JP2003264725A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of effectively utilizing a photometric sensor provided for an automatic electronic flash function and improving visibility to the display contents of a display means without the need of a manual operation. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 61 measures the amount of external light by using a photometric sensor 92 provided for the automatic electronic flash function. The amount of emitted light of a backlight 72A provided on a liquid crystal display 72 is controlled through an LCD control part 65 so as to make a display image by the liquid crystal display 72 brighter as the amount of light of the external light obtained by the photometry is larger. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display and an organic EL used mainly for determining the composition of a subject when taking a picture.
The present invention relates to a digital camera equipped with a display unit such as an (Electro-Luminescence) display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years,
When the subject is being photographed, the strobe will start emitting light as necessary due to insufficient light, and the reflected light from the subject at this time will be measured by the photometric sensor and the photometric amount will be integrated. Digital cameras equipped with an auto strobe function that stops the strobe emission when the threshold value is reached have been commercialized, and many technologies related to the auto strobe function have been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 8-37613 and 10-1998). -301170, etc.).

By the way, in this type of digital camera, the photometric sensor provided to realize the automatic strobe function is used only for the light control of the strobe, and cannot be said to be effectively utilized. .

On the other hand, the digital camera is mainly used for determining the composition of a subject when taking a picture, and apart from the finder, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display having a wider display area than the finder. There is one provided with an external monitor constituted by a display such as. With this external monitor, the state of the subject image can be confirmed without bringing eyes close to the camera body, so that the usability of the digital camera can be greatly improved.

However, in a digital camera equipped with this type of external monitor, the amount of light around the digital camera (this light is referred to as "external light" in this specification) when shooting outdoors under fine weather. When the level is relatively high, the display content may be difficult to see due to external light entering the display area of the external monitor. In this case, conventionally, the brightness of the display screen of the external monitor is manually adjusted. However, it was extremely troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and it is possible to effectively use the photometric sensor provided for the automatic strobe function, and the visibility of the display content of the display means without the need for manual operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital camera that can improve the image quality.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the digital camera according to claim 1 starts strobe emission as needed when photographing a subject, and reflected light from the subject at this time. Is a digital camera equipped with an auto strobe function that stops light emission of the strobe when the integrated photometric amount reaches a predetermined threshold value by integrating the photometric amount with the photometric sensor. The display means for displaying the obtained subject image, the external light photometric means for photometrically measuring the external light quantity by the photometric sensor, and the larger the external light quantity obtained by the photometric measurement by the external light photometric means Control means for controlling the display means so that the display screen of the display means becomes brighter.

According to the digital camera of the first aspect, the amount of outside light is measured by the outside light metering means by the metering sensor provided for the auto strobe function.
The control means controls the display means such that the display screen of the display means becomes brighter as the amount of the external light obtained by the photometry increases. In addition, the photometric sensor,
It includes photoelectric conversion elements such as phototransistors and photodiodes. Further, the display means includes various displays such as a cathode ray tube display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display and a plasma display.

That is, in the present invention, attention is paid to the fact that the visibility of the display screen of the display means decreases as the amount of external light increases, and the display screen of the display means becomes brighter as the amount of external light increases. In this way, the visibility of the display screen can be kept above a certain level regardless of the amount of external light.

Further, the photometric sensor used in the external light photometric means of the present invention is a sensor provided in advance for the auto strobe function, and the sensor can be effectively used.

As described above, according to the digital camera of the first aspect, the light amount of the external light is measured by the photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function, and the light amount of the external light obtained by the photometric measurement is calculated. Since the display means is controlled so that the display screen by the display means becomes brighter as the number increases, the photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function can be effectively used, and the display means can be operated without manual operation. The visibility of the displayed contents can be improved.

In a preferred first aspect of the present invention, the display means of the present invention is an organic EL display. According to this aspect, the brightness of the organic EL display can be easily adjusted, so that the present invention can be easily realized.

According to a second preferred aspect of the present invention, the display means of the present invention is a liquid crystal display provided with a backlight, and the control means of the present invention controls the backlight as the amount of the external light increases. The display means is controlled so that the light emission amount of the light increases. According to this aspect, since the backlight provided in the liquid crystal display can easily adjust the amount of emitted light, the effect of easily realizing the present invention can be obtained.

Furthermore, as a preferred third aspect of the present invention,
The control means of the present invention, when controlling the brightness of the display screen by the display means in two stages, sets the light amount of the outside light when the brightness of the display screen is shifted from the dark side to the bright side to the bright side. From the dark side to the dark side by controlling the display means as the light amount of the outside light when shifting from the dark side to the dark side. An example is one in which a hysteresis characteristic is provided between the transition and the transition.

That is, in the present invention, when the brightness of the display screen by the display means is controlled in two steps, if the brightness is switched by one threshold value, the display means when the light level of the external light is substantially equal to the threshold value. There is a case where so-called hunting occurs in which the brightness of the display screen is frequently switched due to.

Therefore, in the third aspect, the amount of external light when the brightness of the display screen is shifted from the dark side to the bright side is larger than that when the brightness is shifted from the bright side to the dark side. , The hysteresis characteristic is provided between when the brightness of the display screen is shifted from the dark side to the bright side and when it is shifted from the bright side to the dark side, so that the above hunting can be prevented from occurring. There is.

On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to a second aspect of the present invention starts the strobe light emission as needed at the time of photographing a subject, and reflects light reflected from the subject at this time by a photometric sensor. A digital camera equipped with an automatic strobe function for measuring light and integrating the amount of light to be measured, and stopping the emission of the strobe when the integrated amount of light to be measured reaches a predetermined threshold value. , At least a liquid crystal display for displaying a subject image obtained by photographing, an external light metering unit for measuring the amount of external light by the photometric sensor, and an external light amount obtained by photometric measurement by the external light metering unit Turn off the daylighting backlight when there is more than a predetermined amount,
In other cases, control means for controlling the daylighting backlight so as to turn on the daylighting backlight.

