Imaging device and interchangeable lens

Abstract

An imaging device is provided with: an imaging unit having an imaging surface for imaging an image formed by a variable magnification optical system; a generation unit that generates image information on the basis of a signal output from at least a partial region of the imaging surface; and a control unit that performs electronic zoom control for changing the size of the partial region in parallel with the zoom of the variable magnification optical system.

Description

Filming equipment and interchangeable lenses Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a shooting device and an interchangeable lens. Background Technology

[0002] Accessories that can be attached to or detached from the camera body are known (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-117380 Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the first method, the imaging device includes: an imaging unit having an imaging surface that captures an image formed by a zoom optical system; a generating unit that generates image information based on a signal output from at least a portion of the imaging surface; and a control unit that performs electronic zoom control, in parallel with the zoom of the zoom optical system, to change the size of the portion of the image.

[0007] According to the second method, the interchangeable lens can be mounted on a camera body, comprising: a zoom optical system capable of zooming; an operation member that receives an instruction from a user to zoom the optical system; a detection unit that detects the operation received by the operation member; a transmission unit that transmits information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit to the camera body; a receiving unit that receives an instruction signal from the camera body instructing the zoom optical system to zoom; and a drive unit that drives the zoom optical system based on the instruction signal received by the receiving unit.

[0008] It should be noted that the structure of the embodiments described below can be appropriately modified, and at least a portion can be replaced with other structures. Furthermore, structural elements whose configuration is not particularly limited are not limited to the configuration disclosed in the embodiments, and can be configured in a position that enables their function. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a camera system according to one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the electrical connection between the camera body and the interchangeable lens.

[0011] Figure 3(A) is an example of a timing diagram showing the timing of command data communication, and Figure 3(B) is an example of a timing diagram showing the timing of hotline communication.

[0012] Figure 4(A) and Figure 4(B) are concept diagrams used to illustrate the extended and hybrid approaches, respectively.

[0013] Figures 5(A) to 5(D) are diagrams used to illustrate the overview of high-resolution zoom.

[0014] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing performed by the fuselage-side control unit.

[0015] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of extended collaborative processing (1); Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of extended collaborative processing (2); Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of extended collaborative processing (3); Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of hybrid collaborative processing.

[0016] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a typical process.

[0017] Figure 12 is a flowchart (1) showing an example of the processing performed by the lens-side control unit.

[0018] Figure 13 is a flowchart (2) showing an example of the processing performed by the lens-side control unit.

[0019] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating the drive speed of the zoom lens corresponding to the amount of zoom lever insertion and the zoom speed setting on the camera body.

[0020] Figure 15(A) and Figure 15(B) are diagrams used to illustrate the changes in the optical zoom position and electronic zoom position in the hybrid configuration.

[0021] Figure 16(A) shows the state of optical zoom and electronic zoom before the first operation is input; Figure 16(B) shows the image displayed on the display unit before the first operation is input; Figure 16(C) shows the state of optical zoom and electronic zoom after the first operation is input; and Figure 16(D) shows the image displayed on the display unit after the first operation is input.

[0022] Figure 17(A) and Figure 17(B) are diagrams showing hybrid variations, and Figure 17(C) is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the operation amount of the body-side operating part or the lens-side operating part and the electronic zoom position. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, a camera system 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the camera system 1. FIG2 is a circuit diagram schematically showing the electrical connection between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the camera system 1 includes a camera body 2 and an interchangeable lens 3 that can be attached to or detached from the camera body 2. The interchangeable lens 3 is an example of an accessory. The camera system 1 is capable of capturing both still images and moving images.

[0025] (Camera body 2)

[0026] The camera body 2 includes a body-side mounting part 21, a body-side terminal holding part 22, a body-side control part 23, a body-side communication part 24, a body-side storage part 25, a power supply part 26, an imaging element 27, a display part 28, and a body-side operation part 29.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the fuselage-side communication unit 24 includes a fuselage-side first communication unit 24a and a fuselage-side second communication unit 24b. The fuselage-side first communication unit 24a performs bidirectional command data communication with the interchangeable lens 3 (described later), and the fuselage-side second communication unit 24b performs unidirectional hot-wire communication with the interchangeable lens 3 (described later). The fuselage-side first communication unit 24a and the fuselage-side second communication unit 24b are connected to the fuselage-side terminal group (described later) and the fuselage-side control unit 23, which are provided in the fuselage-side terminal holding unit 22.

[0028] The camera-side storage unit 25 is a non-volatile storage medium. The camera-side storage unit 25 is connected to the camera-side control unit 23. Pre-stored control programs and other predetermined procedures executed by the camera-side control unit 23 are stored in the camera-side storage unit 25. The camera-side control unit 23 reads the control program from the camera-side storage unit 25 and executes the program, thereby controlling the camera body 2. Furthermore, the camera-side storage unit 25 stores various setting information for the camera system 1.

[0029] The power supply unit 26 has a power source that supplies power to the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3. The power supply unit 26 is connected to the body-side terminal group (described later) provided in the body-side terminal holding part 22 and the body-side control part 23.

[0030] The imaging element 27 is a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS, which has multiple pixels that receive light and output signals. The imaging element 27 is connected to the camera-side control unit 23, and it captures the subject and outputs the shooting signal to the camera-side control unit 23.

[0031] The camera-side control unit 23 comprises a microcomputer and its peripheral circuitry. Based on the shooting signal output from at least a portion of the shooting surface of the shooting element 27, the camera-side control unit 23 generates image information and displays an image based on this image information on the display unit 28. Furthermore, the camera-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom control (electronic zoom control) to change the size of this portion of the image and thus the range of the image displayed on the display unit 28. Additionally, the camera-side control unit 23 performs optical zoom control (optical zoom control) to control the magnification of the shooting optical system 36 of the interchangeable lens 3, according to the settings of the camera body 2. Details of the processing performed by the camera-side control unit 23 will be described later. Furthermore, the camera-side control unit 23 also has functions other than those described above, but detailed explanations are omitted.

[0032] Display unit 28 is a monitor, for example, located on the back of the camera body 2, that displays various settings for the camera system 1, viewfinder images, etc. Alternatively, display unit 28 may be an electronic viewfinder.

[0033] The body-side operation unit 29 includes various operating components such as a release button 29a, a zoom lever 29b, a zoom button 29c, a dial (not shown), and a power button (not shown), and accepts input for various instructions regarding the camera system 1. If the camera body 2 has a touch panel, the body-side operation unit 29 may also include a touch panel.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the fuselage-side terminal holding part 22 has LDET(B) terminal, VBAT(B) terminal, PGND(B) terminal, V33(B) terminal, GND(B) terminal, RDY(B) terminal, DATAB(B) terminal, CLK(B) terminal, DATAL(B) terminal, HCLK(B) terminal, and HDATA(B) terminal. These 11 fuselage-side terminals are collectively referred to as the fuselage-side terminal group.

[0035] The LDET(B) terminal is used for the installation and removal detection of the interchangeable lens 3. The LDET(B) terminal is connected to the body-side control unit 23 via resistor R2. A power supply V33 supplied from the power supply unit 26 via resistor R1 is connected between resistor R2 and the body-side control unit 23, and the LDET(B) terminal is pulled up.

[0036] The VBAT(B) terminal, PGND(B) terminal, V33(B) terminal, and GND(B) terminal are terminals of the power supply system connected to the power supply unit 26. In Figure 2, arrows indicate the direction of the supplied power. The VBAT(B) terminal is used to supply power to the interchangeable lens 3. The first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38 of the interchangeable lens 3, described later, are driven by the power supplied via the VBAT(B) terminal. Furthermore, in Figure 2, the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38 are collectively referred to as the drive unit. During the operation of the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38, a larger voltage and current than those required by the lens-side control unit 33 are needed, and the maximum voltage applied by the power supply unit 26 to the VBAT(B) terminal is approximately 10V. The PGND(B) terminal is the ground terminal corresponding to the VBAT(B) terminal.

[0037] The V33(B) terminal is used to supply power to the interchangeable lens 3. The lens-side control unit 33 is activated by the power supplied from the power supply unit 26 via the V33(B) terminal. The lens-side control unit 33 and other components operate with a voltage and current lower than that of the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38. The maximum voltage applied by the power supply unit 26 to the V33(B) terminal is approximately 3.3V. The GND(B) terminal is the grounding terminal corresponding to the V33(B) terminal.

[0038] The RDY(B), DATAB(B), CLK(B), and DATAL(B) terminals are connected to the first communication unit 24a on the fuselage side for command data communication, as described later. Additionally, the HCLK(B) and HDATA(B) terminals are connected to the second communication unit 24b on the fuselage side for hot-wire communication. In Figure 2, arrows indicate signal flow.

[0039] The potential of the RDY(B) terminal indicates whether the interchangeable lens 3 can perform command data communication. The DATAB(B) terminal is the terminal that outputs data signals to the interchangeable lens 3. The CLK(B) terminal is the terminal that outputs clock signals to the interchangeable lens 3. The DATAL(B) terminal is the terminal that receives data signals from the interchangeable lens 3.

[0040] The HCLK(B) terminal is for inputting clock signals from the interchangeable lens 3. The HDATA(B) terminal is for inputting data signals from the interchangeable lens 3.

[0041] (Interchangeable lens 3)

[0042] Returning to Figure 1, the interchangeable lens 3 includes a lens-side mounting part 31, a lens-side terminal holding part 32, a lens-side control part 33, a lens-side communication part 34, a lens-side storage part 35, a shooting optical system 36, a first drive part 37, a second drive part 38, and a lens-side operation part 39.

[0043] The lens-side control unit 33 consists of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits. As shown in FIG2, the lens-side communication unit 34 includes a lens-side first communication unit 34a and a lens-side second communication unit 34b. The lens-side first communication unit 34a communicates with the camera body 2 via command data (described later), and the lens-side second communication unit 34b communicates with the camera body 2 via hot-wire (described later). The lens-side first communication unit 34a and the lens-side second communication unit 34b are connected to the lens-side terminal group (described later) and the lens-side control unit 33 provided in the lens-side terminal holding unit 32.

