JP2001086385A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To perform peaking processing in a manual focus mode. An image signal picked up by a CCD 214 (FIG. 3) is digitized by an A / D conversion circuit 432 (FIG. 3) after being subjected to analog processing by an image processing unit 431 (FIG. 3), and the image is processed by a DSP 433 (FIG. 3). It is processed. Image data after image processing is frame memory
Stored in 435. CAF / SAF / MF switch 463 (Fig. 3)
When the mode is switched to the manual focus mode, the CP
U439 sets the peaking processing mode. The peaking processing circuit 460 reads the luminance signal Y stored in the Y signal memory 435a of the frame memory 435, differentiates it with a differentiating circuit 460a, amplifies the differential signal with an amplifying circuit 460b, and then amplifies the signal.
0c is added to the original luminance signal Y. Luminance signal Y 'after addition
Is output to the display LCD 420 via the switch 460d, and the outline in the image signal is displayed with emphasis.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic camera for capturing an image of a subject with an imaging device such as a CCD.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image pickup apparatus that picks up an image of a subject passing through a photographic lens and outputs an image signal, and converts a high-frequency component signal into a low-frequency component signal with respect to an image signal output from the image pickup apparatus 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an electronic camera including an image signal processing circuit that performs a so-called peaking process, which emphasizes a high contrast portion of an image.
For example, in the television camera described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-28392, focus adjustment is performed such that the spatial frequency characteristics of vision are corrected to enhance the contrast of an image by a viewfinder, and the edge of the image is sharp.

[0003]

In such a camera, a photographer presses a switch for increasing the contrast of an image when focusing, and manually operates the switch so as to release the switch when not focusing. I needed to. If the switching operation of the switch is automatically performed according to the use condition of the camera, the photographer can concentrate on the photographing without performing the switching operation, which is convenient.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera in which the on / off of the peaking process is appropriately switched according to the photographing conditions of the camera.

[0005]

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
The present invention will be described with reference to FIG. (1) An electronic camera according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a photographing lens.
An imaging device 214 that captures a subject image through the imaging device 2;
By providing a signal processing unit 460 for performing predetermined processing on the imaging signal output from the 214 to emphasize the imaging signal, and a control unit 439 for switching on / off the signal processing unit 460 according to the imaging condition, Achieve the objectives (2) In the electronic camera according to the first aspect, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, an autofocus mode in which a focusing operation for focusing a subject image on the imaging device 214 is automatically performed, and a focusing operation is manually performed. A focus mode switching unit 463 for switching between a manual focus mode and a manual focus mode is provided.The control unit 439 turns off the signal processing unit 460 when the focus mode switching unit 463 switches the mode to the auto focus mode, and performs signal processing when the mode is switched to the manual focus mode. It is characterized in that the means 460 is turned on. (3) The electronic camera according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the macro camera mode switching means 12 switches between a macro shooting mode for performing macro shooting and a normal shooting mode for shooting in a normal distance range. Control means 43
No. 9 is characterized in that the signal processing means 460 is turned on when the mode is switched to the macro photography mode by the macro photography mode switching means. (4) In the electronic camera according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, as an exposure mode for determining the amount of exposure to the imaging device 214, the aperture value may be prioritized and the brightness of the subject image may be adjusted. An exposure mode switching means 464 for switching between exposure modes, having one of an aperture-priority exposure mode for performing an exposure adjustment corresponding thereto, and a manual exposure mode for the photographer to determine both the aperture value and the shutter speed. The means 439 turns on the signal processing means 460 when at least one of the aperture priority exposure mode and the manual exposure mode is switched by the exposure mode switching means 464. (5) The invention according to claim 5 is the electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a zoom switch 14 for driving the photographing lens 2 to adjust a focal length, and a control unit 439.
Is characterized in that the signal processing means 460 is turned off when the zoom switch 14 is operated. (6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the electronic camera further includes a luminance detecting unit 439 for detecting the luminance of the subject image.
The signal processing means 460 is turned off when the value detected by 9 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. (7) The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electronic camera according to any one of (1) to (6) is a single-frame shooting mode in which a subject image is shot frame by frame, and a continuous frame shooting mode in which the subject image is shot continuously. The control means 439 turns off the signal processing means 460 when switching to the continuous frame shooting mode is performed by the frame switching means 468. (8) The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronic camera according to any one of the first to seventh aspects switches between a distant view shooting mode for shooting a distant view and a normal shooting mode for shooting a normal distance range. Switching means 12; control means 43;
9 is characterized in that the signal processing means 460 is turned off when the mode is switched to the distant view shooting mode by the distant view shooting mode switching means 12. (9) In the electronic camera according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the invention according to the ninth aspect is a continuous autofocus mode in which a focusing operation for automatically focusing a subject image on the imaging device 214 is continuously performed. An auto-focus mode switching means 463 for switching between a single auto-focus mode in which the focusing operation is performed only once, and a control means 439 for controlling the signal processing means when the auto-focus mode switching means 463 switches to the continuous auto-focus mode. 460 is turned off. (10) The electronic camera according to the ninth aspect, wherein the autofocus mode switching means 463 is provided.
When the mode is switched to the single auto focus mode, the control means 439 switches on / off the signal processing means 460 depending on whether or not the focusing operation is completed. (11) The electronic camera according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the display means 420 for displaying the image signal output from the signal processing means 460 and the display of the display means 420 are provided. Display control means 439 for turning on / off, and the control means 439 turns off the signal processing means 460 when the display is turned off by the display control means 439. (12) An electronic camera according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention provides an image pickup device 214 for picking up an image of a subject through a photographing lens 2, and a signal process for performing predetermined processing on an image pickup signal output from the image pickup device 214 to emphasize the image pickup signal. Means 460, a release switch 9 for starting photographing, and a control means 4 for switching on / off of the signal processing means 460 according to the operation of the release switch 9.
39, the above-described object is achieved. (13) According to a thirteenth aspect, in the electronic camera according to the twelfth aspect, the control means 439 switches on / off of the signal processing means 460 every time the release switch 9 is double-clicked. I do. (14) In the electronic camera according to the twelfth aspect, the control means 439 turns on the signal processing means 460 when the release switch 9 is half-pressed, and a predetermined time has elapsed since the half-depression operation. A feature is that the signal processing means 460 is turned off later. (15) In the electronic camera according to the second aspect, when the focus mode switching unit 463 switches to the manual focus mode, the control unit 439 turns on the signal processing unit 460 for a predetermined time. It is characterized in that the signal processing means 460 is turned off after the lapse of time, and thereafter, when the focusing operation is manually performed, the signal processing means 460 is turned on again. (16) An electronic camera according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention provides an image pickup device 214 for picking up an image of a subject through a photographing lens 2, and a signal process for performing predetermined processing on an image pickup signal output from the image pickup device 214 to emphasize the image pickup signal. Means 460, recording control means 439 for recording image data on the recording medium 424, and a mode for switching between a recording mode for recording image data on the recording medium 424 and a reproduction mode for reproducing image data recorded on the recording medium 424. The object described above is achieved by providing the switching means 467 and the control means 439 for turning off the signal processing means 460 when the mode is switched to the reproduction mode by the mode switching means 467. (17) An electronic camera according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention provides an image pickup device 214 for picking up an image of a subject through a photographing lens 2, and a signal process for performing predetermined processing on an image pickup signal output from the image pickup device 214 to emphasize the image pickup signal. Means 460, a display means 420 for displaying one of the image signal and the enhanced image signal, and a signal processing means 460 for displaying at least the image picked up by the image pickup device 214 after the release on the display means 420. The above-mentioned object is achieved by providing the control means 439 for turning off the power.

