JP2000175088A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To accommodate the incident surface of an imaging optical system when carrying,
The projection from the camera body is eliminated, and the imaging optical system is rotated at the time of photographing to photograph a wide area. A camera body (B) of an electronic camera (C) has a support leg (Bc) at the tip of an arm (Bb) extending laterally from one end of a base (Ba). Make a type. A light emitting portion 27a of a strobe light 27 is accommodated at a tip of the support leg portion Bc, and a release button 23a of the operation portion 23, a mode dial 23b, and various function keys 23c and 23d are provided on the base portion Ba. The lens unit L has a shape conforming to the hollow portion of the camera body B, and is rotatably supported at the distal ends of the base body Ba and the support leg Bc of the camera body B. The lens unit L houses an imaging lens system, a shutter mechanism, and a CCD solid-state imaging device, and exposes an incident surface of the imaging lens system to a rotating end surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera for recording image information obtained by an image pickup device such as a solid-state image pickup device on a recording medium, and more particularly to an electronic camera taking into consideration the form and handling when carrying and taking an image. .

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional camera using a silver halide film, a so-called silver halide camera, has been widely used for photography. On the other hand, in recent years, a digital camera or the like is used, and an image of a subject is captured by a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor, and a still image (still image) or a moving image (movie image) of the object is captured. 2. Description of the Related Art An electronic camera of a type that obtains data and digitally records the data on an IC (integrated circuit) card such as a PC card or a video floppy disk has been rapidly spreading. It is not an exaggeration to say that in this type of electronic camera, all functions other than the optical system are performed electronically, and it is digitized from basic photographing functions to additional accessory functions. I have. An electronic camera has a high degree of freedom in function and layout because it electronically processes image data. Originally, it has excellent operability, portability, and appearance by appropriately devising appropriate functions and layout of each part. Should be easy to do. However, at present, most of the layouts follow the conventional silver halide camera layout configuration, and the layout and usability are almost the same as those of the silver halide camera. More specifically, for example, the rotation angle of the imaging lens at the time of imaging is about 90 ° from the front to the top even at a wide angle, and the strobe light emitting unit is fixed forward. Also, few electronic cameras are provided with a lens barrier for protecting the imaging lens. For example, JP-A-6-4353
No. 4 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-82186 disclose a conventional silver halide camera in which a strobe light emitting portion is provided in a lens barrier that rotates vertically and opens and closes the front surface of a photographing lens. Is shown. These JP-A-6
In JP-A-43534 and JP-A-7-82186, a strobe light emitting unit provided on the inner surface side of a lens barrier is exposed by exposing the front surface of a taking lens in a state where a lens barrier is rotated upward and opened. When the lens barrier is turned downward and closed, the lens barrier covers the front surface of the taking lens and hides the flash light emitting unit provided on the inner surface side of the lens barrier. In JP-A-6-43534 and JP-A-7-82186, a foldable range finder that forms a finder optical path above a taking lens in an open state is further incorporated in a lens barrier portion. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-4 / 1994
The camera disclosed in JP-A-3534 and JP-A-7-82186 relates to a silver halide camera rather than an electronic camera, and a lens barrier does not change the angle of a photographing lens and a strobe light emitting unit. The orientation is also fixed. As described above, an electronic camera has a higher degree of freedom in a functional configuration and a layout than a conventional silver halide camera. , And the strobe light-emitting portion is fixed forward. In many cases, electronic cameras are not provided with a lens barrier for protecting the imaging lens. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and does not increase the size of the camera itself or deteriorate usability, and when the camera is carried, the incident surface of the imaging optical system is covered, and the camera projects from the camera body. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera which is portable and easy to use, by eliminating an image forming part and rotating an imaging optical system at the time of photographing so that a wide range of photographing can be performed. In particular, an object of the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is to set the imaging optical system to a wide range of relative angles with respect to the camera body without exposing the incident surface of the imaging optical system when carrying. It is to provide a possible electronic camera. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera capable of causing an illumination direction to follow an imaging direction by interlocking a strobe light emitting section with an angle change of an imaging optical system. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera which can freely change a rotation angle of an image pickup optical system and can hold the camera at a desired angle. An object of the invention described in claim 4 is to provide an electronic apparatus that controls on / off of an image pickup operation by rotating an image pickup optical system, so that an image pickup operation is not carelessly carried when the camera is carried, and the image pickup operation is easy. It is to provide a camera. An object of the invention described in claim 5 is, in particular, to provide an electronic camera capable of freely rotating an imaging optical system to enable imaging in all directions relative to a camera body.

