JPH118795A - Electronic image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic image pickup device capable of appropriately setting the photographing conditions of the mutually related images of panoramic photographing or the like. SOLUTION: This device can variably set the photographing conditions of AF, AE and AWB(automatic white balance), etc., and is provided with a panoramic mode for mutually compositing the photographing images of plural continuous scenes and turning them to one image. In this case, when the panoramic mode is set, normal AF, AE and AWB are performed at the time of photographing a first sheet (S6 S6 and S7), the data are preserved in a RAM after photographing (S11), the data of the RAM are called (S8) and used in photographing second and succeeding sheets and thus, the same photographing conditions as the first sheet are set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electronic imaging device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic imaging device capable of variably setting shooting conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventionally proposed electronic imaging apparatus, in panoramic mode photography, a camera is panned to photograph a plurality of images, and then the plurality of images are cleverly connected. Means of obtaining a plurality of panoramic images has been performed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional electronic imaging apparatus, since the exposure is automatically adjusted, if the panorama mode photographing is performed by the above-described means, Exposure will change independently for each captured image, for example, when the sun is in the screen and when it is not,
Exposure had changed significantly. Therefore, it is difficult to finish a beautiful panoramic photograph even if two or more of these images are connected.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic image pickup apparatus capable of appropriately setting a photographing condition of mutually associated images.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic imaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is capable of variably setting shooting conditions, and is capable of shooting a plurality of continuous scenes. In an electronic imaging device capable of being stored as a group of images associated with each other, the shooting conditions of each image constituting the image group are the same as the shooting conditions of the first one of the plurality of continuous scenes. Is set to

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, the photographing condition includes at least one of exposure, autofocus, and white balance.

Further, the electronic imaging device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the electronic imaging device according to the first aspect, further comprising a display unit for displaying an image photoelectrically converted by an imaging element, wherein the display unit comprises a plurality of display units. When displaying captured images of continuous scenes, the basic setting of brightness or white balance of the display means is set to the setting of displaying the image of the first one of the plurality of continuous scenes. It is fixed and displayed.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic image pickup apparatus, comprising: a display unit for displaying an image photoelectrically converted by an image pickup device;
Selection of switching between a first mode in which captured images of a plurality of continuous scenes can be stored or displayed as an image group associated with each other and a second mode in which each scene is captured under mutually independent shooting conditions In the electronic imaging apparatus capable of variably setting photographing conditions having a means, when in the first mode, a cycle at which an image is displayed by the display means is longer than when in the second mode. It is designed to be long.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image pickup apparatus, comprising: display means for displaying an image photoelectrically converted by an image pickup device;
Selection of switching between a first mode in which captured images of a plurality of continuous scenes can be stored or displayed as an image group associated with each other and a second mode in which each scene is captured under mutually independent shooting conditions Means, in an electronic imaging device capable of variably setting imaging conditions having, when in the first mode, the imaging cycle required to photoelectrically convert and capture one image by the imaging element, The configuration is such that the length can be made longer than in the second mode.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, the photographing condition includes a condition for inhibiting strobe light emission. .

An electronic imaging apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the electronic imaging apparatus according to the first, fifth, or sixth aspect, wherein an image group in which the photographed images of the plurality of continuous scenes are associated with each other is provided. , An image group for forming a panoramic image.

Therefore, the electronic image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention can set photographic conditions variably and can store photographic images of a plurality of continuous scenes as a group of mutually associated images. The shooting condition of each image constituting the image group is set to the first one of the plurality of continuous scenes.
Set the same as the shooting conditions in the scene.

Further, in the electronic imaging apparatus according to the second invention, the photographing condition includes at least one of exposure, autofocus, and white balance.

Further, in the electronic imaging apparatus according to the third invention, when the display means displays an image photoelectrically converted by the imaging element, and when the display means displays captured images of the plurality of continuous scenes, The basic setting or white balance of the brightness of the display means is fixedly set at the time of displaying an image of the first one of the plurality of continuous scenes.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic imaging apparatus in which imaging conditions can be variably set, a display means displays an image photoelectrically converted by an imaging device, and a selection means captures a plurality of continuous scenes. Switching between a first mode in which images can be stored or displayed as a group of images associated with each other and a second mode in which each scene is photographed under mutually independent photographing conditions, and in the first mode Can make the cycle of displaying an image by the display means longer than in the second mode.

