JP2008118389A - Imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to obtain an image with an optimum exposure desired by a user and to perform auto bracket shooting capable of suppressing the occurrence of camera shake.
A digital camera capable of performing auto bracket shooting for obtaining three pieces of image data (underexposure, center exposure, and overexposure) having different exposure conditions, an image sensor for performing photoelectric conversion, and an image sensor And an image signal processing circuit 109 for combining a plurality of image data acquired by the image processing unit 107, and shooting is performed under underexposure conditions, and the number of combined image data acquired thereby is varied to vary the exposure conditions. Three pieces of image data are obtained.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a computer program.

  Conventionally, in film and digital cameras, the photometric means of the camera is used to measure the luminance of the object field, and the output of the photometric means is calculated using ISO sensitivity information with a microcomputer in the camera, so that the optimum The values of the shutter speed Tv and the aperture Av at which the exposure conditions are obtained are determined. This is so-called automatic exposure control.

  When the photographer pushes the release button and performs a photographing operation, the exposure condition is automatically set to the above-described Tv and Av, and photographing is performed, and an image with an appropriate exposure condition is obtained.

  By the way, the photometric means of the camera measures the reflected light of the object scene, and is normally adjusted based on the reflected light of the 18% gray reflector. For this reason, if the reflectance of the subject is different from that of the gray reflector with 18%, it may be impossible to obtain an appropriate exposure condition.

  Moreover, it may occur that an appropriate exposure condition cannot be obtained due to incidence of background light having different luminance. With regard to the influence of background light, using a photometric means that has a divided light receiving surface, split photometry that divides the subject field, photometry of only a part of the subject, so-called partial photometry, and further a photometric range A photometric method such as spot metering with a narrower aperture has been realized.

  However, in the above-described divided photometry, partial photometry, and spot photometry, the influence of the reflectance of the subject cannot be completely eliminated. Therefore, a camera capable of so-called auto bracket photography, in which a plurality of images are taken by a series of photography under different exposure conditions, has been put into practical use.

  Patent Document 1 describes a function unique to a digital camera, and combines three frames of images (for example, images of sky, mountains, and people) taken by shifting the exposure value to obtain sky, mountains, It is described that one person obtains a single image with proper exposure. This is a technique for expanding the dynamic range of an image by combining and obtaining one image from images with different exposure conditions.

JP-A-8-140025

  Conventional auto bracket shooting has a drawback in that when the subject brightness is low and the shutter speed is slower than the camera shake limit, camera shake occurs when the hand is taken.

  Similarly, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, when an image below the camera shake limit is taken, there is a drawback that the composite image becomes blurred even if other images are not shaken. It was.

  In addition, the digital camera has a feature that the ISO sensitivity can be easily changed. Therefore, it is possible to increase the ISO sensitivity and lower the lower limit of luminance at which camera shake occurs. It is possible. However, if the ISO sensitivity is increased unnecessarily, the SN of the image deteriorates, so that a case where a preferable image cannot be obtained may occur depending on the photographer.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an image with an optimum exposure desired by a user and to enable auto bracket shooting that can suppress the occurrence of camera shake. .

An imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus capable of performing auto bracket imaging for obtaining a plurality of pieces of image data with different exposure conditions. The imaging unit performs photoelectric conversion, and the plurality of images acquired by the imaging unit. Combining means for combining data, and control means for executing photographing under under-exposure conditions and controlling so as to obtain a plurality of image data having different exposure conditions by varying the number of combined image data acquired thereby It has the feature in the point provided with.
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention combines an image data acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of image data that are underexposed and a plurality of image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit, thereby setting an image with a preset exposure. It is characterized in that it comprises a synthesis means for generating data.
An image pickup apparatus control method according to the present invention includes an image pickup unit that performs photoelectric conversion and a combining unit that combines a plurality of pieces of image data acquired by the image pickup unit, and obtains a plurality of pieces of image data having different exposure conditions. A method of controlling an imaging apparatus capable of performing bracket shooting, wherein shooting is performed under an under-exposure condition, and a plurality of pieces of image data obtained by performing the shooting under different exposure conditions are made different. It is characterized in that it has a procedure for obtaining
The image processing method of the present invention combines an image data acquisition procedure for acquiring a plurality of image data with underexposure and a plurality of image data acquired by the image data acquisition procedure, thereby setting an image with a preset exposure. And a synthesis procedure for generating data.
The computer program according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that performs photoelectric conversion and a combining unit that combines a plurality of image data acquired by the imaging unit, and performs auto bracket shooting that obtains a plurality of image data with different exposure conditions. A computer program for controlling an imaging device that can be performed, performing shooting under an under-exposure condition, and varying the number of combined image data acquired thereby to obtain a plurality of images with different exposure conditions It is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute a process for obtaining data.
Another computer program of the present invention combines an image data acquisition process for acquiring a plurality of underexposed image data and a plurality of image data acquired by the image data acquisition process to obtain a preset exposure. The present invention is characterized in that a computer executes a synthesis process for generating image data.

