Digital camera

The present invention relates to a digital camera.

There are various types of digital cameras, including compact types, single-lens reflex types, and those incorporated in electronic devices such as mobile phones, and each type of digital camera has various functions. For example, some single-lens reflex type digital cameras have a continuous shooting function for continuously taking a plurality of shots. Further, among the digital cameras having such a continuous shooting function, there is known one that emits a strobe light in synchronization with each shooting during the continuous shooting (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the digital still camera described in Patent Document 1 and the control method for continuous shooting thereof, the amount of light emitted for proper exposure is obtained based on the shooting distance, aperture, and shooting sensitivity, and strobe light can be emitted at this amount of light. Whether or not it exists is determined during continuous shooting based on the charging voltage of the main capacitor and the like. During emission possible, perform flash photography of performing flash light emission, hereinafter becomes impossible strobe emission descending, like proper exposure is obtained under available light, aperture, shutter speed, photographing sensitivity Set the combination and continue continuous shooting.

<p num="0004"><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-284166</text></patcit></p>

<p num="0005"> However, in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether flash photography or non-flash photography is performed based on the charging voltage of the main capacitor or the like, and the user's intention cannot be reflected regarding the presence or absence of the flash. Furthermore, the choice of which of flash photography and non-flash photography can be taken is difficult to understand without checking the captured image, so that both non-flash photography and flash photography can be taken and compared. It is desired to.</p><p num="0006"> The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and when non-flash photography and flash photography are continuously performed, it is possible to perform photography with an appropriate exposure setting and compare the images acquired by both photographys. The purpose is to provide a digital camera that can be used.</p>

<p num="0007"> To achieve the above objectives<u style="single">The digital camera of the present invention is a digital camera provided with a special continuous shooting mode in which non-flash shooting and flash shooting are continuously performed under a determined exposure setting according to a single release operation. When the continuous shooting mode is selected, whether to change the sensitivity to lower the photometric sensitivity and the shooting sensitivity, including the judgment of whether the subject brightness measured under the set photometric sensitivity and the shooting sensitivity is equal to or higher than the predetermined value. Sensitivity down determining means for determining the above and sensitivity for setting low photometric sensitivity and low photographic sensitivity by changing the sensitivities to lower the photometric sensitivity and the photographic sensitivity when the sensitivities down determinant determines that the sensitivities are to be changed. If the setting means and the sensitivity are not changed, the subject brightness is measured and the exposure is calculated based on the light measurement sensitivity and the shooting sensitivity being set, and the non-flash is performed at the shooting sensitivity being set. The exposure settings for shooting and the flash shooting are determined, and when the sensitivity is changed, the subject brightness is measured and the exposure calculation is performed under the low photometric sensitivity and the low shooting sensitivity. It is characterized by comprising the non-flash shooting performed with the low shooting sensitivity and an exposure determining means for determining an exposure setting for the flash shooting.</u></p><p num="0008"><u style="single"> It is preferable that the exposure determining means raises the exposure settings for the non-flash photography and the flash photography when the sensitivity is changed. Further, it is preferable that the exposure determining means determines different exposure settings between the non-flash photography and the flash photography when the sensitivity is changed. When the sensitivity is changed, the sensitivity setting means preferably sets different sensitivities between the non-flash photography and the flash photography. When the sensitivity down determination means determines that the subject brightness is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the sensitivity down determination means calculates a sensitivity down value according to the subject brightness, determines whether or not the sensitivity down value exceeds a predetermined value, and then determines whether or not the sensitivity down value exceeds a predetermined value. When the sensitivity down value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is preferable to determine that the sensitivity is changed. When the sensitivity down determining means determines that the sensitivity is changed, the exposure setting means performs photometric measurement of the subject brightness and exposure calculation under the low photometric sensitivity and low shooting sensitivity, and as a result, the aperture value is increased. When the calculation result results in insufficient brightness even with the open aperture, it is preferable that the sensitivity setting means changes the sensitivity to increase the shooting sensitivity. When the photometric sensitivity and the photographing sensitivity are automatically set, it is preferable to change the sensitivity and set the sensitivity to the set fixed value when the fixed value is set. Further, it is preferable that the sensitivity down determination means determines that the sensitivity is not changed when the through image is not displayed.</u></p>

<p num="0009"> According to the present invention<u style="single">When the special continuous shooting mode is selected, the sensitivity is changed to lower the photometric sensitivity and the shooting sensitivity, including the determination of whether the subject brightness measured under the set photometric sensitivity and the shooting sensitivity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. When it is determined whether or not the sensitivity is changed, the sensitivity is changed to lower the photometric sensitivity and the shooting sensitivity, and the photometric sensitivity and the shooting sensitivity are set to low, and the sensitivity is changed. Determines the exposure settings for non-flash photography and flash photography performed at low shooting sensitivity by performing photometric measurement and exposure calculation of subject brightness under low photometric sensitivity and low shooting sensitivity.</u>Therefore, it is possible to obtain an image with an appropriate exposure setting in non-flash shooting and flash shooting under the special continuous shooting mode.</p>

