Imaging apparatus and interchangeable lens

Abstract

To easily utilize an electronic zoom of an imaging apparatus.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus (100) to which an interchangeable lens (200) can be mounted in a freely removable manner includes: a communication section (160) which performs a data communication with the interchangeable lens; an imaging section (110) which picks up a subject image via the interchangeable lens to generate image data; a control section (140) which controls operation of the interchangeable lens by the data communication via the communication section; an image processing section (145) which performs electronic zoom processing for segmenting an image in a variable magnification power from the generated image data; and a setting section (150) which sets the electronic zoom processing to an operation member (212) disposed in the interchangeable lens in response to a user operation. The control section controls the image processing section in such a manner that the interchangeable lens is caused to perform predetermined operation in response to an operation of the operation member while the electronic zoom processing is not set to the operation member and that the electronic zoom processing is performed in response to an operation of the operation member by prohibiting the predetermined operation by the interchangeable lens when the electronic zoom processing is set to the operation member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging device having an electronic zoom function and an interchangeable lens that can be attached to the imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that enables both manual focus and manual zoom operations with a single ring device. This imaging device includes an optical lens system including a focus lens and a zoom lens, a selector switch for switching between manual focus mode and autofocus mode, and a rotating ring device. When the selector switch is set to autofocus mode, the rotating ring device functions as a manual zoom operation ring and performs optical zoom control by driving the zoom lens with a zoom motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-072051 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides an imaging device and an interchangeable lens that can facilitate use of electronic zoom in the imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In the present disclosure, an imaging device to which an interchangeable lens can be detachably attached includes a communication unit that performs data communication with the attached interchangeable lens, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject via the interchangeable lens and generates image data, a control unit that controls the operation of the interchangeable lens through data communication via the communication unit, an image processing unit that performs electronic zoom processing to crop an image at a variable magnification from the image data generated by the imaging unit, and a setting unit that sets the electronic zoom processing on an operation member provided on the interchangeable lens in response to a user operation. The control unit controls the image processing unit to cause the interchangeable lens to perform a predetermined operation in response to operation of the operation member when electronic zoom processing has not been set on the operation member by the setting unit, and to prohibit the predetermined operation of the interchangeable lens and perform electronic zoom processing in response to operation of the operation member when electronic zoom processing has been set on the operation member by the setting unit.

[0006] In the present disclosure, an interchangeable lens that is detachably attachable to an imaging device includes a communication unit that performs data communication with the attached imaging device, an optical system that forms an image on an imaging unit of the imaging device based on incident light, an operation member that accepts user operations related to the optical system, and a control unit that controls the operation of the optical system in response to operation of the operation member based on information received from the imaging device via the communication unit. The control unit performs a predetermined operation of the optical system in response to operation of the operation member when electronic zoom processing of the imaging device is not set on the operation member, and does not perform the predetermined operation of the optical system in response to operation of the operation member when electronic zoom processing is set on the operation member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The imaging device and interchangeable lens according to the present disclosure can make it easier to use the electronic zoom of the imaging device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Rear view of the camera body of a digital camera [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a manual focus (MF) ring in an interchangeable lens of a digital camera. [Figure 4] Timing chart showing an example of a detection signal of an MF ring in an interchangeable lens [Figure 5] A diagram for explaining the electronic zoom function of a digital camera. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an initial communication operation in a digital camera; [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an electronic zoom setting process in a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a setting menu display in the digital camera of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an electronic zoom operation in the digital camera according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example during electronic zoom operation of a digital camera. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating a hybrid zoom operation in the digital camera according to the first embodiment; [Figure 12] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a setting menu display in a digital camera according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a hybrid zoom operation in a digital camera according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an electronic zoom operation in a digital camera according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera according to a modification of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) The configuration and operation of an embodiment of an imaging device according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0011] 1. Configuration 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera 1 according to embodiment 1. The digital camera 1 of this embodiment is composed of a camera body 100 and an interchangeable lens 200 that is detachable from the camera body 100.

[0012] 1-1.Camera body Camera body 100 (an example of an imaging device) includes an image sensor 110, a display monitor 130, an operation unit 150, a camera control unit 140, RAM 141, a flash memory 142, a body mount 160, and a card slot 170. Camera body 100 also includes, as a functional component of camera control unit 140, a zoom processing unit 145 that implements an electronic zoom function.

[0013] The image sensor 110 is an element that captures an image of a subject incident through the interchangeable lens 200 and generates image data (also referred to as imaging data). The image sensor 110 is, for example, a CMOS image sensor. The generated image data is digitized by an AD converter (ADC) 111. The digitized image data is subjected to predetermined image processing by the camera control unit 140. The predetermined image processing includes, for example, gamma correction processing, white balance correction processing, scratch correction processing, YC conversion processing, electronic zoom processing, and JPEG compression processing. The image sensor 110 may be a CCD or NMOS image sensor, etc.

[0014] The image sensor 110 operates at a timing controlled by a timing generator (TG) 112. The image sensor 110 generates still or moving images for recording, or a live view image. The live view image is an example of a moving image displayed on the display monitor 130 to allow a user to visualize the real-time imaging results of the image sensor 110.

[0015] Display monitor 130 is an example of a display unit that displays at least one of images such as live view images and various information such as menu screens on a display screen. Display monitor 130 can be configured with various display devices such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL device. In addition to or instead of display monitor 130, digital camera 1 may also be provided with, for example, an electronic viewfinder (EVF) having a display screen as an example of another display unit on camera body 100.

[0016] Operation unit 150 is a general term for a user interface that can input operations (instructions) from the user. When operation unit 150 receives input of a user operation, it transmits an operation signal indicating various instructions corresponding to the user operation to camera control unit 140. Operation unit 150 includes, for example, physical buttons, levers, dials, touch panels, switches, etc. Operation unit 150 may also include virtual buttons and icons displayed on display monitor 130.

[0017] 2 shows a release button 151, direction buttons 152, a focus selection lever 153, and a touch panel 155 as examples of the operation unit 150 of the camera body 100. The operation unit 150 can be used to operate, for example, a setting menu of the digital camera 1. The operation unit 150 is an example of a setting unit in this embodiment.

[0018] The focus selection lever 153 is an example of a switching unit that switches between operation modes in the setting unit of the digital camera 1. In the example of Fig. 2, the focus selection lever 153 is configured to be able to switch between two operation modes, including manual focus (MF) mode and autofocus (AF) mode, but is not limited to this and may be configured to be able to switch between three or more operation modes. Such operation modes to be switched between may include, for example, operation modes for various focusing operations such as AF-S (single AF) mode and AF-C (continuous AF) mode, i.e., focus modes, or may include other operation modes.

[0019] The camera control unit 140 controls the overall operation of the digital camera 1 by controlling components such as the image sensor 110 in response to instructions from the operation unit 150. The camera control unit 140 may be configured with a hardwired electronic circuit, or may be configured with a microcomputer that executes a program. The camera control unit 140 transmits a vertical synchronization signal to the timing generator 112. In parallel with this, the camera control unit 140 generates a synchronization signal synchronized with the vertical synchronization signal and transmits this synchronization signal to the lens control unit 230 via the body mount 160 and the lens mount 250. The camera control unit 140 uses the RAM 141 as a working memory during control operations and image processing operations.

[0020] For example, the zoom processing unit 145 in the camera control unit 140 performs zoom processing to realize an electronic zoom function by cutting out an image from the image data from the image sensor 110 and resizing the cut-out image. Details of the zoom processing unit 145 will be described later. The zoom processing unit 145 is an example of an image processing unit in this embodiment. The zoom processing unit 145 is not limited to the functional configuration of the camera control unit 140, and may be, for example, an image processing circuit separate from the camera control unit 140.

[0021] The flash memory 142 stores programs and parameters used by the camera control unit 140 when performing control.

[0022] The body mount 160 can be mechanically and electrically connected to the lens mount 250 of the interchangeable lens 200. The body mount 160 can send and receive data to and from the interchangeable lens 200 via the lens mount 250. The body mount 160 transmits an exposure synchronization signal received from the camera control unit 140 to the lens control unit 230 via the lens mount 250.

[0023] The body mount 160 also transmits other control signals received from the camera control unit 140 to the lens control unit 230 via the lens mount 250. The body mount 160 also transmits signals received from the lens control unit 230 via the lens mount 250 to the camera control unit 140.

[0024] The card slot 170 can accommodate a memory card 171, and controls the memory card 171 under control of the camera control unit 140. The digital camera 1 can store image data in the memory card 171 and read image data from the memory card 171.

[0025] 1-2.Interchangeable lenses 1, the interchangeable lens 200 includes an optical system including, for example, a focus lens 210, a zoom lens 220, and an aperture 260. The interchangeable lens 200 further includes various drive units 211, 221, and 261, a lens control unit 230, a RAM 231, a flash memory 232, and a lens mount 250. The interchangeable lens 200 may further include an image stabilization lens in addition to the lenses shown in FIG.