[0044] The lens-side storage unit 35 is a non-volatile storage medium. The lens-side storage unit 35 is connected to the lens-side control unit 33. The lens-side storage unit 35 stores pre-defined control programs, etc., that are to be executed by the lens-side control unit 33. The lens-side control unit 33 reads the control program from the lens-side storage unit 35 and executes the program, thereby controlling the interchangeable lens 3.

[0045] The imaging optical system 36 images the subject onto the imaging surface of the imaging element 27. The optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 36 is substantially aligned with the center of the lens-side mounting 31 and the body-side mounting 21 (described later). The imaging optical system 36 in Figure 1 roughly includes a zoom lens 36a, a focusing lens 36b, and a lens 36c. The zoom lens 36a is a lens that changes the focal length (field of view). The focusing lens 36b is a lens that adjusts the imaging position of the subject image.

[0046] The first drive unit 37 is connected to the lens-side control unit 33 and includes an actuator (not shown). The first drive unit 37 drives the zoom lens 36a in the optical axis OA direction (+Z direction, -Z direction) via the actuator (not shown). That is, the interchangeable lens 3 in this embodiment is an electrically operated zoom lens.

[0047] The second drive unit 38 is connected to the lens-side control unit 33 and has an actuator (not shown). The second drive unit 38 drives the focusing lens 36b in the optical axis OA direction (+Z direction, -Z direction) via the actuator (not shown). In Figure 1, the zoom lens 36a, focusing lens 36b, and lens 36c are each shown as a single lens, but they can also be a lens group including multiple lenses.

[0048] The lens-side operation unit 39 includes a zoom ring 39a and a zoom lever 39b, and receives inputs for various instructions regarding the shooting optical system 36. The operation amount of the zoom ring 39a is detected by a detection unit 391, such as an encoder, and input to the lens-side control unit 33.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the lens-side terminal holding part 32 has an LDET(L) terminal, a VBAT(L) terminal, a PGND(L) terminal, a V33(L) terminal, a GND(L) terminal, an RDY(L) terminal, a DATAB(L) terminal, a CLK(L) terminal, a DATAL(L) terminal, an HCLK(L) terminal, and an HDATA(L) terminal. These 11 lens-side terminals are collectively referred to as the lens-side terminal group.

[0050] When the interchangeable lens 3 is mounted on the camera body 2, as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 2, the body-side terminals are electrically connected to the lens-side terminals. Specifically, the LDET(B) terminal connects to the LDET(L) terminal, the VBAT(B) terminal connects to the VBAT(L) terminal, the PGND(B) terminal connects to the PGND(L) terminal, the V33(B) terminal connects to the V33(L) terminal, and the GND(B) terminal connects to the GND(L) terminal. Additionally, the RDY(B) terminal connects to the RDY(L) terminal, the DATAB(B) terminal connects to the DATAB(L) terminal, the CLK(B) terminal connects to the CLK(L) terminal, and the DATAL(B) terminal connects to the DATAL(L) terminal. Furthermore, the HCLK(B) terminal connects to the HCLK(L) terminal, and the HDATA(B) terminal connects to the HDATA(L) terminal. The function of each lens-side terminal is the same as that of the respective body-side terminals, therefore, explanation is omitted.

[0051] The LDET(L) terminal is grounded via resistor R3. When the LDET(L) terminal is in contact with LDET(B), the potential of the LDET(B) terminal is pulled down. The VBAT(L) terminal and the PGND(L) terminal are connected to the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38. A bypass capacitor C1 is connected between the VBAT(L) terminal and the PGND(L) terminal.

[0052] The V33(L) terminal and the GND(L) terminal are connected to the lens-side control unit 33 and other parts. A bypass capacitor C2 is connected between the V33(L) terminal and the GND(L) terminal.

[0053] The RDY(L) terminal, DATAB(L) terminal, CLK(L) terminal, and DATAL(L) terminal are connected to the first communication unit 34a on the lens side, and the HCLK(L) terminal and HDATA(L) terminal are connected to the second communication unit 34b on the lens side.

[0054] (Command Data Communication)

[0055] The communication that involves sending and receiving control commands (commands) from the fuselage-side control unit 23 in parallel with the control content (control data) from the fuselage-side control unit 23 and the response content (response data) from the lens-side control unit 33 after sending control commands (commands) from the fuselage-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 is called command data communication. Command data communication is full-duplex communication. Command data communication is performed via digital data communication using the RDY(B) terminal, RDY(L) terminal, DATAB(B) terminal, DATAB(L) terminal, CLK(B) terminal, CLK(L) terminal, DATAL(B) terminal, and DATAL(L) terminal via the fuselage-side first communication unit 24a and the lens-side first communication unit 34a.

[0056] The body-side control unit 23, via the body-side communication unit 24 and the lens-side communication unit 34, sends various control commands and control content to the interchangeable lens 3 through command data communication, and receives response content from the interchangeable lens 3, thereby exchanging various information with and from the interchangeable lens 3. The control commands mentioned here include, for example, commands to send lens information. The various information received from the interchangeable lens 3 includes, for example, the model information of the interchangeable lens 3, the cooperative function correspondence flag (described later), the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a, the focal length of the shooting optical system 36, and other information indicating optical characteristics. The various information sent to the interchangeable lens 3 includes, for example, control content such as the lens drive amount, and the model information of the camera body 2. Furthermore, the control commands also include drive commands for the zoom lens 36a. The lens-side control unit 33 receives various control commands from the body-side control unit 23, obtains various information from the body-side control unit 23, or sends various information to the body-side control unit 23 through command data communication.

[0057] Figure 3(A) is an example of a timing diagram showing the timing of command data communication. At the start of command data communication (T1), the fuselage-side control unit 23 first checks the signal level of the RDY(B) terminal. The signal level of the RDY(B) terminal indicates whether command data communication with the lens-side control unit 33 is possible. If command data communication is not possible, the lens-side control unit 33 sets the signal level (potential) of the RDY(L) terminal to a high level (H level). If command data communication is possible, the lens-side control unit 33 sets the signal level (potential) of the RDY(L) terminal to a low level (L level) via the lens-side communication unit 34.

[0058] At the start of command data communication (T1), if the signal level of the RDY(B) terminal is low (L level), the fuselage-side control unit 23 outputs a clock signal 401 from the CLK(B) terminal via the fuselage-side first communication unit 24a. That is, the fuselage-side control unit 23 sends the clock signal 401 to the lens-side control unit 33 via the CLK(B) and CLK(L) terminals. The frequency of the repeated high and low levels of the clock signal 401 in Figure 3(A) is, for example, 8MHz.

[0059] The body-side control unit 23 outputs a body-side command signal 402 as a control command from the DATAB(B) terminal in synchronization with the clock signal 401. That is, the body-side control unit 23 sends the body-side command signal 402 to the lens-side control unit 33 via the DATAB(B) and DATAB(L) terminals. The body-side command signal 402 shown in the switching between high and low levels of DATAB in Figure 3(A) is a signal indicating that the body-side control unit 23 instructs the lens-side control unit 33 to control via command data communication. The body-side command signal 402 may be, for example, a signal requesting model information of the interchangeable lens 3, a signal requesting information on the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3, a signal indicating the driving of the zoom lens 36a, or a signal indicating the driving of the focusing lens 36b.

[0060] When the lens-side control unit 33 receives the fuselage-side command signal 402 via the lens-side first communication unit 34a, it uses the error detection code (e.g., checksum data) contained in the fuselage-side command signal 402 to perform a check process to check for communication errors in the fuselage-side command signal 402. Then, the lens-side control unit 33 sets the signal level of the RDY(L) terminal to a high level (H level) (T2). When the signal level of the RDY(B) terminal is high, the fuselage-side control unit 23 does not transmit the fuselage-side command signal 402. The lens-side control unit 33 starts the first control process 404 based on the instruction of the received fuselage-side command signal 402.

[0061] For example, if the received camera-side command signal 402 requests specific information about the interchangeable lens 3, the lens-side control unit 33 performs processing to generate the requested information as a lens-side data signal 407 as the first control process 404. Alternatively, if the received camera-side command signal 402 indicates an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a, the lens-side control unit 33 performs processing to generate a signal indicating that an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a has been received.

[0062] When the lens-side control unit 33 completes the first control process 404, it sets the signal level of the RDY(L) terminal to a low level (L level) (T3) via the lens-side communication unit 34. When the signal level of the RDY(B) terminal becomes low, the body-side control unit 23 outputs a clock signal 405 from the CLK(B) terminal. That is, the body-side control unit 23 sends the clock signal 405 to the lens-side control unit 33 via the CLK(B) and CLK(L) terminals. In addition, when the signal level of the RDY(B) terminal is high, the body-side control unit 23 does not transmit or receive the body-side data signal 406 or the lens-side data signal 407.

[0063] The body-side control unit 23 outputs a body-side data signal 406 from the DATAB(B) terminal via the body-side first communication unit 24a in synchronization with the clock signal 405. That is, the body-side control unit 23 sends the body-side data signal 406 to the lens-side control unit 33 via the DATAB(B) and DATAB(L) terminals. The body-side data signal 406 is a signal representing the control parameters of the body-side command signal 402. For example, if the body-side command signal 402 indicates an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a, the corresponding body-side data signal 406 is a signal representing the amount of drive of the zoom lens 36a. Additionally, the body-side data signal 406 may, for example, represent information required by the lens-side control unit 33 during command data communication (such as camera model information).

[0064] Furthermore, when a clock signal 405 is input to the CLK(L) terminal, the lens-side control unit 33 outputs a lens-side data signal 407 from the DATAL(L) terminal synchronously with the clock signal 405. The lens-side data signal 407, shown in Figure 3(A) as the high and low levels of DATAL are switched, is a signal sent by the lens-side control unit 33 to the body-side control unit 23 via command data communication. For example, if the body-side command signal 402 is a signal indicating a request for interchangeable lens 3 model information, the corresponding lens-side data signal 407 is a signal indicating interchangeable lens 3 model information. Additionally, for example, if the received body-side command signal 402 is a signal indicating an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a, the corresponding lens-side data signal 407 is a signal indicating that a signal indicating an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a has been received.