<figref num="1">It is a front side external perspective view of the digital camera of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a rear side external perspective view of the digital camera of this invention.</figref><figref num="3">It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the digital camera of this invention.</figref><figref num="4">It is a program diagram at the time of determining the exposure setting of 1st Embodiment.</figref><figref num="5">It is a flowchart which shows the main sequence of 1st Embodiment.</figref><figref num="6">It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display of the confirmation image after shooting.</figref><figref num="7">It is explanatory drawing which shows another Example of the display of the confirmation image after shooting.</figref><figref num="8">It is explanatory drawing which shows another Example of the display of the confirmation image after shooting.</figref><figref num="9">It is a program diagram at the time of determining the exposure setting of the 2nd Embodiment.</figref><figref num="10">It is a flowchart which shows the main sequence of 2nd Embodiment.</figref><figref num="11">It is a program diagram at the time of determining the exposure setting of the 3rd embodiment.</figref><figref num="12">It is a flowchart which shows the main sequence of 3rd Embodiment.</figref><figref num="13">It is a program diagram at the time of determining the exposure setting of 4th Embodiment.</figref><figref num="14">It is a flowchart which shows the main sequence of 4th Embodiment.</figref><figref num="15">It is a flowchart which shows the main sequence of the sensitivity down determination process of 4th Embodiment.</figref><figref num="16">It is a flowchart which shows the main sequence of the warning display processing of 5th Embodiment.</figref><figref num="17">It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the warning display screen of 5th Embodiment.</figref><figref num="18">It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the structure of the image file stored in a memory card.</figref><figref num="19">It is explanatory drawing which shows another embodiment of the structure of the image file stored in a memory card.</figref><figref num="20">It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the digital camera of 6th Embodiment.</figref><figref num="21">It is a flowchart which shows the main sequence of 7th Embodiment.</figref><figref num="22">It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen which displays shooting information and warning information about both 1st and 2nd sheets.</figref><figref num="23">It is explanatory drawing which shows another Example of the screen which displays the shooting information and the warning information about both 1st and 2nd sheets.</figref><figref num="24">It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen which displays the shooting information and warning information only for one shooting.</figref><figref num="25">It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen which switches and displays shooting information and warning information.</figref>

Hereinafter, a digital camera to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described. The digital camera 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided with a photographing lens 12 and a strobe 13 on the front surface of the camera body 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Further, on the back surface of the camera body 11, an LCD panel 15 which is a display means for displaying an image is provided. Further, a touch panel (see FIG. 3) 19 is provided on the surface of the LCD panel 15 as described later. Further, on the upper surface of the camera body 11, a release button 16, a power button 17, and a mode selection dial 18 are provided. In the present embodiment, the release button 16 can be pressed to a half-pressed position and a fully-pressed position further pushed from this half-pressed position. Further, a slot (not shown) for detachably loading a memory card 51 (see FIG. 3) for storing image data is provided on the bottom surface of the camera body 11. The captured image data is written to and saved in the memory card 51.

The digital camera 10 can switch between a normal shooting mode, a special continuous shooting mode, and a playback mode for reproducing a shot image and displaying it on the LCD panel 15 by operating the mode selection dial 18. In addition, the digital camera 10 uses a user's finger or an attached operation pen (not shown) for the operation icon displayed on the LCD panel 15 except for the operation by the release button 16 and the power button 17. The operation is performed by touching the touch panel 19.

The strobe 13 irradiates the subject with strobe light in synchronization with the release when strobe shooting is performed under the normal shooting mode and when strobe shooting is performed under the special continuous shooting mode described later. The strobe light emission amount is determined according to the shooting distance, the shooting sensitivity, and the aperture value so that the exposure amount by the strobe light becomes appropriate. Under the normal mode, when the subject brightness is lower than the predetermined level, the strobe light is emitted, and when the subject brightness is higher than the predetermined level, the strobe light is not emitted. In the normal mode, the necessity of strobe light emission may be manually selected.

In the present embodiment, when the special continuous shooting mode is selected, for one release full-press operation, first non-flash shooting without flashing the strobe is performed, and then strobe light is irradiated in synchronization with the release. Flash shooting is continuously performed, and special continuous shooting is performed to acquire image data for each.

In FIG. 3, which shows the configuration of the digital camera 10, the CPU 21 is the main body of the digital camera 10 via the I / O bus 23 in response to various operation signals input from the release button 16, the power button 17, the touch panel 19, and the like. Control each part.

The zoom lens 12 as a photographing lens includes a lens 26 and an aperture 27. The lens 26 is driven by a lens drive mechanism 28 including a stepping motor, and the optical zoom magnification is changed and the focus is adjusted.

The diaphragm 27 is step-driven by a diaphragm drive mechanism 29 including a stepping motor, and the diaphragm diameter is switched to one of a plurality of diaphragm values. For example, when the open aperture of the aperture 27 is F2.8 and the minimum aperture is F11, the target aperture values are F4, F5.6, and F8 including these open apertures F2.8 and the minimum aperture F11. The lens drive mechanism 28 and the aperture drive mechanism 29 are driven by motor drivers 31 and 32 controlled by the CPU 21.

Behind the zoom lens 12, a CCD35 is arranged as a solid-state image sensor. This CCD35 is connected to the CPU 21 via the timing generator (TG) 36. In the shooting mode, the CPU 21 controls the TG36 to generate a timing signal (clock pulse), and the CCD35 is driven by the timing signal input from the TG36.

The optical image formed by the zoom lens 12 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD35, and is photoelectrically converted to output an analog imaging signal. This imaging signal is input to the correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 37, and is output as R, G, and B image data corresponding to the accumulated charge amount of each cell of the CCD35. The image data output from the CDS 37 is amplified by the amplifier (AMP) 38 and converted from the analog signal to the digital image data by the A / D converter (A / D) 39.

The image input controller 41 is connected to the CPU 21 via the I / O bus 23. Further, an internal memory 43 is connected to the I / O bus 23, and for this internal memory 43, for example, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) is used. The CPU 21 controls the image input controller 41 to store the image data output from the A / D 39 in the internal memory 43. The image signal processing circuit 46 accesses the image data stored in the internal memory 43 and performs various image processing such as gradation conversion, white balance correction, and γ correction processing.

In the shooting mode, the CCD 35 performs image processing at a predetermined frame rate, performs the above image processing on the acquired image data, and displays the processed shot image as a live image through the LCD panel 15. The LCD panel 15 is driven by the LCD driver 48. The LCD driver 48 is equipped with an image memory and a D / A converter, and the processed image data temporarily stored in the image memory is converted into, for example, an NTSC analog signal by the D / A converter. Output to LCD panel 15.

When the release operation is performed, the CCD35 acquires the main image data having a larger number of pixels than the live image for through display. The image data is subjected to the above image processing, and is also compressed by the compression / decompression processing circuit 49 in a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG format). The compressed image data is stored in the memory card 51 via the media controller 50.