[0026] The interchangeable lens 200 also includes operating members such as an MF ring 212 and a zoom ring 222. The operating members of the interchangeable lens 200 are not limited to these, and may include, for example, a lever or the like provided on the exterior.

[0027] The lens control unit 230 controls the overall operation of the interchangeable lens 200. The lens control unit 230 may be configured with a hardwired electronic circuit, or may be configured with a microcomputer that executes a program.

[0028] The RAM 231 functions as a work memory used during control by the lens control unit 230. The flash memory 232 stores programs, parameters, lens data, etc. used during control by the lens control unit 230.

[0029] The zoom lens 220 is a lens for changing the magnification of a subject image formed by the optical system of the interchangeable lens 200. The zoom lens 220 may be configured with any number of lenses and any number of groups. The zoom lens drive mechanism 221 is a mechanical mechanism (e.g., a cam mechanism) that moves the zoom lens 220 along the optical axis of the optical system based on the user's operation of the zoom ring 222. The position of the zoom lens 220 is detected by the zoom lens position detection unit 223 at all times, and is notified to the lens control unit 230. These units 220 to 223 for optical zoom are an example of an optical zoom mechanism in the camera body 100.

[0030] The zoom ring 222 has a predetermined angle range (for example, 90°) within which the optical focal length of the zoom lens 220 in the interchangeable lens 200 can be moved between the wide-angle end, at which it is the shortest, and the telephoto end, at which it is the longest. The zoom ring 222 is an example of an operating member that can perform zoom operation by operating it to various rotation angles within that angle range.

[0031] The diaphragm 260 adjusts the amount of light incident on the image sensor 110. The diaphragm 260 is driven by a diaphragm driving unit 261, and the size of the opening is controlled. The diaphragm driving unit 261 includes a motor or an actuator.

[0032] The focus lens 210 is a lens for changing the focus state of a subject image that is incident from the optical system and formed on the image sensor 110. The focus lens 210 may be configured with any number of lenses or groups. The focus lens driver 211 drives the focus lens 210 to move forward and backward along the optical axis of the optical system under the control of the lens controller 230. The focus lens driver 211 can be realized by, for example, a stepping motor, a DC motor, an ultrasonic motor, or the like.

[0033] The MF ring 212 is an operating member provided in the interchangeable lens 200 to change the position of the focus lens 210 along the optical axis and thereby adjust the focus position of the digital camera 1. Details of the MF ring 212 will be described using FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0034] 1-2-1.About MF Ring 3 illustrates the configuration of the MF ring 212 in the interchangeable lens 200 of the digital camera 1. The MF ring 212 includes, for example, a ring member 21r provided along the outer periphery around the optical axis of the interchangeable lens 200, an A-phase photointerrupter 21a, and a B-phase photointerrupter 21b.

[0035] 3, the ring member 21r has a plurality of slits periodically arranged in the circumferential direction, thereby forming periodic light-shielding portions and light-transmitting portions. The ring member 21r of the MF ring 212 is configured to be rotatable, for example, without any restriction on the angular range. Alternatively, the ring member 21r may be configured to be rotatable within a predetermined angular range.

[0036] The A-phase photointerrupter 21a and the B-phase photointerrupter 21b are arranged at positions with a phase shift of ¼ period relative to the arrangement period of the slits in the ring member 21r (see FIG. 4). Each of the photointerrupters 21a and 21b has a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit that face each other across the ring member 21r. Each of the photointerrupters 21a and 21b receives light from the light-emitting unit with the light-receiving unit to generate a detection signal and output the detection signal to the lens control unit 230.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a timing chart illustrating detection signals of the MF ring 212 in the interchangeable lens 200. Fig. 4 shows the timing of the detection signal from the A-phase photointerrupter 21a and the timing of the detection signal from the B-phase photointerrupter 21b in the MF ring 212. Fig. 4 illustrates each detection signal when the MF ring 212 is rotated in the forward direction (for example, clockwise) during period T1, stopped during period T2, and then rotated in the reverse direction (for example, counterclockwise) during period T3.

[0038] The detection signal of the MF ring 212 has a signal level such as a high level Hi or a low level Lo, as shown in Fig. 4. The high level Hi of the detection signal indicates that the corresponding photointerrupters 21a, 21b face the light-transmitting portion of the ring member 21r, and the low level Lo indicates that the corresponding photointerrupters face the light-shielding portion of the ring member 21r.

[0039] 4, during period T1 when the MF ring 212 is rotating forward, the pulse waveform of the detection signal is formed in a phase where phase A leads by 1 / 4 of a cycle. During period T2 when the MF ring 212 is stopped, the signal level of each detection signal is constant. During period T3 when the MF ring 212 is rotating backward, the pulse waveform of the detection signal is formed in a phase where phase B leads, in contrast to period T1. Based on these detection signals of the MF ring 212, the lens control unit 230 can detect various rotation states of the MF ring 212.

[0040] For example, the lens control unit 230 counts the number of pulses in the detection signal of the MF ring 212, with forward rotation being positive and reverse rotation being negative. From this counting result, the rotation position of the MF ring 212 can be detected. For example, in MF mode, the lens control unit 230 controls the focus lens driving unit 211 to drive the focus lens 210 according to the counted number of pulses. This MF function makes it possible to adjust the focus position of the digital camera 1 according to the degree to which the user operates the MF ring 212.

[0041] 2.Operation The operation of the digital camera 1 configured as above will now be described.

[0042] The basic operation of the electronic zoom function of the digital camera 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0043] 5 is a diagram illustrating the electronic zoom function of digital camera 1. In digital camera 1 of this embodiment, for example, in addition to setting the electronic zoom function, the size of the captured image can be selectively set by a user operation using operation unit 150 in the setting menu. For example, digital camera 1 presents the user with the option of selecting either a relatively large image size (L size) or a relatively small image size (S size).

[0044] 5 illustrates the relationship between the entire range Ri in which pixels are arranged two-dimensionally, an L-size image range Rl, and an S-size image range Rs in the image sensor 110. Each image size in the digital camera 1 has a number of pixels Pl, Ps that is defined to be equal to or less than the number of pixels Pi in the entire range Ri in the image sensor 110, as shown in FIG.

[0045] The digital camera 1 of this embodiment achieves an electronic zoom function by, for example, utilizing the difference between the number of pixels Pi in the entire range Ri of the image sensor 110 and the numbers of pixels Pl and Ps for each image size. In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the maximum value (referred to as "Mx") of the electronic zoom magnification (referred to as "M") is set according to, for example, the image size selected by the user, and the smaller the image size, the larger the maximum value Mx can be.

[0046] For example, if the number of pixels Pi of the image sensor 110 in the horizontal and vertical directions in the digital camera 1 is 4096 pixels in the horizontal direction, the number of pixels Pl for the L size can be specified as 2048 pixels in the horizontal direction, and the number of pixels Ps for the S size can be specified as 1024 pixels in the horizontal direction. In this example, the maximum value Mx of the electronic zoom magnification M is Mx=2.0 times for the L size and Mx=4 times for the S size.

[0047] In the electronic zoom operation of the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the zoom processing unit 145 cuts out an image of an area smaller than the entire range Ri of the image sensor 110 by the electronic zoom magnification M, in accordance with the electronic zoom magnification M set by a user operation. Furthermore, the zoom processing unit 145 performs resolution conversion processing to reduce the number of pixels of the cut-out image to the number of pixels Pl, Ps of the selected image size, and generates image data resulting from the electronic zoom.

[0048] For example, when the electronic zoom magnification M is 1x, the image of the entire range Ri of the image sensor 110 is used as the cropped image. Also, when the electronic zoom magnification M is the maximum value Mx, the image of the image range Rl, Rs itself of the selected image size is used as the cropped image. In this case, the resolution conversion process can be omitted.

[0049] According to the above electronic zoom operation, the image is cropped by the zoom processing unit 145 within the range between the entire range Ri of the image sensor 110 and the image ranges Rl, Rs of the selected image size. This allows the digital camera 1 of this embodiment to ensure the number of pixels for the image size in the image cropped by the electronic zoom operation, and prevents degradation of image quality.

[0050] Note that, in the digital camera 1, if degradation in image quality due to, for example, image cropping is acceptable, the maximum value Mx of the electronic zoom magnification M may be set larger than the above example depending on the acceptable range. In this case, for example, when the zoom processing unit 145 crops an image of an area smaller than the image ranges Rl, Rs in accordance with the electronic zoom magnification M, the zoom processing unit 145 increases the number of pixels of the cropped image to the number of pixels Pl, Ps of the image size by interpolation or the like in the resolution conversion process.

