Imaging device

Abstract

In order to improve usability, this imaging device comprises: a mount unit to which an interchangeable lens that has an optical system capable of forming an image of a subject and that is capable of optical zooming for changing the focal length of the optical system can be detachably attached; a reception unit that receives optical variable magnification information (PZ_B_MAX) indicating a variable magnification range of the optical zoom of the optical system; and a display unit that changes the position of a display representing the variable magnification range of the optical zoom on the basis of the optical magnification information.

Description

Imaging device

[0001] This relates to an imaging device.

[0002] In a digital camera that performs an electronic zoom operation (hybrid zoom operation) by cropping an image from image data captured by an image sensor in conjunction with an optical zoom in response to a zoom operation, a technology is known that makes it easier to set a desired focal length (wide-angle end, telephoto end) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2024-060285 A

[0004] According to a first aspect, an imaging device includes a mount unit to which an interchangeable lens having an optical system capable of forming an image of a subject and capable of optical zoom to change the focal length of the optical system can be attached / detached, a receiving unit that receives optical zoom information indicating the range of magnification that can be changed for the optical zoom of the optical system, and a display unit that changes the position of a display indicating the range of magnification that can be changed for the optical zoom based on the optical zoom information.

[0005] According to a second aspect, an imaging device includes a mount unit to which an interchangeable lens having an optical system capable of forming an image of a subject and capable of optical zooming to change the focal length of the optical system can be attached or detached; a receiving unit that receives optical magnification information indicating the range of magnification that can be changed for the optical zoom of the optical system; a generating unit that generates image data in which the subject image appears to be magnified by performing electronic zooming; an acquiring unit that acquires electronic magnification information indicating the range of magnification that can be changed for the electronic zoom; and a display unit that displays the relative sizes of the range of magnification that can be changed for the optical zoom and the range of magnification that can be changed for the electronic zoom based on the optical magnification information and the electronic magnification information.

[0006] The configurations of the embodiments described below may be modified as appropriate, and at least a portion of the configuration may be replaced with other components. Furthermore, components that are not particularly limited in terms of their placement may be placed in any position that can achieve their function, not limited to the placement disclosed in the embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a camera system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram schematically illustrating the electrical connection between a camera body and an interchangeable lens. FIGS. 3A and 3B are conceptual diagrams illustrating the extend type and sync type, respectively. FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating an overview of high-resolution zoom. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a body-side control unit. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of extend type cooperation processing. FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of extend type cooperation processing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart (part 3) illustrating an example of extend type cooperation processing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of sync type cooperation processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of normal processing. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a lens-side control unit. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating display control (extend type) of the display unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a first icon and a lens focal length are displayed on the display unit. FIG. 14(a) is a diagram showing a state in which an extended indicator is displayed on the display unit, and FIG. 14(b) is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the extended indicator. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which a third icon and a composite focal length are displayed on the display unit. FIG. 16(a) is a diagram showing a state in which a fourth icon and a composite focal length are displayed on the display unit, and FIG. 16(b) is a diagram showing the state of the display unit during normal processing. FIG. 17(a) is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the position of the boundary position display of the extended indicator, FIG. 17(b) is a diagram for explaining specific example 1, and FIG. 17(c) is a diagram for explaining specific example 2. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which a second icon and a lens focal length are displayed near the extended indicator. FIGS. 19(a) to 19(c) are diagrams showing modified examples.

[0008] A camera system 1 according to one embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the camera system 1. Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic diagram of the electrical connection between a camera body 2 and an interchangeable lens 3.

[0009] 1, the camera system 1 includes a camera body 2 and an interchangeable lens 3 as an example of an accessory that can be attached to and detached from the camera body 2. The camera system 1 is capable of capturing not only still images but also moving images.

[0010] (Camera body 2) The camera body 2 includes a body-side mount (mounting section) 21, a body-side terminal holding section 22, a body-side control section 23, a body-side communication section 24, a body-side memory section 25, a power supply section 26, an image sensor (imaging section) 27, a display section 28, and a body-side operation section 29.

[0011] 2, the body-side communication unit 24 includes a first body-side communication unit 24a and a second body-side communication unit 24b. The first body-side communication unit 24a performs two-way communication (called command and data communication) with the interchangeable lens 3, while the second body-side communication unit 24b performs one-way communication (called hotline communication) with the interchangeable lens 3. The first body-side communication unit 24a and the second body-side communication unit 24b are connected to the body-side terminals provided in the body-side terminal holding unit 22 and the body-side control unit 23.

[0012] The body-side storage unit 25 is a non-volatile storage medium. The body-side storage unit 25 is connected to the body-side control unit 23. Predetermined control programs and the like to be executed by the body-side control unit 23 are stored in the body-side storage unit 25 in advance. The body-side control unit 23 controls the camera body 2 by reading the control programs from the body-side storage unit 25 and executing the programs. The body-side storage unit 25 also stores various setting information for the camera system 1.

[0013] The power supply unit 26 has a power source and supplies power to the inside of the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3. The power supply unit 26 is connected to the body side terminal group provided in the body side terminal holding unit 22 and the body side control unit 23.

[0014] The image sensor 27 is a solid-state image sensor such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), and has a plurality of pixels that receive light and output signals. The image sensor 27 is connected to the body-side control unit 23, captures an image of a subject, and outputs an image signal (image data) to the body-side control unit 23.

[0015] The body-side control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, etc. The body-side control unit 23 generates image information based on an imaging signal output from at least a portion of the imaging surface of the image sensor 27, and displays an image based on the image information on the display unit 28. The body-side control unit 23 also performs electronic zoom control (electronic magnification control) to change the size of the portion and change the range of the image displayed on the display unit 28. Electronic zoom makes it possible to generate image data in which the subject image appears magnified. The body-side control unit 23 also performs optical zoom control (optical magnification control) to control the magnification of the imaging optical system 36 of the interchangeable lens 3 according to the settings of the camera body 2. Details of the processing performed by the body-side control unit 23 will be described later. The body-side control unit 23 also has functions other than those described above, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0016] The display unit 28 is a display installed, for example, on the back of the camera body 2, and displays information on various settings for the camera system 1, through images, etc. The display unit 28 may be an electronic viewfinder. Details of the information displayed on the display unit 28 will be described later.

