WO2013046952A1

WO2013046952A1 - Image pickup apparatus and method of control thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2013046952A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/070327
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雅人藤井
Original assignee: 富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date: 2011-09-30
Filing date: 2012-08-09
Publication date: 2013-04-04

Abstract

Viewing of an image seen through a viewfinder at the time of a zooming operation when the magnification of the viewfinder is switched is made relatively favorable in the present invention. A digital camera (1) is provided with a viewfinder apparatus (30) comprising both an optical viewfinder that can have the magnification thereof changed in steps, and an electronic viewfinder. When starting operation of a zoom lens, an OVF optical image is changed to an EVF image, and the EVF image is displayed on the viewfinder apparatus. The EVF image is displayed during zoom operation. When the operation of the zoom lens ends, the EVF image is displayed enlarged or reduced so as to match the field angle of the OVF image, which is determined by the focal length of the zoom lens at that point of time, then the enlarged or reduced EVF image is switched to the OVF image and confirmed visually at the viewfinder apparatus (30).

Description

Imaging apparatus and control method thereof

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus including both an optical viewfinder and an electronic viewfinder and a control method thereof.

There is a digital camera equipped with a viewfinder to visually confirm the composition of the subject to be imaged. As the viewfinder, an optical viewfinder (Optical Finder: OVF) and an electronic view finder (Electric Finder: EVF) are known (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3).

Many digital cameras (including silver halide cameras) are equipped with a zoom lens that can change the focal length (Patent Document 4). In the case of an optical viewfinder configured to observe a subject image through an optical system different from an imaging optical system such as a zoom lens, if the optical viewfinder has a fixed magnification, a zoom operation is performed with a digital camera. Even if this is the case, the angle of view of the image observed by the optical viewfinder does not change. In general, a photographer is informed of an imaging range by displaying a bright frame indicating the imaging range in an enlarged or reduced manner according to zoom. On the other hand, when the electronic viewfinder is used, an image zoomed relatively smoothly in accordance with zooming by a digital camera is displayed.

JP 2007-110389 JP-A-10-26835 JP 2003-283910 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-268385

Some optical viewfinders can change the viewfinder magnification. However, in order to continuously change the viewfinder magnification, a space for moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction is required. Therefore, when such an optical viewfinder is incorporated in the camera body, the camera body is made thinner. It becomes difficult. It may be possible to suppress the thickness of the optical viewfinder in the optical axis direction while allowing the finder magnification to be changed by inserting and removing a zoom lens in the optical path of the optical viewfinder. However, in this case, the viewfinder magnification is switched step by step, and a large magnification change is performed at the time of switching, and the angle of view changes abruptly. If the angle of view changes abruptly, the photographer may be confused or may lose sight of the subject to be photographed, so the viewable subject image cannot be said to be good.

An object of the present invention is to make the appearance of an image through a view finder relatively good when the finder magnification is switched.

An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention picks up an image of a subject through a zoom lens, outputs image data representing the image of the subject, zoom means for changing the focal length of the zoom lens, and an optical system different from the zoom lens. An optical viewfinder that allows an optical image representing a subject image to be observed from the eyepiece unit via the eyepiece and that changes the magnification of the optical image stepwise according to the focal length, and a captured image based on the image data And a viewfinder device having an electronic viewfinder capable of observing the displayed captured image from the eyepiece, and a light image from the optical viewfinder is observed from the eyepiece when the zoom means is not operated. In such a manner that the image taken by the electronic viewfinder is observed from the observation unit at the start of the operation of the zoom means. In other words, at the end of the operation of the zoom means, the photographed image displayed on the electronic viewfinder is enlarged or reduced so that it matches the angle of view of the optical viewfinder with a magnification according to the focal length at that time, and then And a control device for switching so that the optical image by the optical viewfinder is observed from the eyepiece.

