Image capture device, image capture control device control method, and program

Abstract

To provide an imaging controller that allows a user to easily recognize the timing of continuous photographing.SOLUTION: A digital camera 100 displays a white frame object 405 at the timing when photographing is executed in continuous photographing during a period according to an exposure time for photographing, and when the exposure time for photographing is shorter than a lighting guarantee period, displays the white frame object 405 during the lighting guarantee period regardless of the exposure time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to Imaging device , Control method for imaging control device , and Regarding the program. [Background technology]

[0002] When shooting with an electronic shutter, there is no shutter sound caused by the actuation of a mechanical shutter, so it is sometimes difficult to tell when the shot is being taken. In Patent Document 1, when shooting in continuous shooting mode, the continuous shooting speed is expressed by blinking a display indicating the continuous shooting mode at a cycle corresponding to the continuous shooting speed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-88824 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technique of Patent Document 1 described above has a problem in that the user cannot recognize the timing of continuous shooting.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to make it easier for the user to recognize the timing of continuous shooting. Imaging device , Control method for imaging control device , and To provide the program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a first setting means for setting a shutter speed; a second setting means for setting a continuous shooting speed; a third setting means for setting a shutter mode from a plurality of modes including at least a mechanical shutter and an electronic shutter;a control means for controlling so that, in continuous shooting, an object indicating the timing at which shooting is performed is displayed on a display unit together with a shot image for a display period according to an exposure time based on a shutter speed set by the first setting means, and the object is not displayed during a non-display period from the end of the display period to the start of a next display period, and when the exposure time is shorter than a predetermined threshold, the control means controls so that the display period of the object has a first length independent of the exposure time, 1 When a high shutter speed is set by the setting means or a high continuous shooting speed is set by the second setting means, the length of the display period and the non-display period of the object is controlled according to the shutter speed set by the first setting means and the continuous shooting speed set by the second setting means. death , the control means, when performing a live view display for continuously displaying images captured during continuous shooting, controls to display the object together with the live view display if an electronic shutter is set by the third setting means, and controls to execute the live view display without displaying the object if a mechanical shutter is set by the third setting means. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the timing of continuous shooting. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view of a digital camera as an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a digital camera. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a shooting mode process executed by the digital camera. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a live view of a captured image displayed on a display unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu setting screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 6A] 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a photographing process. [Figure 6B] 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a photographing process. [Figure 7]11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining how a white frame object is turned on and off during shooting processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention will be described as being applied to a digital camera as an electronic device, but the present invention is not limited to digital cameras. For example, the present invention may be applied to a device equipped with a continuous shooting function that takes continuous shots based on a shutter speed or frame rate set by a user from among multiple options.

[0010] The digital camera 100 can operate in a drive mode (continuous shooting mode) in which shooting is performed continuously while an operating member that instructs the start of shooting is being pressed. The number of frames that can be continuously shot per unit time in the drive mode can be set by the user. The number of frames that can be continuously shot per unit time in the drive mode is called the frame speed or continuous shooting speed. In this embodiment, the frame speed can be selected from 3 frames (low speed), 10 frames (normal), or 30 frames (high speed). Note that the frame speed may be selectable from more options, or may be continuously set using a slider or the like.

[0011] The digital camera 100 can also set an exposure time as a shooting parameter. The exposure time is expressed as a shutter speed (Tv). The shutter speed can be set to any of a low speed setting such as 1 / 5 sec, 1 / 30 sec, or 1 / 60 sec, a high speed setting such as 1 / 2000 sec, or 1 / 8000 sec, or a long shutter speed such as 10 sec. Also, it is possible to automatically set the shutter speed (AE (automatic exposure) processing) according to the brightness of the subject acquired in the shooting preparation state.

[0012] While performing continuous shooting in drive mode, digital camera 100 displays an object to make the user aware of the timing of shooting. Digital camera 100 also has a characteristic configuration in which the object is displayed at the timing of shooting. This makes it easy for the user to recognize the timing of shooting during continuous shooting.

[0013] Digital camera 100 displays the object for a period of time according to the exposure time at the timing when photography is performed. This makes it easy for the user to recognize the timing when photography is performed during continuous photography, as well as the length of the exposure time.

[0014] When the exposure time is shorter than a predetermined threshold, digital camera 100 displays the object for a predetermined lighting period (shortest lighting period) regardless of the exposure time. Even if the exposure time is set to be short (shutter speed is set to be high), the user can easily recognize the timing at which shooting is performed during continuous shooting.

[0015] Furthermore, digital camera 100 controls the display so that the display of the next object does not start before a predetermined off period (shortest off period) has elapsed since the display of the previous object is completed. This makes it possible to prevent the user from recognizing that the exposure time is longer than the setting because the display interval of the objects is too short.

[0016] The above-mentioned control of the digital camera 100 will be explained in detail below.

[0017] Fig. 1 is an external view of a digital camera 100 as an imaging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(a) is a front perspective view of the digital camera 100. Fig. 1(b) is a rear perspective view of the digital camera 100.

[0018] The display unit 28 is provided on the rear surface of the digital camera 100 and displays images and various information. The touch panel 70a can detect touch operations on the display surface of the display unit 28. The outside-finder display unit 43 is provided on the top surface of the digital camera 100 and displays various settings of the digital camera 100, including the shutter speed and aperture. The shutter button 61 is an operating member for issuing shooting instructions (image capture instructions). The mode change switch 60 is an operating member for switching between various modes. The terminal cover 40 is a cover for protecting a connector (not shown) that connects the digital camera 100 to an external device.

[0019] The main electronic dial 71 is a rotary operation member, and by turning the main electronic dial 71, settings such as the shutter speed and aperture can be changed. The power switch 72 is an operation member that switches the power of the digital camera 100 between ON and OFF. The sub electronic dial 73 is a rotary operation member, and by turning the sub electronic dial 73, the selection frame (cursor) can be moved, images can be forwarded, and the like. The four-way key 74 is configured so that the up, down, left, and right parts can each be pressed, and processing can be performed according to which part of the four-way key 74 is pressed. The SET button 75 is a push button, and is mainly used to confirm a selection item, and the like. The multi-controller (hereinafter, MC) 65 can accept directional instructions in eight directions and a press operation on the center part.

[0020] The video button 76 is used to start or stop video shooting (recording). The AE lock button 77 is a push button, and by pressing the AE lock button 77 in a shooting standby state, the exposure state can be fixed. The enlargement button 78 is an operation button for switching the enlargement mode ON and OFF in the live view display (LV display) in the shooting mode. By turning the enlargement mode ON and then operating the main electronic dial 71, the live view image (LV image) can be enlarged or reduced. In the playback mode, the enlargement button 78 functions as an operation button for enlarging the playback image or increasing its magnification ratio. The playback button 79 is an operation button for switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode. By pressing the playback button 79 during the shooting mode, the mode transitions to the playback mode, and the latest image among the images recorded in the recording medium 200 (described later) can be displayed on the display unit 28. The menu button 81 is a push button used to perform an instruction operation to display a menu screen, and when the menu button 81 is pressed, a menu screen on which various settings can be made is displayed on the display unit 28. The user can intuitively make various settings using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 28, the four-way key 74, the SET button 75, or the MC 65. The line of sight confirmation button 82 is an operating member included in the operation unit 70 (described later), and is a push button that instructs the user to select or cancel a subject based on the position of a line of sight pointer (described later). The line of sight confirmation button 82 is located in a position that is easy to operate even when the user is looking through the viewfinder (with the eye placed at the eyepiece unit 16), and is located in a position that can be operated with the thumb of the right hand holding the grip unit 90.