[0051] In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the electronic zoom function can be assigned to an operation member of the interchangeable lens 200, making it easier for the user to use the electronic zoom. The operation of the digital camera 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0052] 2-1.Initial communication operation In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 200 communicate data to prepare for various operations in the initial state, for example, when the interchangeable lens 200 is attached or when the camera body 100 is powered on. This initial communication operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an initial communication operation in the digital camera 1. The processing illustrated in Fig. 6 begins when the interchangeable lens 200 is attached to the camera body 100 and power is supplied from the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens 200.

[0054] In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the camera control unit 140 of the camera body 100 requests controllability information of the MF ring 212 from the interchangeable lens 200 via the body mount 160 (S1). The controllability information indicates, for example, whether or not control is possible to assign an electronic zoom function to a corresponding operating member on the interchangeable lens 200.

[0055] The interchangeable lens 200 responds to the request for controllability information of the MF ring 212 from the camera body 100 (S2). For example, in the interchangeable lens 200, the lens control unit 230 references lens data stored in advance in the flash memory 232, acquires controllability information of the MF ring 212, and transmits the acquired controllability information to the camera body 100 via the lens mount 250 (S2).

[0056] The camera control unit 140 determines (S3) whether or not the electronic zoom function can be assigned to the MF ring 212 of the interchangeable lens 200, for example, based on controllability information (S2) of the MF ring 212 received from the interchangeable lens 200. For example, if the interchangeable lens 200 can prohibit focus adjustment operations in response to operation of the MF ring 212 and can notify the camera body 100 of the operation amount, such as the number of pulses of the MF ring 212, the determination in step S3 is "YES," and if not, the determination is "NO."

[0057] If the camera control unit 140 determines that the electronic zoom function can be assigned to the MF ring 212 of the interchangeable lens 200 (YES in S3), it requests, for example, characteristic information of the MF ring 212 from the interchangeable lens 200 (S4). The characteristic information of the MF ring 212 includes, for example, the number of pulses that are output when the MF ring 212 is rotated within a predetermined range (for example, one rotation).

[0058] In response to the request in step S4, the lens control unit 230 of the interchangeable lens 200 transmits, for example, characteristic information of the MF ring 212 that has been stored in advance in the flash memory 232 to the camera body 100 via the lens mount 250 (S5).

[0059] The camera control unit 140 generates management information about the operation of the MF ring 212 based on the characteristic information of the MF ring 212 received from the interchangeable lens 200 via the body mount 160 and setting information for an image size pre-selected on the camera body 100 (S6). The management information manages the correspondence between the amount of operation of the MF ring 212 and the electronic zoom magnification M, and includes, for example, the rate of change of the electronic zoom magnification M with respect to the amount of operation at a predetermined pitch (for example, several pulses).

[0060] For example, in step S6, the camera control unit 140 calculates a fluctuation rate for continuously changing the electronic zoom magnification M within a setting range of 1 to Mx within a predetermined angle range (for example, 120 degrees) of the MF ring 212. The camera control unit 140 stores, in the RAM 141, for example, management information for the MF ring 212 obtained from the calculation result.

[0061] On the other hand, if it is determined that the electronic zoom function cannot be assigned to the MF ring 212 of the interchangeable lens 200 (NO in S3), the camera control unit 140 proceeds to step S7 without performing the processes of steps S4 and S6, for example.

[0062] Furthermore, the camera control unit 140 of the camera body 100 requests zoom lens information from the interchangeable lens 200 via the body mount 160 (S7). The zoom lens information includes information such as whether the interchangeable lens 200 has an optical zoom mechanism and whether it has a zoom ring 222.

[0063] In response to the request in step S7, the lens control unit 230 of the interchangeable lens 200 transmits zoom lens information stored in advance in, for example, the flash memory 232 to the camera body 100 via the lens mount 250 (S8).

[0064] The camera control unit 140 also requests focal length information from the interchangeable lens 200 (S9). In response to the request in step S9, the lens control unit 230 transmits focal length information that has been stored in advance in, for example, the flash memory 232 to the camera body 100 (S10). For example, if the interchangeable lens 200 has an optical zoom mechanism, the focal length information includes the maximum and minimum values ​​of the focal length of the interchangeable lens 200. If the interchangeable lens 200 is a single-focus lens, the focal length information indicates one focal length that the interchangeable lens 200 has.

[0065] According to the above initial communication operation, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the camera body 100 can obtain various information for assigning an electronic zoom function to the operation members of the attached interchangeable lens 200, and make preparations for assigning the electronic zoom function. For example, the management information (S6) of the MF ring 212 is referenced during electronic zoom operation using the MF ring 212. In embodiment 1, an interchangeable lens 200 in which the MF ring 212 can be controlled for the above assignment will be described.

[0066] The initial communication operation of the digital camera 1 is not limited to the above example, and for example, the camera control unit 140 may request controllability information for various operating members in the interchangeable lens 200, similar to step S1. In response to a request for controllability information from the camera body 100, the lens control unit 230 of the interchangeable lens 200 may transmit information indicating the operating members that can be controlled for allocating the electronic zoom function to the camera body 100, similar to step S2. If the interchangeable lens 200 has operating members that can be controlled for the above allocation, the camera control unit 140 may generate management information for those operating members, similar to step S6, for example.

[0067] Furthermore, the zoom lens information in steps S7 and S8 above may include whether the optical zoom mechanism of the interchangeable lens 200 is mechanical or electric, and whether or not it is equipped with an operating member (for example, a zoom lever) separate from the zoom ring 222. In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which the interchangeable lens 200 is equipped with a mechanical optical zoom mechanism using the zoom ring 222.

[0068] 2-2. Electronic zoom setting process In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, after the above-described initial communication operation (FIG. 6) has been performed, the setting process for assigning the electronic zoom function to the operation member of the interchangeable lens 200 in response to user operation will be described using FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0069] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of electronic zoom setting processing in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 8 shows an example of a setting menu display in this embodiment. The processing illustrated in the flow of Fig. 7 is started, for example, in response to a user operating the setting menu of the digital camera 1. The processing illustrated in this flow is executed, for example, by the camera control unit 140 of the camera body 100 of the digital camera 1.

[0070] In the camera body 100, the camera control unit 140 determines whether or not the current menu settings of the digital camera 1 allow assignment of the electronic zoom function to an operation member of the interchangeable lens 200 (S21). An example of the display in step S21 is shown in FIG. 8(A).

[0071] 8(A) shows an example of a menu screen for allocating functions to the interchangeable lens 200 in the digital camera 1. In step S21, the camera control unit 140 receives, at the operation unit 150, a user operation to select an option of "permit" or "prohibit" for allocating the electronic zoom function to the interchangeable lens 200 on the menu screen of the example of FIG. 8(A) displayed on the display monitor 130, for example.

[0072] 8(A) by a user operation to select the option "Prohibited," the camera control unit 140 determines that allocation of the electronic zoom function in the interchangeable lens 200 is not permitted (NO in S21). In this case, the camera control unit 140 ends the processing of this flow, for example.

[0073] On the other hand, when the option "Allow" is selected by a user operation on the menu screen of Fig. 8(A), the camera control unit 140 determines that assignment of the electronic zoom function in the interchangeable lens 200 is permitted (YES in S21). In this case, for example, the camera control unit 140 determines whether or not the assignment setting of the electronic zoom function is valid in a further menu setting (S22). An example display of step S22 is shown in Fig. 8(B).

[0074] Fig. 8(B) shows an example of a menu screen for setting the allocation of the electronic zoom function in the digital camera 1. In step S22, the camera control unit 140 causes the display monitor 130 to display the menu screen shown in Fig. 8(B), for example, and receives a user operation at the operation unit 150 to select either "ON (enabled)" or "OFF (disabled)" for the electronic zoom function on the screen (S22).

[0075] When the option "OFF" is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 8(B), the camera control unit 140 determines that the allocation setting of the electronic zoom function is not valid (NO in S22), and ends the processing of this flow, for example.

[0076] 8(B), the camera control unit 140 determines that the assignment setting of the electronic zoom function is valid (YES in S22). In this case, the camera control unit 140 performs processing for selecting an operation member of the interchangeable lens 200 to which the electronic zoom function is to be assigned (S23 to S26).

[0077] For example, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the camera control unit 140 determines (S23) whether the interchangeable lens 200 attached to the camera body 100 has an optical zoom mechanism based on the zoom lens information received from the interchangeable lens 200 (S8 in FIG. 6). An example of a display when the interchangeable lens 200 has an optical zoom mechanism (YES in S23) is shown in FIG. 8(C).

[0078] Fig. 8(C) shows an example of an assignment selection screen when the interchangeable lens 200 attached to the digital camera 1 is equipped with a mechanical optical zoom mechanism (see Fig. 1). The display monitor 130 of the digital camera 1 displays an option for assigning the electronic zoom function to the MF ring 212 and an option for assigning the electronic zoom function to the zoom ring 222 on the selection screen shown in Fig. 8(C).