The present invention also provides a method suitable for controlling the finder apparatus provided in the above-described imaging apparatus. The method according to the present invention includes an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject through a zoom lens and outputting image data representing the image of the subject, a zoom operation means for changing the focal length of the zoom lens, and an optical system different from the zoom lens. An optical viewfinder that allows an optical image representing a subject image to be observed from the eyepiece unit via the eyepiece and that changes the magnification of the optical image stepwise according to the focal length, and a captured image based on the image data And the finder device is controlled in an imaging device including a finder device that also has an electronic viewfinder capable of observing the displayed captured image from the eyepiece, and the optical device is operated when the zoom means is not operated. A light image obtained by an electronic viewfinder is observed from the eyepiece, and the electronic view is displayed at the start of operation of the zoom means. The electronic viewfinder is switched so that a captured image is observed from the observation unit, and at the end of the operation of the zoom means, the electronic viewfinder has a magnification corresponding to the focal length at that time to match the angle of view of the optical viewfinder. The photographed image displayed on the viewfinder is enlarged or reduced, and then the optical image obtained by the optical viewfinder is switched so as to be observed from the eyepiece.

In the initial state (when the zoom means is not operated), the light image from the optical viewfinder is visually recognized by the photographer. When the zoom operation is started, the visually recognized image is switched from a light image obtained by the optical viewfinder to a photographed image obtained by the electronic viewfinder. When the zoom operation is completed, the captured image displayed on the electronic viewfinder is enlarged or reduced so as to match the angle of view of the optical viewfinder with a magnification according to the focal length of the zoom lens at that time. Thereafter, the enlarged or reduced photographed image is switched to an optical image by the optical viewfinder.

According to the present invention, what is observed by the finder device in the initial state (before the zoom operation) and in the final state (after the zoom operation) is an optical image by the optical viewfinder, and what is observed during the zoom operation is the electronic view. It is a photographed image by a finder. Since the image captured by the electronic viewfinder is an image based on image data obtained through a zoom lens provided in the imaging apparatus, the image is enlarged or reduced relatively smoothly according to the zoom operation. The photographed image obtained by the electronic viewfinder that is relatively smoothly enlarged or reduced is observed by the photographer at an intermediate point of the optical image obtained by the optical viewfinder observed in the finder apparatus in the initial state and the final state. . Therefore, a sudden change in the angle of view of the display image during zoom operation, which is likely to occur when using an optical viewfinder that is scaled in steps, is alleviated. An easy-to-see viewfinder image can be viewed by the photographer.

Also, according to the present invention, the image taken by the electronic viewfinder is enlarged / reduced to match the angle of view of the optical viewfinder to be switched, and then switched to the optical image by the final optical viewfinder. Since the angle of view before and after switching from the image captured by the electronic viewfinder to the optical image by the optical viewfinder becomes equal, the image that is visually recognized at the timing of switching from the image captured by the electronic viewfinder to the optical image by the optical viewfinder The uncomfortable feeling of change is reduced.

In one embodiment, the imaging apparatus further includes a first measuring unit that measures a zoom operation duration time from the start of the operation of the zoom unit, and the control unit is configured to measure the zoom measured by the first measuring unit. When the operation continuation time has passed the first predetermined time, the optical image obtained by the optical viewfinder is switched to the photographed image obtained by the electronic viewfinder. Further, the imaging apparatus is provided with a second measuring means for measuring the zoom non-operation duration from the end of the operation of the zoom means, and the zoom non-operation duration measured by the second measuring means is the first. When the predetermined time of 2 elapses, the photographed image displayed on the electronic viewfinder is enlarged or reduced, and the enlarged or reduced photographed image by the electronic viewfinder is switched to the optical image by the optical viewfinder. You may go. It is possible to suppress frequent switching between the optical image obtained by the optical viewfinder and the photographed image obtained by the electronic viewfinder accompanying the zoom operation. The zoom operation duration time may include not only a completely continuous time but also a very short non-operation period. The same applies to the zoom non-operation duration.

