Digital camera

Abstract

The present invention provides a digital camera capable of easily identifying which position a captured image is disposed in a set of images when processing a plurality of images as a set, and capable of studying a composition on the premise of the position of the image being disposed. A digital camera (10) is provided with: an imaging element (21) that captures an image of a subject; a card I / F (41) and a memory card (42) for recording the image acquired by the imaging element (21); a display (22) that displays a preview image recorded in front of the memory card (42); and a control unit (31). The control unit (31) displays the preview image on the display (22), and notifies a user of information relating to an arrangement position when the preview image is recorded and processed as one of the plurality of images included in one group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a digital camera that simulates a half-size camera that records multiple photos in the amount of 1 frame of film. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a camera that uses film and can be switched between a normal shooting mode and a half-frame shooting mode by operating a lever. In this camera, when the half-frame shooting mode is selected for shooting, the left half of the amount of 1 frame (the picture size in normal shooting) of the film is exposed by moving a shutter and supplying a film supply motor to form a first half-frame. After forming the first half-frame in the half-frame shooting mode, when shooting is continued, the film is supplied and the right half of the amount of 1 frame is exposed to form a second half-frame.

[0003] In the camera described in Patent Document 1, when the half-frame shooting mode is set, in addition to the number of shooting frames, a half-frame shooting mode symbol indicating the half-frame shooting mode is also displayed. In this camera, when the half-frame shooting mode is set and only the first half-frame is shot, the left half of the half-frame shooting mode symbol is displayed in black.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-244194

[0005] However, in the camera described in the above Patent Document 1, it is shown that it is in the half-frame shooting mode and the first half-frame in the amount of 1 frame is exposed, but it does not show at which position in the amount of 1 frame the image is formed and which position will be exposed next. Therefore, the technology described in the above Patent Document 1 does not pay attention to at which position the next shot image is arranged.

[0006] Moreover, sometimes the user studies the composition of an image in a state where the image acquired by the imaging element is displayed on an image display unit such as a display, but the technology described in the above Patent Document 1 is a film camera technology, and it is impossible to confirm the composition and arrangement position of the image at the same time, and it is impossible to study the composition of the image on the premise of at which position in the amount of 1 frame the image is arranged.

[0007] Furthermore, in a digital camera, it is possible to record 3 or more images in the amount of 1 frame, but in the camera described in the above Patent Document 1, 3 or more exposures in the amount of 1 frame of the film are not considered. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention has been completed to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a digital camera that can easily identify at which position in a group of images the captured image is arranged when processing multiple images as a group, and can study the composition on the premise of the arrangement position of the image.

[0009] To solve the above problems, the digital camera of the present invention includes an imaging element, an image recording unit, an image display unit, and a processor, and processes a plurality of images recorded in the image recording unit as a group. In the digital camera, the processor displays a preview image on the image display unit, and notifies the user of information related to the arrangement position of the preview image in a group of images when it is processed as one of the plurality of images included in the group. The imaging element captures a subject. The image recording unit records the image acquired by the imaging element. The image display unit displays the preview image acquired by the imaging element before being recorded in the image recording unit.

[0010] Preferably, when the processor acquires a plurality of images included in a group, it arranges and records the plurality of images in a recording medium.

[0011] Preferably, it includes a camera body, and the image display unit is a display provided on the back surface of the camera body.

[0012] Preferably, it includes a camera body, and the image display unit is an electronic viewfinder provided on the camera body.

[0013] Preferably, the processor displays the arrangement position on the image display unit.

[0014] Preferably, the processor displays information indicating the order as the arrangement position, and the order indicates which image among the plurality of images included in the group was the first to be captured.

[0015] Preferably, the processor displays the captured image on the image display unit and also displays the arrangement position on the image display unit.

[0016] Preferably, the processor deletes the image recorded in the image recording unit. When an image is deleted, it calculates the arrangement position based on the number of images that have not been deleted from the image recording unit and have been recorded in the image recording unit, and changes the arrangement of the images processed as a group according to the calculated arrangement position.

[0017] Preferably, the processor transfers a plurality of images processed as a group to an external display device. When transferring to the external display device, it transfers all of the plurality of images processed as a group as one data.

[0018] Preferably, it has a video shooting function, and the processor records the video shot by the video shooting function as one of the plurality of images included in a group in the image recording unit.

[0019] Preferably, the processor switches the arrangement position between a display state and a non-display state.

[0020] Preferably, the processor changes the number of the plurality of images processed as a group.

[0021] Preferably, the processor changes at least one of the size and aspect ratio of the images to be processed as a group.

[0022] Preferably, the processor changes the ratio of the display area for each of the plurality of images to be processed as a group.

[0023] Preferably, when capturing an image and obtaining at least one image as one of the images included in a group, no new image is included in that group, but the newly obtained image is included in another group.

[0024] Preferably, a camera body and a posture detection sensor for detecting the posture of the camera body are provided. When displaying a plurality of images to be processed as a group, the images are displayed according to the posture of the camera body detected when capturing the plurality of images, and information related to the arrangement positions for arranging the plurality of images in the order of capturing the plurality of images is attached.

[0025] Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, when processing a plurality of images as a group, it is possible to easily identify the position where the captured image is arranged in the group of images, and it is possible to study the composition on the premise of the arrangement position of the images. Description of the Drawings

[0027] Figure 1 It is a front-side perspective view of a digital camera.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a rear-side perspective view of a digital camera.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a digital camera.

[0030] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing the structure of a control unit.

[0031] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram when recording an image in half-size mode.

[0032] Figure 6 It is a rear view of a digital camera displaying a preview image and arrangement positions on a display.

[0033] Figure 7 It is an explanatory diagram showing the display of a preview image and arrangement positions (A), the acquisition of a recorded image (B), and the arrangement and recording of the recorded image (C).

[0034] Figure 8 It is a flowchart showing the operation of a digital camera.

[0035] Figure 9 It is a rear view of a digital camera in a first modification.

[0036] Figure 10 It is a rear view of the digital camera in the second modification example.

[0037] Figure 11 It is a rear view of the digital camera in the third modification example.

[0038] Figure 12 It is a rear view of the digital camera in the fourth modification example.

[0039] Figure 13 It is a rear view of the digital camera in the fifth modification example.

[0040] Figure 14 It is an explanatory diagram showing the processing before (A) and after (B) deletion of the image in the sixth modification example.

[0041] Figure 15 It is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of the digital camera in the seventh modification example.

[0042] Figure 16 It is an explanatory diagram when recording the animation in the eighth modification example.

[0043] Figure 17 It is an explanatory diagram when switching the arrangement position in the ninth modification example between display (A) and non-display (B).

[0044] Figure 18 It is an explanatory diagram when switching between the case (A) of arranging two recorded images and the case (B) of arranging one recorded image in the tenth modification example.

[0045] Figure 19 It is an explanatory diagram showing before (A), after changing the aspect ratio (B), and after changing both the aspect ratio and the size (C) of the image size and aspect ratio in the eleventh modification example.