[0017] The body-side operation unit 29 includes various operation members such as a release button 29a, a zoom lever 29b, a zoom button 29c, a dial (not shown), and a power button (not shown), and receives input of various instructions for the camera system 1 (including instructions for changing magnification through a magnification change operation), and outputs these to the body-side control unit 23. If the camera body 2 is equipped with a touch panel, the body-side operation unit 29 may include the touch panel.

[0018] 2, the body-side terminal holding unit 22 has an LDET(B) terminal, a VBAT(B) terminal, a PGND(B) terminal, a V33(B) terminal, a GND(B) terminal, an RDY(B) terminal, a DATAB(B) terminal, a CLK(B) terminal, a DATAL(B) terminal, an HCLK(B) terminal, and an HDATA(B) terminal. These 11 body-side terminals are collectively referred to as a body-side terminal group.

[0019] The LDET(B) terminal is a terminal used to detect attachment / detachment of the interchangeable lens 3. The LDET(B) terminal is connected to the body-side control unit 23 via a resistor R2. A power supply V33 supplied from the power supply unit 26 via a resistor R1 is connected between the resistor R2 and the body-side control unit 23, and the LDET(B) terminal is pulled up.

[0020] The VBAT(B) terminal, PGND(B) terminal, V33(B) terminal, and GND(B) terminal are power supply terminals connected to the power supply unit 26. In FIG. 2 , the direction of the supplied power is indicated by an arrow. The VBAT(B) terminal is a terminal used to supply power to the interchangeable lens 3. The interchangeable lens 3 (first drive unit 37 and second drive unit 38) is driven by the power supplied via the VBAT(B) terminal. Note that in FIG. 2 , the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38 are collectively referred to as the drive unit. The operation of the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38 requires a voltage and current greater than those of the lens-side control unit 33, and the voltage applied by the power supply unit 26 to the VBAT(B) terminal is approximately 10 V at most. The PGND(B) terminal is a ground terminal corresponding to the VBAT(B) terminal.

[0021] The V33(B) terminal is a terminal used to supply power to the interchangeable lens 3. The lens side control unit 33 is operated by power supplied from the power supply unit 26 via the V33(B) terminal. Each unit, such as the lens side control unit 33, operates at a lower voltage and current than the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38. The voltage applied by the power supply unit 26 to the V33(B) terminal is approximately 3.3 V at maximum. The GND(B) terminal is a ground terminal corresponding to the V33(B) terminal.

[0022] The RDY(B) terminal, DATAB(B) terminal, CLK(B) terminal, and DATAL(B) terminal are connected to the body-side first communication unit 24a and are used for two-way communication (command and data communication) with the interchangeable lens 3. The HCLK(B) terminal and HDATA(B) terminal are connected to the body-side second communication unit 24b and are used for one-way communication (hotline communication) with the interchangeable lens 3. In Figure 2, the flow of signals is indicated by arrows.

[0023] The potential of the RDY(B) terminal indicates whether or not the interchangeable lens 3 is capable of command data communication. The DATAB(B) terminal is a terminal from which a data signal is output to the interchangeable lens 3. The CLK(B) terminal is a terminal from which a clock signal is output to the interchangeable lens 3. The DATAL(B) terminal is a terminal to which a data signal from the interchangeable lens 3 is input.

[0024] The HCLK(B) terminal is a terminal to which a clock signal is input from the interchangeable lens 3. The HDATA(B) terminal is a terminal to which a data signal is input from the interchangeable lens 3.

[0025] 1 , the interchangeable lens 3 is an interchangeable lens that has an optical system capable of forming a subject image and is capable of optical zooming by changing the focal length of the optical system. The interchangeable lens 3 includes a lens mount 31, a lens terminal holder 32, a lens control unit 33, a lens communication unit 34, a lens storage unit 35, an imaging optical system 36, a first drive unit 37, a second drive unit 38, and a lens operation unit 39.

[0026] The lens side control unit 33 is composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, etc. As shown in Fig. 2, the lens side communication unit 34 includes a first lens side communication unit 34a and a second lens side communication unit 34b. The first lens side communication unit 34a performs two-way communication (command and data communication) with the camera body 2, while the second lens side communication unit 34b performs one-way communication (hotline communication) with the camera body 2. The first lens side communication unit 34a and the second lens side communication unit 34b are connected to the lens side control unit 33 and to a group of lens side terminals provided in the lens side terminal holding unit 32.

[0027] The lens-side storage unit 35 is a non-volatile storage medium. The lens-side storage unit 35 is connected to the lens-side control unit 33. The lens-side storage unit 35 stores in advance predetermined control programs and the like to be executed by the lens-side control unit 33. The lens-side control unit 33 controls the interchangeable lens 3 by reading the control programs from the lens-side storage unit 35 and executing the programs.

[0028] The imaging optical system 36 forms a subject image on the imaging plane of the image sensor 27. The optical axis OA of the imaging optical system 36 substantially coincides with the center positions of the lens-side mount 31 and the body-side mount 21. The imaging optical system 36 in FIG. 1 generally includes a zoom lens 36a, a focus lens 36b, and a lens 36c. The zoom lens 36a is a lens that changes the focal length (photographic angle of view). The focus lens 36b is a lens that adjusts the imaging position of the subject image.

[0029] The first drive unit 37 is connected to the lens side control unit 33 and has an actuator (not shown). The first drive unit 37 drives the zoom lens 36a in the direction of the optical axis OA (+Z direction, −Z direction) using this actuator. In this way, the interchangeable lens 3 according to this embodiment is a power zoom lens.

[0030] The second drive unit 38 is connected to the lens-side control unit 33 and has an actuator (not shown) and the like. The second drive unit 38 drives the focus lens 36b in the direction of the optical axis OA (+Z direction, −Z direction) using the actuator and the like. Note that although the zoom lens 36a, the focus lens 36b, and the lens 36c are each illustrated as a single lens in FIG. 1, they may each be a lens group including multiple lenses.

[0031] The lens-side operation unit 39 includes a zoom ring 39a and a zoom lever 39b, and receives input of various instructions (including instructions for changing magnification through a magnification change operation) for the imaging optical system 36, and outputs the instructions to the body-side control unit 23 via the lens-side control unit 33 and the lens-side communication unit 34. The amount of operation of the zoom ring 39a is detected by a detection unit 391 such as an encoder, for example, and input to the lens-side control unit 33.