According to another aspect of the digital camera of the present invention, the amount of outside light is measured by the outside light metering means by the light metering sensor provided for the auto strobe function.
The control means turns off the daylighting type backlight provided on the liquid crystal display when the amount of external light obtained by the photometry is greater than a predetermined amount, and turns on the daylighting type backlight in other cases. The daylighting backlight is controlled. The photometric sensor includes photoelectric conversion elements such as phototransistors and photodiodes.
Further, the display means includes various displays such as a cathode ray tube display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display and a plasma display.

That is, in the present invention, when the amount of external light such as under sunlight is relatively large, the external light is guided to illuminate the liquid crystal panel, and the display screen can be easily viewed even when the backlight is turned off. Keeping the characteristic, paying attention to the characteristics of a liquid crystal display having a daylighting backlight, applying the liquid crystal display as a display means, and turning off the daylighting backlight when the amount of external light is more than a predetermined amount,
In other cases, the daylighting type backlight is turned on so that the visibility of the display screen can be kept above a certain level regardless of the amount of external light and the power consumption by the display means can be reduced. .

Further, the photometric sensor used in the external light photometric means of the present invention is a sensor provided in advance for the auto strobe function, and the sensor can be effectively used.

As described above, according to the digital camera of the second aspect, the liquid crystal display having the daylighting type backlight is applied as the display means, and the external light of the external light is emitted by the photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function. It measures the amount of light and turns off the daylighting backlight when the amount of outside light obtained by the light metering is greater than a predetermined amount, and turns on the daylighting backlight in other cases. It is possible to effectively use the photometric sensor provided for the purpose, improve the visibility of the display content of the display unit without requiring manual operation, and reduce the power consumption of the display unit.

As a preferred aspect of the present invention, the control means of the present invention is configured such that the predetermined amount when the lighting backlight is shifted from lighting to extinction is the predetermined amount when shifting from extinguishment to lighting. By controlling the display means as a larger number, it is possible to exemplify a case where a hysteresis characteristic is provided between when the lighting backlight is switched from lighting to extinction and when it is switched from extinction to lighting.

That is, in the present invention, when the lighting type backlight is switched on and off with one predetermined amount as a threshold value, the brightness of the display screen is displayed when the light amount level of the external light is substantially equal to the predetermined amount. Hunting that frequently switches may occur.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the predetermined amount when the lighting type backlight is switched from lighting to extinction is set to be larger than when the extinguishing backlight is switched from lighting to extinction.
Hysteresis characteristics are provided between when the lighting backlight is switched from lighting to extinguishing and when it is switched from extinguishing to lighting so that the hunting can be prevented.

On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to a third aspect of the invention starts the strobe emission when necessary when photographing a subject, and the reflected light from the subject at this time is detected by a photometric sensor. A digital camera equipped with an auto strobe function that stops light emission of the strobe when the integrated photometric amount reaches a predetermined threshold value as the photometric amount is integrated. The display area is referred to by, and at least first display means for displaying a subject image obtained by photographing,
The display area is referred to in a state where no external light is incident, and at least second display means for displaying a subject image obtained by photographing, and the first display means and the second display as display destinations of display targets. Input means for inputting information indicating which of the means is applied, external light photometric means for measuring the amount of external light by the photometric sensor, and the first display means as the display destination by the input means When the information indicating that the light amount of the external light obtained by the photometry by the external light photometry unit is larger than a predetermined amount, the display target of the display target is the second display unit, and In this case, a display destination setting unit that sets the display destination of the display target to the first display unit is provided.

According to the third aspect of the digital camera, the display area is referred to as the display destination of the display object with reference to the display area in the state where the outside light is incident, and the display area in the state where the outside light is not incident. Information indicating which of the referenced second display means is applied is input by the input means. The first display means and the second display means include various displays such as a cathode ray tube display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display and a plasma display. Further, the first display means and the second display means respectively correspond to an external monitor and a view finder which have been conventionally used mainly for determining the composition of a subject at the time of photographing.

Here, in the present invention, the amount of outside light is measured by the outside light metering means by the light metering sensor provided for the automatic strobe function, and the display destination setting means sets the first as the display destination by the input means. When the information indicating that 1 display means is applied is input and the amount of external light obtained by photometry by the external light photometry means is larger than a predetermined amount, the display target of the display target is the second display means. In other cases, the display destination of the display target is the first display means. The photometric sensor includes photoelectric conversion elements such as phototransistors and photodiodes.

That is, according to the present invention, in the case where the first display means affected by external light is designated as the display destination of the display target, if the amount of external light is larger than the predetermined amount, it is affected by the external light. Since the visibility of the display screen by the first display means is low, the display destination of the display target is the second display means that is not affected by outside light, and in other cases, the influence of outside light on the first display means is small. The display destination of the display target is the first display unit designated by the input unit.

Thus, when the display object is not displayed on the first display means, the second display means is referred to, so that the display screen is displayed in comparison with the case where the display object is displayed on the first display means. It is designed to improve visibility.

Further, the photometric sensor used in the external light photometric means of the present invention is a sensor provided in advance for the auto strobe function, and the sensor can be effectively used.

As described above, according to the digital camera of the third aspect, the light amount of the external light is measured by the photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function, and the external light is incident as the display destination. When the information indicating that the first display unit that refers to the display area is applied is input, and when the light amount of the external light obtained by the photometry is larger than a predetermined amount, the display target of the display target is the external light. Since the second display means refers to the display area in the non-incident state and the display destination of the display target is the first display means in other cases, the photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function can be effectively used. At the same time, the visibility of the display content of the display means can be improved without the need for manual operation.

As a preferred aspect of the present invention, the display destination setting means of the present invention sets the display destination of the display target to the first destination.
By shifting the display destination by setting the predetermined amount when shifting from the display means to the second display means to be larger than the predetermined amount when shifting from the second display means to the first display means, When the display destination of the display target is shifted from the first display means to the second display means,
An example is one in which a hysteresis characteristic is provided between the time of shifting from the second display means to the first display means.

That is, in the present invention, when the display destination of the display target is switched to the first display means or the second display means with one predetermined amount as a threshold value, the light amount level of external light is substantially equal to the predetermined amount. In that case, hunting may occur in which the display destination is frequently switched.