[0065] When the transmission of the lens-side data signal 407 is completed, the lens-side control unit 33 sets the signal level of the RDY(L) terminal back to high level (T4). The lens-side control unit 33 starts the second control process 408 (described later) based on the instruction of the received body-side data signal 406. For example, if the received body-side command signal 402 is a signal indicating the driving of the zoom lens 36a, as the second control process 408, the lens-side control unit 33 performs the process of moving the zoom lens 36a to the position specified by the body-side data signal 406.

[0066] When the second control process 408 is completed, the lens-side control unit 33 sets the RDY(L) terminal to a low level (T5) via the lens-side communication unit 34.

[0067] The communication performed during the aforementioned timings T1 to T5 constitutes a single command data communication. In this single command data communication, the fuselage-side control unit 23 transmits a fuselage-side command signal 402 and a fuselage-side data signal 406. That is, the fuselage-side command signal 402 and the fuselage-side data signal 406 are combined to form a single control data.

[0068] As described above, the lens-side control unit 33 receives control data from the fuselage-side control unit 23 and sends response data to the fuselage-side communication unit 24 in parallel. That is, the command data communication is a so-called full-duplex communication.

[0069] (Hotline Communication)

[0070] As another communication system, there is a one-way data transmission communication from the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 to the body-side control unit 23 of the camera body 2, which is called hot-wire communication. Hot-wire communication is data communication between the body-side control unit 23 and the lens-side control unit 33 via the body-side second communication unit 24b and the lens-side second communication unit 34b using the HCLK(B) terminal, HCLK(L) terminal, HDATA(B) terminal, and HDATA(L) terminal.

[0071] The body-side control unit 23 obtains information related to the status of the interchangeable lens 3 from the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 via hot-wire communication. Information related to the status of the interchangeable lens 3 includes, for example, the position of the focusing lens 36b, the position of the shake correction lens (not shown), and the aperture position. Furthermore, in the following description, information related to the status of the interchangeable lens 3, including, for example, the position of the focusing lens 36b, the position of the shake correction lens (not shown), and the aperture position, will sometimes be referred to as lens status information.

[0072] In addition, the jitter correction lens is a component that can be moved (driven) in a manner that includes a component perpendicular to the optical axis, and the aperture is a component that can be moved (driven) in a manner that changes the size of the opening through which the light beam passes.

[0073] Hotline communication is as follows: when the camera body 2 sends an instruction to start communication via command data communication, before an instruction to end communication is sent, the lens-side control unit 33 independently sends lens data to the body-side control unit 23, unrelated to command data communication.

[0074] Figure 3(B) is an example timing diagram showing the timing of hot-wire communication. When the lens-side control unit 33 receives a start command for hot-wire communication from the camera body-side control unit 23 via command data communication (T6), it performs a generation process 501. The generation process 501 is, for example, a process that obtains the state of the interchangeable lens 3 with a sampling period of 1 millisecond and generates a lens signal 503 for hot-wire communication. When the generation of the lens signal 503 is completed (T7), the lens-side control unit 33 outputs a clock signal 502 from the HCLK(L) terminal via the lens-side second communication unit 34b. That is, the clock signal 502 is sent to the camera body-side control unit 23 via the HCLK(L) terminal and the HCLK(B) terminal. The frequency of the repeated high and low levels of the clock signal 502 in Figure 3(B) is, for example, 8MHz to 20MHz. That is, the frequency of the clock signal 502 for hot-wire communication is the same as or higher than the frequency of the clock signal 401 for command data communication.

[0075] The lens-side control unit 33 outputs the lens signal 503 (e.g., information related to the position of the focusing lens 36b) generated in the generation process 501 from the HDATA(L) terminal via the lens-side second communication unit 34b and the clock signal 502. That is, the lens-side control unit 33 sends the lens signal 503 to the body-side control unit 23 via the lens-side second communication unit 34b, the HDATA(L) terminal, the HDATA(B) terminal, and the body-side second communication unit 24b.

[0076] The lens signal 503 shown in Figure 3(B), which indicates the switching between high and low levels of HDATA, is a signal sent by the lens-side control unit 33 to the body-side control unit 23 via hot-wire communication. The clock signal 502 and lens signal 503 are output at the end of timing T8. The lens-side control unit 33 repeatedly transmits lens data based on hot-wire communication at regular intervals (e.g., 1 millisecond) until it receives a stop instruction for transmitting lens signal 503 via command data communication.

[0077] Command data communication and hot-line communication can be performed in parallel, either partially or entirely. That is, the fuselage-side control unit 23 and the lens-side control unit 33 can both initiate and terminate hot-line communication during command data communication. Furthermore, command data communication can be initiated and terminated during hot-line communication.

[0078] As explained above, hot-wire communication and command data communication are conducted independently. The lens-side control unit 33 transmits information related to the status of the interchangeable lens 3 to the body-side control unit 23 via hot-wire communication, independent of command data communication. Therefore, the body-side control unit 23 can continuously monitor the status of the interchangeable lens 3 even during command data communication. Consequently, the body-side control unit 23 can continuously monitor the position of the focusing lens 36b, thus enabling, for example, high-speed autofocus control. This also applies to image stabilization control and aperture control.

[0079] Furthermore, even during hot-wire communication by the lens-side control unit 33, the body-side control unit 23 can issue various instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 at any time via command data communication.

[0080] As described above, the interchangeable lens 3 of this embodiment is an electrically operated zoom lens that changes its focal length (photographic field of view) by driving the zoom lens 36a in the optical axis OA direction via the first drive unit 37. To improve the convenience of the electrically operated zoom lens, the camera body 2 of this embodiment is equipped with a cooperation function that enables the interchangeable lens 3 to cooperate with the camera body 2 when the interchangeable lens 3 is an electrically operated zoom lens.

[0081] In this embodiment, "extended" and "hybrid" modes are provided as ways for the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2 to cooperate.

[0082] Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are conceptual diagrams illustrating the extended and hybrid types, respectively. In Figures 4(A) and 4(B), OZW represents the wide-angle end of optical zoom, and OZT represents the telephoto end of optical zoom. Additionally, HRZW represents the wide-angle end of electronic zoom, and HRZT represents the telephoto end of electronic zoom. Furthermore, in this embodiment, electronic zoom refers to so-called high-resolution zoom, which allows zooming without image quality degradation when the pixel count (e.g., 4k) during shooting without using electronic zoom is less than the pixel count (e.g., 8k) of the imaging element 27.

[0083] Figures 5(A) to 5(D) are diagrams illustrating the general structure of high-resolution zoom. Figure 5(A) shows an example of an image recorded in the camera-side storage unit 25 without using electronic zoom, and Figure 5(B) shows the pixels 27a of the shooting surface of the shooting element 27 used to generate the image shown in Figure 5(A). Figure 5(C) shows an example of an image recorded in the camera-side storage unit 25 when the electronic zoom position is at the telephoto end, and Figure 5(D) shows the pixels 27a of the shooting surface of the shooting element 27 used to generate the image shown in Figure 5(C). In Figures 5(B) and 5(D), the pixels 27a used to generate the image are shaded.

[0084] When using electronic zoom, shooting at 8k resolution begins. Therefore, as shown in FIG5(D), the pixel density on the shooting surface used to generate image information captured in the first region R10 of the shooting surface when using electronic zoom is higher than the pixel density on the shooting surface used to generate image information captured in the second region R20, which is larger than the first region R10, as shown in FIG5(B), when not using electronic zoom. The number of pixels 27a used to generate the image stored in the body-side storage unit 25 when not using electronic zoom is approximately the same as the number of pixels 27a used to generate the image stored in the body-side storage unit 25 when the electronic zoom position is at the telephoto end. When the electronic zoom position is in the middle position between the wide-angle end and the telephoto end, by combining or dividing the signals output from the pixels (e.g., 6k) used to generate image information in a region between the first region R10 and the second region R20, image information of the same size (4k) as the image information output when not using electronic zoom is generated. That is, the resolution of the image information generated based on the signal output from the pixels 27a contained in the first region R10 of the shooting surface is equal to the resolution of the image information generated based on the signal output from the pixels 27a contained in the second region R20, which is larger than the first region R10. Therefore, in high-resolution zoom, zooming can be performed without image quality degradation.

[0085] Furthermore, the number of pixels used for shooting (pixel density) can be varied according to the position of the electronic zoom, so that the image information has a specified size.

[0086] Furthermore, 8K shooting can be started not only when using electronic zoom, but also when the settings enable electronic zoom. For example, when the extended zoom is set, 8K shooting can be performed within the optical zoom area.

[0087] Returning to Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the cooperation method will be explained. The extended type functions as follows: when either the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39 receives a zoom operation, optical zoom is performed first, and if the focal length exceeds the telephoto end of the optical zoom, it can be directly transferred to electronic zoom. That is, it is a function that allows seamless transfer between optical zoom and electronic zoom by operating a single operating component. For example, rotating the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3 towards the telephoto direction. In this case, as shown in Figure 4(A), optical zoom is performed first, and electronic zoom begins when the focal length of the shooting optical system 36 reaches the telephoto end. At this time, the size of the area (at least a portion) in the shooting surface of the shooting element 27 corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28 decreases as the zoom ring 39a rotates towards the telephoto direction.

[0088] The hybrid function allows for parallel optical zoom and electronic zoom when either the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39 receives a zoom operation. For example, the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated towards the telephoto direction. In this case, as shown in Figure 4(B), the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position change from the position indicated by the dashed triangle to the position indicated by the solid triangle, respectively.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to avoid having the interchangeable lens 3 cooperate with the camera body 2. The handling of the case where the interchangeable lens 3 does not cooperate with the camera body 2 will be described later.

[0090] Next, the processes performed by the body-side control unit 23 of the camera body 2 and the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 in order to achieve the above-mentioned "extended" and "hybrid" modes will be explained in detail.

[0091] Figures 6 to 11 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the processing performed by the body-side control unit 23, and Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the processing performed by the lens-side control unit 33.