[0079] 8C is displayed on the display monitor 130, the camera control unit 140 accepts a user operation on the operation unit 150 to select either (I) an option for the MF ring 212 or (II) an option for the zoom ring 222 (S24). Each option can be selected by the user operating the direction button 152 or touch panel 155 on the operation unit 150 of the camera body 100, for example.

[0080] In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, when a user operation is input to select an option for the MF ring 212 on the selection screen of Fig. 8(C) ((I) of S24), the camera control unit 140 assigns the electronic zoom function to the MF ring 212 (S25). In this case, when the digital camera 1 is set to AF mode using the focus selection lever 153 (Fig. 2), for example, the digital camera 1 of this embodiment sets the electronic zoom function to the MF ring 212 instead of the MF function (details will be described later).

[0081] On the other hand, when a user operation is input to select an option for the zoom ring 222 on the selection screen illustrated in Fig. 8(C) ((II) of S24), the camera control unit 140 assigns the hybrid zoom function to the zoom ring 222 (S26). The hybrid zoom function is a function that executes optical zoom and electronic zoom in conjunction with each other.

[0082] In this example, because the optical zoom mechanism of the interchangeable lens 200 is mechanical, a hybrid zoom function is assigned to the zoom ring 222 instead of an electronic zoom function (S26). This hybrid zoom function allows the effective zoom magnification of the digital camera 1 to be increased from the optical zoom magnification by the electronic zoom magnification M (details will be described later).

[0083] Also, if the interchangeable lens 200 does not have an optical zoom mechanism (NO in S23), for example, the camera control unit 140 assigns the electronic zoom function to the MF ring 212 (S25). In this case, the selection screen in FIG. 8C may not be displayed, or may be grayed out to indicate that operation is disabled.

[0084] The camera control unit 140 ends the processing shown in the flow of FIG. 7 by, for example, allocating a function to the MF ring 212 or the zoom ring 222 (S25, S26).

[0085] According to the above electronic zoom setting process (FIG. 7), in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the electronic zoom function is assigned to, for example, the MF ring 212 of the interchangeable lens 200 (S25). With the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, by assigning the electronic zoom function to the MF ring 212 in this way, the MF ring 212, which normally has no use in AF mode, can be effectively used, making continuous electronic zoom easier for the user to use.

[0086] Furthermore, by allocating the electronic zoom function (S25) described above, the digital camera 1 of this embodiment can make it easier to use the electronic zoom function, also because a wide variety of interchangeable lenses 200 are equipped with the MF ring 212. For example, even if the interchangeable lens 200 is a fixed focal length lens that does not have any particular optical zoom function (NO in S24), the MF ring 212 of such an interchangeable lens 200 can be utilized to make it possible to allocate the electronic zoom function.

[0087] Furthermore, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, if the interchangeable lens 200 attached to the camera body 100 has an optical zoom mechanism (YES in S23), it is also possible to assign a function to the zoom ring 222 (S26) in addition to the MF ring 212. These multiple options make it easier to utilize the electronic zoom function.

[0088] For example, by assigning the zoom ring 222 (S26), the user can operate the optical zoom and the electronic zoom in conjunction with each other. On the other hand, by assigning the zoom ring 222 (S25), the user can operate the optical zoom and the electronic zoom separately. For example, if operating the optical zoom in the interchangeable lens 200 changes the brightness, the user can use the electronic zoom, or if there is a concern that the electronic zoom will degrade the image quality. Furthermore, by assigning the electronic zoom function to the MF ring 212, the user can precisely control the electronic zoom magnification M by rotating the MF ring 121, making it easier to use the electronic zoom.

[0089] Furthermore, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the electronic zoom function may be executable not only by the operation members of the interchangeable lens 200, but also by the operation unit 150 of the camera body 100 (for example, the touch panel 155 or the direction buttons 152). For example, even if the answer is NO in step S21 or S22 above, the electronic zoom function may be executable by the operation unit 150 of the camera body 100. Alternatively, if the answer is NO in step S22, the electronic zoom function may not be executable even by the operation unit 150 of the camera body 100.

[0090] In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, steps S21 and S22 in the electronic zoom setting process (FIG. 7) are not essential, and either or both of them may be omitted. The order of the processes in steps S21 and S22 is not particularly limited, and may be reversed from the order shown in the figure.

[0091] In the above explanation, an example has been described in which management information for the MF ring 212 is generated in step S6 of the initial communication operation (FIG. 6). The management information for the MF ring 212 may be generated in the electronic zoom setting process (FIG. 7), or may be generated after allocation to the MF ring 212 (S25).

[0092] 2-3. Electronic zoom operation In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the operation of the electronic zoom when the electronic zoom function is assigned to the MF ring 212 (S25) in the electronic zoom setting process (FIG. 7) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0093] Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the electronic zoom operation in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment. Fig. 9 shows an example of the operation when, for example, the AF mode is first selected by the focus selection lever 153 of the digital camera 1, and then the MF mode is selected.

[0094] First, in the camera body 100 of the digital camera 1, the camera control unit 140 sets the digital camera 1 to AF mode (S31) in response to a user operation to select AF mode using, for example, the focus selection lever 153. For example, the camera control unit 140 performs various settings on the camera body 100 so that the digital camera 1 operates in AF mode, and issues instructions to the interchangeable lens 200 to perform an AF operation.

[0095] At this time, for example, the camera control unit 140 instructs the interchangeable lens 200 via the body mount 160 to change the function of the MF ring 212 from the MF function, which performs an operation to manually adjust the focus (S32). The instruction to change the MF function (S32) includes, for example, an instruction to disable the MF function and an instruction to respond with the amount of operation of the MF ring 212. Such an instruction may be included in an instruction to start AF operation and transmitted from the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens 200.

[0096] In the interchangeable lens 200, the lens control unit 230 disables the MF function (S33) when it receives an instruction to change the MF function (S32) from the camera body 100 via the lens mount 250. In other words, the lens control unit 230 prohibits the focus adjustment operation that drives the focus lens 210 in response to user operation of the MF ring 212 (S33).

[0097] Furthermore, in response to the function change instruction (S32) for the MF ring 212, the lens control unit 230 sequentially transmits notifications indicating the amount of operation of the MF ring 212 to the camera body 100 via the lens mount 250 (S34). For example, the lens control unit 230 sequentially counts the number of pulses, which is an example of the amount of operation of the MF ring 212, and issues an operation amount notification indicating the number of pulses of the MF ring 212 in a predetermined communication cycle (for example, 1 / 60 seconds) (S34).

[0098] The operation amount notification of the MF ring 212 (S34) can be performed, for example, by being included in the data communication that is periodically performed between the camera body 100 and the interchangeable lens 200 in the digital camera 1. For example, the lens control unit 230 issues an operation amount notification with a pulse count of "0" particularly when the MF ring 212 is not being operated (for example, the first time S34).

[0099] For example, the camera control unit 140 sequentially receives notifications of the amount of operation of the MF ring 212 from the interchangeable lens 200 via the body mount 160 (S34), and functions as the zoom processing unit 145. The camera control unit 140 as the zoom processing unit 145 controls the electronic zoom processing so as to continuously change the electronic zoom magnification M in accordance with the amount of operation in the received notifications (S35).

[0100] For example, in step S35, the camera control unit 140 first calculates the electronic zoom magnification M corresponding to the received pitch number by referring to the management information of the MF ring 212 stored in advance in the RAM 141. When the newly calculated electronic zoom magnification M changes from the electronic zoom magnification currently set in the zoom processing unit 145, the camera control unit 140 causes the zoom processing unit 145 to perform electronic zoom processing so as to update the currently set electronic zoom magnification to the new electronic zoom magnification M.

[0101] As a result, when the MF ring 212 of the interchangeable lens 200 is operated by the user (S36), the amount of operation corresponding to the user operation is notified from the interchangeable lens 200 to the camera body 100 (S34), and electronic zoom processing is performed at an electronic zoom magnification M corresponding to the amount of operation (S35). An example of a display during such electronic zoom control (S35) is shown in FIG.

[0102] 10 illustrates an example of a live view screen during electronic zoom operation of the digital camera 1 of this embodiment. In this example, the display monitor 130 displays a live view image 30, an electronic zoom indicator 31, and an optical zoom indicator 32, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0103] 10, the electronic zoom indicator 31 includes a minimum value of "1.0 (x)", a current value of "1.12 (x)", and a maximum value of "2.0 (x)" for the electronic zoom magnification M. The optical zoom indicator 32 includes a minimum value of "20 mm", a current value of "50 mm", and a maximum value of "60 mm" for the focal length of the optical zoom by the interchangeable lens 200.