Therefore, in this aspect, the predetermined amount when the display destination of the display object is shifted from the first display means to the second display means is larger than when the shift is performed from the second display means to the first display means. By doing so, when the display destination of the display target is shifted from the first display means to the second display means,
Hysteresis characteristics are provided between the time of shifting from the display means to the first display means, whereby the hunting can be prevented from occurring.

[0035]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] First, referring to FIG.
The configuration of the digital camera 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

As shown in the figure, a digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with an optical unit 20 including a lens for forming a subject image, and an optical unit 20 disposed behind the optical axis of the lens. CCD (Charge Coupled Devic
e) 22, a signal processing section 40 for generating digital image data showing a subject image based on an output signal from the CCD 22 and a timing signal for driving each section of the optical unit 20, the CCD 22, etc., and the digital camera 10. Main control unit 60 that controls the overall operation of the
Vertical / horizontal driver 24 for driving the optical unit 2
0, a shutter / iris motor driver 26 for driving a shutter and an aperture, a focus motor driver 28 for driving a focus adjustment motor included in the optical unit 20, and a zoom motor driver for driving a zoom motor included in the optical unit 20. 30 is included.

The signal processing unit 40 and the main control unit 60 are constructed as a one-chip LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit).
The miniaturization, high reliability, and cost reduction have been achieved.

The digital camera 10 has a CCD 22.
A liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 7 that displays a subject image and various information obtained by imaging with
2, a pressure-sensitive touch panel 73 installed on the surface of the LCD 72, and an SDRAM (Sync) that stores digital image data obtained mainly by the CCD 22.
hronous Dynamic RAM) 74, flash ROM 76 storing various parameters and programs, CCD 2
Electronic view finder (hereinafter,
It is called "EVF". ) 78 and USB (Universal Seri)
al Bus) connector 80 and an EVF / LCD changeover switch 82 for manually switching the display destination of the subject image and various information to either the LCD 72 or the EVF 78.

On the other hand, the signal processing section 40 includes a correlated double sampling circuit 42, a gain controller 44, and an A / D.
It is configured to include a converter 46 and a timing generator 48.

Further, the main control unit 60 has a CPU (central processing unit) 61 which controls the operation of the main control unit 60 as a whole, an image pickup control unit 62 which has a line buffer having a predetermined capacity, and a predetermined compression format (main). In the embodiment, JPEG (Joint Phot
a compression / expansion unit 63 that performs compression processing on the digital image data in the (graphical Experts Group) format and also performs expansion processing on the compressed digital image data.
The media control unit 64, the LCD control unit 65, the video encoder 66, and the external connection unit 68 include a bus BUS.
And are connected to each other via.

A portable storage medium 70 such as a smart medium, an IC card, a CD-R or a CD-RW is connected to the media control unit 64, and the media control unit 64 is connected.
Thus, writing of various information to the storage medium 70 and reading of various information written in the storage medium 70 are controlled. Further, the LCD control unit 65 has an L
A CD 72 is connected, and various information is displayed on the LCD 72 under the control of the LCD control unit 65. The LCD 72 according to the present embodiment is a transmissive liquid crystal display having a backlight 72A, and the LCD control unit 6
5 is a backlight 72 under the control of the CPU 61.
The brightness of A can be adjusted.

On the other hand, the EVF 78 is connected to the video encoder 66 via the D / A converter 67, and the EV 78 is connected by the video encoder 66 and the D / A converter 67.
The image data indicating the video to be displayed on the VF78 is NTSC.
A color composite video signal of the system is converted and output to the EVF 78. Further, a USB connector 80 is connected to the external connection portion 68, and the external connection portion 68 is connected to the USB connector 80.
It controls USB communication with a device (PC (personal computer) 90 in the figure) connected to the.

The LCD 72 and EVF 78 are CC
A moving image (through image) obtained by continuous image pickup by D22 can be displayed and used as a finder.

On the other hand, the EVF / LCD changeover switch 82 is connected to the CPU 61, and the CPU 61 controls the EVF / L.
It is possible to always grasp the setting state of the display destination by the CD changeover switch 82.

Further, the touch panel 73 and the SDRAM 74
The flash ROM 76 is a bus BUS of the main control unit 60.
It is connected to the. Therefore, the CPU 61 can grasp the touch position of the touch panel 73 by the user, and the SDRAM 74 and the flash ROM 7
6 can be accessed arbitrarily.

On the other hand, the output end of the CCD 22 has a correlated double sampling circuit 42, a gain controller 44, and an A /
The signals output from the CCD 22 are connected to the image pickup control unit 62 via the D converter 46 in order, subjected to the correlation double sampling processing by the correlation double sampling circuit 42, and the CCD 2 by the gain controller 44.
After the sensitivity adjustment for each R (red), G (green), and B (blue) in 2 is performed, the A / D is set as the R, G, and B signals for each pixel.
It is added to the converter 46. A / D converter 46
Is R sequentially added from the gain controller 44,
Each of the G and B signals is a 12-bit R, G, B signal (hereinafter,
It is called "digital image data". ) And outputs it to the imaging control unit 62.

The image pickup controller 62 accumulates the digital image data sequentially input from the A / D converter 46 in the built-in line buffer and temporarily stores it in the SDRAM 74.

The digital image data stored in the SDRAM 74 is read out by the CPU 61, and white balance adjustment is performed by applying a digital gain corresponding to the light source type to these, and gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed to obtain an 8-bit digital image data. Generates digital image data and further processes the YC signal to obtain a luminance signal Y and a chroma signal C.
r, Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”) are generated, and Y
The C signal is stored in the SDRAM 74 again.

When the LCD 72 or EVF 78 is used as a finder, the generated YC signal is
When the LCD 72 is set as the display destination by the VF / LCD changeover switch 82, the LCD control section 65
When the EVF 78 is set as the display destination, the EVF 78 is sequentially output to the video encoder 66. As a result, a through image is displayed at the display destination set by the EVF / LCD changeover switch 82.

When the shutter button (not shown) is pressed by the photographer, the YC signal stored in the SDRAM 74 is compressed by the compression / expansion unit 63 in a predetermined compression format, and then the media control unit 64 is operated. It is stored in the storage medium 70 via.

