Imaging apparatus, method for controlling imaging apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide an imaging apparatus that, when the imaging apparatus automatically determines whether to execute a function of image composition vibration-proofing, can reduce a situation where a user falsely recognizes the completion of photographing.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus (1) has a control unit (10) that performs processing of continuously photographing a plurality of images in response to a single photographing instruction, and composing the plurality of images while aligning the positions of the images to create one image; and a display (16) that, when the control unit performs the processing, can sequentially display the plurality of images during the photographing. The control unit has a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode for automatically determining whether to execute the processing. The control unit makes different a display method for the display during the photographing between when determining to execute the processing in the first mode and when a user performs settings to execute the processing in the second mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, a control method for the imaging device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a process (image synthesis anti-shake) for an imaging device such as a camera using an image sensor, in which a plurality of images taken in a short time are aligned and then synthesized to obtain an image equivalent to a long-exposure image without camera shake.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When shooting with image synthesis anti-shake and when shooting with a long-exposure shot with the same exposure time, the screen display is different. That is, when shooting with a long exposure, nothing is displayed on the screen during the exposure period from when the shooting instruction is given until the exposure is completed, and a preview image is displayed simultaneously with the end of shooting. That is, the screen disappears once after the shooting instruction, and when an image is displayed on the screen next time, the shooting is completed.

[0005] On the other hand, in the case of image synthesis anti-shake, since a plurality of images are taken, it is possible to display the first taken image during the shooting of the second image, and to display the second taken image during the shooting of the third image. As a result, although the FPS is low, it is possible to shoot while viewing the real-time image (substantially real-time image) during shooting, and it is possible to suppress camera shake due to this. That is, the screen display after the shooting instruction is different from that during a long exposure. After the shooting instruction, the screen disappears once, and when an image is displayed on the screen next time, the shooting is continuing.

[0006] Many imaging devices can automatically set shooting parameters so that users who are not familiar with the shooting settings can take suitable images. When the imaging device automatically determines whether the function of image synthesis anti-shake is effective regardless of the user's settings, the user may misrecognize the end of shooting.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of reducing the misrecognition of the end of shooting by the user when the imaging device automatically determines whether to execute the function of image synthesis anti-shake.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] An imaging device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that performs a process of synthesizing a plurality of images shot continuously by a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them to obtain one synthesized image, and a display unit capable of sequentially displaying the plurality of images during shooting when the control unit performs the process. The control unit has a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode for automatically determining whether to execute the process. The control unit makes the display method of the display unit during shooting different between the case where it is determined to execute the process in the first mode and the case where the user sets to execute the process in the second mode.

[0009] Other objects and features of the present invention will be described in the following embodiments.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device capable of reducing the misrecognition of the end of shooting by the user when the imaging device automatically determines whether to execute the function of image synthesis anti-shake.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [Configuration of Imaging System] First, with reference to FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the imaging system 100 in each embodiment will be described. FIG. 1(a) is a block diagram of the imaging system 100. FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of the imaging system 100. The imaging system 100 includes a camera body (imaging device) 1 and an interchangeable lens (lens device) 3 that is detachable from the camera body 1. However, this embodiment is not limited thereto, and it is also applicable to an imaging device in which the camera body and the lens device are integrally configured.

[0014] The camera body 1 includes an imaging device 11, an image processing unit 12, a memory unit 13, a shutter (focal plane shutter) 14, an operation unit 15, a display unit 16, and a viewfinder optical system 21. The imaging device 11 is a photoelectric conversion device such as a CMOS sensor or a CCD sensor, and photoelectrically converts an optical image (subject image) formed by the imaging optical system 32 of the interchangeable lens 3. The image processing unit 12 generates an image (image information) from the information photoelectrically converted by the imaging device 11. The memory unit 13 stores information such as image information. The shutter 14 controls the blocking and passing of light rays to the imaging device 11. The operation unit 15 recognizes the user's operations. The display unit 16 performs display of images and the like.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the display unit 16 includes a rear liquid crystal unit 16a disposed on the back (right side) of the camera body 1, and a viewfinder display unit 16b that can be viewed through the eyepiece lens 21a of the viewfinder optical system 21. As will be described later, the display unit 16 displays images such as live view images and preview images. Also, when the camera system control unit 10 executes the function of image synthesis anti-shake, the display unit 16 can sequentially display a plurality of images during shooting. The user can arbitrarily switch whether to display the image on either the rear liquid crystal unit 16a or the viewfinder display unit 16b.