[0006] In the section of the means for solving the above-mentioned problems, which explains the configuration of the present invention, the drawings of the embodiments are used to make the present invention easier to understand. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS -First Embodiment- An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1A and 1B show the external appearance of an electronic still camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention when the electronic still camera is stored and when the electronic still camera is carried, wherein FIG. 1A is a view seen from above, and FIG. . 2A and 2B show the appearance of the camera shown in FIG. 1 during normal shooting, where FIG. 2A is a view seen from the front, FIG. 2B is a view seen from the top, and FIG. is there. Electronic still camera 1 according to this embodiment
Is a lens unit 1a including a movable lens 2 and a display LCD 4
Monitor unit 1b including 20 and both units
1a and 1b are relatively rotatably connected.

During storage or carrying, as shown in FIG. 1, the lens unit 1a is rotated so that the lens unit 1a and the monitor unit 1b are flat. In addition, during normal photographing, as shown in FIG. 2, the lens unit 1a is rotated so that the movable lens 2 faces the subject. At this time, the monitor unit 1b is held so that the display LCD 420 faces the direction of the photographer.
You can shoot while watching 420.

The lens unit 1a includes an electronic flash device 4, a finder window 5, a red-eye reduction / self-timer display lamp 6, a finder eyepiece window 7, and the like, in addition to the movable lens 2. On the other hand, the monitor unit 1b includes a main switch 8, a release button 9, and a display panel 1 in addition to the display LCD 420.
0, Flash shooting mode button 11, Shooting distance mode button 1
2. It has an image quality mode button 13, a zoom operation button 14, a monitor display button 15, a menu button 16, a selection dial 17, and the like.

The electronic still camera 1 has two operation modes: a recording mode for capturing an image of a subject and recording image data, and a reproduction mode for reading and reproducing the recorded image data. By a switching operation of the main switch 8, a recording mode (REC) and a reproduction mode (PLAY) are selected. The main switch 8 is switched to at least four positions of PLAY, OFF, REC (S), and REC (C). The recording mode is an operation mode in which a captured subject image is recorded as image data, and the reproduction mode is an operation mode in which the recorded image data is read and displayed on the display LCD 420. The recording mode is
It has two modes (S) and (C), (S) is a single-frame shooting mode for shooting one frame at a time, and (C) is a continuous shooting mode (or a moving image mode) for continuous frame shooting. .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit of the electronic still camera 1 according to the first embodiment. When the main switch 8 is switched to the recording mode: REC (S), the power of the electronic still camera 1 is turned on and the CPU 439 is set to the ROM.
The control program stored in 443 is started. The recording / playback switch 467 and the continuous shooting mode switch 468 are operated in conjunction with the main switch 8, and when the main switch 8 is operated to the REC (S) position, the recording / playback is switched. The switch 467 is switched to the recording mode, and the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 468 is switched to the one-frame shooting mode. The CPU 439 appropriately controls the blocks of each unit based on an operation signal input from the operation member 46.

In FIG. 3, a subject light L is transmitted to a movable lens 2.
, Is incident on the electronic still camera 1, and the incident subject light L passes through the movable lens 2, the fixed lens 209, and the lens group 21 to form an image on the image sensor 214. The imaging element 214 is a CCD, and photoelectrically converts an optical image formed on each pixel into an electrical image signal. A digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as DSP) 433 supplies a horizontal drive signal to the CCD 214 and a CCD drive circuit 434.
To supply a vertical drive signal to the CCD 214.

The image processing unit 431 is controlled by the CPU 439, samples the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 214 at a predetermined timing, and amplifies the image signal to a predetermined signal level. Analog / digital conversion circuit (hereinafter A
A / D conversion circuit 432 converts the amplified image signal output from the image processing unit 431 into a digital signal, and outputs the digitally converted image data to the DSP 433 described above. The DSP 433 performs image processing such as contour compensation, gamma correction, and white balance adjustment on the image data output from the A / D conversion circuit 432.

Further, the DSP 433 controls a data bus connected to the buffer memory 436 and the memory card 424, and stores the processed image data in the buffer memory.
After the image data is once stored in the buffer memory 436, the stored image data is read out from the buffer memory 436, and a predetermined format process is performed for, for example, JPEG compression. Then, the data is recorded on the memory card 424. Also, DSP4
A frame memory 43 stores the image data after the image processing described above.
5 and display it on a display LCD 420 provided in the monitor unit 1b (FIG. 2), or read out and expand the captured image data recorded from the memory card 424, and store the expanded captured image data in the frame memory. The information is stored in the display 435 and displayed on the display LCD 420. Further, the DSP 433 performs data input / output timing management for recording the above-described image data on the memory card 424 and recording the decompressed photographed image data on the buffer memory 436.

The buffer memory 436 stores image data from the CCD 214. The difference in the speed of input and output of image data to and from the memory card 424, the CPU 439 and the DSP 433.
It is used to mitigate the difference in processing speed in such as. The timer 445 has a built-in clock circuit and outputs time data corresponding to the current time to the CPU 439. This time data is stored in the memory card 42 together with the image data described above.
Recorded in 4.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lens group 21 described above. Inside the lens group 21, an aperture plate 215 and a shutter plate 2
08 is provided adjacently, and the aperture plate 215 and the shutter plate 208 are sandwiched between the relay lenses 212a and 212b. The aperture plate 215 and the shutter plate 208 are formed in a disk shape, and are driven by step motors 408 and 415 (FIG. 3) provided at the rotation center of the disk, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the aperture plate 215 is provided with aperture openings 215a to 215g. Based on the area of the opening 215a through which all the subject light beams pass, the aperture areas of the aperture openings 215b to 215g are:
The opening area is set so that the opening area becomes half in order to reach the openings 215b to 215g. On the other hand, the shutter plate 208 is provided with a complete light blocking portion 208a for blocking all light beams, and an opening 208b for passing all light beams.

Referring to FIG. 3, the aperture driving circuit 453 has an A / A
The stepping motor 415 is driven by using the luminance of the subject detected from the image data output from the D conversion circuit 432 to the DSP 433 to drive the stepping motor 415 so that the aperture value is determined by a predetermined exposure calculation performed by the CPU 439. Set the opening diameter of 215. When the step motor 415 is driven, the aperture plate 215 sets an opening having a predetermined opening diameter on the optical axis. The shutter drive circuit 454 drives the step motor 408 to rotate the shutter plate 208 so that the exposure time is determined by the exposure calculation by the CPU 439.

The lens drive circuit 430 drives the movable lens 2 to a focus position according to a command from the CPU 439. The lens drive circuit 430 can drive the movable lens 2 to the in-focus position not only by a command from the CPU 439 but also by an operation signal of the distance ring 462. The zoom lens driving circuit 429 drives the movable lens 2 according to a command from the CPU 439, and changes the zoom magnification (focal length) of the movable lens 2.