[0032] 2, the lens side terminal holding unit 32 has an LDET(L) terminal, a VBAT(L) terminal, a PGND(L) terminal, a V33(L) terminal, a GND(L) terminal, an RDY(L) terminal, a DATAB(L) terminal, a CLK(L) terminal, a DATAL(L) terminal, an HCLK(L) terminal, and an HDATA(L) terminal. These 11 lens side terminals are collectively referred to as the lens side terminal group.

[0033] When the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2, the body-side terminal and the lens-side terminal are electrically connected, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 2 . The LDET(L) terminal is grounded via resistor R3. When the LDET(L) terminal comes into contact with LDET(B), the potential of the LDET(B) terminal is pulled down. The VBAT(L) terminal and the PGND(L) terminal are connected to the first drive unit 37 and the second drive unit 38. A so-called bypass capacitor C1 is connected between the VBAT(L) terminal and the PGND(L) terminal. The V33(L) terminal and the GND(L) terminal are connected to various components such as the lens-side control unit 33. A bypass capacitor C2 is connected between the V33(L) terminal and the GND(L) terminal. The RDY(L) terminal, DATAB(L) terminal, CLK(L) terminal, and DATAL(L) terminal are connected to the first lens side communication unit 34a, and the HCLK(L) terminal and HDATA(L) terminal are connected to the second lens side communication unit 34b. Note that the role of each lens side terminal is the same as the role of the body side terminal to which it is connected, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] (Command data communication) Command data communication is communication (bidirectional communication) in which a control command (command) is sent from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3, and then control content (control data) from the body-side control unit 23 and response content (response data) from the lens-side control unit 33 are sent and received in parallel. Command data communication is full-duplex communication, and is performed by digital data communication.

[0035] The body-side control unit 23 transmits various control commands and control details to the interchangeable lens 3 by command data communication via the body-side communication unit 24 and the lens-side communication unit 34, and transmits and receives various information to and from the interchangeable lens 3 by receiving response details from the interchangeable lens 3. The control commands referred to here are, for example, commands to transmit lens information. Examples of the various information received from the interchangeable lens 3 include model information of the interchangeable lens 3, a linkage function compatibility flag (described below), the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a, and information indicating optical characteristics such as the focal length of the imaging optical system 36. Examples of the various information transmitted to the interchangeable lens 3 include control details such as the lens drive amount and model information of the camera body 2. Note that the control commands also include commands to drive the zoom lens 36a. The lens-side control unit 33 receives various control commands from the body-side control unit 23, acquires various information from the body-side control unit 23, and transmits various information to the body-side control unit 23 by command data communication.

[0036] (Hotline communication) Hotline communication is communication (unidirectional communication) in which data is sent in one direction from the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 to the body-side control unit 23 of the camera body 2. The body-side control unit 23 obtains information about the state of the interchangeable lens 3 (for example, the position of the focus lens 36b, the position of the image stabilization lens (not shown), the position of the aperture, etc.) from the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 via hotline communication. Note that in the following description, information about the state of the interchangeable lens 3, including, for example, the position of the focus lens 36b, the position of the image stabilization lens (not shown), the position of the aperture, etc., may be referred to as lens state information.

[0037] The image stabilization lens is a member that can be moved (driven) to include a component in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and the aperture is a member that can be moved (driven) to change the size of the opening through which the light beam passes.

[0038] Hotline communication is a communication in which, when an instruction to start communication is sent from the camera body 2 via command data communication, the lens-side control unit 33 autonomously sends lens status information to the body-side control unit 23, independently of (and in isolation from) command data communication, until an instruction to end communication is sent. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to continuously monitor the status of the interchangeable lens 3, even during command data communication. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to continuously monitor the position of the focus lens 36b, enabling high-speed autofocus control, for example. The same applies to image stabilization control and aperture control. Furthermore, the body-side control unit 23 can issue various instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 via command data communication at any time, even while the lens-side control unit 33 is performing hotline communication.

[0039] As described above, the interchangeable lens 3 according to this embodiment is a power zoom lens that changes the focal length (photographic angle of view) by driving the zoom lens 36a in the direction of the optical axis OA with the first drive unit 37. Furthermore, the camera body 2 according to this embodiment is equipped with a linking function that links the interchangeable lens 3 with the camera body 2 to improve convenience when the attached interchangeable lens 3 is a power zoom lens.

[0040] In this embodiment, an "extend type" and a "sync type (also called a mixed type)" are provided as linkage methods between the interchangeable lens 3 and the camera body 2.

[0041] 3A and 3B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the extend type and the sync type, respectively. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, OZW indicates the wide-angle end of the optical zoom (power zoom), and OZT indicates the telephoto end of the optical zoom. Also, HRZW indicates the wide-angle end of the electronic zoom, and HRZT indicates the telephoto end of the electronic zoom. In this embodiment, the electronic zoom is a so-called high-resolution zoom (hereinafter referred to as "high-resolution zoom") that can perform zooming without degrading image quality when the number of pixels (e.g., 4k) during shooting without using the electronic zoom is smaller than the number of pixels (e.g., 8k) possessed by the image sensor 27.

[0042] Figures 4(a) to 4(d) are diagrams for explaining an overview of high-resolution zoom. Figure 4(a) shows an example of an image recorded in the body-side storage unit 25 when electronic zoom is not being used, and Figure 4(b) is a diagram showing pixels 27a on the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 used to generate the image shown in Figure 4(a). Figure 4(c) shows an example of an image recorded in the body-side storage unit 25 when the electronic zoom position is at the telephoto end, and Figure 4(d) is a diagram showing pixels 27a on the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 used to generate the image shown in Figure 4(c). In Figures 4(b) and 4(d), the pixels 27a used to generate the image are indicated by hatching.

[0043] When electronic zoom is used, imaging begins at 8k. When the electronic zoom is positioned at a middle position between the wide-angle and telephoto ends, signals output from pixels (e.g., 6k) used to generate image information captured in an area between the first region R10 and the second region R20 are combined or thinned to generate image information of the same size (4k) as the image information output when electronic zoom is not used. In other words, the resolution of the image information generated based on signals output from pixels 27a included in the first region R10 of the imaging surface is equal to the resolution of the image information generated based on signals output from pixels 27a included in the second region R20, which is larger than the first region R10. This allows zooming to be performed with high-resolution zoom without degrading image quality.

