JP2002072060A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable selecting a focusing point with an easy operation. SOLUTION: Under the control of a CPU 1, the camera attains a mode of selecting the y-direction of the focusing point in accordance with an operation of double-clicking on a release button 7, and a focusing line is moved by operating zoom switches 11 and 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera for measuring a plurality of points on a picture screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to improve the accuracy of auto-focusing of a camera, distance measurement of a plurality of points in a photographic screen has been performed.

[0003] As the number of auto-focusing distance measurement points increases in this way, it becomes important to determine which of those points is to be measured.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-270671 proposes a camera in which an arbitrary point can be selected by a dedicated operation button.

[0005]

However, the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-270671 has many buttons,
The handling was complicated.

In order to solve such a problem of the switch, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-295047 proposes a technique in which various functions are incorporated in a release button.
It was not a proposal especially for autofocus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a camera capable of selecting a distance measuring point by a simple operation and having improved operability including operation of a zoom lens. Aim.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera according to the present invention comprises a first operation means for outputting a first signal in response to a manual operation, and a second operation means for outputting a first signal in response to a manual operation. Second operating means for outputting a signal of the same type, zoom driving means for electrically changing the focal length of the photographing optical system, and distance measuring means capable of measuring distances at a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in the picture screen Setting means for setting the operation state of the camera to the first state or the second state according to the first signal; and the second means if the operation state is set to the first state. A zooming operation of the photographing optical system by the zoom driving unit is performed based on the signal, and when the second state is set, a distance measuring point of the distance measuring unit is determined based on the second signal. And control means for changing the .

That is, according to the camera of the present invention, the operating state of the camera is set to the first state by the setting means in accordance with the first signal output in response to the manual operation from the first operating means. When the control is being performed, the control unit controls the photographing by the zoom driving unit for electrically changing the focal length of the photographing optical system based on the second signal output in response to the manual operation from the second operation unit. When the zooming operation of the optical system is executed, and the operating state of the camera is set to the second state in accordance with the first signal by the setting means, a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in the picture screen The distance measuring point of the distance measuring means capable of measuring the distance is changed based on the second signal.

[0010] The camera according to the present invention is operable to rotate about a rotation axis and operable in a direction different from the rotational operation direction. First signal output means for outputting a first signal in response to the signal, and second signal output means for outputting a second signal in response to an operation of the rotation operation member in a direction different from the rotation operation direction. Zoom driving means for electrically changing the focal length of the photographing optical system, distance measuring means capable of measuring distances at a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in the picture screen, and the first signal or the second signal Control means for changing a distance measuring point of the distance measuring means based on one of the signals and executing a zooming operation of the photographing optical system by the zoom driving means based on the other signal.

That is, according to the camera of the present invention, the control means is capable of rotating the rotation operation member about the rotation axis and operating the rotation operation member operable in a direction different from the rotation operation direction. A first signal output from the first signal output means, or a second signal output from the second signal output means in response to an operation of the rotation operation member in a direction different from the rotation operation direction. Based on one of the two signals, the distance measuring point of the distance measuring means capable of measuring the distance of the plurality of distance measuring points arranged in the photograph screen is changed, and based on the other of the first signal or the second signal. Then, the zooming operation of the photographing optical system by the zoom driving means for electrically changing the focal length of the photographing optical system is executed.

Further, the camera according to the present invention has a distance measuring means for measuring a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in a photographic screen, and a zoom driving means for electrically changing a focal length of a photographic optical system. Mode changing means for changing the operation mode of the camera, a rotation operation about a rotation axis parallel to the imaging optical axis, a swing operation in the imaging optical axis direction, and a direction orthogonal to the imaging optical axis. An operation member capable of pushing operation of the operating member, and changing a distance measuring point of the distance measuring means in accordance with a rotation operation of the operation member, and the photographing optical system by the zoom driving means in response to a swing operation of the operation member And a control means for causing the mode changing means to change the operation mode of the camera in accordance with the pushing operation of the operation member.