[0046] Figure 20 It is an explanatory diagram when changing the ratio of the display area of the recorded image from the state of 50:50 (A) to the state of 60:40 (B) in the twelfth modification example.

[0047] Figure 21 It is an explanatory diagram showing the state before (A) and after (B) skipping the arrangement of the recorded image in the thirteenth modification example.

[0048] Figure 22 It is a block diagram showing the schematic structure of the digital camera in the fourteenth modification example.

[0049] Figure 23Explanatory diagrams for the recorded images respectively obtained in the case where the digital camera in the 14th modified example is held vertically with the grip side facing upward (A) and in the case where it is held vertically with the grip side facing downward (B).

[0050] Figure 24 Explanatory diagram when recording an image taken by the digital camera in the second embodiment.

[0051] Figure 25 Rear view of the digital camera in the second embodiment.

[0052] Figure 26 Explanatory diagram when recording an image taken by the digital camera in the third embodiment.

[0053] Figure 27 Rear view of the digital camera in the third embodiment.

[0054] Symbol Explanation

[0055] 10, 90, 100 - Digital camera, 11 - Camera body, 11A - Grip, 12 - Lens barrel, 13 - Imaging optical system, 14 - Mode dial, 15 - Release switch, 16 - Power switch, 17 - Lever, 18 - Flash device, 19 - Lighting device, 21 - Imaging element, 22 - Display, 23 - Electronic viewfinder, 31 - Control unit, 32 - Shutter unit, 33 - Shutter motor, 34 - Motor driver, 35 - Image memory, 36 - Bus, 37 - Image data processing unit, 38 - Display driver, 41 - Card I / F (Interface), 42 - Memory card, 43 - Image configuration recording unit, 44 - Configuration position display control unit, 50 - 1-frame amount, 51 - First recorded image, 52 - Second recorded image, 53 - First recorded image, 54 - Second recorded image, 61 - Preview image, 62 - Preview image, 65, 70, 72, 75, 77, 95, 106 - Configuration position, 71 - Position, 73 - Sequential position information, 73A, 73B - Position, 76 - Position, 81 - Communication unit, 82 - External display device, 85 - Second recorded image, 85A - Playback button, 86 - Repeated part, 88 - Posture detection sensor, 91, 92, 93 - Recorded images, 94 - Preview image, 96 - Position, 101 to 104 - Recorded images, 105 - Preview image, 106 - Configuration position, 107 - Position, CL - Central axis. Detailed Embodiments

[0056] [First Embodiment]

[0057] [Outline of the Camera]

[0058] As Figure 1As shown, the digital camera 10 includes a camera body 11 and a lens barrel 12. The camera body 11 has a horizontally long box shape with a length in the left-right direction longer than the length in the up-down direction when viewed from the front.

[0059] When the camera body 11 is viewed from the front, a grip 11A is provided at the left end. The grip 11A has a semi-cylindrical shape connected to the front and back surfaces of the camera body 11 and is shaped for easy gripping by the user. The lens barrel 12 is disposed on the front surface of the camera body 11 and is provided with an imaging optical system 13. The imaging optical system 13 forms an image of subject light on an imaging element 21.

[0060] On the upper surface of the camera body 11, there are provided a mode dial 14, a release switch 15, a power switch 16, a lever 17, etc. The digital camera 10 has full-size mode, half-size mode, still image shooting mode, movie shooting mode, etc., and these modes can be switched, for example, by the mode dial 14.

[0061] On the front surface of the camera body 11, in addition to the lens barrel 12, a flash device 18 and an illumination device 19 are also provided. When the digital camera 10 is in the still image shooting mode and the exposure value of the subject is less than a specified value, or in a forced situation, the flash device 18 irradiates illumination light to the subject in linkage with the shutter release. On the other hand, when the digital camera 10 is in the movie shooting mode, the illumination device 19 always irradiates illumination light to the subject.

[0062] As Figure 2 shown, the lever 17 is provided above the grip 11A. The lever 17 is stacked with the mode dial 14 and the release switch 15. The lever 17 is mounted to be rotatable about the central axis CL of the mode dial 14.

[0063] The lever 17 is used for image transfer operations when a recorded image is displayed on the display 22. For example, by the user repeatedly performing an operation of rotating the lever 17 counterclockwise about the central axis CL, the recorded image displayed on the display 22 can be traced from the latest recorded image in sequence and changed to a past recorded image. Or, by the user repeatedly performing an operation of rotating the lever 17 clockwise about the central axis CL, the recorded image displayed on the display 22 can be advanced from the past recorded images in sequence and changed to a newer recorded image.

[0064] The power switch 16 is a push-button switch and is disposed near the mode dial 14 and the lever 17. According to the pressing of the power switch 16, the power on / off state of the digital camera 10 is alternately switched.

[0065] An imaging element 21 is built in the camera body 11 (refer to Figure 3). The imaging element 21 is held by a bracket (not shown) and fixed to the image plane side of the lens barrel 12. The imaging element 21 has a function of taking still images and moving images, and is, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, or an organic thin film imaging element. The imaging element 21 is a horizontally placed imaging element, that is, when the upper surface of the camera body 11 faces upward in the vertical direction, the length in the vertical direction is shorter than the length in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the imaging element 21 may be a vertically placed imaging element, that is, when the upper surface of the camera body 11 faces upward in the vertical direction, the length is longer than the length in the horizontal direction.

[0066] On the back surface of the camera body 11, a display 22 and an electronic viewfinder 23 are provided. The display 22 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OELD (Organic Electroluminescent Display), etc. The display 22 is used for instant preview display, recorded image display, setting menu display, etc. In the instant preview display, the recorded image obtained by the imaging element 21 capturing the subject is displayed on the display 22 in real time.

[0067] An electronic viewfinder 23 is provided on the upper part of the camera body 11. An instant preview is displayed in the electronic viewfinder 23, and the recorded image obtained by the imaging element 21 capturing the subject is displayed in real time. The electronic viewfinder 23 can be turned on and off as needed and switched to the display on the display 22. Hereinafter, the case where the preview image and the recorded image are displayed on the display 22 will be mainly described.

[0068] [Electrical Configuration of the Camera]

[0069] As Figure 3 shown, the control unit 31 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM (ReadOnly Memory) storing programs or parameters used in the CPU, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) serving as a working memory for the CPU (all not shown), etc., and controls each part of the digital camera 10.

[0070] When a rotation operation is performed on the lever 17, a signal detecting the rotation amount is sent to the control unit 31. Further, the control unit 31 receives a mode switching signal input from the mode dial 14, a release signal input from the release switch 15, and an on / off signal of the power supply input from the power switch 16.