On the other hand, the timing generator 48 is connected to the vertical / horizontal driver 24, the shutter / iris motor driver 26, and the image pickup control section 62, and the timing generator 48 outputs the vertical / vertical timing signal for driving the CCD 22. The horizontal driver 24 provides the shutter / iris motor driver 26 with a timing signal for driving the shutter and the diaphragm provided in the optical unit 20, and the imaging control unit 62 with a timing signal for driving the imaging control unit 62. Output.

The input ends of the focus motor driver 28 and the zoom motor driver 30 are respectively connected to the main controller 60.
(More specifically, CPU 61), the output end of the focus motor driver 28 is a focus adjustment motor provided in the optical unit 20, and the output end of the zoom motor driver 30 is a zoom motor provided in the optical unit 20,
Each is connected.

The lens included in the optical unit 20 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses and is configured as a zoom lens whose focal length can be changed (variable magnification).
A lens drive mechanism (not shown) is provided. This lens drive mechanism includes a zoom motor and a focus adjustment motor, and the zoom motor and the focus adjustment motor are each CP.
It is driven by the drive signal supplied from the zoom motor driver 30 and the focus motor driver 28 under the control of U61.

When changing the optical zoom magnification, the CPU 61 drives and controls the zoom motor to change the focal length of the lens included in the optical unit 20.

The CPU 61 also performs focus control by driving and controlling the focus adjustment motor so that the contrast of the image obtained by the CCD 22 is maximized. That is, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment employs, as focusing control, a so-called TTL (Through The Lens) method of setting the position of the lens so that the contrast of the read image is maximized. The focus control is automatically performed by half-pressing the shutter button (not shown) with the subject positioned at the shooting position indicated by the autofocus frame.

On the other hand, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, in order to realize the auto flash function, the photometric sensor 92 composed of a phototransistor, the detection control section 94, the A / D converter 96, And a light emitting portion 98 formed of a strobe.

The detection control unit 94 has a role of detecting the photometric amount of light by the photometric sensor 92 and controlling the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit 98 based on the detection result, as shown in FIG. A dimming current detection unit 94A, a strobe dimming integration circuit 94B, a light emission control unit 94C, and a 1-input 2-output configuration changeover switch 94D are included.

The output end of the photometric sensor 92 is connected to the input end of the changeover switch 94D. One output end of the changeover switch 94D is the input end of the dimming current detection unit 94A and the other output end is a strobe light. Each of them is connected to the input end of the dimming integration circuit 94B. In addition, the dimming current detection unit 94
The output end of A is connected to the input end of the A / D converter 96, and the output end of the A / D converter 96 is connected to the CPU 61.

On the other hand, the output end of the strobe light control integration circuit 94B is connected to the input end of the light emission control unit 94C, and the output end of the light emission control unit 94C is connected to the light emission unit 98.
Further, the CPU 61 is connected to the changeover control end of the changeover switch 94D. Therefore, the CPU 61 can control the switching of the changeover switch 94D.

When the shutter button (not shown) is pressed halfway down, the digital camera 10 has an AE (Automatic Ex
AF (Auto F) after the exposure state (shutter speed, aperture state) is set by the posure (auto exposure) function
Focusing is controlled by operating the ocus and automatic focusing functions. After that, when the shutter button is pressed all the way down, exposure (photographing) is performed. If the conditions for operating the auto strobe function at this time are, the light emission control unit 94C causes the light emission unit 98 to emit light. Is started, the reflected light from the subject at this time is measured by the photometric sensor 92, the photometric light amount is integrated by the strobe light control integration circuit 94B, and the integrated photometric light amount reaches a predetermined light emission stop threshold value. At that time, the light emission control unit 94C stops the light emission of the light emitting unit 98.

Therefore, at least under the condition that the auto strobe function works, the connection state of the changeover switch 94D needs to be set to the state in which the photometric sensor 92 is connected to the strobe light control integration circuit 94B. In the above form, normally, the changeover switch 94D is controlled so as to be in this state (state shown in FIG. 2).

The LCD 72 is the display means and the first display means of the present invention, the EVF 78 is the second display means of the present invention, and the CP is
U61 is the external light metering means, control means and display destination setting means of the present invention, EVF / LCD changeover switch 82 is the input means of the present invention, photometric sensor 92 is the photometric sensor of the present invention,
Equivalent to each.

Next, as a function of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, a display control process executed by the digital camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 3 shows the LCD 72 or the EVF 78.
When a certain image (display target) such as a through image or a menu image is displayed on the screen, it is executed by the CPU 61 at predetermined time intervals (specifically, the vertical synchronization signal V of the reproduction system).
9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program (executed in synchronization with D), which is stored in a predetermined area of a flash ROM 76 in advance.

In step 100 of the figure, EVF / LC
It is determined whether or not the display destination of the image is the LCD 72 based on the setting state of the D switch 82. If the determination is negative, this display control processing program is terminated, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 102. To do.

At step 102, the changeover switch 94D
Is switched so that the input end is connected to the output end on the side to which the dimming current detection unit 94A is connected. As a result, the photometric sensor 92 and the dimming current detection unit 94A are connected, and the output of an analog signal having a magnitude corresponding to the amount of external light from the dimming current detection unit 94A is started. Then, the analog signal is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 96 and input to the CPU 61 as digital data indicating the amount of external light (hereinafter referred to as “external light data”).

Therefore, in the next step 104, A / D
After waiting for the input of external light data from the converter 96, in the next step 106, the larger the input external light data, that is, the larger the amount of external light, the larger the value displayed on the LCD 72. The brightness indicating the brightness of the screen is derived. Note that, for the derivation of the brightness, for example, a conversion table for converting the external light data into the brightness is prepared in advance, in which the larger the external light data is, the larger the brightness is.
A method of deriving using the conversion table, or a function that obtains a larger value of luminance as the outside light data has a larger value by substituting the outside light data is prepared in advance, and is derived using the function. A method etc. can be illustrated. Here, it goes without saying that the conversion table includes a conversion table in which the brightness changes linearly with respect to the external light data and a table in which the brightness changes non-linearly.