The peaking processing circuit 460 reads out the image data stored in the frame memory 435 in response to a command from the CPU 439, and performs a peaking process described later on the read out image data. The image data on which the peaking process has been performed is output to the terminal a of the switch 461. switch
461 is a frame memory 435 according to a command from the CPU 439.
The LCD 420 displays one of the image data read out from the switch 461 and input from the terminal b of the switch 461 and the image data output from the peaking processing circuit 460 and subjected to the peaking processing input from the terminal a of the switch 461.
Output to

The switch 470 turns on / off the power of the peaking processing circuit 460 in accordance with the setting / cancellation of the peaking processing mode in accordance with a command from the CPU 439. When the peaking processing circuit 460 is operated, the power supplied from the power supply circuit 480 is turned on, and when the peaking processing circuit 460 is not operated, the power supplied from the power supply circuit 480 is turned off. The switch 471 is turned on / off by operating the monitor display button 15 (FIG. 1), and turns on / off the power supplied to the display LCD 420 according to a command from the CPU 439. Display L
When the CD 420 performs the display operation, the power supplied from the power supply circuit 480 is turned on. When the display operation is not performed on the display LCD 420, the power supplied from the power supply circuit 480 is turned off. The power is always supplied from the power supply circuit 480 to the other circuit blocks when the power is turned on by the main switch 8.

A colorimetric element 417 detects the color temperature of the main subject and its surroundings, and converts the data of the detected color temperature into a colorimetric circuit.
Output to 452. The colorimetric circuit 452 performs a predetermined process on the analog signal output from the colorimetric element 417 to convert the analog signal into a digital value, and outputs the converted digital signal to the CPU 439.
The interface 448 is provided so as to connect a predetermined external device (not shown) and transmit and receive data between the CPU 439 and the connected external device.

In addition, a display circuit 440 is connected to the CPU 439. The CPU 439 controls a flash mode of the flash device 4 by the flash mode button 11, a distance range setting by the shooting distance mode button 12, a compression ratio setting by the image quality mode button 13, and the like. Various setting states are displayed on the display panel 10.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the peaking processing circuit 460, the switch 461, and the frame memory 435. Frame memory 4
35 is a Y signal memory 435a for storing the luminance signal Y in the image data, and RY memories 435b and BY for storing the color difference signals RY and BY in the image data, respectively.
It is configured by the memory 435c. Here, the luminance signal Y, the color difference signal RY, and the color difference signal BY are calculated by the DSP 433 and stored in the frame memory 435. The peaking processing circuit 460 includes a differentiating circuit 460a and an amplifying circuit 4
60b, an adder circuit 460c, an operational amplifier 460e, and a two-circuit switch 460d. The switch 461 is a three-circuit switch.
The circuit side is displayed in the frame memory 435 and the common terminal is displayed LC
D420. When the peaking processing mode is set and the peaking processing is performed, the switch 461 is switched to the a-circuit side by a command from the CPU 439. Switch 461
Are switched to the a-circuit side, the signals output from the peaking processing circuit 460 and input from the terminals 1a to 3a of the switch 461 are supplied to the display LCD 420.

In FIG. 5, the luminance signal Y output from the Y signal memory 435a is input to a peaking processing circuit 460 and differentiated by a differentiating circuit 460a in the peaking processing circuit 460. The differentiated signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit 460b,
The amplified signal is added to the original luminance signal Y in the adding circuit 460c. The luminance signal Y ′ after the addition is output from the peaking processing circuit 460 and is input from the terminal 3a of the switch 461.

RY signal memory 435b, BY signal memory
The color difference signals RY and BY output from 435c are input to the terminals 2b and 1b of the switch 460d in the peaking processing circuit 460, respectively. Terminal 2a and terminal 1a of switch 460d are both connected to ground (GND). Differentiator 4
The differential signal differentiated by 60a is input to the operational amplifier 460e, and when the input differential signal is higher than a predetermined voltage Vr input to the operational amplifier 460e, a drive signal for driving the switch 460d is output from the operational amplifier 460e.
460d is switched to the circuit a side. Since the a-circuit side of the switch 460d is grounded as described above, the switch
The magnitudes of the color difference signals RY and BY output from the common terminal 2c and the common terminal 1c of the 460d are 0, respectively.
Becomes Therefore, the luminance signal Y ′ to which the differential signal has been added is input to the terminal 3a of the switch 461, the color difference signal RY of 0 is input to the terminal 2a of the switch 461, and the color difference signal BY of 0 is input to the terminal 1a of the switch 461. Is done. As a result, the display LCD 420
As a result, the color of the portion where the differential signal of the luminance signal Y is larger than a predetermined value is erased, and white display is performed. That is, a portion having a high contrast, such as the outline of the subject image, is displayed with high luminance and emphasized white.

On the other hand, when the differentiated signal differentiated by the differentiating circuit 460a is smaller than the predetermined voltage Vr input to the operational amplifier 460e, the operational amplifier 460e does not output a drive signal for driving the switch 460d. Is switched to As a result, the color difference signal RY and the color difference signal BY output from the common terminal 2c and the common terminal 1c of the switch 460d are stored in the RY signal memories 435b and BY, respectively.
The color difference signals RY and BY are output from the signal memory 435c. The luminance signal Y ′ obtained by adding the color difference signal and the differential signal to the display LCD 420 is supplied, so that the color of the low contrast portion of the subject image is displayed based on the color difference signal RY and the color difference signal BY. You. The above peaking processing operation is performed for each pixel displayed on the display LCD 420.

When the peaking processing mode is canceled and the peaking processing circuit 460 does not perform the peaking processing, C
The switch 461 is switched to the b-circuit side by the command of PU439. When the switch 461 is switched to the b circuit side, the BY signal memory 435c, the RY signal memory 435b and the Y signal memory
The signals output from the terminal 435a and input to the terminals 1b to 3b of the switch 461 are supplied to the display LCD 420.

As described above, in the electronic still camera 1, the recording mode (REC (S) and REC (C)) and the reproduction mode (PLAY) are switched by the recording / reproduction switch 467 operated in conjunction with the main switch 8. Selected. In both operation modes, a menu setting mode for selecting / setting a camera operation is provided. Since the electronic still camera 1 according to the present invention is characterized by its operation in the recording mode, the recording mode will be mainly described.

-Recording Operation- When the main switch 8 is switched to a recording mode for single-frame shooting: REC (S) position, the digital still camera 1 is switched to a recording mode for single-frame shooting when the power is turned on.
A half-press signal and a full-press signal are input to the CPU 439 from a half-press switch and a full-press switch (hereinafter, referred to as a shutter button 9) interlocked with the shutter button 9, respectively. When a half-press signal from the shutter button 9 is input, the CPU 439 detects the focus adjustment state of the movable lens 2 based on the contrast of the image data by the CCD 214. Then, the movable lens 2 is driven to the in-focus position so that the subject light incident on the movable lens 2 forms an image on the CCD 214 as an imaging device. When a half-press signal from the shutter button 9 is input to the CPU 439, the CPU 439
The brightness of the subject is detected from the image data by CD214,
Exposure calculation is performed based on the detected luminance.

When the zoom operation button 466 is operated, C
The zoom lens drive circuit 429 drives the movable lens 2 according to a command from the PU 439 to change the focal length. The focal length of the zoom operation button 14 is moved to one of the telephoto side (T) and the wide-angle side (W).

Following the half-press signal, the shutter button 9
Is turned on and a full-press signal is input to the CPU 439, the flash device 4 emits light in accordance with the result of the exposure calculation and the mode setting preset by the flash shooting mode button 11, and the subject from the movable lens 2 When the light L forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 214, signal charges corresponding to the brightness of the subject image are accumulated in the CCD 214. The timing of the CCD 214 is controlled by the DSP 433 and the CCD drive circuit 434, and the signal charges stored in the CCD 214 are discharged by the drive pulses output from the two circuits, and input to the image processing unit 431 including a noise removal circuit and a DC reproduction circuit. Is done. After analog processing such as noise removal and gain control is performed on the analog image signal by the image processing unit 431, the analog image signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 432.