[0044] The number of pixels used for imaging (pixel density) may be changed depending on the position of the electronic zoom so that image information has a predetermined size.

[0045] It should be noted that 8K imaging may be started not only when electronic zoom is used but also when a setting is made such that electronic zoom can be used. For example, when an extend zoom is set, 8K imaging may also be performed in the optical zoom range.

[0046] Returning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the linkage method will be described. The extend system is a function that first performs optical zoom (power zoom) when a zoom operation is received from either the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39, and then transitions directly to electronic zoom (high-resolution zoom) when the focal length exceeds the telephoto end of the optical zoom. In other words, the extend system is a function that enables seamless transition between optical zoom and electronic zoom with the operation of a single operation member. For example, suppose the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated toward the telephoto end. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3A, optical zoom is performed first, and when the focal length of the imaging optical system 36 reaches the telephoto end, electronic zoom is initiated. At this time, the size of the area (at least a portion of the area) of the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28 decreases as the zoom ring 39a is rotated toward the telephoto end.

[0047] The synchronous system is a function that performs optical zoom (power zoom) and electronic zoom (high-resolution zoom) in parallel when a zoom operation is received from either the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39. For example, suppose the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3 is rotated in the telephoto direction. In this case, as shown in Figure 3(b), the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position each change from the position indicated by the dotted triangle to the position indicated by the solid triangle.

[0048] In this embodiment, it is also possible not to link the interchangeable lens 3 with the camera body 2. This will be described later.

[0049] Next, the processing executed by the body control unit 23 of the camera body 2 and the lens control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 to realize the above-mentioned "extend type" and "synchro type" will be described in detail.

[0050] 5 to 10 are flowcharts showing an example of processing executed by the body-side control unit 23, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the lens-side control unit 33.

[0051] The process of FIG. 5 begins when the camera body 2 is powered on. In the process of FIG. 5, the body side control unit 23 first determines whether the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2 (step S10). When the interchangeable lens 3 is not attached to the camera body 2, the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal in FIG. 2 is pulled up and is at a high level. If it is detected that the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is at a high level, the determination in step S10 is negative. While the determination in step S10 is negative, the body side control unit 23 does not supply power to the VBAT(B) terminal and the V33(B) terminal from the power supply unit 26. On the other hand, if it is detected that the signal level of the LDET(B) terminal is at a low level, the determination in step S10 is positive, and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the body side control unit 23 causes the power supply unit 26 to start supplying power to the V33(B) terminal.

[0052] When power supply to the V33(B) terminal starts, power is supplied to the lens-side control unit 33 of the interchangeable lens 3 via the V33(L) terminal, and the lens-side control unit 33 starts operating. As a result, the lens-side control unit 33 starts the processing shown in FIG.

[0053] Once the lens-side control unit 33 has started operating, it permits initial communication via command and data communication with the body-side control unit 23. After the lens-side control unit 33 permits initial communication, the body-side control unit 23 starts the initial communication. The initial communication includes a signal requesting the lens-side control unit 33 to supply power to the VBAT (L) terminal. When a signal requesting power supply to the VBAT (L) terminal is sent from the lens-side control unit 33 to the body-side control unit 23, the body-side control unit 23 supplies power to the VBAT (B) terminal, and initialization processing ( FIG. 5 : step S14, FIG. 11 : step S102) is performed between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3.

[0054] During the initialization process, information necessary for various operations of the camera system 1, such as shooting and focus adjustment, is exchanged between the camera body 2 and the interchangeable lens 3. For example, during the initialization process, information regarding the drive resolution of the zoom lens 36a included in the interchangeable lens 3 is sent to the camera body 2. This is to prevent a situation in which, when the body-side control unit 23 issues a power zoom command (described in detail below) instructing the zoom lens 36a to be driven, the zoom lens 36a cannot be driven because the command value from the body-side control unit 23 is smaller than the drive resolution of the zoom lens 36a. Also, during the initialization process, for example, the speeds at which the zoom lens 36a can be driven (maximum and minimum speeds) are sent to the camera body 2. This is to prevent, when the body-side control unit 23 issues a power zoom command instructing the zoom lens 36a to be driven, the body-side control unit 23 issues an instruction to drive the zoom lens 36a so that the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a is within the range from the maximum speed to the minimum speed. In the initialization process, for example, the zoom lens 36a and the focus lens 36b of the interchangeable lens 3 are moved to their respective positions before the power was turned off or to their default positions.

[0055] When the initialization process ( FIG. 5 : step S14) is completed, the body-side control unit 23 requests the lens-side control unit 33 via command data communication to transmit the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and a flag indicating whether the zoom ring 39a is compatible with the cooperation function (cooperation function compatibility flag), and waits until it receives the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and the cooperation function compatibility flag ( FIG. 5 : step S16). The detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a is information indicating the number of pulses output per rotation of the zoom ring 39a. By obtaining the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a, the body-side control unit 23 can perform electronic zoom control and the like according to the amount of operation of the zoom ring 39a.

[0056] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, in response to a request from the body side control unit 23, the lens side control unit 33 transmits the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and the collaboration function compatibility flag to the body side control unit 23 via the lens side first communication unit 34a (step S104).

[0057] Returning to Figure 5, when the body-side control unit 23 receives the detection resolution of the zoom ring 39a and the collaboration function compatibility flag via the body-side first communication unit 24a (step S16 / YES), it sends an instruction to turn on the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag to the lens-side control unit 33 via the body-side first communication unit 24a (step S18).

[0058] The power zoom ring flag is a flag that indicates whether or not in-lens control is possible, whereby the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on operation information of the zoom ring 39a when the zoom ring 39a of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated, and when it is ON, it indicates that in-lens control is possible.Furthermore, the power zoom lever flag is a flag that indicates whether or not in-lens control is possible, whereby the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on operation information of the zoom lever 39b when the zoom lever 39b of the interchangeable lens 3 is operated, and when it is ON, it indicates that in-lens control is possible.

[0059] Next, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the attached interchangeable lens 3 supports the link function (step S20). The body-side control unit 23 can determine whether the attached interchangeable lens 3 supports the link function based on the link function support flag received in step S16.