[0021] The communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal for the digital camera 100 to communicate with the lens unit 150 (described later; detachable) side. The eyepiece 16 is an eyepiece of an eyepiece finder (a peer-in type finder), and the user can view an image displayed on an internal EVF 29 (described later) through the eyepiece 16. The eyepiece detection unit 57 is an eyepiece detection sensor that detects whether or not the user (photographer) has placed his / her eye on the eyepiece 16. The cover 202 is a cover for a slot that stores a recording medium 200 (described later). The grip unit 90 is a holding unit shaped to be easily held with the right hand when the user holds the digital camera 100. The shutter button 61 and the main electronic dial 71 are located at positions that can be operated with the index finger of the right hand when the digital camera 100 is held by gripping the grip unit 90 with the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger of the right hand. In the same state, the sub electronic dial 73 and the line of sight confirmation button 82 are disposed at a position that can be operated by the thumb of the right hand.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the digital camera 100 in FIG. 1. The lens unit 150 is a lens unit equipped with an interchangeable photographing lens. The lens 103 is usually composed of multiple lenses, but FIG. 2 shows only one lens for simplicity. The communication terminal 6 is a communication terminal through which the lens unit 150 communicates with the digital camera 100, and the communication terminal 10 is a communication terminal through which the digital camera 100 communicates with the lens unit 150. The lens unit 150 communicates with the system control unit 50 via these communication terminals 6 and 10. The lens unit 150 controls the aperture 1 via the aperture drive circuit 2 by the internal lens system control circuit 4. The lens unit 150 adjusts the focus by displacing the lens 103 via the AF drive circuit 3 by the lens system control circuit 4.

[0023] The shutter 101 is a focal plane shutter that can freely control the exposure time of the imaging unit 22 under the control of the system control unit 50 .

[0024] The imaging unit 22 is an imaging element that converts an optical image into an electrical signal and is configured with a CCD, a CMOS element, etc. The imaging unit 22 may have an imaging surface phase difference sensor that outputs defocus amount information to the system control unit 50.

[0025] The image processing unit 24 performs predetermined processing (pixel interpolation, resizing such as reduction, color conversion, etc.) on the data from the A / D converter 23 or the data from the memory control unit 15. The image processing unit 24 also performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 performs exposure control and distance measurement control based on the arithmetic results obtained by the image processing unit 24. This allows TTL (through-the-lens) type AF (autofocus) processing, AE (autoexposure) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, etc. to be performed. The image processing unit 24 further performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and performs TTL type AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic results.

[0026] The memory control unit 15 controls transmission and reception of data between the A / D converter 23, the image processing unit 24, and the memory 32. Output data from the A / D converter 23 is written to the memory 32 via the image processing unit 24 and the memory control unit 15. Alternatively, the output data from the A / D converter 23 is written to the memory 32 via the memory control unit 15 without going through the image processing unit 24. The memory 32 stores image data obtained by the imaging unit 22 and converted into digital data by the A / D converter 23, and image data to be displayed on the display unit 28 and EVF 29. The memory 32 has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined period of moving images and audio.

[0027] The memory 32 also serves as a memory (video memory) for displaying images. The image data for display written in the memory 32 is displayed by the display unit 28 or the EVF 29 via the memory control unit 15. The display unit 28 and the EVF 29 each perform display according to a signal from the memory control unit 15 on a display device such as an LCD or an organic EL. A live view display (LV) can be performed by sequentially transferring and displaying data that has been A / D converted by the A / D converter 23 and stored in the memory 32 to the display unit 28 or the EVF 29. Hereinafter, an image displayed in the live view display is referred to as a live view image (LV image).

[0028] The line of sight detection unit 160 detects the line of sight of the user's eye placed in the eyepiece unit 16, looking at the EVF 29. The line of sight detection unit 160 is composed of a dichroic mirror 162, an imaging lens 163, a line of sight detection sensor 164, a line of sight detection circuit 165, and an infrared emitting diode 166.

[0029] The infrared light emitting diode 166 is a light emitting element for detecting the position of the user's line of sight within the finder screen, and irradiates the user's eyeball (eye) 161 with infrared light. The infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting diode 166 is reflected by the eyeball (eye) 161, and the reflected infrared light reaches the dichroic mirror 162. The dichroic mirror 162 reflects only the infrared light and transmits visible light. The reflected infrared light whose optical path has been changed forms an image on the imaging surface of the line of sight detection sensor 164 via the imaging lens 163. The imaging lens 163 is an optical member that constitutes the line of sight detection optical system. The line of sight detection sensor 164 is composed of an imaging device such as a CCD image sensor.

[0030] The gaze detection sensor 164 photoelectrically converts the incident infrared reflected light into an electric signal and outputs it to the gaze detection circuit 165. The gaze detection circuit 165 detects the gaze position of the user from the movement of the user's eyeball (eye) 161 based on the output signal of the gaze detection sensor 164, and outputs the detection information to the system control unit 50 and the gaze determination unit 170.

[0031] The gaze determination unit 170 determines that the user is gazing at a certain area when the period during which the user's gaze is fixed on that area exceeds a predetermined threshold based on the detection information received from the gaze detection circuit 165. Therefore, the area can be said to be a gaze position (gaze area) where the gaze is performed. Note that "the gaze is fixed on a certain area" means, for example, that the average position of the gaze movement is within the area until a predetermined period has elapsed, and the variation (dispersion) is less than a predetermined value. Note that the predetermined threshold can be arbitrarily changed by the system control unit 50. Also, the gaze determination unit 170 may not be provided as an independent block, and the system control unit 50 may execute the same function as the gaze determination unit 170 based on the detection information received from the gaze detection circuit 165.

[0032] In this embodiment, the gaze detection unit 160 detects the gaze using a method called the corneal reflex method. The corneal reflex method is a method for detecting the direction and position of the gaze from the positional relationship between the light reflected by the eyeball (eye) 161 (particularly the cornea) of the infrared light emitted from the infrared light emitting diode 166 and the pupil of the eyeball (eye) 161. Note that the method for detecting the gaze (direction and position of the gaze) is not particularly limited, and a method other than the above may be used. For example, a method called the scleral reflex method may be used, which utilizes the difference in light reflectance between the black and white of the eye.

[0033] Various settings of the camera, including the shutter speed and aperture, are displayed on the outside viewfinder display section 43 via an outside viewfinder display section drive circuit 44 .

[0034] The non-volatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, such as a flash ROM. Constants, programs, and the like for operating the system control unit 50 are recorded in the non-volatile memory 56. The programs referred to here are programs for executing various flowcharts described later in this embodiment.

[0035] The system control unit 50 is a control unit consisting of at least one processor or circuit, and controls the entire digital camera 100. The system control unit 50 executes the programs recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 described above to realize each process of this embodiment described below. The system memory 52 is, for example, a RAM, and the system control unit 50 loads constants and variables for the operation of the system control unit 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like into the system memory 52. ​​The system control unit 50 also performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the display unit 28, and the like.