That is, according to the camera of the present invention, the control means performs a rotation operation about a rotation axis parallel to the photographing optical axis;
According to the swing operation in the photographing optical axis direction and the rotation operation of the operation member capable of being pushed in the direction perpendicular to the photographing optical axis, measurement is performed on a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in the photograph screen. The zooming operation of the photographing optical system by the zoom driving means for changing the focal length of the photographing optical system in accordance with the swing operation of the operation member by changing the distance measuring point of the distance measuring means capable of ranging. Then, the mode changing means for changing the operation mode of the camera changes the operation mode of the camera in accordance with the pushing operation of the operation member.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining the principle of passive distance measurement. The image of the subject 9 is formed by a pair of light receiving lenses 3a. After that, the light enters the sensor arrays 4a and 4b arranged rearward at right angles to the respective lens optical axes. These sensor arrays 4a, 4b
Each of the sensors constituting the above outputs an electric signal corresponding to the brightness of the image by photoelectric conversion, so that a pair of image signals is obtained from each of the sensor arrays 4a and 4b. However, baseline length B
As a result, the relative image position having the optical axis of the lens as the origin has a difference X. The difference X changes according to the following formula according to the subject distance L and the lens focal length f.

X = (B · f) / L (Equation 1) As shown in FIG. 1A, after the outputs of the sensor arrays 4 a and 4 b are converted into digital values by the A / D converter 4, The relative position difference X is calculated based on the above equation 1 by the CPU 1 as an arithmetic control unit (control unit) including a one-chip microcomputer or the like. Here, since (B · f) is a value known by the distance measuring device 2 of the camera, the subject distance L is obtained.

The CPU 1 controls a photographing sequence of the entire camera, detects a manual operation of the release button 7, and detects a manual operation of the release button 7.
Is appropriately controlled, and based on the result, the photographing lens 6 is moved via the focusing mechanism 5 to perform focusing on the subject 9 and photographing control. In addition, light emission control of the flash light emitting unit 8 and the like are appropriately performed as required for exposure.

The in-focus portion of the screen is displayed to the photographer by the display LCD 15 in the finder. FIG. 1B shows the relationship between the finder optical system 16 and the LCD 15 for display in the finder, and the display is performed in a so-called superimposed system.

The sensor arrays 4a and 4b are shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), it is arranged so as to function as an area sensor and to obtain not only a one-dimensional image signal but also a two-dimensional image signal of the subject 9.

FIG. 1C shows an external view of a camera body incorporating the distance measuring device 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1C, a photographing lens 6 and a light receiving lens for AF are provided on the front surface of the camera body 10. 3a and 3b, a flash light emitting unit 8 and the like are arranged. When the release button 7 on the top of the camera body 10 is pressed,
The shooting sequence starts. This photographing sequence is appropriately controlled by a command from the CPU 1 according to a predetermined program (referred to as a “camera sequence program”) written in a built-in ROM.

The camera having such a configuration is used by the user 300
FIG. 2B shows a scene used by the user. Zoom switches 11 and 12 for controlling zooming are provided on the upper surface of the camera, and the zoom operation of the photographing lens 6 is controlled by these selection operations. Similarly, when the release button 7 arranged on the upper surface of the camera is pressed, a shooting operation is performed. A half-press detection switch (1st release SW) is provided while the release button 7 is being pressed, and distance measurement and photometry are performed by detecting the state of this switch. Then, when the release button 7 is completely depressed, the full-press detection switch (2nd release SW) is turned on to perform photographing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the main sequence of the CPU 1 built in the camera having such switches.
Shown in

As described above, the state of the first release SW is detected (step S1), and when the ON of the first release SW is detected, the flow shifts to the photographing sequence from step S20.

That is, it is determined whether or not the photographer has selected which part of the entire ranging area 4 in the screen 200 shown in FIG. 1D is to be measured (step S2).
0). Here, if no selection has been made, a distance measurement over the entire screen, or a distance measurement after selecting a main subject that detects the head of a person from the obtained image pattern,
The CPU 1 executes full-screen AF for focusing on a point selected in a predetermined sequence (step S
30) Then, the process proceeds to step S23 described later. On the other hand, when the user has already selected a predetermined line as the distance measurement line 15a as shown in FIG. 1E, a plurality of points are measured only on this limited line. (Step S21), the closest distance is set as the focusing distance Lp (Step S22). Then, the process proceeds to the next step S23.

That is, the selected focus point is measured with emphasis, and is used as data for exposure control (step S23). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the release button 7 has been further depressed, that is, whether or not the second release SW has been turned on (step S24). If it has not been turned on, whether or not the first release SW has been kept turned on Is determined (step S28). If it is still on, the process returns to step S24. If it is off, the process returns to step S1.