[0092] The process in Figure 6 begins when the camera body 2 is powered on. In the process shown in Figure 6, firstly, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the interchangeable lens 3 is mounted on the camera body 2 (step SB11). When the interchangeable lens 3 is not mounted on the camera body 2, the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is pulled up to a high level. When the body-side control unit 23 detects that the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is high, it determines that the interchangeable lens 3 is not mounted on the camera body 2 (step SB11 / No). When the interchangeable lens 3 is not mounted, the body-side control unit 23 does not supply power from the power supply unit 26 to the VBAT(B) and V33(B) terminals.

[0093] When the interchangeable lens 3 is mounted on the camera body 2, the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is pulled down to a low level. The camera body-side control unit 23 determines that the interchangeable lens 3 is mounted when the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is low. When the interchangeable lens 3 is mounted on the camera body 2 (step SB11 / Yes), the camera body-side control unit 23 causes the power supply unit 26 to start supplying power to the V33(B) terminal (step SB13).

[0094] When power supply to terminal V33(B) begins, power is supplied to the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 via terminal V33(L), ​​and the lens-side control unit 33 begins operation. Thus, the lens-side control unit 33 begins the processing shown in FIG12.

[0095] The lens-side control unit 33, having initiated its operation, allows initial communication based on command data communication with the body-side control unit 23. After the lens-side control unit 33 allows the initial communication, the body-side control unit 23 begins the initial communication. The initial communication includes a signal requesting the lens-side control unit 33 to supply power to the VBAT(L) terminal. When the signal requesting power supply to the VBAT(L) terminal is sent from the lens-side control unit 33 to the body-side control unit 23, the body-side control unit 23 supplies power to the VBAT(B) terminal, performing initialization processing between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3 (Figure 6: Step SB15, Figure 12: Step SL11).

[0096] During the initialization process, information required for various actions of the camera system 1, such as shooting actions and focus adjustment actions, is exchanged between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3. For example, during the initialization process, information related to the drive resolution of the zoom lens 36a provided by the interchangeable lens 3 is sent to the camera body 2. This is to prevent the zoom lens 36a from being unable to drive when the camera body control unit 23 issues an electric zoom command (details described later) instructing the zoom lens 36a to drive. Furthermore, for example, during the initialization process, the speed at which the zoom lens 36a can be driven (maximum and minimum speeds) is sent to the camera body 2. This is because when the camera body control unit 23 issues an electric zoom command instructing the zoom lens 36a to drive, it issues an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a so that the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a is within the range of the maximum and minimum speeds. Additionally, during the initialization process, for example, the zoom lens 36a and focus lens 36b of the interchangeable lens 3 are moved to their positions before the power was turned off or their default positions, respectively.

[0097] When the initialization process (Fig. 6: step SB15) ends, the body-side control unit 23 requests the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and a flag indicating whether it corresponds to the cooperative function (cooperative function correspondence flag) from the lens-side control unit 33 via command data communication, and waits until it receives the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and the cooperative function correspondence flag (Fig. 6: step SB17 / No). The detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a is information indicating the number of pulses output per revolution of the zoom ring 39a. By obtaining the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a, the body-side control unit 23 can perform electronic zoom control, etc., corresponding to the operation amount of the zoom ring 39a.

[0098] On the other hand, as shown in FIG12, the lens-side control unit 33 sends the detection resolution and cooperation function correspondence flag of the zoom ring 39a to the body-side control unit 23 via the lens-side first communication unit 34a according to the request from the body-side control unit 23 (step SL13).

[0099] Returning to Figure 6, when the body-side control unit 23 receives the detection resolution and cooperation function correspondence flag of the zoom ring 39a via the body-side first communication unit 24a (step SB17 / Yes), it sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 via the body-side first communication unit 24a to set the motor zoom ring flag and motor zoom lever flag to ON (step SB19). The motor zoom ring flag indicates whether in-lens control of the zoom lens 36a by the lens-side control unit 33 based on the operation information of the zoom ring 39a is possible when the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated. When ON, it indicates that in-lens control is possible. Similarly, the motor zoom lever flag indicates whether in-lens control of the zoom lens 36a by the lens-side control unit 33 based on the operation information of the zoom lever 39b is possible when the zoom lever 39b of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated. When ON, it indicates that in-lens control is possible.

[0100] Next, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the installed interchangeable lens 3 supports the cooperative function (step SB21). The body-side control unit 23 can determine whether the installed interchangeable lens 3 supports the cooperative function based on the cooperative function correspondence flag received in step SB17.

[0101] When the installed interchangeable lens 3 does not support the collaboration function (step SB21 / No), the body-side control unit 23 performs the normal processing described later (step SB29).

[0102] On the other hand, if the installed interchangeable lens 3 supports the cooperative function (step SB21 / Yes), the body-side control unit 23 confirms the setting of the cooperative function of the camera body 2 (step SB23).

[0103] When "Extended" is set in the camera body 2, the body-side control unit 23 performs extended cooperative processing (step SB25). Figures 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing an example of extended cooperative processing.

[0104] In the extended collaborative processing, firstly, the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 via the body-side first communication unit 24a to set the electric zoom ring mark and the electric zoom lever mark to be turned on (step SB251).

[0105] Next, the fuselage-side control unit 23 executes the processing steps SB252 and SB253 and the processing steps SB254 to SB272 in parallel.

[0106] First, the processing of steps SB252 and SB253 will be explained. In this embodiment, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests the lens-side control unit 33 to send batch transmission information at regular intervals. This batch transmission information includes various information used by the body-side control unit 23 in the control of the camera system 1, including operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 and focal length information for controlling the position of the zoom lens 36a.

[0107] The operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 includes the operation amount and operation direction (telephoto or wide-angle direction) of the zoom ring 39a and zoom lever 39b included in the lens-side operation unit 39.

[0108] The control focal length information is, for example, information that represents the focal length (mm) calculated based on the position (an integer from 0 to 100) of the zoom lens 36a, which divides the zoom range of the shooting optical system 36 into 100 parts, representing the wide-angle end as 0 and the telephoto end as 100.

[0109] As described above, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests to send batch information at regular intervals. Therefore, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information (step SB252) and control focal length (step SB253) from the lens-side control unit 33 at regular intervals. However, the body-side control unit 23 can insert command data communication such as drive instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 and requests for information not included in the batch information during the repeated requests for sending batch information.

[0110] The camera body-side control unit 23 and the lens-side operation unit 39 receive operation information and control focal length information in parallel and determine whether the operation of the camera body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB254).

[0111] When operation of the camera body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB254 / Yes), the camera body-side control unit 23 generates zoom lens drive information and sends it to the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB255). If the operated camera body-side operation unit 29 is, for example, the zoom button 29c, the camera body-side control unit 23 sends zoom lens drive information including the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a, the drive direction (telephoto direction, wide-angle direction), and a drive start indication to the lens-side control unit 33. The user can set the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a when the zoom button 29c is operated within the camera body 2. Furthermore, when the operation of the zoom button 29c ends, the camera body-side control unit 23 sends zoom lens drive information that stops the drive of the zoom lens 36a to the lens-side control unit 33.

[0112] Furthermore, when the operated body-side control unit 29 is, for example, the zoom lever 29b, the body-side control unit 23 sends two pieces of information—the amount of zoom lever 29b being pressed in and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2 when operating the zoom lever 29b—as zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33. The zoom speed can be set by the user in the camera body 2. Based on the amount of zoom lever 29b being pressed in and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2, the lens-side control unit 33 determines the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a within the interchangeable lens 3 and performs drive control of the zoom lens 36a. Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a relative to the amount of zoom lever 29b being pressed in and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2.

[0113] For example, as shown in Figure 14, the zoom speed in the camera body 2 can be set in five stages, from A to E. With the zoom lever's input depth divided into four stages, from 0 to 3, the driving speed of the zoom lens 36a is defined as 0, 1A to 1E, 2A to 2E, and 3A to 3E by combining the input depth of the zoom lever 29b with the zoom speed set in the camera body 2. For example, if the input depth of the zoom lever 29b is 2 and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2 is B, the driving speed of the zoom lens 36a is 2B. The levels of 0 to 3 indicating the input depth of the zoom lever correspond to the degree of operation determined by the amount of operation of the operating member (the input depth of the zoom lever). Furthermore, the degree of zoom speed set in the camera body 2 corresponds to the driving speed of the zoom lens 36a.

[0114] A driving speed of 0 for zoom lens 36a indicates that zoom lens 36a is not driven. Driving speed 2A is higher than driving speed 1A, and driving speed 3A is higher than driving speed 2A. Driving speed 1B is higher than driving speed 1A, driving speed 1C is higher than driving speed 1B, driving speed 1D is higher than driving speed 1C, and driving speed 1E is higher than driving speed 1D. The same applies to driving speeds 2A to 2E and driving speeds 3A to 3E. Driving speed 3E can be higher than driving speed 1E or the same speed. In addition, the amount of zoom lever 29b pressed in and the zoom speed set on camera body 2 can also be repeatedly sent from camera body side control unit 23 to lens side control unit 33 as one of the batch transmission information.

[0115] Furthermore, when the operated body-side control unit 29 is a dial or touch panel, the body-side control unit 23 sends information representing the amount of operation per unit time, i.e., the operation speed of the operating component (dial or touch panel), as zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33. The amount of operation per unit time can be repeatedly sent from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 as one of the batch transmission messages, or the amount of operation per unit time can be repeatedly sent from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 from the start to the end of the operation on the body-side control unit 29. The lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a according to the zoom lens drive information. Alternatively, instead of the amount of operation per unit time, the drive amount of the zoom lens 36a per unit time can be periodically sent. Furthermore, the periodically sent amount of operation per unit time and the drive amount of the zoom lens 36a per unit time can also be sent from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 as one of the batch transmission messages.

[0116] Next, the fuselage-side control unit 23 acquires the control focal length information (step SB256). The control focal length information can be obtained from the periodically received batch transmission information, or the control focal length information contained in the batch transmission information can be stored in the fuselage-side storage unit 25 and retrieved from the fuselage-side storage unit 25.

[0117] Next, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB257). If the optical zoom position is not at the telephoto end (step SB257 / No), it returns to step SB254 in Figure 7.