In the next step 108, the backlight 7 is controlled via the LCD control section 65 so that the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 becomes the brightness derived in the above step 106.
In step 118, the changeover switch 26D is switched so that the input end is connected to the output end on the side to which the strobe dimming integration circuit 94B is connected, and then this display control processing program is executed. To finish.

By this display control processing, when some image is displayed on the LCD 72, the display screen of the LCD 72 can be automatically brightened as the amount of external light increases. Therefore, even when the amount of outside light is high, such as when shooting outdoors under a clear sky,
The visibility of the display content of the LCD 72 can be maintained at a certain level or higher.

As described in detail above, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the light amount of the external light is measured by the photometric sensor 92 provided for the auto flash function, and the external light obtained by the photometry is measured. The greater the amount of light, the brighter the display screen of the LCD 72 becomes.
Since the D72 is controlled, the photometric sensor 92 provided for the auto strobe function can be effectively used, and the visibility of the display content of the LCD 72 can be improved without requiring manual operation.

Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the LCD 72 provided with the backlight 72A is used as the display means, and the LCD 72 is arranged so that the larger the amount of external light is, the larger the emitted light amount of the backlight 72A is. Since it is controlled, the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 can be easily adjusted.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
The form in which the brightness of the display screen is adjusted in multiple stages so that the display screen of the LCD 72 becomes brighter as the amount of external light increases has been described, but in the second embodiment, the brightness of the display screen in two stages is described. A mode for adjusting the will be described. The configuration of the digital camera according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIG.
And FIG. 2), and the description thereof is omitted here.

As an operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, a display control process executed by the digital camera 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 4 shows the LCD 72 or the EVF 78.
When a certain image (display target) such as a through image or a menu image is displayed on the screen, it is executed by the CPU 61 at predetermined time intervals (specifically, the vertical synchronization signal V of the reproduction system).
9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program (executed in synchronization with D), which is stored in a predetermined area of a flash ROM 76 in advance. Also, steps in the figure that perform the same processing as in FIG. 3 are assigned the same step numbers as in FIG. 3, and description thereof will be omitted as much as possible.

When the external light data is input from the A / D converter 96, a positive determination is made in step 104 in the figure and the process proceeds to step 110 to determine whether the input external light data exceeds a predetermined upper limit level. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 112, and the LCD control unit 6 is operated so that the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 becomes a predetermined high brightness.
After controlling the light emission amount of the backlight 72A via 5, the process proceeds to step 118.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 110, the routine proceeds to step 114, where it is determined whether the input external light data is below a predetermined lower limit level, and if a positive determination is made, step 116 is performed. Move to L
The amount of light emitted from the backlight 72A is controlled via the LCD control unit 65 so that the brightness of the display screen of the CD 72 becomes a low brightness that is predetermined as a brightness lower than the high brightness, and then the process proceeds to step 118.

If a negative determination is made in step 114, the process proceeds to step 118 without changing the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72.

That is, in the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment, the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 is switched in two steps according to the light amount level of the external light. In this case, the brightness is set by one threshold value. When the switch is turned on, hunting may occur in which the brightness of the display screen is frequently switched when the light amount level of the outside light is substantially equal to the threshold value.

Therefore, in the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment, two thresholds of a predetermined upper limit level and a predetermined lower limit level are provided as thresholds for switching the brightness of the display screen, and the light quantity level indicated by the external light data is set. When the brightness exceeds the predetermined upper limit level, the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 is switched to the high brightness, and when the brightness is lower than the predetermined lower limit level, the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 is switched to the low brightness. Has hysteresis characteristics. This can prevent the occurrence of hunting as described above.

The values of the predetermined upper limit level and the predetermined lower limit level are the values of the light amount level of the outside light which are considered to be preferable in terms of visibility when the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 is switched. -Values obtained by simulations and sensory tests using actual machines can be applied.

As described in detail above, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the light amount of the external light is measured by the photometric sensor 92 provided for the auto strobe function, and the external light obtained by the photometry is measured. Since the display screen of the LCD 72 has a high brightness when the amount of light is higher than a predetermined upper limit level, and the display screen of the LCD 72 has a low brightness when the light amount is lower than the predetermined lower limit level, a photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function. 92 can be effectively used, and the visibility of the display content of the LCD 72 can be improved without requiring manual operation.

Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the LCD 72 having the backlight 72A is applied as the display means, and the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 is controlled by controlling the amount of light emitted from the backlight 72A. Therefore, the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 can be easily adjusted.

Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the amount of external light when the brightness of the display screen is shifted from the low luminance side to the high luminance side is shifted from the high luminance side to the low luminance side. By setting the number to be higher than that at the time, a hysteresis characteristic is provided between when the brightness of the display screen is shifted from the low luminance side to the high luminance side and when it is shifted from the high luminance side to the low luminance side. , It is possible to prevent the occurrence of hunting in which the brightness of the display screen is frequently switched.

[Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment,
The case where the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 is switched in two steps and the case where the switching is provided with the hysteresis characteristic has been described, but in the third embodiment, another mode of this case will be described.

First, the structure of the digital camera according to the third embodiment will be described. Since the overall configuration of the digital camera according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment (see also FIG. 1),
The description here is omitted, and only the configuration of a part different from the digital camera 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.

As shown in the figure, in the digital camera according to the third embodiment, a Schmitt circuit constituted by a comparator 94E, a voltage source 94F, and two resistors 94G and 94H is used instead of the detection controller 94. A detection control unit 94 'including a 94I is applied, and A is used instead of the A / D converter 96 to convert the analog output of the Schmitt circuit 94I into binary digital data of "1" and "0". The first point is that the D / D converter 96 'is applied.
It is different from the digital camera 10 according to the embodiment.

That is, the detection controller 9 of the third embodiment.
In 4 ', the output end of the dimming current detection unit 94A is connected to the input end of the Schmitt circuit 94I (specifically, the inverting input end of the comparator 94E), and the Schmitt circuit 94I
Output terminal (specifically, the output terminal of the comparator 94E) is connected to the input terminal of the A / D converter 96 '.
The output terminal of the / D converter 96 'is connected to the CPU 61.