In an electronic imaging apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the invention, the imaging conditions can be set variably, the display means displays an image photoelectrically converted by the imaging element, and the selection means takes a plurality of continuous scenes. Switching between a first mode in which images can be stored or displayed as a group of images associated with each other and a second mode in which each scene is photographed under mutually independent photographing conditions, and in the first mode According to the first aspect, a photographing cycle required for photoelectrically converting and capturing one image by the image sensor can be made longer than in the second mode.

In the electronic imaging apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the photographing condition includes a condition for prohibiting strobe light emission.

In the electronic imaging apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the group of images obtained by associating the captured images of the plurality of continuous scenes is an image group for forming a panoramic image.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of an electronic camera, FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the appearance of the electronic camera, and FIG.
Is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the electronic camera from the back, and FIG. 4 is a personal computer, a digital recorder,
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the electronic camera is connected to an external device such as a printer, FIG. 5 is a block diagram mainly showing an electric configuration of the entire electronic camera, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electronic camera in a panorama mode.

The present embodiment is an example in which the electronic imaging device of the present invention is applied to an electronic camera (hereinafter, referred to as "camera").

As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 1 has a photographic lens 2 held by a lens barrel 3 at a slightly central right part of the front.

Above the photographic lens 2, an objective window 4 of an optical finder for a photographer to check a subject is exposed, and left and right of the objective window 4 are separated by a predetermined base line length. A pair of distance measuring lenses 5 and 6 are arranged.

On the left side of one of these lenses 5,
A strobe 7 for illuminating the subject is provided,
Further on the left side is a grip portion 8 for holding the camera 1, and a strap mounting portion 9 is provided on a side portion of the grip portion 8.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a recording medium insertion / removal for inserting and removing a recording medium 33 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, is provided on the side of the camera 1 opposite to the grip section 8. An outlet 15 is provided.

Below the recording medium insertion / ejection port 15,
A video output terminal 19 for connecting to a monitor television,
A data input / output terminal 20 for connecting to various external devices (see FIG. 4) as described later is arranged.

On the other hand, on the upper surface of the camera 1, as shown in FIG. 3, a release switch 10, an increment switch 11 for updating the number such as a date in an increasing direction, and conversely a number such as a date. A decrement switch 12 for updating in a decreasing direction, a decision switch 13 for confirming data such as the date selected by the increment switch 11 or the decrement switch 12, and a predetermined mode from various modes of the camera. Mode selection switch 14 as selection means for selection
And an information liquid crystal display section 16 for displaying mode information and the like selected by the mode selection switch 14. In addition, these various operation switches,
The switch is configured as an automatic reset type switch.

On the back of the camera 1, there is provided an image liquid crystal as a display means comprising an LCD for displaying a photographed image and other information such as a date selected by the increment switch 11 or the decrement switch 12. A display unit 17 is provided.

A power switch 18 for turning on / off the power supplied to the camera is provided at the upper right of the back of the camera 1.

Next, the state when the above-described camera is connected to another device will be described with reference to FIG.

The camera 1 includes various devices as illustrated, for example, a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) 44, a digital recorder 45,
It is connected to a printer 46 and the like via the data input / output terminal 20.

The personal computer 44 receives image data from the camera 1 and executes various kinds of image processing which cannot be processed by the camera 1 alone, as necessary.

The digital recorder 41 is capable of receiving image data recorded on the recording medium 33 of the camera 1 and recording a large amount of the image data. This digital recorder 41 is also connected to the personal computer 44,
The image data processed by the personal computer 44 can be received and recorded.

The printer 46 receives image data recorded on the recording medium 33 of the camera 1 and prints an image or the like corresponding to the image data. This printer 4
Reference numeral 6 is also connected to the personal computer 44 so that it can receive image data processed by the personal computer 44 and print an image or the like corresponding to the image data.

Next, an electrical configuration of the camera according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that among the components shown in FIG. 5, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The photographing lens 2 includes a solid-state image sensor 2 described later.
This is for forming a subject image on the imaging surface 5.
The photographing lens 2 is mechanically connected to the photographing lens driving unit 21 and always moves on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 25 according to the distance to the subject measured by the distance measuring circuit 34 described later. It is driven to a predetermined position so that a clear subject image is formed.