[0118] On the other hand, when the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB257 / Yes), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is an operation in the telephoto direction (step SB258). If the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is not an operation in the telephoto direction (step SB258 / No), it returns to step SB254 in FIG7. This is because, as explained in FIG4(A), in the extended version, when the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end, the operation is switched to electronic zoom when further telephoto direction operation is performed, but if the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is not an operation in the telephoto direction, it is not necessary to switch to electronic zoom.

[0119] When the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is in the telephoto direction (step SB258 / Yes), the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 via the body-side first communication unit 24a to set the motor zoom ring indicator and motor zoom lever indicator to OFF (step SB259), and proceeds to step SB260 in FIG8. Thus, in-lens control is disabled in the interchangeable lens 3.

[0120] If no operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB254 / No), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation quantity of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0 (Figure 9: step SB268). The operation quantity of the lens-side operation unit 39 can be obtained from the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 contained in the periodically received batch transmission information.

[0121] When the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0 (step SB268 / Yes), neither the body-side operation unit 29 nor the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated. In this case, the body-side control unit 23 returns to step SB254 of FIG7.

[0122] If the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not zero (step SB268 / No), the camera-side control unit 23 obtains the control focal length information (step SB269). The control focal length information can be obtained from the batch transmission information received periodically, or the control focal length information contained in the batch transmission information can be stored in the camera-side storage unit 25 and obtained from the camera-side storage unit 25.

[0123] In the extended version, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, in-lens control is performed before the optical zoom position reaches the telephoto end; that is, the lens-side control unit 33 drives the zoom lens 36a according to the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39. Therefore, when the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not zero, the camera-side control unit 23 obtains control focal length information to determine whether the position of the zoom lens 36a moved by the in-lens control is the telephoto end.

[0124] Next, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB270). If the optical zoom position is not at the telephoto end (step SB270 / No), it returns to step SB254 in Figure 7.

[0125] On the other hand, when the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB270 / Yes), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is an operation in the telephoto direction (step SB271).

[0126] If the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not a telephoto operation (step SB271 / No), return to step SB254 in FIG7. This is because, as explained in FIG4(A), in the extended version, when the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end, the operation is switched to electronic zoom when further telephoto operation is performed, but if the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not a telephoto operation, the switch to electronic zoom is not necessary.

[0127] When the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is in the telephoto direction (step SB271 / Yes), the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 via the body-side first communication unit 24a to set the motor zoom ring indicator and motor zoom lever indicator to be off (step SB272), and proceeds to step SB260 in FIG8. Thus, in-lens control is disabled in the interchangeable lens 3. In this way, the information indicating whether in-lens control (motor zoom ring indicator and motor zoom lever indicator) can be performed is determined based on the control focal length information and operation information (operation signal).

[0128] As illustrated in Figure 4(A), in the extended version, when the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end, the operation shifts to electronic zoom when further telephoto-oriented operation is performed. Therefore, when the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB257 / Yes) and the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is a telephoto-oriented operation (step SB258 / Yes), or when the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step SB270 / Yes) and the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is a telephoto-oriented operation (step SB271 / Yes), the operation shifts to electronic zoom. Therefore, in order to prevent the lens-side control unit 33 from driving the zoom lens 36a, an instruction is sent to the lens-side control unit 33 to set the motor zoom ring indicator and the motor zoom lever indicator to "off".

[0129] The fuselage-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation of the fuselage-side operation unit 29 is detected (Figure 8: step SB260).

[0130] If no operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB260 / No), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation quantity of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0 (step SB264). The operation quantity of the lens-side operation unit 39 can be obtained from the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 contained in the periodically received batch transmission information.

[0131] When the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0 (step SB264 / Yes), neither the body-side operation unit 29 nor the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, so the process returns to step SB260.

[0132] If the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not 0 (step SB264 / No), the body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing (step SB265) to increase or decrease at least a portion of the shooting surface of the shooting element 27 (the area corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28) according to the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39.

[0133] Next, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end (step SB266). If the electronic zoom position is not at the wide-angle end (step SB266 / No), it returns to step SB260.

[0134] On the other hand, when the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end (step SB266 / Yes), the camera body control unit 23 determines whether the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is a wide-angle operation (step SB267). Whether the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is a wide-angle operation can be determined based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 contained in the periodically received batch transmission information.

[0135] If the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not a wide-angle operation (step SB267 / No), return to step SB260. This is because, as explained in Figure 4(A), in the extended version, when the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end, the operation shifts to optical zoom when further wide-angle operation is performed, but if the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not a wide-angle operation, the shift to optical zoom is not necessary.

[0136] On the other hand, if the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is a wide-angle operation (step SB267 / Yes), return to step SB251 of FIG7 and send an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 to set the motor zoom lens indicator and the motor zoom lever indicator to be turned on.

[0137] As shown in Figure 4(A), in the extended version, when the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end, the operation shifts to optical zoom when further wide-angle operation is performed. Therefore, when the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end (step SB266 / Yes) and the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is a wide-angle operation (step SB267 / Yes), the operation shifts to optical zoom. Therefore, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39, the lens-side control unit 33 sends an instruction to set the motor zoom ring mark and motor zoom lever mark to be turned on, so that the lens-side control unit 33 can drive the zoom lens 36a (so that in-lens control can be performed).

[0138] In addition, when the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB260 / Yes), the body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing (step SB261) to increase or decrease at least a portion of the shooting surface of the shooting element 27 (the area corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28) according to the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29.

[0139] Next, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end (step SB262). If the electronic zoom position is not at the wide-angle end (step SB262 / No), it returns to step SB260.

[0140] On the other hand, when the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end (step SB262 / Yes), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is an operation in the wide-angle direction (step SB263).

[0141] If the operation of the fuselage-side operation unit 29 is not a wide-angle operation (step SB263 / No), return to step SB260.

[0142] On the other hand, if the operation of the body-side control unit 29 is a wide-angle operation (step SB263 / Yes), the process returns to step SB251 in FIG7, and an instruction is sent to the lens-side control unit 33 to turn on the motorized zoom lens indicator and the motorized zoom lever indicator. When the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end, the operation shifts from electronic zoom to optical zoom when performing further wide-angle operations. By turning on the motorized zoom lens indicator and the motorized zoom lever indicator, in-lens control can be performed.

[0143] Extended collaborative processing is repeatedly executed while the camera body 2 is powered on, until the collaborative mode setting is changed.

[0144] Next, we will explain the case where the camera body 2 is set to hybrid mode. As shown in Figure 6, when the camera body 2 is set to hybrid mode, the body-side control unit 23 performs hybrid cooperative processing (step SB31).

[0145] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the hybrid collaborative processing. In the hybrid collaborative processing, firstly, the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 to set the motor zoom ring indicator and motor zoom lever indicator to off (step SB311). In the hybrid process, even when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, the body-side control unit 23 controls both optical zoom and electronic zoom, thus disabling in-lens control. In the hybrid collaborative processing, the body-side control unit 23 performs hybrid control, performing optical zoom control while simultaneously performing electronic zoom control. In the hybrid control, electronic zoom control and optical zoom control are performed simultaneously (in parallel).

[0146] After step SB311, the fuselage-side control unit 23 executes the processing of steps SB312 and SB313 and the processing of steps SB314 to SB319 in parallel.

[0147] The body-side control unit 23 receives operation information from the lens-side operation unit 39 from the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB312). Additionally, the body-side control unit 23 receives control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB313). As described above, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests the transmission of batch information to the lens-side control unit 33 at regular intervals. Therefore, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information and control focal length information from the lens-side operation unit 39 from the lens-side control unit 33 at regular intervals.

[0148] In parallel with the processing of steps SB312 and SB313, the fuselage-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation of the fuselage-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB314).

[0149] If no operation is detected in the body-side operation unit 29 (step SB314 / No), the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the operation quantity of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information is 0 (step SB317). If the operation quantity of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information is 0 (step SB317 / Yes), the process returns to step SB314.

[0150] If the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not zero (step SB317 / No), the body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing according to the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 (step SB318). Additionally, the body-side control unit 23 issues a motorized zoom command instructing the zoom lens 36a to drive in accordance with the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 (step SB319). The motorized zoom command is transmitted to the lens-side control unit 33 via the body-side first communication unit 24a.

[0151] In the hybrid configuration, when either the lens-side operation unit 39 or the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the position of the optical zoom and the position of the electronic zoom change by the same proportion, depending on the amount of operation. This will be explained further.

[0152] Figures 15(A) and 15(B) are diagrams used to illustrate the changes in the optical zoom position and electronic zoom position in a hybrid configuration. In the following example, zoom ring 39a is assumed to be operated for illustration.

[0153] Figure 15(A) is a diagram showing an example of the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position before operating the zoom ring 39a. The optical zoom position is the position of the zoom lens 36a (an integer from 0 to 100) where the zoom range of the shooting optical system 36 is divided into 100 parts, with the wide-angle end represented as 0 and the telephoto end as 100. Similarly, the electronic zoom position is the position where the electronic zoom range is divided into 100 parts, with the wide-angle end represented as 0 and the telephoto end as 100. Therefore, for example, if the zoom range of the shooting optical system 36 is 4x and the electronic zoom range is 2x, the magnification of the optical zoom at optical zoom position 10 is different from the magnification of the electronic zoom at electronic zoom position 10. However, for example, the rate of change of the optical zoom magnification when both the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position increase by 1 is equal to the rate of change of the electronic zoom.

[0154] Here, for example, when the zoom ring 39a is rotated 100 degrees, the optical zoom position moves from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end. With the optical zoom position and electronic zoom position before operating the zoom ring 39a being 30, and the zoom ring 39a having rotated 10 degrees towards the telephoto direction, the body-side control unit 23 sets the electronic zoom position to 40 in step SB318. Furthermore, in step SB319, the body-side control unit 23 issues an electric zoom command including the drive indication position of the zoom lens 36a: 40, and a drive maintenance target time indicating the time taken to move the zoom lens 36a to the drive indication position: 40. The drive maintenance target time takes into account the timing at which the body-side control unit 23 can subsequently issue an electric zoom command, and is set to a time that allows the position of the zoom lens 36a to change continuously without causing discomfort to the user. The electric zoom command is issued periodically. For example, the body-side control unit 23 can determine the drive speed (magnification speed) of the zoom lens 36a based on the operation information of the zoom ring 39a, and calculate the drive maintenance target time (information indicating the magnification speed) based on the drive amount from the current position of the zoom lens 36a to the drive indication position and the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a.