As described above, according to the present invention, an optical image obtained by the optical viewfinder is electronically viewed during the zoom operation in order to mitigate a sudden change in the angle of view of the optical viewfinder observed by the viewfinder device as the zoom operation is performed. This switches to a photographed image by the viewfinder. Therefore, if the zoom operation is an operation that does not involve a sudden change in the angle of view of the optical viewfinder, that is, a change in magnification of the finder magnification, the optical image by the optical viewfinder in the initial state may be displayed as it is. In a preferred embodiment, the imaging apparatus determines whether or not the zoom direction by the operation of the zoom means is close to a reference focal length (finder magnification switching focal length) for changing a finder magnification of the optical viewfinder. Only when it is determined by the zoom direction determination means that the zoom direction is close to a reference focal length for scaling the finder magnification of the optical viewfinder. Make it work. When the focal length change (zoom operation) across the reference focal length (threshold) is performed, the finder magnification is changed. Therefore, when the zoom direction by the operation of the zoom means is close to the reference focal length, the finder device is controlled by the control device. If the zoom direction is away from the reference focal length, the optical image display by the optical viewfinder in the initial state continues. When the zoom lens approaches the reference focal length in any zoom direction (for example, when the magnification switching is performed in three or more steps), the electronic viewfinder is used for the optical viewfinder in any zoom direction. It is possible to switch to a captured image.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a digital camera. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the control processing of the finder image in a finder apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the control processing of the finder image in a finder apparatus. An OVF optical image in an initial state is shown. An EVF image is shown. An EVF image when zooming is completed is shown. A reduced EVF image is shown. The OVF optical image in the final state is shown. FIG. 6 is a relationship diagram between a focal length of a zoom lens and a viewfinder magnification. The manner in which processing is switched according to the zoom direction is shown on the relationship diagram between the focal length of the zoom lens and the viewfinder magnification.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera 1.

The overall operation of the digital camera 1 is controlled by the CPU 2.

The control program executed by the CPU 2, various data necessary for control, camera setting values, etc. are stored in the memory 14 (ROM area). The memory 14 is also used as a work area for the CPU 2 and a temporary storage area for image data (RAM area).

The operation unit 25 includes a mode selection dial, a finder display mode selection switch, a shutter release button, a zoom button and the like which will be described later. When the imaging mode is set by the mode selection dial included in the operation unit 25, the light beam representing the subject image enters the light receiving surface of the CCD 5 through the zoom lens 3 and the focus lens 4. A video signal representing a subject image is output from the CCD 5 at a constant period. When the zoom button is operated to the wide angle side or the telephoto side, optical zooming in which the zoom lens 3 is controlled by the motor driver 21 is performed.

The video signal output from the CCD 5 is converted into digital image data by the analog / digital conversion circuit 6. The image data output from the analog / digital conversion circuit 6 is input to the image input controller 7. The image data output from the image input controller 7 is input to the image signal processing circuit 8, where predetermined image processing is performed, and then input to the display circuit 10. When the image display device (for example, a liquid crystal monitor) 11 is controlled by the display circuit 10, a subject image (so-called through image) obtained by imaging through the zoom lens 3 and the focus lens 4 is displayed on the display screen of the image display device 11. Is displayed.

The image data output from the image input controller 7 is also input to the AE (automatic exposure) / AF (automatic focus) detection circuit 12. In AE detection, the subject brightness is calculated based on the input image data, the aperture value of the aperture (not shown) and the shutter speed of the shutter (not shown) are calculated based on the calculated brightness, and the aperture and the shutter are controlled. The In AF detection, the lens position of the focus lens 4 is calculated based on the contrast of the input image data. The focus lens 4 is controlled by the motor driver 22 so that the calculated lens position is obtained.

When the release button is pressed when the imaging mode is set in the mode selection dial, an image signal representing the subject image is output from the CCD 5, and the image signal is converted into digital image data by the analog / digital conversion circuit 6, The image signal is input to the image signal processing circuit 8 via the image input controller 7, where predetermined image processing is performed. The image data output from the image signal processing circuit 8 is temporarily stored in the memory 14. The image data read from the memory 14 is input to the image compression / decompression processing circuit 9 and compressed. The compressed image data is recorded by the media controller 15 on a recording medium 16 such as a memory card.

When the playback mode is set in the mode selection dial, the compressed image data recorded on the recording medium 16 is read by the media controller 15 and applied to the image compression / expansion processing circuit 9. The expanded image data is stored in the memory 14. An image based on the image data stored in the memory 14 is displayed on the image display device 11 controlled by the display circuit 10.

