JP2017175294A - Imaging apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus capable of easily adjusting an angle of view even after an instruction for a shooting preparation is instructed. An imaging apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a zoom operation for instructing a change in zoom magnification, and a zoom control unit that controls driving of a zoom lens based on the zoom operation, and a predetermined predetermined zoom magnification. Zoom control means for controlling driving of the zoom lens by switching between a first mode for driving the zoom lens so as to change stepwise and a second mode for continuously driving the zoom lens. When the first mode is set in the first state before the photographing preparation operation is instructed, the zoom control unit switches to the second mode when the photographing preparation operation is instructed. [Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of electric zooming.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an imaging apparatus capable of electric zoom has two types of zoom functions: step zoom and seamless zoom. Step zoom is a zoom function that switches in steps to a predetermined zoom magnification (view angle), and seamless zoom is a zoom function that allows zoom magnification to be set for all zoom positions where the lens barrel can be stopped. is there. The former has the advantage that the desired magnification can be easily set, and the latter has the advantage that the fine angle of view can be finely adjusted. Therefore, if the user can switch between the two according to the shooting scene, the user can easily adjust the angle of view, and a moving image can be shot with a more desired angle of view.

  For example, Patent Document 1 includes a step zoom mode in which the zoom lens can be stopped stepwise at a focal length that has been divided into a plurality of stages in advance, and a continuous zoom mode in which the zoom lens can be stopped at an arbitrary focal length. A switchable configuration is disclosed. Further, in Patent Document 1, when it is determined that the release button is half-pressed during zoom driving in the continuous zoom mode, switching to the step zoom mode is performed, and the photometry process and the distance measurement process are performed after reaching the drive destination step in the step zoom mode. It is disclosed to do.

JP-A-2-69707

  It is assumed that the user wants to readjust the angle of view after determining the angle of view, pressing the shutter button (release button) halfway, and checking the image again after completing the shooting preparation operations such as AE processing and AF processing. Is done. In such a case, the user needs to release the half-press of the shutter button, readjust the angle of view by a zoom operation, and then press the shutter button halfway again to perform a shooting preparation operation. In particular, when the angle of view is greatly changed after the shooting preparation operation, the exposure and focus also change, so it is necessary to redo the AE processing and AF processing.

  However, when the angle of view is finely adjusted, changes in exposure and focus are small, and it may take time unnecessarily by re-performing the AE processing and AF processing in the same manner as the normal photographing preparation operation. Further, performing the above-described operation for fine adjustment of the angle of view may cause annoyance to the user. In Patent Document 1, there is no description about accepting a zoom operation by the user after the release button is half-pressed to readjust the angle of view.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can easily adjust the angle of view even after an imaging preparation operation is instructed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes: a receiving unit that receives a zoom operation that instructs to change a zoom magnification; and a zoom control unit that controls driving of a zoom lens based on the zoom operation. Driving the zoom lens by switching between a first mode for driving the zoom lens and a second mode for continuously driving the zoom lens so as to change stepwise to a predetermined zoom magnification determined in advance. And when the first mode is set in the first state before the shooting preparation operation is instructed, the zoom control means is instructed to perform the shooting preparation operation. Then, the mode is switched to the second mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily adjust the angle of view even after an imaging preparation operation is instructed.

1 is an external view of a digital camera in the present embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole operation | movement of the digital camera in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography mode process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the still image shooting process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the continuous AF process in this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen of the imaging | photography mode process in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, a case where the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described as an example. However, the imaging apparatus is not limited to this, and is applied to a single-lens reflex camera, a video camera, or the like. Is also applicable.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera 100 according to this embodiment. The display unit 28 displays images and various information. The shutter button 61 is an operation unit for issuing a shooting instruction. The mode switch 60 is an operation unit for switching various modes. The connector 112 is a connector between the connection cable 111 and the digital camera 100 for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer or a printer. The operation unit 70 is configured using operation members such as various switches, buttons, and a touch panel that receive various operations from the user. The controller wheel 73 is a rotatable operation member included in the operation unit 70. The power switch 72 is a push button for switching between power on and power off. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium slot 201 is a slot for storing the recording medium 200. The recording medium 200 stored in the recording medium slot 201 can communicate with the digital camera 100, and can be recorded and reproduced. A lid 202 is a lid of the recording medium slot 201. In the figure, a state in which the lid 202 is opened and a part of the recording medium 200 is taken out from the recording medium slot 201 and exposed is shown.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, a photographing lens 103 held in a lens barrel (not shown) is a lens group including a zoom lens for zooming, a focus lens for focus adjustment, and an anti-vibration lens. Driving of each lens included in the photographing lens 103 is controlled by a system control unit 50 described later. When a zoom operation instructing zooming is performed via a zoom operation member included in the operation unit 70, the zoom lens is driven by the system control unit 50 in accordance with the zoom operation.