In step S24, 2n
If it is determined that the d-release SW has been turned on, the camera is focused (step S25), and an image is taken (step S26). Then, after shooting, the mode is returned to the full-screen AF mode (step S27), and the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, in step S1, the first
When it is determined that the release SW is not turned on, that is, when the shooting sequence is not performed, the zoom switch 1
It is determined whether buttons 1 and 12 have been operated (step S
2). If neither of the zoom switches 11 and 12 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S4 described below. On the other hand, when either the zoom switch 11 or 12 is operated, the zoom operation according to the operation is performed (step S3), and the process proceeds to the next step S4.

After step S4, the operation of selecting a distance measuring point, which is a feature of the present invention, is performed. Here, in the first embodiment, the half-pressed state of the release button 7 is detected.
Double-click the st release SW to enter the selection mode in the y-direction of the two-dimensional arrangement of ranging points, double-click it to enter the selection mode in the x-direction, and double-click it again to enter the full screen again It is configured to return to the mode. That is, since the basic is automatic selection from the two-dimensional ranging area as shown in FIG. 1 (D), when photographing of one picture is completed, it is designed to return to the full screen mode in step S27 as described above. Has become. When the focus point is determined in the full screen mode, FIG.
(F) as shown in the viewfinder.

First, it is determined whether or not the distance measurement line in the y direction has been selected by double-clicking the first release SW (step S4). When the distance measuring line is selected, a distance measuring line display of y = 0 is displayed in the viewfinder (step S6). This results in a display as shown in FIG. At this time, the zoom switches 11 and 12 have functions different from the original functions. That is,
T-direction zoom switch 11 and W-direction zoom switch 1
2 is detected (step S7), and when the W direction zoom switch 12 is operated, the distance measuring line is moved in the y direction (-) direction (step S8), and the next step S5 is performed.
Proceed to. When the T-direction zoom switch 11 is operated, the distance measuring line is moved in the y-direction (+) (step S9), and the process proceeds to the next step S5. If neither of the zoom switches 11 and 12 is operated, the process proceeds to the next step S5 without performing any operation.

Next, it is determined whether or not the distance measurement line in the x direction has been selected by double-clicking the first release SW (step S5). When the distance measuring line is selected, a distance measuring line of x = 0 is displayed in the finder (step S10). Then, the operation of the T-direction zoom switch 11 and the W-direction zoom switch 12 is detected (step S11), and the W-direction zoom switch 1 is detected.
When 2 is operated, the distance measurement line is moved in the x direction (-) direction (step S12), and the process proceeds to the next step S14. When the T-direction zoom switch 11 is operated, the distance measurement line is moved in the x direction (+) (step S13), and the process proceeds to the next step S14. If neither of the zoom switches 11 and 12 is operated, the process proceeds to the next step S14 without performing any operation.

Then, it is determined whether or not the first release SW is double-clicked (step S1).
4). Here, when it is double-clicked,
After returning to the full screen mode as described above (step S1
5) Return to step S1.

In step S14, 1s
If it is determined that the double release of the t release SW has not been performed, it is further determined whether or not the double click of the zoom switch 11 or 12 has been performed (step S).
16) If not double-clicked, the process returns to step S1. When double-clicked, the function of the zoom switches 11 and 12 is returned to the original zooming function (step S17), and the process returns to step S1.

As described above, the position of the distance measurement line changes according to the user's preference. For example, when it is desired to focus on the fruit at the top of the screen, the direction T (zoom up)
By operating the zoom switch 11, the distance measuring line 15a moves as shown in FIG. At this time, if the release button 7 is pressed, the distance is measured only on this line, the main subject is selected, and focusing is performed. If the step S5 is branched to Y, as shown in FIG.
Direction can be shifted. Then, when it is desired to return to the zooming function of the zoom switch body, it can be returned by double-clicking either the T-direction zoom switch 11 or the W-direction zoom switch 12.

With the above arrangement, the distance measurement line is moved in the (+) direction and the (-) direction by coordinates using the existing reversible zoom switches 11 and 12 capable of selecting the T direction and the W direction. Can be used as a switch
The user can select a place to be measured with easy-to-understand control.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a switch used in the second embodiment.

A box 101 containing the rotating member 100 whose position is regulated by the pin 102 is attached to the camera body 130, and the box 101 is pushed upward by a spring 114. At this time, the switch 125
When the user presses the rotating member 100 from above, the spring 114 is pressed, and the switch 125 and the electrode 123 are short-circuited. This is the y-direction operation detection switch.

