Imaging device

Abstract

Provided is an imaging device that can facilitate continuous shooting and autofocus operation. 【Solution means】The imaging device includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image through an optical system to generate image data, a control unit that controls continuous shooting and autofocus operation in the imaging unit, and a setting unit that sets one continuous shooting mode from a plurality of continuous shooting modes for performing continuous shooting in the imaging unit. The plurality of continuous shooting modes include a first continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is not displayed during continuous shooting, and a second continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is displayed during continuous shooting at a lower speed than the first continuous shooting mode. When the first continuous shooting mode is set, if the autofocus operation is executable by a predetermined detection method, the control unit executes continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode, and if the autofocus operation is not executable by the predetermined detection method, at least one of continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode and the autofocus operation is changed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an imaging device that performs continuous shooting and autofocus operation.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an imaging device that shoots and displays a live view image during still image shooting in continuous shooting, and displays a black image during still image shooting. In this imaging device, as a method of displaying an image during continuous shooting, there are mounted a rec view continuous shooting that reduces and displays a still image for recording, and a live view continuous shooting that displays a live view image having a smaller number of read pixels than the still image. Since the live view continuous shooting cannot acquire a live view image during the shooting of a still image, a black image is displayed as a dummy image.

[0003] The rec view continuous shooting has an advantage that it is easy to increase the number of continuous shooting frames because it is not necessary to switch the driving mode of pixel reading. On the other hand, since the live view continuous shooting has a smaller number of read pixels than the rec view continuous shooting, the display delay is small. Further, even after switching from the live view image to the black image, the human brain interpolates the movement of the subject when the live view image was being displayed, and by displaying the black image instead of continuously displaying the last obtained live view image, the movement of the object is felt smoothly. Therefore, the live view continuous shooting is considered to be suitable for shooting while tracking a moving subject.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides an imaging device that can facilitate continuous shooting and autofocus operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The imaging device in the present disclosure includes an imaging unit that captures a subject image through an optical system to generate image data, a control unit that controls continuous shooting and autofocus operation in the imaging unit, and a setting unit that sets one continuous shooting mode from a plurality of continuous shooting modes for performing continuous shooting in the imaging unit. The plurality of continuous shooting modes include a first continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is not displayed during continuous shooting, and a second continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is displayed during continuous shooting at a lower speed than the first continuous shooting mode. When the first continuous shooting mode is set in the setting unit, the control unit determines whether an autofocus operation can be executed by a predetermined detection method in continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode based on the state of the imaging device. When the autofocus operation can be executed by the predetermined detection method, the control unit executes continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode. When the autofocus operation cannot be executed by the predetermined detection method, the control unit changes at least one of continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode and the autofocus operation.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the imaging device in the present disclosure, continuous shooting and autofocus operation can be facilitated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, a more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and duplicate descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. Note that the inventor(s) provide the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend to limit the subject matter described in the claims thereby.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) In Embodiment 1, as an example of the imaging device according to the present disclosure, a digital camera that performs continuous shooting and autofocus (AF) operation will be described.

[0011] 1. Configuration The configuration of the digital camera according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The digital camera 1 is composed of a camera body 100 and an interchangeable lens 200 that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 100.

[0013] 1-1. Camera Body The camera body 100 includes an image sensor 110, a liquid crystal monitor 120, an operation unit 130, a camera controller 140, a body mount 150, a communication module 155, a power supply 160, and a card slot 170.

[0014] The camera controller 140 controls the operation of the entire digital camera 1 by controlling components such as the image sensor 110 in response to an instruction from the release button in the operation unit 130. The camera controller 140 transmits a vertical synchronization signal to the timing generator 112. In parallel with this, the camera controller 140 generates an exposure synchronization signal. The camera controller 140 periodically transmits the generated exposure synchronization signal to the lens controller 240 via the body mount 150 and the lens mount 250. The camera controller 140 uses the RAM 141 as a work memory during control operations and image processing operations.

[0015] The camera controller 140 includes a CPU etc., and a CPU realizes a predetermined function by executing a program (software). For example, the camera controller 140 performs data communication with the lens controller 240 of the interchangeable lens 200 via the body mount 150 and the lens mount 250, and controls the AF operation of the digital camera 1 by driving the focus lens drive unit 233. Also, the camera controller 140 adjusts the exposure as control of the auto exposure (AE) operation, for example, by changing the shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and aperture value. Further, the camera controller 140 controls continuous shooting in which the image sensor 110 continuously captures still images.

[0016] The image sensor 110 is an element that captures a subject image incident through the interchangeable lens 200 and generates imaging data. The imaging data constitutes image data indicating the captured image by the image sensor 110. The image sensor 110 is, for example, a CCD, a CMOS image sensor, or an NMOS image sensor. The generated imaging data is digitized by an AD converter (ADC) 113. Predetermined image processing is performed on the digitized image data by the camera controller 140. The predetermined image processing is, for example, interpolation processing of light-shielding pixels for each sensor pixel 111 in the image sensor 110 described later, gamma correction processing, white balance correction processing, defect correction processing, YC conversion processing, electronic zoom processing, and / or JPEG compression processing, etc.

[0017] Furthermore, based on the image data from the image sensor 110, various image recognition processes are performed by, for example, the camera controller 140. For example, in the image indicated by the image data, a subject region corresponding to a subject such as a person is recognized by the image recognition process. The subject region may be recognized as a rectangular region surrounding the subject in the image. The recognized subject region is managed, for example, as an AF region to be focused on as an object of the AF operation, depending on the position in the image, etc. Such an AF region may be automatically determined by the camera controller 140 based on the recognition result of the subject region, for example, depending on the position in the image, etc., or may be specified by a user operation on the operation unit 130.

[0018] The generation timing of the image data and the electronic shutter operation in the image sensor 110 are controlled by the camera controller 140. For example, the image sensor 110 operates at a timing controlled by the camera controller 140 via a timing generator (TG) 112. The image sensor executes an imaging operation for a still image or a moving image for recording or a through image. The through image is mainly a moving image and is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 120 for the user to determine the composition for capturing a still image. The image sensor 110 is an example of the imaging unit in the present embodiment.

[0019] The image sensor 110 of this embodiment includes sensor pixels 111 of the image plane phase difference method. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the sensor pixels 111 in the image sensor 110.

[0020] The sensor pixels 111 of the image plane phase difference method are arranged on the image plane of the image sensor 110 instead of the pixels for image capturing, as shown in FIG. 2 for example. That is, the image sensor 110 has pixels that are shielded from light in image capturing by the number of sensor pixels 111. The plurality of sensor pixels 111 are arranged on the image plane of the image sensor 110 at positions to be the measurement targets of distance in the distance measurement function of the image plane phase difference method, and constitute the distance measurement points of the image plane phase difference method. For example, the sensor pixel 111 includes a photoelectric conversion unit or the like that is divided so as to form two types of optical images obtained by pupil division in the optical system of the interchangeable lens 200.

[0021] Returning to FIG. 1, the liquid crystal monitor 120 displays images such as through images and various information such as menu screens. Instead of the liquid crystal monitor, other types of display devices, for example, organic EL display devices, may be used. The liquid crystal monitor 120 displays, for example, the through image captured by the image sensor 110 in real time as a live view image.