[0016] The camera body 1 also includes camera-side shake correction means 17, a gyro sensor 18, and a camera system control unit 10. The camera-side shake correction means 17 moves (shifts) the imaging device 11 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis 31 (the direction orthogonal to the optical axis). The gyro sensor 18 is a vibration detection means (rotation shake detection means) that detects the angular velocity of the rotational shake of the camera body 1. The camera system control unit 10 is a control unit that controls each part of the camera body 1. The camera system control unit 10 includes a shake correction control unit that performs shake correction control and an image synthesis control unit that performs image synthesis.

[0017] The interchangeable lens 3 includes an imaging optical system 32, a focus driving means 33, a lens-side blur correction means 34, and a lens system control unit 30. The imaging optical system 32 is configured by arranging a plurality of lenses along the optical axis 31 and allows light rays to pass through. The focus driving means 33 drives the focus lens in the optical axis direction. The lens-side blur correction means 34 shifts and moves a shift lens (vibration-proof lens) in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis and rotates it about an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis 31. The lens system control unit 30 controls each part of the interchangeable lens 3. The lens system control unit 30 has a lens characteristic memory unit that stores lens driving characteristics.

[0018] The camera body 1 and the interchangeable lens 3 can exchange electrical signals via a lens contact 20 that is electrically connected. The shutter 14 has shutter curtains composed of a front curtain and a rear curtain, and controls the blocking and passing of light rays from the imaging optical system 32 to the image sensor 11 by running each shutter curtain within the shutter aperture. The driving of the shutter 14 is controlled by the camera system control unit 10.

[0019] The light rays that pass through the imaging optical system 32 of the interchangeable lens 3 and the aperture of the shutter 14 and are received by the image sensor 11 are subjected to photoelectric conversion, and the photoelectric conversion output is quantized by an A / D converter (not shown). The image processing unit 12 has a white balance circuit, a gamma correction circuit, an interpolation arithmetic circuit, etc. inside, and generates image data from the signals acquired from the image sensor 11 in response to commands from the camera system control unit 10. The image data generated by the image processing unit 12 is stored in the memory unit 13.

[0020] The camera system control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and overall controls the control of the camera body 1 including communication with the interchangeable lens 3. The camera system control unit 10 generates a timing signal and the like during imaging and outputs it to each unit. When the release button included in the operation unit 15 is pressed and an operation instruction is received, the camera system control unit 10 controls the imaging element 11 according to the operation instruction and transmits a command signal to the lens system control unit 30. The release button can detect a so-called half-press operation with a first-stage pushing amount and a so-called full-press operation with a further pushed amount from there. When the half-press operation is detected, commands for preparatory shooting operations such as an autofocus (AF) operation are issued. Further, when the full-press operation of the release button is detected from that state, the shutter 14 is driven to start the exposure operation for still image shooting. Also, depending on the setting, it is possible to continuously perform the exposure operation for still image shooting a plurality of times by pressing the release button once.

[0021] Also, the camera body 1 incorporates a speaker (sound reproduction unit) 22. The speaker 22 reproduces sounds such as operation sounds for setting and shutter sounds during shooting as necessary.

[0022] [Shake correction operation] Next, shake correction will be described. First, the camera-side shake correction means 17 will be described. The gyro sensor 18 is an angular shake sensor and detects the angular velocity (angular velocity signal) due to the rotation of the camera body 1. The camera system control unit 10 performs filter processing and integration processing on the angular velocity signal from the gyro sensor 18 to calculate the angular shake component of the camera body 1 and generate a drive signal for the camera-side shake correction means 17.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1(b), among the directions along the optical axis 31, the direction on the side of the interchangeable lens 3 is defined as the positive direction of the Z-axis, the upward direction of the camera body 1 is defined as the positive direction of the Y-axis, and the front side of the paper of the axis orthogonal to each of the Z-axis and the Y-axis is defined as the positive direction of the X-axis. At this time, the gyro sensor 18 can calculate the angular velocity due to the rotation about each axis of the camera body 1. The gyro sensor 18 can be configured by one package, or three identical packages may be installed in the angular axis direction.