  According to the present invention, an image with an exposure desired by a user can be obtained by combining underexposed image data. Also, underexposure can be compensated for by the number of composite images even under low brightness, and when shooting underexposed images, a fast shutter speed is set, so the occurrence of camera shake can be suppressed. .

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating main components of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a case where the imaging apparatus is a digital camera will be described.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a photographing lens. Reference numeral 102 denotes a lens driving unit for performing focusing and zoom driving of the photographing lens 101. Reference numeral 103 denotes an aperture. A diaphragm driving unit 104 drives the diaphragm 103. Reference numeral 105 denotes a shutter disposed in front of the image sensor 107. Reference numeral 106 denotes a shutter driving unit for driving the shutter 105.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes an image sensor for photoelectrically converting a subject image formed through the photographing lens 101 and the aperture 103, and an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS is used. Reference numeral 108 denotes an AD converter, which converts an analog signal after photoelectric conversion output from the image sensor 107 into a digital signal.

  An image processing circuit 109 performs various image processing. Image processing in the image processing circuit 109 includes optical black removal processing, white balance processing, compression encoding, decoding processing, image composition processing, and the like. The optical black removal process is a process of canceling out any signal output from the image sensor 107 even when the aperture 103 is fully closed and no subject light is incident on the image sensor 107.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a video amplifier for image signals, and an image can be displayed on an external monitor (TV monitor) by an external terminal 111. Reference numeral 111 denotes an external terminal. Reference numeral 112 denotes a monitor which is a display device attached to the digital camera. As the monitor 112, a TFT liquid crystal monitor or the like is used, and a captured image is displayed, and various menus and modes of the digital camera are displayed.

  Reference numeral 113 denotes a VRAM that stores data for display on the external monitor or the monitor 112. A DRAM 114 is used as a work area for the image signal processing circuit 109. The image data converted into a digital signal is also temporarily stored in the DRAM 114 and subjected to image processing. It goes without saying that the RAM used may be of a different type such as SRAM.

  Reference numeral 115 denotes a memory slot, which electrically connects an external memory 116, which is a detachable recording medium, to the digital camera. Reference numeral 116 denotes an external memory such as a memory card, which is a detachable recording medium, in which image data compressed and encoded (generally JPEG) by the image signal processing circuit 109 is stored.

  Reference numeral 117 denotes a photometric unit for measuring the luminance of the subject, and the value of the aperture 103 and the speed of the shutter 105 are controlled based on the result of the photometric unit 117. The shutter may be controlled not by the speed of the mechanical shutter 105 but by a so-called electronic shutter that changes the accumulation time of the image sensor 107. Note that the photometric unit 117 may use a dedicated photometric sensor, or may directly measure light with the image sensor 107.

  A focus detection unit 118 adjusts the focus of the photographing lens 101 based on the result of the focus detection unit 118. Note that the focus detection unit 118 may use a dedicated focus detection sensor, or may perform focus detection based on contrast information of image data of the image sensor 107.

  Reference numeral 119 denotes a switch detection unit that detects the presence / absence of an operation on an operation unit such as a power switch, a release button (shutter button), and various mode switches. The release button is configured to have three states: an open state in which the switch is turned off, a half-pressed state in which the switch SW1 is turned on, and a full-pressed state in which the switch SW1 and the switch SW2 are turned on.

  An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 120 displays a shutter speed, an aperture value, and the like. In many cases, a monitor with low power consumption without a backlight is used for the monitor 112. Of course, the LCD 120 can be eliminated by consolidating all displays on the monitor 112.