[0104] In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, for example in step S35, the camera control unit 140 successively updates the current value of the electronic zoom magnification M in the electronic zoom indicator 31 to reflect the calculation result of the electronic zoom magnification M, and displays it on the display monitor 130. The camera control unit 140 can also update the optical zoom indicator 32 by successively acquiring the current focal length from the interchangeable lens 200. These indicators 31, 32 allow the user to successively grasp the extent to which electronic zoom and optical zoom can be achieved, making it easier to use each zoom function in combination.

[0105] Returning to FIG. 9, for example, when the focus selection lever 153 is subsequently switched from AF mode to MF mode by a user operation, the camera control unit 140 sets the digital camera 1 to MF mode (S37).

[0106] At this time, for example, the camera control unit 140 instructs the interchangeable lens 200 to return the function of the MF ring 212 to the MF function via the body mount 160 (S38). The instruction to return the MF function (S38) includes, for example, an instruction to enable the MF function and an instruction to stop notification of the operation amount of the MF ring 212.

[0107] In the interchangeable lens 200, the lens control unit 230 enables the MF function (S39) when it receives an instruction to restore the MF function (S38) from the camera body 100 via the lens mount 250. In this way, the lens control unit 230 controls the focus lens driving unit 211 to adjust the position of the focus lens 210 according to the amount of operation of the MF ring 212 by a subsequent user operation.

[0108] According to the above processing, the digital camera 1 of this embodiment can perform electronic zoom operation using the MF ring 212 in AF mode, for example, thereby making effective use of the MF ring 212. At this time, the original MF function of the MF ring 212 is prohibited (S33), making it possible to perform electronic zoom operation using the MF ring 212 without interfering with the MF function.

[0109] In the above steps S31 and S37, an example has been described in which a focus mode of the digital camera 1, such as AF mode or MF mode, is selected using the focus selection lever 153. Selection of such an operating mode is not limited to the focus selection lever 153, and the focus mode may also be selected, for example, by a user operation on a setting menu of the digital camera 1. In this case as well, the digital camera 1 of this embodiment can set the electronic zoom function or MF function on the MF ring 212 according to the selected focus mode, and perform the respective operations, as in the above steps S31 to S39.

[0110] In the above explanation, display examples of the electronic zoom indicator 31 and the optical zoom indicator 32 have been described with reference to Fig. 10. The indicators 31, 32 are not limited to the above examples. For example, the optical zoom indicator 32 may display the optical zoom magnification, which is the focal length converted into magnification, instead of the focal length. Furthermore, the indicators 31, 32 may display the relationship between the setting range and the current value in a graph instead of a numerical display. If the interchangeable lens 200 is a fixed focal length lens, the display of the optical zoom indicator 32 is omitted.

[0111] 2-4.Hybrid zoom operation The hybrid zoom operation when the hybrid zoom function is assigned to the zoom ring 222 (S26) in the electronic zoom setting process (FIG. 7) in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0112] Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of hybrid zoom operation in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment. The processing illustrated in Fig. 11 begins with management information indicating the correspondence between the focal length that can be varied by the zoom ring 222 of the interchangeable lens 200 and the electronic zoom magnification M being stored in the RAM 141 or the like of the camera body 100. This management information for the zoom ring 222 can be generated by the camera control unit 140 in the same manner as in step S6, based on the focal length information (S10) and the setting range of the electronic zoom magnification M received from the interchangeable lens 200 in the initial communication operation (Fig. 6).

[0113] First, in the camera body 100 of the digital camera 1, for example, the camera control unit 140 instructs the interchangeable lens 200 via the body mount 160 to sequentially respond with the current focal length (S41). This instruction is not limited to being sent after the hybrid zoom function has been assigned (S26 in FIG. 7), but may also be sent from the camera body 100 to the interchangeable lens 200 at the time of the initial communication operation (FIG. 6), for example.

[0114] In the interchangeable lens 200, the lens control unit 230 sequentially transmits notifications indicating the current focal length to the camera body 100 via the lens mount 250 in response to a focal length response instruction (S41) from the camera body 100. For example, the lens control unit 230 constantly manages the focal length of the interchangeable lens 200 based on the output of the zoom lens position detection unit 223, and issues focal length notifications at predetermined communication intervals (S42).

[0115] In response to the focal length notification from the interchangeable lens 200 (S42), the camera control unit 140 functions as a zoom processing unit 145 and controls the electronic zoom processing so as to continuously change the electronic zoom magnification M in accordance with the focal length of the received notification (S43).

[0116] For example, in step S43, the camera control unit 140 first calculates the electronic zoom magnification M corresponding to the received focal length by referring to the management information of the zoom ring 222 stored in advance in the RAM 141. The camera control unit 140 causes the zoom processing unit 145 to perform electronic zoom processing so as to update the electronic zoom magnification M to a new one, similar to the electronic zoom operation (S35 in FIG. 9).

[0117] As a result, when the zoom ring 222 of the interchangeable lens 200 is operated by the user (S44), the new focal length is notified to the camera body 100 (S42) as the optical zoom progresses, with the zoom lens 220 being moved via the zoom lens drive mechanism 221. In this way, in conjunction with the optical zoom of the interchangeable lens 200, the camera body 100 performs electronic zoom processing at an electronic zoom magnification M according to the new focal length (S43).

[0118] As described above, the hybrid zoom operation of the digital camera 1 of this embodiment links the optical zoom mechanism of the interchangeable lens 200 with the electronic zoom processing of the camera body 100 to achieve continuous zoom operation with an essentially expanded range of focal lengths.

[0119] Furthermore, according to the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, when a user uses an interchangeable lens 200 equipped with a mechanical optical zoom mechanism, the user can have the option of assigning the electronic zoom function to the MF ring 212 or the hybrid zoom function to the zoom ring 222.

[0120] 3. Summary As described above, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the camera body 100, which is an example of an imaging device to which the interchangeable lens 200 can be detachably attached, includes the body mount 160, which is an example of a communication unit, the image sensor 110, which is an example of an imaging unit, the camera control unit 140, which is an example of a control unit, the zoom processing unit 145, which is an example of an image processing unit, and the operation unit 150, which is an example of a setting unit. The body mount 160 performs data communication with the attached interchangeable lens 200. The image sensor 110 captures an image of a subject via the interchangeable lens 200 and generates image data. The camera control unit 140 controls the operation of the interchangeable lens 200 through data communication via the body mount 160. The zoom processing unit 145 performs electronic zoom processing to cut out an image at an electronic zoom magnification M, which is an example of a variable magnification, from the image data generated by the image sensor 110. The setting unit sets electronic zoom processing on the MF ring 212, which is an example of a first operation member provided on the interchangeable lens 200, in response to a user operation (S25, S31; see FIG. 8 ). When electronic zoom processing has not been set in the first operating member by the setting unit, the camera control unit 140 causes the interchangeable lens 200 to perform a predetermined operation, such as a focus adjustment operation of the MF function, in response to operation of the first operating member (S37 to S39). When electronic zoom processing has been set in the first operating member by the setting unit, the camera control unit 140 prohibits the interchangeable lens 200 from performing a predetermined operation, and controls the zoom processing unit 145 to perform electronic zoom processing in response to operation of the first operating member (S31 to S35).

[0121] According to the camera body 100 of the digital camera 1 described above, when electronic zoom processing is set for an operating member such as the MF ring 212 on the interchangeable lens 200, it is possible to prohibit a predetermined operation of the operating member and to assign the electronic zoom function to the interchangeable lens 200. In this way, the camera body 100 of this embodiment makes it easier to use the electronic zoom of the digital camera 1.

[0122] In this embodiment, the MF ring 212 is configured to output, as a detection signal, an operation amount that indicates the degree to which the user operates the interchangeable lens 200 (see FIG. 4). When electronic zoom processing is set to the MF ring 212 (S31), the camera control unit 140 sequentially receives the operation amount of the MF ring 212 from the interchangeable lens 200 via the body mount 160 (S34), and controls the zoom processing unit 145 to perform electronic zoom processing while changing the magnification in accordance with the received operation amount (S35). As a result, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the camera body 100 can achieve electronic zoom operation in which the operation amount of the MF ring 212 of the interchangeable lens 200 is sequentially reflected in the electronic zoom magnification M, making it easier for the user to use the electronic zoom of the digital camera 1.

[0123] In this embodiment, the camera control unit 140 receives characteristic information about the MF ring 212 from the attached interchangeable lens 200 via the body mount 160 (S4, S5), and manages the correspondence between the amount of operation and the electronic zoom magnification M by, for example, generating management information for the MF ring 212 based on the characteristic information of the MF ring 212 and the range in which the electronic zoom magnification M can be set in electronic zoom processing (S6). By managing the correspondence in this way, in the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the camera body 100 can achieve electronic zoom operation in accordance with the operation of the MF ring 212 of the interchangeable lens 200, making it easier for the user to use the electronic zoom of the digital camera 1.