[0024] The camera-side shake correction means 17 corrects camera shake by using a signal based on the detection result (angular velocity signal) of the gyro sensor 18 to shift-move the imaging element 11 in the XY plane substantially orthogonal to the optical axis 31 and rotate it about an axis substantially parallel to the Z-axis (optical axis 31). The camera-side shake correction means 17 corrects rotational shake in the pitch / roll directions of the camera body 1 by shift-moving the imaging element 11 in the XY plane. Further, the camera-side shake correction means 17 corrects roll shake by rotating the imaging element 11 about an axis substantially parallel to the Z-axis, which is the optical axis 31.

[0025] Similarly, the lens-side shake correction means 34 receives the drive signal generated by the camera system control unit 10 via the lens contact 20 and the lens system control unit 30 and drives the shift lens. Different from the camera-side shake correction means 17, the lens-side shake correction means 34 corrects only the rotational shake in the pitch / roll directions of the camera body 1 by performing only the shift movement of the imaging element 11 in the XY plane substantially orthogonal to the optical axis 31.

[0026] [Image synthesis anti-shake] Next, image synthesis anti-shake will be described. When taking a suitable photo (image) in an environment where sufficient light quantity cannot be obtained, it is generally known to perform a process (second process) of lengthening the exposure time (taking a photo with an exposure time longer than a predetermined time) (long-exposure shooting). However, the longer the exposure time, the greater the influence of camera shake, and there is a possibility that the image will be blurred even with the above-described camera shake correction operation. Therefore, the image processing unit 12 has a function of performing synthesis while aligning a plurality of images output by the image sensor 11 in time series (image synthesis anti-shake). That is, the camera system control unit 10 performs a process of continuously shooting a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing a single image by synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them.

[0027] The image processing unit 12 performs alignment by translational movement with two-pixel unit accuracy based on the motion vectors between the plurality of images. The image synthesized by the image processing unit 12 is recorded in the memory unit 13.

[0028] Also, when performing image synthesis anti-shake, the plurality of images are divided so that the total exposure time of the plurality of images is the same as the exposure time in long-exposure shooting. For example, in the case of shooting with an exposure time of 1 second in long-exposure shooting, an image with reduced blur and equivalent exposure to that during long-exposure shooting can be obtained by aligning and synthesizing 10 images shot continuously with an exposure time of 1 / 10 second.

[0029] However, when performing image synthesis anti-shake, it is cumbersome for the user to set the exposure time per image, the number of images to be shot, etc. Therefore, the camera system control unit 10 can automatically determine a suitable setting and perform shooting. The camera system control unit 10 also has a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode (automatic mode) in which the camera system control unit 10 automatically determines (without being instructed by the user) whether to perform a process (first process) of shooting using image synthesis anti-shake. The second mode is a mode (manual mode) in which, for example, according to a user's instruction, a process (second process) of shooting using image synthesis anti-shake is performed.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the behavior after the shooting instruction in the case of shooting using the long-exposure shooting and image synthesis anti-shake functions will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the display of the display unit 16 during long-exposure shooting. In FIG. 2, in long-exposure shooting, the display of the display unit 16 from the left to the right in the figure is shown in time series from when the shooting instruction is given until the shooting is completed and the preview screen after shooting is displayed on the display unit 16.

[0031] When the user gives a shooting instruction at timing T21, the exposure starts, and nothing is displayed on the display unit 16 during the exposure period (section T22). When the shooting ends at timing T23, the preview image 201 of the captured image is displayed on the display unit 16. That is, the user needs to hold the camera body 1 so as not to move it while looking at the display unit 16 where nothing is displayed during the exposure period (section T22). When the exposure time is short, the influence is small, but in the case of long-exposure shooting, it is difficult to hold the camera body 1 while the live view image is not displayed, which contributes to an increase in camera shake.

[0032] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the display during shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the display of the display unit 16 during shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function.