The digital camera 1 is further equipped with a finder device 30.

The viewfinder device 30 functions not only as an optical viewfinder (OVF) but also as an electronic viewfinder (EVF), and includes an OVF shutter 31, a variable power lens 32, a standard lens 33, and a half mirror 34. EVF image display device 35 and eyepiece lens 36.

When the finder device 30 functions as an OVF, the OVF shutter 31 is opened by the motor driver 24 connected to the CPU 2, and the EVF image display device 35 is not displayed. The light beam representing the subject image is visually recognized by the photographer through the variable power lens 32, the standard lens 33, the half mirror 34, and the eyepiece lens 36. An image that is visually recognized when the finder device 30 functions as an OVF is referred to as an “OVF optical image”.

The zoom lens 32 can be moved forward and backward from the optical axis of the light beam entering the finder device 30 by the motor driver 24 connected to the CPU 2. When the variable magnification lens 32 is located on the optical axis, the finder magnification of the finder device 30 is a high magnification, for example, 0.60. When the variable power lens 32 is off the optical axis, the finder magnification of the finder device 30 becomes a low magnification, for example, 0.35 times.

The forward / backward movement of the zoom lens 32, that is, the switching of the viewfinder magnification, is performed depending on the focal length of the zoom lens 3. Referring to FIG. 9, for example, when the zoom lens 3 has a variable focal length of f1 to f11 (for example, about 25 mm to 200 mm in terms of 35 mm film), f6 which is almost the center value is defined as a boundary (hereinafter referred to as “finder magnification”). If the zoom lens 3 is set to a focal length f6 or more, the zoom lens 32 is used (finder magnification of 0.60), and if the zoom lens 3 is less than the focal length f6, the zoom lens 32 is used. No (finder magnification of 0.35 times). Data representing the relationship between the focal length of the zoom lens 3 shown in FIG. 9 and the finder magnification is stored in the memory 14 in advance. The current focal length of the zoom lens 3 may be detected by the CPU 2 according to the time of pressing the zoom button included in the operation unit 25, or a variable resistor that changes the output voltage according to the actual current position of the zoom lens 3. You may detect using the focal distance detection apparatus (illustration omitted) etc. which used the instrument.

When the finder device 30 functions as an EVF, the OVF shutter 31 is closed by the motor driver 24, and the image data from the display circuit 10 is given to the EVF image display device 35. A display image of the EVF image display device 35 is visually recognized by the photographer via the half mirror 34 and the eyepiece lens 36. In the following description, an image that is visually recognized when the finder device 30 functions as an EVF is referred to as an “EVF image”. The visually recognized OVF light image and EVF image are collectively referred to as a “finder image”.

An EVF image enlargement / reduction circuit 17 is provided on the signal path from the display circuit 10 to the EVF image display device 35. An EVF image enlarged or reduced by the EVF image enlargement / reduction circuit 17 can be displayed on the EVF image display device 35. Details of the processing and processing conditions by the EVF image enlargement / reduction circuit 17 will be described later.

Whether the finder device 30 functions as an OVF or an EVF is selected by a finder mode selection switch included in the operation unit 25. In this embodiment, the finder mode selection switch can be used to select one of three modes: “OVF fixed mode”, “EVF fixed mode”, and “switching mode”.

As will be described in detail below, when the finder mode selection switch is set to the “switching mode”, the OVF function and the EVF function are switched in the finder device 30 according to the operation of the zoom lens 3 of the digital camera 1. Is called. The EVF / OVF switching circuit 13 performs this switching process.

2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the flow of the viewfinder image control process in the viewfinder device 30 of the digital camera 1. FIG. 4 to 8 show examples of images visually recognized by the finder device 30. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, first (for example, when the digital camera 1 is turned on), the finder mode selection switch is selected to be “OVF fixed mode”, “EVF fixed mode”, or “switching mode”. It is determined by the CPU 2 (step 41).

