JP2008092174A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Only an image necessary for a photographer can be recorded with high image quality among images in which a person's face is photographed.
In a digital camera that captures a moving image and records it on a recording medium, the presence or absence of a face is detected from a frame image obtained by continuously capturing an image of a subject (step T1), and a face is detected. The position in the horizontal and vertical directions within the detected face frame is detected (steps T2 and T3). Then, the difference value between the face detection position and the center position of the frame is compared with a preset threshold value, and the face detection position is identified from which of a plurality of areas corresponding to the threshold value. (Step T5), a compression rate corresponding to the specified area is set (Step T). The frame image is compressed at the compression rate set in this way and recorded on the recording medium (step T7).
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus such as a digital video camera that captures a moving image and a digital camera that has a moving image capturing function.

  Conventionally, a human face image is detected from video input from a security camera, etc., and if a face image is detected, the image compression rate is lowered, and if a face image is not detected, the image compression rate is reduced. There has been proposed a video processing apparatus that increases the recording amount and thereby reduces the total recording amount of video recording (Patent Document 1).

Further, Patent Document 2 proposes a technique for recording an image only in a section where a person is photographed, thereby preventing a useless image such as a simple background from being recorded, and effectively utilizing a recording medium.
JP 2003-204541 A JP 2003-46911 A

  In the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when both faces are detected, processing (high quality recording) is performed uniformly. However, even when a face is detected, there are many images that are not necessary for the photographer depending on the situation of face detection. That is, an unnecessary image is recorded with high image quality, and as a result, there is a disadvantage that the recording time for the recording medium is shortened.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and among images in which a person's face is captured, only an image necessary for the photographer (an image of high interest) can be recorded with high image quality. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus capable of recording an unnecessary image with low image quality and thereby extending the recording time for a recording medium having a limited recording capacity.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an imaging device that captures a moving image and records it on a recording medium, and an imaging unit that continuously captures an image of a subject and acquires each frame image constituting the moving image. A face detecting means for detecting a face from the frame image for each acquired frame image or for each frame image at a predetermined interval, and a position within the frame of the detected face based on the detected face information. A face position detecting means for acquiring the image, an image quality adjusting means for adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on the detected position of the face, and a recording means for recording the moving image having the adjusted image quality on the recording medium. It is characterized by that.

  That is, it can be determined from the position in the face frame whether or not the face is the main subject for the photographer. Therefore, by adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on the position in the face frame, the image quality of the necessary image is high and the image quality of the unnecessary image is low.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect, the image quality adjusting unit adjusts the moving image to have a higher image quality as the detected face position approaches the center of the frame. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus that captures a moving image and records it on a recording medium, an imaging unit that continuously captures a subject and acquires each frame image constituting the moving image, and each acquired frame image Or face detecting means for detecting a face from the frame image for each frame image at a predetermined interval, counting means for counting the number of detected face faces based on the detected face information, and It is characterized by comprising image quality adjusting means for adjusting the image quality of a moving image based on the counted face detection number, and recording means for recording the moving image whose image quality has been adjusted on the recording medium.

  In the case of an image until the desired number of people required by the photographer is obtained or an image with a large number of people, the image is often unnecessary for the photographer. Therefore, by adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on the number of detected faces in the frame, the image quality of the necessary image is high and the image quality of the unnecessary image is low.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image pickup apparatus according to the third aspect, the image quality adjusting unit is configured so that the image quality of the moving image becomes high when the counted face detection number matches a preset number. It is characterized by adjusting. For example, when the preset number (number of people) is 2, images taken by two people are recorded with high image quality.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus that picks up moving images and records them on a recording medium. An image pickup unit that picks up images of a subject continuously and acquires each frame image constituting the moving images; Or a face detection means for detecting a face from the frame image for each frame image at a predetermined interval, and a size detection means for detecting the size of the detected face based on the detected face information; The image processing apparatus includes: an image quality adjusting unit that adjusts an image quality of a moving image based on the detected face size; and a recording unit that records the moving image having the adjusted image quality on the recording medium.