[0036] The system timer 53 is a timing unit that measures the time used for various controls and the time of a built-in clock.

[0037] The power supply control unit 80 is composed of a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching between blocks to which electricity is applied, and the like, and detects whether a battery is attached, the type of battery, and the remaining battery power, etc. The power supply control unit 80 also controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection results and instructions from the system control unit 50, and supplies the necessary voltage for the necessary period to each unit including the recording medium 200. The power supply unit 30 is composed of primary batteries such as alkaline batteries and lithium batteries, secondary batteries such as NiCd batteries, NiMH batteries, and Li batteries, an AC adapter, etc.

[0038] The recording medium I / F 18 is an interface with a recording medium 200 such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording captured images, and is composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like.

[0039] The communication unit 54 transmits and receives video signals and audio signals to and from an external device connected wirelessly or via a wired cable. The communication unit 54 can also be connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The communication unit 54 can also communicate with an external device via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Bluetooth Low Energy. The communication unit 54 can transmit images (including LV images) captured by the imaging unit 22 and images recorded on the recording medium 200, and can receive image data and various other information from the external device.

[0040] The attitude detection unit 55 detects the attitude of the digital camera 100 with respect to the direction of gravity. Based on the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 55, it is possible to determine whether the image captured by the imaging unit 22 was captured with the digital camera 100 held horizontally or vertically. The system control unit 50 can add orientation information corresponding to the attitude detected by the attitude detection unit 55 to the image file of the image captured by the imaging unit 22, or rotate and record the image. An acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like can be used as the attitude detection unit 55. It is also possible to detect the movement of the digital camera 100 (panning, tilting, lifting, whether it is stationary, etc.) using the acceleration sensor or gyro sensor that is the attitude detection unit 55.

[0041] The eye-contact detection unit 57 is an eye-contact detection sensor that detects (approach detection) the approach (approach) and departure (away) of the eye (object) 161 from the eyepiece unit 16 of the eyepiece finder (hereinafter simply referred to as the "finder"). The system control unit 50 switches between display (display state) / non-display (non-display state) of the display unit 28 and the EVF 29 according to the state detected by the eye-contact detection unit 57. More specifically, at least in the shooting standby state and when the display destination switching is automatic switching, when the eye is not placed in contact with the camera, the display is turned on with the display unit 28 as the display destination and the EVF 29 is not displayed. Also, when the eye is placed in contact with the camera, the display is turned on with the EVF 29 as the display destination and the display unit 28 is not displayed. For example, an infrared proximity sensor can be used as the eye-contact detection unit 57, and it can detect the approach of some object to the eyepiece unit 16 of the finder incorporating the EVF 29. When an object approaches, infrared light projected from a light projecting section (not shown) of the eyepiece detection section 57 is reflected by the object and received by a light receiving section (not shown) of the infrared proximity sensor. The amount of infrared light received can also determine how close the object is to the eyepiece section 16 (eyepiece distance). In this way, the eyepiece detection section 57 performs eyepiece detection to detect the proximity of the object to the eyepiece section 16. When an object approaching within a predetermined distance from the non-eyepiece state (non-approaching state) is detected, it is detected that the object has been brought into contact with the eye. When an object whose approach was detected moves away from the eyepiece state (approaching state) beyond a predetermined distance, it is detected that the object has been taken away from the eyepiece. The threshold for detecting the eyepiece and the threshold for detecting the take-up of the eye may be different, for example, by providing a hysteresis. In addition, after the eyepiece is detected, the eyepiece remains in the eyepiece state until the take-up of the eye is detected. After the take-up of the eye is detected, the non-eyepiece state is detected until the take-up of the eye is detected. The infrared proximity sensor is just one example, and other sensors may be used for eye proximity detection unit 57 as long as they can detect the approach of an eye or an object that can be regarded as an eye.

[0042] The system control unit 50 can detect the following states of the gaze towards the EVF 29 by controlling the gaze detection unit 160. A gaze that was not directed towards the EVF 29 is now directed towards the EVF 29. In other words, the start of gaze input. A state in which gaze input is being made towards the EVF 29. A state in which the gaze is fixed on a certain position on the EVF 29. The gaze that was directed towards the EVF 29 has been removed. In other words, the end of gaze input. A state in which no gaze input is being made towards the EVF 29 (a state in which the EVF 29 is not being viewed).

[0043] These operations and states, as well as the position (direction) in which the gaze is directed toward the EVF 29, are notified to the system control unit 50 via the internal bus, and the system control unit 50 determines what type of gaze input is being performed based on the notified information.

[0044] The operation unit 70 is an input unit that accepts operations from the user (user operations) and is used to input various operational instructions to the system control unit 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the operation unit 70 includes a mode changeover switch 60, a shutter button 61, a power switch 72, and a touch panel 70a. The operation unit 70 also includes a main electronic dial 71, a sub electronic dial 73, a four-way key 74, a SET button 75, a video button 76, an AE lock button 77, a magnification button 78, a playback button 79, a menu button 81, an MC 65, and the like in Figs. 1(a) and 1(b).

[0045] The mode changeover switch 60 changes the operation mode of the system control unit 50 to one of a still image shooting mode, a video shooting mode, a playback mode, etc. Modes included in the still image shooting mode include an auto shooting mode, an auto scene discrimination mode, a manual mode, an aperture priority mode (Av mode), a shutter speed priority mode (Tv mode), and a program AE mode (P mode). In addition, there are various scene modes and custom modes that are shooting settings according to shooting scenes. The mode changeover switch 60 allows the user to directly switch to one of these modes. Alternatively, after switching to a list screen of shooting modes with the mode changeover switch 60, the user may selectively switch to one of the displayed modes using another operating member. Similarly, the video shooting mode may also include a plurality of modes.

[0046] The shutter button 61 includes a first shutter switch 62 and a second shutter switch 64. The first shutter switch 62 is turned on when the shutter button 61 is pressed halfway (instruction to prepare for shooting) and generates a first shutter switch signal SW1. The system control unit 50 starts preparation operations for shooting such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (auto exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, and EF (pre-flash) processing in response to the first shutter switch signal SW1. The second shutter switch 64 is turned on when the shutter button 61 is pressed fully (instruction to shoot) and generates a second shutter switch signal SW2. The system control unit 50 starts a series of operations for shooting processing, from reading out a signal from the imaging unit 22 to writing a captured image to the recording medium 200 as an image file, in response to the second shutter switch signal SW2.

[0047] The touch panel 70a and the display unit 28 can be configured as one unit. For example, the touch panel 70a is configured so that the light transmittance does not interfere with the display of the display unit 28, and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display unit 28. Then, input coordinates on the touch panel 70a are associated with display coordinates on the display surface of the display unit 28. This makes it possible to provide a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that makes it seem as if the user can directly operate the screen displayed on the display unit 28.

[0048] The system control unit 50 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel 70a: A finger or pen that was not touching the touch panel 70a has now touched the touch panel 70a, i.e., the start of touching (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Down). A state in which the touch panel 70a is touched by a finger or pen (hereinafter referred to as Touch-On). A finger or pen has moved while still touching the touch panel 70a (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Move). A finger or pen that was touching the touch panel 70a has been released from the touch panel 70a, i.e., the end of touching (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Up). A state in which nothing is touching the touch panel 70a (hereinafter referred to as Touch-Off).