The digitally converted signal is the above-mentioned DS
The image data is led to P433, where image pre-processing such as contour compensation and gamma correction is performed and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 436. Then, image data is exchanged between the CPU 439 and the buffer memory 436, a white balance adjustment value is obtained from the stored image data, and a white balance adjustment is performed by the DSP 433 based on the adjustment value. The subsequent image data is stored in the buffer memory 436 again.
Is stored in The image data stored in the buffer memory 436 is processed into image data for display by the DSP 433,
By writing this image data into the frame memory 435, a shooting screen called a freeze image is displayed on the display LCD 420.

The image data subjected to the image pre-processing described above is further processed by the DSP 433 in JPEG format.
A format process (image post-processing) for compression is performed. Further, the data is compressed at a predetermined ratio according to the JPEG method, a predetermined data name is given by the CPU 439, and the time information from the timer 445 is stored in the flash memory or the like. It is recorded on a recording medium (PC card, CF card, etc.) 424.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a menu setting screen of the recording mode displayed on the display LCD 420 of the electronic still camera 1. When the menu button 16 in FIG. 1 is pressed in the recording mode, a menu setting screen as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on the display LCD 420 of the electronic still camera 1. When the selection dial 17 or the zoom operation button 14 (which functions as a selection switch in the menu setting mode) is operated, for example, the item of “AE operation” is selected from the menu, and the release button 9 (the menu setting mode) is selected. When the “AE operation” is selected and pressed, the menu setting screen for the AE operation mode as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed on the display LCD 420. The AE operation mode is a “program mode” that determines an aperture value and a shutter speed (exposure time) under predetermined conditions in accordance with a detected brightness value of a subject in an exposure calculation performed by the CPU 439, and a brightness of the detected subject. "Aperture priority mode" that determines the shutter speed according to the value and the set aperture value, "Shutter priority mode" that determines the aperture value according to the brightness value of the detected subject and the set shutter speed, shooting "Off (manual)" in which the user determines the aperture value and shutter speed.

Selection dial 17 or zoom operation button 14
Is operated, for example, the item of "aperture priority mode" is selected from the menu. When the release button 9 is pressed and the item of “aperture priority mode” is selected and determined, an operation mode for determining the shutter speed in accordance with the detected luminance value and the set aperture value is selected.

When the "AF operation" item is selected from the menu with the selection dial 17 or the zoom operation button 14 (FIG. 7 (a)), the release button 9 is pressed and the "AF operation" is pressed.
When “operation” is selected and determined, a menu setting screen for the AF operation mode as shown in FIG. The AF operation mode is a "continuous AF mode" in which the focus detection operation is always performed when the camera is set to the recording mode by the main switch 8, and when a half-press signal from the release button 9 is input to the CPU 439. "Single AF mode", which is performed only when the electronic still camera 1 does not perform the focus detection operation, and "Off (manual)" in which the photographer manually focuses.

Selection dial 17 or zoom operation button 14
Is operated, the item of "single AF mode" is selected from the menu. When the release button 9 is pressed and the item of “single AF mode” is selected and determined, an operation mode in which focus detection is performed only when a half-press signal is input to the CPU 439 is selected.

These setting contents by the menu become effective when the menu button 16 is pressed again to return from the menu setting mode to the recording mode.

The menu setting as described above is used for setting in detail the camera operation relating to the photographing functions such as the exposure correction, the photometry method and the selection of the white balance adjustment value in addition to the AE mode and the AF mode described above. Things. During this menu setting mode, display LC
A menu screen as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is displayed on D420, and the screen of the subject image captured through the movable lens 2 is not displayed.

The display LCD 420 is a small liquid crystal display provided in the monitor unit 1b of the electronic still camera 1 as shown in FIG. The number of pixels is small. Therefore, when displaying the subject image picked up by the CCD 214 on the display LCD 420, the CCD 214
Is thinned out at a predetermined rate in accordance with the display resolution of the display LCD 420 and read out.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the arrangement of pixels constituting the subject image picked up by the CCD 214 and the pixels which are thinned out and read in order to display the subject image on the display LCD 420. In FIG. 8, the pixels painted black are the display LCDs.
Pixels which are decimated and read out for display at 420 are shown. Pixels picked up by the CCD 214 are read out at a ratio of one pixel for every five pixels in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

When a color filter is provided on the CCD 214 for picking up a color image, there are cases where R, G, and B primary color filters are arranged as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9B, there are cases where G, Ye, Cy, and Ma complementary color filters are arranged. In both cases of FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), if pixels are read out by thinning out multiples of 2 in every two pixels in both the vertical and horizontal directions, for example, before thinning out. Since the arrangement order of the color filters on the CCD 214 matches the arrangement order of the color filters corresponding to the data read out by thinning, the color before the thinning is reproduced even if the thinning is performed. 9 (a) and 9 (b), the hatched pixels indicate pixel positions when one pixel is read out of five pixels.

The thinning-out reading is performed by the image processing unit 431 controlled by the CPU 439. That is, the image processing unit 431 displays the image signal output from the CCD 214
By sampling at a predetermined timing according to the display resolution of D420, the subject image captured by the CCD 214 is thinned out and read.

The thinning-out reading according to the above description is performed in a so-called electronic viewfinder mode in which the subject image picked up by the CCD 214 is displayed as a through image, such as when the above-described peaking process is performed to display the subject image on the display LCD 420. Is what is done. When a full-press signal is input by the release button 9 as in the recording operation described above, all the accumulated charges imaged by the CCD 214 are read out without thinning.

-Detection of Focus Adjustment State- The detection operation (autofocus: AF) for automatically detecting the adjustment state of the focus position by the movable lens 2 is performed by, for example,
This is performed on the subject image in a specific area at the center of the object scene. It should be noted that the subject image is read out thinned out as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an example of a graph showing the relationship between the position of each pixel read out thinned out and the output value of the pixel.
The graph shows a curve corresponding to the subject. The greater the change in the curve, the higher the contrast of the subject. Therefore, the state of adjustment of the focal position is detected by the so-called hill-climbing method so that the contrast of the subject becomes the highest, and the lens driving circuit
By driving the 430, the focal position of the movable lens 2 is adjusted and focused.

-Conditions for Performing Peaking Process- FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process for determining whether or not to perform the peaking process of the electronic still camera 1 according to the first embodiment. In step S111 in FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the manual focus mode has been set. When “OFF (manual)” is set in the “AF operation” setting menu in FIG. 7 described above, an affirmative determination is made in step S111 (Y in step S111), and the process proceeds to step S112 to perform the peaking process mode in which the peaking process is performed. Set to. On the other hand, when “continuous AF mode” or “single AF mode” is set in the “AF operation setting menu” in FIG. 7, a negative determination is made in step S111 (N in step S111),
Proceeding to step S113, the peaking processing mode is canceled.

The electronic still camera 1 configured as described above
The photographing process in the recording mode will be described. FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing a program started by a half-press operation signal from the release button 9. A half-press operation signal and a full-press operation signal are input to the CPU 439 by operating the release button 9. In step S1, the amplification factor for amplifying the image signal in the image processing unit 431 is changed to a predetermined value at the time of focus detection, and the aperture 215a on the aperture plate 215 through which all light beams pass is set on the optical path. In step S2, the opening 208b of the shutter plate 208 through which all light beams pass is set to be on the optical path. In step S3, charges are accumulated in the CCD 214, and a subject image is captured. In step S4, the stored charge stored in the CCD 214 is thinned out at a predetermined ratio according to the display resolution of the display LCD 420 and read out, whereby image data based on a captured image signal is read out.