  That is, when the face size (the area of the face area) is large, the person is shooting close to the person, or the person is zoomed in for shooting, and this is a necessary image for the photographer. There are many cases. Therefore, by adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on the size of the face in the frame, the image quality of the necessary image is high and the image quality of the unnecessary image is low.

  6. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image quality adjusting means adjusts the moving image so that the image quality of the moving image becomes higher as the detected face size is larger. It is said.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device that captures a moving image and records it on a recording medium, an imaging unit that continuously captures a subject and acquires each frame image constituting the moving image, and each acquired frame image Or a face detection means for detecting a face from the frame image at every predetermined frame image, a face direction detection means for detecting the detected face orientation, and a moving image based on the detected face orientation. Image quality adjusting means for adjusting the image quality of the recording medium, and recording means for recording the moving image with the adjusted image quality on the recording medium.

  In other words, by adjusting the image quality of the video based on the orientation of the face such as whether the face is facing the front or side of the imaging means, the required image quality is high, and the unnecessary image The image quality is set to be low.

  In the image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, the image quality adjustment unit adjusts so that the image quality of the moving image becomes higher as the detected face is facing the front. It is characterized by that.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus that picks up moving images and records them on a recording medium, an image pickup unit that continuously picks up a subject and acquires each frame image constituting the moving images, and each acquired frame image. Or face detection means for detecting a face from the frame image for each frame image at a predetermined interval, face information registration means for registering specific face information in advance, and the detected face information for registration. Image quality adjusting means for adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on the result of comparison with the face information, and recording means for recording the moving image with the adjusted image quality on the recording medium.

  That is, by adjusting the image quality of a moving image based on whether or not the face detected in the frame is a specific face (for example, a family face) registered in advance, the required image quality is high and unnecessary. The image quality is set to be low.

  As described in claim 10, in the image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, when the image quality adjustment unit determines that the detected face matches the registered specific face, the image quality of the moving image is high. It is characterized by adjusting the image quality.

  11. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the image quality adjustment unit changes at least one of an image compression rate, a frame rate, and an image size to change a moving image. It is characterized by adjusting the image quality.

  According to the present invention, an image necessary for the photographer (an image of high interest) is recorded with high image quality and an unnecessary image is recorded with low image quality among images in which a person's face is captured. While realizing high-quality recording of necessary images, it is possible to lengthen the recording time for a recording medium with a limited recording capacity.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an imaging device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration of imaging device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus (digital camera) 10 according to the present invention.

  The digital camera 10 has a function of recording and playing back still images and moving images, and mainly includes an imaging unit 1, a control unit 2, an operation unit 3, an image display unit 4, a transmission / reception unit 5, a recording unit 6, and a face. It comprises a detector 7.

  The imaging unit 1 includes an imaging optical system including a photographic lens, an aperture mechanism, a shutter mechanism, and the like, an imaging element that converts a subject image captured via the imaging optical system, and an electrical signal output from the imaging element. Is converted to a signal conversion unit that obtains image data, a signal processing unit, and a DRAM that temporarily stores the captured image data.

  The control unit 2 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a RAM, a program storage ROM, a timer, and the like, and has a microprocessor configuration. The CPU is connected to each circuit via a bus line, and a program The entire control circuit is controlled by the control program stored in the storage ROM, and the processing program corresponding to each mode stored in the program storage ROM is extracted in response to the status signal from the operation unit 3. Each function of the digital camera 10 is executed.

  The operation unit 3 includes a processing mode changeover switch, a function selection button, a main switch, a shutter button, and the like as components, and includes keys capable of inputting characters and numerical values. When these switches or buttons are operated, a status signal is transmitted to the control unit 2.

  The image display unit 4 includes a liquid crystal display device including a driver, a liquid crystal display, and the like. The image display control of the control unit 2 displays a moving image display at the time of imaging, a playback image display, a display of a selection menu at the time of processing selection, and the like. Do.

  The transmission / reception unit 5 has an input / output terminal, and can transmit / receive image data via a cable connected to the input / output terminal.