[0071] The shutter unit 32 is, for example, a focal plane shutter and is disposed between the imaging optical system 13 and the imaging element 21. The shutter unit 32 is configured to be able to block the optical path between the imaging optical system 13 and the imaging element 21 and to change between an open state and a closed state. The shutter unit 32 is set to the open state when shooting an instant preview image and a moving image. The shutter unit 32 can change from the open state to the closed state when shooting a still image. In addition, when the shutter unit 32 shoots a preview image in the moving image shooting mode, it operates in the same manner as when shooting a moving image, and when shooting a preview image in the still image shooting mode, it operates in the same manner as when shooting a still image. The shutter unit 32 is driven by a shutter motor 33. The motor driver 34 controls the driving of the shutter motor 33.

[0072] The imaging element 21 is driven and controlled by the control unit 31. The imaging element 21 has a light receiving surface composed of a plurality of pixels (not shown) arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element that photoelectrically converts the subject image formed on the light receiving surface by the imaging optical system 13 to generate a captured image signal.

[0073] In addition, the imaging element 21 includes signal processing circuits such as a noise canceling circuit, an automatic gain controller, and an A / D conversion circuit (all not shown). The noise canceling circuit performs noise cancellation processing on the captured image signal. The automatic gain controller amplifies the level of the captured image signal to an optimal value. The A / D conversion circuit converts the captured image signal into a digital signal and outputs it from the imaging element 21 to the bus 36. The output signal of the imaging element 21 is image data (so-called RAW data) having one color signal for each pixel.

[0074] The image memory 35 stores image data of one frame amount output to the bus 36. The image data processing unit 37 reads image data of one frame amount from the image memory 35 and performs known image processing such as matrix operation, demosaicing processing, γ correction, luminance / chrominance conversion, and resizing processing.

[0075] When the above full-size mode is selected, in the digital camera 10, the entire effective imaging area of the imaging element 21 is used to generate a captured image signal. On the other hand, when the half-size mode is selected, in the digital camera 10, half of the effective imaging area of the imaging element 21 is used to generate a captured image signal. Thus, in the half-size mode, a recorded image having half the size of that captured in the full-size mode can be obtained. In addition, the present invention is not limited thereto. When a plurality of recorded images are arranged in one frame amount for recording, it is sufficient to obtain a recorded image having a reduced size according to the number of recorded images arranged in one frame amount. In addition, the processing for recording a recorded image in the half-size mode will be described later.

[0076] The display driver 38 sequentially inputs image data of one frame amount (full size or half size) that has been subjected to image processing by the image data processing unit 37 to the display 22 or the electronic viewfinder 23. The display 22 sequentially displays an instant preview image, for example, at a predetermined cycle. In addition, the case of displaying a recorded image on the display 22 will be described later.

[0077] The card I / F (Interface) 41 is assembled in a card slot (not shown) provided in the camera body 11 and is electrically connected to the memory card 42 inserted into the card slot. The card I / F 41 and the memory card 42 correspond to the image recording unit in the claims and record the image acquired by the imaging element 21. Specifically, the card I / F 41 stores the image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image data processing unit 37 in the memory card 42. Also, when playing back and displaying the image data stored in the memory card 42, the card I / F 41 reads the image data from the memory card 42. In addition, as the image recording unit, it is not limited to the structure that records on a recording medium such as a memory card, and it can also be a recording device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0078] As Figure 4 shown, the control unit 31 is a processor and realizes the functions of the image arrangement recording unit 43 and the arrangement position display control unit 44 by executing the programs in the in-memory (not shown) programs. The image arrangement recording unit 43 processes a plurality of images recorded in the image recording unit as a group. Specifically, when the imaging element 21 acquires a plurality of recorded images, the image arrangement recording unit 43 executes image arrangement recording processing of arranging a plurality of recorded images in one frame amount and recording them in the image recording unit. "One frame" means, for example, a region where a group of images is arranged on the premise that a plurality of images are acquired for display as a group. In addition, "a group of images" can be a state in which a plurality of images exist as independent data and each data is associated with tag information or the like, or a state in which a plurality of images are aggregated and exist as one data.

[0079] [Image Arrangement Recording Processing]

[0080] As Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, "one frame" refers to the area for acquiring and arranging a set of two displayed recorded images 51 and 52 on the premise of displaying them as a group, and it is an area that simulates the amount of display in a half-size camera that records multiple photos in the amount of one frame of film. When the half-size mode is selected and the image arrangement recording unit 43 performs the image arrangement recording process, the control card I / F 41 arranges two recorded images 51 and 52 in the amount of one frame 50 and records them in the memory card 42. Additionally, without being limited thereto, the image arrangement recording unit 43 may also perform temporary recording in an internal memory (not shown). A specific example of the image arrangement recording process will be described later.

[0081] In addition, when shooting with the imaging element 21 in the full-size mode, one image is recorded in the amount of one frame 50. That is, in the half-size mode, the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52, which have half the size of the full-size mode, are arranged in the amount of one frame 50 and recorded in the memory card 42.

[0082] In addition, in this embodiment, the second recorded image 52 is the recorded image finally shot by the imaging element 21, and the first recorded image 51 is the recorded image shot by the imaging element 21 before shooting the second recorded image 52. And in this embodiment, when the amount of one frame 50 has a landscape aspect ratio, the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52 recorded in the half-size mode have a portrait aspect ratio. For example, as the landscape aspect ratio, the ratio of vertical to horizontal is 16:9, and as the portrait aspect ratio, the ratio of vertical to horizontal is set to 9:16.

[0083] When displaying a preview image on the display 22 as the image display unit, the arrangement position display control unit 44 notifies the user of information related to the arrangement position of the preview image in the group of images when it is processed as one of the multiple images (the recorded images 51 and 52 in this embodiment) included in the group and recorded in the image recording unit. "When being processed" is a hypothetical representation of the situation where the preview image is processed as one of the multiple images included in the group and recorded in the image recording unit. Actually, it is the notification of the arrangement position in the group of images in the state before being recorded in the image recording unit. In this embodiment, after the preview image is displayed, when a release operation is performed and the recorded images acquired by the imaging element 21 and recorded in the image recording unit and processed as a group are played back, the arrangement position display control unit 44 performs the arrangement position display control process to display the arrangement position indicating the position arranged in the amount of one frame. And when the arrangement position display control unit 44 performs the arrangement position display control process, it controls the display driver 38 and overlays and displays the arrangement position on the preview image. Thereby, the user can be notified of the arrangement position. A specific example of the arrangement position display control process will be described later.

[0084] [Preview Image Display Processing and Configuration Position Display Control Processing]

[0085] The display 22 displays the image acquired by the imaging element 21. In Figure 6 the example shown, the display 22 displays the preview image 61. Additionally, in this specification, a "preview image" refers to an image acquired by the imaging element 21 and before being recorded in the image recording unit (excluding the temporary recording in the image memory 35), and can be a still image or an animation (including the case of live preview display). Also, preferably, the "preview image" has lower image quality and lower resolution compared to the "recorded image" captured by the imaging element 21 and recorded in the image recording unit.