  The shutter 101 is a shutter having an aperture function. The imaging unit 22 is an imaging element configured using a CCD, a CMOS element, or the like that converts an optical image into an electrical signal. The A / D converter 23 converts an analog signal into a digital signal. The A / D converter 23 is used to convert an analog signal output from the imaging unit 22 into a digital signal. The barrier 102 covers the imaging system including the imaging lens 103 of the digital camera 100, thereby preventing the imaging system including the imaging lens 103, the shutter 101, and the imaging unit 22 from becoming dirty or damaged.

  The image processing unit 24 performs resizing processing such as predetermined pixel interpolation and reduction and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15. The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and focus detection control based on the obtained calculation result. Accordingly, TTL (through the lens) AF (automatic focus adjustment) processing, AE (automatic exposure adjustment) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed. The image processing unit 24 further performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  Output data from the A / D converter 23 is directly written into the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15 or via the memory control unit 15. The memory 32 stores image data converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23 and image data to be displayed on the display unit 28. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images, a moving image and sound for a predetermined time.

  The memory 32 also serves as an image display memory (video memory). The D / A converter 13 converts the image display data stored in the memory 32 into an analog signal and supplies the analog signal to the display unit 28. Thus, the display image data written in the memory 32 is displayed on the display unit 28 via the D / A converter 13. The display unit 28 performs display according to the analog signal from the D / A converter 13 on a display such as an LCD. The digital signal once A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 13 and sequentially transferred to the display unit 28 for display. Thereby, the display unit 28 functions as an electronic viewfinder, and through image display (live view display) can be performed.

  The nonvolatile memory 56 is a memory as an electrically erasable / recordable recording medium, and for example, an EEPROM or the like is used. The nonvolatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, and the like for operating the system control unit 50. Here, the program is a computer program for executing various flowcharts described later in the present embodiment.

  The system control unit 50 includes a programmable processor such as a CPU, and controls the entire digital camera 100. The system control unit 50 implements each process of this embodiment to be described later by executing the program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 described above. A RAM is used as the system memory 52. In the system memory 52, constants and variables for operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like are expanded. The system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D / A converter 13, the display unit 28, and the like. The control of the system control unit 50 may be performed by one piece of hardware, or the entire apparatus may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware sharing the processing. The system timer 53 is a time measuring unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

  The mode switch 60, the shutter button 61, and the operation unit 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit 50. As described above, the operation unit 70 includes a zoom operation member for the user to perform a zoom operation. The form of the zoom operation member is not limited to a specific form as long as it can indicate at least the zoom direction, and may be a lever member, a rotatable ring member, or the like. Further, the movement amount and movement speed of the zoom lens may be changed according to the operation amount and operation speed of the zoom operation member. In the case of a ring member, it is easier to perform a finer angle of view adjustment than the zoom lever. In particular, if the ring member is provided around the lens barrel, a zoom operation like a single-lens reflex camera can be performed. Further, the operation unit 70 includes a zoom switching member for switching a zoom drive mode to be described later. The form of the zoom switching member is not limited to a specific form, and may be a button or a switch member.

  The mode switch 60 switches the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to any one of a still image recording mode, a moving image shooting mode, a reproduction mode, and the like. Modes included in the still image recording mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, various scene modes for shooting settings for each shooting scene, a program AE mode, a custom mode, and the like. Via the mode switch 60, it is possible to directly switch to any of these modes included in the menu button. Or after switching to the menu button once by the mode switch 60, you may make it switch to either of these modes contained in a menu button using another operation member. Similarly, the moving image shooting mode may include a plurality of modes.