[0049] When touch-down is detected, touch-on is also detected at the same time. After touch-down, touch-on will usually continue to be detected unless touch-up is detected. If touch-move is detected, touch-on will also be detected at the same time. Even if touch-on is detected, touch-move will not be detected if the touch position does not move. After it is detected that all fingers or pens that were touching have touched up, touch-off will occur.

[0050] These operations and states, and the position coordinates of the touch panel 70a touched by a finger or pen are notified to the system control unit 50 through the internal bus. The system control unit 50 then determines what kind of operation (touch operation) has been performed on the touch panel 70a based on the notified information. For touch moves, the direction of movement of a finger or pen moving on the touch panel 70a can also be determined for each vertical and horizontal component on the touch panel 70a based on changes in the position coordinates. If a touch move of a predetermined distance or more is detected, it is determined that a slide operation has been performed. An operation in which a finger is touched on the touch panel 70a, quickly moved a certain distance, and then released is called a flick. In other words, a flick is an operation in which a finger is quickly traced on the touch panel 70a as if flicking it. If a touch move of a predetermined distance or more at a predetermined speed or more is detected and a touch up is detected, it can be determined that a flick has been performed (it can be determined that a flick has occurred following a slide operation). Furthermore, a touch operation in which multiple points (for example, two points) are touched together (multi-touch) and the touch positions are brought closer together is called pinch in, and a touch operation in which the touch positions are moved away from each other is called pinch out. Pinch out and pinch in are collectively called pinch operation (or simply pinch). The touch panel 70a may be of any of various touch panel types, such as a resistive film type, a capacitive type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared type, an electromagnetic induction type, an image recognition type, and an optical sensor type. There are types that detect a touch by contact with the touch panel, and types that detect a touch by the approach of a finger or a pen to the touch panel, and either type may be used.

[0051] The digital camera 100 may be provided with an audio input unit (not shown) that transmits audio signals obtained from a built-in microphone or an audio input device connected via an audio input terminal to the system control unit 50. In this case, the system control unit 50 selects the input audio signal as necessary, performs analog-to-digital conversion, and performs level optimization processing, specific frequency reduction processing, etc. to generate an audio signal.

[0052] In this embodiment, the user can set the method of specifying the position of the position indicator (for example, the AF frame) when a touch-move operation is performed in the eye-closed state to either an absolute position specification method or a relative position specification method. The absolute position specification method is a method in which the input coordinates on the touch panel 70a correspond to the display coordinates on the display surface of the EVF 29. In the case of the absolute position specification method, when there is a touch-down on the touch panel 70a, the AF frame is set at a position corresponding to the touched position (position where the coordinates are input) even if there is no touch-move (moves from the position before the touch-down). The position set by the absolute position specification method is a position based on the touch-down position, regardless of the position set before the touch-down. In addition, when there is a touch-move after the touch-down, the position of the AF frame also moves based on the touch position after the touch-move. The relative position specification method is a method in which the input coordinates on the touch panel 70a do not correspond to the display coordinates on the display surface of the EVF 29. In the case of the relative position designation method, if there is only a touch down on the touch panel 70a and no touch move, the position of the AF frame does not move from the position before the touch down. If there is a touch move after that, regardless of the touch down position, the position of the AF frame moves in the direction of the touch move from the currently set position of the AF frame (the position set before the touch down) by a distance according to the amount of movement of the touch move.

[0053] The user can set one of a number of AF methods, including "single-point AF" and "full-range AF", as the AF area (AF frame setting method). The user can also set whether to enable or disable subject detection setting (tracking). "Single-point AF" is a method in which the user specifies one location using a single-point AF frame as the position for AF. "Full-range AF" is a method in which the AF position is automatically set based on the automatic selection conditions when the user does not specify a tracking target. The tracking setting can be reflected by multiplying these AF area settings, and when tracking is "enabled", if a person's face is detected from the LV image, the face is given priority and selected as the AF target subject. When multiple human faces are detected, one face is selected and set as the AF target subject according to a priority such as the face size is large, the face position is close to the digital camera 100 (close side), the face position is close to the center of the image, or the face of a person registered in advance. If a person's face is not detected, a subject other than a face is selected according to priorities such as being close to the digital camera 100 (on the close side), having high contrast, being a high-priority subject such as an animal or vehicle, being a moving object, etc., and is set as the AF target subject. If a tracking target subject is specified by the user, the tracking target subject is set as the AF target subject. That is, the automatic selection conditions are conditions in which weighting is performed using at least one of the element conditions such as the example shown below, and the obtained score is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, or the obtained score is the highest. ·The face is a detected person's face. ·The size of the face is large. ·The position of the face is close to the digital camera 100 (on the close side). ·The position of the face is close to the center of the image. ·The face of an individual registered in advance. ·Close to the digital camera 100 (on the close side). ·The contrast is high. ·The subject is a high-priority subject such as an animal or vehicle. ·The subject is a moving object.

[0054] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the shooting mode process executed by the digital camera 100 of Fig. 1. The shooting mode process of Fig. 3 is realized by the system control unit 50 expanding a program stored in the non-volatile memory 56 into the system memory 52 and executing it. The shooting mode process of Fig. 3 is started when the digital camera 100 is started in the shooting mode and flags, control variables, etc. are initialized.

[0055] 3, first, in step S301, the system control unit 50 causes the display unit 28 to display the captured live view 401 of Fig. 4(a) based on a signal detected by the imaging unit 22. Next, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S302.

[0056] In step S302, the system control unit 50 displays the shooting related information 402 of Fig. 4(a) on the shooting live view 401. The shooting related information 402 includes icons indicating the setting status of various setting values ​​in the digital camera 100 and shooting parameters such as the shutter speed. In addition, a GUI object for showing the user the analysis result of the live view image, for example, the subject detection frame 403 of Fig. 4(a) is displayed on the shooting live view 401. When step S302 is completed, the shooting mode processing proceeds to step S303.

[0057] In step S303, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has performed a switching operation of the AF area setting on the operation unit 70. For example, the user performs an operation to switch the screen displayed on the display unit 28 from the shooting live view 401 to the menu setting screen 500 of FIG. 5, and can perform a switching operation of the AF area setting from the menu setting screen 500. In addition to the AF area setting, the menu setting screen 500 allows switching of the tracking setting, the shutter method setting, the drive mode setting, and the shutter speed setting. If the user has performed a switching operation of the AF area setting, the shooting mode processing proceeds to step S304. If the user has not performed a switching operation of the AF area setting, the shooting mode processing proceeds to step S305.

[0058] In step S304, the system control unit 50 switches the AF area setting according to the user's operation. Specifically, the system control unit 50 switches the AF area setting to a setting selected by the user from "one point" and "full area" displayed on the menu setting screen 500. Next, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S305.

[0059] In step S305, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has performed a switching operation of the tracking setting on the operation unit 70. If the user has performed a switching operation of the tracking setting, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S306. If the user has not performed a switching operation of the tracking setting, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S307.

[0060] In step S306, the system control unit 50 switches the tracking setting according to the user's operation. Specifically, the system control unit 50 switches the tracking setting to a setting selected by the user from "ON" and "OFF" displayed on the menu setting screen 500. Next, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S307.