[0124] In this embodiment, the setting unit of camera body 100 includes focus selection lever 153, which is an example of a switching unit that switches the operating mode of camera body 100 between multiple operating modes, including MF mode, which is an example of a first operating mode that corresponds to focus adjustment operation of the MF function, in response to user operation. When the operating mode of camera body 100 is switched to MF mode using focus selection lever 153, the setting unit does not set electronic zoom processing to MF ring 212 (S37-S38). When the operating mode of camera body 100 is switched to AF mode, which is an example of a second operating mode different from MF mode using focus selection lever 153, the setting unit sets electronic zoom processing to MF ring 212 (S31-S32). This makes it possible to set the electronic zoom function to be usable by switching the operating mode using a switching unit such as focus selection lever 153, making it easier for the user to use the electronic zoom of digital camera 1.

[0125] In this embodiment, the first operating member is provided to perform, as a predetermined operation, a focus adjustment operation that adjusts the focus position of the interchangeable lens 200 in response to a user operation. When the setting unit has set electronic zoom processing to the MF ring 212, the camera control unit 140 prohibits focus adjustment operation by the MF ring 212 (S31 to S32). This avoids interference between the original MF function of the MF ring 212 and the electronic zoom function, making it easier to use the electronic zoom of the digital camera 1.

[0126] In this embodiment, the camera body 100 includes a display monitor 130, an example of a display unit that displays at least one of an image and a menu screen. The interchangeable lens 200 includes a zoom lens 220 and a zoom ring 222, an example of a second operating member for optical zooming using the zoom lens 220. The camera control unit 140 causes the display monitor 130 to independently display an electronic zoom indicator 31, an example of information indicating the magnification of electronic zoom processing performed by a first operating member, and an optical zoom indicator 32, an example of information indicating the magnification of optical zoom processing performed by a second operating member. For example, the electronic zoom indicator 31 is updated in response to operation of the first operating member, and the optical zoom indicator 32 is updated in response to operation of the second operating member. The digital camera 1 of this embodiment allows the user to independently grasp the magnification of electronic zoom processing and the magnification of optical zoom, making it easier to use various zoom functions. The indicators 31 and 32 are not limited to being superimposed on the live view image 30, but may also be displayed, for example, on a menu screen.

[0127] In this embodiment, when the interchangeable lens 200 includes a zoom lens 220 and a zoom ring 222 that is an example of a second operating member for optical zooming using the zoom lens 220, the setting unit has a first option that assigns electronic zoom processing to the MF ring 212, and a second option that assigns electronic zoom processing together with optical zooming to the zoom ring 222 (SS24, see FIG. 8(C)). As a result, the interchangeable lens 200 that is capable of optical zooming presents the user with options that utilize optical zooming and its operating member, making it easier for the user to use the various zoom functions of the digital camera 1.

[0128] In this embodiment, the interchangeable lens 200, which is detachably attachable to the camera body 100, includes a lens mount 250, which is an example of a communication unit, optical systems (210, 220, 260), an MF ring 212, which is an example of an operation member, and a lens control unit 230, which is an example of a control unit. The lens mount 250 performs data communication with the camera body 100 to which it is attached. The optical system forms an image on the image sensor 110 of the camera body 100. The MF ring 212 accepts user operations related to the optical system. The lens control unit 230 controls the operation of the optical system in response to the operation of the MF ring 212, based on information received from the camera body 100 via the lens mount 250. When electronic zoom processing of the camera body 100 is not set to the MF ring 212, the lens control unit 230 performs a predetermined operation by the optical system in response to operation of the MF ring 212 (S37 to S39), and when electronic zoom processing is set to the MF ring 212, the lens control unit 230 does not perform a predetermined operation by the optical system in response to operation of the MF ring 212 (S31 to S33). This makes it possible for the interchangeable lens 200 of this embodiment to make it easier to use the electronic zoom of the camera body 100.

[0129] In the interchangeable lens 200 of this embodiment, an operating member such as the MF ring 212 is provided to output an operating amount that indicates the degree to which the user operates the interchangeable lens 200. When electronic zoom processing is set for the operating member, the lens control unit 230 transmits the operating amount of the operating member to the camera body 100 via the lens mount 250 (S31 to S34). In this way, the interchangeable lens 200 of this embodiment enables the camera body 100 to reflect the operating amount of the operating member in the electronic zoom magnification M, making it easier for the user to use the electronic zoom of the digital camera 1.

[0130] (Embodiment 2) 12 to 15, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. In the first embodiment, a digital camera 1 with a mechanical optical zoom mechanism has been described. In the second embodiment, a digital camera 1A with a powered optical zoom mechanism will be described.

[0131] Below, the description of the configuration and operation similar to those of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and only the digital camera 1A according to this embodiment will be described.

[0132] 1. Configuration Fig. 12 illustrates the configuration of a digital camera 1A according to embodiment 2. Digital camera 1A of this embodiment has the same configuration as digital camera 1 (Fig. 1) of embodiment 1, but instead of the mechanical optical zoom mechanism (220-223), it includes an interchangeable lens 200A equipped with an electric optical zoom mechanism, as shown in Fig. 12, for example. Interchangeable lens 200 of this embodiment includes, as the electric optical zoom mechanism, a zoom lens 220 similar to that of embodiment 1, an electric zoom lens drive unit 221A instead of zoom lens drive mechanism 221, a zoom ring 222A, and a zoom lever 224, for example.

[0133] In the interchangeable lens 200A of this embodiment, the zoom lens driver 221A drives the zoom lens 220 to move forward and backward along the optical axis of the optical system under the control of the lens controller 230. The zoom lens driver 221A can be realized by, for example, a stepping motor, a DC motor, an ultrasonic motor, etc. The zoom lens driver 221A is an example of a driver that drives the zoom lens 220 to control the optical zoom.

[0134] The zoom ring 222A of this embodiment can be configured with a ring member and multiple photointerrupters, for example, similar to the MF ring 212 (FIG. 3). The zoom ring 222A generates a detection signal including a pulse waveform corresponding to the rotation operation, similar to the MF ring 212, and outputs the detection signal to the lens control unit 230 (see FIG. 4). The lens control unit 230 can detect the amount of operation of the zoom ring 222A by counting the number of pulses in the detection signal, similar to the MF ring 212. The zoom ring 222A may be configured to be rotatable within a predetermined angular range, or may be configured to be rotatable without any restriction on the angular range.

[0135] The zoom lever 224 includes a lever member that can be tilted in two directions, corresponding to, for example, the wide-angle side and the telephoto side, and a potentiometer whose resistance value changes depending on the degree of tilt of the lever member. The zoom lever 224 outputs the output voltage of the potentiometer, which changes depending on, for example, the degree of tilt operation by the user, to the lens control unit 230 as detected vibration. The lens control unit 230 can detect the amount of operation of the zoom lever 224, for example, by performing A / D (analog / digital) conversion on the detection signal from the zoom lever 224.

[0136] 2.Operation 13A to 13C show examples of setting menu displays in the digital camera 1A of embodiment 2. Fig. 13A shows an example of an allocation destination selection screen in the digital camera 1A of this embodiment.

[0137] In the digital camera 1A of this embodiment, for example, in an electronic zoom setting process similar to that of embodiment 1, in addition to the MF ring 212 and zoom ring 222A, as shown in Fig. 13(A), the digital camera 1A of this embodiment also accepts user operations for assigning functions to the zoom lever 224. For example, in an initial communication operation similar to that of embodiment 1 (S8 in Fig. 6), the interchangeable lens 200A of this embodiment includes information about the zoom lever 224 and the powered optical zoom mechanism in the zoom lens information that it transmits to the camera body 100.

[0138] Fig. 13(B) shows an example of the function selection screen when the MF ring 212 is selected in Fig. 13(A). Fig. 13(C) shows an example of the function selection screen when the zoom ring 222A is selected in Fig. 13(C).

[0139] In the digital camera 1A of this embodiment, when any of the operation members is selected in Fig. 13(A), for example, the camera control unit 140 causes the display monitor 130 to transition to a function selection screen as shown in Fig. 13(B) and (C). The function selection screen includes options for assigning functions to the selected operation member, such as the electronic zoom function only and the hybrid zoom function. When the zoom lever 224 is selected, the same options as those in Fig. 13(B) and (C) are also included.

[0140] In this way, the digital camera 1A of this embodiment utilizes an electric optical zoom mechanism to accept user operations that selectively assign either the electronic zoom function or the hybrid zoom function to various operation members of the interchangeable lens 200A at the operation unit 150. Note that, if there is no user operation to assign the above, the optical zoom function is assigned to the zoom ring 222 and the zoom lever 224 by default.