  The first shutter switch 62 is turned on when the shutter button 61 provided in the digital camera 100 is being operated, so-called half-press (shooting preparation instruction), and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. In response to the first shutter switch signal SW1, the system control unit 50 starts shooting preparation operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing.

  The second shutter switch 64 is turned ON when the operation of the shutter button 61 is completed, that is, when it is fully pressed (shooting instruction), and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. In response to the second shutter switch signal SW2, the system control unit 50 starts a series of shooting operations from reading a signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing image data on the recording medium 200.

  The operation unit 70 includes operation members that are appropriately assigned functions for each scene by selecting and operating various function icons displayed on the display unit 28 and function as various function buttons. Examples of the function buttons include an end button, a return button, an image advance button, a jump button, a narrowing button, and an attribute change button. For example, when a menu button is pressed, various setting menu screens are displayed on the display unit 28. The user can make various settings intuitively using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, and the four-way button and the SET button.

  The controller wheel 73 is a rotatable operation member included in the operation unit 70, and is used when a selection item is instructed together with a direction button. When the controller wheel 73 is rotated, an electrical pulse signal is generated according to the operation amount. The system control unit 50 controls each unit of the digital camera 100 based on the pulse signal. Based on this pulse signal, the angle at which the controller wheel 73 is rotated, the number of rotations, and the like can be determined. The controller wheel 73 may be any operation member that can detect a rotation operation. For example, it may be a dial operation member that generates a pulse signal by rotating the controller wheel 73 itself according to the rotation operation of the user. Further, an operation member made of a touch sensor may detect the rotation operation of the user's finger on the controller wheel 73 without rotating the controller wheel 73 itself (so-called touch wheel).

  The power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. Further, the power control unit 80 controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control unit 50, and supplies a necessary voltage to each unit including the recording medium 200 for a necessary period.

  The power supply unit 30 is configured using a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like. The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with the recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording a captured image, and includes a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or the like.

  The communication unit 54 is connected wirelessly or via a wired cable, and transmits and receives video signals, audio signals, and the like. The communication unit 54 can also be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The communication unit 54 can transmit an image captured by the imaging unit 22 (including a through image) and an image recorded on the recording medium 200, and can receive image data and other various types of information from an external device. Can do.

  The posture detection unit 55 detects the posture of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 55, it is determined whether the image shot by the imaging unit 22 is an image shot with the digital camera 100 held horizontally or an image shot with the image held vertically. It can be determined. The system control unit 50 can add orientation information corresponding to the posture detected by the posture detection unit 55 to the image file of the image picked up by the image pickup unit 22 or rotate and record the image. . As the attitude detection unit 55, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used.

  In the digital camera 100 described above, AF control using central one-point AF and face AF is possible. The center one-point AF is AF using a signal acquired from one AF area at the center position in the photographing screen. The face AF is AF using a signal acquired from the face area in the shooting screen detected by the face detection function.

  The face detection function will be described. The system control unit 50 sends the image data to be detected to the image processing unit 24. Under the control of the system control unit 50, the image processing unit 24 applies a horizontal bandpass filter to the image data. In addition, under the control of the system control unit 50, the image processing unit 24 applies a vertical bandpass filter to the processed image data. By these horizontal and vertical band pass filters, edge components are detected from the image data. The system control unit 50 performs pattern matching on the detected edge component, and extracts a candidate group of eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Then, the system control unit 50 determines an eye pair that satisfies a preset condition (for example, distance between two eyes, inclination, etc.) from the extracted eye candidate group. Narrow down the candidate group of only those with. Then, the system control unit 50 associates the narrowed-down eye candidate group with other parts (nose, mouth, ears) that form the corresponding face, and passes a preset non-face condition filter. , Detect the face. The system control unit 50 outputs the face information according to the face detection result, and ends the process. At this time, feature quantities such as the number of faces are stored in the system memory 52.