In step S5, the read image data is subjected to analog processing in the image processing section 431 and converted into digital signals in the A / D conversion circuit 432, and then subjected to predetermined image processing in the DSP 433. In step S6, the through-image is displayed on the display LCD 420 by writing the image data after the image processing into the frame memory 435. At this time, if the peaking processing mode is set so as to perform the peaking processing, the switch 461 is switched to the a-circuit side in accordance with a command from the CPU 439, so that a high-contrast portion such as the contour of the subject image becomes white with high luminance. It is highlighted.

In step S7, auto focus
It is determined whether the mode is the (AF) mode. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S8. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S8, it is determined whether a contrast can be detected in the image data. When it is determined that the contrast can be detected (Y in step S8), step S8 is performed.
The process proceeds to step S9, and if it is determined that the contrast cannot be detected (N in step S8), the process proceeds to step S11 to display a warning indicating that focusing is impossible on the display panel 10 via the display circuit 440, and then returns to step S1.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not the contrast detected in the image data is higher than a predetermined value. If a negative determination is made (N in step S9), step S
Proceed to 10 to drive the lens drive circuit 430 to move the movable lens 2
Adjust the focus position of the. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made (Y in step S9), it is considered that focusing has been achieved, and the process proceeds to step S12. When it is determined in step S12 that the full-press operation signal has been input (Y in step S12), a shooting sequence subsequent to step S13 is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the full-press operation signal is not input (N in step S12), the process returns to step S1.

In step S13, the brightness value of the subject is calculated from the image data, and the exposure calculation is performed. In step S14, a predetermined opening of the aperture plate 215 is set on the optical path, and the image processing unit 431 changes the amplification factor for amplifying the image signal from the setting value at the time of focus detection to the predetermined value at the time of shooting. In step S15, the CCD 214 is exposed for a predetermined time to accumulate charges, and a subject image is captured. After the exposure is completed, the complete light shielding portion 208a on the shutter plate 208 is set on the optical path in step S16. In step S17, by reading out the stored charges from the CCD 214 without thinning out, image data based on the captured image signal is read out.

In step S18, the read image data is subjected to analog processing by the image processing section 431, and the A / D
After being converted to a digital signal by the conversion circuit 432, the DSP 433
Image processing. In step S19, the image data after the image processing is written to the frame memory 435, so that the freeze image is displayed on the display LCD 420. In step S20, the data after the image processing is compressed in a predetermined format and recorded on the memory card 424. As described above, the series of recording processes in the recording mode shown in FIG. 12 is completed.

The features of the first embodiment will be summarized. (1) Since the peaking processing mode in which the peaking processing is performed when the manual focus mode is set, a portion where the contrast of the subject image is high at the time of focusing is highlighted and displayed on the display LCD 420,
This makes it easy to confirm whether or not the photographer is in focus when performing focus adjustment, and which part of the subject image is in focus. Therefore, the operability of the electronic still camera is improved. (2) In the auto focus mode (continuous AF mode and single AF mode) in which the photographer does not need to focus, the peaking process is not performed. You can see the image. (3) In the peaking process, the luminance signal stored in the Y signal memory 435a among the image signals picked up by the CCD 214 is differentiated by the differentiating circuit 460a, and the differentiated signal is added to the adding circuit 460c.
Is added to the original luminance signal and displayed on the display LCD 420. Therefore, as the contrast such as the contour of the subject image becomes clearer, the portion is emphasized black or white. Further, when the output of the differentiating circuit 460a is larger than the predetermined voltage Vr, the color difference signal RY and the color difference signal BY are set to 0.
Therefore, particularly high contrast parts are displayed in white to improve visibility. (4) In the electronic viewfinder mode, the CCD
Since the signal charges imaged and accumulated at 214 are thinned out at a predetermined ratio according to the display resolution of the display LCD 420 and read out, the number of data to be read out is smaller than when all the signal charges are read out. Thus, the used area of the buffer memory 436 can be reduced. Further, since the processing load on the CPU 439 and the DSP 433 can be reduced, the effects of reducing processing time and power consumption can be obtained. (5) Autofocus (AF) operation for automatically detecting the state of adjustment of the focal position by the movable lens 2, and
Since the peaking process according to (3) is performed on the subject image that has been decimated and read out according to (4) above, when the main subject is focused by the AF operation, the AF process is performed.
The same image data as the image data used in the operation can be emphasized and displayed by the peaking process.
Therefore, the in-focus subject always coincides with the emphasized subject image, so that the operational feeling is improved.

In the above description, manual focus (MF) mode and auto focus mode (continuous AF (CAF) mode and single A
F (SAF) mode), but instead of the menu setting, a CAF / SAF / MF switch 46 shown in FIG.
Switching may be performed by 3.

In the above description, the peaking processing is performed by using the peaking processing circuit 460. However, the processing performed by the peaking processing circuit 460 may be processed by software. In this case, the CPU 439 performs peaking processing on the image data in the buffer memory 436 as necessary, and writes the image data after the peaking processing to the frame memory 435. This eliminates the need for the peaking processing circuit 460, the switch 461, and the switch 470, and provides an effect of reducing cost.

In the above description of the peaking processing circuit 460, the high contrast portion such as the contour of the subject image is displayed with high brightness and emphasized white, but instead of white, it is displayed in a complementary color to the background. You may. In addition, white and black may be displayed by blinking. In this way, even when the background color of the subject image is white and the emphasized white portion is inconspicuous, the effect of making the emphasized portion easier to see by performing the complementary color display or the blinking black and white display is obtained.

In the above description of the peaking processing circuit 460, the peaking processing is performed irrespective of the aperture value (the apertures 215a to 215g of the aperture plate 215 set in the optical path). The gain of the differentiating circuit 460a and the predetermined voltage Vr input to the operational amplifier 460e may be changed. For example, when the aperture is wide open and the depth of field is shallow, the outline is strongly emphasized. When the aperture is narrowed down, the depth of field is deep and the outline is weakly emphasized. In this way, when there are many in-focus portions with a large depth of field, all of them are emphasized by the peaking process, and the entire screen is prevented from being displayed with high brightness and glare.

Further, the gain of the differentiating circuit 460a and the predetermined voltage Vr input to the operational amplifier 460e may be changed according to the brightness of the background of the subject image. If the outline is strongly emphasized when the background is bright, and the outline is emphasized weakly when the background is dark, an effect is obtained in which the emphasized portion is easy to see even when the brightness of the background changes.

Second Embodiment The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the second embodiment. In step S121 in FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the AE mode or the manual mode with aperture priority is set. When “aperture priority” or “off (manual)” is set in the “AE operation” setting menu in FIG. 6 described above, an affirmative determination is made in step S121 (Y in step S121), and the process proceeds to step S122 to perform the peaking process. Is set to the peaking mode. On the other hand, “AE
When any one of “Program”, “Shutter Priority” and “Off (Manual)” is set in the “operation setting menu”, a negative determination is made in Step S121 (N in Step S121), and the process proceeds to Step S123 to perform the peaking process. Cancel the mode.

The features of the second embodiment will be summarized. (1) Since the AE mode in which exposure calculation is performed with aperture priority or the mode in which exposure is manually performed is set, the peaking processing mode in which peaking processing is performed is set. The changed portion is highlighted and displayed on the display LCD 420. As a result, the peaking process is performed in a situation where the photographer is likely to consider the depth of field.
It is easy to confirm the focused part on the 420. (2) Program A with low possibility of considering depth of field
In the case of the E mode and the AE mode in which the shutter speed is prioritized, the peaking process is not performed, so that the photographer can see a natural subject image on the display LCD 420.