[0022] The operation unit 130 is a general term for hard keys provided on the exterior of the camera body 100 to receive operations by the user. The operation unit 130 includes various operation members such as a release button for instructing the start of shooting, a mode dial for setting the shooting mode, and a power switch. The operation unit 130 may include a touch panel arranged to overlap the liquid crystal monitor 120 and may receive user operations on menu screens and the like displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 120. When the operation unit 130 receives an operation by the user, it transmits an operation signal corresponding to the user operation to the camera controller 140.

[0023] The RAM 141 is a recording medium realized by, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and functions as a work memory of the camera controller 140, for example. The camera controller 140 may have various internal memories, and may incorporate, for example, a ROM. Various programs executed by the camera controller 140 are stored in the ROM. Further, the camera controller 140 may incorporate a RAM that functions as a working area of the CPU.

[0024] The card slot 170 can accommodate the memory card 171 and controls the memory card 171 based on control from the camera controller 140. The digital camera 1 can store image data in the memory card 171 or read out image data from the memory card 171.

[0025] The communication module 155 is a communication module (circuit) that performs communication compliant with a communication standard such as IEEE802.11 or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. The digital camera 1 can communicate with other devices via the communication module 155 based on, for example, a control signal output from the camera controller 140. The digital camera 1 may directly communicate with other devices via the communication module 155, or may communicate via an access point. The communication module 155 may be connectable to a communication network such as the Internet. The communication module 155 may function as an interface for wired connection to external devices according to a predetermined standard, and may include, for example, a connection circuit compliant with the USB and / or HDMI (registered trademark) standard.

[0026] The power supply 160 is a circuit that supplies power to each element within the digital camera 1.

[0027] The body mount 150 can be mechanically and electrically connected to the lens mount 250 of the interchangeable lens 200. The body mount 150 can transmit and receive data to and from the interchangeable lens 200 via the lens mount 250. The body mount 150 transmits the exposure synchronization signal received from the camera controller 140 to the lens controller 240 via the lens mount 250. Also, it transmits other control signals received from the camera controller 140 to the lens controller 240 via the lens mount 250. Further, the body mount 150 transmits the signal received from the lens controller 240 via the lens mount 250 to the camera controller 140. Additionally, the body mount 150 supplies power from the power supply 160 to the entire interchangeable lens 200 via the lens mount 250.

[0028] 1-2. Interchangeable Lens The interchangeable lens 200 includes an optical system, a lens controller 240, and a lens mount 250. The optical system includes a zoom lens 210, a focus lens 230, and a diaphragm 260.

[0029] The zoom lens 210 is a lens for changing the magnification of the subject image formed by the optical system. The zoom lens 210 is composed of one or more lenses. The zoom lens 210 is driven by a zoom lens driving unit 211. The zoom lens driving unit 211 includes a zoom ring operable by the user. Alternatively, the zoom lens driving unit 211 may include a zoom lever and an actuator or a motor. The zoom lens driving unit 211 moves the zoom lens 210 along the optical axis direction of the optical system according to the operation by the user.

[0030] The focus lens 230 is a lens for changing the focus state of the subject image formed on the image sensor 110 by the optical system. The focus lens 230 is composed of one or more lenses. The focus lens 230 is driven by a focus lens driving unit 233.

[0031] The focus lens driving unit 233 includes an actuator or a motor, and moves the focus lens 230 along the optical axis of the optical system based on the control of the lens controller 240. The focus lens driving unit 233 can be realized by a DC motor, a stepping motor, a servo motor, an ultrasonic motor, or the like.

[0032] The lens controller 240 comprehensively controls the operation of the interchangeable lens 200. The lens controller 240 includes a CPU or the like, and realizes a predetermined function by the CPU executing a program (software). The lens controller 240 controls each part of the interchangeable lens 200 based on a control signal from the camera controller 140 received via, for example, the body mount 150 and the lens mount 250.

[0033] The RAM 241 is a recording medium realized by a DRAM or the like, and functions as, for example, a work memory of the lens controller 240. The lens controller 240 may have various internal memories similar to the camera controller 140. The flash memory 242 is a non-volatile recording medium. For example, the flash memory 242 stores lens data unique to the interchangeable lens 200. The lens data includes, for example, optical characteristic information indicating the optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens 200, and an identifier of the interchangeable lens 200.

[0034] The aperture 260 adjusts the amount of light incident on the image sensor 110. The aperture 260 is driven by an aperture driving unit 262, and the size of its aperture is controlled. The aperture driving unit 262 includes a motor or an actuator.

[0035] The camera controller 140 and the lens controller 240 may be constituted by a hard-wired electronic circuit, or may be constituted by a microcomputer using a program or the like. For example, the camera controller 140 and the lens controller 240 can be realized by a processor such as a CPU, MPU, GPU, DSU, FPGA or ASIC. Each controller 140, 240 may be constituted by one semiconductor chip together with the RAMs 141, 241, respectively, or may be constituted by separate semiconductor chips.

[0036] 1-3. AF control method In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, as a method for the camera controller 140 to control the AF operation, a phase difference detection method by distance measurement using the in-image plane phase difference method and a contrast detection method can be used. Hereinafter, AF by the in-image plane phase difference method is referred to as "PDAF", and AF by the contrast detection method is referred to as "contrast AF".

[0037] In PDAF, the camera controller 140 performs distance measurement using the in-image plane phase difference method based on the sensor signal input from the sensor pixels 111 of the image sensor 110. The distance measurement using the in-image plane phase difference method can be performed, for example, by calculating a defocus amount or the like corresponding to the difference between two optical images by pupil division from the sensor signal for each distance measurement point by the sensor pixel 111. Known techniques can be appropriately applied to the AF operation by distance measurement using the in-image plane phase difference method (for example, Patent Document 2).

[0038] In contrast AF, the camera controller 140 causes the lens controller 240 to control the focus lens driving unit 233 based on the signal input from the pixels for image capturing of the image sensor 110. For example, the focus lens 230 is driven so as to maximize the contrast in the image indicated by the image data generated based on the signal. Contrast AF is performed based on a live view image or the like different from the still image for recording in order to maximize the contrast while changing the focus state of the subject image.

[0039] 2. Operation The operation of the digital camera 1 configured as described above will be described below.

[0040] 2-1. Outline of continuous shooting operation The digital camera 1 of the present embodiment can set a continuous shooting mode as an operation mode for performing continuous shooting. The imaging operation in continuous shooting of the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which, in the digital camera 1, during an imaging operation such as a still image and a through image in continuous shooting, an operation mode is set in which an AF operation is performed so as to follow the movement of the subject.

[0041] The digital camera 1 in the present embodiment has a plurality of continuous shooting modes according to the continuous shooting speed and the like. For example, by receiving a user operation for selecting a continuous shooting mode by the operation unit 130, the selected continuous shooting mode is set. The plurality of continuous shooting modes include an H+ continuous shooting mode for performing continuous shooting at a relatively high speed (for example, 10 frames / second) and an H continuous shooting mode for performing continuous shooting at a lower speed (for example, 7 frames / second) than the H+ continuous shooting mode.