  As described above, it is possible to analyze the image data displayed or reproduced and display the live view, extract the feature amount of the image data, and detect the subject information. In this embodiment, face information is taken as an example of subject information. However, subject information includes various information such as red-eye determination, eye detection, eye-brow detection, and smile detection. The face detection method is not limited to the above method.

  In addition to face AF, face AE, face FE, and face WB can be performed. The face AE is to optimize the exposure of the entire screen according to the brightness of the detected face. The face FE is to perform flash dimming around the detected face. The face WB is to optimize the WB of the entire screen according to the detected face color.

  The anti-vibration lens control unit included in the system control unit 50 converts the angular velocity signal from the angular velocity sensor included in the posture detection unit 55 into an angle signal that is a shake amount, and the anti-vibration lens driving unit included in the photographing lens 103 A drive instruction is sent to the user. A zoom lens control unit (zoom control means) included in the system control unit 50 sends a driving instruction such as a driving speed and a magnification (target position) to be changed to a zoom lens driving unit included in the photographing lens 103. . In the present embodiment, the zoom lens control unit accepts a zoom operation via the zoom operation member, and controls driving of the zoom lens based on the zoom operation. A focus lens control unit (focus control unit) included in the system control unit 50 sends a drive instruction to a drive unit of the focus lens included in the photographing lens 103 so as to focus on the imaging unit 22.

  The digital camera 100 can switch between a playback mode for playing back an image and a shooting mode for shooting. The shooting mode includes an auto mode, a manual mode, and a plurality of scene-specific shooting modes. ing. The auto mode is a mode in which various parameters of the camera are automatically determined by a program incorporated in the digital camera 100 based on the measured exposure value. The manual mode is a mode in which the user can freely change various parameters of the camera. The scene-specific shooting mode is a shooting mode realized by combining a shutter speed and an aperture value, a strobe light emission state, a sensitivity setting, a white balance (WB) setting, and the like suitable for each shooting scene.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to the overall operation of the digital camera 100 in the present embodiment. When the power switch 72 is operated and the power is turned on, the system control unit 50 initializes flags, control variables, and the like in S301.

  In step S302, the system control unit 50 determines the set position of the mode switch 60. If the shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step S304. If the other setting is set, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In S303, the system control unit 50 determines the set position of the mode change switch 60. If the playback mode is set, the system control unit 50 proceeds to S305, and if otherwise set, the process proceeds to S306.

  In S304, the system control unit 50 performs shooting mode processing. Details of the shooting mode processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 305, the system control unit 50 performs a playback mode process for playing back a moving image recorded on the recording medium 200. In step S306, the system control unit 50 performs processing related to other modes. Other modes include a communication mode for transmitting / receiving files stored in the recording medium 200.

  In S307, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the power switch 72 is off. If the power switch 72 is set to be on, the system control unit 50 returns to S302, and if it is set to be off, the process proceeds to S308.

  In S <b> 308, the system control unit 50 performs processing related to power OFF such as storing a flag, a control variable, and the like in the nonvolatile memory 56. When the power-off process is completed, the operation of the digital camera 100 is terminated.

  Hereinafter, as a form of a zoom lens drive instruction by the zoom lens control unit included in the system control unit 50, zoom driving (step zoom) that switches to a predetermined zoom magnification (view angle) in stages is first performed. Zoom drive mode. Also, zoom driving (seamless zoom) in which the zoom magnification can be set corresponding to all zoom positions where the lens barrel can be stopped is set as a second zoom driving mode. In the first zoom drive mode, the zoom lens is driven stepwise, and in the second zoom drive mode, the zoom lens is driven continuously.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the shooting mode processing in S304 of FIG.

  In step S401, the system control unit 50 performs shooting mode initialization processing. The initialization process is a process such as reading parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables from the nonvolatile memory 56. Further, the state of the recording medium 200 is confirmed, and if there is an abnormality or the like, a warning or the like is displayed when shooting information is displayed as described later.