[0033] As an example, the behavior when the number of images to be synthesized is 6 will be described. When shooting using image synthesis anti-shake, as described above, by continuously shooting with a short exposure time, images with reduced blur are synthesized. In that case, while the second image of the continuous shooting is being exposed, it is possible to display the first image captured previously on the display unit 16. That is, after the user gives a shooting instruction at timing T31, the first exposure is performed during the first exposure period (section T32). Also, nothing is displayed on the display unit 16 during the first exposure period (section T32).

[0034] After the shooting of the first image is completed, in the second exposure period (section T33), the exposure of the second image starts. Also, in the second exposure period (section T33), a preview image of the image shot in the first shot is displayed on the display unit 16. Similarly, in the third exposure period (section T34), the exposure of the third image starts, and a preview of the second image is displayed on the display unit 16. Hereinafter, in the fourth exposure period (section T35), the fifth exposure period (section T36), and the sixth exposure period (section T37), the same processing is performed. In the seventh exposure period (section T38), no exposure is performed, and within this period, the six images shot so far are aligned and synthesized. Also, in the seventh exposure period (section T38), a preview image of the sixth image is displayed on the display unit 16.

[0035] At the timing T39 when the image synthesis anti-shake is completed, a preview image 301 of the synthesized image is displayed on the display unit 16. Thereby, when shooting using image synthesis anti-shake, a plurality of images during shooting can be displayed almost in real time, and it is possible to suppress an increase in camera shake.

[0036] Next, problems in the automatic mode will be described. In the automatic mode, the camera body 1 automatically determines whether to perform shooting using the function of image synthesis anti-shake or to perform long-exposure shooting without using the function of image synthesis anti-shake. That is, in the case of shooting conditions near the threshold for whether to use the function of image synthesis anti-shake, the shooting will be a mixture of shooting using image synthesis anti-shake and long-exposure shooting. In that case, there is a possibility that the user may misrecognize the timing of the end of shooting. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

[0037] In the case of long-exposure shooting, after the shooting instruction, the display on the display unit 16 disappears once, and when it is displayed next, a preview image is displayed after the shooting is completed. On the other hand, in the case of shooting using the function of image synthesis anti-shake, after the shooting instruction, the display on the display unit 16 disappears once, and when it is displayed next, the shooting is still continuing and a real-time image is displayed. That is, the behavior when the display on the display unit 16 disappears after the shooting instruction and then an image is displayed on the display unit 16 next is different between long-exposure shooting and shooting using the function of image synthesis anti-shake.

[0038] When the user performs shooting believing that it is a long-exposure shooting, once the display on the display unit 16 disappears after the shooting instruction and then is displayed on the display unit 16 again, the user determines that the shooting has ended and, in many cases, stops holding the camera body 1 still. If the shooting is performed using the image synthesis anti-shake function as determined by the camera body 1, it is still in the middle of shooting when the image is redisplayed on the display unit 16. Therefore, since the user stops holding the camera body 1 still, an image with a large blur is captured.

[0039] In each of the embodiments, it has been described that after the shooting ends, a preview image of the captured image is displayed on the display unit 16. However, depending on the settings of the camera body 1, a live view image may be displayed instead of the preview image.

[0040] Therefore, in each of the embodiments, in the automatic mode, the display method of the image during shooting in the shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function (first process) or long-exposure shooting (second process) is made different from that in other modes so that the user does not misrecognize the shooting end timing. Each of the embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0041] (First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. When shooting using image synthesis anti-shake, unlike long-exposure shooting, it is possible to display a real-time image during the exposure period. This makes it easier for the user to hold the camera body 1 during the exposure period and can suppress one of the causes of camera shake. However, in the automatic mode in which the camera body 1 automatically determines whether the image synthesis anti-shake function is valid or invalid, there is a possibility that the user may misrecognize the shooting timing due to the difference in behavior from long-exposure shooting. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the camera body 1 is set to the automatic mode, a real-time image is not displayed on the display unit 16 during image synthesis anti-shake (when it is determined that the image synthesis anti-shake function is valid).