[0042] FIG. 3(A) illustrates the imaging operation in the H continuous shooting mode. The digital camera 1 starts the pre-shooting standby process in response to an operation such as a half-press of the release button on the operation unit 130, and performs an AF operation for subject tracking while repeatedly imaging a live view (LV) image. Then, when the digital camera 1 starts continuous shooting in response to an operation such as a full-press of the release button, in the H continuous shooting mode, imaging of a still image (STL) for recording and imaging of a live view image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 120 are alternately repeated.

[0043] FIG. 3(B) illustrates the imaging operation in the H+ continuous shooting mode. For example, when the digital camera 1 starts continuous shooting after standby control for shooting in the same way as in the H continuous shooting mode, in the H+ continuous shooting mode, it repeats imaging only still images without imaging a live view image. For example, by omitting the imaging of the live view image, in the H+ continuous shooting mode, continuous shooting at a higher speed than in the H continuous shooting mode can be performed. In the examples of FIGS. 3(A) and (B), in the H continuous shooting mode, two still images are imaged by the elapse of the same period from the start of continuous shooting, and in the H+ continuous shooting mode, three still images are imaged.

[0044] Since the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment performs relatively high-speed continuous shooting without imaging a live view image in the H+ continuous shooting mode, it does not display a live view image during continuous shooting and performs an AF operation by PDAF. In the digital camera 1, when set to such an H+ continuous shooting mode, for example, depending on the state of the digital camera 1 such as shooting settings, PDAF may not be executable.

[0045] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(C) for example, when PDAF cannot be executed in the H+ continuous shooting mode, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment switches the imaging operation of continuous shooting to the same imaging operation as in the H continuous shooting mode shown in FIG. 3(A). Then, the digital camera 1 switches the AF operation from PDAF to contrast AF or the like. In this way, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment can continue the AF operation even when PDAF cannot be executed during continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode.

[0046] 2-2. Overall Operation The overall operation when the above-described H+ continuous shooting mode is set in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera 1. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 starts when, for example, a half-press operation of the release button is input at the operation unit 130 of the digital camera 1. Each process of this flowchart is executed by, for example, the camera controller 140.

[0048] During the shooting standby before continuous shooting, such as during the half-press operation of the release button, the camera controller 140 continuously executes the AF operation by PDAF or contrast AF, and performs various displays on the liquid crystal monitor 120 according to whether PDAF can be executed (S1). In parallel with such shooting standby processing (S1), the camera controller 140 causes the image sensor 110 to capture a live view image and displays the captured live view image on the liquid crystal monitor 120. These displays can, for example, make it easier for the user to perform continuous shooting. The details of the shooting standby processing (S1) will be described later.

[0049] Next, the camera controller 140 determines whether a full-press operation of the release button has been input at the operation unit 130 (S2). When the full-press operation is not input (NO in S2), the camera controller 140 repeats the shooting standby processing (S1).

[0050] When the full-press operation is input (YES in S2), the camera controller 140 causes the image sensor 110 to continuously capture still images so as to continue continuous shooting, for example, during the full-press operation (S3). In the present embodiment, when PDAF cannot be executed, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(C), the camera controller 140 switches the imaging operation of continuous shooting to an imaging operation similar to the H continuous shooting mode, and causes the image sensor 110 to capture a live view image in addition to the still image. In this case, the camera controller 140 can continue the AF operation by contrast AF or the like based on, for example, the live view image. The details of such continuous shooting processing (S3) will be described later.

[0051] According to the above operations, in the digital camera 1 in which the H+ continuous shooting mode is set, the shooting standby processing (S1) is repeated until a full-press operation of the release button is input (NO in S2), and after the input of the full-press operation (YES in S2), the continuous shooting processing (S3) is performed.

[0052] 2-3. Shooting Standby Processing The details of the shooting standby process in step S1 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the shooting standby process (S1) in the digital camera 1. The process of this flowchart is executed while a live view image is being captured by the image sensor 110 during a half-press operation of the release button at the operation unit 130.

[0054] The camera controller 140 determines whether PDAF is executable in the captured live view image (S11). For example, the camera controller 140 makes the determination in step S11 based on the recognition result of the AF area in the live view image. If PDAF is executable (YES in S11), the camera controller 140 controls the AF operation by PDAF (S12).

[0055] On the other hand, for example, when the position of the recognized AF area corresponds to outside the range of the area where PDAF can be executed in the image sensor 110, the camera controller 140 determines that PDAF is not executable (NO in S11). The area where PDAF can be executed in such an image sensor 110 is preset according to, for example, the optical characteristics of the interchangeable lens 200 and stored in the flash memory 142 or the like. In step S11, the camera controller 140 may acquire lens data from the interchangeable lens 200 and determine the area where PDAF can be executed based on the optical characteristic information of the lens data and / or the identifier of the interchangeable lens 200.

[0056] In addition to the above cases, the camera controller 140 also determines that PDAF is not executable when a detection result for calculating the defocus amount or the like by PDAF cannot be obtained based on the sensor signal from the sensor pixel 111 (NO in S11). For example, it is assumed that a detection result of PDAF cannot be obtained due to factors such as excessively low contrast in the AF area.

[0057] When PDAF cannot be executed on the live view image (NO in S11), the camera controller 140 controls the AF operation by, for example, contrast AF (S13).

[0058] In addition to the AF control (S12, S13) during the half-press operation of the release button as described above, when the camera controller 140 proceeds to the continuous shooting process (S3) after the full-press operation (YES in S2), it determines whether PDAF can be executed in the still image to be captured (S14). For example, the camera controller 140 makes the determination in step S14 based on the set values of the ISO sensitivity and aperture value in the shooting of the still image. The set values are determined by user operation or by AE operation in the live view image according to various shooting modes, etc. in the digital camera 1 during the half-press operation of the release button.

[0059] In such shooting settings, the camera controller 140 determines that PDAF cannot be executed when at least one of the following conditions is met: the ISO sensitivity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (e.g., "6400"), or the aperture value is larger than a predetermined value (e.g., "F8") (NO in S14). Each predetermined value of the sensitivity and aperture value is set according to the characteristics of the image sensor 110 and the optical system, etc. from the viewpoint of performing PDAF accurately, and is stored in the flash memory 142, etc.

[0060] In step S14, the camera controller 140 further determines whether PDAF can be executed in the same manner as in step S11 according to the AF area in the latest live view image. The camera controller 140 may manage the determination result of step S14 in the RAM 141, etc. by, for example, a predetermined flag, etc.

[0061] When the camera controller 140 determines that PDAF can be executed during the imaging of the still image in the continuous shooting process (S3) (YES in S14), it displays the H+ continuous shooting icon on the liquid crystal monitor 120 by superimposing it on the live view image, for example (S15). The H+ continuous shooting icon indicates that continuous shooting is performed by the imaging operation in the H+ continuous shooting mode.

[0062] FIG. 6(A) shows a display example of the H+ continuous shooting icon 12 in the digital camera 1. As shown in the example of FIG. 6(A), the liquid crystal monitor 120 displays the H+ continuous shooting icon 12 on the captured image Im such as a live view image. The captured image Im in this example includes a subject 20 such as an AF target.