  In S <b> 402, the system control unit 50 displays an image acquired through the imaging unit 22 on the display unit 28 as a through image. In addition, the information display related to the shooting mode is displayed on the display unit 28 so as to be superimposed on the through image. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen example of the shooting mode process. FIG. 8A is an example of shooting information display, and information 802 relating to shooting is superimposed and displayed on a through image 801 including a subject 803. Examples of the information 802 relating to shooting include various error displays including a time during which a moving image can be recorded, various shooting parameters, and a recording medium abnormality.

  In S403, the system control unit 50 initializes the driving of the zoom lens to the first zoom driving mode (step zoom). The initial zoom drive mode is not limited to this, but here, the first zoom drive mode suitable for quickly changing the angle of view is first considered in consideration of the user roughly adjusting the angle of view. It is set to be set.

  In S404, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the shutter button 61 is in the SW1 (62) pressed state. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to S405, and if not, the process proceeds to S406.

  In step S405, the system control unit 50 performs shooting processing. The photographing process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 406, the system control unit 50 determines whether the zoom operation member included in the operation unit 70 has been operated. If operated, the process proceeds to S407, and if not, the process proceeds to S409.

  In S407, the system control unit 50 drives the zoom lens based on the operation of the zoom operation member, and changes the zoom magnification. The driving of the zoom lens here is the first zoom driving mode set in S403 in the initial state, but when switched by an operation described later, the zoom driving mode after switching is set. FIG. 8C shows a display example when the first zoom drive mode is set, and a zoom bar 807 indicating the zoom magnification and a gauge 808 indicating the settable focal length are displayed. FIG. 8D shows a display example when the second zoom drive mode is set, and only the zoom bar 809 indicating the zoom magnification is displayed.

  When the zoom lens is driven, in S408, the system control unit 50 performs a continuous AF process. The continuous AF process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S409, the system control unit 50 determines whether the zoom switching member that changes the zoom drive mode has been operated. If operated, the process proceeds to S411, and if not, the process proceeds to S414.

  Note that the present embodiment is not limited to providing a switching member dedicated to switching the zoom drive mode, and a function switching member that switches a function assigned to the operation member may be provided so that the function assigned to the operation member can be switched. FIG. 8B shows a display example of the switching screen. In the selection dialog 804, functions 805 assigned to the operation members are listed and a cursor 806 is displayed. The user moves the cursor 806 using a cross button or the like included in the operation unit 70 on this screen, and switches the function assigned to the operation member. In the screen example, a plurality of functions can be assigned, but it may be simplified by focusing on the zoom function.

  In step S411, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the changed zoom drive mode is the first zoom drive mode. If it is the first zoom drive mode, the process proceeds to S412; otherwise, the process proceeds to S413.

  In step S412, the system control unit 50 sets the zoom lens drive mode to the first zoom drive mode. In step S413, the system control unit 50 sets the zoom lens drive mode to the second zoom drive mode.

  In S414, the system control unit 50 determines whether an end operation has been performed. If an end operation has been performed, the process ends, otherwise the process proceeds to S415.

  In S415, the system control unit 50 performs other processing. Here, for example, processing according to various shooting parameter setting change operations and the like are included. Further, it is described that the continuous AF process described later is performed only after the zoom driving in S407, but it may be performed at other timings.

  In FIG. 4, it is described that the user can arbitrarily switch between the first zoom driving mode and the second zoom driving mode. However, during shooting standby (a state before the shutter button 61 is pressed down SW1). Only the first zoom drive mode may be set.

  In addition, although the example of the screen display during zoom operation was demonstrated in FIG.8 (c) (d), the information to display is not restricted to this. For example, the operation direction of the operation member or the like may be displayed as an icon in order to connect the operation direction of the zoom operation member and the zoom direction (TELE / WIDE direction) to the user. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the angle of view is erroneous and the angle of view adjustment fails.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the photographing process in S405 of FIG.

  In step S501, the system control unit 50 determines whether the zoom lens is being driven. If it is being driven, the process proceeds to S502, and if not, the process proceeds to S503. This step is provided to perform subsequent photographing processing after stopping the zoom drive when the shutter button 61 is pressed SW1 (62) in S404 while the zoom drive is started in S407. . In step S <b> 502, the system control unit 50 drives the zoom lens included in the photographing lens 103 to a position where it can be stopped.