In addition to the media controller 50 and the like, an AE detection circuit 53, an AF detection circuit 54, and a flash memory 55 are connected to the I / O bus 23. The AF detection circuit 54 extracts contrast data of high frequency components from the image pickup signal output from the image input controller 41 and sends it to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 controls the lens drive mechanism 28 via the motor driver 27, advances and retreats the focusing lens in the optical axis direction, and stops the focusing lens at the position where the contrast of the high frequency component of the subject image is highest.

The AE detection circuit 53 integrates and calculates the luminance signal of the imaging signal output from the image input controller 41, detects the luminance integrated value (subject luminance value) as the obtained photometric data, and detects the type of light source. , Those subject brightness values, light source information, etc. are sent to CPU21. The CPU 21 determines the appropriate exposure settings such as aperture value, shutter speed, and shooting sensitivity based on the subject brightness value. In the present embodiment, under the special continuous shooting mode, non-flash shooting and flash shooting are performed with the same exposure setting determined based on the subject luminance value. As for this exposure setting, the program diagram 60 shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the flash memory 55 as data, and the CPU 21 reads out the program diagram 60 and sets the shutter speed and the aperture value based on the subject brightness value. decide. Then, the CPU 21 controls the aperture drive mechanism 29 via the motor driver 32 so that a predetermined aperture value according to the determined exposure setting is set in the aperture 27, and sets a predetermined shooting sensitivity in the CDS37 and AMP38. Further, the TG36 is controlled so as to have a predetermined shutter speed to generate a timing signal. Further, in the present embodiment, the CDS37 and AMP38 are controlled so that the shooting sensitivity is always constant in both non-flash shooting and flash shooting.

The flash memory 55 is a well-known non-volatile memory, and stores various programs, data, parameters for various controls, and the like.

To perform special continuous shooting with the digital camera 10 configured in this way, press the power button 14 and operate the mode selection dial 15 from (st1) to select the special continuous shooting mode, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Then (st2), the image data output from the image input controller 41 is displayed on the LCD panel 15 as a through image via the LCD driver 48 (st3). Using the LCD panel 15 as an electronic viewfinder, framing is performed by observing the display image of the LCD panel 15. When the user wants to perform special continuous shooting, first press the release button 16 halfway (press the release button 16 lightly) (st4), and AE processing (st5) and AF processing (st6) start.

In the AE process, the AE detection circuit 53 takes in the luminance signal of the imaging signal, performs an integral calculation, and sends this luminance integrated value (subject luminance value) to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 reads out the program diagram 60 and determines exposure settings such as an aperture value and a shutter speed based on the subject brightness value. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the subject brightness value at the time of shooting is 13 EV, and the shutter speed is TV8 (1 / 250S) and the aperture value is AV5 (F5.8) from the position where it intersects the time diagram. Be done. Then, the CPU 21 drives the aperture drive mechanism 29 and the TG36 so as to achieve the determined exposure setting (st7).

Further, in the AF processing, the AF detection circuit 54 extracts the contrast data of the high frequency component from the image pickup signal and sends it to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 controls the lens drive mechanism 28 via the motor driver 27, moves the lens 26 forward and backward in the optical axis direction, finds a position where the contrast of the high frequency component of the subject image is highest, and stops the lens 26.

The user confirms the through image displayed on the LCD panel 15 (st8), and presses the release button 16 from the half-pressed position to the deeper full-pressed position (st9). At the next moment, non-flash photography is first performed (st10), and the imaging signal is read from the CCD35 at the charge accumulation time corresponding to the shutter speed based on the exposure setting. The imaging signal output from CCD35 is CDS37, AMP38, It is input to the image input controller 41 via the A / D converter 39. The image data by non-flash photography output from the image input controller 41 is temporarily stored in the internal memory 43. When the first non-flash photography is completed, the CPU 21 then reads the imaging signal from the CCD 35 at the charge accumulation time corresponding to the shutter speed while synchronizing the light emission by the strobe 13 so that the flash photography is performed with a predetermined amount of light. Will be done (st11). Then, the image data is temporarily saved in the internal memory 43, and the flash photography is completed. When the flash photography is completed, the CPU 21 reads out the image data acquired by the non-flash photography and the flash photography from the internal memory 43 and displays them on the LCD panel 15 (st12). These confirmation images are displayed as shown in FIG. First, the non-flash image 61 is displayed on the LCD panel 15 (state shown in FIG. 6 (A)), and then the flash image 62 is displayed (state shown in FIG. 6 (B)). After displaying these confirmation images, the CPU 21 compresses the image data with the compression / decompression processing circuit 44 to reduce the data capacity, and then stores the image data in the memory card 51 via the media controller 50 (st8). When the confirmation image shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, it may be stored in the memory card 21 at the same time. For example, while the non-flash image 61 is being displayed (state shown in FIG. 6A), this image is displayed. The data of 61 is written to the memory card 21, and when this writing is completed, the display of the LCD panel 15 is switched to the display of the image 62 of the flash shooting, and the data of this image 62 is further written to the memory card 51 ( st13). When the recording of the image data of these non-flash photography and flash photography is completed, one special continuous shooting is completed, and the CPU 21 returns the display of the LCD panel 15 to the through image. Then, the user presses the release button 16 a desired number of times to execute shooting, and shooting under the special continuous shooting mode ends. (st13). When the recording of the image data of these non-flash photography and flash photography is completed, one special continuous shooting is completed, and the CPU 21 returns the display of the LCD panel 15 to the through image. Then, the user presses the release button 16 a desired number of times to execute shooting, and shooting under the special continuous shooting mode ends. (st13). When the recording of the image data of these non-flash photography and flash photography is completed, one special continuous shooting is completed, and the CPU 21 returns the display of the LCD panel 15 to the through image. Then, the user presses the release button 16 a desired number of times to execute shooting, and shooting under the special continuous shooting mode ends.