[0063] On the other hand, when the camera controller 140 determines that PDAF cannot be executed during the shooting of a still image (NO in S14), instead of the H+ continuous shooting icon in step S15, it causes the liquid crystal monitor 120 to display the H continuous shooting icon (S16). The H continuous shooting icon indicates that continuous shooting is performed by the shooting operation in the H continuous shooting mode.

[0064] FIG. 6(B) shows a display example of the H continuous shooting icon 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the liquid crystal monitor 120 displays the H continuous shooting icon 13 on the captured image Im such as a live view image in a display mode different from the H+ continuous shooting icon 12 in FIG. 6(A). In the example of FIG. 6, each of the continuous shooting icons 12, 13 is displayed with different shapes and colors, but either the shape or the color may be different, or they may be displayed differently in other modes.

[0065] After the display of the H+ continuous shooting icon 12 or the H continuous shooting icon 13 (S15, S16), the camera controller 140 ends the processing of this flowchart and proceeds to step S2 in FIG. 4. When a full press operation of the release button is not input at the operation unit 130 (NO in S2), the camera controller 140 repeats the processing after step S11.

[0066] According to the above shooting standby process (S1), according to whether PDAF can be executed in the live view image (S11), the AF operation is controlled by PDAF or contrast AF (S12, S13), and a subject such as an AF target can be tracked. Then, according to whether PDAF can be executed when taking a still image in the subsequent continuous shooting process (S3) (S14), the H+ continuous shooting icon 12 or the H continuous shooting icon is displayed (S15, S16). Thereby, for example, the behavior of the imaging operation in continuous shooting can be notified to the user before the start of continuous shooting.

[0067] In the above shooting standby process (S1), the camera controller 140 controls the AF operation by switching between PDAF and contrast AF according to whether PDAF can be executed (S11~S13). The shooting standby process (S1) is not limited to the above example. For example, only contrast AF can be performed, and the determination in step S11 may not be made. Also, when PDAF cannot be executed (NO in S11), instead of the contrast AF in step S13, the AF operation may be performed by another control method.

[0068] Also, the camera controller 140 may acquire data indicating a state that changes due to various controls in the digital camera 1, for example, from the interchangeable lens 200, and may make the determinations in steps S11 and S14 based on the state. In step S14 above, not limited to both the set values of the ISO sensitivity and the aperture value, the camera controller 140 may determine whether PDAF can be executed based on either the ISO sensitivity or the aperture value.

[0069] 2-4. Continuous shooting process The details of the continuous shooting process in step S3 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a flowchart exemplifying the continuous shooting process (S3) in the digital camera 1. The process of this flowchart starts after the full-press operation of the release button (YES in S2), and for example, in the state held in the RAM 141 by a flag or the like according to the determination result of step S14 in the shooting standby process (S1) before the full-press operation.

[0071] The camera controller 140 refers to a flag held according to, for example, whether the PDAF can be executed, and determines whether continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode (also referred to as "H+ continuous shooting") can be executed (S21).

[0072] When the H+ continuous shooting is executable (YES in S21), the camera controller 140 performs the H+ continuous shooting, and causes the image sensor 110 to capture a still image as shown in FIG. 3(B), for example (S22). The camera controller 140 may determine the exposure by an AE operation for the frame to be captured next in the continuous shooting based on the still image, for example. Further, the camera controller 140 displays the captured still image on the liquid crystal monitor 120, for example. Details of the display operation during continuous shooting will be described later.

[0073] Furthermore, the camera controller 140 performs various calculations of the PDAF using the captured still image so as to control the AF operation by the PDAF (S23). The camera controller 140 performs, for example, an image recognition process of the AF area in the image.

[0074] The camera controller 140 determines whether PDAF can be executed for the image of the next frame to be captured by continuous shooting based on, for example, the still image captured in step S22 (S24). For example, the camera controller 140 determines whether PDAF can be executed by comparing the set values of the ISO sensitivity and the aperture value at the exposure determined by the AE operation based on the image with a predetermined value similar to that in step S14 of the shooting standby process (S1). Further, the camera controller 140 determines whether PDAF can be executed in the same manner as in step S11 of the shooting standby process (S1) based on, for example, the recognition result of the AF area on the still image in step S23 and the detection result by various operations of PDAF.

[0075] If the camera controller 140 determines that PDAF cannot be executed in the shooting of the next frame (NO in S24), for example, it switches the H+ continuous shooting icon being displayed from the shooting standby process (S1) to the H continuous shooting icon and displays it on the liquid crystal monitor 120 (S25). The camera controller 140 displays the H continuous shooting icon superimposed on the still image captured in step S22, for example. In step S25, for example, the camera controller 140 changes a flag or the like held in the RAM 141 so as to indicate that H+ continuous shooting cannot be executed according to whether PDAF can be executed.

[0076] After switching to the H continuous shooting icon (S25), the camera controller 140 determines whether the end of continuous shooting has been instructed (S26). The camera controller 140 also makes the determination in step S26 even when it determines that PDAF can be executed at the time of shooting the next frame (YES in S24). For example, when the full press operation of the release button is released at the operation unit 130, the camera controller 140 determines that the end of continuous shooting has been instructed (YES in S26), and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0077] If the end of shooting is not instructed (NO in S26), the camera controller 140 repeats the processing after step S21.

[0078] When the camera controller 140 determines that continuous shooting in the H+ mode is not executable based on the held flag or the like (NO in S21), instead of continuous shooting in the H+ mode (S22), the camera controller 140 performs continuous shooting by an imaging operation similar to the continuous shooting mode in the H mode (S27). In such continuous shooting in the H mode, as shown in FIG. 3(C) as an example of the operation after switching to continuous shooting, the camera controller 140 causes the image sensor 110 to capture a live view image and a still image (S27). The camera controller 140 causes the captured live view image to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 120, for example.

[0079] In the captured live view image, the camera controller 140 determines whether PDAF is executable in the same manner as in step S24, for example (S28). For example, in a shooting mode such as an aperture priority mode in which the aperture value is specified by a user operation, in the imaging of a still image, even if the aperture value is larger than a predetermined value at which PDAF can be executed, in the imaging of a live view image, the aperture value may be opened wider than the predetermined value. In such a case, even if it is determined that PDAF is not executable on the still image (NO in S24), PDAF may be executable in the live view image (YES in S28).

[0080] When PDAF is executable in the live view image (YES in S28), the camera controller 140 controls the AF operation by PDAF in the live view image (S29).

[0081] On the other hand, when PDAF is not executable even in the live view image (NO in S28), the camera controller 140 controls the AF operation by contrast AF based on the live view image, for example (S30).

[0082] After executing AF control (S29, S30), the camera controller 140 determines whether shooting has been instructed to end in the same manner as in step S26 (S31). When shooting has been instructed to end (YES in S31), the processing of this flowchart is terminated.

[0083] When shooting end is not instructed (NO in S31), in this embodiment, the camera controller 140 repeats the processes after step S27 such as H continuous shooting. In this way, after switching to H continuous shooting during continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode, regardless of whether PDAF can be executed, H continuous shooting is performed until shooting ends.

[0084] According to the above continuous shooting process (S3), depending on whether H+ continuous shooting can be executed according to whether PDAF can be executed in a still image (S21, S24), H+ continuous shooting that does not capture a live view image or H continuous shooting that captures a live view image is performed (S22, S27). Even if PDAF cannot be executed on a still image (NO in S14, NO in S21, NO in S24), in H continuous shooting, contrast AF etc. can be executed using the captured live view image (S29, S30), and the AF operation can be continued.