  In step S503, the system control unit 50 performs AE processing and AF processing. The AF process here is not a continuous AF process, which will be described later, but a scan AF process. The scan AF process performs a scan operation for acquiring a focus evaluation value, which will be described later, while driving the focus lens within a predetermined range, and drives the focus lens to the focus position with the position where the focus evaluation value reaches a peak as the focus position. It is processing. FIG. 8E is an example of a screen display showing the AE and AF results. The shooting preparation completion display 810 indicating that the preparation for shooting has been completed by performing AF and AE, and the AF indicating the in-focus position. A frame 811 is displayed.

  In step S504, the system control unit 50 sets the zoom lens drive mode to the second zoom drive mode (seamless zoom).

  In step S505, the system control unit 50 determines whether the zoom operation member has been operated. If operated, the process proceeds to S506, and if not, the process proceeds to S508.

  In step S506, the system control unit 50 drives the zoom lens based on the operation of the zoom operation member, and changes the zoom magnification. The driving of the zoom lens here is the second zoom driving mode set in S504. That is, in the process of FIG. 5, when the zoom operation member is operated after AE and AF (after completion of shooting preparation), the zoom lens is driven by seamless zoom. Here, in consideration of the fact that a rough angle of view has already been determined when the shutter button 61 is pressed by SW1 (62), a fine angle of view is not necessary for a zoom operation performed after completion of shooting preparation. A second zoom drive mode suitable for adjustment is set.

  When the zoom lens is driven, in S507, the system control unit 50 performs a continuous AF process. The continuous AF process here is the same as that in S408, and will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S508, the system control unit 50 determines whether the shutter button 61 is in the SW2 (64) pressed state. If it has been pressed, the process proceeds to S509, and if not, the process proceeds to S513.

  In step S509, the system control unit 50 performs still image shooting processing. The still image shooting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In S510, the system control unit 50 performs a review display of the captured image. In step S511, the system control unit 50 records the captured image.

  In step S512, the system control unit 50 displays a through image and returns to step S508. Here, if the shutter button 61 continues to hold down SW2 (64), the processing from S509 to S512 is performed again.

  In step S513, the system control unit 50 determines whether the shutter button 61 is not in the SW2 (64) pressed state but in the SW1 (62) pressed state. If it is in the pressed state, the process returns to S505, and if not, the process proceeds to S514.

  In S514, the system control unit 50 returns the zoom lens drive mode to the zoom drive mode that was set before the shutter button 61 was pressed by SW1 (62). If the second zoom drive mode has been set before the shutter button 61 is pressed by SW1 (62), the second zoom drive mode is maintained.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing still image shooting processing in S509 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 601, the system control unit 50 acquires the date and time from the system timer 53 at the start of shooting and stores the date and time in the system memory 52.

  In step S <b> 602, the system control unit 50 drives the shutter 101 having an aperture function according to the aperture value according to the photometric data stored in the system memory 52 and the memory 32.

  In step S <b> 603, the system control unit 50 starts dew from the imaging unit 22 (imaging device). In step S604, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the exposure has been completed according to the photometric data. If not completed, the process proceeds to S605, and if completed, the process proceeds to S607.

  In step S605, the system control unit 50 determines whether the zoom operation member has been operated. If operated, the process proceeds to S606, and if not, the process proceeds to S604. This step is a process for enabling so-called zoom between exposures.

  In S606, the system control unit 50 drives the zoom lens based on the operation of the zoom operation member, and changes the zoom magnification. The drive mode of the zoom lens here is the second zoom drive mode set in S504 in FIG. 6, but may be switched to the first zoom drive mode.

  Note that the continuous AF process is not performed after the zoom lens is driven in S606. This is based on the idea that the need for focusing is basically low during zoom between exposures, but continuous AF processing may be performed according to the driving of the zoom lens.

  In step S <b> 607, the system control unit 50 controls to close the shutter 101. This process is performed even if the driving of the zoom lens in S606 is not completed. This is to prevent the exposure time from changing by waiting for completion of the zoom lens driving.