In this way, non-flash shooting and flash shooting are continuously performed with one release operation, and the image data thereof is acquired. Therefore, after shooting, the images of non-flash shooting and flash shooting are confirmed and compared. You can select the image that is taken best.

In the first embodiment, in the display of the confirmation image after the special continuous shooting, the images of the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting are displayed separately, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. Both the image 61 acquired by non-flash photography and the image 62 acquired by flash photography may be displayed on the same screen of the LCD panel 15. This makes it easier to compare the images acquired in both shots.

Further, in the first embodiment, the timing for displaying the post-view image (confirmation image) of the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting after the special continuous shooting is not limited to the above example, and for example, the special continuous shooting ends. Immediately after (acquiring the image data of the last frame), the confirmation image of each shooting may be switched and displayed at a predetermined time interval. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, when the switching buttons 63a and 63b are displayed in the screen of the LCD panel 15 and the switching buttons 63a and 63b are operated on the touch panel 19, the confirmation image 64 may be switched. The operation means is not limited to the one using the touch panel 19, and an operation member for switching may be provided separately.

Further, in the first embodiment, the confirmation image is displayed after the special continuous shooting and before the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting are written to the memory card 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the memory card 51 is displayed. After writing, the confirmation image of each shooting may be displayed. After confirming this image, for example, by operating the button 65 (see FIG. 8) for inputting to return to the original display on the touch panel, the original display screen (for example, the following) is displayed from the confirmation image. It suffices to return to the through image display in preparation for shooting). Alternatively, after displaying the confirmation image for a predetermined time, the original display screen may be returned to.

In the above embodiment, both non-flash photography and non-flash photography are performed under the special continuous shooting mode by the same exposure setting determined by the AE processing when the release button is pressed. The second embodiment of the present invention described below is not limited to this, and shows an example in which non-flash photography and flash photography are performed with different exposure settings. As the configuration of the digital camera to which the second embodiment is applied, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are used, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

In this second embodiment, the program diagrams 71 and 72 for non-flash photography and flash photography shown in FIG. 9 are stored in the flash memory 55, and when performing AE processing under the special continuous photography mode, the CPU 21 uses the CPU 21. , Program diagrams 71 and 72 are read out, and exposure settings suitable for non-flash photography and flash photography are determined based on these program diagrams 71 and 72 and the subject brightness value, respectively. Then, the CPU 21 performs non-flash photography and flash photography at each exposure setting.

To perform special continuous shooting with a digital camera to which this second embodiment is applied, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, a through image is displayed after the power is turned on (st1) and the special continuous shooting mode is selected (st2). (St3), the user observes the displayed image on the LCD panel 15 and frames it, and when the release button 16 is pressed halfway (st4), AE processing (st5) and AF processing (st6) start. In the AE process, the AE detection circuit 53 takes in the luminance signal of the imaging signal, performs an integral calculation, and sends this luminance integrated value (subject luminance value) to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 reads out the program diagrams 71 and 72, and determines the exposure setting suitable for flash photography and non-flash photography based on the subject brightness value. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the subject brightness value at the time of shooting is 8EV. At this time, the shutter speed is TV5 (1 / 30S) and the aperture value is AV3 (F2.) From the program diagram 71 for non-flash shooting. 8) is required. Furthermore, when the exposure setting is obtained from the program diagram 72 for flash, the subject brightness value (8EV) is too dark and is out of the diagram, so the shutter speed is TV6 (TV6) as the brightest setting in the vicinity. 1 / 60S), the aperture value is required to be AV3 (F2.8). Then, the CPU 21 drives the aperture drive mechanism 29 and the TG36 so as to achieve the determined exposure setting (st7). The user confirms the through image displayed on the LCD panel 15 (st8), and presses the release button 16 from the half-pressed position to the deeper full-pressed position (st9).

When the release button 16 is fully pressed, the next moment, non-flash shooting is first performed with the exposure setting based on the program diagram 71 (st10), and the image data is temporarily saved in the internal memory 43. When the first non-flash shooting is completed, the CPU 21 then switches to the exposure setting based on the program diagram 72 (st11), and flashes while synchronizing the flash with the strobe 13 so that the flash shooting is performed with a predetermined amount of light. Shooting is performed (st12), and image data is temporarily saved in the internal memory 43. When the flash shooting is completed, the CPU 21 reads the image data acquired by the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting from the internal memory 43, displays it on the LCD panel 15 (st13), and then compresses the image data with the compression / decompression processing circuit 49. After reducing the data capacity, the data is stored in the memory card 51 via the media controller 50 (st14).

In this way, non-flash shooting and flash shooting are continuously performed with one release operation, and when acquiring those image data, shooting is performed with the optimum exposure settings for each of non-flash shooting and flash shooting. In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain an image in which the exposure setting is more desirable.

In the first embodiment, the shooting sensitivity is always constant in both non-flash shooting and flash shooting, but the present invention is not limited to this, and in the third embodiment of the present invention described below, the amount of light of the subject is adjusted. An example is shown in which the shooting sensitivity is changed accordingly and special continuous shooting is performed. As the configuration of the digital camera to which the third embodiment is applied, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are used, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

In this third embodiment, the program diagrams 81 and 82 for non-flash photography and flash photography shown in FIG. 11 are stored in the flash memory 55, and when performing AE processing under the special continuous photography mode, the CPU 21 uses the CPU 21. , Program diagrams 81 and 82 are read out, and based on these program diagrams 81 and 82 and the subject brightness value, an exposure setting consisting of shutter speed, aperture value, and shooting sensitivity suitable for non-flash photography and flash photography, respectively. To determine. Then, the CPU 21 performs non-flash photography and flash photography at each exposure setting. As shown in these program diagrams 81 and 82, when the subject brightness is low, the shooting sensitivity is increased to 1SV, 2SV, and 3SV, respectively.