[0085] Furthermore, in H+ continuous shooting, when it is determined that PDAF cannot be executed when capturing the next frame (NO in S24), an H continuous shooting icon is displayed instead of the H+ continuous shooting icon (S25). Thereby, the user can be notified of the switch to H continuous shooting.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, once a change to H continuous shooting is made during continuous shooting, it continues during the subsequent H continuous shooting regardless of whether PDAF can be executed (S27 to S31). Thereby, for example, even if the AF area changes during continuous shooting or the shooting settings change due to automatic or manual exposure control and the executability of PDAF changes, frequent switching with H+ continuous shooting can be suppressed.

[0087] In the above example, when PDAF can be executed on the live view image (YES in S28), PDAF using the live view image is performed (S29). For example, the camera controller 140 does not have to make the determination in step S28, and contrast AF using the live view image may be performed in H continuous shooting.

[0088] 2-4-1. Display operation during continuous shooting In the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment, the operation of displaying an image captured during continuous shooting will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0089] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a display example in continuous shooting of the digital camera 1. FIG. 8(A) shows a display example in the H continuous shooting mode. FIG. 8(B) shows a display example of an image captured by H+ continuous shooting (S22 in FIG. 7) in the H+ continuous shooting mode. FIG. 8(C) shows a display example of an image captured by H continuous shooting (S27 in FIG. 7) in the H+ continuous shooting mode.

[0090] In the digital camera 1, when the H continuous shooting mode is set, for example, as shown in FIG. 8(A), the liquid crystal monitor 120 displays a live view image during the execution of the shooting standby process (S1), and after the start of the continuous shooting process (S3), in addition to the live view image, a black image is displayed. The black image is stored in advance in, for example, the flash memory 142 or the like. For example, the black image is displayed during a period when a live view image cannot be obtained by imaging a still image (REC). Thereby, in the live view images sequentially captured and displayed between still images, the movement of the subject 20 can be made to feel smoothly perceptible.

[0091] When the H+ continuous shooting mode is set, in the H+ continuous shooting that does not capture a live view image, for example, as shown in FIG. 8(B), after the start of the continuous shooting process (S3), the liquid crystal monitor 120 displays the still image captured immediately before until the next still image is captured.

[0092] Furthermore, in the continuous shooting process (S3) of the H+ continuous shooting mode, when switching from H+ continuous shooting to H continuous shooting, for example, as shown in FIG. 8(C), a live view image is displayed. In this case, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment continuously displays the live view image captured immediately before instead of the black image in the H continuous shooting mode illustrated in FIG. 8(A) during a period such as during the imaging of a still image. Thereby, for example, before and after the switch from H+ continuous shooting, changes in the display can be suppressed, making it easier for the user to view the images captured during continuous shooting.

[0093] 2-5. Operations According to Interchangeable Lens Regarding continuous shooting, in addition to the operations (S1 to S3, FIGS. 3 to 8) after the half-press operation of the release button as described above, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment performs operations according to the interchangeable lens 200 attached to the camera body 100. Such operations will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0094] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operations according to the interchangeable lens 200 in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart starts, for example, when the digital camera 1 is activated in a state where the H+ continuous shooting mode is set, or when the interchangeable lens 200 is attached in that state. Alternatively, this processing starts when a user operation for selecting the H+ continuous shooting mode is input at the operation unit 130 by a setting menu or the like. Each process of this flowchart is executed, for example, by the camera controller 140.

[0095] The camera controller 140 acquires lens data from the interchangeable lens 200 attached to the camera body 100 via, for example, the body mount 150 and the lens mount 250 (S41).

[0096] Based on the lens data, the camera controller 140 determines whether PDAF can be executed in imaging via the attached interchangeable lens 200 (S42). For example, when the data referred to in the control of PDAF is not included in the lens data, and / or when the open F value of the aperture 260 is larger than a predetermined value, it is determined that PDAF cannot be executed (NO in S42).

[0097] When PDAF cannot be executed with the attached interchangeable lens 200 (NO in S42), the camera controller 140 changes the H+ continuous shooting mode set in the digital camera 1 to the H continuous shooting mode (S43).

[0098] The camera controller 140 causes, for example, the H continuous shooting icon 13 (see FIG. 6(B)) to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 120 to notify the user of the change in the continuous shooting mode (S44). For example, in addition to the H continuous shooting icon 13, a message or the like indicating the change in the continuous shooting mode may be displayed.

[0099] On the other hand, when PDAF is executable (YES in S42), the camera controller 140 causes the H+ continuous shooting icon 12 (see FIG. 6(A)) to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 120 (S45).

[0100] After displaying, for example, the H continuous shooting icon 13 or the H+ continuous shooting icon 12 (S44, S45), the camera controller 140 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0101] According to the above processing, in the digital camera 1 set to the H+ continuous shooting mode, based on the lens data acquired from the interchangeable lens 200 attached to the camera body 100, it is determined whether PDAF can be executed (S41, S42). When PDAF cannot be executed with the interchangeable lens 200 (NO in S42), the continuous shooting mode of the digital camera 1 is changed to the H continuous shooting mode (S43). Thereby, for example, in continuous shooting in the H continuous shooting mode, an AF operation of tracking a subject by contrast AF or the like can be executed based on the captured live view image. Further, by displaying each of the continuous shooting icons 12, 13 (S44, S45), the continuous shooting mode can be notified to the user.

[0102] In the above, an example of notifying the change in the continuous shooting mode has been described (S44), but the change according to the interchangeable lens 200 may not be notified, and step S44 may not be executed. Also, regardless of whether PDAF can be executed according to the interchangeable lens 200, the H+ continuous shooting icon may be displayed when the H+ continuous shooting mode is set.

[0103] 3. Summary As described above, the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment includes an image sensor 110 as an example of an imaging unit, a camera controller 140 as an example of a control unit, and an operation unit 130 as an example of a setting unit. The image sensor 110 captures a subject image via an optical system and generates image data. The camera controller 140 controls continuous shooting and autofocus (AF) operations in the image sensor 110 (S1 to S3). The operation unit 130 receives a user operation for setting one continuous shooting mode from a plurality of continuous shooting modes for performing continuous shooting. The plurality of continuous shooting modes include an H+ continuous shooting mode as an example of a first continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is not displayed during continuous shooting, and an H continuous shooting mode as an example of a second continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is displayed during continuous shooting at a lower speed than the first continuous shooting mode. When the H+ continuous shooting mode is set by the operation unit 130, the camera controller 140 determines whether the AF operation can be executed by a PDAF which is an example of a predetermined detection method in continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode based on the state of the digital camera 1 (S14, S21, S24, S42). When the AF operation can be executed by the PDAF (YES in S14, YES in S21, YES in S24, YES in S42), the camera controller 140 executes continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode (S22). When the AF operation cannot be executed by the PDAF (NO in S14, NO in S21, NO in S24, NO in S42), the camera controller 140 changes continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode and the AF operation, or the continuous shooting (S27, S28 to S30, S43).