A stop 22 is located behind the optical axis of the taking lens 2.
The aperture 22 has both a function as an aperture for adjusting the depth of field and an exposure amount of the solid-state imaging device 25 and a function as a shutter for determining a shutter speed. The diaphragm 22 is connected to the diaphragm driving unit 2.
3 and mechanically connected to the CPU (Central
A predetermined aperture and shutter speed are set based on a command signal from a sing unit (39).

An optical low-pass filter 24 is disposed behind the stop 22 on the optical axis to prevent aliasing of the video signal.

Behind the optical low-pass filter 24, the solid-state image sensor 25, which is an image sensor for converting a received subject image into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal, is arranged. A drive circuit 26 is connected to the solid-state imaging device 25, and the drive circuit 26
5 is stored for a predetermined time, and a signal for reading out the stored signal at a predetermined timing is generated. The drive circuit 26 is further connected to a CPU 39 and is controlled based on a signal from the CPU 39.

The output terminal of the solid-state imaging device 25 is A /
An analog output signal connected to the input terminal of the D converter 27 and output from the solid-state
The digital signal is converted by the / D converter 27.

This digital signal is supplied to a signal processing circuit (Digital) connected to the output terminal of the A / D converter 27.
Signal Processor: DSP in the figure. ) 28. The signal processing circuit 28 is a processing circuit that separates the digital signal into a color difference signal and a luminance signal, corrects each signal, and further performs image compression / expansion.

The output terminal of the signal processing circuit 28 is DC
It is connected to a T (Discrete Cosine Transform) circuit 29. In this DCT circuit 29, JPEG (Jo
An orthogonal transformation, which is a process of image compression / decompression based on the intPhotographic Experts Group, is performed.

The DCT circuit 29 is connected to a Huffman encoding circuit (Huffman Encorder / Decorder: described as HED in the figure) 30. In the Huffman encoding circuit 30, a predetermined process, which is a process of JPEG-compliant image compression, is executed. This Huffman coding enables highly efficient image compression / decompression.

The output terminal of the Huffman encoding circuit 30 is connected to a recording medium control circuit (Memory Control Circuit: described as MCC in the figure) 31. The recording medium control circuit 31 controls the recording of data on the recording medium 33 described below and the reading of recorded data from the recording medium 33.

The output terminal of the recording medium control circuit 31 is
The recording medium 33 is connected via the connector 32. In the present embodiment, the recording medium 3
As a specific example of No. 3, a memory card that is detachable from the camera 1 is used.

The distance measuring circuit 34 is a circuit for generating a signal for measuring the distance from the camera 1 to the subject. The distance measuring circuit 34 performs distance measurement based on the principle of triangular distance measurement, and forms an object image on a light receiving surface of a distance measuring sensor (not shown) constituting the distance measuring circuit 34. Further, two distance measuring lenses 5 and 6 separated by a predetermined base line length are arranged as described above.

The output signal of the distance measuring circuit 33 is C
When input to the PU 39, the CPU 39 executes a predetermined process to calculate the distance to the subject, and sends a predetermined signal to the photographing lens driving unit 21 based on the calculation result. Thus, the photographing lens driving unit 21 drives the photographing lens 2 to a predetermined position so that an in-focus subject image is always formed on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 25. .

The strobe circuit 35 is an electric circuit part of the strobe 7, and the CPU 39 determines that the brightness of the subject is low based on the brightness information of the subject measured by the photometry circuit 38 described later. And a circuit for irradiating the subject with auxiliary light depending on the condition or other conditions, and is connected to the CPU 39.

The calendar signal generation circuit 36 stores the date input by the operator of the camera 1 or the shooting date data recorded on the recording medium 33, or the current year generated by a timer built in the CPU 39. A calendar signal is generated from the date, and is connected to the CPU 39. Note that the calendar signal generation circuit 36 has a CPU
39.

The character signal generating circuit 37 generates at least character signals of fonts such as characters, numerals, alphabets, etc. necessary for the calendar.
Connected to U39. The character signal generation circuit 37 may be built in the CPU 39.