An electronic camera according to the first aspect of the present invention has the following features.
An imaging optical system for forming a subject image, an imaging device for converting the subject optical image formed by the imaging optical system into electronic image information, a recording medium for recording image information, and a user performing an imaging operation Operating means for performing the required processing on the image information converted by the image sensor in response to the operating means and writing the processed information on the recording medium, and an image captured by the image sensor and the image processing means An electronic camera having reproduction display means for reproducing information and displaying the information on a display, the electronic camera including the recording medium, the operation means, the imaging processing means, and the reproduction display means, and one end of one leg serving as a base part A substantially U-shaped camera body portion having at the tip of an arm portion extending laterally from the other leg portion facing the one leg portion to form a supporting leg portion; and The camera body has a shape substantially matching the U-shaped hollow portion, and is supported at the distal ends of the one and other legs of the camera body so as to be rotatable about an axis connecting the distal ends. And an optical system unit housing the imaging optical system and the imaging element, and having a rotating end face formed as an incident surface of the imaging optical system. The electronic camera according to the invention described in claim 2 is
A flash unit for illuminating a subject; a light emitting unit of the flash unit is disposed on the other leg of the camera body unit; and the flash unit emits light in association with rotation of the optical system unit unit. It is characterized in that the part is turned so as to face the incident surface direction. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the camera body portion and the optical system unit is capable of holding the optical system unit at a desired rotational angle position at the angular position. It is characterized by including a top mechanism. The electronic camera according to the invention described in claim 4, wherein the imaging processing unit is turned off in a state where the optical system unit is housed in a hollow portion of the camera body,
The image processing apparatus further includes a switch unit that is turned on in a state where the optical system unit unit is rotated with respect to the camera body unit, and controls an imaging operation of the imaging processing unit. In the electronic camera according to the fifth aspect, the camera body and the optical system unit may be 360
The optical system unit is configured to be rotatable with respect to a relative angle exceeding °.

That is, an electronic camera according to the first aspect of the present invention accommodates a recording medium, an operating means, an image processing means, and a reproduction display means, and extends from one end of one leg serving as a base to a side. At the end of the extending arm portion, the other leg portion which forms the supporting leg portion facing the one leg portion is provided, and is formed in the substantially U-shaped hollow portion of the substantially U-shaped camera body portion. An optical system unit having a substantially matching shape, housing the imaging optical system and the imaging element, and forming a rotating end surface as an incident surface of the imaging optical system, is provided on the one and other legs of the camera body. The distal end is rotatably supported about an axis connecting the distal ends. With such a configuration, the size of the camera itself is not increased or the usability is deteriorated, and when the camera is carried, the incident surface of the imaging optical system is covered so as not to be exposed. In some cases, it is possible to rotate the imaging optical system to a desired relative angle to perform imaging in a wide range.
Further, the electronic camera according to the invention of claim 2 further includes a strobe unit for illuminating a subject, and a light emitting unit of the strobe unit is disposed on the other leg of the camera body, The light-emitting unit is rotated to face the incident surface in conjunction with the rotation of the optical system unit. With such a configuration, in particular, it is possible to make the illumination direction follow the imaging direction by interlocking the strobe light emitting unit with the angle change of the imaging optical system. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the camera body and the optical system unit is capable of holding the optical system unit at a desired rotational angle position at the desired angular position. Including mechanism. With such a configuration, in particular, it is possible to freely change the rotation angle of the imaging optical system, and it is possible to hold the imaging optical system at a desired angle. In the electronic camera according to the present invention, the imaging processing unit is accommodated in a state in which the optical system unit is housed in a hollow portion of the camera body unit by a switch unit that controls an imaging operation of the imaging processing unit. The image processing unit is turned off, and the imaging processing unit is turned on while the optical system unit is rotated with respect to the camera body. With such a configuration, in particular, the on / off control of the imaging operation is performed by the rotation operation of the imaging optical system, so that the imaging operation is not carelessly performed when the camera is carried, and the operation during imaging is also facilitated. An electronic camera according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is configured such that the camera body portion and the optical system unit can rotate the optical system unit at a relative angle exceeding 360 °.