In this case, the output signal of the Schmitt circuit 94I is such that the light source level of the external light indicated by the analog signal output from the dimming current detection unit 94A is the voltage source 94F.
When the voltage exceeds the predetermined upper limit level determined by the voltage level of the voltage and the resistance value of each of the two resistors 94G and 94H, the low level of the predetermined level is reached, and the light quantity level of the external light is the voltage level of the voltage source 94F and the two resistances. Vessels 94G and 94
When it becomes less than a predetermined lower limit level determined by each resistance value of H, the high level is higher than the predetermined level.

From the A / D converter 96 ', when the high level analog signal is input from the Schmitt circuit 94I, "1" is input as a digital value, and when the low level analog signal is input. '0' is output as a digital value to each. The A / D converter 9
The digital value output from 6'is referred to as a "switch value" in the following description.

As an operation of the digital camera according to the present embodiment, a display control process executed by the digital camera will be described below with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 6 is executed by the CPU 61 at predetermined time intervals while displaying an image (display target) such as a through image or a menu image on the LCD 72 or EVF 78 (specifically, vertical synchronization of the reproduction system). 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program (executed in synchronization with a signal VD), which is stored in a predetermined area of a flash ROM 76 in advance. Also, steps in the figure that perform the same processing as in FIG. 4 are assigned the same step numbers as in FIG. 4, and description thereof is omitted.

In step 104 'of FIG. 6, the input of the switching value from the A / D converter 96' is waited, and in the next step 110 ', it is determined whether or not the input switching value is "0". Then, if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 112. If the determination is negative, it is considered that the input switching value is "1" and the process proceeds to step 116.

That is, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 is switched by using the characteristic of the Schmitt circuit that the output signal can be provided with the hysteresis characteristic. A hysteresis characteristic is provided in the CPU 61 in the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment.
The processing for realizing the hysteresis characteristic (processing in steps 110 and 114 in FIG. 4), which has been executed by the above, is reduced, and the occurrence of the above-mentioned hunting is prevented.

The voltage level of the voltage source 94F and the two resistors 94G and 94H in the Schmitt circuit 94I.
The respective resistance values of the above-mentioned predetermined upper limit level and the predetermined lower limit level become the values of the light amount level of the outside light which is considered to be preferable in terms of visibility when the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 is switched. As described above, it is possible to apply a value obtained by computer simulation, a sensory test using an actual machine, or the like.

As described above in detail, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the light amount of the external light is measured by the photometric sensor 92 provided for the auto strobe function, and the external light obtained by the photometry is measured. When the amount of light is higher than a predetermined upper limit level, the display screen of the LCD 72 is set to high brightness
Since the display screen of the LCD 72 has a low brightness when it is lower than the predetermined lower limit level, the photometric sensor 92 provided for the automatic strobe function can be effectively used, and
The visibility of the display content of the LCD 72 can be improved without the need for manual operation.

Further, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the LC having the backlight 72A as the display means is used.
Since D72 is applied and the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 is controlled by controlling the amount of light emitted from the backlight 72A, the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 can be easily adjusted.

Further, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, when the brightness of the display screen is shifted from the low luminance side to the high luminance side, the amount of external light is changed from the high luminance side to the low luminance side. When the brightness of the display screen is shifted from the low brightness side to the high brightness side by increasing the number,
Since the hysteresis characteristic is provided between the time of shifting from the high brightness side to the low brightness side, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of hunting in which the brightness of the display screen is frequently switched.

Further, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, since the hysteresis characteristic is provided for switching the brightness of the display screen of the LCD 72 by using the Schmitt circuit, the hysteresis characteristic in the CPU 61 is realized. The processing can be reduced, and the processing load on the CPU 61 can be reduced.

In the above first to third embodiments, the case where the liquid crystal display is applied as the display means of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as the display means of the present invention. Alternatively, for example, an organic EL display may be applied. in this case,
Since the brightness of the organic EL display can be easily adjusted, the present invention can be easily realized.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the first to third embodiments, the amount of light emitted from the backlight 72A provided on the LCD 72 is controlled so that the display screen of the LCD 72 becomes brighter as the amount of external light increases. However, in the fourth embodiment, an LCD having a daylighting backlight is applied as the display unit, and the lighting of the daylighting backlight is switched on and off according to the amount of external light. Will be described.

First, the configuration of the digital camera 10 'according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG.
1 that are the same as those in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 and their explanations are omitted.

As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 'according to the fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that an LCD 72' having a daylighting backlight 72A 'is applied instead of the LCD 72. Digital camera 10 according to
Is different from In addition, L equipped with a daylighting type backlight
The CD has a daylighting window on the upper part of the liquid crystal panel, and guides external light to the back surface of the liquid crystal panel, and uses the guided external light to illuminate the liquid crystal panel in the same manner as a normal backlight. Yes, when the amount of external light is relatively large, such as under sunlight, the amount of light entering from the lighting window also increases, so the display screen can be sufficiently viewed even when the backlight is off. It is a thing. The LCD 72 'corresponds to the liquid crystal display of the present invention.

As an operation of the digital camera 10 'according to the present embodiment, a display control process executed by the digital camera 10' will be described below with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 8 shows the LCD 72 'or EV.
This is executed at predetermined time intervals by the CPU 61 while displaying an image (display target) such as a through image or a menu image in F78 (specifically, in synchronization with the vertical sync signal VD of the reproduction system). 2) is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program, which is stored in a predetermined area of a flash ROM 76 in advance. Further, the display control processing program shown in FIG. 8 performs substantially the same processing as the display control processing program described in the second embodiment (see also FIG. 4), and is therefore the same as FIG. 4 in FIG. The same step numbers as those in FIG. 4 are assigned to the steps for performing the process, and the description thereof will be omitted.

If a positive determination is made in step 110 of FIG. 8, that is, if the input external light data exceeds the predetermined upper limit level, the process proceeds to step 112 'and L
Daylighting type backlight 72 provided on the CD 72 '
Turn off A '. In this case, the display screen of the LCD 72 ′ can maintain the brightness by the external light radiated from the outside, can improve the visibility to a certain level or more, and can reduce the power consumption by the backlight. it can.

On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step 114, that is, if the input external light data is below the predetermined lower limit level, the routine proceeds to step 116 ', where L
Daylighting type backlight 72 provided on the CD 72 '
Turn on A '. As a result, even when the amount of external light is relatively small, the display screen of the LCD 72 'can be kept bright by the light emitted from the backlight, and the visibility can be kept above a certain level.