The photometry circuit 38 is a circuit for measuring the brightness of the subject prior to photographing, and is connected to the CPU 39. Based on the information measured by the photometric circuit 38, the CPU 39 determines the exposure value such as the aperture of the aperture 22 and the shutter speed, and determines whether or not to emit the auxiliary light by the strobe circuit 35 as described above. The decision is made.

The information liquid crystal display section 16 and the image liquid crystal display section 17 described above, and the video output terminal 19 and the data input / output terminal 20 are connected to and controlled by the CPU 39.

Further, the release switch 10 described above,
Increment switch 11, Decrement switch 1
2. Various operation switches such as a decision switch 13, a mode selection switch 14, a power switch 18, etc.
9 is connected.

The CPU 39 identifies the information of the operation switches input by the operator of the camera 1 and controls the entire camera 1 including the above-described circuits according to the identification result. , Are connected to the above circuits via a data bus or the like.

Next, an operation when such a camera is set to the panorama mode will be described with reference to FIG.

Switching to the panorama mode is performed by the camera 1
Is performed by pressing the mode selection switch 14 disposed on the upper surface of the device. That is, when the mode selection switch 14 is pressed, the mode is sequentially switched to various photographing modes and processing modes. Therefore, a mode for performing panoramic photographing (panoramic mode) may be selected from these modes. Note that the selectable shooting modes include a normal shooting mode in which shooting conditions are independently set for each scene.

In the panorama mode photographing by the camera 1, a plurality of images are photographed and captured while the camera 1 is panned, and recorded in a recording medium 33 such as a memory card. Alternatively, a wide field of view image is obtained by connecting the image processing software using a personal computer 44 or the like.

The panoramic mode photographing is not limited to this. For example, a camera having a plurality of image pickup devices is used to simultaneously photograph and capture a plurality of images with the camera fixed. The image may be synthesized by image processing software or hardware in the camera to obtain an image with a wide field of view.

In such a panoramic mode, as described below, the photographing conditions (AE, AWB, A
F) is held and the subsequent shooting is continued.
If the strobe circuit 35 emits light, the exposure cannot be kept constant, so that the strobe circuit 35 is prohibited from emitting light.

When the camera 1 enters a shooting state, it is first determined whether or not the camera is in a panorama mode (step S1).
If it is determined that the mode is the panorama mode, the image liquid crystal display unit 17 constituted by an LCD or the like is automatically turned on so that a through image to be actually photographed can be observed (step S2). .

Next, by detecting the state of the release switch 10, it is determined whether or not a release operation has been performed (step S3). If the release operation has been performed, the state after entering the panorama mode is determined. It is determined whether or not the photographing is for the second and subsequent images (step S4).

When the photographing is not for the second and subsequent frames (that is, 1
If it is the first sheet, AF (autofocus) is performed by driving the photographing lens 2 by the photographing lens driving unit 21 based on the distance measurement data obtained from the distance measurement circuit 34 (step S).
5) A based on photometric data and the like obtained from the photometric circuit 38
E (Auto Exposure) (Step S
6). In this AE, an exposure time longer than 1/30 second can be set.

That is, when an image is captured by the solid-state imaging device 25 with an exposure time longer than 1/30 second, when this is displayed as a through image on the image liquid crystal display section 17, the movement of the subject becomes jerky. In a normal shooting mode, the solid-state imaging device 25 does not perform exposure for a time longer than 1/30 second, so that a smooth display is performed. Is set to

However, when the subject has low brightness,
If the long-time exposure limit is fixed at 1/30 seconds, the lower the brightness of the subject, the darker the image captured by the solid-state imaging device 25, that is, the darker the display by the image liquid crystal display unit 17.

Therefore, in the panoramic mode, attention is paid to the fact that the subject is basically not moving (the subject is often a scenery or the like). An exposure time longer than a second, for example, an exposure time of 1/15 second or 1/8 second, is allowed.

By setting in this way, the display on the image liquid crystal display section 17 can be always observed in a bright and easy-to-view state.

Thereafter, automatic white balance (AWB) is performed to adjust the color balance of the entire image (step S7).

Then, based on the AF, AE, and AWB data, the aperture driving unit 23 drives the aperture 22 and the driving circuit 26 drives the solid-state imaging device 25 to perform exposure (step S9).

When the exposure is completed, the photographed image is compressed and recorded on the recording medium 33 such as a memory card (step S10).