[0042] Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen display during shooting using image synthesis anti-shake in automatic mode, and is shown in chronological order from left to right in the figure.

[0043] After a shooting instruction is given at timing T41, normally (for example, in manual mode), the display on the display unit 16 disappears once in section T42, and real-time images are displayed on the display unit 16 from section T43 to section T48. On the other hand, in automatic mode, no image is displayed on the display unit 16 until the composite image 401 is previewed at timing T49 without displaying a real-time image on the display unit 16. That is, the display method (screen display method) is changed so as to behave the same as the display for long-exposure shooting.

[0044] Thus, in the present embodiment, when shooting in automatic mode, the display method is controlled so that the display on the display unit 16 is similar when shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function and when shooting with long-exposure. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the user misrecognizing the shooting end timing.

[0045] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, when performing long-exposure shooting in automatic mode (when it is determined that the function of image synthesis anti-shake is invalid), the image immediately before the shooting instruction is given during the exposure period is displayed. That is, after the shooting instruction, the image displayed on the display unit 16 disappears once, and then even if an image is displayed on the display unit 16 again, the shooting is still in progress, so it is equivalent to the behavior in shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function.

[0046] Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen display during long-exposure shooting in automatic mode, and is shown in chronological order from left to right in the figure.

[0047] Assume that a shooting instruction is given by the user at timing T51. In the immediately preceding section T50, the live view image 501 is displayed on the display unit 16. After the shooting instruction, in section T52, the image displayed on the display unit 16 disappears once. Thereafter, in section T53, the live view image 502 immediately before the timing T51 of the shooting instruction is displayed on the display unit 16. In section T54 after the exposure ends, the preview image 503 of the captured image is displayed on the display unit 16. Also in this case, the total time of section T52 and section T53 is equal to the exposure period. Note that the start of section T52 may be earlier than the start of the exposure period, or the end of section T53 may be later than the end of the exposure period. Also, in section T53, an image indicating that it is during the exposure period may be displayed in addition to the live view image 502.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the display method when performing long-exposure shooting in the automatic mode (when it is determined that shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function is invalid) is made different from the display method of the display unit 16 in long-exposure shooting in a case where it is not the automatic mode (for example, the manual mode). Thereby, the difference in behavior (display method) between long-exposure shooting and shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function can be reduced. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user misidentifies the shooting end timing.

[0049] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As described above, when shooting using image synthesis anti-shake, unlike long-exposure shooting, it is possible to display a real-time image during the exposure period. This makes it easier for the user to hold the camera body 1 during the exposure period and suppresses one of the causes of camera shake. However, in the case of the automatic mode in which the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the image synthesis anti-shake function is automatically determined by the camera body 1, due to the difference in behavior from long-exposure shooting, the user may misrecognize the shooting timing. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the automatic mode, when shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function, the real-time image displayed on the display unit 16 is reduced and displayed. For example, the display size of the image displayed on the display unit 16 is reduced to about half (1 / 2) of the area of the display unit 16 and displayed.

[0050] Hereinafter, a specific example will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7(a) and (b). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the screen display when shooting using image synthesis anti-shake in the automatic mode, and is shown in chronological order from left to right in the figure.

[0051] After a shooting instruction is given at timing T61, continuous shooting is sequentially performed from section T62 to section T68, and real-time images of the plurality of captured images are displayed on the display unit 16 from section T63 to section T69, respectively. In this embodiment, the image size at that time is reduced to about 1 / 2, for example, and the image is displayed. Note that the image 601 displayed in section T69 is the original image size, but may be reduced and displayed in the same manner as the images displayed in sections T63 to T68.

[0052] FIGS. 7(a) and (b) show an example in which a plurality of images are displayed on the rear liquid crystal unit 16a from section T63 to section T69. Normally (in a mode other than the automatic mode such as the manual mode), as shown in FIG. 7(a), an image (real-time image) 701 is displayed in a size substantially the same as the area of the rear liquid crystal unit 16a. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the image 702 is displayed reduced to about 1 / 2 of the area of the rear liquid crystal unit 16a.