To perform special continuous shooting with a digital camera to which this third embodiment is applied, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, a through image is displayed after the power is turned on (st1) and the special continuous shooting mode is selected (st2). (St3), the user observes the displayed image on the LCD panel 15 and frames it, and when the release button 16 is pressed halfway (st4), AE processing (st5) and AF processing (st6) start. In the AE process, the AE detection circuit 53 takes in the luminance signal of the imaging signal, performs an integral calculation, and sends this luminance integrated value (subject luminance value) to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 reads out the program diagrams 81 and 82, and determines the exposure setting suitable for flash photography and non-flash photography based on the subject brightness value. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the subject brightness value at the time of shooting is 6EV. At this time, the shutter speed is TV5 (1 / 30S) and the aperture value is AV3 (F2.) From the program diagram 81 for non-flash shooting. 8) Furthermore, the shooting sensitivity is required to be increased by 3SV. Furthermore, when the exposure setting is obtained from the program diagram 82 for flash, the subject brightness value (6EV) is too dark and deviates from the diagram. Therefore, the shutter speed is set to TV6 (TV6) as the brightest setting in the vicinity. 1 / 60S), aperture value is AV3 (F2.8), and shooting sensitivity is required to be 1SV up. Then, the CPU 21 drives the aperture drive mechanism 29, the TG36, and the CDS37, AMP38 so as to obtain the determined exposure setting (st7). The user confirms the through image displayed on the LCD panel 15 (st8), and presses the release button 16 from the half-pressed position to the deeper full-pressed position (st9).

When the release button 16 is fully pressed (st9), the next moment, non-flash shooting is performed with the exposure setting consisting of the shutter speed, aperture value, and shooting sensitivity based on the program diagram 81 (st10), and the image data is stored internally. It is temporarily saved in memory 43. When the first non-flash shooting is completed, the CPU 21 then switches to the exposure setting consisting of the shutter speed, aperture value, and shooting sensitivity based on the program diagram 82 (st11) so that the flash shooting is performed with a predetermined amount of light. Flash photography is performed while synchronizing the light emitted by the strobe 13 (st12), and the image data is temporarily stored in the internal memory 43. When the flash shooting is completed, the CPU 21 reads the image data acquired by the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting from the internal memory 43, displays it on the LCD panel 15 (st13), and then compresses the image data with the compression / decompression processing circuit 49. After reducing the data capacity, the data is stored in the memory card 51 via the media controller 50 (st14).

In this way, when non-flash shooting and flash shooting are continuously performed with a single release operation and the image data is acquired, the optimum exposure settings including the change in shooting sensitivity are used in the non-flash shooting and flash shooting. In addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments described above, it is possible to obtain an image in which the exposure setting is more desirable.

In the first embodiment, non-flash photography and flash photography are continuously performed under the special continuous photography mode with the photometric sensitivity and the photography sensitivity always constant. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following In the fourth embodiment of the present invention described with reference to the above, an example is shown in which the photographing sensitivity and the photometric sensitivity are changed according to the amount of light of the subject to perform special continuous photography. As the configuration of the digital camera to which the fourth embodiment is applied, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are used, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. In the case of the present embodiment, the CPU 21 functions as a determination means for determining the sensitivity down.

In the fourth embodiment, the program diagram 91 shown in FIG. 13 is stored in the flash memory 55, and when performing AE processing under the special continuous shooting mode, the CPU 21 reads the program diagram 91, respectively, and these are The exposure setting is determined based on the program diagram 91 of the above and the subject brightness value. Then, the CPU 21 performs non-flash photography and flash photography with this exposure setting. As shown in these program diagrams 91, when the subject brightness is low, the solid line diagram 91a is used, and when the subject brightness is high, the dotted line and the alternate long and short dash line diagrams 91b and 91c are used, respectively. The diagrams 91b and 91c are exposure settings for non-flash photography and flash photography, and the exposure settings are increased according to the decrease in shooting sensitivity and photometric sensitivity. As the setting of this sensitivity, for example, ISO sensitivity is used.

In order to perform special continuous shooting with the digital camera to which the fourth embodiment is applied, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, a through image is displayed after the power is turned on (st1) and the special continuous shooting mode is selected (st2). (St3), the user observes the display image of the LCD panel 15 for framing, and when the release button 16 is pressed halfway (st4), the CPU 21 performs a judgment process for judging the sensitivity down. As shown in FIG. 15, the determination process for determining the sensitivity down first detects whether the ISO sensitivity setting is automatically set or a fixed value is selected (st101). If the fixed value is set, the fixed value sensitivity setting is used as it is without performing the sensitivity down processing. Then, it detects whether or not the through image is displayed on the LCD panel 15 (st102), and when the through image is displayed, the CPU 21 extracts the last frame being displayed and sends it to the AE detection circuit 53. (st103) When the through image is not displayed, the sensitivity down processing is not performed. The AE detection circuit 53 takes in the luminance signal from the extracted frame, performs an integral calculation (st104), and sends this temporary luminance integrated value (temporary subject luminance value) to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 determines whether or not the integrated value of the temporary brightness exceeds the predetermined value (st105), and if it exceeds the predetermined value, calculates the sensitivity down value according to the value of the temporary subject brightness (st106). It is determined whether or not the sensitivity down value exceeds the predetermined value (st107), and if it exceeds the predetermined value, the setting is switched to reduce the photometric sensitivity and the shooting sensitivity (st108). Alternatively, if it is less than the predetermined value, the photometric sensitivity and the photographing sensitivity are left as they are (st109), and the determination process is terminated.

When the sensitivity down determination process is completed, the AE process (st5) and AF process (st6) start. In the AE process, the AE detection circuit 53 takes in the luminance signal of the imaging signal, performs an integral calculation, and sends this luminance integrated value (subject luminance value) to the CPU 21. When the sensitivity down determination process determines that the sensitivity is down, the TG36, CDS37, and AMP38 are driven so as to reduce the shooting sensitivity and the photometric sensitivity based on the settings. The CPU 21 switches from the exposure setting shown in FIG. 91a to the exposure setting shown in diagrams 91b and 91c to drive the aperture drive mechanism 29, TG36, and CDS37, AMP38 (st7). The user confirms the through image displayed on the LCD panel 15 (st8), and presses the release button 16 from the half-pressed position to the deeper full-pressed position (st9).