[0086] In the half-size mode, after the preview image is displayed on the display 22 and the release switch 15 is pressed, as described above, the image configuration recording unit 43 configures the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52 in the 1-frame quantity 50 and records them in the memory card 42. Additionally, in this case, during the period from shooting the first recorded image 51 to shooting the last second recorded image 52, only the first recorded image 51 can be temporarily recorded in the image memory 35 or the memory card 42.

[0087] As described above, the configuration position display control unit 44 causes the preview image to be displayed on the display 22 and also displays the configuration position 65, which indicates the position configured in the 1-frame quantity 50 when playing back the recorded image acquired by the imaging element 21 after the preview image is displayed. In this embodiment, as the configuration position 65, characters marked with the character "R" indicating the right side in the 1-frame quantity 50 or the character "L" indicating the left side are displayed. Additionally, the types of characters used in the configuration position 65 are not limited to this, as long as they are characters indicating the position. In Figure 6 the example shown, through the configuration position display control unit 44, the configuration position 65 marked with "L" indicating the left side is overlapped with the preview image 61 and displayed on the display 22.

[0088] As Figure 7 shown in (A), the configuration position 65 is overlapped with the preview images 61, 62 and displayed on the display 22. Additionally, the preview image 61 is the preview image before shooting the first recorded image 51, while the preview image 62 is the preview image before shooting the second recorded image 52.

[0089] As Figure 7As shown in (B), after the preview image 61 is displayed and a release operation is performed, the imaging element 21 acquires the first recorded image 51 with the same subject and viewing angle as the preview image 61. On the other hand, after the preview image 62 is displayed and a release operation is performed, the second recorded image 52 is obtained with the same subject and viewing angle as the preview image 62. In addition, the images recorded in the image recording unit (the recorded images 51 and 52 in the present embodiment) may not be exactly the same as the preview images. This is because it is arbitrary which preview image the user observes and at which time the release operation is performed, and in practice, exactly the same situation is rare.

[0090] As Figure 7 As shown in (C), after the preview image 61 with the configuration position 65 marked with "L" indicating the left side is overlapped and displayed, the captured first recorded image 51 is arranged on the left side of the 1-frame amount 50. On the other hand, after the preview image 62 with the configuration position 65 marked with "R" indicating the right side is overlapped and displayed, the captured second recorded image 52 is arranged on the right side of the 1-frame amount 50 and recorded in the memory card 42.

[0091] Next, the operation when shooting a half-size still image using the digital camera 10 according to the present invention will be described using the Figure 8 flowchart shown. When the user operates the power switch 16 to set it to the power-on state and operates the mode dial 14 to switch to the half-size mode and the still image shooting mode (ST110), the control unit 31 drives the imaging element 21 to acquire the preview image 61 (ST120).

[0092] The control unit 31 (configuration position display control unit 44) causes the preview image 61 to be displayed on the display 22, and the configuration position 65 marked with "L" is overlapped and displayed on the display 22, where "L" is the position where the first recorded image 51 acquired by the imaging element 21 is arranged in the 1-frame amount 50 when playing back (ST130). After the preview image 61 is displayed, when the release switch 15 is pressed, the imaging element 21 shoots the first recorded image 51 with the same subject and viewing angle as the preview image 61 (ST140). After the first recorded image 51 is temporarily recorded in the image memory 35 or the memory card 42, the control unit 31 drives the imaging element 21 to acquire the preview image 62 (ST150).

[0093] The control unit 31 (configuration position display control unit 44) causes the preview image 62 to be displayed on the display 22, and also superimposes and displays the configuration position 65 marked with "R" on the display 22, where "R" is the position configured in one frame amount 50 when playing back the second recorded image 52 acquired by the imaging element 21 (ST160). After the preview image 62 is displayed, when the release switch 15 is pressed, the imaging element 21 captures the second recorded image 52 with the same subject and perspective as the preview image 62 (ST170). The control unit 31 (image configuration recording unit 43) configures the first recorded image 51 on the left side of one frame amount 50, and configures the second recorded image 52 on the right side of one frame amount 50 and records them in the memory card 42 (ST180).

[0094] Also, when continuing recording in the half-size mode and the still image shooting mode (Yes in ST190), the control unit 31 starts acquiring the preview image 61 of the imaging element 21 (ST120). The display of the preview image 61 and the configuration position 65 (ST130), the shooting of the first recorded image 51 (ST140), the acquisition of the preview image 62 (ST150), the display of the preview image 62 and the configuration position 65 (ST160), the shooting of the second recorded image 52 (ST170), and the action of configuring and recording the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52 in one frame amount 50 (ST180) are repeated. If the recording in the half-size mode and the still image shooting mode ends (No in ST190), the acquisition of the preview image and the display process of the configuration position also end.

[0095] As described above, in the digital camera 10, the preview image is displayed on the display 22, and the configuration position 65 in the group of images when the preview image is recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of the multiple images included in one group is displayed. Thus, the user can easily identify which positions the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52 are configured in one frame amount 50, and can study the composition on the premise of the configuration positions of the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52. Also, since the display 22 provided on the back of the camera body 11 is used as the image display unit, the user can easily visually recognize the preview images 61, 62. And since the configuration position 65 is superimposed and displayed on the preview images 61, 62 displayed on the display 22, the configuration position 65 can be visually recognized while visually recognizing the preview images 61, 62. Therefore, it is possible to further easily identify which positions the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52 captured after the preview image is displayed are configured in the group of images, and to study the composition on the premise of the configuration positions of the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52.

[0096] [First Modified Example]

[0097] In the above-described first embodiment, an example is shown in which, as the arrangement position displayed by the arrangement position display control unit 44, characters marked with the character "R" indicating the right side or the character "L" indicating the left side in the 1-frame amount 50 are displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in Figure 9 , an image indicating the position in the 1-frame amount 50 where the recorded image is arranged may be displayed as the arrangement position 70.

[0098] In Figure 9 , the arrangement position 70 becomes a diagram in which the position 71 (the shaded portion) indicating the left side in the 1-frame amount 50 is filled. Thus, when the recorded image acquired by the imaging element 21 after the preview image 61 is displayed is recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of the plurality of images included in one group, for example, it indicates the left side within the 1-frame amount 50 when the recorded image is played back and displayed. And when the recorded image acquired by the imaging element 21 after the preview image is displayed is recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of the plurality of images included in one group and is arranged on the right side within the 1-frame amount 50, the arrangement position 70 becomes a diagram in which the position indicating the right side in the 1-frame amount 50 is filled. With the above structure, the preview image is displayed and the arrangement position 70 is displayed, whereby the user can easily identify the position in the 1-frame amount where the recorded image acquired by the imaging element 21 after the preview image is displayed is arranged, and can study the composition on the premise of the arrangement positions of the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52. In addition, as the display of the arrangement position 70, it is not limited to this, and the position where the recorded image is arranged may be made to blink in the 1-frame amount, or the brightness may be adjusted to emphasize (highlight) the display.