With such a configuration, in particular, it is possible to freely rotate the imaging optical system and perform imaging in all directions relative to the camera body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electronic camera according to the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 are perspective views showing the external configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention in different states from different directions, and FIG. 4 shows the electronic functions of the electronic camera. It is a block diagram which shows a structure typically. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an electronic camera according to the present invention when it is carried, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the appearance as viewed from different directions in a use state. The electronic camera C shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has a camera body B and a lens unit L. Camera body B
Represents a camera body portion, and includes an imaging lens system 1, a shutter mechanism 2, and a CCD in a configuration shown in FIG.
(Charge-coupled device) Accommodates all components related to imaging operation, imaging processing, recording and reproduction and display of image data other than the solid-state imaging device 3, and extends laterally from one end of the base portion Ba, which is one leg. A support leg Bc, which is the other leg, is formed at the tip of the protruding arm Bb so as to face the base Ba, and is formed in a substantially U-shape. A light emitting portion 27a of a strobe light 27 is accommodated at the tip of the support leg portion Bc, and a release button 23a of the operation portion 23, a mode dial 23b,
Various function keys 23c and 23d are provided. A release button 23a for a release operation is provided at a corner on the outer upper end of the base body Ba, surrounded by an annular mode dial 23b for setting an operation mode. Various function keys 23c and 23d
Is appropriately disposed on the upper surface of the base Ba. Also, FIG.
Although not shown in FIG. 3, an electronic finder and a display unit of an LCD (liquid crystal display) 22 used for reproducing captured image data are provided on the back surface of the base unit Ba. The base member Ba and the support leg portion Bc are made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, and are used as clues when the electronic camera C is gripped and held.
And Bca are provided as appropriate. The lens unit L constitutes an optical system unit, has a shape substantially matching the U-shaped hollow portion of the camera body B, and is provided at the tip of the base Ba and the support leg Bc of the camera body B. It is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis connecting the parts. The lens unit L includes a lens unit L shown in FIG.
1 includes an imaging lens system 1, a shutter mechanism 2, and a CCD (charge coupled device) solid-state imaging device 3. On the rotation end face of the lens unit L, the entrance surface of the imaging lens system 1 is formed so as to be exposed. The inner surface of the arm portion Bb of the camera body B has a cylindrical concave surface having a substantially rotation axis as an axis in order to surely cover the incident surface of the imaging lens system 1 of the lens unit L and enable rotation. Has formed. The lens unit L has, for example, projecting rotation shafts (not shown) on both side surfaces at the position of the rotation axis, and bearings the rotation shaft inside the distal end of the base body Ba and the support leg Bc of the camera body B. (Not shown). In this case, for example, the lens unit L is rotatable in a range of about 270 ° extending from the lower front to the upper rear of the camera body B and obliquely downward, and the distal ends of the base Ba and the support legs Bc. A desired position can be held by a free stop mechanism provided in the internal bearing.
Further, the rotation axis of the lens unit L is coupled to the light emitting unit 27a of the strobe 27 inside the support leg Bc, and the light emitting unit 27a is connected to the lens unit L at the time of imaging.