[0141] Fig. 14 illustrates an example of hybrid zoom operation in the digital camera 1A of embodiment 2. Fig. 14 shows an example of operation in which the zoom lever 224 remains in the optical zoom function, and the hybrid zoom function is assigned to the zoom ring 222.

[0142] In this embodiment, the camera body 100 transmits a response instruction of the operation amount of the zoom ring 222A to the interchangeable lens 200A (S41A) instead of, or in addition to, the focal length response instruction (S41) in the hybrid zoom operation (FIG. 11) of embodiment 1. In this embodiment, in response to the instruction of step S41 (S41A), the interchangeable lens 200A sequentially notifies the camera body 100 of the operation amount of the zoom ring 222A (S42A), for example, instead of step S42 in FIG.

[0143] 14, when the zoom lever 224 is operated by the user (S45), the lens control unit 230 of the interchangeable lens 200A drives the zoom lens driving unit 221A by the amount of operation of the zoom lever 224 based on a detection signal from the zoom lever 224 (S46). In this way, optical zoom control is performed to electrically move the zoom lens 220 in accordance with the amount of operation of the zoom lever 224 (S46). Although not shown in FIG. 14, the focal length of the interchangeable lens 200A can be notified to the camera body 100 at any time.

[0144] In the operation example of FIG. 14, when the zoom ring 222 is operated by the user (S44), the lens control unit 230 of the interchangeable lens 200A drives the zoom lens driving unit 221A based on a detection signal from the zoom ring 222, similar to step S46 (S47).

[0145] At this time, the camera body 100 controls the electronic zoom processing in accordance with the amount of operation of the zoom ring 222 (S43), similar to the first embodiment, based on notification of the amount of operation of the zoom ring 222 from the interchangeable lens 200A (S42A). To perform this control, the camera control unit 140 of this embodiment prepares in advance management information for the zoom ring 222 so as to associate the amount of operation of the zoom ring 222 with the electronic zoom magnification M. In this way, the digital camera 1A of this embodiment can also perform hybrid zoom operation in accordance with the amount of operation of the zoom ring 222, etc.

[0146] 15 illustrates an example of electronic zoom operation in the digital camera 1A of embodiment 2. In FIG. 15, an example of operation is shown in which a change is made from the example of operation in FIG. 14 to assigning the electronic zoom function to the zoom lever 224.

[0147] 15, the camera body 100 of this embodiment sends a function change instruction for the zoom lever 224 to the interchangeable lens 200A (S41B), in addition to the instruction in step S41A of the operation example of Fig. 14. The function change instruction includes an instruction to disable the optical zoom function of the zoom lever 224, and an instruction to respond with the amount of operation of the zoom lever 224.

[0148] In response to a function change instruction (S41B) from the camera body 100, the lens control unit 230 of the interchangeable lens 200A disables the optical zoom function of the zoom lever 224, i.e., prohibits driving of the zoom lens driving unit 221A in response to operation of the zoom lever 224 (S48).

[0149] Also, in the operational example of Figure 15, in response to the instructions of steps S41A and S41B, the lens control unit 230 notifies the camera body 100 of the operation amount of the zoom lever 224 in addition to the operation amount of the zoom ring 222 (S42B), instead of step S42A in the operational example of Figure 14.

[0150] 15, even if the zoom lever 224 is operated by the user (S45), the lens control unit 230 of the interchangeable lens 200A does not perform optical zoom control (S46 in FIG. 14) in accordance with the disable setting in step S48. At this time, the camera body 100 controls electronic zoom processing in accordance with the amount of operation of the zoom lever 224 (S43) based on the operation amount notification (S42B) from the interchangeable lens 200A. In this way, with the digital camera 1A of this embodiment, it is possible to achieve electronic zoom operation in accordance with, for example, the amount of operation of the zoom lever 224.

[0151] The electronic zoom operation and hybrid zoom operation in the digital camera 1A of this embodiment as described above are not limited to the operation examples in Figures 14 and 15, but can be performed in the same manner as the above operation examples depending on the various assignments to the operation members. For example, if the hybrid zoom function is assigned to the MF ring 212, in addition to the same operations as in Figure 9, the lens control unit 230 drives the zoom lens driving unit 221A depending on the amount of operation of the MF ring 212 to perform optical zoom control.

[0152] 3. Summary As described above, in the digital camera 1A of this embodiment, if the interchangeable lens 200A further includes a zoom lens driving unit 221A, which is an example of a driving unit that drives the zoom lens 220 to control the optical zoom, the setting unit of the camera body 100 further has a third option that prohibits optical zoom and assigns electronic zoom processing to the zoom ring 221A or zoom lever 224, which are examples of the second operating member (see FIG. 13(B)).

[0153] According to the above digital camera 1A, if the interchangeable lens 200A is equipped with an electric optical zoom mechanism such as the zoom lens driving unit 221A, the user can be offered the option of prohibiting optical zoom, making it easier to use the electronic zoom function. Also, in this embodiment, the setting unit of the camera body 100 may further have a fourth option that assigns electronic zoom processing together with optical zoom to a first operating member such as the MF ring 212.

[0154] (Other embodiments) As described above, embodiments 1 and 2 have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these and can be applied to embodiments in which appropriate modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in each of the above embodiments to create a new embodiment. Therefore, other embodiments will be described below as examples.

[0155] In the above first and second embodiments, examples of operation members to which the electronic zoom function is assigned in the interchangeable lens 200 of the digital camera 1 have been described, but the electronic zoom function may be assigned to various operation members other than those described above. Such a modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

[0156] 16 illustrates the configuration of a digital camera 1B according to a modification of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the electronic zoom function of the digital camera 1B may be assigned to an operation member of the interchangeable lens 200B that is separate from the MF ring 212 and the zoom ring 222. For example, in the digital camera 1B according to this modification, the interchangeable lens 200B attached to the camera body 100 has the same configuration as the interchangeable lens 200 according to the first embodiment, and further includes an aperture ring 262 that accepts user operation to adjust the aperture value of the aperture 260. In the digital camera 1B according to this embodiment, the camera control unit 140 may assign the electronic zoom function to the aperture ring 262.

[0157] In the interchangeable lens 200B of this modified example, the aperture ring 262 includes, for example, a ring member and a potentiometer whose resistance value changes according to the rotational position of the ring member, and an aperture value corresponding to each rotational position is set in advance. The aperture ring 262 outputs the output voltage of the potentiometer, which changes according to, for example, the rotational position of the ring member, as a detection signal to the lens control unit 230. The lens control unit 230 can, for example, perform A / D conversion on the output voltage from the aperture ring 262 to detect the rotational position of the aperture ring 262 and identify the corresponding aperture value. For example, the lens control unit 230 can perform an operation to control the aperture drive unit 261 to drive the aperture 260 according to the aperture value thus identified.

[0158] In the digital camera 1B of this embodiment, for example, during the same initial communication operation ( FIG. 6 ) as in the above-described embodiments, the camera control unit 140 can request controllability information for the aperture ring 262 from the interchangeable lens 200B and receive minimum and maximum aperture values ​​from the interchangeable lens 200B. For example, the camera control unit 140 can generate management information indicating the correspondence between aperture values ​​and electronic zoom magnification based on the information received from the interchangeable lens 200B and the setting range of the electronic zoom magnification. For example, the camera control unit 140 first calculates the aperture step number in a predetermined step (e.g., 1 / 3 or 1 / 2 step) based on the minimum and maximum aperture values ​​of the interchangeable lens 200B. Next, the camera control unit 140 can generate a table that associates, for example, each aperture value in the aperture step number with the electronic zoom magnification within the setting range, and store the table as management information in the RAM 141, etc.

[0159] In this embodiment, for example, when the camera control unit 140 receives a user operation to assign an electronic zoom function to the aperture ring 262 via a settings menu or the like, it transmits a function change instruction for the aperture ring 262 to the interchangeable lens 200, as in steps S22 and S41B. In response to this, the lens control unit 230 of the interchangeable lens 200B disables the aperture adjustment function of the aperture ring 262, that is, prohibits the operation of driving the aperture 260 in response to user operation of the aperture ring 262. The lens control unit 230 also sequentially notifies the camera body 100 of aperture values ​​corresponding to the amount of operation of the aperture ring 262. In this way, the camera control unit 140 can control the electronic zoom processing by the zoom processing unit 145 to update the electronic zoom magnification corresponding to the received aperture value in the pre-stored management information in accordance with the aperture value notified from the interchangeable lens 200.

[0160] In the above embodiments, examples have been described in which notifications (S34, S42, S42A, S42B) of the operation amounts and the like of various operation members such as the MF ring 212 are made at predetermined communication intervals. In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, such operation amount notifications are not limited to the above examples, and may be made as interrupt processing at the time an operation member is operated. In the digital camera 1 of this embodiment, the lens control unit 230 may issue an operation amount notification and send it to the camera body 100 when the number of pulses changes due to operation of the MF ring 212.