In the above description, the aperture setting, the program, the shutter priority, and the manual mode are switched by menu setting.
May be switched by an AE mode switch 464 shown in FIG.

Third Embodiment The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the third embodiment. In step S131 in FIG. 14, a flag F indicating whether or not the peaking processing mode is set is set to an initial value 0. In step S132, it is determined whether or not the release button 9 has been double-clicked. The double-click operation refers to an operation in which a half-press signal is input twice by the release button 9 within a predetermined time. When it is determined that the double-click operation has been performed (Y in step S132), the process proceeds to step S133, and it is determined whether the flag F is 0 or not. When it is determined that the double-click operation has not been performed (N in step S132), the process proceeds to step S134,
It is determined whether the timer processing for a predetermined time has timed out.

In step S134, if it is determined that the time is up, the process of FIG. 14 is terminated, and if it is determined in the negative, the process returns to step S132. Step S133
Is determined to be 0 (step S13).
In step S135, the process proceeds to step S135 to set the peaking mode. In step S136, the flag F is set to 1 and the process in FIG. 14 ends. On the other hand, step S13
If it is determined in step 3 that the flag F is not 0 (N in step S133), the flow advances to step S137 to release the peaking processing mode. In step S138, the flag F is set to 0 and the processing in FIG. 14 ends.

The features of the third embodiment will be summarized. Since the setting and release of the peaking processing mode can be performed only by double-clicking the release button 9, the photographer can quickly perform photographing without operating other operation members.

Fourth Embodiment The fourth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the fourth embodiment. In step S141 of FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not a half-press signal from the shutter button 9 has been input. Step S
When an affirmative determination is made in 141 (Y in step S141),
Proceeding to step S142, a peaking processing mode for performing peaking processing is set. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S141 (N in step S141), the process proceeds to step S143 to cancel the peaking processing mode.

The features of the fourth embodiment will be summarized. When the release button 9 is half-pressed, the peaking processing mode is set.When the half-pressing operation is stopped, the peaking processing mode is released, so that the photographer can quickly shoot without releasing the finger from the release button 9. be able to.

Fifth Embodiment The fifth embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the fifth embodiment. In step S151 in FIG. 16, it is determined whether or not the distance ring 462 for performing focus adjustment has been turned. If a negative determination is made (N in step S151), the process waits until the distance ring 462 is operated, and an affirmative determination is made (Y in step S151).
Proceeding to step S152, a predetermined time (for example, about 16
Seconds) timer is set. The peaking mode is set in step S153, and it is determined in step S154 whether or not the time is up. When it is determined that the time is up (Y in step S154), step S
Proceeding to 155, the peaking processing mode is canceled and FIG.
Is completed. If a negative determination is made in step S154 (N in step S154), the process waits for time-up.

The features of the fifth embodiment will be summarized. When the photographer operates the distance ring 462 to adjust the focus, the peaking processing mode is set, and after about 16 seconds, the peaking processing mode is released.
Only when the photographer performs focusing, the peaking process is automatically performed, and the operability of the camera is improved.

Sixth Embodiment The sixth embodiment is different from the first to fifth embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the sixth embodiment. In step S161 in FIG. 17, it is determined whether the zoom operation button 14 has been operated to change the focal length of the movable lens 2. If an affirmative determination is made in step S161 (Y in step S161), the flow advances to step S162 to release the peaking processing mode so that the peaking processing is not performed. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S161 (N in step S161), the process proceeds to step S163 to set the peaking processing mode.

The features of the sixth embodiment will be summarized. When the photographer operates the zoom operation button 14 to change the zoom magnification, the peaking processing mode is released, and when the operation of the zoom operation button 14 ends, the peaking processing mode is set. The peaking process is not performed even when the focus is out of focus.
The contour portion of the subject image on D420 is not emphasized or not, and the photographer is prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

-Seventh Embodiment- The seventh embodiment differs from the first to sixth embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the seventh embodiment. In step S171 in FIG. 18, it is determined whether the brightness of the subject detected from the image data by the CCD 214 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. An affirmative determination is made in step S171 (step S171).
171 of Y), the process proceeds to step S172, and the peaking processing mode is canceled so that the peaking process is not performed. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S171 (N in step S171), the process proceeds to step S173 to set the peaking processing mode.

The features of the seventh embodiment will be summarized. Since the peaking processing mode is canceled when the brightness value of the subject is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the contrast of the subject due to the low brightness of the subject is reduced. This prevents the photographer from misunderstanding that the outline is not focused without being emphasized. Further, when there is a bright portion in the background that is not focused, an effect of preventing the bright portion of the background from being emphasized can be obtained.

-Eighth Embodiment- The eighth embodiment differs from the first to seventh embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the eighth embodiment. In step S181 in FIG. 19, it is determined whether the main switch 8 has been operated to the REC (C) position to set the continuous shooting mode or the moving image mode. Switching between the continuous shooting mode and the moving image mode is switched to the continuous shooting mode when the moving image mode is turned off and to the moving image mode when the moving image mode is turned on on a moving image mode setting screen (not shown) in the menu setting.
The continuous shooting mode is a mode for continuously shooting at a rate of about 8 frames per second when the release button 9 is kept pressed, and the moving image mode is a mode for shooting about 30 to 60 frames per second.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S181 (Y in step S181), the flow advances to step S182 to cancel the peaking processing mode so that the peaking processing is not performed. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S181 (N in step S181), the flow advances to step S183 to set the peaking processing mode.

The features of the eighth embodiment will be summarized. When the continuous shooting mode or the moving image mode is set, the peaking processing mode is released.
The effect of reducing the processing load on the PU 439, shortening the shooting processing time per frame, and securing a larger number of shooting frames can be obtained.

-Ninth Embodiment- The ninth embodiment differs from the first to eighth embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the ninth embodiment. In step S191 in FIG. 20, it is determined whether or not the reproduction mode is set by the main switch 8. A positive determination is made in step S191 (Y in step S191).
Then, the process proceeds to step S192 to release the peaking mode so that the peaking process is not performed. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S191 (N in step S191), the flow advances to step S193 to set the peaking processing mode.

The features of the ninth embodiment will be summarized. When the reproduction mode is set, the peaking processing mode is released, so that a natural recorded image can be reproduced on the display LCD 420 in the reproduction mode in which it is not necessary to perform focusing.

Tenth Embodiment In the tenth embodiment, a case will be described in which the peaking processing mode is automatically canceled when the electronic still camera 1 is used in the recording mode by the main switch 8. I do. The tenth embodiment differs from the first to ninth embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a photographing process started by a half-press signal according to the tenth embodiment. In FIG. 21, the processing from step S241 to step S258 is the same as the processing from step S1 to step S18 in FIG. 12.

In step S259, the peaking processing mode is canceled and the peaking processing circuit 460 is turned off. In step S260, the image data after the image processing is written to the frame memory 435, thereby displaying the display LC.
A frozen image on which peaking processing is not performed is displayed on D420. In step S261, the data after the image processing is compressed in a predetermined format and recorded on the memory card 424. With the above processing, a series of photographing processing in FIG. 21 ends.

The features of the tenth embodiment will be summarized. Since it is not necessary to perform focusing or the like on an image captured after the release button 9 is fully pressed, the peaking processing mode is canceled in step S259. As a result, in step S260, a natural freeze image without peaking is displayed LC
It can be displayed on D420.