  The recording unit 6 stores JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image data for still images, motion JPEG compression or MPEG compressed image data, audio data, shooting time information, and the like for moving images. To do. The recording medium may be either a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

  The face detection unit 7 includes an image matching unit and a face image template, detects a person's face from the image data captured from the imaging unit 1, and outputs information on the position and size of the face to the control unit 2. .

  That is, the image collation unit of the face detection unit 7 collates the image of the target area with the face image template while changing the size of the target area and moving the position of the target area in the image data screen. Investigate the correlation between the two. When the correlation score exceeds a preset threshold, the target area is recognized as a face area. In addition, as the face detection method, a known method such as a face detection method based on edge detection or shape pattern detection, a face detection method based on hue detection, or skin color detection can be used.

<First Embodiment>
Next, the processing operation of the first embodiment at the time of moving image shooting in the digital camera 10 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a recording operation in the digital camera 10.

[Step T0]
The image data (frame image) captured by the imaging unit 1 at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 60 frames / second) is transmitted to the face detection unit 7, and the process proceeds to Step T1.

[Step T1]
The face detection unit 7 starts face detection for the frame image, and the process proceeds to step T2.

[Step T2]
If a face is detected from the frame image, the process proceeds to step T3. If a face is not detected, the process proceeds to step T7.

[Step T3]
The horizontal and vertical face detection positions in the frame image are calculated, information indicating the face detection positions is output from the face detection unit 7 to the control unit 2, and the process proceeds to step T4.

[Step T4]
The control unit 2 calculates respective horizontal and vertical difference values between the center position of the frame image and the face detection position, and the process proceeds to step T5.

[Step T5]
The control unit 2 compares the difference value with a preset threshold value, and specifies which of the areas A, B, and C in the frame shown in FIG. 3 is included in the face detection position. Then, the process proceeds to step T6.

[Step T6]
As shown in [Table 1] below, the compression rate corresponding to the area specified in step T5 is set.

  In [Table 1], the compression rate has a relationship of A <B <C. For example, when the compression rate A is 1, the compression rate B is 1.5 and the compression rate C is 2.

  If the face detection position is in area C as shown in FIG. 4A, the compression rate C is set, and the face detection position is in area B as shown in FIG. When the compression rate B is set and the face detection position is in the area A as shown in FIG. 5C, the compression rate A is set.

[Step T7]
Since no face is detected from the frame image, a high compression ratio is set in step T7, and the process proceeds to step T8. In this case, the high compression rate is the same as or higher than the compression rate C.

[Step T8]
The recording unit 6 receives information on the compression rate set in step T6 or step T7 from the control unit 2, compresses the frame image at the compression rate, and records it on the recording medium.

  In many cases, a photographer shoots a subject with the center of the frame as a necessary video, but the subject may not recognize the intention of the photographer. For this reason, the photographer spends time to adjust the subject to the center of the frame. In the first embodiment, the compression rate of the recording time (redundant recording time) until the photographed image originally required by the photographer is high, and the compression rate is set low during the photographed video recording time required by the photographer. This makes it possible to record a required image with high image quality.

  In addition, when the recording video recording time required by the photographer is set as a normal compression rate and during the redundant recording time as a high compression rate, the total recording amount can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, an area for reducing the compression rate is set at the center of the frame. However, the setting of the area for reducing the compression rate is not limited to the center of the frame, and other settings may be used. May be set in advance.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the case where the face is detected frame by frame and the compression rate is set and recorded. For example, the face may be detected for each of the plurality of frames, and the compression rate may be set and recorded for each of the plurality of frames. .

<Second Embodiment>
Next, the processing operation of the second embodiment at the time of moving image shooting in the digital camera 10 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the recording operation in the digital camera 10.

[Step U0]
The frame image captured at a predetermined frame rate by the imaging unit 1 is transmitted to the face detection unit 7, and the process proceeds to Step U1.

[Step U1]
The face detection unit 7 starts face detection for the frame image, and transitions to step U2.