[0104] According to the above digital camera 1, when the H+ continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is not displayed during continuous shooting is set, for example, if PDAF is executable in a still image to be shot, continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode is performed. Thereby, for example, relatively high-speed continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode can be performed while continuing the AF operation by PDAF. On the other hand, when PDAF cannot be executed during continuous shooting, continuous shooting and the AF operation, or continuous shooting is changed. Thereby, for example, it is changed to continuous shooting in which an AF operation other than PDAF in a still image is possible (S27, S43), and the AF operation can be continuously executed during continuous shooting (S28 to S31).

[0105] In the present embodiment, when the AF operation cannot be executed by PDAF (NO in S14, NO in S21, NO in S24), the camera controller 140 switches the continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode to H continuous shooting, which is an example of continuous shooting in which the image sensor 110 captures a live view image during continuous shooting (S27). Thereby, for example, even if PDAF cannot be executed on a still image during continuous shooting, the AF operation can be executed using the live view image (S28, S29).

[0106] In the present embodiment, as an example of a detection method for detecting the focus state based on the live view image from PDAF, the camera controller 140 switches to PDAF using the live view image or contrast AF, and continues the AF operation in the continuous shooting after the above switching, such as H continuous shooting (S29, S30). Thereby, for example, an AF operation that follows the subject can be performed even during continuous shooting.

[0107] In the present embodiment, the digital camera 1 further includes a liquid crystal monitor 120 which is an example of a display unit for displaying images. When the H continuous shooting mode is set by the operation unit 130, the camera controller 140 causes a black image which is an example of a predetermined image to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 120 during a period when the live view image is not captured by the image sensor 110 during continuous shooting in the H continuous shooting mode, as shown in, for example, FIG. 8(A). When the continuous shooting is switched during continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode as shown in, for example, FIG. 8(C) (S27), the camera controller 140 causes the live view image captured before the period to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 120 during a period when the live view image is not captured by the image sensor 110 during the subsequent H continuous shooting.

[0108] As described above, in the display of the H continuous shooting mode illustrated in FIG. 8(A), during continuous shooting, the user can view the live view image with a black image in between, making it easier to perform continuous shooting while tracking a moving subject. On the other hand, after switching to the H continuous shooting illustrated in FIG. 8(C), during continuous shooting, instead of the still image in the H+ continuous shooting mode before switching as shown in FIG. 8(B), for example, the immediately preceding live view image is continuously displayed until the next live view image is obtained. Thereby, for example, the change in appearance before and after the switching can be suppressed, making it easier for the user to perform continuous shooting.

[0109] In the present embodiment, as a predetermined detection method, an AF operation (PDAF) by a phase difference method on the image plane in the image sensor 110 is executed. Thereby, for example, focusing can be achieved relatively quickly by calculating the defocus amount or the like, and further, the AF operation can be executed on the still image captured for recording even without capturing the live view image in the H+ continuous shooting mode or the like.

[0110] In the present embodiment, the camera controller 140 determines whether an AF operation can be executed by PDAF based on at least one of the aperture value in the optical system and the ISO sensitivity in the image sensor 110 (S14, S24, S28). Thereby, for example, when it is difficult to accurately obtain the calculation result of PDAF, such as when the aperture value is relatively small and / or the ISO sensitivity is high, it can be determined that the PDAF cannot be executed.

[0111] In the present embodiment, the digital camera 1 further includes a body mount 150 and a lens mount 250, which are examples of connection parts for detachably connecting the interchangeable lens 200. The camera controller 140 acquires lens data stored in the interchangeable lens 200 from the interchangeable lens 200 connected via the body mount 150 and the lens mount 250 (S41), and determines whether an AF operation can be executed by PDAF based on the lens data (S42). Thereby, for example, regardless of whether the image captured by the image sensor 110 is a still image or a live view image, it is possible to determine whether the PDAF can be executed according to the interchangeable lens 200 itself mounted on the digital camera 1.

[0112] In the present embodiment, after changing the continuous shooting during continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode (S27), the camera controller 140 continues the changed H continuous shooting (S3). Thereby, for example, even if the executability of PDAF changes after the change of continuous shooting, it is possible to suppress changes in behavior due to another change in continuous shooting.

[0113] In this embodiment, when the digital camera 1 is started up (Fig. 9), when waiting before continuous shooting (S1), and when performing continuous shooting (S3), the camera controller 140 determines whether an AF operation can be executed by PDAF (S42, S11, S14, S24, S28). The determination of whether PDAF can be executed is not limited to the above example, and may be made at least at one of the time when the digital camera 1 is started up, the time when waiting before continuous shooting, and the time when performing continuous shooting. For example, when making such a determination only when waiting before continuous shooting, in the shooting standby process (S1) illustrated in Fig. 5, when PDAF cannot be executed on a still image (NO in S14), in addition to step S16, the continuous shooting mode can be changed to the H continuous shooting mode in the same manner as step S43 in Fig. 9.

[0114] (Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 12. Embodiment 1 described a digital camera 1 that changes the continuous shooting mode to the H continuous shooting mode when PDAF cannot be executed with the attached interchangeable lens 200 in a state where the H+ continuous shooting mode is set (NO in S42). Embodiment 2 will describe a digital camera in which the user can select whether to change the continuous shooting mode when PDAF cannot be executed.

[0115] Hereinafter, the description of the configuration and operation similar to those of the digital camera 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be omitted as appropriate, and the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0116] Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera 1 according to Embodiment 2. The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment executes processing (S41 to S45 in Fig. 9) similar to that of the digital camera 1 according to Embodiment 1, and also executes processing (S51 to S53) related to user selection of whether to change the continuous shooting mode.

[0117] For example, when PDAF cannot be executed with the attached interchangeable lens 200 (NO in S42), the camera controller 140 causes the liquid crystal monitor 120 to display a selection screen for allowing the user to select whether to change the continuous shooting mode (S51). An example of the display of such a selection screen is shown in Fig. 11(A).

[0118] FIG. 11 shows a display example in the digital camera 1 of the present embodiment. In step S51, the liquid crystal monitor 120 displays a selection screen 41 as shown in FIG. 11(A), for example. The selection screen 41 displays an option of whether to change the continuous shooting mode to the H continuous shooting mode.

[0119] The camera controller 140 determines whether the change of the continuous shooting mode is selected (S52) based on whether a user operation for selecting the change of the continuous shooting mode is input at the operation unit 130 by the selection screen 41.

[0120] When the change of the continuous shooting mode is selected (YES in S52), the camera controller 140 changes the continuous shooting mode to the H continuous shooting mode (S43). When notifying the change of the continuous shooting mode (S44), the camera controller 140 may display, on the liquid crystal monitor 120, a continuous shooting change message 42 indicating the change to the H continuous shooting mode in addition to the H continuous shooting icon 13 as shown in FIG. 11(B), for example.

[0121] On the other hand, when the change of the continuous shooting mode is not selected (NO in S52), such as when a user operation for not changing the continuous shooting mode is input at the operation unit 130 by the selection screen 41, the camera controller 140 changes the AF operation in the H+ continuous shooting mode (S53). For example, the AF operation of tracking the subject is changed to an AF operation that does not change the focus state from the imaging of the first frame during continuous shooting. For example, based on a live view image or the like captured immediately before the start of continuous shooting, the focus state of the first frame of continuous shooting may be determined by contrast AF or the like.