[0161] (Example) Various aspects of the present disclosure are listed below.

[0162] A first aspect of the present disclosure is an imaging device to which an interchangeable lens can be detachably attached. The imaging device includes a communication unit that performs data communication with the attached interchangeable lens, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject via the interchangeable lens and generates image data, a control unit that controls the operation of the interchangeable lens through data communication via the communication unit, an image processing unit that performs electronic zoom processing to crop an image at a variable magnification from the image data generated by the imaging unit, and a setting unit that sets the electronic zoom processing on a first operating member provided on the interchangeable lens in response to user operation. The control unit controls the image processing unit to cause the interchangeable lens to perform a predetermined operation in response to operation of the first operating member when electronic zoom processing has not been set on the first operating member by the setting unit, and to prohibit the predetermined operation of the interchangeable lens and perform electronic zoom processing in response to operation of the first operating member when electronic zoom processing has been set on the first operating member by the setting unit.

[0163] In a second aspect, in the imaging device according to the first aspect, the first operating member is configured to output an operation amount indicating the degree to which the user operates the interchangeable lens. When electronic zoom processing is set to the first operating member, the control unit sequentially receives the operation amounts of the first operating member from the interchangeable lens via the communication unit, and controls the image processing unit to perform electronic zoom processing while changing the magnification in accordance with the received operation amount.

[0164] In a third aspect, in the imaging device described in the second aspect, the control unit receives characteristic information regarding the first operating member from the attached interchangeable lens via the communication unit, and manages the correspondence between the operating amount and the magnification based on the characteristic information of the first operating member and the range in which the magnification can be set in electronic zoom processing.

[0165] In a fourth aspect, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the setting unit includes a switching unit that switches the operation mode of the imaging device among a plurality of operation modes including a first operation mode corresponding to a predetermined operation in response to a user operation. The setting unit does not set electronic zoom processing to the first operation member when the operation mode of the imaging device is switched to the first operation mode by the switching unit, and sets electronic zoom processing to the first operation member when the operation mode of the imaging device is switched to a second operation mode different from the first operation mode by the switching unit.

[0166] In a fifth aspect, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the first operating member is provided for performing a focus adjustment operation of adjusting a focus position of an interchangeable lens in response to a user operation as a predetermined operation, and the control unit prohibits the focus adjustment operation by the first operating member when the setting unit sets electronic zoom processing to the first operating member.

[0167] In a sixth aspect, in the imaging device described in any of the first to fifth aspects, the interchangeable lens includes a zoom lens and a second operating member for optical zoom using the zoom lens, and the setting unit has a first option for assigning electronic zoom processing to the first operating member and a second option for assigning electronic zoom processing together with optical zoom to the second operating member.

[0168] In a seventh aspect, in the imaging device described in the sixth aspect, the interchangeable lens further includes a drive unit that drives the zoom lens to control the optical zoom, and the setting unit further has a third option that prohibits optical zoom on the second operating member and assigns electronic zoom processing.

[0169] In an eighth aspect, the imaging device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects includes a display unit that displays at least one of an image and a menu screen. The interchangeable lens includes a zoom lens and a second operating member for optical zooming using the zoom lens. The control unit causes the display unit to independently display information indicating the magnification of electronic zoom processing using the first operating member and information indicating the magnification of optical zooming using the second operating member.

[0170] A ninth aspect is an interchangeable lens that can be detachably attached to an imaging device. The interchangeable lens includes a communication unit that performs data communication with the imaging device to which it is attached, an optical system that forms an image on an imaging unit of the imaging device based on incident light, an operation member that accepts user operations related to the optical system, and a control unit that controls the operation of the optical system in response to operation of the operation member based on information received from the imaging device via the communication unit. The control unit performs a predetermined operation of the optical system in response to operation of the operation member when electronic zoom processing of the imaging device is not set on the operation member, and does not perform the predetermined operation of the optical system in response to operation of the operation member when electronic zoom processing is set on the operation member.

[0171] In a tenth aspect, in the interchangeable lens according to the ninth aspect, the operation member is configured to output an operation amount indicating the degree to which the user operates the interchangeable lens, and when electronic zoom processing is set in the operation member, the control unit transmits the operation amount of the operation member to the imaging device via the communication unit.

[0172] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure, and for that purpose, the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided.

[0173] Therefore, the components shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only essential components for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are shown in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that these non-essential components are essential.

[0174] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0175] The present disclosure is applicable to imaging devices and interchangeable lenses having an electronic zoom function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0176] 1,1A,1B Digital Camera 100 camera body 110 Image Sensor 130 Display Monitor 140 Camera control unit 145 Zoom processing section 150 Operation section 153 Focus selection lever 160 Body Mount 200 interchangeable lenses 212 MF Ring 220 zoom lens 222,222A Zoom ring 224 Zoom Lever 230 Lens control unit 250 lens mount 262 Aperture ring

Claims

1. An imaging device to which an interchangeable lens can be detachably attached, a communication unit that performs data communication with the attached interchangeable lens; an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject through the interchangeable lens and generates image data; a control unit that controls an operation of the interchangeable lens through data communication via the communication unit; an image processing unit that performs electronic zoom processing to cut out an image at a variable magnification from the image data generated by the imaging unit; a setting unit that sets the electronic zoom processing on a first operation member provided on the interchangeable lens in response to a user operation, The control unit when the electronic zoom processing is not set to the first operation member by the setting unit, causing the interchangeable lens to perform a predetermined operation in response to operation of the first operation member; When the setting unit sets the electronic zoom processing to the first operation member, the predetermined operation by the interchangeable lens is prohibited, and the image processing unit is controlled so as to perform the electronic zoom processing in response to the operation of the first operation member. Imaging device.

2. the first operating member is provided to output an operation amount indicating a degree of operation by a user on the interchangeable lens, When the electronic zoom process is set to the first operation member, the control unit sequentially receiving the operation amounts of the first operation member from the interchangeable lens via the communication unit; The image processing unit is controlled so that the electronic zoom processing is performed while changing the magnification in accordance with the received operation amount. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit receiving characteristic information related to the first operating member from the attached interchangeable lens via the communication unit; The correspondence between the operation amount and the magnification is managed based on characteristic information of the first operation member and a range in which the magnification can be set in the electronic zoom process. The imaging device according to claim 2 .

4. The setting unit a switching unit that switches the operation mode of the imaging device among a plurality of operation modes including a first operation mode corresponding to the predetermined operation in response to a user operation; when the operation mode of the imaging device is switched to the first operation mode, the switching unit does not set the electronic zoom processing to the first operation member; When the operation mode of the imaging device is switched to a second operation mode different from the first operation mode, the switching unit sets the electronic zoom processing to the first operation member. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

5. the first operation member is provided to perform, as the predetermined operation, a focus adjustment operation for adjusting a focus position of the interchangeable lens in response to a user operation, The control unit prohibits the focus adjustment operation by the first operation member when the setting unit sets the electronic zoom processing to the first operation member. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

6. the interchangeable lens includes a zoom lens and a second operating member for optical zooming by the zoom lens, The setting unit has a first option for allocating the electronic zoom processing to the first operation member, and a second option for allocating the electronic zoom processing together with the optical zoom to the second operation member. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

7. the interchangeable lens further includes a drive unit that drives the zoom lens to control the optical zoom, The setting unit further has a third option for prohibiting the optical zoom and allocating the electronic zoom process to the second operation member. The imaging device according to claim 6 .

8. a display unit that displays at least one of an image and a menu screen; the interchangeable lens includes a zoom lens and a second operating member for optical zooming by the zoom lens, The control unit causes the display unit to independently display information indicating a magnification of the electronic zoom process performed by the first operation member and information indicating a magnification of the optical zoom process performed by the second operation member. The imaging device according to claim 1 .

9. An interchangeable lens that can be detachably attached to an imaging device, a communication unit that performs data communication with the attached imaging device; an optical system that forms an image on an imaging unit of the imaging device based on incident light; an operation member that accepts a user's operation regarding the optical system; a control unit that controls an operation of the optical system in response to an operation of the operation member based on information received from the imaging device via the communication unit, The control unit When electronic zoom processing of the imaging device is not set on the operation member, a predetermined operation is performed by the optical system in response to operation of the operation member; When the electronic zoom processing is set to the operation member, the predetermined operation by the optical system is not performed in response to the operation of the operation member. Interchangeable lens.

10. the operation member is provided to output an operation amount indicating a degree of operation by a user on the interchangeable lens, When the electronic zoom process is set to the operation member, the control unit transmits the operation amount of the operation member to the imaging device via the communication unit. The interchangeable lens according to claim 9.

Images