[0060] If the attached interchangeable lens 3 does not support the link function (step S20 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 proceeds to normal processing (step S28). On the other hand, if the attached interchangeable lens 3 supports the link function (step S20 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 checks the settings for the link function of the camera body 2 (step S22).

[0061] If the "extend type" is set in the camera body 2, the body side control unit 23 executes the extend type cooperation process (step S24). Figures 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the extend type cooperation process.

[0062] (Extended-type cooperative processing) In the extended-type cooperative processing, first, the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to turn on the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag to the lens-side control unit 33 via the first body-side communication unit 24a (step S202).

[0063] Next, the body side control unit 23 executes the processes of steps S210 and S212 and the processes of steps S220 to S256 (FIGS. 6 to 8) in parallel.

[0064] First, the processing of steps S210 and S212 will be described. In this embodiment, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests the lens-side control unit 33 to transmit batch transmission information at regular intervals. The repetition period is proportional to at least one of the period for outputting image data (the period of one frame) and the period for updating the display on the display unit 28. The batch transmission information also includes various information used by the body-side control unit 23 to control the camera system 1, such as operation information for the lens-side operation unit 39 and focal length information for the zoom lens 36a. The operation information for the lens-side operation unit 39 includes the amount of operation and the direction of operation (telephoto or wide-angle) of the zoom ring 39a and zoom lever 39b included in the lens-side operation unit 39. The focal length information indicates, for example, the focal length (mm) calculated from the position of the zoom lens 36a (an integer between 0 and 100) by dividing the magnification range of the imaging optical system 36 into 100 parts, with the wide-angle end being 0 and the telephoto end being 100.

[0065] As described above, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests batch transmission information at regular intervals, and therefore the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 (step S210) and the focal length (step S212) at regular intervals from the lens-side control unit 33. However, the body-side control unit 23 can interrupt the repeated requests for batch transmission information to execute command data communication such as driving instructions to the interchangeable lens 3 or requests for information not included in the batch transmission information.

[0066] Next, the processes (S220 to S256) executed in parallel with steps S210 and S212 will be described.

[0067] First, in step S220, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether or not it has detected operation of the body-side operation unit 29. If it has detected operation of the body-side operation unit 29 (step S220 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 generates zoom lens drive information and transmits it to the lens-side control unit 33 (step S222).

[0068] (When the operated body-side operation unit 29 is the zoom button 29c) In this case, the body-side control unit 23 transmits zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33, including the drive speed and drive direction (telephoto direction, wide-angle direction) of the zoom lens 36a, and a drive start command. The drive speed of the zoom lens 36a when the zoom button 29c is operated can be set by the user on the camera body 2. Furthermore, when operation of the zoom button 29c is finished, the body-side control unit 23 transmits zoom lens drive information to the lens-side control unit 33 to stop driving the zoom lens 36a.

[0069] (When the operated body-side operation unit 29 is the zoom lever 29b) In this case, the body-side control unit 23 transmits two pieces of information to the lens-side control unit 33 as zoom lens drive information: the amount the zoom lever 29b is pressed and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2 when the zoom lever 29b is operated. The zoom speed can be set by the user in the camera body 2. The lens-side control unit 33 determines the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a in the interchangeable lens 3 based on the two pieces of information: the amount the zoom lever 29b is pressed and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2, and controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a. Note that the amount the zoom lever 29b is pressed and the zoom speed set in the camera body 2 may be repeatedly transmitted from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 as part of batch transmission information.

[0070] (When the operated body-side operation unit 29 is a dial or touch panel) In this case, the body-side control unit 23 transmits information indicating the operation amount per unit time, i.e., the operation speed of the operation member (dial or touch panel), to the lens-side control unit 33 as zoom lens drive information. The operation amount per unit time may be repeatedly transmitted from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 as one piece of batch transmission information, or the operation amount per unit time may be repeatedly transmitted from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 from the start of operation of the body-side operation unit 29 until the operation is finished. The lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on the zoom lens drive information. Alternatively, instead of the operation amount per unit time, the drive amount of the zoom lens 36a per unit time may be periodically transmitted. Furthermore, the periodically transmitted operation amount per unit time and the drive amount of the zoom lens 36a per unit time may be transmitted from the body-side control unit 23 to the lens-side control unit 33 as one piece of batch transmission information.

[0071] After step S222, the process proceeds to step S224, where the body-side control unit 23 acquires control focal length information. The control focal length information may be acquired from periodically received batch transmission information, or the focal length information included in the batch transmission information may be stored in the body-side storage unit 25 and acquired from the body-side storage unit 25.

[0072] Next, in step S226, the body side control unit 23 determines whether the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end. If the optical zoom position is not at the telephoto end (step S226 / NO), the process returns to step S220.

[0073] On the other hand, if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step S226 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 determines in step S228 whether the body-side operation unit 29 was operated in the telephoto direction. If the body-side operation unit 29 was not operated in the telephoto direction (step S228 / NO), the process returns to step S220. In the extend type, as shown in FIG. 3A, if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end and the body-side operation unit 29 is operated further in the telephoto direction, the system switches to electronic zoom. However, if the body-side operation unit 29 is not operated in the telephoto direction, there is no need to switch to electronic zoom.

[0074] If the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is in the telephoto direction (step S228 / YES), the process proceeds to step S230, where the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to set the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag to OFF to the lens-side control unit 33 via the first body-side communication unit 24a, and then the process proceeds to step S232 in Fig. 7. This prohibits in-lens control in the interchangeable lens 3.

[0075] On the other hand, if no operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected in step S220 (step S220 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 determines in step S248 of FIG. 8 whether the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0. The operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 can be acquired from operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information that is periodically received. If the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0 (step S248 / YES), this means that neither the body-side operation unit 29 nor the lens-side operation unit 39 has been operated. In this case, the body-side control unit 23 returns to step S220 of FIG. 6.

[0076] On the other hand, if the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not 0 (step S248 / NO), in step S250, the body-side control unit 23 acquires control focal length information. The control focal length information may be acquired from periodically received batch transmission information, or the control focal length information included in the batch transmission information may be stored in the body-side storage unit 25 and acquired from the body-side storage unit 25.