In the digital camera 10 'according to the fourth embodiment, the lighting backlight 72A' is switched on and off, but in this case, if the switching is performed by one threshold value, When the light quantity level of light is substantially equal to the threshold value, hunting may occur in which the brightness of the display screen is frequently switched.

Therefore, in the digital camera 10 'according to the fourth embodiment, two thresholds, that is, a predetermined upper limit level and a predetermined lower limit level are provided as thresholds when switching the lighting backlight 72A' between lighting and extinguishing. A daylighting backlight so that the daylighting backlight 72A 'is turned off when the light quantity level indicated by the outside light data exceeds a predetermined upper limit level, and is turned on when the light quantity level falls below a predetermined lower limit level. By switching on / off of 72A ′, a hysteresis characteristic is provided for the switching. This can prevent the occurrence of hunting as described above.

As described in detail above, in the digital camera 10 'according to the present embodiment, the LCD 72' having the daylighting type backlight 72A 'is applied as the display means and is provided for the auto strobe function. The light amount of the external light is measured by the photometric sensor 92, and when the light amount of the external light obtained by the photometry is higher than a predetermined upper limit level, the daylighting backlight 72A 'is turned off, and when the light amount is lower than the predetermined lower limit level, the daylighting backlight is turned on. Since the light 72A 'is turned on, the photometric sensor 92 provided for the auto strobe function can be effectively used, and the visibility of the display content of the LCD 72' can be improved without requiring manual operation. In addition, the power consumption of the LCD 72 'can be reduced.

Further, in the digital camera 10 'according to the present embodiment, the light amount level when the lighting backlight is switched from lighting to extinction is set to be higher than when the lighting backlight is switched from extinction to lighting. Since the hysteresis characteristic is provided between the time when the formula backlight is switched from lighting to extinction and the time when the formula backlight is switched from lighting to extinction, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of hunting in which the brightness of the display screen is frequently switched.

In the present embodiment, the case where the display control processing program (see also FIG. 8) is used to realize by software that a hysteresis characteristic is provided for switching on and off of the daylighting type backlight 72A 'has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the detection control unit 94 and the A according to the present embodiment may be used.
The detection controller 9 shown in FIG.
4'and the A / D converter 96 'may be applied to give the above-mentioned hysteresis characteristic by hardware.

The display control processing program in this case applies steps 112 'and 116' in the program shown in FIG. 8 to the program shown in FIG. 6 instead of step 112 and step 116, respectively. It will be done. In this case, the CPU
It is possible to reduce the load on the processing for giving the above-mentioned hysteresis characteristic to 61.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the hysteresis characteristic is provided between the time when the lighting backlight is switched from lighting to extinction and the time when the lighting backlight is switched from extinction to lighting is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this, and the hysteresis characteristic may not be provided.

In this case, the processing in step 110 of the display control processing program shown in FIG. 8 is performed to determine whether or not the input external light data exceeds a predetermined level, and this determination is affirmative. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 112 ′, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 116 ′.

In this case, the occurrence of hunting cannot be prevented as in the present embodiment, but the display control process can be simplified.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the first to fourth embodiments, the mode in which the display state of the subject image is made appropriate without the need for manual operation by controlling the LCD has been described. In the fifth embodiment, a mode will be described in which the display state is made appropriate by switching the display destination of the display target according to the light amount level of the external light.

The configuration of the digital camera according to the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment.
0 (see FIG. 1), the description thereof is omitted here.

As an operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, a display control process executed by the digital camera 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9 shows the LCD 72 or the EVF 78.
When a certain image (display target) such as a through image or a menu image is displayed on the screen, it is executed by the CPU 61 at predetermined time intervals (specifically, the vertical synchronization signal V of the reproduction system).
9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program (executed in synchronization with D), which is stored in a predetermined area of a flash ROM 76 in advance. Further, since the display control processing program shown in FIG. 9 performs substantially the same processing as the display control processing program described in the second embodiment (see also FIG. 4), it is the same as FIG. 4 in FIG. The same step numbers as those in FIG. 4 are assigned to the steps for performing the process, and the description thereof will be omitted.

If a positive determination is made in step 110 of FIG. 9, that is, if the input external light data exceeds the predetermined upper limit level, the process proceeds to step 113, and the display target of the display target is the EVF 78. After that, the process proceeds to step 118. As a result, the display target is displayed on the EVF 78 that is not affected by external light,
The visibility of the display target can be secured.

On the other hand, if the affirmative determination is made in step 114, that is, if the input external light data is less than the predetermined lower limit level, the process proceeds to step 117, and the display target of the display target is the LCD 72. After that, the process proceeds to step 118. This allows the user to
The display target can be displayed on the LCD 72 which is the display destination set by the VF / LCD changeover switch 82.

In the digital camera 10 according to the fifth embodiment, the display destination of the display target is the LCD 72 or EVF.
However, in this case, if the switching is performed with one threshold value, hunting may occur in which the display target of the display target is frequently switched when the light amount level of the outside light is substantially equal to the threshold value. is there.

Therefore, in the digital camera 10 according to the fifth embodiment, the display destination of the display target is the LCD 72 or EV.
Two thresholds, a predetermined upper limit level and a predetermined lower limit level, are provided as thresholds when switching to F78, and when the light amount level indicated by the external light data exceeds the predetermined upper limit level, the display destination is set to EVF78, which is below the predetermined lower limit level. At this time, by switching the display destination so as to return the display destination to the LCD 72, the hysteresis characteristic is provided for the switching. This can prevent the occurrence of hunting as described above.

As described above in detail, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the light amount of the external light is measured by the photometric sensor 92 provided for the auto strobe function, and the external light is incident as the display destination. EVF / LC to apply the LCD 72 whose display area is referred to in the displayed state
When the D changeover switch 82 is set and the light amount of the external light obtained by the photometry is larger than the predetermined upper limit level, the display target of the display target is the EVF 78 to which the display area is referred in the state where the external light is not incident. Since the display destination of the display target is the LCD 72 when the number is less than the predetermined lower limit level, the photometric sensor 92 provided for the auto strobe function can be effectively used and the display content of the display means can be performed without requiring manual operation. Visibility can be improved.