  Reference numeral 121 denotes a CPU which controls various devices described so far. A ROM 122 stores a program executed by the CPU 121. A non-volatile memory 123 stores various adjustment data of the camera, a shooting mode of the camera set by the user, and the like. A RAM 124 is used as a work area for the CPU 121.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an auto bracket (hereinafter abbreviated as “AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing)”) imaging operation of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. In step S201, the switch detection unit 119 checks the state of the power switch of the main power source. As a result of the check, if the power is on, the process proceeds to step S202. If the power is off, the state of the main power is continuously monitored.

  In step S <b> 202, the switch detection unit 119 checks various switch states and shooting modes stored in the nonvolatile memory 123, and performs appropriate display on the LCD 120 and the monitor 112. If the shooting mode or the like is changed, the display on the LCD 120 or the monitor 112 is appropriately updated, the data area storing the shooting mode or the like in the nonvolatile memory 123 is appropriately rewritten, and the process proceeds to step S203. .

  In step S203, the switch detection unit 109 checks whether the release button is pressed halfway and the switch SW1 is turned on. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S204. If it is OFF, the process returns to step S201 again.

  In step S204, it is checked whether or not the shooting mode is the image composition shooting mode. If the image composition shooting mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S205, the normal shooting sequence is executed, and after the execution, the process returns to step S201. The normal shooting sequence is not necessary for the description of the present invention, and there are many known examples, so the detailed description thereof is omitted. If the image composition shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, it is checked whether or not the shooting mode is set to AEB shooting. If it is not set to AEB shooting, the process proceeds to the image composition photographing sequence (image composition photographing during normal photographing) in step S207. In the image composition shooting sequence, a plurality of images are continuously acquired with underexposure, and then the images are aligned and synthesized into one image with proper exposure. The combining process may be performed in the camera, or may be performed on the PC after the image data before combining is read out to a personal computer PC or the like. After execution of the image composition shooting sequence, the process returns to step S201. If the AEB shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S208, the AEB set values (exposure correction amount Ev_shift, over amount Ev_step +, under amount Ev_step-) are stored, and then the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the focus detection unit 118 performs focus detection, and the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, the lens driving unit 102 is controlled to perform focus driving of the photographing lens 101, the focal position is adjusted, and the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S211, the luminance of the subject is measured by the photometry unit 117, the photometry information is stored in the RAM 124, and the process proceeds to step S212. In step S212, the subject brightness Bv is calculated using the photometric information, the Ev value is calculated by taking ISO sensitivity information into consideration, and the process proceeds to step S213.

  Step S213 is a process for executing AEB setting relating to AEB shooting, and sets an exposure step set during AEB shooting. After setting the exposure step, the process proceeds to step S214. Details of the AEB setting will be described later.

  In step S214, image composition shooting settings relating to image composition shooting are executed. Setting of the number N of pre-combination images to be taken during AEB shooting and setting of the shutter speed Tv are performed, and the process proceeds to step S215. Details of the image composition shooting setting will be described later.

  In step S215, the number of shots N set in step S214 is substituted into a variable COUNT, and the process proceeds to step S216. In step S216, the state of the switch SW1 is checked again. If the switch SW1 remains in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S217. If the switch SW1 has changed to the OFF state, the process returns to step S201.

  In step S217, the switch detection unit 119 checks whether or not the release button is fully pressed and the switch SW2 is turned on. If it is ON, the process returns to step S218. If it is OFF, the process returns to step S201 again.

  In step S218, actually, a necessary number of underexposed images are continuously photographed by preset Tv and Av, and appropriate image processing is performed on each image. Thereafter, the acquired images are combined with different numbers of combined images so that an exposure image set in the AEB setting can be obtained. In the case of this example, finally, three pieces of image data (underexposure, center exposure, and overexposure) with different exposure conditions are recorded in the external memory 116, and AEB shooting is completed. Details of this imaging and image composition will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the AEB setting in the flowchart of FIG. In step S301, it is confirmed whether exposure correction is set in the shooting mode, and the exposure correction amount Ev_shift set by the user is substituted into the variable Ev_0, and the process proceeds to step S302. When exposure correction is not instructed by the user, the exposure correction amount Ev_shift = 0, and the exposure is controlled by the exposure amount Ev calculated by the AE calculation. When exposure correction is instructed by the user, exposure is controlled such that exposure correction is performed by the instructed exposure correction amount Ev_shift. Ev_0 becomes an image of the central exposure of AEB shooting.