[0077] In the extend system, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, internal lens control is performed until the optical zoom position reaches the telephoto end, i.e., the lens-side control unit 33 executes control to drive the zoom lens 36a based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39. Therefore, when the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not 0, the body-side control unit 23 acquires control focal length information to determine whether the position of the zoom lens 36a moved by internal lens control is at the telephoto end.

[0078] Next, in step S252, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end. If the optical zoom position is not at the telephoto end (step S252 / NO), the process returns to step S220 in Fig. 6. On the other hand, if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end (step S252 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 determines in step S254 whether the lens-side operation unit 39 was operated in the telephoto direction.

[0079] If the operation of the lens side operation unit 39 is not in the telephoto direction (step S254 / NO), the process returns to step S220 in Fig. 6. In the extend type, as shown in Fig. 3A, if the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end and the zoom is further operated in the telephoto direction, the system switches to electronic zoom, but if the operation of the lens side operation unit 39 is not in the telephoto direction, there is no need to switch to electronic zoom.

[0080] If the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated in the telephoto direction (step S254 / YES), in step S256 the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to set the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag to OFF to the lens-side control unit 33 via the first body-side communication unit 24a, and the process proceeds to step S232 in Fig. 7. This prohibits in-lens control in the interchangeable lens 3. In this way, information indicating whether in-lens control is possible (power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag) is determined based on control focal length information indicating the focal length and operation information (operation signal).

[0081] 3A, with the extend system, when the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end and further operation is performed in the telephoto direction, the system switches to electronic zoom. Therefore, if the determinations in steps S226 and S228 are affirmative, or if the determinations in steps S252 and S254 are affirmative, the system switches to electronic zoom. When switching to electronic zoom, the body-side control unit 23 sends a command to the lens-side control unit 33 to set the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag to OFF (S230, S256) to prohibit the lens-side control unit 33 from driving the zoom lens 36a.

[0082] 7, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether or not operation of the body-side operation unit 29 has been detected. If operation of the body-side operation unit 29 has not been detected (step S232 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 determines in step S240 whether the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0. The operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 can be acquired from operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information that is periodically received. If the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is 0 (step S240 / YES), neither the body-side operation unit 29 nor the lens-side operation unit 39 has been operated, and the process returns to step S232.

[0083] In contrast, if the amount of operation of the lens side operation unit 39 is not 0 (step S240 / NO), in step S242, the body side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing to enlarge or reduce at least a portion of the area of ​​the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 (the area corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28) depending on the amount of operation of the lens side operation unit 39.

[0084] Next, in step S244, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end. If the electronic zoom position is not at the wide-angle end (step S244 / NO), the process returns to step S232. On the other hand, if the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end (step S244 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 determines in step S246 whether the lens-side operation unit 39 was operated in the wide-angle direction. Whether the lens-side operation unit 39 was operated in the wide-angle direction can be determined from the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information that is periodically received.

[0085] If the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not in the wide-angle direction (step S246 / NO), the process returns to step S232. In the extend type, as shown in Fig. 3A, if the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end and the operation is further in the wide-angle direction, the zoom switches to optical zoom, but if the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not in the wide-angle direction, there is no need to switch to optical zoom.

[0086] On the other hand, if the operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is in the wide-angle direction (step S246 / YES), the process returns to step S202 in FIG. 6, and an instruction to turn on the power zoom lens flag and the power zoom lever flag is sent to the lens-side control unit 33.

[0087] 3A, with the extend system, when the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end and further operation in the wide-angle direction occurs, the system switches to optical zoom. Therefore, if the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end (YES in step S244) and the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated in the wide-angle direction (YES in step S246), the system switches to optical zoom. Therefore, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, an instruction to turn the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag ON is sent to the lens-side control unit 33 so that the lens-side control unit 33 can drive the zoom lens 36a (so that in-lens control is possible) based on the operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39.

[0088] Incidentally, if operation of the body side operation unit 29 is detected (step S232 / YES), in step S234, the body side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing to enlarge or reduce at least a portion of the area of ​​the imaging surface of the image sensor 27 (the area corresponding to the image displayed on the display unit 28) depending on the amount of operation of the body side operation unit 29.

[0089] Next, in step S236, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end. If the electronic zoom position is not at the wide-angle end (step S236 / NO), the process returns to step S232. On the other hand, if the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end (step S236 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 determines in step S238 whether the body-side operation unit 29 was operated in the wide-angle direction. If the body-side operation unit 29 was not operated in the wide-angle direction (step S238 / NO), the process returns to step S232. On the other hand, if the body-side operation unit 29 was operated in the wide-angle direction (step S238 / YES), the process returns to step S202 in FIG. 6 and sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 to turn on the power zoom lens flag and the power zoom lever flag. If the electronic zoom position is at the wide-angle end and further operation is performed in the wide-angle direction, the electronic zoom will switch to optical zoom. By turning on the power zoom lens flag and the power zoom lever flag, in-lens control becomes possible.

[0090] The extended mode cooperation process (FIGS. 6 to 8) is repeatedly executed while the power of the camera body 2 is ON until the cooperation mode setting is changed.

[0091] 5, if the "synchronous mode" is set in the camera body 2 (S22), the body side control unit 23 executes the synchronous mode linkage process (step S26). FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the synchronous mode linkage process.

[0092] (Synchronized Cooperative Processing) In the synchronized cooperative processing of Fig. 9, first, in step S302, the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 to set the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag to OFF. In the synchronized mode, even when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, the body-side control unit 23 controls both optical zoom and electronic zoom, so this is to prohibit in-lens control. In the synchronized cooperative processing, the body-side control unit 23 executes mixed control, which performs optical zoom control while performing electronic zoom control. In mixed control, electronic zoom control and optical zoom control are performed simultaneously (in parallel).

[0093] After step S302, the body side control unit 23 simultaneously executes the processes of steps S304 and S306 and the processes of steps S310 to S320 in parallel.

[0094] First, the processing of steps S304 and S306 will be described. In step S304, the body-side control unit 23 receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 from the lens-side control unit 33. In step S306, the body-side control unit 23 also receives control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33. As described above, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests the lens-side control unit 33 to transmit batch transmission information at regular intervals. Therefore, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 and control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33 at regular intervals.