Further, the AF, AE, and AWB data used in step S9 are transferred to a register of a RAM incorporated in the CPU 39 (step S11), and at the same time, an image liquid crystal display unit such as an LCD is used. 17
Are also transferred to the RAM register in another form (step S12).

Next, only the backlash is canceled without resetting the photographing lens 2 (step S1).
3).

In the normal photographing mode, the taking lens 2 and the aperture 22 are reset each time one photographing is completed.
To keep the same focus position on the second and subsequent sheets,
These reset operations are not performed.

Further, if vibration or the like is applied to the camera 1, the focus position may be shifted within the range of the backlash. Therefore, this possibility is eliminated, and the same precision as that of the first photographing is reliably obtained with high accuracy. In order to maintain the focus position, backlash cancellation of the photographing lens 2 is performed after the second photographing.

This backlash cancellation is performed in a normal A
This is the same operation as the backlash cancellation performed in F,
Specifically, it is performed as follows.

The position of the photographing lens 2 is detected in pulse units by, for example, a photo interrupter. As an example, assuming that the focus position at the time of photographing the first image is a position of 50 pulses, for example, after -4 step driving, +4
By step driving, it is possible to maintain 50
The pulse is kept at the focus position.

In this manner, by controlling the subsequent photographing in the same manner, the focus position can be accurately maintained.

After performing step S13, the process returns to step S1 to determine whether the mode is the panorama mode.

If it is determined in step S4 that the photographing is for the second or subsequent image, the AF, AE, and AW transferred to the RAM in step S11 are determined.
The B data is called (step S8), and exposure is performed in step S9 using these data.

Therefore, in the control by such a routine, the second and subsequent shots after entering the panorama mode are
All are performed using the AF, AE, and AWB data registered at the time of shooting the first image.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the release has not been performed and that the camera is in the standby state, it is determined whether or not the second or subsequent photographing has been performed (step S14). .

Here, when it is not the second and subsequent sheets (that is,
If it is the first sheet), AE (auto exposure) for LCD to be used for the liquid crystal display unit 17 for image is performed (step S15). The LCD AE automatically sets the brightness of the image liquid crystal display section 17 automatically, and is of a type that always follows.
When the panorama mode is set, as described in step S6, the solid-state imaging device 25 allows exposure for a time longer than 1/30 second. The display by the liquid crystal display unit 17 is also allowed to be updated in a time longer than 1/30 second.

Next, in the same manner, the image liquid crystal display 17
After performing AWB (auto white balance) for LCD for use in (step S16), the above-described step S16 is performed.
Return to 1. Note that these AE data for LCD and LC
The AWB data for D is data transferred to the RAM in S12.

If it is determined in step S14 that the second or subsequent image has been shot, the LCD AE and AWB for use in the image liquid crystal display unit 17 transferred to the RAM in step S12 are used. The data (data used at the time of the previous photographing) is called (step S17), and the process returns to step S1.

As described above, after the second image, the liquid crystal display unit 17 for the image is always displayed using the AE and AWB data used for photographing the first image.

If it is determined in step S1 that the mode is not the panorama mode, the image liquid crystal display unit 17 is turned off (step S18), and AF, AE, AW
All the B data is reset (step S19), the photographing lens 2 is reset (step S20), and this routine ends.

Although the case of the panoramic mode has been described above, the same applies to the case of the continuous shooting mode by replacing the determination in step S1 with the determination of whether or not the mode is the continuous shooting mode. Can be.

According to the electronic imaging apparatus of such an embodiment, when a plurality of continuous scenes are photographed in a panoramic mode to compose a panoramic photograph, the same AF, AE, and the same are automatically set throughout each scene. AWB can be used, and one image can be obtained by easily connecting images related to each scene.

The AE and AWB data for LCD are 2
Since the first shot is used even after the first shot, the state of each scene can be confirmed by the image liquid crystal display unit under the same shooting conditions.

Further, in the second and subsequent shootings, since the stored AF, AE, and AWB data are used, no time is required for these calculations, and the time lag can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to take more images in the same time, which is advantageous in the continuous shooting mode.

Focusing on the fact that the subject is often a scenery or the like in the panorama mode, the apparatus is configured to allow long-time exposure when the panorama mode is set. Even when the image quality is low, a high-quality image can be captured, and this can be confirmed by a bright and easily viewable display.