-Eleventh Embodiment- The eleventh embodiment is different from the first to tenth embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process.
FIG. 22 shows an electronic still camera 1 according to the eleventh embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing a determination process in the embodiment. FIG.
In step S201, the shooting distance mode button 12
It is determined whether is set to the distant view photographing mode or the distance ring 462 is set to the infinity (∞) position. Each time the shooting distance mode button 12 is pressed,
Macro photography mode → distant photography mode → normal distance photography mode switches cyclically. In the distant shot mode,
Even when the auto focus mode is set, the distance ring 462 is adjusted to the infinity position.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S201 (Y in step S201), the flow advances to step S202 to release the peaking processing mode so that the peaking processing is not performed. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S201 (N in step S201), the process proceeds to step S203 to set the peaking processing mode.

The features of the eleventh embodiment will be summarized. If the camera is set to the
The peaking processing mode is canceled when is set to the infinity position, so when capturing an object at infinity, when the contrast of the object image is low and the outline is not correctly emphasized, The effect of avoiding such a situation is obtained.

-Twelfth Embodiment- The twelfth embodiment differs from the first to eleventh embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the twelfth embodiment. In step S211 of FIG.
It is determined whether the mode is set to the F mode. An affirmative determination is made in step S211 (Y in step S211).
Then, the process proceeds to step S212 to release the peaking processing mode so that the peaking processing is not performed. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S211 (N in step S201), the process advances to step S213 to determine whether or not the single AF mode is set.

When the mode is set to the manual focus (MF) mode, a negative determination is made (N in step S213), the process proceeds to step S214, the peaking mode is set, and the process in FIG. When the single AF mode is set, an affirmative determination is made (step S2).
13Y), the process proceeds to step S215 to release the peaking processing mode. In step S216, the AF operation for driving the movable lens 2 is performed by detecting the focus adjustment state, and it is determined in step S217 whether or not focusing has been achieved. If a negative determination is made (N in step S217), the process returns to step S216 again, and an affirmative determination is made (step S2).
(Y of 17) and the process proceeds to step S218 to set the peaking processing mode. In step S219, the in-focus subject image is displayed with the high contrast portion emphasized.

The features of the twelfth embodiment will be summarized. (1) The peaking processing mode is canceled in the continuous AF mode in which the photographer is likely to take a photograph while checking the subject image displayed on the display LCD 420, thereby preventing the photographer's eyes from being tired. The effect to be obtained is obtained. (2) When the single AF mode is set, the peaking processing mode is canceled until focusing is performed, and the peaking processing mode is set after focusing, so that the photographer can naturally use the display LCD 420 on the display LCD 420 before focusing. The subject image can be confirmed, and after focusing, the depth of field can be confirmed from the subject image in which the contour is emphasized.

-Thirteenth Embodiment- The thirteenth embodiment is different from the first to twelfth embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a determination process in the electronic still camera 1 according to the thirteenth embodiment. In step S221 of FIG.
15, it is determined whether the display of the display LCD 420 is turned off. When an affirmative determination is made in step S221 (Y in step S221), the process proceeds to step S222 to drive the switch 470 and turn off the power supplied to the peaking processing circuit 460. At this time, the peaking processing mode is also released. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S221 (N in step S221), the process proceeds to step S223 to drive the switch 470 and turn on the power supplied to the peaking processing circuit 460. At this time, the peaking processing mode is set.

The features of the thirteenth embodiment will be summarized. When the display of the display LCD 420 is off, the peaking processing mode is canceled and the peaking processing circuit is released.
Since the power applied to 460 is turned off, an effect of power saving can be obtained.

Fourteenth Embodiment The fourteenth embodiment differs from the first to thirteenth embodiments in the process of determining whether or not to perform the peaking process. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the determination processing in the electronic still camera 1 according to the fourteenth embodiment. In step S231 in FIG. 25, it is determined whether or not the shooting distance mode button 12 has been set to the macro shooting mode. If an affirmative determination is made in step S231 (Y in step S231), the flow advances to step S232 to set the peaking processing mode in which the peaking processing is performed. On the other hand, a negative determination is made in step S231 (step S2
(N of 31), the process proceeds to step S233 to release the peaking processing mode.

The features of the fourteenth embodiment will be summarized. When the macro shooting mode is set, the peaking processing mode is set, so that it is easy to check the focused portion of the subject image on the display LCD 420, and the effect of improving the operability of the camera is obtained. .

In the above description, the determination processing for determining whether or not to perform the peaking processing according to the first to fourteenth embodiments has been described independently. However, the determination processing according to each of the embodiments is optional. May be performed in combination.

The correspondence between each component in the claims and each component in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The CCD 214 is an imaging device, the peaking processing circuit 460 is a signal processing means, the CPU 439 is a control means, CAF / SAF / brightness detection means, display control means and recording control means
The MF switch 463 is used as a focus mode switch and an auto focus mode switch, the shooting distance mode button 12 is used as a macro mode switch and a distant view mode switch, and the AE mode switch 46 is used as a switch.
4 is an exposure mode switching means, a zoom operation button 14 is a zoom switch, a continuous shooting mode switching switch 468 is a frame switching means, a display LCD 420 is a display means, a recording / playback switching switch 467 is a mode switching means, a memory card. Reference numerals 424 respectively correspond to the recording media.

[0093]

According to the present invention as described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the first aspect of the present invention, the signal processing means for enhancing the image signal output from the image pickup apparatus is turned on / off according to the photographing condition. Therefore, the photographer turns on / off the signal processing means. This eliminates the need and allows you to concentrate on shooting. (2) According to the second and fifteenth aspects of the invention, the signal processing means is turned on in the manual focus mode and the signal processing means is turned off in the auto focus mode. In this case, it is easy for the photographer to confirm whether or not the subject is in focus when performing manual focusing, and it is possible to display a natural subject image when the photographer does not need to perform focusing. In particular, in the invention of claim 15, the signal processing means is turned off when a predetermined time has elapsed in the manual focus mode, and turned on again when the focus is manually adjusted, so that the power consumed by the signal processing circuit is reduced. can get. (3) According to the third aspect of the invention, since the signal processing means is turned on in the macro shooting mode, it is easy to confirm a focused portion of the subject image, and the operability of the camera is improved. can get.

(4) In the invention of claim 4, since the signal processing means is turned on in one of the aperture priority exposure mode and the manual exposure mode, the photographer may consider the depth of field. In a high situation, it is easy to confirm a focused portion of the subject image. (5) In the invention of claim 5, the signal processing means is turned off when the zoom switch is operated.
During zooming, a natural subject image can be displayed. (6) In the invention according to claim 6, the signal processing means is turned off when the luminance of the subject image is equal to or less than the predetermined value, so that the processing is performed when the required luminance cannot be obtained by the signal processing means. Can not be. Further, an effect of reducing power consumed by the signal processing circuit can be obtained. (7) In the invention of claim 7, the signal processing means is turned off in the continuous frame shooting mode. For example, when the number of shooting frames is reduced by turning on the signal processing means, the signal processing means is turned off. When turned off, it becomes possible to shoot more frames. (8) In the invention of claim 8, since the signal processing means is turned off in the distant view photographing mode, processing is not performed in a situation where there is a high possibility that the contrast required by the signal processing means is insufficient. Can be. Further, an effect of reducing power consumed by the signal processing circuit can be obtained.