Is rotated at least within a predetermined angle range so as to face the direction of the incident surface of the imaging lens system 1 in conjunction with the rotation of. Further, an image pickup system switch 30 for controlling the operation of the image pickup system on / off via a CPU (central processing unit) 21 is embedded in the rotation support portion of the lens unit L. As described above, in the portable position in which the camera body B is accommodated in the hollow portion, the operation of the imaging system is turned off, and when the lens unit L is turned to be in the image capturing state, the operation of the imaging system is turned on. In this embodiment, an electronic camera capable of recording not only a still image, that is, a still image, but also a short-time moving image and audio information is described as an example. An electronic camera C shown in FIG. 4 includes an imaging lens system 1, a shutter mechanism 2, a CCD solid-state imaging device 3, a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 4, a first A / D (analog-digital) converter 5,
Digital signal processing unit 6, image compression / decompression unit 7, FIF
O (first in-first out) 8, card interface (I / F) 9, PC card 10, microphone 11,
Filter amplifier (filter amplifier) 12, second A / D
(Analog-digital) converter 13, audio compression / expansion unit 14, CPU 21, LCD 22, operation unit 23, lens driver 25, control signal generation unit (SG) 26, strobe device 27, battery 28, DC-DC converter 29, An imaging system switch 30 is provided. The imaging lens system 1 and the shutter mechanism 2 constitute an imaging optical system for forming a subject image. The shutter mechanism 2 includes an auto focus (AF) mechanism, an aperture mechanism, a filter mechanism, and the like, and controls exposure at the time of release. In this embodiment, a CCD solid-state imaging device 3 is used as the imaging device. The CCD solid-state imaging device 3 converts an optical image formed by the imaging optical system into an electric signal. In this case, the imaging processing means includes a CDS circuit 4, a first A / D converter 5, a digital signal processing unit 6, an image compression / decompression unit 7,
It comprises an IFO 8 and a CPU 21 and the like. The reproduction processing means includes a digital signal processing unit 6, an image compression / decompression unit 7, a FIFO 8, a CPU 21, an LCD 22, and the like. The CDS circuit 4 suppresses noise components in the CCD solid-state imaging device 3 by correlated double sampling. The A / D converter 5 converts an analog image signal input from the CCD solid-state imaging device 3 via the CDS circuit 4 into digital image data. That is, the output signal of the CCD solid-state imaging device 3 passes through the CDS circuit 4 to the first A / A
In the D converter 5, the data is sampled at an optimum sampling frequency and converted into a digital value. The digital signal processor 6 divides the digital image data input from the first A / D converter 5 into a color difference component and a luminance component, and performs various necessary processes, correction processes, and pre-processes for image compression / decompression. Apply. The image compression / decompression unit 7 is, for example, a JPEG
(Joint Photographic Experts Group) Performs orthogonal transformation for image compression / decompression and Huffman encoding / decoding. On the other hand, the sound is converted into an electric signal by the microphone 11, only the required frequency band is selectively amplified by the filter amplifier 12, and is sampled by the A / D converter 13 at a frequency twice or more the required frequency band. To a digital value. Further, this digital value is compressed by the voice compression / decompression unit 14 and subjected to an encoding process. The FIFO 8 is, for example, a DRAM
(Dynamic Random Access Memory), temporary storage means realized by a flash memory or the like, and temporarily stores compressed image data and audio data. The compressed image data and compressed audio data held in the FIFO 8 are read out by the card interface 9 and written to the PC card 10 which is a recording medium connected to the card interface 9. The CPU 21 controls the operation of each unit according to an instruction from the operation unit 23. L for display
The CD 22 functions as a display unit of an electronic finder by displaying digital image data before and during image capturing in real time, and displays digital image data after image capturing and decompressed and restored recorded image data. A mode display such as an operation state of the electronic camera C is performed. The LCD 22 has a display surface located on the back of the base Ba of the camera body B shown in FIG. Operation unit 23
Comprises an operation means, a release button 23a for giving an imaging instruction, a mode dial 23b for selecting and setting an operation mode, and function keys 23c and 23d for selecting / setting various functions. ing. The lens driver 25 includes an image pickup lens system 1 and a shutter mechanism 2 that constitute an image pickup optical system.
It drives according to the control of. The control signal generation unit 26 generates a drive control signal such as a clock signal, and outputs the control signal to the CCD solid-state imaging device 3, the CDS circuit 4, and the A / D converters 5 and 13.
, Etc. to operate these components. Strobe device 2
Reference numeral 7 is controlled by the CPU 21 to emit light when the shutter mechanism 2 is opened, thereby illuminating the subject. The imaging system switch 30 is turned on / off in conjunction with the rotation operation of the lens unit L, and supplies a control signal to the CPU 21 to control the operation of the imaging processing unit. That is, the imaging system switch 30 is turned off in the state shown in FIG. 1 in which the lens unit L is housed in the hollow portion of the camera body B,
The imaging processing means is turned off, and in the other rotating state as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the like, it is turned on and the imaging processing means is turned off. The power source of the electronic camera C is a battery 2
8 and a DC-DC (DC-DC) converter 29. As the battery 28, a Ni-Cd (nickel cadmium) battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium battery, or the like is used. The output of the battery 28 is converted to a required voltage by a DC-DC converter 29 and supplied to each unit. The electronic camera C has an electronic finder function for displaying an image captured by the CCD solid-state imaging device 3 on the LCD 22 in real time before the release button 23a is pressed, and for electronically confirming the imaging visual field. Operating unit 2 while observing the electronic finder.