[0061] In step S307, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation to switch the shutter type setting on the operation unit 70. If the user has performed an operation to switch the shutter type setting, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S308. If the user has not performed an operation to switch the shutter type setting, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S309.

[0062] In step S308, the system control unit 50 switches the shutter method setting according to the user's operation. Specifically, the system control unit 50 switches the shutter method setting to a setting selected by the user from "mechanical" and "electronic" displayed on the menu setting screen 500. When "mechanical" is selected, the mechanical shutter method that uses a physical mechanism to control the shutter speed is set as the shutter method. When "electronic" is selected, the electronic shutter method that electronically controls the image sensor to adjust the shutter speed is set as the shutter method. Note that, in this embodiment, the case where the options for the shutter method setting are the mechanical shutter method and the electronic shutter method are described, but other methods may be provided as options. For example, an option for the other method is electronic processing of only the front curtain processing (electronic front curtain). When step S308 is completed, the shooting mode processing proceeds to step S309.

[0063] In step S309, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation to switch the drive mode setting on the operation unit 70. If the user has performed an operation to switch the drive mode setting, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S310. If the user has not performed an operation to switch the drive mode setting, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S311.

[0064] In step S310, the system control unit 50 switches the drive mode setting according to the user's operation. In the drive mode setting, the frame speed during continuous shooting is set. The frame speed is a parameter indicating the number of shots per unit time in continuous shooting. The frame speed can also be called the continuous shooting speed. In step S310, specifically, the system control unit 50 switches the drive mode setting to a setting selected by the user from among "high speed (30 frames / sec)," "normal (10 frames / sec)," and "low speed (3 frames / sec)" displayed on the menu setting screen 500. Next, the shooting mode processing proceeds to step S311.

[0065] In step S311, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation to switch the shutter speed setting on the operation unit 70. If the user has performed an operation to switch the shutter speed setting, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S312. If the user has not performed an operation to switch the shutter speed setting, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S313.

[0066] In step S312, the system control unit 50 switches the shutter speed setting according to the user's operation. Specifically, the system control unit 50 switches the shutter speed setting to the setting selected by the user on the menu setting screen 500. Next, the shooting mode processing proceeds to step S313.

[0067] In step S313, the system control unit 50 executes the shooting process in Fig. 6, which will be described later. Next, in step S314, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has performed other operations on the operation unit 70. Other operations include, for example, operations to change various parameters related to shooting (aperture value, etc.). If the user has performed other operations, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S315. If the user has not performed other operations, the shooting mode process proceeds to step S316.

[0068] In step S315, the system control unit 50 performs other processes according to the user's operation. The other processes are, for example, processes for changing various parameters (aperture value, etc.) related to shooting. Next, in step S316, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has performed a termination operation on the operation unit 70. If the user has not performed a termination operation, the shooting mode process returns to step S302. If the user has performed a termination operation, the shooting mode process ends.

[0069] However, when shooting with an electronic shutter, since there is no shutter sound caused by the actuation of a mechanical shutter, it is sometimes difficult to know when to shoot. In response to this, for example, when shooting continuously with an electronic shutter, the digital camera 100 lights up a GUI object for notifying the timing of shooting, such as a white frame object 405 in Fig. 4(c) described later, on the display unit 28 during the exposure processing execution period during which the exposure processing is performed. Even without the shutter sound, the user can recognize the timing of continuous shooting based on the display state of the white frame object 405.

[0070] However, even if the white frame object 405 is lit on the display unit 28, the user may not be able to recognize the timing of continuous shooting. For example, when the shutter speed is fast and the frame speed is slow, the exposure process execution period is short, so even if the white frame object 405 is lit during the exposure process execution period, the lighting time of the white frame object 405 is too short and the user may not be able to recognize it. Also, when the frame speed is fast, the interval between the exposure process execution period and the next exposure process execution period is short, so the user may not be able to recognize the separation of the lighting of the white frame object 405.

[0071] In contrast, in this embodiment, a lighting guaranteed period (shortest lighting period) is provided during which the lighting (display) state of the white frame object 405 continues. Here, the lighting guaranteed period is assumed to be 16 msec. When digital camera 100 continuously captures images at a certain frame speed and a second shutter speed faster than the first shutter speed, the lighting (display) state of the white frame object 405 continues for a lighting guaranteed period that is longer than the exposure process execution period determined based on the second shutter speed.

[0072] In addition, in this embodiment, an extinguishing guaranteed period (shortest extinguishing period) is provided during which the extinguished (non-displayed) state of the white frame object 405 continues. Here, the extinguishing guaranteed period is assumed to be 30 msec. The extinguishing guaranteed period is longer than the lighting guaranteed period. When digital camera 100 continuously captures images at a certain shutter speed and a second frame speed faster than the first frame speed, it turns on (displays) the white frame object 405 again when an extinguishing guaranteed period longer than the period from when the lighting (display) of the white frame object 405 ends to when the execution of the next exposure process determined based on the second frame speed begins has elapsed.

[0073] 6A and 6B are a flowchart showing the procedure of the photographing process in step S313 of FIG.

[0074] 6A, in step S601, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has operated the first shutter switch 62. If the user has operated the first shutter switch 62, the photographing process proceeds to step S602. If the user has not operated the first shutter switch 62, the photographing process ends.

[0075] In step S602, the system control unit 50 performs shooting preparation operations such as photometry and distance measurement. Fig. 4(b) is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 28 during the shooting preparation operations. On this screen, shooting-related information 402 narrowed down to information necessary for the shooting preparation operations is displayed superimposed on the shooting live view 401. Also, on this screen, an AF frame 404 indicating the photometry result is displayed instead of a subject detection frame 403 superimposed on the shooting live view 401. Next, the shooting process proceeds to step S603.

[0076] In step S603, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the user has operated the second shutter switch 64. If the user has not operated the second shutter switch 64, the photographing process returns to step S601. If the user has operated the second shutter switch 64, the photographing process proceeds to step S604.

[0077] In step S604, the system control unit 50 starts shooting. The following describes the case where continuous shooting is performed. Next, in step S605, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the operation of the second shutter switch 64 is continuing. If the operation of the second shutter switch 64 is continuing, the shooting process proceeds to step S607. If the operation of the second shutter switch 64 is not continuing, the shooting process proceeds to step S606.

[0078] In step S606, the system control unit 50 ends the shooting (continuous shooting). After that, the shooting process returns to step S603. At this time, the ON flag and the OFF flag, which will be described later, are all initialized.

[0079] In step S607, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not exposure should be started based on the shutter speed set on the menu setting screen 500. If the result of the determination in step S607 is that exposure should not be started, that is, if exposure is being performed, the shooting process proceeds to step S614, which will be described later. If the result of the determination in step S607 is that exposure should be started, the shooting process proceeds to step S608.

[0080] In step S608, the system control unit 50 instructs the start of exposure. This starts exposure in the digital camera 100. After that, the shooting process proceeds to step S609. In step S609, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not a white frame object 405 (described later) is lit in the shooting live view 401.

[0081] If it is determined in step S609 that a white frame object 405, which will be described later, is lit in the captured live view 401, the capture process proceeds to step S614. If it is determined in step S609 that a white frame object 405, which will be described later, is not lit in the captured live view 401, the capture process proceeds to step S610. In step S610, the system control unit 50 determines whether it is within a guaranteed period for the white frame object 405 to be turned off.