[0155] Through the processing in steps SB318 and SB319, as shown in FIG15(B), both the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position are 40. Therefore, changing the electronic zoom position and the optical zoom position by the same proportion means that, within the normalized zoom range of the optical zoom and the normalized zoom range of the electronic zoom, the electronic zoom position and the optical zoom position change by the same normalized value. In other words, the proportion by which the size of a portion of the imaging surface of the imaging element 27 corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28 is changed is equal to the proportion by which the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 is changed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the change in magnification (optical zoom position and electronic zoom position) relative to the operation is constant.

[0156] After the processing in step SB319, return to step SB314.

[0157] Furthermore, upon detecting operation of the body-side operation unit 29 (step SB314 / Yes), the body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing based on the operation amount of the body-side operation unit 29 (step SB315). Additionally, the body-side control unit 23 issues an electric zoom command to drive the zoom lens 36a based on the operation amount of the body-side operation unit 29 (step SB316).

[0158] After the processing in step SB316, return to step SB314.

[0159] The hybrid cooperative processing is repeatedly executed while the camera body 2 is powered on, until the cooperative mode setting is changed. In this hybrid cooperative processing, even if either the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, the electric zoom command is issued regardless of the type of operating member of either unit. Therefore, the body-side control unit 23 can accurately control the drive of the zoom lens 36a, enabling synchronized electronic zoom and optical zoom magnification operations.

[0160] Next, we will explain the case where the camera body 2 is set to no cooperation. As shown in Figure 6, when the camera body 2 is set to no cooperation, the body-side control unit 23 performs normal processing (step SB29). Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the details of the normal processing.

[0161] In normal operation, firstly, the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 to activate the motor zoom ring indicator and the motor zoom lever indicator (step SB291). This is because, in this embodiment, in the "no cooperation" state, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, the lens-side control unit 33 performs in-lens control of the zoom lens 36a's drive based on the operation information from the lens-side operation unit 39. Furthermore, when the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the lens-side control unit 33 performs out-of-lens control of the zoom lens 36a's drive based on the instruction from the body-side control unit 23.

[0162] Following step SB291, the body-side control unit 23 executes steps SB292 and SB293, as well as steps SB294 and SB295, in parallel. The body-side control unit 23 receives operation information from the lens-side operation unit 39 from the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB292). Additionally, the body-side control unit 23 receives control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33 (step SB293). As described above, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests the transmission of batch information from the lens-side control unit 33 at regular intervals. Therefore, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information and control focal length information from the lens-side operation unit 39 from the lens-side control unit 33 at regular intervals.

[0163] In parallel with the processing of steps SB292 and SB293, the fuselage-side control unit 23 determines whether an operation of the fuselage-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB294). If no operation of the fuselage-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB294 / No), the fuselage-side control unit 23 repeats the processing of step SB294 until an operation of the fuselage-side operation unit 29 is detected.

[0164] When operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step SB294 / Yes), the body-side control unit 23, based on the operation amount of the body-side operation unit 29, sends zoom lens drive information for driving the zoom lens 36a to the lens-side control unit 33 in the same manner as in step SB255 (step SB295). Furthermore, in this embodiment, in normal operation, the zoom lens 36a is driven to change the optical zoom magnification when either the lens-side operation unit 39 or the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, but this is not a limitation. For example, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, the lens-side control unit 33 may drive the zoom lens 36a to change the optical zoom magnification, and when the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the body-side control unit 23 may change the electronic zoom magnification.

[0165] Next, the processing of the lens-side control unit 33 will be explained. After the processing of step SL13 in FIG12 is completed, the lens-side control unit 33 performs the processing of steps SL15 and SL17, steps SL21 and SL23, and steps SL31 to SL35 in parallel.

[0166] The lens-side control unit 33 does not have information regarding the cooperation mode set for the camera body 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on whether in-lens control (on / off of the motor zoom ring indicator and the motor zoom lever indicator) is possible and whether it receives a motor zoom command or zoom ring drive information from the camera body-side control unit 23. Immediately after the power to the camera body 2 is turned on, the motor zoom ring indicator and the motor zoom lever indicator are turned on through the processing of step SB19 (see Figure 6) of the camera body-side control unit 23.

[0167] Then, based on the cooperation mode or focal length and operation information, the body-side control unit 23 instructs the motor zoom ring mark and motor zoom lever mark to be turned on or off (steps SB251 and SB259 in FIG. 7, step SB311 in FIG. 10, step SB291 in FIG. 11, etc.). On the other hand, the lens-side control unit 33 receives the instruction to turn on or off the motor zoom ring mark and motor zoom lever mark, and performs processing based on the settings of the motor zoom ring mark and motor zoom lever mark.

[0168] Therefore, the lens-side control unit 33 periodically determines whether it has received the motor zoom ring indicator and the motor zoom lever indicator (step SL15 / No). Then, when the lens-side control unit 33 receives the motor zoom ring indicator and the motor zoom lever indicator (step SL15 / Yes), it sets the motor zoom ring indicator and the motor zoom lever indicator according to the instruction (on or off) from the body-side control unit 23 (step SL17), and returns to step SL15. The processing of steps SL15 and SL17 is repeated until the power to the camera body 2 is turned off.

[0169] In parallel with the processing of steps SL15 and SL17, the lens-side control unit 33 detects the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 (step SL21). This operation amount is sometimes 0.

[0170] The lens-side control unit 33 sends the operation information from the lens-side operation unit 39 and the control focal length information indicating the position of the zoom lens 36a as batch transmission information to the body-side control unit 23 (step SL23). The processing of steps SL21 and SL23 is also repeated at a certain cycle.

[0171] In parallel with the processing of steps SL15 and SL17 and steps SL21 and SL23, the lens-side control unit 33 determines whether operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is detected (step SL31). If operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is detected (step SL31 / Yes), the lens-side control unit 33 determines whether the motor zoom ring indicator and the motor zoom lever indicator are on (step SL32).

[0172] When the motor zoom ring indicator and motor zoom lever indicator are both on (step SL32 / Yes), the lens-side control unit 33 performs a motor zoom operation (step SL33). Specifically, the lens-side control unit 33 performs in-lens control of the zoom lens 36a based on the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39. After the motor zoom operation ends, the process returns to step SL31.

[0173] On the other hand, if the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is detected (step SL31 / Yes), but the motor zoom ring indicator and motor zoom lever indicator are disconnected (step SL32 / No), the lens-side control unit 33 cannot perform in-lens control. In this case, the lens-side control unit 33 executes out-of-lens control of the zoom lens 36a according to the instructions of the camera-side control unit 23, or the camera-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing based on the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39. Therefore, the lens-side control unit 33 determines whether a motor zoom command has been received (step SL34). When the camera body 2 is set to "Extended Mode," the motor zoom ring indicator and motor zoom lever indicator being set to disconnected means that the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end, and electronic zoom is performed. In this case, no motor zoom command is sent from the camera-side control unit 23, therefore the determination in step SL34 is no.

[0174] If no motor zoom command is received (step SL34 / No), return to step SL31.

[0175] On the other hand, when the camera body 2 is set to "hybrid," since optical zoom and electronic zoom are performed in parallel, a motorized zoom command is sent from the body-side control unit 23. Therefore, when the lens-side control unit 33 receives the motorized zoom command from the body-side control unit 23 via the lens-side first communication unit 34a (step SL34 / Yes), it performs a motorized zoom operation according to the instructions in the motorized zoom command (step SL35). Specifically, the zoom lens 36a is moved to the drive indication position of the zoom lens 36a contained in the motorized zoom command. At this time, the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a is set to a speed that is the same as or slightly longer than the drive maintenance target time until the zoom lens 36a reaches the drive indication position.

[0176] After step SL35 is completed, return to step SL31.

[0177] If the lens-side control unit 33 does not detect operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 (step SL31 / No), it determines whether it has received a motorized zoom command or zoom lens drive information from the body-side control unit 23 (step SL36). In the "extended" case, when the body-side operation unit 29 is operated without operating the lens-side operation unit 39, if the optical zoom position is not at the telephoto end, the body-side control unit 23 generates and sends zoom lens drive information based on the operation of the body-side operation unit 29. In the "hybrid" case, when the body-side operation unit 29 is operated without operating the lens-side operation unit 39, the body-side control unit 23 issues a motorized zoom command based on the operation of the body-side operation unit 29. Furthermore, in the "non-cooperative" case, when the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the body-side control unit 23 generates and sends zoom lens drive information based on the operation of the body-side operation unit 29. Additionally, if the body-side operation unit 29 is not operated, zoom lens drive information is not issued from the body-side control unit 23.

[0178] If neither a power zoom command nor zoom lens drive information is received from the fuselage-side control unit 23 (step SL36 / No), the process returns to step SL31. On the other hand, if either a power zoom command or zoom lens drive information is received from the fuselage-side control unit 23 (step SL36 / Yes), and a power zoom operation is performed based on the power zoom command or zoom lens drive information (step SL37), the process returns to step SL31.

[0179] As detailed above, according to this embodiment, the camera system 1 includes: an imaging element 27 having an imaging surface that captures an image formed by a zoomable imaging optical system 36; and a body-side control unit 23. The body-side control unit 23 generates image information based on signals output from at least a portion of the imaging surface and performs electronic zoom control that changes the size of that portion of the area in parallel with the zoom of the imaging optical system 36. More specifically, the body-side control unit 23 performs hybrid control that performs optical zoom control that zooms the imaging optical system 36 simultaneously with electronic zoom control. Because optical zoom and electronic zoom are performed in parallel, the change in field of view and the amount of electronic zoom are correspondingly larger than in the case of optical zoom only, resulting in a larger zoom magnification.