[0053] In this embodiment, by reducing and displaying the real-time image, the image once displayed on the display unit 16 disappears after the shooting instruction, and the next displayed image (image size) is different from the normal display. Therefore, it is possible to clearly determine whether shooting is in progress using the image synthesis anti-shake function. According to this embodiment, when shooting in the automatic mode, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the user misrecognizing the shooting end timing while displaying the real-time image during shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function. Methods for making it different from the normal display may include, in addition to the method of reducing and displaying the real-time image, a method of displaying an image obtained by cutting out a part of the real-time image, a method of masking a part of the real-time image for display, a method of superimposing another image on a part of the real-time image, and the like.

[0054] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, when shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function in the automatic mode, the sound during shooting reproduced from the speaker 22 is made different from the sound in other cases (for example, in the case of long-exposure shooting). Due to the difference in the sound reproduced after the shooting instruction, the user can determine whether it is shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function or long-exposure shooting. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the user misrecognizing the shooting end timing.

[0055] Note that in this embodiment, together with the sound during shooting, the display method may be changed as described in the first to third embodiments, or only the sound may be changed without changing the display method.

[0056] According to each embodiment, when shooting in the automatic mode, the difference in behavior between image synthesis anti-shake and long-exposure shooting can reduce the possibility of the user misrecognizing the shooting end timing. Therefore, according to each embodiment, it is possible to provide an imaging device, a control method of the imaging device, and a program that can reduce the misrecognition of the shooting end by the user when the imaging device automatically determines whether to execute the image synthesis anti-shake function.

[0057] (Other Embodiments) The present invention can also be implemented by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus to read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0058] The disclosure of each embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A control unit that performs a process of continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing one image by synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them, When the control unit performs the process, a display unit capable of sequentially displaying the plurality of images during shooting, and having, The control unit has a first mode and a second mode, The first mode is a mode that automatically determines whether to execute the process, The imaging apparatus, wherein the control unit makes the display method of the display unit during shooting different between the case where it is determined to execute the process in the first mode and the case where it is executed in the second mode. (Configuration 2) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein when the control unit determines to execute the process in the first mode, the plurality of images are not sequentially displayed during shooting. (Configuration 3) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein when the control unit determines not to execute the process in the first mode, an image captured before the shooting instruction is displayed on the display unit. (Configuration 4) The imaging apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein when the control unit determines to execute the process in the first mode, the display size of the plurality of images is changed and displayed on the display unit. (Configuration 5) The imaging device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein when the control unit determines to execute the process in the first mode, the sound reproduced during the imaging is changed. (Configuration 6) A control unit that performs a first process of continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them to synthesize one image, and a second process of performing shooting with an exposure time longer than a predetermined time; A display unit capable of sequentially displaying the plurality of images during shooting when the control unit performs the first process; The control unit has a first mode and a second mode; The first mode is a mode for automatically determining whether to execute the first process; An imaging device characterized in that the display method of the display unit during the first process or the second process is made different between the first mode and the second mode. (Configuration 7) A control unit that performs a process of continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them to synthesize one image; A sound reproduction unit that reproduces sound; The control unit has a first mode and a second mode; The first mode is a mode for automatically determining whether to execute the process; An imaging device characterized in that the sound reproduced by the sound reproduction unit during shooting is made different between the case where the control unit determines to execute the process in the first mode and the case where the control unit executes the process in the second mode. (Configuration 8) The imaging device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, wherein the second mode is a mode for executing the process according to a user's instruction. (Method 1) A control method for an imaging device that performs a process of continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them to synthesize one image, In the first mode that automatically determines whether to execute the process out of the first mode and the second mode, a determination step of automatically determining whether to execute the process; when it is determined to execute the process in the first mode, a display step of displaying an image being shot on a display unit, and has: In the display step, a step of changing a display method of the display unit during the shooting so as to be different from a case of executing the process in the second mode, a control method for an imaging device, characterized in that it has. (Method 2) A control method for an imaging device that performs a first process of continuously shooting a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them to synthesize one image, and a second process of shooting with an exposure time longer than a predetermined time, In the first mode that automatically determines whether to execute the process out of the first mode and the second mode, a determination step of automatically determining whether to execute the first process; a display step of displaying an image being shot on a display unit, and has: In the display step, a control method for an imaging device, characterized in that the display method of the display unit during the first process or the second process is made different between the first mode and the second mode. (Method 3) A control method for an imaging device that performs a process of continuously shooting a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them to synthesize one image, In the first mode that automatically determines whether to execute the process out of the first mode and the second mode, a determination step of automatically determining whether to execute the process; when it is determined to execute the process in the first mode, a reproduction step of reproducing sound, and has: In the reproduction step, a control method for an imaging device, characterized in that the sound is changed so as to be different from a case of executing the process in the second mode. (Configuration 9) A program characterized by causing a computer to execute a method for controlling an imaging device according to any one of Methods 1 to 3.