When the rotating member 100 is pushed or pulled in the z direction, the box 10
1 is fixed by the force of the spring 114, and the switch 125 is short-circuited with the electrode 122 or 124.
This is the z-direction operation detection switch.

When the rotating member 100 is rotated in the x direction about the rotating member 100 and the shaft 104 for rotating the box 101, the switch pieces 111 and 112 are
3 or the sections 110 and 112 may be short-circuited. If the user does not rotate the finger by rotating it, the sections 110 and 111 are opened by the spring 121. This switch is an x-direction operation detection switch.

FIG. 4B shows an electric circuit configuration of a switch using such a rotating member 100. The CPU 1 detects the ON / OFF state of these switches, and Is determined, and a distance measuring point corresponding to the operation is displayed on the LCD 15 in the finder display by the selection circuit 151.

Since these operations are performed in a direction orthogonal to x, y, and z, it is difficult for the user to make an error. In addition, in one direction (here, y)
Is a push-in switch, which further enhances operability.

FIG. 4C shows such a rotating member 10.
1 is an external view of a camera with a switch having 0. FIG.

In the second embodiment, zooming (T / W operation of the photographing lens 6), selection of a distance measuring point, and the like are performed by such three-directional operation detection switches.
FIG. 5 shows a main flowchart of the CPU 1 of the camera according to the second embodiment.

That is, first, it is determined whether or not photographing is performed by detecting the operation of the release button 7 (step S3).
0). Here, when the release button 7 is operated, shooting is performed (step S31).

On the other hand, when the release button 7 is not operated, it is determined whether or not the switch SWy for detecting pressing in the y direction is on (step S40), and the switch SWz for detecting pressing in the z direction is on. (Step S45), and whether or not the switch SWx for detecting the push in the x direction is on (step S4).
9) is detected. If neither is on, the process returns to step S30.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6A, control as to whether or not to scroll the distance measurement line 15a two-dimensionally arranged in the finder screen 200 is switched by the switch SWy. Therefore, step S
If it is determined at 40 that the switch SWy is on, it is further determined whether or not the display is currently in the y-direction scroll display (step S41). If scroll display is not being performed, one of the distance measurement lines 15a is sequentially turned on (scrolled) (step S4).
2) The user can determine the position of the distance measurement line. In the example of FIG. 6A, three distance measurement lines 15a are prepared, and one of the three distance measurement lines 15a is sequentially turned on. Then, if SWy is pressed again at the lit timing (see FIG. 6B), it is determined in step S41 that scroll display is being performed, and in this case, scrolling is stopped (step S50). FIG. 6C shows an example when the user selects the center distance measurement line 15a.

Here, when the user wants to further focus on the person, the position 150 to be measured on the distance measuring line 15a can be selected by SWx. That is, in step S49, the switch SW
If it is determined that x is on, the switch S
It is detected whether the operation direction of Wx, that is, whether the operation in the + direction as shown in FIG. 6D or the operation in the-direction is performed (step S51). When the operation in the minus direction is performed, the distance measuring point (the distance measuring position 150) is shifted to the left (step S52), and when the operation in the plus direction is performed, the distance measuring point (the distance measuring position 150) is shifted. 150) is shifted rightward (step S53). In this way,
The distance measurement position 150 can be specified by the user.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6E, the photographing lens 6 is zoomed by tilting the rotating member 100 forward or backward. That is, if it is detected in step S45 that the switch SWz is turned on, it is detected whether the switch SWz is in the T direction or the W direction (step S46). In the case of the T direction, zooming is performed on the telephoto side (step S47), and in the case of W direction, zooming is performed on the wide angle side (step S48).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, selection of a distance measuring point can be easily performed by one operation switch, and rationalization with basic operations such as zooming can be achieved. Combinations can be achieved.

If these switches are used, control according to a flowchart as shown in FIG. 7 is also possible.

That is, first, after resetting the flag y to 0 (step S60), it is determined whether or not photographing is to be performed by detecting the operation of the release button 7 (step S61).

When the release button 7 is not operated, the entire distance measuring line 15a is displayed (step S7).
0). By determining whether or not the y-direction switch SWy has been operated (step S71), the user can switch between zooming control (step S72 and below) and distance measurement point selection control (step S80 and below). Has become.

That is, when the y-direction switch SWy is depressed, it is determined whether or not the flag y is set to 1 (step S80).
After setting the flag y to 1 (step S82),
The distance measuring line 15a is displayed at the center one line (step S8).
3).