[0095] Next, the processing (S310 to S320) executed in parallel with steps S304 and S306 will be described. In step S310, the body side control unit 23 determines whether or not an operation of the body side operation unit 29 has been detected.

[0096] If no operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step S310 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 determines in step S316 whether the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information is 0. If the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 included in the batch transmission information is 0 (step S316 / YES), the process returns to step S310. On the other hand, if the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not 0 (step S316 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 executes electronic zoom processing based on the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39 in step S318. Furthermore, in step S320, the body-side control unit 23 issues a power zoom command instructing the zoom lens 36a to be driven in accordance with the operation amount of the lens-side operation unit 39. The power zoom command is transmitted to the lens-side control unit 33 via the first body-side communication unit 24a. Note that in the synchronous system, when the lens-side operation unit 39 or the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the optical zoom position and the electronic zoom position are changed at the same rate based on the operation amount. After the processing of step S320, the process returns to step S310.

[0097] If operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected (step S310 / YES), then in step S312 the body-side control unit 23 executes electronic zoom processing based on the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29. In addition, in step S314 the body-side control unit 23 issues a power zoom command for driving the zoom lens 36a based on the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29. Thereafter, the process returns to step S310.

[0098] 9 is repeatedly executed while the camera body 2 is powered on until the linkage method setting is changed. In the synchronous linkage process, a power zoom command is issued regardless of whether the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, and regardless of the type of operation member of the body-side operation unit 29 or the lens-side operation unit 39. This allows the body-side control unit 23 to accurately control the drive of the zoom lens 36a, and to coordinate the magnification change operations of the electronic zoom and the optical zoom.

[0099] 5, if "no cooperation" is set in the camera body 2 (S22) or if the interchangeable lens does not support the cooperation function (step S20 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 executes normal processing (step S28). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of normal processing.

[0100] 10 , first, in step S402, the body-side control unit 23 sends an instruction to the lens-side control unit 33 to set the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag to ON. In the normal processing, when the lens-side operation unit 39 is operated, the lens-side control unit 33 performs intra-lens control, in which the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36 a based on operation information from the lens-side operation unit 39. Note that when the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the lens-side control unit 33 performs extra-lens control, in which the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36 a based on instructions from the body-side control unit 23.

[0101] After step S402, the body side control unit 23 simultaneously executes the processes of steps S404 and S406 and the processes of steps S410 and S412 in parallel.

[0102] First, the processing of steps S404 and S406 will be described. In step S404, the body-side control unit 23 receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 from the lens-side control unit 33. In step S406, the body-side control unit 23 also receives control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33. As described above, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly requests the lens-side control unit 33 to transmit batch transmission information at regular intervals. Therefore, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information of the lens-side operation unit 39 and control focal length information from the lens-side control unit 33 at regular intervals.

[0103] Next, the processing of steps S410 and S412, which are executed in parallel with steps S404 and S406, will be described. In step S410, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether operation of the body-side operation unit 29 has been detected. If the body-side control unit 23 has not detected operation of the body-side operation unit 29 (step S410 / NO), the body-side control unit 23 repeats the processing of step S410 until operation of the body-side operation unit 29 is detected. On the other hand, if operation of the body-side operation unit 29 has been detected (step S412 / YES), the body-side control unit 23 transmits zoom lens drive information for driving the zoom lens 36a to the lens-side control unit 33 based on the amount of operation of the body-side operation unit 29 in step S412. Note that in normal processing, the zoom lens 36a is driven to change the optical zoom magnification regardless of whether the lens-side operation unit 39 or the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, but this is not limited to this. For example, when the lens side operation unit 39 is operated, the lens side control unit 33 drives the zoom lens 36a to change the magnification of the optical zoom, and when the body side operation unit 29 is operated, the body side control unit 23 changes the magnification of the electronic zoom.

[0104] Next, we will explain the processing (FIG. 11) of the lens side control unit 33. After completing the processing of step S104 in FIG. 11, the lens side control unit 33 executes the processing of steps S106 and S108, the processing of steps S110 and S112, and the processing of steps S120 to S132 in parallel.

[0105] The lens-side control unit 33 does not have information about the linkage method set in the camera body 2. Therefore, the lens-side control unit 33 controls the drive of the zoom lens 36a based on whether in-lens control is possible (ON / OFF states of the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag) and whether a power zoom command or zoom ring drive information has been received from the body-side control unit 23. Immediately after the power to the camera body 2 is turned on, the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag are set to ON by the processing of step S18 (see FIG. 5 ) of the body-side control unit 23.

[0106] Thereafter, based on the cooperation method, focal length, and operation information, the body-side control unit 23 issues an instruction to set the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag to ON or OFF (steps S202 and S230 in FIG. 6 , step S256 in FIG. 8 , step S302 in FIG. 9 , step S402 in FIG. 10 , etc.). Meanwhile, the lens-side control unit 33 receives the instruction to set the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag to ON or OFF, and executes processing based on the settings of the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag.

[0107] Therefore, in step S106, the lens-side control unit 33 periodically determines whether or not it has received the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag, and if it has received these flags (step S106 / YES), it sets these flags in accordance with the instructions (ON or OFF) from the body-side control unit 23 (step S106), and returns to step S 106. Note that the processes of steps S106 and S108 are repeatedly executed until the power to the camera body 2 is turned off.

[0108] In addition, in step S110, the lens side control unit 33 detects the amount of operation of the lens side operation unit 39, and in step S112, transmits the operation information of the lens side operation unit 39 and control focal length information indicating the position of the zoom lens 36a to the body side control unit 23 as batch transmission information. This process is repeated at regular intervals.

[0109] Furthermore, the lens side control unit 33 executes the processes of steps S120 to S132 in parallel with the processes of steps S106 and S108 and steps S110 and S112. The processes of steps S120 to S132 will be described below.

[0110] In step S120, the lens side control unit 33 determines whether or not it has detected operation of the lens side operation unit 39. If it has detected operation of the lens side operation unit 39 (step S120 / YES), the lens side control unit 33 determines in step S122 whether the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag are ON.

[0111] If the power zoom ring flag and the power zoom lever flag are ON (YES in step S122), the lens control unit 33 performs a power zoom operation in step S124. Specifically, the lens control unit 33 performs in-lens control to drive the zoom lens 36a based on the amount of operation of the lens operation unit 39. After the power zoom operation is completed, the process returns to step S120.