  In step S608, the system control unit 50 determines whether the zoom lens is being driven. If it is being driven, the process proceeds to S609, and if not, the process proceeds to S610. In step S609, the system control unit 50 drives the zoom lens to a position where it can be stopped.

  In step S <b> 610, the system control unit 50 stores the captured image data in the memory 32. In step S611, the system control unit 50 performs necessary image processing, compression processing, and the like on the captured image data.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the continuous AF process executed in S408 of FIG. 4 and S507 of FIG. The term “continuous AF” as used herein means that even when the camera is in a standby state (the shutter button 61 is not pressed down SW1), the focus state of the subject is evaluated at a predetermined timing, and the in-focus state is obtained. This function automatically drives the focus lens. Specifically, the focus lens is driven while determining the direction in which the focus evaluation value increases, and when the position where the focus evaluation value reaches a peak is detected, the focus lens is driven with the position as the in-focus position. The continuous AF process is less susceptible to a sharp focus change than the scan AF process described above, and is suitable for AF during through image display and moving image recording.

  In step S <b> 701, the system control unit 50 determines an image area (AF area) for acquiring a focus evaluation value (focus signal) used for AF. The AF area may be arbitrarily designated by the user, or may be determined by the system control unit 50 using a face detection result or the like. The focus evaluation value here is a signal generated based on a predetermined frequency component of the image data, and the higher the focus evaluation value, the higher the sharpness of the image.

  In step S702, the system control unit 50 acquires the focus evaluation value of the area determined in step S701. In step S703, the system control unit 50 compares the focus evaluation value acquired in step S702 with the focus evaluation value acquired in the past. When the peak of the focus evaluation value is determined, the focus lens is driven to the position where the peak is reached, and the processing is terminated as the focusing is completed. If it cannot be determined yet, the process proceeds to S704.

  In step S704, the system control unit 50 compares the current focus evaluation value acquired in step S702 with the focus evaluation value acquired last time. If the current evaluation value is higher, the process proceeds to S706, and if not, the process proceeds to S705.

  In step S705, the system control unit 50 determines that the focus lens has passed the in-focus position because the focus evaluation value acquired in step S702 has started to decrease, and reverses the drive direction of the focus lens.

  In step S706, the system control unit 50 drives the focus lens by a predetermined amount.

  Note that when the continuous AF process is being performed, if this occurs due to a high-priority process user operation such as a zoom operation, this process ends. At that time, the focus evaluation values acquired so far are discarded, but may be used in the next continuous AF processing by storing them in the memory 32 or the like. As a result, it may be possible to shorten the time until the in-focus position is searched.

  In addition, a difference may be provided in the processing between S408 (continuous AF processing during shooting standby) and S507 (continuous AF processing while holding SW1). For example, assuming that a zoom operation for changing a large angle of view is frequently performed during shooting standby, the continuous AF process may be started after a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion of zoom driving. Good. As a result, it is possible to prevent the continuous AF process from being performed frequently and to reduce the power consumption. In addition, since the continuous AF process is not interrupted during the zoom operation, the zoom magnification can be quickly changed. On the other hand, it is assumed that the zoom operation performed while SW1 is held is for the purpose of fine adjustment of the angle of view, and the continuous AF process may be promptly started every time zoom driving is completed. As a result, it is possible to finely adjust the angle of view while always maintaining a focused state.

  Further, for example, the driving amount of the focus lens in S706 may be changed depending on whether shooting standby or SW1 is held. Assuming that the focus is often greatly shifted because the angle of view is not yet determined during shooting standby, the unit driving amount (driving amount per time) of the focus lens is relatively increased. On the other hand, since the user already holds the camera firmly while SW1 is held and AF processing is performed in S503, the unit driving amount of the focus lens is relatively reduced on the assumption that the focus is not greatly shifted. As a result, the number of loops from S701 to S706 in the continuous AF process can be optimized according to the scene, and focusing can be performed more quickly.