[0122] In step S53, the camera controller 140 may display, on the liquid crystal monitor 120, an AF change message 43 indicating that the focus state is fixed in the AF operation in addition to the H+ continuous shooting icon 12 as shown in FIG. 11(C), for example.

[0123] According to the above processing, when the H+ continuous shooting mode is set in the digital camera 1 and the PDAF cannot be executed by the attached interchangeable lens 200 (NO in S42), whether to change the continuous shooting mode can be selected by the user operation (S51, S52). When not changing the continuous shooting mode (NO in S52), the AF operation is changed in the H+ continuous shooting mode (S53). For example, when the PDAF cannot be executed, the user can select to prioritize the continuous shooting speed in the H+ continuous shooting mode over the continuous AF operation during continuous shooting. In this way, it is possible to facilitate the AF operation and continuous shooting according to the user's preference.

[0124] In the above, an example in which whether to change the continuous shooting mode is selected by the user operation when the PDAF cannot be executed according to the interchangeable lens 200 has been described. Such a selection by the user operation is not limited to the above example and may be performed, for example, as a setting before continuous shooting when the H+ continuous shooting mode is set. Such a modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example in the digital camera 1 according to the modified example of the present embodiment.

[0125] For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the digital camera 1 according to this modified example displays, on the liquid crystal monitor 120 as a setting menu or the like, options when the subject cannot be tracked by the PDAF in the H+ continuous shooting mode. For example, the camera controller 140 receives, via the menu screen shown in FIG. 12, a user operation for selecting options corresponding to steps S43 and S53 in FIG. 10 at the operation unit 130. In the example of FIG. 12, an option indicating the change of the continuous shooting mode corresponding to step S43 is selected.

[0126] According to the digital camera 1 of this modified example, for example, in addition to the interchangeable lens 200, even when the PDAF cannot be executed due to various factors such as changes in shooting settings and / or AF areas during continuous shooting, it is possible to facilitate the AF operation and continuous shooting according to the user's preference.

[0127] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the camera controller 140 cannot execute the AF operation by PDAF (NO in S42), the camera controller 140 changes the AF operation (S53). As a result, for example, while performing continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode, the subject can be tracked by an executable AF operation. According to each of the above embodiments, when the AF operation cannot be executed by PDAF (NO in S14, NO in S21, NO in S24, NO in S42), the camera controller 140 changes at least one of continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode and the AF operation (S27, S28 to S30, S43, S53).

[0128] In the present embodiment, the digital camera 1 further includes an operation unit 130 that receives a user operation. When the AF operation cannot be executed by PDAF during continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode, the camera controller 140 receives a user operation for selecting whether to switch to H continuous shooting (an example of a first option and a second option) as an option for the operation in this case from the operation unit 130 (S51 to S52, see Fig. 11(A)). When the AF operation cannot be executed by PDAF (NO in S42) and the option to switch to H continuous shooting is selected (YES in S52), the camera controller 140 switches continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode to H continuous shooting in which the image sensor 110 captures a live view image (S43). When the option not to switch to H continuous shooting is selected (NO in S52), the camera controller 140 does not change the focus state by the AF operation from the start of the continuous shooting during continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode (S53, see Fig. 11(C)).

[0129] According to the digital camera 1 described above, for example, when PDAF cannot be executed during continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode, the user can select whether to fix the focus state of the AF operation from the start and continue the continuous shooting, or to switch to H continuous shooting and continue the AF operation. This also makes it easier to perform continuous shooting and AF operation according to the user's preference.

[0130] (Other Embodiments) As described above, as examples of the technologies disclosed in this application, Embodiments 1 and 2 have been described. However, the technologies in this disclosure are not limited to this, and are also applicable to embodiments in which appropriate changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Also, it is possible to combine the respective components described in each of the above Embodiments 1 and 2 to form a new embodiment.

[0131] In each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which in PDAF, based on the sensor signal from the sensor pixel 111 of the image sensor 110, a defocus amount or the like corresponding to the difference between two types of optical images by pupil division is calculated. In this embodiment, the sensor pixel may be pupil-divided so as to form four types of optical images, for example, in the up, down, left, and right directions.

[0132] In each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the image sensor 110 has the sensor pixel 111 arranged in place of the pixels for image capture. In this embodiment, the image sensor may be such that the pixels for image capture further have a function as a distance measurement sensor. For example, all the pixels of the image sensor may have both functions of such image capture and distance measurement.

[0133] In each of the above embodiments, it has been described that the AF operation by PDAF is performed based on the sensor signal from the sensor pixel 111 in the image sensor 110. In this embodiment, the digital camera may be provided with a phase difference sensor separately from the image sensor 110, instead of or in addition to the sensor pixel 111, and the AF operation may be performed based on the sensor signal from the phase difference sensor.

[0134] In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the digital camera 1 displays an image captured by the image sensor 110 on the liquid crystal monitor 120 has been described. In the present embodiment, the digital camera may be connected to various displays such as an external liquid crystal monitor via a connection circuit such as HDMI in the communication module 155, for example, and an image may be displayed on the external display under the control of the camera controller 140. In the present embodiment, the communication module 155 for connecting to such an external display may constitute a display unit of the digital camera, and the digital camera does not have to incorporate the liquid crystal monitor 120.

[0135] In the above-described Embodiment 1, an example in which continuous shooting is continued after changing the continuous shooting during continuous shooting in the H+ continuous shooting mode (S3, S27 to S31) has been described. In the present embodiment, for example, after changing the continuous shooting, if the PDAF becomes executable due to a change in the state in the digital camera 1, the H+ continuous shooting before the change may be executed again.

[0136] In each of the above embodiments, as a method of detecting the focus state based on the live view image, control by contrast AF has been performed (S13, S30). The contrast AF may be performed based on various images captured separately from, for example, a still image for recording, not limited to the live view image.

[0137] In each of the above embodiments, the digital camera 1 performs control by PDAF as a predetermined detection method in the AF operation (S12, S23, S29), and when PDAF cannot be performed, switches to contrast AF (S11, S13, S14, S21, S24, S30). The present disclosure may be applied not only to PDAF and contrast AF, but also to a control method having a similar relationship to PDAF and contrast AF among various distance measurement methods or control methods of AF operation using distance information. For example, various control methods include, but are not limited to, a DFD method using distance measurement by DFD (Depth from defocus) technology, a TOF (Time of flight) method in which a distance measurement unit is arranged inside or outside the digital camera, and a distance measurement method using distance measurement by various active sensing such as a range finder.

[0138] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the digital camera 1 is illustrated as being equipped with the interchangeable lens 200. The imaging device of the present embodiment may be a camera with a built-in lens capable of performing AF operation.

[0139] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, a digital camera has been described as an example of an imaging device, but the imaging device of the present disclosure may be any electronic device (e.g., a video camera, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc.) that has an image capturing function in a plurality of operation modes.

[0140] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure, and the accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided for this purpose.

[0141] Therefore, among the components described in the attached drawings and the detailed description, not only are there components essential for solving the problem, but there may also be components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to illustrate the above technology. Therefore, the fact that such non-essential components are described in the attached drawings or the detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that such non-essential components are essential.