When the OVF fixed mode is selected, the CPU 2 controls the finder device 30 so that the finder device 30 functions as an OVF. That is, the OVF shutter 31 is opened and the EVF image display device 35 is not displayed. The OVF optical image obtained through the standard lens 33, the half mirror 34, and the eyepiece lens 36 is visually recognized as a finder image (“OVF fixed mode” in step 41, step 49). When the zoom operation of the zoom lens 3 is performed, the forward / backward movement of the magnification lens 31 according to the focal length of the zoom lens 3 based on the data (FIG. 9) representing the relationship between the focal length of the zoom lens 3 and the finder magnification described above. (That is, change of the finder magnification) is performed.

When the EVF fixed mode is selected, the CPU 2 controls the finder device 30 so that the finder device 30 functions as an EVF. That is, the OVF shutter 31 is closed and the image data from the display circuit 10 is given to the EVF image display device 35. The EVF image represented by the image data obtained based on the light flux incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD 5 through the zoom lens 3 and the focus lens 4 is displayed on the finder device 30 as a finder image (“EVF” in step 41). Fixed mode ", step 50). Since the EVF image is based on image data obtained through the zoom lens 3, when the zoom operation of the zoom lens 3 is performed, the angle of view of the EVF image changes accordingly.

If the switching display mode is selected (“switching display mode” in step 41), the following processing is performed.

In the initial state, the finder device 30 is controlled to function as an OVF. An OVF light image is visually recognized as a finder image in the finder device 30 (step 42).

FIG. 4 shows an OVF optical image (object optical image) OI ₁ that is visually recognized when the finder device 30 functions as an OVF. OVF light image I ₁ is represented in the finder frame 61, Bright frame 62 generally indicates a photographic range is superimposed on the OVF light image OI _1. When the zoom lens 3 is zoomed to the telephoto side, the bright frame 62 is reduced, and when the zoom lens 3 is zoomed to the wide angle side, the bright frame 62 is enlarged. The photographer is informed of the photographing range corresponding to the zoom operation (focal length) of the zoom lens 3 by the bright frame 62.

In a situation where the zoom operation of the zoom lens 3 is not performed, the finder image is maintained as an OVF light image (NO in step 43, step 42).

When the zoom operation is performed (YES in step 43), the bright frame 62 is enlarged / reduced as described above. Further, the following processing (determination) is basically performed by the EVF / OVF switching circuit 13 by the zoom operation (of course, the CPU 2 may perform it).

First, it is determined whether or not the zoom operation time (zoom button pressing time) exceeds a certain time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) (step 44).

If the operation of the zoom button is less than a certain time, the OVF light image continues (NO in step 44, step 42). This is to prevent frequent switching from an OVF optical image, which will be described later, to an EVF image.

When the zoom operation time exceeds a certain time, the finder image visually recognized by the finder device 30 is switched from the OVF light image to the EVF image (YES in step 44, step 45).

FIG. 5 shows the switched EVF image EI ₁ .

As described above, since the EVF image is represented by the image data obtained through the zoom lens 3, it is enlarged / reduced according to the zoom operation (focal length) of the zoom lens 3. In other words, the image that has been visually recognized at the time of the OVF optical image is displayed by being enlarged / reduced somewhat by switching to the EVF image. Further, the bright frame 62 (see FIG. 4) superimposed on the OVF optical image is not displayed when the EVF image is displayed. This is because the EVF image is almost entirely taken as a shooting range.

It is determined whether or not the zoom operation has been completed, that is, whether or not the continuous zoom button has been pressed (step 46). While the zoom button is continuously pressed, the EVF image display continues (NO in step 46, step 45).

When the zoom operation is completed, that is, when the continuous zoom button is interrupted, it is determined whether or not a certain time (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) has elapsed since that time (step 47). If a certain time has not elapsed since the zoom button was pressed, it is determined whether the zoom operation has been resumed, that is, whether the zoom button has been pressed again immediately (step 48). When the zoom operation is resumed, the display of the EVF image is maintained (YES in step 48, step 45). If the zoom operation has not been performed, it is repeatedly determined whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed after the zoom operation has been completed (NO in step 48, YES in step 46, step 47). Whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the end of the zoom operation is also determined to suppress frequent switching from an EVF image to an OVF optical image, which will be described below.