(9) According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the signal processing means is turned off in the continuous autofocus mode. Therefore, for example, an eye which is assumed to occur when a photographer shoots while checking the subject image. The effect of preventing fatigue is obtained. Further, an effect of reducing power consumed by the signal processing circuit can be obtained. (10) According to the tenth aspect of the invention, in the single auto focus mode, the signal processing means is switched on / off by the end of the focusing operation. If the signal processing means is turned on later, a natural subject image can be confirmed before focusing, and it is easy to confirm a focused portion after focusing. (11) According to the invention of claim 11, the signal processing means is turned off when the display of the display means for displaying the image pickup signal is turned off, so that an effect of power saving can be obtained. (12) According to the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, the signal processing circuit is switched on / off in accordance with the operation of the release switch, so that the signal processing means is turned on / off without the photographer releasing his finger from the release switch. It can be turned off. (13) According to the sixteenth aspect, since the signal processing means is turned off in the reproduction mode, the subject image recorded on the recording medium can be displayed naturally. (14) According to the seventeenth aspect, the signal processing unit is turned off at least when an image captured after the release is displayed on the display unit, so that a natural subject image can be displayed after the release. Become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing an external appearance of an electronic still camera according to an embodiment when the electronic still camera is stored and when the electronic still camera is carried, wherein FIG. 1A is a view seen from above, and FIG.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing the appearance of the camera of FIG. 1 during normal shooting, wherein FIG. 2A is a view from the front, FIG. 2B is a view from the top, and FIG. It is.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of the electronic still camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lens group.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating details of a peaking processing circuit, a switch, and a frame memory.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating setting of an AE operation on a menu setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining setting of an AF operation on a menu setting screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of pixels constituting a subject image picked up by a CCD and pixels that are thinned out and read.

9A is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of primary color filters provided on a CCD, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of complementary color filters provided on a CCD.

FIG. 10 is an example of a graph showing the relationship between the position of each pixel detected on the CCD and the output value of each pixel.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a shooting process activated by a half-press signal.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a shooting process activated by a half-press signal according to the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to the twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a process of determining whether or not to perform a peaking process according to a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a determination process of whether or not to perform a peaking process according to a fourteenth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic still camera, 2 ... Movable lens, 4 ... Flashing device, 8 ... Main switch, 9 ... Release button, 12 ...
Shooting distance mode button, 14 ... zoom operation button,
15 monitor display button, 16 menu button, 17 selection dial, 21 lens group, 214 CCD, 420 display LCD, 429 zoom lens drive circuit, 430 lens drive circuit, 431 image processing unit, 435 … Frame memory, 436…
Buffer memory, 439 ... CPU,
460 ... peaking processing circuit, 461, 470, 471 ... switch, 463 ... CAF / SAF / MF switch, 46
4 AE mode changeover switch, 467… Record / playback changeover switch, 468… Continuous shooting mode changeover switch,
480… Power supply circuit

Claims (17)

[Claims] An imaging device that captures a subject image through an imaging lens; a signal processing unit that performs predetermined processing on an imaging signal output from the imaging device to emphasize the imaging signal; An electronic camera, comprising: control means for switching on / off of the signal processing means. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein an autofocus mode for automatically performing a focusing operation for focusing the subject image on the imaging device, and a manual focus mode for manually performing the focusing operation. And the control means turns off the signal processing means when switched to the auto focus mode by the focus mode switching means, and performs the signal processing when switched to the manual focus mode. An electronic camera characterized in that the means is turned on. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a macro photographing mode switching unit for switching between a macro photographing mode for performing macro photographing and a normal photographing mode for photographing in a normal distance range. Wherein the signal processing unit is turned on when the mode is switched to the macro photography mode by the macro photography mode switching unit. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein an exposure mode for determining an amount of exposure to the imaging device includes:
An aperture-priority exposure mode in which an aperture value is prioritized to adjust exposure according to the brightness of the subject image, and a manual exposure mode in which a photographer determines both an aperture value and a shutter speed, and An exposure mode switching means for switching an exposure mode, wherein the control means turns on the signal processing means when at least one of the aperture priority exposure mode and the manual exposure mode is switched by the exposure mode switching means. An electronic camera characterized by the following. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising a zoom switch for adjusting a focal length by driving said photographing lens, wherein said control means operates said zoom switch. An electronic camera, wherein the signal processing means is turned off at the time. 6. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a luminance detecting unit configured to detect a luminance of the subject image, wherein the control unit determines that a value detected by the luminance detecting unit is equal to or less than a predetermined value. An electronic camera, wherein the signal processing means is turned off at the time of. 7. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a single frame photographing mode for photographing the subject image one by one and a continuous frame photographing mode for continuously photographing the subject image are switched. Frame switching means, wherein the control means comprises:
An electronic camera, wherein the signal processing means is turned off when the mode is switched to the continuous frame shooting mode by the frame switching means. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising a distant view mode switching means for switching between a distant view mode for performing distant view shooting and a normal shooting mode for shooting in a normal distance range. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit turns off the signal processing unit when the distant view mode switching unit switches to the distant view mode. 9. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a continuous autofocus mode for continuously performing a focusing operation for automatically focusing the subject image on the imaging device, and the focusing mode. An auto focus mode switching means for switching between a single auto focus mode in which the operation is performed only once,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the control unit turns off the signal processing unit when the continuous autofocus mode is switched by the autofocus mode switching unit. 10. The electronic camera according to claim 9, wherein when switching to the single autofocus mode is performed by the autofocus mode switching means, the control means determines whether or not the focusing operation is completed. An electronic camera, wherein the on / off of the signal processing means is switched. 11. An electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said display means displays an image signal output from said signal processing means, and display control means turns on / off the display of said display means. An electronic camera, wherein the control means turns off the signal processing means when the display is turned off by the display control means. 12. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject through a photographic lens, signal processing means for performing predetermined processing on an image pickup signal output from the image pickup device to emphasize the image pickup signal, and a release switch for starting a photographing operation. An electronic camera comprising: a control unit that switches on / off the signal processing unit in accordance with an operation of the release switch. 13. An electronic camera according to claim 12, wherein said control means switches on / off of said signal processing means every time said release switch is double-clicked. 14. The electronic camera according to claim 12, wherein said control means turns on said signal processing means when said release switch is half-pressed, and said signal processing means after a lapse of a predetermined time from said half-press operation. An electronic camera characterized in that the means is turned off. 15. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein when the focus mode is switched to the manual focus mode by the focus mode switching means, the control means turns on the signal processing means and a predetermined time elapses after the signal processing means is turned on. An electronic camera, wherein the processing means is turned off, and thereafter, when the focusing operation is manually performed, the signal processing means is turned on again. 16. An image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject through a photographing lens, a signal processing means for performing predetermined processing on an image pickup signal output from the image pickup device to emphasize the image pickup signal, and storing image data on a recording medium. Recording control means for recording; a mode switching means for switching between a recording mode for recording the image data on the recording medium; and a reproduction mode for reproducing image data recorded on the recording medium; and the reproduction by the mode switching means. An electronic camera comprising: a control unit that turns off the signal processing unit when the mode is switched to a mode. 17. An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject through a photographing lens, signal processing means for performing predetermined processing on an image pickup signal output from the image pickup apparatus to emphasize the image pickup signal, and wherein the image pickup signal and the emphasis are provided. Display means for displaying any one of the captured image signals, and control means for turning off the signal processing means when displaying an image taken by the image pickup device on the display means at least after release. An electronic camera characterized by the following.