Thereafter, the user can movably select the position with the z-direction switch SWz. That is, the switch S
It is determined whether or not Wz has been operated (step S84),
If it has been operated, it is further determined whether or not the operation direction is the tele direction (T direction) during zooming (step S85). If it is in the telephoto direction, the distance measuring line 15a is shifted upward as shown in FIG. 6F (step S86). Also, the z-direction switch SWz
Is in the wide direction (W direction, ie other than T direction)
If so, the distance measurement line 15a is shifted downward as shown in FIG. 6G (step S87). This allows the user to adjust the distance measurement line position to the subject position. This situation is displayed in the viewfinder.

In this state, when the x-direction switch SWx is operated (step S88), the selected distance measuring line 15
A distance measurement point (displayed as a black mark (H) in FIG. 6) is displayed on a (step S89). The distance measurement point moves in accordance with the operation direction. You can bring the ranging point. That is, since the x-direction switch SWx can also be operated in the rotary direction in the + direction and the-direction, the direction is determined (step S90), and if it is the + direction, the liquid crystal display of the ranging point in the viewfinder is shifted to the right. (Step S91). In the negative direction, the liquid crystal display of the distance measuring point in the viewfinder is shifted to the left (step S9).
2).

In this liquid crystal display, the distance measuring point may be made transparent and the distance measuring line 15a may be made non-transparent. Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
The ranging points may be non-transparent.

When the y-direction switch SWy is pressed again, the flag y is determined to be 1 in step S80, and in this case, the flag y is reset to 0 (step S81).

Then, in step S61, the operation of the release button 7 is detected, and when the shooting sequence starts, the distance measuring method is switched according to the value of the flag y. That is, when the flag y is 0, full-screen distance measurement is performed (step S63). For example, the closest distance is selected by the camera, and
Photographing is performed (step S65). However, the flag y
Is 1, that is, when the in-screen line display is selected, only the selected distance measurement line or only the selected distance measurement point is measured (step S64), and the distance is determined as desired by the user. Focusing on the subject becomes possible.

When the distance measuring point has not been selected, the z-direction switch SWz functions as a zoom switch as in step S72 and thereafter.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the switches in the x, y, and z directions can be selectively used for the zoom function and the AF function, and it is possible to enjoy easy-to-use and easy-to-understand photographing.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the present invention. Of course.

Here, the gist of the present invention is summarized as follows.

(1) First operating means for outputting a first signal in response to a manual operation, second operating means for outputting a second signal in response to a manual operation, and a focal length of a photographing optical system Driving means for electrically changing the distance, a distance measuring means capable of measuring distances at a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in the picture screen, and a first operation signal indicating the operation state of the camera according to the first signal. A setting unit for setting a state or a second state, and when the state is set to the first state, executing a zooming operation of the photographing optical system by the zoom driving unit based on the second signal. And a control means for changing a distance measuring point of the distance measuring means based on the second signal when the second state is set.

(2) The camera according to (1), wherein the first operation means includes a release button, and outputs the first signal by a double-click operation of the release button.

(3) The camera according to (1), wherein the second signal is a signal indicating a zooming direction of the photographing optical system.

(4) A rotary operation member which is rotatable about a rotation axis and is also operable in a direction different from the above-mentioned rotary operation direction, and a first rotary operation member according to the rotary operation of the rotary operation member. First signal output means for outputting a signal;
A second signal output unit that outputs a second signal in response to an operation of the rotation operation member in a direction different from the rotation operation direction; and a zoom drive unit that electrically changes a focal length of the imaging optical system. A distance measuring means capable of measuring distances for a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in a photograph screen; and changing a distance measuring point of the distance measuring means based on one of the first signal and the second signal. Control means for executing a zooming operation of the photographing optical system by the zoom drive means based on the other.

(5) Distance measuring means capable of measuring distances for a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in the picture screen, zoom driving means for electrically changing the focal length of the photographing optical system,
Mode changing means for changing the operation mode of the camera, a rotation operation about a rotation axis parallel to the imaging optical axis, a swing operation in the imaging optical axis direction, and a direction orthogonal to the imaging optical axis. An operation member capable of pushing operation, and changing a distance measuring point of the distance measuring means in accordance with a rotation operation of the operation member; and And a control means for performing a zooming operation and causing the mode changing means to change an operation mode of the camera in accordance with a pressing operation of the operation member.