When a certain period of time has elapsed since the zoom operation was completed (YES in step 47), it is determined that the zoom operation has been completed (completed). FIG. 6 shows an EVF image EI ₂ at the end of zoom operation (when completed).

It is determined whether or not the current focal length of the zoom lens 3 (at the end of the zoom operation) is a focal length that requires a change in the current finder magnification (FIG. 3, step 51).

Referring to FIG. 9 again, the above determination is made based on data representing the relationship between the focal length of the zoom lens 3 and the finder magnification shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that the current finder magnification is 0.35 times and the current focal length of the zoom lens 3 (at the end of the zoom operation) is f8. The focal length f8 is a focal length at which a finder magnification of 0.60 times should be used. At this time, it is determined that the viewfinder magnification needs to be changed (YES in step 51).

On the other hand, it is assumed that the current finder magnification is 0.35 times and the current focal length of the zoom lens 3 (at the end of the zoom operation) is f5. Referring to FIG. 9, the focal length f5 is a focal length at which a finder magnification of 0.35 should be used. At this time, it is determined that it is not necessary to change the current finder magnification (NO in step 51).

If it is determined that the finder magnification needs to be changed, a process of adjusting (enlarging or reducing) the current EVF image size to the angle of view of the OVF optical image obtained at the changed finder magnification is performed (in step 51). YES, step 52). On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not necessary to change the finder magnification, a process of adjusting (enlarging or reducing) the size of the current EVF image to the angle of view of the OVF optical image obtained at the current finder magnification is performed ( NO in step 51, step 53). The EVF image enlargement / reduction process is performed by the EVF enlargement / reduction circuit 17 described above. The EVF enlargement / reduction circuit 17 may store in advance the image size to be adjusted for each of the plurality of finder magnifications.

FIG. 7 shows the EVF image EI ₃ after the processing in the above-described EVF image enlargement / reduction processing (step 52 or 53) (here, the case where the reduction processing is performed is taken as an example). For example, the EVF image EI ₂ shown in FIG. 6 is switched to the EVF image EI ₃ shown in FIG. 7 by the above-described enlargement / reduction process. Surrounding regions 63 of the enlarged / reduced EVF image EI ₃ (the area between the EVF image EI ₃ after reduction / enlargement and viewfinder frame 61) (indicated by hatching) are grayed example.

When the EVF image enlargement / reduction processing is completed, if it is determined that the viewfinder magnification needs to be changed, the viewfinder magnification is changed (step 54) (the zoom lens 32 is moved forward and backward), and then the enlargement / reduction is performed. The finder image visually recognized in the finder device 30 is switched from the EVF image thus made to the OVF optical image (step 55). If it is determined that it is not necessary to change the finder magnification, the enlarged / reduced EVF image is switched to the OVF optical image without changing the finder magnification (step 55).

FIG. 8 shows the OVF optical image OI ₂ after switching when the finder magnification is changed. As described above, since the enlargement / reduction processing for adjusting the angle of view of the OVF optical image has already been performed on the EVF image, there is little discomfort in image change when switching from the EVF image to the OVF optical image.

When the OVF fixed mode is selected, if the finder magnification is changed during the zoom operation, the change in the angle of view of the visually recognized OVF optical image is relatively large (for example, from the OVF image OI ₁ shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8). The OVF image OI ₂ shown is switched). However, as described above, in the change mode, by switching the OVF light image to the EVF image in the middle of the zoom operation, the EVF image is smoothly enlarged / reduced in accordance with the zoom operation of the zoom lens 3. The change in the angle of view is suppressed. Of course, there is a change in the angle of view when switching from the OVF light image to the EVF image (step 45) and when the EVF image is enlarged / reduced (steps 52 and 53), but the magnitude of the change is generally selected from the OVF fixed mode. The angle of view can be smaller than the change in the angle of view. In this way, while using the OVF optical image as a finder image, the EVF image is displayed as the finder image only while the zoom operation is performed. An easy-to-see viewfinder image can be viewed by the photographer.