  Further, a difference may be provided between the zoom drive when the second zoom drive mode is set during photographing standby and the zoom drive at S506 (while SW1 is being held). For example, the unit driving amount of the zoom lens is relatively increased on the assumption that the angle of view is often greatly changed during shooting standby. On the other hand, the unit driving amount of the zoom lens is made relatively small assuming that there are many fine adjustments of the angle of view while SW1 is held. Further, when performing the zoom between exposures in S606, the unit driving amount of the zoom lens may be further changed. In addition, the zoom drive amount and the focus lens drive amount may be selectable by the user.

  As described above, the present embodiment has a configuration in which zoom driving is performed by switching between the first zoom driving mode (step zoom) and the second zoom driving mode (seamless zoom). In particular, it is assumed that the first zoom drive mode is used in order to change the angle of view quickly during shooting standby. However, when the shooting preparation operation is instructed, the angle of view is changed by switching to the second zoom drive mode. A zoom drive instruction suitable for fine adjustment is accepted. This makes it possible to easily adjust the angle of view after instructing the shooting preparation operation.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. It is.

  The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program code. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 50 System control part 61 Shutter button 70 Operation part 103 Lens group

Claims (13)

Accepting means for accepting a zoom operation instructing a change in zoom magnification;
Zoom control means for controlling the driving of the zoom lens based on the zoom operation, the first mode for driving the zoom lens in a stepwise manner to a predetermined zoom magnification, and the zoom Zoom control means for controlling the driving of the zoom lens by switching the second mode for continuously driving the lens,
When the first mode is set in the first state before the shooting preparation operation is instructed, the zoom control means switches to the second mode when the shooting preparation operation is instructed. A characteristic imaging device.   The zoom control unit controls driving of the zoom lens in the second mode in a second state from when the shooting preparation operation is instructed to when a shooting operation is instructed. The imaging apparatus according to 1.   In the first state, the user can arbitrarily set the first mode and the second mode, and the zoom control unit controls driving of the zoom lens in the set mode. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein:   Regardless of which of the first mode and the second mode is set in the first state, in the second state from when the photographing preparation operation is instructed until the photographing operation is instructed, The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the zoom control unit controls driving of the zoom lens in the second mode.   When the first mode is set in the first state, the zoom control unit switches to the second mode after the photographing preparation operation is completed when the photographing preparation operation is instructed. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein   The unit driving amount of the zoom lens when the second mode is set in the first state is the unit driving amount of the zoom lens in the second state from when the photographing preparation operation is instructed until the photographing operation is instructed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is larger than a unit driving amount of the zoom lens. A focus control means for controlling the driving of the focus lens based on the focus signal;
7. When the zoom lens is driven, the focus control means performs a predetermined control for adjusting the focus by driving the focus lens in a direction in which the focus signal is increased. The imaging apparatus of Claim 1.   When the predetermined control is performed in the first state, the unit driving amount of the focus lens is the same as that in the second state from when the photographing preparation operation is instructed until the photographing operation is instructed. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image pickup apparatus is larger than a unit driving amount of the focus lens when it is performed. The focus control unit starts the predetermined control after the driving of the zoom lens is completed,
The time from the completion of driving the zoom lens in the first state to the start of the predetermined control is the second state from when the photographing preparation operation is instructed to when the photographing operation is instructed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a time period from when the driving of the zoom lens is completed to when the predetermined control is started is longer. Having imaging means for converting an optical image into an electrical signal;
The zoom operation can be accepted and the zoom lens can be driven based on the zoom operation in a third state from the start to the completion of exposure in the imaging unit in response to an instruction for a shooting operation. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A focus control means for controlling the driving of the focus lens based on the focus signal;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the zoom lens is driven in the third state, the focus control unit does not drive the focus lens based on the focus signal.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shooting preparation operation is an operation including exposure adjustment and focus adjustment for shooting. Receiving a zoom operation for instructing a change in zoom magnification;
Controlling the driving of the zoom lens based on the zoom operation;
A step of switching between a first mode for driving the zoom lens so as to change stepwise to a predetermined zoom magnification determined in advance, and a second mode for continuously driving the zoom lens;
When the first mode is set in a first state before an imaging preparation operation is instructed, the imaging apparatus is switched to the second mode when the imaging preparation operation is instructed. Control method.

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