  In normal AEB shooting, it is common to obtain a total of three images, one center exposure image, one overexposure image for the center exposure, and one underexposure image in a series of shooting operations. is there. In many cases, the user can set the over amount and the under amount.

  In step S302, the set over amount Ev_step + is read and stored in the variable Ev_1, and the process proceeds to step S303. Ev_step + represents an over amount from Ev_0.

In step S303, it is determined whether or not the over amount exceeds Ev_limit, which is a maximum exposure correction value set by the camera. Ev_limit is generally set to about 0 Ev ± 2 to about 3 Ev from the D range of the image sensor (which corresponds to a latitude in terms of film). This is because the over limit Ev_limit +, the exposure correction amount Ev_0, and the over amount Ev_1 are used.
Ev_limit +> Ev_0 + Ev_1 (1)
Is determined.

If the exposure correction amount and the over amount exceed the limits according to equation (1), the process proceeds to step S304, the over amount of the variable Ev_1 is rewritten, and the process proceeds to step S306. The over amount is expressed as follows.
Ev_1 = Ev_limit + −Ev_0 (2)

  If the exposure correction amount and the overshoot amount do not exceed the limits according to the expression (1), the process proceeds to step S305, and the process proceeds to step S306 while keeping the variable Ev_1 as Ev_step +.

  In step S306, the set under amount Ev_step- is read and stored in the variable Ev_2, and the process proceeds to step S307. Ev_step- represents an under amount from Ev_0.

In step S307, it is determined whether or not the under amount does not exceed Ev_limit-, which is a maximum exposure correction value set by the camera. Using under side limit amount Ev_limit-, exposure compensation amount Ev_0 and over amount Ev_2,
Ev_limit-> Ev_0 + Ev_2 (3)
Is determined.

If the exposure correction amount and the under amount exceed the limits according to the expression (3), the process proceeds to step S308, the under amount of the variable Ev_2 is rewritten, and this AEB setting flow ends. The under amount is expressed as follows.
Ev_2 = Ev_limit--Ev_0 (4)

  From Expression (3), if the exposure correction amount and the under amount do not exceed the limits, the process proceeds to step S309, and the AEB setting process is terminated while the variable Ev_2 is set to Ev_step-.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the image composition shooting setting of the flowchart of FIG. The present invention acquires image data at the fastest possible shutter speed to prevent camera shake, and underexposure is intended to obtain an exposure photograph desired by a user by varying the number of composite images.

  In step S401, the under amount Ev_2 set in the AEB setting is compared with the camera shake prevention amount Ev_min. That is, photographing is performed under the under exposure condition of the both. In addition, the amount of camera shake prevention is an improved brightness of the brightness condition in which camera shake occurs. Usually, in a lens or the like incorporating a mechanism for preventing camera shake, the generated brightness is lowered by about −2 Ev. Therefore, in this embodiment, Ev_min will be described as -2Ev. Here, as a result of the comparison between Ev_2 and Ev_min, if Ev_2 is under, the process proceeds to step S402. If Ev_min is under, the process proceeds to step S403.

Next, in order to obtain a plurality of images with different exposure conditions desired by the user for AEB shooting by synthesis, calculation of the minimum number of images with the exposure conditions determined in step S401 is necessary. I do. To obtain the set exposure image by combining the most underexposed images, the difference in exposure between the most overexposed image and the most underexposed image is ΔEv,
ΔEv = LOG ₂ (n) (5)
It is expressed by the relational expression. Expression (5) indicates that 1Ev can be corrected by combining two images, and 2Ev exposure correction can be performed by combining four images. Therefore, the minimum number of shots n required for AEB shooting is:
n = 2Δ ^Ev ··· (6)
become.

In step S402, using the most underexposure condition Ev_2 determined in the above step S401 and the most overexposure condition Ev_1 set in the AEB setting, the necessary number of shots n is calculated.
n = 2 ^(Ev_1-Ev_2) (7)
Calculate with If the required number of shots can be calculated, the process proceeds to step S404.

In step S403, using the most underexposure condition Ev_min determined in the above step S401 and the most overexposure condition Ev_1 set in the AEB setting, the necessary number of shots n is set as follows.
n = 2 ^{(Ev_1-Ev_min)} (8)
Calculate with If the required number of shots can be calculated, the process proceeds to step S405.