[Step U2]
If a face is detected from the frame image, the process proceeds to step U3. If a face is not detected, the process proceeds to step U6.

[Step U3]
The number of faces detected from the frame image is counted, information indicating the detected number of detected faces is output from the face detection unit 7 to the control unit 2, and the process proceeds to step U4.

[Step U4]
The control unit 2 compares the number of face detections with a preset number.

[Step U5]
Based on the comparison result, the control unit 2 sets the compression rate corresponding to the number of face detections as shown in [Table 2] below.

  In [Table 2], the compression rate has a relationship of A <B <C.

  When the face detection number is “1” as shown in FIG. 6A, the compression rate C is set. When the face detection number is “2” as shown in FIG. The compression rate B is set, and when the face detection number is “3 (3 or more)” as shown in FIG.

[Step U6]
Since no face is detected from the frame image, a high compression ratio is set in step U6, and the process proceeds to step U7. In this case, the high compression rate is the same as or higher than the compression rate C.

[Step U7]
The recording unit 6 receives the information of the compression rate set in step T5 or step T6 from the control unit 2, compresses the frame image at the compression rate, and records it on the recording medium.

  When there are a plurality of subjects as photographed images required by the photographer, in the second embodiment, the compression rate is variable depending on the number of face detections, and the redundant time until the subjects required by the photographer are aligned is increased. The compression rate is set to a low compression rate during the required shooting time after the subjects required by the photographer are gathered.

  In this example, the number of subjects required by the photographer is three (three or more). However, the number of subjects required by the photographer can be arbitrarily set, and the number of face detections is set in advance. When the set number matches, the compression rate of the frame image may be set low. For example, if the number of subjects required by the photographer is set to two, frame images with two face detections are recorded at a low compression rate, and frame images with one or more face detections are recorded with a high compression rate. Recording is performed at a compression rate.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, the processing operation of the third embodiment at the time of moving image shooting in the digital camera 10 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the recording operation in the digital camera 10.

[Step V0]
The frame image captured by the imaging unit 1 at a predetermined frame rate is transmitted to the face detection unit 7, and the process proceeds to Step V1.

[Step V1]
The face detection unit 7 starts detecting a face for the frame image, and proceeds to step V2.

[Step V2]
If a face is detected from the frame image, the process proceeds to step V3. If a face is not detected, the process proceeds to step V6.

[Step V3]
The face area (area) detected in the frame is calculated, information indicating the face area is output from the face detection unit 7 to the control unit 2, and the process proceeds to step V4.

[Step V4]
The control unit 2 compares the calculated face area with a preset threshold value, ranks the face detection areas, and proceeds to step V5.

[Step V5]
Based on the comparison result, the control unit 2 sets the compression rate corresponding to the face detection area (area) as shown in [Table 3] below.

  In [Table 3], the compression rate has a relationship of A <B <C.

  If the face detection area (area) is equal to or smaller than the area B as shown in FIG. 8A, the compression rate C is set, and the face detection area (area) is the area as shown in FIG. The compression ratio B is set when it is larger than B and smaller than the area A, and when the face detection region (area) is equal to or larger than the area A as shown in FIG. Is done.

[Step V6]
Since no face is detected from the frame image, a high compression ratio is set in step V6, and the process proceeds to step V7. In this case, the high compression rate is the same as or higher than the compression rate C.

[Step V7]
The recording unit 6 receives the information of the compression rate set in step T5 or step T6 from the control unit 2, compresses the frame image at the compression rate, and records it on the recording medium.

  The photographer may record an enlarged image of the subject by using an optical zoom function or the like provided in the digital camera 10 or by photographing the subject close to the subject. In this case, in the third embodiment, the compression rate is variable depending on the face detection area (area), and when the photographer zooms in on the subject and shoots, the compression rate of the frame image is set low. Yes.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, the processing operation of the fourth embodiment at the time of moving image shooting in the digital camera 10 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of the recording operation in the digital camera 10.

[Step W0]
The frame image captured by the imaging unit 1 at a predetermined frame rate is transmitted to the face detection unit 7, and the process proceeds to Step W1.