[0180] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the imaging surface has a plurality of pixels 27a that receive light and output signals. The resolution of the image information generated based on the signals output from the pixels contained in the first region R10 of the imaging surface is equal to the resolution of the image information generated based on the signals output from the pixels contained in the second region R20, which is larger than the first region R10. Therefore, electronic zoom can be performed without degrading image quality.

[0181] In this embodiment, the camera system 1 includes a body-side communication unit 24 that communicates with the interchangeable lens 3. The interchangeable lens 3 includes a lens-side operation unit 39 and a shooting optical system 36. The lens-side operation unit 39 receives zoom instructions, and the body-side communication unit 24 (body-side first communication unit 24a) receives operation information (information related to the amount of operation of the lens-side operation unit 39) from the interchangeable lens 3. The body-side control unit 23 performs hybrid control based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39. That is, the body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom control based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39, and also performs optical zoom control based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39. Thus, the user can perform optical zoom and electronic zoom in parallel by operating the lens-side operation unit 39.

[0182] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the body-side communication unit 24 receives information indicating the speed at which the shooting optical system 36 can be driven when zooming. Therefore, the driving of the zoom lens 36a can be instructed within the range of the speed at which the shooting optical system 36 (zoom lens 36a) can be driven.

[0183] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the body-side communication unit 24 receives information indicating the time taken to zoom the shooting optical system 36 from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end when driven at the highest speed. Additionally, in this embodiment, the body-side communication unit 24 also receives information indicating the time taken to zoom the shooting optical system 36 from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end when driven at the lowest speed. Therefore, the driving of the zoom lens 36a can be indicated within the speed range that the shooting optical system 36 (zoom lens 36a) can be driven.

[0184] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the body-side communication unit 24 (body-side first communication unit 24a) receives operation information (zoom indication) from the lens-side operation unit 39 from the interchangeable lens 3. Based on the operation information from the lens-side operation unit 39, the body-side control unit 23 sends an electric zoom command, including the drive indication position of the zoom lens and the drive maintenance target time determined according to the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a, to the interchangeable lens 3 (lens-side control unit 33). Thus, when the lens-side operation unit 39 of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated, the focal length can be changed by controlling the drive of the zoom lens 36a through the body-side control unit 23.

[0185] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 3 is an interchangeable lens 3 that can be mounted on the camera body 2, and includes: a shooting optical system 36 capable of zooming; a lens-side operation unit 39 that receives instructions from the user to zoom the shooting optical system 36; a detection unit 391 that detects the operations received by the lens-side operation unit 39; a lens-side communication unit 34 (lens-side first communication unit 34a) that sends information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit 391 to the camera body 2 and receives an electric zoom command (instruction signal) from the camera body 2 instructing the shooting optical system 36 to zoom; and a first drive unit 37 that drives the zoom lens 36a based on the electric zoom command received by the lens-side communication unit 34. Thus, when the lens-side operation unit 39 of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated, the zoom lens 36a can be driven and the focal length changed according to the instructions (electric zoom command) from the camera body 2.

[0186] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 3 includes a lens-side control unit 33, which performs external lens control and internal lens control. The external lens control controls the zoom of the shooting optical system 36 based on the motorized zoom command (indication signal) received by the lens-side communication unit 34, while the internal lens control controls the zoom of the shooting optical system 36 based on information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit 391. Thus, both extended and hybrid modes can be realized.

[0187] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lens-side communication unit 34 receives a signal from the camera body 2 indicating whether in-lens control is possible. Thus, for example, if in-lens control is not allowed, in the case of an extended type, electronic zoom processing is performed when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated; in the case of a hybrid type, external control of the zoom lens 36a can be performed according to the instruction of the body-side control unit 23.

[0188] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lens-side operation unit 39 includes a zoom ring 39a, which receives and instructs the zooming operation of the shooting optical system 36 and rotates around the optical axis OA of the shooting optical system 36. The lens-side communication unit 34 sends information (detection resolution) indicating the number of pulses output per revolution of the zoom ring 39a to the camera body 2. Therefore, the camera body-side control unit 23 can determine the drive indication position of the zoom lens 36a based on the amount of operation of the zoom ring 39a (the number of pulses detected by the detection unit 391).

[0189] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 3 is an interchangeable lens 3 that can be mounted on the camera body 2, and includes: a shooting optical system 36 capable of zooming; a lens-side operation unit 39 that receives instructions from the user to zoom the shooting optical system 36; a detection unit 391 that detects the operation received by the lens-side operation unit 39; a lens-side communication unit 34 that sends information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit 391 to the camera body 2; and a lens-side control unit 33 that performs in-lens control, which controls the zoom of the shooting optical system 36 based on the information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit 391. The lens-side communication unit 34 receives a signal from the camera body 2 indicating whether in-lens control can be performed. Thus, the following extended configuration can be achieved: before the optical zoom position becomes the telephoto end, the lens-side control unit 33 drives the zoom lens 36a to perform optical zoom to change the focal length of the shooting optical system 36; when the optical zoom position becomes the telephoto end, electronic zoom is performed on the camera body 2 side.

[0190] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lens-side communication unit 34 sends information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit 391 to the camera body 2, regardless of whether in-lens control is possible. Thus, the camera body-side control unit 23 can determine whether the motorized zoom lens indicator and the motorized zoom lever indicator need to be switched on or off.

[0191] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the lens-side communication unit 34 receives a signal prohibiting in-lens control (electric zoom ring indicator and electric zoom lever indicator: off), it receives an instruction signal (electric zoom command) from the camera body 2 instructing the zoom of the shooting optical system 36. The lens-side control unit 33 then performs external control, which controls the zoom of the shooting optical system 36 based on the instruction signal (electric zoom command) received by the lens-side communication unit 34. This enables a hybrid operation.

[0192] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the lens-side communication unit 34 receives a signal prohibiting in-lens control, the lens-side control unit 33 does not perform zoom on the shooting optical system 36. Therefore, the entire camera system 1 can be controlled via the body-side control unit 23.

[0193] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lens-side operation unit 39 (zoom ring 39a or zoom lever 39b) can be operated in the telephoto direction and the wide-angle direction opposite to the telephoto direction. When a further telephoto operation is input after the shooting optical system 36 has reached the telephoto end through operation in the telephoto direction, the lens-side communication unit 34 receives a signal that prohibits in-lens control. Thus, an extended type of electronic zoom can be realized on both sides of the camera body.

[0194] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lens-side operation unit 39 includes a zoom ring 39a and a zoom lever 39b, which is different from the zoom ring 39a. The lens-side communication unit 34 repeatedly sends the operation values ​​of the zoom ring 39a and the zoom lever 39b to the camera body 2. As a result, the camera body-side control unit 23 can determine whether the motorized zoom lens indicator and the motorized zoom lever indicator need to be turned on or off.

[0195] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the camera body 2 can be equipped with an interchangeable lens 3 having a shooting optical system 36, and includes: a body-side communication unit 24 for receiving operation information indicating operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 of the interchangeable lens 3; and a body-side communication unit 24 for transmitting information indicating whether in-lens control can be performed, wherein the in-lens control is the control of the shooting optical system 36 by the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 based on the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 of the interchangeable lens 3. Thus, the aforementioned extended and hybrid configurations can be realized.

[0196] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the camera body 2 includes: an image capturing element 27 having an image capturing surface that captures an image of the image capturing optical system 36; and a body-side control unit 23 that generates image information based on signals output from at least a portion of the image capturing surface. The body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom control, changing the size of at least a portion of the image capturing surface, based on operation signals indicating operation of the lens-side operation unit 39. Thus, the user can perform electronic zoom by operating the lens-side operation unit 39, thereby improving user convenience.

[0197] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a message prohibiting in-lens control is sent to the interchangeable lens 3, the body-side control unit 23 controls the shooting optical system 36 based on the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39. Thus, the entire camera system 1 can be controlled via the body-side control unit 23.

[0198] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the camera-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom control, it disables in-lens control. Therefore, the entire camera system 1 can be controlled via the camera-side control unit 23.

[0199] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the camera body 2 can be configured for hybrid control (hybrid mode), which performs electronic zoom control and optical zoom control simultaneously. When the camera body-side control unit 23 is configured for hybrid mode, in-lens control is disabled. Thus, the entire camera system 1 can be controlled via the camera body-side control unit 23, achieving hybrid mode control.

[0200] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the camera body 2 includes: multiple types of operating components (body-side operating units 29) capable of instructing the driving of the zoom lens 36a provided with the interchangeable lens 3 through operation; and a body-side control unit 23 that sends instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 to drive the zoom lens 36a, with the camera body 2 providing different instructions depending on the operating component being operated. Thus, appropriate instructions corresponding to the operated component can be sent to the interchangeable lens 3.

[0201] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the zoom button 29c is the one operated on the camera body side control unit 29, the camera body side control unit 23 sends zoom lens drive information, including the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a, the drive direction of the zoom lens 36a (telephoto direction, wide-angle direction), and the drive start indication of the zoom lens 36a, to the lens side control unit 33. Thus, the user can drive the zoom lens 36a by operating the zoom button 29c.

[0202] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the operated body-side control unit 29 is, for example, the zoom lever 29b, the body-side control unit 23 sends two pieces of information—the amount of zoom lever 29b being pressed in and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2 when operating the zoom lever 29b—as zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33. Thus, the user can drive the zoom lens 36a by operating the zoom lever 29b.

[0203] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the operated body-side control unit 29 is a dial or touch panel, the body-side control unit 23 periodically sends information indicating the amount of operation per unit time, i.e., the operation speed of the operating member (dial or touch panel), as zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33. Thus, the user can drive the zoom lens 36a by operating the dial or touch panel.

[0204] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in the hybrid case, the body-side control unit 23 can, when inputting a first operation instructing a temporary reduction in the magnification of the image displayed on the display unit 28, maintain the magnification (focal length) of the imaging optical system 36 while making the size of the area in the imaging element 27 corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28 larger than its size before the first operation; and when inputting a second operation instructing the restoration of the magnification of the image displayed on the display unit 28, maintain the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 while restoring the size of the area in the imaging element 27 corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28 back to its size before the first operation. This point will be explained.