[0099] [Second Modification Example]

[0100] As the arrangement position displayed by the arrangement position display control unit 44, it is not limited to a diagram indicating the arrangement position 65 in the group of images when the image is recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of the plurality of images included in one group. As shown in Figure 10 , information indicating the order, which indicates which recorded image the recorded image is among the plurality of images included in one group, may be displayed as the arrangement position 72.

[0101] In Figure 10In the example shown, the arrangement position 72 is marked with the sequential number "1", indicating that it is the first captured recorded image among a plurality of images included in one group. Thus, it indicates that the recorded image acquired by the imaging element 21 after the preview image 61 is displayed is arranged as the first one within the one-frame amount 50 during playback. Further, in the case where the recorded image acquired by the imaging element 21 after the preview image is displayed is arranged as the second one within the one-frame amount 50 during playback, the arrangement position 72 is marked with the sequential number "2", indicating that it is the second captured recorded image among a plurality of images included in one group. Further, in the case of this modification example, sequential position information indicating the relationship between the sequence and the position can also be marked, where the sequence indicates which one it is among a plurality of images included in one group. In Figure 10 In the example shown, sequential position information 73 is marked on the camera body 11 of the digital camera 10. The sequential position information 73 is set at a position that comes into the field of view of a user viewing the display 22.

[0102] In the one-frame amount 50, the sequential position information 73 is marked with the number "1" at the position 73A indicating the left side and the number "2" at the position 73B indicating the right side. Thus, when the user views the preview image and then views the recorded image acquired by the imaging element 21, which is recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group, the user can easily recognize that the first one is arranged on the left side and the second one is arranged on the right side. Therefore, by displaying the preview image and the arrangement position 72, the user can easily recognize at which position in the group of images the recorded image captured after the preview image is arranged, and can study the composition on the premise of the arrangement positions of the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52.

[0103] [Third Modification Example]

[0104] In the above-described first embodiment and each modification example, the arrangement position display control unit 44 displays the preview image and overlays and displays the arrangement position when the image is processed as one of a plurality of images recorded in the image recording unit and included in one group on the preview images 61 and 62 on the display 22. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and as shown in Figure 11 it is also possible to separately provide the display of the arrangement position 75 from the display 22.

[0105] In Figure 11In the example shown, as the configuration position 75, there is a display lamp provided separately from the display 22, and in one frame quantity 50, it indicates that the position 76 on the left side (the hatched portion) emits light. Thus, it indicates that when the recorded image acquired by the imaging element 21 after the preview image 61 is displayed is recorded in the image recording unit and is processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group, it is arranged on the left side within one frame quantity 50. Additionally, it is preferable that the display lamp of the display configuration position 75 is arranged at a position near enough to be visually recognized by the user when the user visually recognizes the display 22. And when the recorded image acquired by the imaging element 21 after the preview image is displayed is recorded in the image recording unit and is processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group and is arranged on the right side within one frame quantity 50, as the configuration position 75, it is only necessary to make the position indicating the right side emit light in one frame quantity 50. With the above structure, the same effects as those of the first embodiment and each modification example described above can be obtained.

[0106] [Fourth Modification Example]

[0107] In the first embodiment and each modification example described above, the display 22 provided on the back surface of the camera body 11 is used as the image display unit for displaying the preview image, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it may be as Figure 12 shown, and the electronic viewfinder 23 provided on the camera body 11 may be used. The electronic viewfinder 23 is located, for example, at a position higher than the display 22 and near the upper end of the camera body 11. Additionally, Figure 12 the inside of the circular shape indicated by the double-dot chain line represents the display of the preview image and the configuration position that can be visually recognized when the user peeks into the electronic viewfinder 23.

[0108] In Figure 12 the example shown, the electronic viewfinder 23 displays the preview image 61 obtained by the imaging element 21 photographing the subject. Similarly to the first embodiment described above, the configuration position display control unit 44 causes the preview image to be displayed on the electronic viewfinder 23 and also displays the configuration position 65, which indicates the position where the recorded image is arranged within one frame quantity 50 when it is recorded in the image recording unit and is processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group. In Figure 12In the example shown, by configuring the position display control unit 44, the configuration position 65 marked with "L" indicating the left side overlaps the preview image 61 and is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 23. Further, when the recorded image obtained by the imaging element 21 after the preview image is displayed is recorded in the image recording unit and is processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group and is located on the right side within one frame amount 50, it is sufficient to display the configuration position 65 marked with "R" indicating the right side. And not limited thereto, as the configuration position displayed on the electronic viewfinder 23, it may be a diagram showing the position where the recorded image is configured among a plurality of images included in one group as in the first modification example described above, or may be information indicating the order of the recorded image which is the nth one taken among a plurality of images included in one group as shown in the second modification example. Or, as in the third modification example, as the display of the configuration position, it may be a display lamp provided separately from the electronic viewfinder. With the above structure, the same effects as those of the first embodiment and each modification example described above can be obtained.

[0109] [Fifth Modification Example]

[0110] In the first embodiment and each modification example described above, the preview image is displayed on the image display unit (the display 22 or the electronic viewfinder 23), but the recorded image that has been taken by the imaging element 21 is not displayed. The present invention is not limited thereto, and the recorded image that has been taken may be displayed on the image display unit, or as Figure 13 shown, the recorded image that has been taken may be displayed on the image display unit, and the configuration position may be displayed on the image display unit.

[0111] In Figure 13 the example shown, the first recorded image 51 and the configuration position 77 are displayed on the display 22 serving as the image display unit. In this case, the display 22 is sized and has an aspect ratio that can accommodate the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image in accordance with one frame amount 50 recorded in the recording medium, and the first recorded image 51 has been taken. Further, the taken first recorded image 51 is displayed on the left side of the display 22, and the configuration position 77 (the hatched portion) is displayed on the right side of the display 22. Thereby, it indicates that when the first recorded image 51 taken by the imaging element 21 is recorded in the image recording unit and is processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group, it is located on the left side within one frame amount 50, and the second recorded image 52 taken subsequently by the imaging element 21 is located on the right side within one frame amount 50 during playback.

[0112] In addition, as the arrangement position 77, without being limited thereto, the right side of the display 22 may be set to a blank state (a state where the image is not displayed and it is filled with one color), or a preview image may be displayed on the right side of the display 22. Also, it may be shown that before the first recorded image 51 is taken, the arrangement position 77 is displayed on the left side of the display 22, and then the taken first recorded image 51 is arranged on the left side within one frame amount 50. With the above structure, the user can obtain the same effects as those of the above-described first embodiment and each modification example.

[0113] [Sixth Modification Example]

[0114] In the above-described first embodiment and each modification example, an example is given in which a recorded image is acquired by the imaging element 21 and recorded in the image recording unit, and when it is processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group, two recorded images are arranged in each frame amount. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it may also have a deletion function for deleting a recorded image. When a recorded image is deleted, the arrangement position is calculated based on the number of recorded images that have not been deleted from the image recording unit, that is, the remaining recorded images that have been completely recorded, and the arrangement of the recorded images processed as one group is changed. In the case of this modification example, the control unit 31 has a deletion function for deleting a recorded image from the memory card 42 via the control card I / F 41.