In addition, since light emission by the strobe circuit is prohibited in the panorama mode, exposure variations due to the strobe do not occur, and the same shooting conditions can be ensured.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0092]

As described above, according to the electronic imaging apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when viewing a group of captured images as a unit, discontinuity is caused in the imaging conditions between the images. Thus, the photographed image or the image after the photographing can be easily confirmed without discomfort.

Further, according to the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention according to the second aspect, substantially the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained, and in particular, the brightness, focus condition, or color between the images can be obtained. At least one discontinuity in the balance can be eliminated.

Further, according to the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention according to the third aspect, substantially the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained, and images of continuous scenes can be set to the same brightness. Alternatively, it can be confirmed by the display means while the white balance is maintained.

According to the electronic image pickup apparatus of the present invention, the movement of the subject is considered to be relatively small in the image group in which the photographed images of a plurality of continuous scenes are associated with each other. Can be longer,
It is possible to display a higher quality image by extending the display cycle.

According to the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is considered that the movement of the subject is relatively small in the image group in which the photographed images of a plurality of continuous scenes are associated with each other, and the photographing cycle is long. Since it does not matter, it is possible to capture a higher quality image by lengthening the shooting cycle.

According to the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first, third, fourth, or fifth invention can be obtained, and strobe light emission is prohibited. By doing so, power can be saved.
In addition, discontinuity of shooting conditions such as variation in exposure that can occur when a strobe light is emitted can be prevented. In particular, when the captured images of a plurality of continuous scenes are for forming a panoramic image, it is considered that the movement of the subject is relatively small, so that it is possible to obtain a good image without using a strobe. it can.

According to the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first, fifth, or sixth invention are obtained, and a good panorama with uniform photographing conditions. It is possible to compose an image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary front view showing the appearance of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view showing the appearance of the electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary perspective view showing the external appearance of the electronic camera according to the embodiment from the back;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the electronic camera of the embodiment is connected to an external device such as a personal computer, a digital recorder, and a printer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram mainly showing an electric configuration of the entire electronic camera of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the electronic camera of the embodiment in a panoramic mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera (electronic imaging device) 14 ... Mode selection switch (selection means) 17 ... Liquid crystal display part for images (display means) 25 ... Solid-state imaging device (imaging device) 33 ... Recording medium 39 ... CPU

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Toba 2-5-2-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Toshiharu Haruki 2-5-2-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Sugimoto 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An electronic image pickup apparatus wherein a photographing condition can be variably set, and photographed images of a plurality of continuous scenes can be stored as an image group associated with each other. An electronic image pickup apparatus, wherein the photographing conditions of each image are set to be the same as the photographing conditions in the first one of the plurality of continuous scenes. 2. The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing condition includes at least one of exposure, autofocus, and white balance. 3. A display device for displaying an image photoelectrically converted by an image pickup device, wherein when displaying the photographed images of the plurality of continuous scenes on the display device, basic setting of brightness of the display device or The white balance is adjusted for the
2. The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic image pickup apparatus is configured to display the image of the first one scene in a fixed manner when the image is displayed. 4. A display unit for displaying an image photoelectrically converted by an image sensor, a first mode for storing or displaying captured images of a plurality of continuous scenes as an image group associated with each other, Selecting means for switching between a second mode for shooting each scene under mutually independent shooting conditions; and an electronic imaging apparatus capable of variably setting shooting conditions, comprising: An electronic image pickup apparatus characterized in that a period in which an image is displayed by the display means can be made longer than in the second mode. 5. A display means for displaying an image photoelectrically converted by an image sensor, a first mode for storing or displaying captured images of a plurality of continuous scenes as an image group associated with each other, Selecting means for switching between a second mode for shooting each scene under mutually independent shooting conditions; and an electronic imaging apparatus capable of variably setting shooting conditions, comprising: An electronic image pickup apparatus characterized in that an image pickup cycle required for photoelectrically converting and taking one image by an image pickup element can be made longer than in the second mode. . 6. The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing condition includes a condition for prohibiting strobe light emission. 7. The image group in which the photographed images of the plurality of continuous scenes are associated with each other is a group of images for forming a panoramic image. 7. The electronic imaging device according to 6.