In steps S404 and S405, the difference Δ between the exposure condition at the time of AEB shooting determined in 401 and the center exposure Ev_0 set by the AEB setting is set as follows: Δ = Ev_0−Ev_2 (9)
Δ = Ev_0−Ev_min (10)
Remember as.

  In step S406, the fractional part processing is executed for the necessary number of shots n calculated in steps S402 and S403. This is because the minimum exposure correction is normally possible in units of 1/3 Ev. With regard to the fraction, either rounding down or carrying up may be used. In the present embodiment, description will be made by truncation. After executing the fraction processing, in step S407, the variable N is substituted for the variable N.

In step S408, an exposure condition at the time of shooting is set based on the conditions set so far. Specifically, a Tv shift calculation is performed to shift the Tv for determining the shutter speed to a high-speed shutter so that camera shake can be prevented. This is calculated using Tv calculated in step S212 and Δ stored in steps S404 and S405.
Tv_shift = Tv + Δ (11)
It can be calculated as follows.

In step S409, Ev_exp, which is Ev set at the time of photographing necessary for image composition, is stored based on the above information. Ev_exp uses Av calculated in step S212 and Tv_shift in equation (11),
Ev_exp = Tv_shift + Av (12)
It can be calculated as follows.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the photographing operation of the flowchart of FIG. In step S501, the image sensor 107 is actually exposed. During the exposure operation, the diaphragm 103 is narrowed down via the diaphragm driver 104 based on the value of Av. Further, based on the value of Tv_shift, the shutter 105 is controlled via the shutter driving unit 106 to expose the image sensor 107 by a predetermined exposure amount. Needless to say, Tv control may be performed with a mechanical shutter or the accumulation time of the image sensor 107 may be controlled.

  In step S502, an analog signal that is the image signal of the image sensor 107 exposed in step S501 is read by the AD converter 108 and converted into digital image data. In step S503, the image data converted to digital is subjected to predetermined image signal processing such as optical black removal processing by the image signal processing circuit 109.

  In step S504, the digital image data subjected to the image processing is temporarily stored in the DRAM 114. Of course, it goes without saying that the data may be saved in another memory such as the external memory 116.

  In step S505, the set number of consecutive shots N is incremented and substituted into the variable COUNT. In step S506, it is checked whether COUNT has become zero. If it is not 0, the process returns to step S501 to continue the continuous shooting. If it is 0, the shooting operation is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S507.

  In step S507, a plurality of (three) images having the exposure conditions set in the AEB setting are synthesized from the continuously shot images by combining different numbers of N image data that have been continuously shot. Perform image composition processing. Details of the image composition processing will be described later. When the image composition processing is completed, the process proceeds to step S508, and a plurality of (three) AEB images subjected to the composition processing are finally recorded in the external memory 116.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the image composition processing of the flowchart of FIG. In step S601, the number of composite images is determined from the difference between the AEB setting center exposure Ev_0 and the actual captured image exposure value. The composite number X_0 of the composite image of the center exposure is
^X_0 = 2 ^{(Ev_0-Ev_exp)} (13)
It can be calculated with When the calculation is completed, the process proceeds to step S602.

  In step S602, X_0 images are extracted from N actually captured images, a motion vector between the images is calculated, aligned, and a composition process is executed. Regarding the details of the synthesis process, various methods have been proposed and will not be described in detail in the present invention. In addition, there may be a case where a fraction after the decimal point appears in the number calculation in step S601. In this case, in order to correct the fractional part of the pre-combination image or the composite image, what is necessary is to perform so-called digital gain correction that digitally multiplies and applies a gain. As described above, when the image composition processing of the center image is completed, the process proceeds to step S603.

  In step S603, the synthesized center exposure image is temporarily stored in the DRAM 114. Alternatively, the data may be written in the external memory 116 at this time.