[0067]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Increasing the number of distance measurement points and taking measures against difficult scenes and subjects, and enabling easy selection of the distance measurement point enables focusing on the user's desired position, including zoom lens operation To provide a turtle with improved operability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a configuration of a camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a relationship between a finder optical system and an LCD for display in a finder, and FIG. (D) is a view showing the entire distance measurement area in the screen, (E) is a view showing the distance measurement line, and (F) is a view in the viewfinder showing a focus point determined in the full screen mode. (G) is a diagram for explaining the movement of the distance measurement line by the user operation, and (H) is a diagram for explaining the movement of the distance measurement line in the x direction by the user operation.

FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining the principle of passive distance measurement, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a scene in which a user uses a camera.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a flowchart of a main sequence of the camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a switch used in a camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an electrical circuit configuration of a switch using a rotating member; (C) is an external view of a camera with a switch having a rotating member.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a flowchart of a main sequence of the camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a plurality of distance measurement lines, and FIG.
Is a front view of the camera for explaining the operation direction of the switch SWy, (C) is a diagram showing a display example in the finder when the user selects the center distance measurement line, and (D) is an operation direction of the switch SWx. Front view of the camera for explanation,
(E) is a perspective view of the camera for explaining the operation direction of the switch SWz, (F) is a diagram for explaining an upward shift of the distance measurement line, and (G) is a downward view of the distance measurement line. It is a figure for explaining shift, and (H) is a figure for explaining shift of a ranging point.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a flowchart of a modification of the main sequence of the camera according to the second embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1 CPU 2 Distance measuring device 3a. 3b Receiving lens 4a, 4b Sensor array 5 Focusing mechanism 6 Shooting lens 7 Release button 8 Flash emitting section 9 Subject 10, 130 Camera body 11, 12 Zoom switch 15 LCD for display in viewfinder 15a, 15b Distance measuring line 16 Viewfinder optical system REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 rotating member 101 box 102 pin 103, 122, 123, 124 electrode 104 axis 110, 111 section 114, 121 spring 125 switch 150 ranging position 151 selection circuit 200 screen 300 user

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03B 17/04 G03B 3/00 A (72) Inventor Masataka Ide 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Kaneda 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Industries Co., Ltd. (72) Osamu Nonaka 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H011 AA01 BA01 BB02 CA01 2H044 DA02 DB02 DE03 DE04 2H051 BB01 CB22 DA03 DA07 EA25 FA03 FA61 GB20 2H100 AA11 AA18 BB06 DD08 2H101 DD42 DD43

Claims (3)

[Claims] A first operating means for outputting a first signal in response to a manual operation; a second operating means for outputting a second signal in response to a manual operation; and a focal length of an imaging optical system. Zoom driving means for electrically changing the distance; distance measuring means capable of measuring distances at a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in the picture screen; and operating state of the camera according to the first signal in a first state Or setting means for setting to the second state; and when the first state is set, executing a zooming operation of the photographing optical system by the zoom driving means based on the second signal. And a control means for changing a distance measuring point of the distance measuring means based on the second signal when the second state is set. 2. A rotation operation member which is rotatable about a rotation axis and is also operable in a direction different from the rotation operation direction, and a first signal according to a rotation operation of the rotation operation member. First signal output means for outputting a second signal, second signal output means for outputting a second signal in response to an operation of the rotation operation member in a direction different from the rotation operation direction, and a focus of the photographing optical system. Zoom driving means for electrically changing the distance, distance measuring means capable of measuring distances at a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in the picture screen, and one of the first signal and the second signal. Control means for changing a distance measuring point of the distance measuring means and executing a zooming operation of the photographing optical system by the zoom driving means based on the other. 3. A distance measuring means capable of measuring a plurality of distance measuring points arranged in a picture screen, a zoom driving means for electrically changing a focal length of a photographing optical system, and an operation mode of a camera. Mode changing means for changing, a rotation operation about a rotation axis parallel to the imaging optical axis, a swing operation in the imaging optical axis direction, and a pushing operation in a direction orthogonal to the imaging optical axis are possible. An operation member, changing a distance measuring point of the distance measuring means according to a rotation operation of the operation member, and executing a zooming operation of the photographing optical system by the zoom driving means according to a swing operation of the operation member. Control means for causing the mode changing means to change the operation mode of the camera in response to a pressing operation of the operation member.