[0115] In Figure 14 In the example shown in (A), the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52 (processed as one group) arranged in one frame amount 50, and the first recorded image 53 and the second recorded image 54 (processed as one group) taken after the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52 and arranged in one frame amount 50 are recorded in the memory card 42. In this example, the second recorded image 54 is the last recorded image.

[0116] In Figure 14 In the example shown in (B), the second recorded image 52 is deleted by the deletion function of the control unit 31. And in this case, the control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) calculates the arrangement position based on the number of recorded images 51, 53, 54 that have not been deleted from the memory card 42 and have been completely recorded in the memory card 42, and changes the arrangement of the recorded images 51, 53, 54 processed as one group according to the calculated arrangement position. That is, since the second recorded image 52 (processed as one group) arranged in one frame amount 50 is deleted, only the position of the recorded images of this amount is compressed, and the first recorded image 51 and the first recorded image 53 are arranged in one frame amount 50, and the second recorded image 54 is arranged in another frame amount 50. In the frame amount 50 in which the second recorded image 54 is arranged, the next recorded image taken can be arranged and recorded, or a blank where no recorded image is arranged can be arranged.

[0117] [Seventh Modification Example]

[0118] A case of transmitting a recorded image from the digital camera 10 to an external display device will be described. In this case, as Figure 15 shown, the digital camera 10 is provided with a communication unit 81. The communication unit 81 communicates with the external display device 82 by wire or wirelessly. The external display device 82 is a display device such as a display monitor, a smart phone, or a personal computer that has a display screen and a communication function. When transmitting the recorded image to the external display device 82, the communication unit 81 transmits all of the plurality of recorded images that are processed as a group (in the above-described first embodiment, the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image 52) as one data. Thus, in the external display device 82, it is possible to play back and display all of the plurality of recorded images (processed as a group) arranged in one frame amount 50.

[0119] [Eighth Modification Example]

[0120] In the above-described first embodiment and each modification example, an example in which a still image is captured by the imaging element 21 and recorded in the image recording unit has been shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can also be applied to a case where a moving image is captured by the imaging element 21. In this case, as Figure 16 shown, among the two recorded images (processed as a group) arranged in one frame amount 50, the right-side second recorded image 85 is a moving image. Also, similar to the above-described first embodiment and each modification example, the left-side first recorded image 51 may be a still image or a moving image. In this way, the control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) records the moving image captured by the moving image shooting function as one of the plurality of images included in one group in the image recording unit.

[0121] When the digital camera 10 switches to the half-size mode and the moving image shooting mode, the second recorded image 85 is a moving image captured by the imaging element 21, and when the preview image is displayed, the arrangement positions are overlapped and displayed. Therefore, the same effects as those of the above-described first embodiment and each modification example can be obtained. Also, when playing back the second recorded image 85 that is a moving image, it is possible to perform moving image playback by operating an operation button (not shown) provided on the digital camera 10 or by touching a playback button 85A that is overlapped and displayed on the second recorded image 85 via a touch panel (not shown).

[0122] [Ninth Modification Example]

[0123] In the above-described respective embodiments, the preview image is displayed on the image display unit, and the arrangement positions 65, 70, 72, 75, 77 are always displayed, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and as Figure 17 shown, the arrangement position 65 may be in a display state (refer to Figure 17 (A)) and a non-display state (refer toFigure 17 switch between (B)). In this case, the control unit 31 switches the display state and non-display state of the arrangement position 65 according to an operation of an operation button (not shown) or a touch panel (not shown) provided in the digital camera 10. Further, in this case, the display of the arrangement position is not limited to the same display as in the first embodiment described above, and may be the same as any of the modified examples.

[0124] [Tenth Modified Example]

[0125] In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples described above, the number of recorded images recorded in the image recording unit and processed as a group is specified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of recorded images (processed as a group) arranged in one frame amount can also be changed according to a user's operation input. In this modified example, for example, it is possible to switch between a case where two recorded images (the first recorded image 51 and the second recorded image) are arranged in one frame amount 50 as shown in Figure 18 (A) and a case where one recorded image (the first recorded image 51) is arranged in one frame amount 50 as shown in Figure 18 (B). In this case, the control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) changes the number of recorded images arranged in one frame amount according to an operation of an operation button (not shown) or a touch panel (not shown) provided in the digital camera 10. Further, when only one recorded image is arranged in one frame amount 50, the remaining space may be set to a blank state, or a preset template image or the like may be inserted.

[0126] [Eleventh Modified Example]

[0127] In the first embodiment and each of the modified examples described above, the image size and aspect ratio of the recorded images (processed as a group) arranged in one frame amount are specified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in Figure 19 , the image size and aspect ratio of the recorded images (processed as a group) arranged in one frame amount when processed as one of the multiple images included in one group and recorded in the image recording unit can be changed. In this case, the control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) changes the image size and aspect ratio of the recorded images arranged in one frame amount according to an operation of an operation button (not shown) or a touch panel (not shown) provided in the digital camera 10. Figure 19 (A) represents the state before the change, Figure 19 (B) represents the state after the aspect ratio is changed, Figure 19 (C) represents the state after the aspect ratio and size are changed.

[0128] Specifically, Figure 19(A) Similar to the first embodiment described above, two recording images 51 and 52 are arranged in a frame amount 50 without gaps. The frame amount 50 is set, for example, to an aspect ratio of 16:9, and the recording images 51 and 52 are set to an aspect ratio of 9:16, which is the opposite value. On the other hand, in Figure 19 (B), for example, the widths of the recording images 51 and 52 remain unchanged, and the aspect ratio becomes 1:1. Therefore, in the frame amount 50, there are gaps above and below the recording images 51 and 52. And in Figure 19 (C), for example, the widths of the recording images 51 and 52 are set to 1.2 times, and the aspect ratio becomes 1:1. Therefore, in order to fit into the frame amount 50, a part of the recording images 51 and 52 becomes a repeated part 86 (the shaded part), and there are gaps below the recording image 51 and above the recording image 52.

[0129] [12th modification example]

[0130] In the first embodiment and each modification example described above, the ratio of the display areas of a plurality of recording images to be processed as a group has been specified, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in Figure 20 , when being processed as one of a plurality of images recorded in the image recording unit and included in a group, the ratio of the display areas of a plurality of recording images (processed as a group) arranged in the frame amount 50 can be changed. In this case, the control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) changes the ratio of the display areas of a plurality of recording images arranged in the frame amount according to an operation of an operation button (not shown) or a touch panel (not shown) provided on the digital camera 10. Figure 20 (A) shows a state where the ratio of the display areas of the recording images 51 and 52 is 50:50. Figure 20 (B) shows a state where the ratio of the display areas of the recording images 51 and 52 is 60:40.