(Modification)
The above-described embodiment is basically based on suppressing a sudden change in the angle of view of the OVF light image due to a change in the finder magnification during the zoom operation that occurs when the OVF fixed mode is selected. . Therefore, if the zoom operation of the zoom lens 3 is an operation in which the finder magnification is not changed, the OVF light image may be maintained as the finder image. Referring to FIG. 10, for example, if the focal length of the zoom lens 3 in the initial state is f3 and the zoom direction by the zoom operation is away from the finder magnification switching focal length f6 (leftward in FIG. 10) Arrow), the viewfinder image is maintained as an OVF optical image. On the other hand, if the zoom direction by the zoom operation is closer to the finder magnification switching focal length f6 (right arrow in FIG. 10), the same processing as in the above-described embodiment is performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the finder magnification of the finder device 30 has been described as two (two-stage magnification switching), but other gradual magnification switching such as three-stage and four-stage may be possible.

1 Digital camera (imaging device)
2 CPU (control device)
3 Zoom lens 5 CCD
13 EVF / OVF switching circuit
17 EVF image enlargement / reduction circuit
25 Actuator
30 Finder device
32 Variable magnification lens

Claims

An imaging means for imaging a subject through a zoom lens and outputting image data representing the subject image;
Zoom means for performing an operation of changing a focal length of the zoom lens;
An optical viewfinder capable of observing a light image representing a subject image from an eyepiece unit through an optical system different from the zoom lens, and changing the magnification of the light image stepwise according to the focal length; , A finder device that displays a captured image based on the image data, and has an electronic viewfinder that allows the displayed captured image to be observed from the eyepiece, and an optical image obtained by the optical viewfinder when the zoom means is not operated. Is observed from the eyepiece, and the image taken by the electronic viewfinder is switched to be observed from the observation unit at the start of the operation of the zoom unit, and the focal length at that time is terminated at the end of the operation of the zoom unit. Enlarge the captured image displayed on the electronic viewfinder so that it matches the angle of view of the optical viewfinder Or a control device that reduces and then switches so that a light image from the optical viewfinder is observed from the eyepiece.
Imaging device.
A first measuring means for measuring the duration of zoom operation from the start of operation of the zoom means;
The control device
Switching from a light image by the optical viewfinder to a photographed image by the electronic viewfinder when the zoom operation duration time measured by the first measurement means has passed a first predetermined time;
The imaging device according to claim 1.
A second measuring means for measuring a zoom non-operation duration from the end of the operation of the zoom means;
The control device
When the zoom non-operation continuation time measured by the second measuring means has exceeded a second predetermined time, the electronic image displayed on the electronic viewfinder is enlarged or reduced, and the electronic view is enlarged or reduced. Switching from the image taken with the viewfinder to the optical image with the above optical viewfinder,
The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2.
Zoom direction determination means for determining whether or not the zoom direction by the operation of the zoom means is a direction approaching a reference focal length for scaling the finder magnification of the optical viewfinder,
Only when the zoom direction determination means determines that the zoom direction is close to a reference focal length for changing the finder magnification of the optical viewfinder, the control device is operated.
The imaging device according to claim 1.
An imaging means for imaging a subject through a zoom lens and outputting image data representing the subject image;
Zoom operation means for performing an operation of changing a focal length of the zoom lens;
An optical viewfinder capable of observing a light image representing a subject image from an eyepiece unit through an optical system different from the zoom lens, and changing the magnification of the light image stepwise according to the focal length; , A method for controlling the finder device in an imaging device including a finder device that displays a captured image based on the image data and has an electronic viewfinder that allows the displayed captured image to be observed from the eyepiece unit,
A light image by the optical viewfinder is observed from the eyepiece when the zoom means is not operated;
Switching so that the image taken by the electronic viewfinder is observed from the observation unit at the start of operation of the zoom means,
At the end of the operation of the zoom means, the photographed image displayed on the electronic viewfinder is enlarged or reduced so as to coincide with the angle of view of the optical viewfinder having a magnification according to the focal length at that time,
After that, switching so that the optical image by the optical viewfinder is observed from the eyepiece,
Method.