[0205] Figure 16(A) shows the state of optical zoom and electronic zoom before the first operation is input; Figure 16(B) shows the image displayed on display unit 28 before the first operation is input; Figure 16(C) shows the state of optical zoom and electronic zoom after the first operation is input; and Figure 16(D) shows the image displayed on display unit 28 after the first operation is input. Furthermore, the first operation is, for example, pressing a predetermined operating member on the camera body 2.

[0206] As shown in Figure 16(A), before the first operation is input, the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position are in the same position. At this time, it is assumed that the image shown in Figure 16(B) is displayed on the display unit 28.

[0207] Here, upon inputting the first operation, as shown in FIG16(C), the camera-side control unit 23 moves the electronic zoom position towards the wide-angle side while maintaining the optical zoom position. As a result, as shown in FIG16(D), the range of the image displayed on the display unit 28 is magnified. The degree to which the electronic zoom position is moved towards the wide-angle side upon inputting the first operation can be determined by default or set by the user. Alternatively, for example, the electronic zoom position can be moved towards the wide-angle side in stages based on the number of times the first operation is input.

[0208] When the second operation is input, the camera body control unit 23, while maintaining the optical zoom position, returns the electronic zoom position to the position before the first operation was input. Therefore, as shown in FIG16(A), the area of ​​the image displayed on the display unit 28 decreases. The second operation is, for example, pressing a pre-defined operating member on the camera body 2. This pre-defined operating member may be the same as or different from the operating member that receives the first operation.

[0209] Thus, for example, the visible range (the range of the image displayed on the display unit 28) can be temporarily expanded simply by pressing the prescribed operating member, making it easy to supplement the subject.

[0210] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the body-side control unit 23 performs hybrid control across the entire zoom range of the shooting optical system 36, but is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG17(A), when the zoom ring 39a is operated from the wide-angle side to the telephoto side (in the case of zooming from the wide-angle side to the telephoto side), the body-side control unit 23 may sequentially perform optical zoom control, hybrid control, and electronic zoom control. In addition, as shown in FIG17(B), hybrid control may also be performed on a portion of the zoom range of the shooting optical system 36.

[0211] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electronic zoom position is changed proportionally relative to the operation amount of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39, but it is not limited to this. Figure 17(C) is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the operation amount of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39 and the electronic zoom position. In the above embodiment, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 17(C), the body-side control unit 23 changes the electronic zoom position proportionally relative to the operation amount of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39. However, for example, as shown by curves CV1 and CV2, the proportion of the change in the electronic zoom position relative to the operation amount of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39 may be more significant. For example, regarding the start of movement of the zoom lens 36a, sometimes the driving speed of the zoom lens 36a is slow. Therefore, when the zoom lens 36a starts to move, the proportion of the change in the electronic zoom position may be increased to compensate for the delay in the driving speed of the zoom lens 36a.

[0212] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in the hybrid (hybrid control) mode, the body-side control unit 23 performs both electronic zoom control and optical zoom control, but it is not limited to this. For example, the lens-side control unit 33 may perform optical zoom control, and the body-side control unit 23 and the lens-side control unit 33 may perform electronic zoom control in parallel. In this case, the body-side control unit 23 may control electronic zoom based on the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 or the body-side operation unit 29. If the interchangeable lens 3 cannot detect the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39, it may also control electronic zoom based on the control focal length sent from the lens-side control unit 33.

[0213] The above-described embodiments are preferred embodiments. However, they are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be implemented without departing from the main idea, and arbitrary structural elements can be combined.

[0214] Label Explanation

[0215] 1. Camera System

[0216] 2. Camera body

[0217] 3. Interchangeable lenses

[0218] 23. Fuselage side control unit

[0219] 24. Fuselage-side communication unit

[0220] 24a fuselage side first communication unit

[0221] 24b Second Communication Unit on the Fuselage Side

[0222] 27. Imaging components

[0223] 28 Display Section

[0224] 29. Fuse-side operating section

[0225] 34 Lens-side communication unit

[0226] 34a Lens-side First Communication Unit

[0227] 34b Lens-side Second Communication Unit

[0228] 36. Imaging Optical System

[0229] 36a zoom lens

[0230] 36b focusing lens

[0231] 37 First Drive Unit

[0232] 39 Lens-side operating section

[0233] OA optical axis

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit having an imaging surface that captures an image formed by a zoom optical system; a generating unit that generates image information based on a signal output from at least a portion of the imaging surface; and a control unit that performs electronic zoom control, in parallel with the zoom of the zoom optical system, to change the size of the portion of the image.

2. The shooting device according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit performs hybrid control, which simultaneously performs electronic zoom control to change the size of the portion of the region and optical zoom control to zoom the zoom optical system.

3. The shooting device according to claim 2, wherein, The control unit performs the hybrid control within at least a portion of the zoom range of the zoom optical system.

4. The imaging device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, When zooming from the wide-angle side to the telephoto side, the control unit sequentially performs the optical zoom control, the hybrid control, and the electronic zoom control.

5. The imaging device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The control unit performs the hybrid control throughout the entire zoom range of the zoom optical system.

6. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The imaging surface has multiple pixels that receive light and output signals. The resolution of the image information generated based on the signals output from the pixels contained in a first region of the imaging surface is equal to the resolution of the image information generated based on the signals output from the pixels contained in a second region, wherein the second region is larger than the first region.

7. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The shooting device includes a recording unit that records the image information generated by the generating unit, but does not record image information based on the image outside the portion of the shooting surface.

8. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The shooting device includes a communication unit that communicates with an interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens includes a lens-side operation unit and the zoom optical system. The lens-side operation unit receives zoom instructions. The communication unit receives information from the interchangeable lens related to the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit. The control unit performs electronic zoom control based on the information related to the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit.

9. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The shooting device includes a communication unit that communicates with an interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens includes a lens-side operation unit and the zoom optical system. The lens-side operation unit receives zoom instructions. The communication unit receives information from the interchangeable lens related to the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit. The control unit performs control to zoom the zoom optical system based on the information related to the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit.

10. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The shooting device includes a communication unit that communicates with an interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens includes a lens-side operation unit and the zoom optical system. The lens-side operation unit receives zoom instructions, and the communication unit performs electronic zoom control based on information related to the focal length of the zoom optical system.

11. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The shooting device includes a communication unit that communicates with an interchangeable lens, the interchangeable lens including the zoom optical system, and the communication unit receives information indicating the speed at which the zoom optical system can be driven when zooming.

12. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The shooting device includes a communication unit that communicates with an interchangeable lens, the interchangeable lens including the zoom optical system, and the communication unit receives information indicating the time taken for the zoom optical system to zoom from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end when driven at the highest speed.

13. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The shooting device includes a communication unit that communicates with an interchangeable lens, the interchangeable lens including the zoom optical system, and the communication unit receives information indicating the time taken for the zoom optical system to zoom from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end when driven at the lowest speed.

14. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, When a first operation is input, the control unit, while maintaining the magnification of the zoom optical system, makes the size of the portion of the region larger than its size before the first operation is input. When a second operation is input, the control unit, while maintaining the magnification of the zoom optical system, restores the size of the portion of the region to its size before the first operation is input.

15. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The imaging device includes an input unit that inputs a signal indicating an operation to zoom in. In the hybrid control, the change in magnification relative to the operation is constant. In the hybrid control, the proportion by which the size of the portion of the region is changed in the electronic zoom control is equal to the proportion by which the magnification of the zoom optical system is changed in the optical zoom control, relative to the operation.

16. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The shooting device includes a communication unit that communicates with the interchangeable lens, the interchangeable lens including the zoom optical system, and in the hybrid control, when an instruction signal indicating an instruction to zoom is input, the control unit determines the zoom speed based on the instruction signal, and the communication unit sends information indicating the zoom speed determined by the control unit to the interchangeable lens.

17. The imaging device according to claim 16, wherein, The control unit changes the zoom speed according to the change of the indication signal, and the communication unit periodically sends information indicating the zoom speed to the interchangeable lens.

18. The imaging device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, The information indicating the zoom speed includes the target focal length of the zoom optical system and the time spent zooming to the target focal length.

19. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The shooting device includes a communication unit that communicates with the interchangeable lens, which includes the zoom optical system. During the hybrid control, the communication unit sends a signal indicating that the zoom speed is prohibited by the lens-side control unit of the interchangeable lens.

20. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The shooting device includes a communication unit that communicates with an interchangeable lens, which includes the zoom optical system. Without performing the hybrid control, the communication unit sends a signal indicating that the lens-side control unit of the interchangeable lens is allowed to determine the zoom speed.

21. An interchangeable lens that can be mounted on a camera body, wherein, The interchangeable lens includes: a zoom optical system capable of zooming; and an operating component that receives instructions from a user to zoom the optical system. The detection department detects the operations performed by the operating components. The transmitting unit sends information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit to the camera body; The receiving unit receives from the camera body an indication signal that indicates the zoom of the zoom optical system; The receiving unit drives the zoom optical system based on the indication signal received by the receiving unit.

22. The interchangeable lens according to claim 21, wherein, The interchangeable lens includes a control unit that performs external lens control and internal lens control. The external lens control controls the zoom of the zoom optical system based on the indication signal received by the receiving unit, and the internal lens control controls the zoom of the zoom optical system based on information indicating the operation detected by the detection unit.

23. The interchangeable lens according to claim 22, wherein, The receiving unit receives a signal from the camera body indicating whether in-lens control can be performed.

24. The interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein, The transmitting unit sends information about the speed of the zoom optical system, which can be set when zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, to the camera body.

25. The interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein, The transmitting unit sends information to the camera body indicating the time taken to zoom from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end when the zoom optical system zooms at the lowest speed.

26. The interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein, The transmitting unit sends information to the camera body indicating the time taken to zoom from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end when the zoom optical system zooms at its highest speed.

27. The interchangeable lens according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein, The operating component is a ring component that receives instructions to zoom in on the zoom optical system and rotates around the optical axis of the zoom optical system. The transmitting unit sends information indicating the number of pulses output by the ring component for each rotation to the camera body.

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