[0082] If it is determined in step S610 that the white-frame object 405 is not within the extinguishing guarantee period, the photographing process proceeds to step S611.

[0083] In step S611, the system control unit 50 displays both a live view image and a white frame object 405 in the shooting live view 401, as shown in Fig. 4(c). Fig. 4(c) is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 28 when exposure processing is performed in continuous shooting. On this screen, shooting-related information 402 narrowed down to information necessary for shooting, an AF frame 404 indicating the photometry result, and a white frame object 405 indicating that exposure processing is in progress are displayed superimposed on the shooting live view 401.

[0084] The white frame object 405 is displayed so as to surround the outer periphery of the live view screen. This allows the user to easily check the state of the subject displayed in the captured live view 401. In addition, while the white frame object 405 is displayed, it also has the effect of alerting the user to camera shake. Furthermore, by adopting a bright and conspicuous white color for the frame color of the white frame object 405, it is possible to make it easy to recognize at the edge of the user's field of view even if it is on the outer periphery of the live view screen.

[0085] The form of the white frame object 405 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a color other than white that stands out. The form of the white frame object 405 may be dynamically changed according to the state of the camera. For example, when the user's line of sight is directed toward the periphery of the screen, control may be performed to reduce the transmittance of the white frame object 405 near the periphery of the screen, so that the user can more easily check the state of the subject displayed in the captured live view 401. Next, in step S612, the system control unit 50 starts measuring a lighting guarantee timer for determining the expiration of the lighting guarantee period of the white frame object 405, and the shooting process proceeds to step S614.

[0086] If it is determined in step S610 that the white frame object 405 is within the off-guaranteed period, the photographing process proceeds to step S613. In step S613, the system control unit 50 sets the lighting flag for controlling the lighting of the white frame object 405 to ON while keeping the white frame object 405 off in the photographing live view 401. That is, even if exposure starts, if it is within the off-guaranteed period of the white frame object 405, the off state of the white frame object 405 continues. In other words, even if the exposure for the next photographing starts before the off-guaranteed period has elapsed since the display of the object related to the previous photographing is completed, the system control unit 50 controls so as not to start displaying the object. Next, the photographing process proceeds to step S614.

[0087] In step S614, the system control unit 50 determines, based on the shutter speed set on the menu setting screen 500, whether or not to end the exposure.

[0088] If the result of the determination in step S614 is that the exposure is not to be ended, the photographing process proceeds to step S623. If the result of the determination in step S614 is that the exposure is to be ended, the photographing process proceeds to step S615. In step S615, the system control unit 50 instructs the end of the exposure. As a result, the digital camera 100 ends the exposure. Next, in step S616, the system control unit 50 starts the execution of a predetermined process. The predetermined process includes a process performed during the period from the end of one exposure process to the start of the next exposure process, for example, a development process of an image read from the sensor, and a process of writing the developed image to a recording medium. Next, the photographing process proceeds to step S617. In step S617, the system control unit 50 determines whether or not the white frame object 405 is turned off in the photographing live view 401.

[0089] If it is determined in step S617 that the white frame object 405 is turned off, the image capturing process proceeds to step S618. In step S618, the system control unit 50 sets the lighting flag to OFF. Next, the image capturing process proceeds to step S623.

[0090] If it is determined in step S617 that the white frame object 405 is not turned off, the shooting process proceeds to step S619. In step S619, the system control unit 50 determines whether the white frame object 405 is within the lighting guarantee period.

[0091] If it is determined in step S619 that the white frame object 405 is not within the illumination guaranteed period, the shooting process proceeds to step S620. In step S620, the system control unit 50 turns off the white frame object 405 in the shooting live view 401, as shown in Fig. 4(d). If the display of the white frame object 405 starts at the start of exposure, the period from the start of exposure to the end of exposure (exposure time) becomes the display period of the white frame object 405.

[0092] 4(d) is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 28 from the end of one exposure process to the start of the next exposure process in continuous shooting. In this screen, shooting-related information 402 narrowed down to information necessary for shooting and an AF frame 404 showing a photometry result are displayed superimposed on a shooting live view 401, but the white frame object 405 is not displayed. Next, the shooting process proceeds to step S621. In step S621, the system control unit 50 starts measuring the extinction guarantee timer for determining the expiration of the extinction guarantee period of the white frame object 405. Next, the shooting process proceeds to step S623.

[0093] If it is determined in step S619 that the white frame object 405 is within the lighting guaranteed period, the shooting process proceeds to step S622. In step S622, the system control unit 50 sets an off flag for controlling the turning off of the white frame object 405 to ON while keeping the white frame object 405 on in the shooting live view 401. That is, in this embodiment, even if the exposure process ends, if the white frame object 405 is within the lighting guaranteed period, the white frame object 405 continues to be turned on. In other words, if the exposure time from the start of exposure to the end of exposure is shorter than the lighting guaranteed period, the system control unit 50 continues to display the object even if the exposure time has elapsed. That is, the system control unit 50 continues to display the object during the lighting guaranteed period regardless of the exposure time.

[0094] Next, the shooting process proceeds to step S623. In step S623, the system control unit 50 determines whether the lighting guarantee period has expired based on the measurement result of the lighting guarantee timer.

[0095] If it is determined in step S623 that the lighting guarantee period has expired, the photographing process proceeds to step S624. In step S624, the system control unit 50 determines whether the lighting-out flag is ON.

[0096] If it is determined in step S624 that the light-off flag is ON, the photographing process proceeds to step S625. In step S625, the system control unit 50 sets the light-off flag to OFF. Next, in step S626, the system control unit 50 turns off the white frame object 405. Next, in step S627, the system control unit 50 starts measuring the light-off guarantee timer. Next, the photographing process proceeds to step S628.

[0097] If it is determined in step S623 that the light-on guarantee period has not expired, or if it is determined in step S624 that the light-off flag is not ON, the photographing process proceeds to step S628. In step S628, the system control unit 50 determines whether the light-off guarantee period has expired based on the measurement result of the light-off guarantee timer.

[0098] If it is determined in step S628 that the lights-off guarantee period has expired, the photographing process proceeds to step S629. In step S629, the system control unit 50 determines whether the lighting flag is ON or not.

[0099] If it is determined in step S629 that the lighting flag is ON, the photographing process proceeds to step S630. In step S630, the system control unit 50 sets the lighting flag to OFF. Next, in step S631, the system control unit 50 lights up the white frame object 405. Next, in step S632, the system control unit 50 starts measuring the lighting guarantee timer. Next, the photographing process returns to step S605.

[0100] If it is determined in step S628 that the lights-off guarantee period has not expired, or if it is determined in step S629 that the lights-on flag is not ON, the photographing process returns to step S605.

[0101] 6 described above, when the operation of the second shutter switch 64 is terminated in step S605 during continuous shooting, the shooting end process in step S606 is immediately executed, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the shooting end process may be executed after the currently executed process is completed, or the shooting process may be continued until the lighting guarantee period or the extinguishing guarantee period of the white frame object 405 expires.

[0102] 6, the guaranteed off period of the white frame object 405 is longer than the guaranteed on period. In order for a user to recognize that a color with good color development, such as white, has been turned off, the off state needs to continue for a relatively long time. By setting the guaranteed off period to be longer than the guaranteed on period of the white frame object 405, a natural blinking process that can be recognized by the user can be realized.