Further, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the display destination of the display target is from the LCD 72 to the EVF 7.
The amount of light when shifting to 8 is changed from EVF78 to LCD7
By setting the number of display targets to be larger than that when the display target is switched to 2, the hysteresis characteristic is provided between when the display target of the display target is switched from the LCD 72 to the EVF 78 and when the display target of the display target is switched from the EVF 78 to the LCD 72. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of hunting in which the display destination is frequently switched.

In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the display control processing program (see also FIG. 9) realizes the hysteresis characteristic for switching the display destination by software, but the present invention is not limited to this. However, for example, the detection control unit 94 and the A /
Instead of the D converter 96, the detection control unit 94 ′ shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the A / D converter 96 ′ may be applied to provide the above-mentioned hysteresis characteristic by hardware.

The display control processing program in this case applies step 113 and step 117 in the program shown in FIG. 9 to the program shown in FIG. 6 instead of step 112 and step 116, respectively. Becomes

In this case, it is possible to reduce the load on the CPU 61 for the processing for providing the above-mentioned hysteresis characteristic.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the display destination of the display target is changed from the LCD 72 to the EVF 78, and
The case where the hysteresis characteristic is provided between when the VF 78 and the LCD 72 is moved has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the hysteresis characteristic may not be provided.

In this case, the processing of step 110 of the display control processing program shown in FIG. 9 is performed to determine whether or not the input external light data exceeds a predetermined level, and this determination is affirmative. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 113, and if the determination is negative, the step 1 is performed.
It is sufficient to shift to 17.

In this case, although the occurrence of hunting cannot be prevented as in the present embodiment, the display control process can be simplified.

Further, the processing flow of the display control processing program shown in each of the above embodiments (see FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9) is an example and does not depart from the gist of the present invention. It goes without saying that the change can be appropriately made within the range.

[0129]

According to the digital camera of the first aspect, the amount of external light is measured by the photometric sensor provided for the auto flash function, and the greater the amount of external light obtained by the photometric measurement, the greater the amount of external light obtained. Since the display means is controlled so that the display screen by the display means becomes brighter, the photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function can be effectively used, and the display contents of the display means can be performed without requiring manual operation. The effect that the visibility can be improved is obtained.

According to the digital camera of the second aspect, the liquid crystal display having the daylighting type backlight is applied as the display means, and the amount of outside light is controlled by the photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function. It measures the light and turns off the daylighting backlight when the amount of outside light obtained by the light metering is larger than a predetermined amount, and turns on the daylighting backlight in other cases. It is possible to effectively use the photometric sensor provided in the display unit, improve the visibility of the display content of the display unit without requiring manual operation, and reduce the power consumption of the display unit.

Further, according to the digital camera of the third aspect, the amount of the external light is measured by the photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function, and the display area is displayed in the state where the external light is incident as the display destination. When the information indicating that the first display means referred to is applied, the external light is not incident on the display destination of the display target when the amount of the external light obtained by the photometry is larger than the predetermined amount. Since the display area is referred to as the second display means in the state and the display target of the display target is the first display means in other cases, the photometric sensor provided for the auto strobe function can be effectively used, and The effect that the visibility of the display content of the display means can be improved without requiring a manual operation is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of a digital camera 10 according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a detection control unit 94 and its periphery of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program executed by the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program executed by the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a detection control unit 94 ′ of the digital camera 10 according to the third embodiment and its periphery.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program executed by the digital camera 10 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of a digital camera 10 ′ according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program executed by the digital camera 10 ′ according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a display control processing program executed by the digital camera 10 according to the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 10 'Digital camera 20 Optical unit 61 CPU (External light metering means, control means and display destination setting means) 72 Liquid crystal display (display means and first display means) 72' Liquid crystal display 78 Electronic view finder (second
Display means) 82 EVF / LCD changeover switch (input means) 92 Photometric sensor 94 Detection control section 98 Light emitting section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. When a subject is photographed, flash light emission is started as necessary, and reflected light from the subject at this time is measured by a photometric sensor to integrate the photometric amount,
A digital camera having an automatic strobe function for stopping the emission of the strobe when the integrated photometric amount reaches a predetermined threshold, and a display unit for displaying at least a subject image obtained by photographing, An external light metering unit that measures the amount of external light by a photometric sensor; and the display unit is controlled so that the display screen by the display unit becomes brighter as the amount of external light obtained by the photometry by the external light metering unit increases. A digital camera equipped with control means for controlling. 2. When the subject is photographed, flash light emission is started as necessary, and the reflected light from the subject at this time is measured by a photometric sensor to integrate the photometric amount.
A digital camera equipped with an automatic strobe function that stops the strobe emission when the integrated photometric amount reaches a predetermined threshold, and has a daylighting backlight and at least displays a subject image obtained by shooting. A liquid crystal display, an external light metering unit that measures the amount of external light by the photometric sensor, and the daylighting type back light when the amount of external light obtained by photometry by the external light metering unit is greater than a predetermined amount. A digital camera comprising: control means for controlling the daylighting backlight so that the light is turned off and the daylighting backlight is turned on in other cases. 3. When the subject is photographed, flash light emission is started as needed, and the reflected light from the subject at this time is measured by a photometric sensor to integrate the photometric amount,
A digital camera having an auto strobe function that stops the strobe emission when the integrated photometric amount reaches a predetermined threshold, and refers to the display area in a state where external light is incident,
First display means for displaying at least a subject image obtained by photographing, and a second display for displaying at least the subject image obtained by photographing while referring to the display area in a state where no external light is incident. Means, and the first display means and the second display means as display destinations of display objects.
Input means for inputting information indicating which of the display means is applied, external light photometric means for measuring the amount of external light by the photometric sensor, and the first display means as the display destination by the input means. When the information indicating that it is applied is input and the light amount of the external light obtained by the photometry by the external light photometry device is larger than a predetermined amount, the display target of the display target is the second display device, and the like. And a display destination setting unit that sets the display destination of the display target to the first display unit.