[0131] And by combining the 11th modification example and the 12th modification example, as a result, it is possible to change from a state where a plurality of recording images are arranged in the frame amount 50 to a state where only one recording image is arranged. In this case, for example, if changing from a state where two recording images are arranged in the frame amount 50 and the ratio of the display areas is 50:50, changing the size and aspect ratio of the recording images, and setting the ratio of the display areas to 100:0, it becomes a state where one recording image is arranged in the frame amount 50.

[0132] [13th modification example]

[0133] In the first embodiment and each modification example described above, for a plurality of images to be processed as a group, a specified number of recording images are acquired, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in Figure 21As shown in (A), when taking a recorded image and at least one recorded image 51 is obtained as one of the images included in one group, no new image is included in this one group, while the newly obtained image is included in another group. That is, when being processed as one of the multiple images included in one group and recorded in the image recording unit, it is not necessary to arrange the recorded image at the remaining positions of one frame amount 50, but as shown in Figure 21 (B), a new recorded image is arranged in another one frame amount 50. That is, the control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) is set to a state of skipping the arrangement of the recorded image. In this case, the control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) is set to a state of skipping the arrangement of the recorded image according to the operation of an operation button (not shown) or a touch panel (not shown) provided on the digital camera 10, etc.

[0134] In addition, as shown in Figure 21 (A), in one frame amount 50, it is possible not to arrange the recorded image but to leave the remaining space in a blank state, or to insert a preset template image, etc. And in Figure 21 (B), after skipping the arrangement of the recorded image, recorded images 52 and 53 are arranged in another one frame amount 50.

[0135] [14th Modification Example]

[0136] In the above first embodiment, regardless of the posture of the camera body 11, the recorded images obtained by the imaging element 21 and processed as one group are arranged in this one group of images. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to detect the posture of the camera body 11 and arrange the recorded images according to the posture of the camera body 11 and the shooting order. In this modification example, as shown in Figure 22 , the digital camera 10 is equipped with a posture detection sensor 88. The posture detection sensor 88 detects the posture of the camera body 11, for example, using a gyro sensor, etc.

[0137] In this modification example, when the control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) displays the multiple recorded images (processed as one group) arranged in one frame amount 50, when multiple recorded images are taken, the recorded images are displayed according to the posture of the camera body 11 detected by the posture detection sensor 88, and relevant information on the arrangement positions of the multiple recorded images within one frame amount 50 is attached according to the shooting order of the multiple recorded images.

[0138] In Figure 23In (A), a state in which vertical shooting is performed with the digital camera 10 is illustrated (the longitudinal direction of the camera body 11 is arranged along the vertical direction), and the case where the grip 11A side is located above. Through the posture detection sensor 88, it is detected that the grip 11A side is located above. The control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) attaches the following information, that is, records the posture of the camera body 11 with the grip 11A side located above and the shooting order, and based on this, configures and records the relevant information of the arrangement positions of the recorded images 51 and 52 in the 1-frame amount 50.

[0139] Specifically, in the posture of the camera body 11 with the grip 11A side located above, the 1-frame amount 50 is configured to have a vertical aspect ratio, and the recorded images 51 and 52 have a horizontal aspect ratio. And, the first-recorded image 51 is arranged on the lower side of the 1-frame amount 50, and the last-recorded image 52 is arranged on the upper side of the 1-frame amount 50. Information related to such arrangement positions is recorded in the recording medium, for example, as one of the tag information attached to the recorded images. Additionally, in Figure 23 (A) and Figure 23 (B), the arrangement position 70 is shown at the position 71 (the hatched part) indicating the lower side in the 1-frame amount 50.

[0140] On the other hand, in Figure 23 (B), a state in which vertical shooting is performed and the grip 11A side is located below is illustrated. Through the posture detection sensor 88, it is detected that the grip 11A side is located below. The control unit 31 (image arrangement recording unit 43) attaches the following information, that is, records the posture of the camera body 11 with the grip 11A side located below and the shooting order, and based on this, configures and records the relevant information of the arrangement positions of the recorded images 51 and 52 in the 1-frame amount 50. Specifically, in the posture of the camera body 11 with the grip 11A side located below, the 1-frame amount 50 is configured to have a vertical aspect ratio, and the recorded images 51 and 52 have a horizontal aspect ratio. And, the first-recorded image 51 is arranged on the lower side of the 1-frame amount 50, and the last-recorded image 52 is arranged on the upper side of the 1-frame amount 50. With the above structure, regardless of the posture of the camera body 11, the recorded images are arranged in the orientation and order at the time of shooting by the imaging element 21, so there is no sense of incongruity, and the recorded images can be obtained in the configuration desired by the user.

[0141] [Second Embodiment]

[0142] In the above first embodiment and each modification, when being processed as one of the multiple images included in a group and recorded in the image recording unit, two recorded images 51 and 52 are arranged in the 1-frame amount 50 and recorded in the recording medium, but the present invention is not limited to this, as Figure 24As shown, when being processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group and recorded in the image recording unit, three recorded images 91, 92, and 93 can also be arranged in a frame amount 50 and recorded in the recording medium. In addition, Figure 25 shows an example of the digital camera 90 to which this embodiment is applied. And, in Figure 24 , an example is given in which a plurality of recorded images are recorded in the memory card 42 as the recording medium in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, but it is not limited thereto, and they can also be recorded in an internal memory provided in the digital camera 90 or the like. And, in the digital camera 90, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures as those of the digital camera 10 in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0143] In this embodiment, the image arrangement recording unit 43 executes an image arrangement recording process. When being processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group and recorded in the image recording unit, the three recorded images 91, 92, and 93 are arranged horizontally in a frame amount 50 in the order of being captured by the imaging element 21 and recorded in the recording medium. Among the three recorded images 91, 92, and 93, the recorded image 91 is the first captured recorded image, the recorded image 92 is the recorded image captured after the recorded image 91, and the recorded image 93 is the recorded image captured after the recorded image 92.

[0144] As Figure 25 shown, in the digital camera 90 of this embodiment, in the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode, a preview image 94 is displayed on the display 22. And, when the preview image 94 is displayed on the display 22, when the recorded images 91, 92, and 93 captured and recorded in the recording medium after the display of the preview image 94 are recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group, the configuration position display control unit 44 executes the following configuration position display control process, that is, a configuration position 95 indicating the position configured within a frame amount 50 is displayed. In Figure 25 the example shown, after the preview image 94 is displayed, the captured recorded image is the second captured recorded image 92, and a position 96 (hatched portion) indicating the center in a frame amount 50 is displayed on the configuration position 95.

[0145] As described above, by displaying a preview image and the arrangement position 95 when the preview image is recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of the multiple recorded images 91, 92, 93 included in one group, the user can easily identify which positions among the recorded images 91, 92, 93 taken after the display of the preview image are arranged in the one-frame amount 50, and can study the composition on the premise of the arrangement positions of the recorded images 91, 92, 93. Further, since the image display unit for displaying the preview image uses the display 22 and the arrangement position 95 is overlapped and displayed on the preview image displayed on the display 22, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, regarding the display of the arrangement position and the recorded image, etc., the same configurations as those of the above-described respective modification examples can be combined.