[0103] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining how the white frame object 405 is turned on and off by the shooting process in FIG. 6 for each combination of shutter speed and frame speed.

[0104] Fig. 7(a) is a legend for explaining Fig. 7(b) to Fig. 7(e). In Fig. 7(a), 701 indicates a period during which the white-frame object 405 is lit within the lighting guaranteed period. 702 indicates a period during which the white-frame object 405 is lit outside the lighting guaranteed period. 703 indicates a period during which the white-frame object 405 is unlit within the lighting guaranteed period. 704 indicates a period during which the white-frame object 405 is unlit outside the lighting guaranteed period.

[0105] 7(b) to 7(e) show how the white-frame object 405 turns on and off in response to changes in a waveform 712 indicating the exposure process execution period in parameter settings 711 including the shutter speed setting and the frame speed setting. In the waveform 712, a period of 1 indicates the exposure process execution period, and a period of 0 indicates the period from the completion of execution of one exposure process to the start of execution of the next exposure process (hereinafter referred to as the "exposure process non-execution period"). During the period of 0, no exposure process is performed, and processing other than the exposure process is performed.

[0106] FIG. 7B shows an example in which the shutter speed is relatively slow and the frame speed is relatively slow. In the digital camera 100, the slower the shutter speed, the longer the exposure process execution period. Therefore, when the shutter speed is relatively slow, as shown in FIG. 7B, the white frame object 405 is turned on during the period when the waveform 712 is 1, that is, during the exposure process execution period, so that the user can easily recognize the lighting of the white frame object 405. On the other hand, in the digital camera 100, the slower the frame speed, the longer the time until the next exposure process is started. Therefore, when the frame speed is relatively slow, as shown in FIG. 7B, the white frame object 405 is turned off during the period when the waveform 712 is 0, that is, during the exposure process non-execution period, so that the user can easily recognize the turning off of the white frame object 405.

[0107] FIG. 7(c) is an example in which the shutter speed is relatively slow and the frame speed is relatively fast. In the digital camera 100, when the shutter speed is relatively slow, the white frame object 405 is turned on throughout the exposure process execution period as shown in FIG. 7(b) described above, so that the user can easily recognize the lighting of the white frame object 405. On the other hand, in the digital camera 100, as the frame speed becomes faster, the time until the next exposure process execution is started becomes shorter. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7(b) described above, if the white frame object 405 is simply turned off throughout the exposure process non-execution period, the interval between the exposure process execution period and the next exposure process execution period is short, so that the user has difficulty recognizing the separation of the lighting of the white frame object 405. In contrast, in the present embodiment, a lighting-off guaranteed period 721 is provided, and the white frame object 405 is kept off at least throughout the lighting-off guaranteed period 721. This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient time for the white frame object 405, which indicates the timing of continuous shooting, to be turned off, allowing the user to easily recognize the boundaries between lighting of the white frame object 405. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the timing of continuous shooting.

[0108] FIG. 7(d) is an example in which the shutter speed is relatively fast and the frame speed is relatively slow. In the digital camera 100, the exposure process execution period becomes shorter as the shutter speed becomes faster. For this reason, as in the above-mentioned FIG. 7(b) and FIG. 7(c), if the white frame object 405 is only turned on during the exposure process execution period, the time during which the white frame object 405 is turned on is too short, making it difficult for the user to recognize the lighting of the white frame object 405. In contrast, in the present embodiment, a lighting guaranteed period 722 is provided, and the lighting state of the white frame object 405 continues at least during the lighting guaranteed period 722. This makes it possible to ensure a sufficient lighting time of the white frame object 405, which indicates the timing of continuous shooting, and makes it easy for the user to recognize the lighting of the white frame object 405. As a result, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the timing of continuous shooting. On the other hand, when the frame speed is relatively slow, as in the above-mentioned FIG. 7(b) and the like, by turning off the white frame object 405 during the period during which the exposure process is not executed, the user can easily recognize the turning off of the white frame object 405.

[0109] FIG. 7(e) is an example in which the shutter speed is relatively fast and the frame speed is also relatively fast. In this example, as described above, the white frame object 405 continues to be turned on at least during the lighting guaranteed period 723, so that the user can easily recognize the lighting of the white frame object 405. Also, as described above, the white frame object 405 continues to be turned off at least during the lighting guaranteed period 724. This allows the user to easily recognize the separation of the lighting of the white frame object 405. Note that in FIG. 7(e), the number of times the white frame object 405 blinks does not necessarily match the actual number of times of shooting (number of frames). Here, when the shutter speed is relatively fast and the frame speed is relatively fast, even if the white frame object 405 is blinked the same number of times as the actual number of times of shooting, the blinking of the white frame object 405 is too fast, so that it is difficult for the user to grasp the actual number of times of shooting from the number of times the white frame object 405 blinks. In such a case, it is sufficient for the user to know that high-speed continuous shooting is being performed, rather than the strict number of times of shooting. In contrast, in this embodiment, the white frame object 405 is blinked (lit and extinguished) at intervals that correspond to the intervals during which high-speed continuous shooting is being performed, based on the guaranteed-on period and the guaranteed-off period. This makes it possible to inform the user that high-speed continuous shooting is being performed when the shutter speed and the frame rate are relatively fast.

[0110] Although the present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, a mechanism for emitting an electronic shutter sound may be provided to notify the timing of shooting using the electronic shutter sound. Note that the electronic shutter sound may be emitted in strict accordance with the shooting timing, and the blinking of the white frame object 405 may not necessarily coincide with the shooting timing as shown in FIG. 7(e).

[0111] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display of the white frame object 405 may be limited to shooting with the electronic shutter. Here, when shooting with the mechanical shutter, it is possible to indicate the shooting timing and the exposure processing execution period by the shutter sound of the mechanical shutter, so there is no need to display the white frame object 405 surrounding the shooting live view 401. Therefore, by displaying the white frame object 405 only when shooting with the electronic shutter, it is possible to make it easier to check the shooting live view 401 when shooting with the mechanical shutter.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the white frame object 405 is turned on during the exposure process execution period and turned off during the exposure process non-execution period, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the white frame object 405 may be turned off during the exposure process execution period and turned on during the exposure process non-execution period.

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, the GUI object for notifying the timing of shooting is not limited to a white frame displayed on the periphery of the screen, such as the white frame object 405. For example, as a GUI object for notifying the timing of shooting, an inconspicuous frame 406 of, for example, gray color may be displayed near the center of the screen, as shown in Fig. 4(e).

[0114] In the above-described embodiment, the icon 407 in FIG. 4(f) may be displayed in a blinking manner as a GUI object for notifying the timing of shooting.

[0115] In the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the white frame object 405 is displayed on the display unit 28, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the white frame object 405 may be displayed on one of the display units 28 and the EVF 29 whose display is set to on, that is, on the unit on which the captured live view 401 is displayed.

[0116] In the above-described embodiment, the display form of the white frame object 405 may be different between the display unit 28 and the EVF 29.

[0117] In the above embodiment, the photographing period per one time is divided into an exposure processing execution period and an exposure processing non-execution period, but this is not limited to this. For example, during continuous photographing in a mode (SERVO AF) where the focus is adjusted continuously and automatically, a GUI object for notifying the photographing timing during SERVO driving may be turned on, and the GUI object may be turned off during the period when the SERVO driving is temporarily stopped after focusing.