When the release button 16 is fully pressed, non-flash shooting is performed at the next moment with the exposure setting consisting of the shutter speed, aperture value, and shooting sensitivity based on the diagram 91a or diagram 91b (st10), and the image data is stored internally. It is temporarily saved in memory 43. When the first non-flash shooting is completed, the CPU 21 then switches to the exposure setting of the diagram 91a or the exposure setting consisting of the shutter speed, aperture value, and shooting sensitivity based on the diagram 91c at a predetermined amount of light. Flash photography is performed (st11) while synchronizing the light emitted by the strobe 13 as with flash photography, and image data is temporarily stored in the internal memory 43. When the sensitivity down is determined by the sensitivity down determination process described above, the TG36, CDS37, and AMP38 are driven to perform non-flash shooting and flash shooting so as to reduce the shooting sensitivity of the CCD25 based on the setting. .. When the flash shooting is completed, the CPU 21 reads the image data acquired by the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting from the internal memory 43, displays it on the LCD panel 15 (st12), and then compresses the image data by the compression / decompression processing circuit 44. After reducing the data capacity, the data is stored in the memory card 51 via the media controller 50 (st13).

In this way, when non-flash photography and flash photography are continuously performed with a single release operation and the image data thereof is acquired, in non-flash photography and flash photography, when the sensitivity is determined to be down, the photometric sensitivity and photography are performed. Since the sensitivity is lowered and the image is taken with the exposure setting corresponding to them, it is possible to obtain an image in which the exposure setting is more desirable in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments. In this way, when metering / exposure calculation is performed with the sensitivity down setting, if the calculation result is that the brightness is insufficient even if the aperture value is the open aperture, the sensitivity is set to increase for non-flash shooting and non-flash shooting. Flash photography may be performed. Further, in such a case, when the exposure settings are different between the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting, the photometric sensitivity and the shooting sensitivity may be set to different settings according to the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting. ..

In the fourth embodiment, the shooting sensitivity of the CCD35 is switched according to the calculation result of the exposure setting, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shooting sensitivity of the first shot is increased. Then, the shooting sensitivity of the second shot may be lower than that, and the shooting sensitivity may be switched according to the shooting order. As a result, it is not necessary to determine the sensitivity switching or perform calculations, and the time lag between each shooting can be shortened.

Further, in addition to the above-mentioned first to fourth configurations, a fifth embodiment having a configuration in which various warnings are given before shooting under the special continuous shooting mode to notify the user of the possibility that shooting may be hindered is described below. It will be explained in. In the present embodiment, the CPU 21 functions as a determination means for performing a warning determination, and other than that, substantially the same parts as those in the first embodiment are used. In addition, as the types of warnings, for example, "flash flash warning warning", "camera shake caution warning", "out-of-exposure range warning", and "out-of-focus warning" are performed, and these warning judgments are performed by half-press release operation. After that, it is performed at the same time when AE processing and AF processing are being performed. In addition, the "out-of-exposure warning" means that the exposure amount is insufficient even at the brightest exposure setting because the subject brightness is too dark, and the "out-of-focus warning" means that the subject distance is the shooting lens. It warns that the subject is out of the focusable range, and the CPU 21 makes these determinations.

When the warning determination as described above is performed, the CPU 21 displays the warning content on the LCD panel 15 displaying the through image. The flowchart of FIG. 16 shows the sequence of CPU 21 when displaying a warning. When the warning display process starts, the warning content at the time of the previous shooting is first initialized (st201), and then when at least one of both non-flash shooting and flash shooting is judged as a warning. , Set to display a warning (st202). Then, when the same processing is performed for all the warning contents (st203), the warning display as shown in FIG. 17 is performed. In the warning display shown in FIG. 17, marks 102a to 102d indicating "flash flash warning warning", "camera shake caution warning", "out-of-exposure range warning", and "out-of-focus warning", respectively, along with the display of the through image 101. Are displayed respectively. Note that these warning contents are intended for both non-flash shooting and flash shooting, and since a warning is displayed when a warning judgment is made on at least one of them, two images (non-flash shooting and flash) are displayed. It is not necessary to display the warning content of both shooting), and the display area can be reduced. Therefore, by simply checking these marks 102a to 102d, the user can grasp all the warning contents in both non-flash shooting and flash shooting. At this time, the mark 103 (consisting of marks 103a and 103b indicating non-flash and flash, respectively) indicating that the LCD panel 15 is in the special continuous shooting mode, and the aperture calculated by AE processing are displayed in the same screen. Information such as shutter speed and shooting sensitivity may be displayed as information 104a for the first image (non-flash photography) and information 104b for the second image (flash photography). The warning means is not limited to the configuration in which the warning information is displayed as in the above example, and the warning means may be used to give a warning by using a warning means such as voice or characters.

In addition to the configurations of the first to fourth embodiments, the slow synchronization function under the normal shooting mode of the digital camera 2, that is, the shutter speed is switched to a value slower than the normal time and synchronized with the slow shutter speed. When the function of causing the flash to emit light is provided, it is preferable to control the slow synchronization function to stop the shooting when performing the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting under the special continuous shooting mode. As a result, in the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting, the shooting is not performed at a slow shutter speed, and it is possible to prevent blurring from occurring in both shootings.

Further, in addition to the configurations of the first to fourth embodiments, non-flash shooting and flash shooting are performed under the special continuous shooting mode, and non-flash shooting and flash shooting are supported when recording to the memory card 51. It is preferable to add additional information to the image data. In this case, the structure of the image file in which additional information is added to the image data is as shown in FIG. As additional information, for example, Exif format data is used, and the information is written in the Exif tag area of the image data. In the image files 111 and 112 acquired under the special continuous shooting mode shown in FIG. 18, the image data 111a and 112a, the information indicating that the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting were performed, respectively, and the AE processing at that time were used for calculation. The exposure settings and the like are configured as additional information 111b and 112b, respectively, and such image files 111 and 112 are recorded in the memory card 51.