An image is taken by operating the release button 23a or the like of No.3. By the release operation of the release button 23a of the operation unit 23, the strobe device 27 is emitted if necessary, the shutter mechanism 2 is opened, the subject image is captured by the CCD solid-state imaging device 3, and the digital signal processing unit 6 and the like. Write the image data to the PC card 10. If you want to check the imaging result after shooting, use the function keys 23c and 23
By performing a predetermined reproduction operation using d or the like, the imaging result can be displayed at any time for an arbitrary time. FIG. 1 shows the imaging operation of the electronic camera C described above.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. In a portable state and in a non-use state, as shown in FIG. 1, the lens unit L is housed in a hollow portion of the camera body B, and its surface is
The electronic camera C has the same surface as the outer surface of the camera body B, and the electronic camera C does not have any protrusions and the incident surface of the imaging lens system 1 is not exposed, and even if the operation unit 23 is operated carelessly, Since the imaging processing unit is turned off by the imaging system switch 30 that is linked to the rotation of the lens unit L, the imaging processing unit does not operate erroneously and the user can carry it with confidence. If the lens unit L is rotated as desired, and the lens unit L is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 1 to a state where the image can be captured, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. Is turned on, the imaging processing means is turned on by the CPU 21, and
The electronic camera C enters a shooting standby state. In the shooting standby state, the user holds the camera body B of the electronic camera C, observes the subject H with the electronic finder image displayed on the LCD 22, measures the composition and timing, and releases the operation unit 23. Button 23
Press a. When the release button 23a is pressed, the CPU 21 causes the strobe device 27 to emit light, if necessary, activates auto-focusing, opens the shutter mechanism 2, and displays an image of the subject imaged by the CCD solid-state imaging device 3. Data is written to the PC card 10 via the digital signal processing unit 6 or the like. After writing the image data, when the function key 23c or 23d is appropriately operated to request the display of the imaging result, the CPU 21
Image data such as a captured subject image is displayed on the screen of the LCD 22. The user checks the imaging result in this state. When the lens unit L is rotated, the light emitting unit 27a of the strobe device 27 is rotated in conjunction therewith, so that the light projecting direction matches the viewing direction of the imaging lens system 1. In this case, the rotation range of the light emitting unit 27a may be limited to a part of a main angle range of the rotation range of the lens unit L, for example, only a range on the front side of the upward direction. As described above, the electronic camera C described above is covered so that the incident surface of the imaging optical system is not exposed when the camera is carried, without increasing the size of the camera itself or deteriorating usability. In this case, the imaging optical system can be rotated to a desired relative angle to perform wide-range imaging. In addition,
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, the recording medium, the operation means, the imaging processing means, and the reproduction / display means are accommodated, and one leg of the base serves as a base portion. At the end of the extending arm portion, the other leg portion which forms the supporting leg portion facing the one leg portion is provided, and is formed in the substantially U-shaped hollow portion of the substantially U-shaped camera body portion. An optical system unit having a substantially matching shape, housing the imaging optical system and the imaging element, and forming a rotating end surface as an incident surface of the imaging optical system, is provided on the one and other legs of the camera body. At the distal end, the configuration for rotatably supporting the axis connecting the distal ends is ensured so that the size of the camera itself does not increase or the usability is deteriorated, and the incident surface of the imaging optical system is not exposed when the camera is carried. Covered, from the camera body Eliminating most protruding portion, it is possible to provide an electronic camera which makes it possible to perform a wide range of imaging by rotating the imaging optical system at a desired relative angle in the time of shooting. According to the electronic camera of the second aspect, the electronic camera further includes a strobe unit for illuminating a subject, and a light emitting unit of the strobe unit is disposed on the other leg of the camera body. In addition, the configuration in which the light emitting unit is rotated to be directed to the incident surface direction in conjunction with the rotation of the optical system unit unit, in particular, the strobe light emitting unit is interlocked with the angle change of the imaging optical system, and the illumination direction is changed. Can follow the imaging direction. According to the electronic camera of the third aspect of the present invention, at least one of the camera body and the optical system unit holds the optical system unit at a desired rotation angle position at the angle position. By