[0059] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0060] In each embodiment, the case of performing shooting in the automatic mode has been described, but it is not limited thereto. Regardless of the mode (even in a mode other than the automatic mode), at least one of the display method or sound for shooting using the image synthesis anti-shake function and long-exposure shooting may be set as in each embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1 Camera body (imaging device) 10 Camera system control unit (control unit) 16 Display unit

Claims

1. A control unit that performs a process of synthesizing a single image by continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them; A display unit capable of sequentially displaying the plurality of images during shooting when the control unit performs the process, and having: The control unit has a first mode and a second mode; The first mode is a mode that automatically determines whether to execute the process; An imaging device, wherein the control unit varies a display method of the display unit during shooting depending on a case where the control unit determines to execute the process in the first mode and a case where the control unit executes the process in the second mode.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not sequentially display the plurality of images during shooting when determining to execute the process in the first mode.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display an image captured before the shooting instruction when determining not to execute the process in the first mode.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a display size of the plurality of images and causes the display unit to display the images when determining to execute the process in the first mode.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes a sound reproduced during shooting when determining to execute the process in the first mode.

6. A control unit that performs a first process of synthesizing a single image by continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them, and a second process of performing shooting with an exposure time longer than a predetermined time; A display unit capable of sequentially displaying the plurality of images during shooting when the control unit performs the first process, and having: The control unit has a first mode and a second mode; The first mode is a mode that automatically determines whether to execute the first process; An imaging device, wherein the display method of the display unit during the first process or the second process is varied between the first mode and the second mode.

7. A control unit that performs a process of synthesizing a single image by continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them; A sound reproduction unit that reproduces sound, and having: The control unit has a first mode and a second mode, wherein the first mode is a mode for automatically determining whether to execute the processing, and the control unit is characterized in that the sound reproduced by the sound reproduction unit during imaging is made different between the case where it is determined to execute the processing in the first mode and the case where the processing is executed in the second mode. An imaging device.

8. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second mode is a mode for executing the processing according to a user's instruction.

9. A control method for an imaging device that performs a process of continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them to synthesize one image, a determination step of automatically determining whether to execute the processing in the first mode that automatically determines whether to execute the processing among the first mode and the second mode; a display step of displaying an image being captured on a display unit when it is determined to execute the processing in the first mode, and a control method for an imaging device, characterized by having a step of changing a display method of the display unit during the imaging so as to be different from the case where the processing is executed in the second mode in the display step.

10. A control method for an imaging device that performs a first process of continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them to synthesize one image, and a second process of performing shooting with an exposure time longer than a predetermined time, a determination step of automatically determining whether to execute the first process in the first mode that automatically determines whether to execute the processing among the first mode and the second mode; a display step of displaying an image being captured on a display unit, and a control method for an imaging device, characterized in that in the display step, the display method of the display unit during the first process or the second process is made different between the first mode and the second mode.

11. A control method for an imaging device that performs a process of continuously capturing a plurality of images with a single shooting instruction and synthesizing the plurality of images while aligning them to synthesize one image, a determination step of automatically determining whether to execute the processing in the first mode that automatically determines whether to execute the processing among the first mode and the second mode; When it is determined that the process is to be executed in the first mode, a playback step of playing a sound; and, In the playback step, a control method for an imaging device, characterized in that the sound is changed so as to be different from the case where the process is executed in the second mode.

12. A program, characterized in that a computer is caused to execute the control method for an imaging device according to any one of Claims 9 to 11.

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