The additional information to be added to the image data is not limited to the above, and may be information content such as the image files 113 and 114 shown in FIG. The image files 113 and 114 acquired under the special continuous shooting mode shown in FIG. 19 are composed of the image data 113a and 114a and the common additional information 115 such as the date and time at that time, respectively. Image files 113 and 114 are recorded on the memory card 51. As a result, it is possible to easily determine that the image data is obtained by continuously performing non-flash photography and flash photography in the same shooting, and it is easy for the user to distinguish the image data from other images when the image is reviewed later.

In the above embodiment, non-flash photography is first performed in response to one release full-press operation, and then flash photography is performed once each, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead, the flash photography may be performed first, and then the non-flash photography may be performed in that order. As a result, it is possible to perform non-flash shooting after making the user and the subject recognize that shooting is being performed by the light emitted during flash shooting. Furthermore, when performing in the order of non-flash shooting and flash shooting, there is a long time lag until a sufficient amount of light is obtained in flash shooting after non-flash shooting, but by performing in the order of flash shooting and non-flash shooting, , The time lag between both shots can be shortened.

Further, the order of non-flash shooting and flash shooting is not performed in the order set in advance, but the order may be changed according to the exposure setting determined before shooting. In this case, for example, of non-flash photography and flash photography, the one with the shorter shutter speed may be taken first with the exposure setting determined by the CPU 21, and then the one with the longer shutter speed may be taken.

Further, as for the number of times of shooting, the images of the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting can be compared by performing the non-flash shooting and the flash shooting at least once each, and at least twice in total. A similar effect can be obtained.

In addition to the configuration of the above embodiment, a digital camera equipped with an auto strobe having a dimming control function as a flash light emitting device can also be used. The block diagram of FIG. 20 shows the configuration of a digital camera to which the sixth embodiment of the present invention provided with this auto strobe is applied. As the digital camera 120 shown in FIG. 20, those using the same parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The auto strobe 121 built into the digital camera 120 is composed of a strobe light emitting circuit 122, a discharge tube 123, a dimming circuit 124, and a dimming sensor 125. When flash photography is performed, the main capacitor in the strobe light emitting circuit 122 is charged by the control signal from the CPU 21, and the synchro signal is input to the light emitting circuit 122 and the dimming circuit 124 in synchronization with the release. In the light emitting circuit 122, the electric charge stored in the main capacitor is sent to the discharge tube 123 by inputting the synchro signal to irradiate the subject with strobe light. The dimming circuit 124 receives a luminance signal corresponding to the brightness of the strobe reflected light from the subject detected by the dimming sensor 125 when the synchronization signal is input and the exposure of the subject by the CCD35 is started. This luminance signal is time-integrated, and when the integrated value reaches a preset threshold value, a stop signal is output to the light emitting circuit 122. When the light emitting circuit 122 receives the stop signal from the dimming circuit 124, the light emitting circuit 122 cuts off the current flowing through the discharge tube 123 and stops the light emitting.

In this embodiment, under the special continuous shooting mode, the CPU 21 is set to perform at least one non-flash shooting and a plurality of flash shootings in succession, and the CPU 21 increases the shooting sensitivity of the CCD35 during flash shooting. Take control. As a result, when flash photography is performed, the amount of light emitted by the auto strobe 121 can be reduced, that is, the charging of the main capacitor can be reduced. Therefore, when flash photography is continuously performed, the time lag between photography can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, the timing at which the auto strobe 121 performs dimming control is not limited to the timing corresponding to the release half-press and full-press, and the shooting ends immediately after the special continuous shooting mode is selected. The dimming control may be started at any timing up to, for example, a predetermined time interval after the special continuous shooting mode is started, or a timing after a predetermined time is set after the immediately preceding shooting. The dimming control may be started with the button to perform flash photography, or the dimming control may be started in response to an input by an operating means other than the release button 16.

Not limited to these, provisional shooting is performed before the main shooting (shooting when acquiring the main image data with a large number of pixels), and dimming control is performed at this time to adjust the light during the main shooting. The time required for control can be shortened. In the seventh embodiment of the present invention described below, a configuration in which dimming control is performed before the main shooting is illustrated. The parts configuration and the like are the same as those of the above-mentioned digital camera 120, and the description thereof will be omitted. When performing special continuous shooting with a digital camera that performs such dimming control, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21, when the power is turned on (st1) and then the special continuous shooting mode is selected (st2), the LCD panel 15 A through image is displayed on (st3). Then, when the release button 16 is pushed down to the half-pressed position (st4), non-flash temporary shooting (st5) and flash temporary shooting (st6) start. It should be noted that light emission for reducing red eyes may be performed immediately before these provisional shootings.

In non-flash temporary shooting (st5), AE processing and AF processing are performed without flashing the auto strobe 121, and the brightness integration value at this time and the position information of the lens 26 with the highest contrast are sent to the CPU 21. send. The CPU 21 determines the exposure setting for non-flash main shooting, which will be described later, from these values. Then, in the flash temporary shooting (st6), the flash emission (pre-flash) controlled by the auto strobe 121 is performed, and the brightness integrated value at this time, the position information of the lens 26 having the highest contrast, and the dimming control are performed. When this is done, the information on the brightness value (strobe reflected light from the subject) received by the dimming sensor 125 is sent to the CPU 21. From these values, the CPU 21 calculates the exposure setting for flash main shooting, which will be described later, and the amount of light emitted by the auto strobe 121 (st7). In addition, when performing these provisional shootings, it is possible to shoot with a smaller number of pixels than in the main shooting to shorten the time.