[Step W1]
The face detection unit 7 starts face detection for the frame image, and transitions to step W2.

[Step W2]
If a face is detected from the frame image, the process proceeds to step W3. If a face is not detected, the process proceeds to step W5.

[Step W3]
The orientation of the face detected in the frame is calculated, and information indicating the orientation of the face is output from the face detection unit 7 to the control unit 2, and the control unit 2 determines the rank of the frame image according to the detected face orientation. The process proceeds to step W4.

[Step W4]
The control unit 2 sets a compression rate corresponding to the frame image based on the ranked result as shown in [Table 4] below.

  In [Table 4], the compression rate has a relationship of A <B <C.

  Now, when the detected face is facing directly in front of the camera as shown in FIG. 10A, the compression ratio A is set, and the detected face is shown in FIG. 10B. The compression rate B is set when facing the camera obliquely, and the compression rate C is set when the detected face faces sideways with respect to the camera as shown in FIG. Is set.

[Step W5]
Since no face is detected from the frame image, in this step W5, a high compression ratio is set, and the process proceeds to step W6. In this case, the high compression rate is the same as or higher than the compression rate C.

[Step W6]
The recording unit 6 receives the compression rate information set in step W4 or step W5 from the control unit 2, compresses the frame image at the compression rate, and records it on the recording medium.

  In many cases, an image required by a photographer is a subject in front of the camera. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the compression rate is variable depending on the orientation of the face with respect to the camera, and when the face is directly in front of the camera, the compression rate of the frame image is set low.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, the processing operation of the fifth embodiment at the time of moving image shooting in the digital camera 10 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a fifth embodiment of the recording operation in the digital camera 10.

[Step X0]
The frame image captured by the imaging unit 1 at a predetermined frame rate is transmitted to the face detection unit 7, and the process proceeds to Step X1.

[Step X1]
The face detection unit 7 starts face detection for the frame image, and proceeds to step X2.

[Step X2]
If a face is detected from the frame image, the process proceeds to step X3. If a face is not detected, the process proceeds to step X5.

[Step X3]
The facial features detected in the frame (face outline, size, balance of eyes, nose, mouth, etc., hairstyle, etc.) and the specific facial features registered in the flash memory built in the camera in advance If the comparison is made, it is determined whether or not it matches the registered facial feature amount (whether or not they are the same person), and if it is determined that they are the same person, the process proceeds to step X4. Transition to X5.

[Step X4]
The control unit 2 sets the compression rate of the frame image as shown in [Table 5] below according to the coincidence / mismatch of the detected face feature amount and the registered face feature amount.

  In [Table 3], the compression rate has a relationship of A <C.

[Step X5]
Since a face is not detected from the frame image or the detected face does not match the registered face feature amount (because it is a different person), in this step X5, the compression rate C is set, and the process proceeds to step X6 Transition. Note that the compression rate may be changed depending on whether the face does not match the registered face or if no face is detected.

[Step X6]
The recording unit 6 receives the information of the compression rate set in step X4 or step X5 from the control unit 2, compresses the frame image at the compression rate, and records it on the recording medium.

  The photographer registers face information of a family member in advance by, for example, photographing with the digital camera 10 in the registration mode. A plurality of people may be registered. In the fifth embodiment, the compression rate is variable depending on whether or not the detected face is the same as the registered face, and when the face required by the photographer is captured, the compression rate of the frame image is reduced. I am trying to set it.

  In each of the first to fifth embodiments, the image quality is adjusted (the recording capacity is adjusted) by changing the compression rate. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the frame rate is changed. May be. For example, the frame rate is set to 60 frames / second for high image quality recording, and the frame rate is set to 20 frames / second and 15 frames / second for low image quality recording. Further, the image size (number of pixels) of the frame image may be changed. For example, VGA (640 × 480 pixels) is used for normal (high image quality) recording, and QVGA (320 × 240 pixels) is used for low image quality recording, or 320 × with VGA being halved only for the horizontal pixels. 480 pixels. It should be noted that at the time of reproduction, reproduction is always performed at a VGA size by interpolation.