  In steps S604, S605, and S606, processing similar to the processing of the central exposure image in steps S601, S602, and S603 is performed, that is, the calculation of the number of AEB-set overexposed images, image synthesis, and storage of the composite image data in the memory. . Since only the number of combined images X_1 is different from the center exposure combining process, the description in the flowchart is sufficient, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In steps S607, S608, and S609, processing similar to the processing of the central exposure image in steps S601, S602, and S603 is performed, that is, the number of AEB-set underexposure images to be synthesized, image synthesis, and storage of the synthesized image data in the memory. . Since only the composite number X_2 is different from the center exposure composition process, the description in the flowchart is sufficient, and the explanation is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the number of images to be combined is automatically combined with a value calculated from the AEB setting and the exposure condition at the time of shooting. Of course, the composition processing firmware of the camera is configured so that the user can change during the combining process. If you do, you will be more flexible. Needless to say, this configuration may be used if the capacity of the camera ROM or the like permits.

  As described above, three images having different exposure conditions set in the AEB setting are combined with images shot under the exposure condition Ev_2 set in the AEB setting or the exposure condition Ev_min for obtaining the camera shake effect. Can be obtained. Also, by combining underexposed captured images and performing AEB shooting, the shutter speed Tv can be set to a high value so as not to cause camera shake as much as possible.

  Further, in the present embodiment, all processing from photographing to composition and recording is performed by the digital camera, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to store the pre-combination image file in association with each other, transfer the file to an external device such as a personal computer or a printer, and perform the compositing process appropriately on the external device.

  As described above, after taking a plurality of underexposed images and combining them, the present invention can be used in an image processing apparatus such as a digital camera that can obtain an optimum exposure.

  An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the main components of the imaging device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the auto bracket imaging | photography operation | movement of the imaging device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating AEB setting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating image synthetic | combination imaging | photography setting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating imaging | photography operation | movement. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an image composition process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Shooting lens 102 Lens drive part 103 Aperture 104 Aperture drive part 105 Shutter 106 Shutter drive part 107 Image pick-up element 108 AD converter 109 Image processing circuit 110 Video amplifier 111 External terminal 112 Monitor 113 VRAM
114 DRAM
115 Memory Slot 116 External Memory 117 Photometry Unit 118 Focus Detection Unit 119 Switch Detection Unit 120 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
122 CPU with 121 CPU
123 Nonvolatile memory 124 RAM

Claims (10)

An imaging apparatus capable of performing auto bracket shooting to obtain a plurality of image data with different exposure conditions,
Imaging means for performing photoelectric conversion;
Combining means for combining a plurality of image data obtained by the imaging means;
And a control means for controlling to obtain a plurality of image data with different exposure conditions by executing photographing under under-exposure conditions and varying the number of combined image data acquired thereby. An imaging device.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the under-exposure condition for shooting is a most under-exposure condition set as an exposure condition for auto bracket shooting or a predetermined under-exposure condition. .   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit selects a lower under condition as the under exposure condition for the photographing.   The composite number is determined based on an underexposure condition for the shooting and each exposure condition set as an exposure condition for auto bracket shooting, respectively. The imaging device according to item.   The number of shots to be executed under the underexposure condition is determined based on a most underexposure condition and a most overexposure condition set as an exposure condition for auto bracket photography. The imaging apparatus according to item 1. Image data acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of image data underexposed,
An image processing apparatus comprising: a combining unit configured to combine a plurality of pieces of image data acquired by the image data acquiring unit to generate preset exposure image data. An imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit that performs photoelectric conversion and a combining unit that combines a plurality of image data acquired by the imaging unit, and that can perform auto bracket shooting to obtain a plurality of image data with different exposure conditions. A control method,
A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, comprising: taking a picture under an underexposure condition, and obtaining a plurality of pieces of image data having different exposure conditions by changing the number of synthesized image data. An image data acquisition procedure for acquiring a plurality of image data that are underexposed,
An image processing method comprising: combining a plurality of image data acquired by the image data acquisition procedure to generate image data of preset exposure. An imaging apparatus that includes an imaging unit that performs photoelectric conversion and a combining unit that combines a plurality of image data acquired by the imaging unit, and that can perform auto bracket shooting to obtain a plurality of image data with different exposure conditions. A computer program for controlling,
A computer program for performing photographing under under-exposure conditions and causing a computer to execute processing for obtaining a plurality of image data with different exposure conditions by varying the number of combined image data acquired thereby. Image data acquisition processing for acquiring a plurality of image data underexposed,
A computer program, comprising: combining a plurality of pieces of image data acquired by the image data acquisition process; and causing a computer to execute a combining process for generating image data with a preset exposure.

Images