When the user confirms the through image (st8) and pushes the release button 16 to the fully pressed position (st9), the next moment, the CPU 21 is based on the exposure setting determined during the above-mentioned temporary shooting (st5). Non-flash main shooting is performed by controlling the aperture and shutter speed (st10). Subsequently, the CPU 21 is controlled so that the auto strobe 121 emits light with the amount of light emitted based on the result of the light emission amount calculation (st7) while being controlled by the aperture, shutter speed, etc. based on the exposure setting of the above-mentioned temporary shooting (st6). Control is performed and flash main shooting is performed while synchronizing with this light emission (st11). Then, the confirmation images acquired in the non-flash main shooting and the flash main shooting are displayed (st12), and these images are written to the memory card 51 (st13). Then, when a predetermined number of image data is acquired, shooting under the special continuous shooting mode ends.

In this way, under the special continuous shooting mode, provisional shooting, dimming control, and calculation of the amount of light emission are performed before the non-flash main shooting and the flash main shooting, so that between the non-flash main shooting and the flash shooting. It is not necessary to perform dimming control or the like, and the time lag can be shortened. Further, since the light is emitted before the main shooting, it is possible to make the user and the subject recognize that the shooting has started.

When the temporary shooting is performed before the main shooting, the flash light emission (pre-light emission) at the time of the flash temporary shooting and the light emission for reducing red-eye may be used at the same time. As a result, the difference between the red-eye reduction light emission during the flash temporary shooting and the flash light emission during the flash main shooting becomes large, and a sufficient time is left for the pupils to close, so that a high red-eye reduction effect is obtained during the flash main shooting. Further, since it is not necessary to provide another light emitting means for red-eye reduction light emission, the number of times of light emission can be suppressed and the battery consumption of the digital camera can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, only a real-time through image is displayed as an image displayed on the LCD panel 15 before shooting, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a special continuous shooting mode is used. Before performing the main shooting below, non-flash and flash temporary shooting may be performed, and the preview images acquired by the temporary shooting may be displayed on the LCD panel 15, respectively. This makes it possible to check the preview image before the actual shooting. In addition, the preview image can be displayed quickly by acquiring image data with a small number of pixels (low resolution) during temporary shooting, and the number of pixels is larger during main shooting than during temporary shooting (). It is possible to output image data (with high resolution) and obtain a high-definition image.

Further, in the above embodiment, under the special continuous shooting mode, the warning information displayed before shooting is a warning display indicating that there is a warning in either non-flash shooting or flash shooting. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a warning display indicating that there is a warning in non-flash photography and flash photography may be performed. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, the upper row (the range surrounded by the dotted line 151a) is the information of the first image (non-flash photography), and the lower row (the range surrounded by the dotted line 151b) is the second image (the range surrounded by the dotted line 151b). The information may be flash shooting information. Reference numerals 152a and 152b are shooting information at the time of each shooting, and marks 153a to 153d next to the shooting information indicate the content of each warning. In this way, each shooting Shooting information and warning information can be displayed on the screen to notify the user.

Further, in the above example, warning information is displayed in the screen of the through image display, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 23, the first image (non-flash photography) and the second image are displayed. The preview images of (flash shooting) are acquired and a part of them (for example, near the center) is enlarged to display the partially enlarged images 156a and 156b, respectively, and the shooting information 152a and 152b and the warning information 153a are displayed in the same manner as in the above example. You may want to display ~ 153d. This makes it possible to more reliably know the information of the first shot (non-flash shooting) and the second shot (flash shooting) before the main shooting, and it is possible to confirm by looking at the partially enlarged image. ..

Further, the display of the shooting information and the warning information is not limited to these, and the shooting conditions related to the predetermined order, for example, the first shooting (non-flash shooting in the above embodiment) and the warning information are displayed. You may. As a result, the information content is small, the information can be notified even in a small display area, and a large area for displaying a through image or the like can be taken. Furthermore, instead of displaying the shooting conditions and warning conditions related to shooting in a predetermined order as in the above example, when the CPU (exposure determining means) 21 determines the exposure setting, the shutter speed is set slower. The shooting conditions and warning information related to the shooting of the camera may be displayed. By selecting the shooting with the slower shutter speed, it is possible to display the shooting conditions and warning information related to the shooting for which a warning is likely to occur (camera shake or the like is likely to occur). Further, as shown in FIG. 24, when the CPU (exposure determining means) 21 determines the exposure setting, the shooting information 157 of the one with the slower shutter speed, the first shot (non-flash shooting), and the second shot are taken. Warning information 158a to d (similar to the warning display of the fifth embodiment) when there is a warning at least one of both (flash shooting) shootings may be displayed.

As for the timing of displaying the shooting information and the warning information, for example, as shown in FIG. 25, from the start of the special continuous shooting mode to the end of the shooting of the first shot (flash shooting), the shooting information 161a of the first shot and the shooting information of the first shot are displayed. The warning information 162a may be displayed (Fig. 25 (A)), and the second shooting information 161b and the warning information 162b may be displayed immediately after the first shooting is completed (Fig. 25 (B). )). As a result, since only the information for the next shooting is displayed, the information content is small, the information can be notified even in a small display area, and the area for displaying the through image or the like can be made large. Even if you take 3 or more shots with one release under the special continuous shooting mode, the information of the 3rd shot will be displayed immediately after the 2nd shot is finished, and the information will be displayed in the same way thereafter. Should be done.

The timing of displaying the shooting information and the warning information is not limited to the above, but is displayed immediately after the first shooting, immediately after shooting each frame, or immediately after the special continuous shooting is completed. May be done. Alternatively, immediately after the CPU (exposure determining means) 21 determines the exposure setting, the shooting information and the warning information including the exposure setting may be displayed. This simplifies the screen display before determining the exposure setting, making it easier to check.

In the above embodiment, the shooting information and the warning information are displayed in the screen of the LCD panel 15, but the present invention is not limited to this, and another display means may be provided to display the information.

10 digital camera 15 LCD panel 21 CPU 35 CCD 31 Aperture drive mechanism 51 memory card 53 AE detection circuit