including the obtained free stop mechanism, in particular, the rotation angle of the imaging optical system can be freely changed, and it is possible to hold the imaging optical system at a desired angle. According to the electronic camera of the fourth aspect of the present invention, an image is taken in a state in which the optical system unit is housed in a hollow portion of the camera body by the switch for controlling the imaging operation of the imaging processing means. By turning off the processing means and turning on the imaging processing means in a state where the optical system unit is rotated with respect to the camera body part, particularly, the imaging operation is turned on / off by rotating the imaging optical system. The control is turned off, so that the imaging operation is not carelessly performed when the camera is carried, and the operation at the time of imaging becomes easy. According to the electronic camera according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the camera body and the optical system unit can rotate the optical system unit for a relative angle exceeding 360 °, and particularly, an image is captured. By freely rotating the optical system, it becomes possible to capture images in all directions relative to the camera body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention when not in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an external configuration of the electronic camera of FIG. 1 in a shooting standby state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an external configuration of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 from another direction in a stand-by state when a lens unit is set at a different angle in a photographing standby state.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the electronic camera in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 imaging lens system 2 shutter mechanism 3 CCD (charge coupled device) solid-state imaging device 4 CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit 5, 13 A / D (analog-digital) converter 6 digital signal processing unit 7 image compression / expansion unit Reference Signs List 8 FIFO (first in-first out) 9 Card interface (I / F) 10 PC card 11 Microphone 12 Filter amplifier 14 Audio compression / decompression unit 15 D / A converter 16 Filter amplifier 21 CPU (central processing unit) 22 LCD ( (Liquid crystal display) 23 operation unit 23a release button 23b mode dial 23c, 23d function key 24 transmission unit 25 lens driver 26 control signal generation unit (SG) 27 strobe device 27a strobe light emission unit 28 battery 29 DC-DC converter 30 imaging system switch C Electronic camera B Camera body Ba Base (one leg) Bb Arm Bc Support leg (other leg) Baa, Bca Cue member L Lens unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] An imaging optical system for forming an image of a subject; an imaging device for converting an optical image of the subject formed by the imaging optical system into electronic image information; a recording medium for recording the image information; Operating means for performing an imaging operation, imaging processing means responsive to the operating means, performing required processing on the image information converted by the imaging element, and writing the information on the recording medium, and the imaging element and the imaging processing means An electronic camera having a reproduction display unit that reproduces image information captured by a computer and displays the image information on a display, wherein the recording medium, the operation unit, the imaging processing unit, and the reproduction display unit are accommodated, and one of the base units serves as a base unit. A substantially U-shaped camera body having, at the tip of an arm extending laterally from one end of the leg, the other leg forming a support leg facing the one leg; The camera body portion has a shape substantially matching the U-shaped hollow portion, and is rotatable about the axis connecting the tip portions to the tip portions of the one and other legs of the camera body portion. And an optical system unit that accommodates the imaging optical system and the imaging element and forms a rotation end surface as an incident surface of the imaging optical system. 2. The electronic camera further comprises a strobe unit for illuminating a subject, a light emitting unit of the strobe unit is disposed on the other leg of the camera body, and the optical system unit is provided. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is rotated to be directed toward the incident surface in conjunction with the rotation of the unit. 3. A camera according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said camera body and said optical system unit includes a free stop mechanism capable of holding said optical system unit at a desired rotational angle position at said angular position. Claim 1
Or the electronic camera according to 2. 4. The imaging processing means is turned off in a state where the optical system unit is accommodated in a hollow portion of the camera body, and rotates the optical system unit with respect to the camera body. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a switch unit that is turned on in a state where the image processing unit is turned on to control an imaging operation of the imaging processing unit. 5. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the camera body and the optical system unit are configured to rotate the optical system unit at a relative angle exceeding 360 °. The electronic camera according to claim 1.