AF areas 170a, 170b, and 170c. As a result, when the range of the main subject is smaller than the size of the AF area 170, comparison area data can be set in the AF area 170. Therefore, the degree of freedom for setting the comparison area data can be further increased.

8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which comparison area data is set regardless of the AF area 170.

In the example of FIG. 8, the comparison area | region edge 172 is set in the predetermined position toward the center from the outline of a picked-up image, and comparison area data is set to the area | region outside the comparison area | region 172. In FIG.

In general, since the main subject is located at the center of the captured image, when the comparison area border 172 is set at the periphery of the captured image, the area outside the comparison area border 172 is an area in which the main subject hardly exists. do. Therefore, by setting the comparison area data in the image of the area outside the comparison area border 172, the image can be synthesized using image data other than the main subject.

9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the photographer can arbitrarily set an area for setting comparison area data.

In FIG. 9, the comparison area data is set inside the comparison area border 174. The position of the comparison area rim 174 may be arbitrarily set by the photographer operating the manipulation unit 130. Thus, for example, when the main subject is located at the periphery of the screen, the comparison region data can be set in images other than the main subject by moving the comparison region border 174 to the center of the captured image.

Next, the process sequence in the imaging device 100 of this embodiment is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the imaging apparatus of this embodiment.

First, in step S1, the power supply of the imaging device 100 is set to ON. When the power is turned on, the CCD element 110 is controlled to perform exposure and reading of the image at regular intervals (1/30 second unit). Here, one image acquired in 1/30 second units is called one frame.

The read image is displayed in real time on the LCD 126 arranged on the back of the imaging device as a live view. Further, the luminance value of the subject is calculated from the image data.

In the next step S2, the S1 operation is performed by the photographer. Thus, the AF operation is started in the next step S3. The AF operation performed here is video AF which performs AF based on the contrast of the image data read out by the CCD element 110.

At the same time as the AF operation is started, the contrast value (AF evaluation value) of the image of each frame read out is sequentially calculated while driving the focus lens 108 in conjunction with the control of the CCD element 110. Furthermore, the position of the focus lens 108 corresponds to each data of these contrast values.

In the next step S4, calculation of the in-focus position is performed. The state in which the contrast value of the image is the highest is congruent, and the focal position is calculated as the focus position corresponding to the frame in which the contrast value is the highest.

In the next step S5, the focus lens 108 is driven to the in-focus position calculated in step S4.

In the next step S6, shooting exposure conditions are determined by AE calculation.

In the next step S7, it is determined whether the S1 operation is OFF. When the S1 operation is turned off, the photographer terminates the shooting process because the photographer releases the half-pressed state of the shutter button 132 (RETURN). On the other hand, when S1 operation is not turned off in step S7, it progresses to step S8.

In step S8, it is determined whether the S2 operation has been performed by the photographer.

When the S2 operation is performed, the process after step S9 is performed to start the photographing exposure operation. In this case, in the subsequent steps, for example, the aperture is f11 and the gain is equivalent to ISO 100, and the exposure at the shutter speed of 1/100 second is performed N times in succession, and the image is fed in every exposure. On the other hand, when the S2 operation is not performed in step S8, the process returns to step S7.

In step S9, the exposure is performed by opening the shutter 104.

In the next step S10, post-exposure after exposure is performed to read the signal of the image exposed in step S8, signal processing and storing of the data.

In the next step S11, it is determined whether or not the input of the image data of the N exposures performed at the time of one shooting has been completed. When the input of the image data of the N exposures is finished, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when the input of data for N times of exposure is not finished, the process returns to step S9 and the exposure is continued.

In step S12, the comparison area data is set in the image photographed by the first exposure. Here, the comparison area data is set in the image of the area outside the AF area 170.

In the next step S13, relative positional shifts of the photographed N images are detected. Here, the amount of position shift between the image corresponding to the comparison area data and the comparison area data of the first image in each of the N-1 images captured thereafter based on the comparison area data of the image photographed on the first sheet is determined. Detect.

In the next step S14, the captured N images are synthesized. At this time, based on the position shift amount of each image detected in step S13, each image is synthesized so as to remove the shift amount of the relative position of the remaining images based on the first image.

In the next step S15, a process of compressing the synthesized image and storing it in the recording medium 140 is performed.

After step S15, the imaging process is terminated (RETURN).

According to the present invention, when synthesizing a plurality of images exposed by one shooting operation, there is an effect of accurately correcting positional shift due to camera shake or the like.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and any person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may have various modifications and equivalent other embodiments. Will understand. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

An imaging device for time-dividing an exposure time in one shooting operation to perform a plurality of exposures to capture a plurality of images, An image comparison area setting unit that sets an image comparison area around the main subject among the image data of one exposure; A relative position shift between the one image and the other image is detected by comparing one image in the image comparison area in the one exposure with another image corresponding to the one image among image data of another exposure. Position shift detection unit; And And an image synthesizing unit for synthesizing the plurality of images such that the one image and the other image coincide by removing the relative misalignment. The method of claim 1, The one exposure is the first exposure of the plurality of exposures, And the position shift detection unit detects a position shift relative to the other image in the image data of each subsequent exposure based on the one image. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the image comparison area is set outside the area of the focusing detection area. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the image comparison area is set in an area of a predetermined range extending toward the center from the outer edge of the image. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And an operation unit for setting the position of the image comparison area, wherein the position of the image comparison area is arbitrarily set by operation of the operation unit. An image combining method of time-dividing an exposure time in one shooting operation to perform a plurality of exposures, and synthesizing a plurality of obtained images. A first step of setting an image comparison area around a main subject among image data of one exposure; A second step of storing one image in the image comparison area; A third step of storing another image corresponding to the one image among image data of another exposure; A fourth step of detecting a relative positional shift between the one image and the other image; And a fifth step of synthesizing the plurality of images such that the one image and the other image coincide by removing the relative misalignment. The method of claim 6, The one exposure is the first exposure of the plurality of exposures, And a relative position shift with the other image in the image data of each subsequent exposure on the basis of the one image in the fourth step. The method according to claim 6 or 7, In the first step, the image comparison area is set outside the area of the in-focus detection area. The method according to claim 6 or 7, And in the first step, the image comparison area is set to an area in a predetermined range extending toward the center from an outer edge of the image. The method according to claim 6 or 7, In the first step, the position of the image comparison area is arbitrarily set according to the position of the main subject.

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