[0146] [Third Embodiment]

[0147] When recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of the multiple images included in one group, the number of recorded images arranged in the one-frame amount 50 is not limited to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the respective modification examples, and may be as Figure 26 shown. When recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of the multiple images included in one group, four recorded images 101 to 104 are arranged in the one-frame amount 50 and recorded on the recording medium. Further, Figure 27 FIG. 10 shows an example of a digital camera 100 to which the present embodiment is applied. Further, in Figure 26 , an example is given in which a plurality of recorded images are recorded in the memory card 42 as the recording medium, similarly to the first embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the recorded images may be recorded in an internal memory provided in the digital camera 100 or the like. In the digital camera 100, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0148] In the present embodiment, when the image arrangement recording unit 43 records an image in the image recording unit and processes the image as one of the multiple images included in one group, the image arrangement recording unit 43 performs an image arrangement recording process of arranging four recorded images 101 to 104 in a matrix in the one-frame amount 50 in the order in which they are captured by the imaging element 21 and recording the arranged images on the recording medium. Among the four recorded images 101, the recorded image 101 is the first captured recorded image, the recorded image 102 is the recorded image captured after the recorded image 101, the recorded image 103 is the recorded image captured after the recorded image 102, and the recorded image 104 is the recorded image captured after the recorded image 103.

[0149] As Figure 27As shown, in the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, a preview image 105 is displayed on the display 22 in the still image shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode. Further, when the preview image 105 is displayed on the display 22, when the recorded images 101 to 104 that are shot and recorded in the recording medium after the display of the preview image 105 are recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of a plurality of images included in one group, the arrangement position display control unit 44 executes the following arrangement position display control process, that is, displays an arrangement position 106 indicating the position arranged within one frame amount 50. In Figure 27 In the example shown, after the preview image 105 is displayed, the recorded image that is shot is the third recorded image 103, and the arrangement position 106 displays a position 107 (hatched portion) indicating the lower right in the one frame amount 50.

[0150] As described above, by displaying the preview image and the arrangement position 106 when the preview image is recorded in the image recording unit and processed as one of the plurality of recorded images 101 to 104 included in one group, the user can easily recognize in which position within the one frame amount 50 the recorded images 101 to 104 shot after the display of the preview image are arranged, and can study the composition on the premise of the arrangement positions of the recorded images 101 to 104. Further, since the display 22 is used as the image display unit that displays the preview image, and the arrangement position 106 is superimposed and displayed on the preview image displayed on the display 22, the same effects as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above can be obtained. And, similarly to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, regarding the display of the arrangement position and the recorded image, etc., the same structures as those of the above-described respective modification examples can be combined.

[0151] In each of the above embodiments, the hardware structure of the processing unit (processing unit) that executes various processes such as the control unit 31 is various processors as follows. The various processors include a general-purpose processor that executes software (program) to function as various processing units, that is, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., which are programmable logic devices whose circuit structure can be changed after manufacturing, and a dedicated circuit which is a processor having a circuit structure designed specifically for executing various processes.

[0152] One processing unit may be constituted by one of these various processors, or may be constituted by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (such as a combination of multiple FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, or a combination of a CPU and a GPU). Also, one processor may constitute multiple processing units. As an example of constituting multiple processing units by one processor, first, there is a mode in which, represented by a computer such as a client or a server, one processor is constituted by a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Second, there is a mode of using a processor in which, represented by a system on chip (SoC) or the like, the functions of an entire system including multiple processing units are realized by one IC (integrated circuit) chip. In this way, various processing units are constituted by using one or more of the above various processors as a hardware structure.

[0153] Moreover, more specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is a circuitry in the form of a combination of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0154] In each of the above embodiments, a digital camera in which the imaging optical system 13 is fixed to the camera body 11 is illustrated, but it is not limited thereto, and it can also be applied to a lens replacement type digital camera in which the imaging optical system can be replaced relative to the camera body. In addition, in each of the above embodiments, a lens barrel 12 without a zoom lens is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can also be configured such that the imaging optical system 13 includes a zoom lens. Further, the present invention can be applied to cameras such as smartphones and video cameras in addition to the above digital cameras.

Claims

1. A digital camera, comprising: An imaging element that captures a subject; An image recording unit that records an image acquired by the imaging element; An image display unit that displays a preview image acquired by the imaging element and before being recorded in the image recording unit; And A processor, The digital camera processes a plurality of images recorded in the image recording unit as a group, wherein The processor performs the following processing: Displays the preview image on the image display unit; And Informs the user of information related to the arrangement position of the preview image in the group of images when the preview image is recorded in the image recording unit and is processed as one of the plurality of images included in the group.

2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein When the processor acquires the plurality of images included in the group, the processor records the plurality of images in a recording medium.

3. The digital camera according to claim 1, comprising a camera body, The image display unit is a display provided on the back of the camera body.

4. The digital camera according to claim 1, comprising a camera body, The image display unit is an electronic viewfinder provided on the camera body.

5. The digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The processor displays the arrangement position on the image display unit.

6. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein The processor displays information indicating the order as the arrangement position, and the order indicates which image among the plurality of images included in the group is the image that was captured first.

7. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein The processor displays the captured image on the image display unit and displays the arrangement position on the image display unit.

8. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein The processor deletes the image recorded in the image recording unit, When the image is deleted, the processor calculates the arrangement position based on the number of images that have not been deleted from the image recording unit and have been recorded in the image recording unit, and changes the arrangement of the images processed as the group according to the calculated arrangement position.

9. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein The processor transfers the plurality of images processed as the group to an external display device, and when transferring to the external display device, transfers all of the plurality of images processed as the group as one data.

10. The digital camera according to claim 1, having a video shooting function, The processor records a video shot by the video shooting function as one of the plurality of images included in the group in the image recording unit.

11. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein The processor switches the arrangement position between a display state and a non-display state.

12. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein The processor changes the number of the plurality of images processed as the group.

13. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein The processor changes at least one of the size and aspect ratio of the images to be processed as the one set.

14. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the processor changes the ratio of the display area for each of the plurality of images to be processed as the one set.

15. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein when the processor captures the images and obtains at least one of the images as one of the images included in the one set, the new image is not included in the one set but is included in the other one set.

16. The digital camera according to claim 1, comprising: a camera body; and a posture detection sensor that detects the posture of the camera body, when displaying the plurality of images to be processed as the one set, the images are displayed according to the posture of the camera body detected when the plurality of images are captured, and information related to the arrangement positions for arranging the plurality of images in the order in which the plurality of images are captured is attached.

17. The digital camera according to claim 1, comprising a camera body, the length of the imaging element in the vertical direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction when the upper surface of the camera body faces upward in the vertical direction.

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