  Further, the image quality may be set comprehensively by appropriately combining those of the first to fifth embodiments, and the image quality may be adjusted by appropriately combining the compression rate, the frame rate, and the image size. .

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus (digital camera) according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the first embodiment of the recording operation in the digital camera. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing three areas for ranking the face detection positions in the frame. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the face detection position in the frame and the three areas for ranking the face detection position. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the recording operation in the digital camera. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the number (number) of faces detected in the frame. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the recording operation in the digital camera. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a face detection area (area) in a frame. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of the recording operation in the digital camera. FIG. 10 shows the orientation of the face relative to the digital camera. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a fifth embodiment of the recording operation in the digital camera.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Imaging device (digital camera), 1 ... Imaging part, 2 ... Control part, 3 ... Operation part, 4 ... Display part, 5 ... Transmission / reception part, 6 ... Recording part, 7 ... Face detection part

Claims (11)

In an imaging device that captures moving images and records them on a recording medium,
Imaging means for continuously imaging a subject and acquiring each frame image constituting a moving image;
Face detection means for detecting a face from the frame image for each acquired frame image or for each frame image at a predetermined interval;
Face position detecting means for acquiring a position within the detected face frame based on the detected face information;
Image quality adjusting means for adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on the detected face position;
Recording means for recording the moving image with the adjusted image quality on the recording medium;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image quality adjustment unit adjusts the image quality of the moving image to be higher as the detected face position approaches the center of the frame. In an imaging device that captures moving images and records them on a recording medium,
Imaging means for continuously imaging a subject and acquiring each frame image constituting a moving image;
Face detection means for detecting a face from the frame image for each acquired frame image or for each frame image at a predetermined interval;
Counting means for counting the number of detected faces of the detected face based on the detected face information;
Image quality adjusting means for adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on the counted face detection number;
Recording means for recording the moving image with the adjusted image quality on the recording medium;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   4. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image quality adjusting unit adjusts the image quality of the moving image to be high when the counted face detection number matches a preset number. In an imaging device that captures moving images and records them on a recording medium,
Imaging means for continuously imaging a subject and acquiring each frame image constituting a moving image;
Face detection means for detecting a face from the frame image for each acquired frame image or for each frame image at a predetermined interval;
Size detecting means for detecting the size of the detected face based on the detected face information;
Image quality adjusting means for adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on the detected face size;
Recording means for recording the moving image with the adjusted image quality on the recording medium;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image quality adjusting unit adjusts so that the image quality of the moving image becomes higher as the detected face size is larger. In an imaging device that captures moving images and records them on a recording medium,
Imaging means for continuously imaging a subject and acquiring each frame image constituting a moving image;
Face detection means for detecting a face from the frame image for each acquired frame image or for each frame image at a predetermined interval;
Face orientation detection means for detecting the detected face orientation;
Image quality adjustment means for adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on the detected face orientation;
Recording means for recording the moving image with the adjusted image quality on the recording medium;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image quality adjustment unit adjusts the image quality of the moving image to be higher as the detected face is facing forward. In an imaging device that captures moving images and records them on a recording medium,
Imaging means for continuously imaging a subject and acquiring each frame image constituting a moving image;
Face detection means for detecting a face from the frame image for each acquired frame image or for each frame image at a predetermined interval;
Face information registration means in which specific face information is registered in advance;
Image quality adjusting means for adjusting the image quality of the moving image based on a comparison result between the detected face information and the registered face information;
Recording means for recording the moving image with the adjusted image quality on the recording medium;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   10. The image quality adjusting unit according to claim 9, wherein when the detected face is determined to be coincident with the registered specific face, the image quality adjusting unit adjusts the image quality of the moving image to be high image quality. Imaging device.   11. The imaging according to claim 1, wherein the image quality adjusting unit adjusts the image quality of a moving image by changing at least one of an image compression rate, a frame rate, and an image size. apparatus.

Images