[0142] In addition, since the above-described embodiments are for exemplifying the technology in the present disclosure, various changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or the equivalent scope thereof.

[0143] (Aspect of the present disclosure) Hereinafter, aspects of the present disclosure will be exemplified.

[0144] A first aspect according to the present disclosure is an imaging device including an imaging unit that captures a subject image via an optical system to generate image data, a control unit that controls continuous shooting and autofocus operation in the imaging unit, and a setting unit that sets one continuous shooting mode from a plurality of continuous shooting modes in which the imaging unit performs continuous shooting. The plurality of continuous shooting modes include a first continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is not displayed during continuous shooting, and a second continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is displayed during continuous shooting at a lower speed than the first continuous shooting mode. The control unit determines whether an autofocus operation can be executed by a predetermined detection method in continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode based on the state of the imaging device when the first continuous shooting mode is set by the setting unit. When the autofocus operation can be executed by a predetermined detection method, the control unit executes continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode. When the autofocus operation cannot be executed by a predetermined detection method, the control unit changes at least one of continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode and the autofocus operation.

[0145] In a second aspect, in the imaging device according to the first aspect, when the autofocus operation cannot be executed by a predetermined detection method, the control unit switches continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode to continuous shooting in which the imaging unit captures a live view image during continuous shooting.

[0146] In a third aspect, in the imaging device according to the second aspect, the control unit switches from a predetermined detection method to a detection method that detects a focus state based on a live view image, and continues the autofocus operation in the continuous shooting after the switching.

[0147] In a fourth aspect, the imaging device according to the second or third aspect further includes a display unit that displays an image. When the second continuous shooting mode is set by the setting unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display a predetermined image during a period when a live view image is not captured by the imaging unit during continuous shooting in the second continuous shooting mode. When the control unit switches the continuous shooting during continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode, the control unit causes the display unit to display a live view image captured before the period during a period when a live view image is not captured by the imaging unit during continuous shooting after the switching.

[0148] In a fifth aspect, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the predetermined detection method is an image plane phase difference method in the imaging unit.

[0149] In a sixth aspect, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit determines whether an autofocus operation can be executed by a predetermined detection method based on at least one of the aperture value in the optical system and the ISO sensitivity in the imaging unit.

[0150] In a seventh aspect, the imaging device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects further includes a connection unit to which an interchangeable lens is detachably connected. The control unit acquires lens data stored in the interchangeable lens from the interchangeable lens connected via the connection unit. The control unit determines whether an autofocus operation can be executed by a predetermined detection method based on the lens data.

[0151] In an eighth aspect, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, after changing the continuous shooting during continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode, the control unit continues the continuous shooting after the change.

[0152] In a ninth aspect, the imaging device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects further includes an operation unit that receives a user operation. When the autofocus operation cannot be executed by a predetermined detection method during continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode, the control unit receives a user operation for selecting a first option and a second option as options for operations. When the autofocus operation cannot be executed by a predetermined detection method, if the first option is selected, the control unit switches the continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode to continuous shooting in which the imaging unit captures a live view image. When the autofocus operation cannot be executed by a predetermined detection method, if the second option is selected, during continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode, the focus state is not changed by the autofocus operation from the start of continuous shooting.

[0153] In a tenth aspect, in the imaging device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the control unit determines whether the autofocus operation can be executed by a predetermined detection method at least one of when the imaging device is activated, when waiting before continuous shooting, and during continuous shooting.

Industrial Applicability

[0154] The present disclosure is applicable to various imaging devices that perform continuous shooting and autofocus operations.

Explanation of Signs

[0155] 1 Digital camera 100 Camera body 200 Interchangeable lens 110 Image sensor 111 Sensor pixel 120 Liquid crystal monitor 130 Operation unit 140 Camera controller

Claims

1. An imaging device, comprising: an imaging unit that captures a subject image through an optical system and generates image data; a control unit that controls continuous shooting and autofocus operation in the imaging unit; a setting unit that sets one continuous shooting mode from a plurality of continuous shooting modes for performing continuous shooting in the imaging unit; the plurality of continuous shooting modes include a first continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is not displayed during continuous shooting, and a second continuous shooting mode in which a live view image is displayed during continuous shooting at a lower speed than the first continuous shooting mode; when the first continuous shooting mode is set by the setting unit, the control unit determines, based on the state of the imaging device, whether an autofocus operation can be executed by a predetermined detection method in continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode; the predetermined detection method is a method of detecting a focus position by the imaging device based on incident light and executing the autofocus operation; the control unit when the autofocus operation can be executed by the predetermined detection method, performs continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode; when the autofocus operation cannot be executed by the predetermined detection method, changes at least one of the continuous shooting speed of continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode and the method of determining the focus state in the autofocus operation Imaging device.

2. when the autofocus operation cannot be executed by the predetermined detection method, the control unit switches the continuous shooting speed of continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode to the continuous shooting speed of continuous shooting in which the imaging unit captures a live view image during continuous shooting The imaging device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit switches from the predetermined detection method to a detection method of detecting a focus state based on the live view image, and continues the autofocus operation in the continuous shooting after the switching The imaging device according to claim 2.

4. further comprising a display unit that displays an image, the control unit when the second continuous shooting mode is set by the setting unit, during continuous shooting in the second continuous shooting mode, displays a predetermined image on the display unit during a period when the imaging unit does not capture a live view image When switching the continuous shooting speed during continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode, during continuous shooting at the continuous shooting speed after the switching, display on the display unit a live view image captured before the period during which the live view image is not captured by the imaging unit during continuous shooting at the continuous shooting speed after the switching. The imaging device according to claim 2.

5. The predetermined detection method is a phase difference detection method on the image plane in the imaging unit. The imaging device according to claim 1.

6. Based on at least one of the aperture value in the optical system and the ISO sensitivity in the imaging unit, the control unit determines whether the autofocus operation can be executed by the predetermined detection method. The imaging device according to claim 1.

7. Further comprising a connection unit for detachably connecting an interchangeable lens, The control unit, acquires lens data stored in the interchangeable lens from the interchangeable lens connected via the connection unit, and based on the lens data, determines whether the autofocus operation can be executed by the predetermined detection method. The imaging device according to claim 1.

8. After changing the continuous shooting speed during continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode, the control unit continues continuous shooting at the continuous shooting speed after the change. The imaging device according to claim 1.

9. Further comprising an operation unit for receiving a user operation, The control unit, receives a user operation for selecting a first option and a second option as options for an operation when the autofocus operation cannot be executed by the predetermined detection method in continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode by the operation unit, when the autofocus operation cannot be executed by the predetermined detection method, when the first option is selected, switch the continuous shooting speed in continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode to the continuous shooting speed at which the imaging unit captures a live view image, when the second option is selected, during continuous shooting in the first continuous shooting mode, do not change the focus state by the autofocus operation from the start of the continuous shooting. The imaging device according to claim 1.

10. The control unit determines whether the autofocus operation can be executed by the predetermined detection method at least at one of the time of starting up the imaging device, the standby time before continuous shooting, and the time of continuous shooting. The imaging device according to claim 1.

Images