[0118] In the embodiment described above, the white frame object 405 may be controlled not to be displayed at the timing of the first capture in continuous shooting, but to be displayed at the timing of the second or subsequent captures.

[0119] The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program code. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

[0120] The various controls described above as being performed by the CPU may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware sharing the processing.

[0121] In addition, although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined.

[0122] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 100 Digital Camera 28 Display section 50 System control section

Claims

1. a first setting means for setting a shutter speed; a second setting means for setting a continuous shooting speed; a third setting means for setting a shutter mode from a plurality of modes including at least a mechanical shutter and an electronic shutter; a control means for controlling so that, in continuous shooting, an object indicating the timing at which shooting is to be performed is displayed on a display unit together with a shot image for a display period corresponding to an exposure time based on a shutter speed set by the first setting means, and the object is not displayed during a non-display period from the end of the display period to the start of a next display period, and when the exposure time is shorter than a predetermined threshold, the control means controls so that the display period of the object has a first length independent of the exposure time, when a high shutter speed is set by the first setting means or a high continuous shooting speed is set by the second setting means, the control means controls lengths of the display period and the non-display period of the object in accordance with the shutter speed set by the first setting means and the continuous shooting speed set by the second setting means; the control means, when performing a live view display for continuously displaying images captured during continuous shooting, if an electronic shutter is set by the third setting means, controls to display the object together with the live view display, and, if a mechanical shutter is set by the third setting means, controls to execute the live view display without displaying the object.

1. An imaging device comprising:

2. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, when a high shutter speed is set by the first setting means and a high continuous shooting speed is set by the second setting means, the control means controls lengths of the display period and the non-display period of the object to provide a number of display periods that is fewer than the number of shots taken in continuous shooting.

3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the length of the display period of the object to be equal to the exposure time when the exposure time is longer than the predetermined threshold value.

4. 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls display of the object so that the display period is equal to or longer than the first length and the non-display period is equal to or longer than the second length.

5. The imaging device of claim 4, characterized in that the second length is longer than the first length.

6. The imaging device described in Claim 5, characterized in that the object is white.

7. 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the control means performs control so that, when a high shutter speed is set by the first setting means and a high continuous shooting speed is set by the second setting means, the object is displayed for the display period and the non-display period based on the first length and the second length.

8. 8. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the display unit so that the object is displayed in an edge region of the display unit.

9. 9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the object is a frame-shaped image that surrounds the outer periphery of the captured image.

10. 10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the display unit to display a live view image as the captured image.

11. 11. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is the first length.

12. 12. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the high shutter speed is a shutter speed faster than 1 / 1000 seconds.

13. The continuous shooting speed is a frame rate, 13. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the high continuous shooting speed is a frame rate higher than 10 frames.

14. 5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein the control means controls so as not to start displaying the object at the timing of starting the second photographing, even if a second photographing following the first photographing is started before the non-display period of the second length has elapsed after the display of the object in a first photographing of the continuous photographing is completed.

15. 15. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein even if the exposure time based on the shutter speed set by the first setting means is longer than a predetermined threshold, if the second photographing is started before the non-display period of the second length has elapsed after the display of the object in the first photographing is completed, the control means controls the display period of the object after the second photographing to be shorter than the time corresponding to the exposure time.

16. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the control means controls so that the object is not displayed at the timing of a first shot in the continuous shooting, and the object is displayed at the timing of a second or subsequent shots.

17. a first setting step of setting a shutter speed; a second setting step of setting a continuous shooting speed; a third setting step of setting a shutter type from a plurality of types including at least a mechanical shutter and an electronic shutter; a control step of controlling so that, in continuous shooting, an object indicating the timing at which shooting is to be performed is displayed on a display unit together with an image obtained by shooting, for a display period corresponding to an exposure time based on the shutter speed set in the first setting step, and the object is not displayed during a non-display period from the end of the display period to the start of a next display period, and when the exposure time is shorter than a predetermined threshold, the display period of the object is controlled to have a first length independent of the exposure time, in the control step, when a high shutter speed is set in the first setting step or a high continuous shooting speed is set in the second setting step, lengths of the display period and the non-display period of the object are controlled in accordance with the shutter speed set in the first setting step and the continuous shooting speed set in the second setting step; In the control step, when performing a live view display in which images captured during continuous shooting are continuously displayed, if an electronic shutter is set in the third setting step, control is performed to display the object together with the live view display, and if a mechanical shutter is set in the third setting step, control is performed to execute the live view display without displaying the object. A control method for an imaging control device comprising:

18. 18. The control method for an imaging control device according to claim 17, wherein, in the control step, when a high shutter speed is set in the first setting step and a high continuous shooting speed is set in the second setting step, lengths of the display period and the non-display period of the object are controlled so that the number of display periods is smaller than the number of shots in continuous shooting.

19. 19. The control method for an imaging control device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein, in the control step, if the exposure time is longer than the predetermined threshold, the length of the display period of the object is controlled to be the exposure time.

20. 20. The control method for an imaging control device according to claim 17, wherein in the control step, display of the object is controlled so that the display period is equal to or longer than the first length and the non-display period is equal to or longer than the second length.

21. The control method for an imaging control device according to claim 20, wherein the second length is longer than the first length.

22. The control method for an imaging control device according to claim 21, characterized in that the object is white.

23. 21. The control method for an imaging control device according to claim 20, wherein, in the control step, when a high shutter speed is set in the first setting step and a high continuous shooting speed is set in the second setting step, the object is controlled to be displayed for the display period and the non-display period based on the first length and the second length.

24. 24. The method of claim 17, wherein in the control step, the object is controlled to be displayed in an end area of ​​the display unit.

25. 25. The control method for an image capture control device according to claim 24, wherein the object is a frame-shaped image that surrounds an outer periphery of the captured image.

26. 26. The method of controlling an image capture control device according to claim 17, wherein in the control step, a live view image is controlled to be displayed on the display unit as the captured image.

27. 27. The method for controlling an image capture control device according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined threshold value is the first length.

28. 28. The method for controlling an image capture control device according to claim 17, wherein the high shutter speed is a shutter speed faster than 1 / 1000 seconds.

29. The continuous shooting speed is a frame rate, 29. The method according to claim 17, wherein the high-speed continuous shooting speed is faster than 10 frames per second.

30. 21. The control method for an imaging control device according to claim 20, wherein in the control step, even if a second photographing operation following the first photographing operation is started before the non-display period of the second length has elapsed after the completion of display of the object in a first photographing operation among the continuous photographing operations, the control step controls so that display of the object is not started at the timing of start of the second photographing operation.

31. 31. The control method for an imaging control device according to claim 30, wherein, in the control step, even if an exposure time based on the shutter speed set in the first setting step is longer than a predetermined threshold, if the second photographing is started after the display of the object in the first photographing is completed and before the non-display period of the second length has elapsed, the display period of the object after the second photographing is controlled to be shorter than the time corresponding to the exposure time.

32. 30. The control method for an imaging control device according to claim 17, wherein in the control step, the object is not displayed at the timing of a first shot in the continuous shooting, and the object is displayed at the timing of a second or subsequent shot.

33. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an imaging control device according to any one of claims 17 to 32.

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