[0112] On the other hand, if operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is detected but the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag are OFF (step S120 / YES, step S122 / NO), the lens-side control unit 33 cannot perform internal lens control. In this case, the lens-side control unit 33 performs external lens control to drive the zoom lens 36a in accordance with instructions from the body-side control unit 23, or the body-side control unit 23 performs electronic zoom processing based on the amount of operation of the lens-side operation unit 39. Therefore, in step S126, the lens-side control unit 33 determines whether a power zoom command has been received. If the camera body 2 is set to the "extend" mode, the power zoom ring flag and power zoom lever flag are OFF. In this case, the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end, and electronic zoom is being performed. Since no power zoom command is sent from the body-side control unit 23, the determination in step S126 is negative. If the determination in step S126 is negative, the process returns to step S120.

[0113] On the other hand, if the camera body 2 is set to "synchronous zoom," optical zoom and electronic zoom are performed in parallel, and therefore a power zoom command is transmitted from the body-side control unit 23. Accordingly, the lens-side control unit 33 receives the power zoom command from the body-side control unit 23 via the first lens-side communication unit 34a (step S126 / YES), and in step S128 performs a power zoom operation in accordance with the instructions in the power zoom command. Specifically, the zoom lens 36a is moved to the drive command position for the zoom lens 36a included in the power zoom command. At this time, the drive speed of the zoom lens 36a is set so that the time it takes for the zoom lens 36a to reach the drive command position is the same as or slightly longer than the drive maintenance target time. After step S128, the process returns to step S120.

[0114] If the determination in step S120 is negative (if operation of the lens-side operation unit 39 is not detected), the lens-side control unit 33 determines in step S130 whether a power zoom command or zoom lens drive information has been received from the body-side control unit 23. In the case of the "extend type," if the body-side operation unit 29 is operated without the lens-side operation unit 39 being operated, the body-side control unit 23 generates and transmits zoom lens drive information based on the operation of the body-side operation unit 29 unless the optical zoom position is at the telephoto end. In the case of the "synchronized type," if the body-side operation unit 29 is operated without the lens-side operation unit 39 being operated, the body-side control unit 23 issues a power zoom command based on the operation of the body-side operation unit 29. In the case of the "non-cooperative" type, if the body-side operation unit 29 is operated, the body-side control unit 23 generates and transmits zoom lens drive information based on the operation of the body-side operation unit 29. If the body-side operation unit 29 is not operated, no zoom lens drive information is issued from the body-side control unit 23.

[0115] If neither a power zoom command nor zoom lens drive information has been received from the body-side control unit 23 (step S130 / NO), the process returns to step S120. On the other hand, if either a power zoom command or zoom lens drive information has been received from the body-side control unit 23 (step S130 / YES), in step S132, a power zoom operation is performed based on the power zoom command or zoom lens drive information, and then the process returns to step S120.

[0116] (Regarding the display on the display unit 28) The body-side control unit 23 controls the display on the display unit 28 in parallel with the processes shown in Figures 5 to 10 described above. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing part of the display control on the display unit 28. The process in Figure 12 is executed while the extended mode cooperation process (step S24 in Figure 5) is being performed. The process in Figure 12 is started when the power to the camera body 2 is turned on and the setting of the camera body 2 is "extended mode."

[0117] (Display in extended-type cooperative processing) When the processing in Fig. 12 starts, first, in step S502, the body-side control unit 23 displays the first icon and the lens focal length on the display unit 28. Fig. 13 shows a state in which the first icon IC1 and the lens focal length FL are displayed on the display unit 28. Note that the display unit 28 also displays various icons and various pieces of information in addition to the first icon IC1 and the lens focal length FL.

[0118] Here, the first icon IC1 indicates that the extended-type cooperation process is in progress, and as an example, is an icon displaying "PZ ⇒ HR." "PZ" stands for power zoom (optical zoom), and "HR" stands for high-resolution zoom (electronic zoom). Before zooming has begun, "PZ" and "HR" are displayed indistinguishably using the same font, size, etc. Furthermore, in the process of FIG. 6 , the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives operation information from the lens-side operation unit 39 (step S210) and the control focal length (step S212) at regular intervals, and therefore displays the current lens focal length FL based on the received information.

[0119] Next, in step S504, the body side control unit 23 waits until a zoom operation is started. When a zoom operation is started (S504 / YES), in step S506, the body side control unit 23 displays the extended indicator EI on the display unit 28. Fig. 14(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the extended indicator EI is displayed on the display unit 28. Fig. 14(b) is an enlarged view of the extended indicator EI.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 14B , the extended indicator EI displays a current focus position gauge G, indicating the current focal length (lens focal length or composite focal length), between the displays indicating the wide-angle end (W end) and the telephoto end (T end). The extended indicator EI also has a boundary position indicator BD, which indicates the boundary between power zoom (optical zoom) and high-resolution zoom (electronic zoom). If the right end of the current focus position gauge G is to the left of the boundary position indicator BD, this indicates that power zoom is being performed (the camera is in the power zoom range). If the right end of the current focus position gauge G is to the right of the boundary position indicator BD, this indicates that high-resolution zoom is being performed (the camera is in the high-resolution zoom range). Details of the display position of the boundary position indicator BD (where the boundary position indicator BD is displayed between the W end and the T end) will be described later.

[0121] Returning to FIG. 12 , in step S508, the body-side control unit 23 determines whether electronic zoom processing is in progress (whether the camera is in the high-resolution zoom range). If the determination in step S508 is negative (the camera is in the power zoom range), in step S510, the body-side control unit 23 displays the second icon IC2 and the lens focal length FL on the display unit 28. FIG. 14A illustrates the display unit 28 displaying the second icon IC2 and the lens focal length FL. Here, the second icon IC2 indicates that the extended-type cooperative processing is in progress and that the camera is in the power zoom range. Like the first icon IC1, the second icon IC2 displays "PZ ⇒ HR," but "PZ" is easier to see than "HR." Specifically, the second icon IC2 displays "PZ" in a more readable font, color, larger size, boldface, etc., than "HR." This allows the user to recognize that the extended-type cooperative processing is being performed in the power zoom range by checking the second icon IC2.

[0122] On the other hand, if the determination in step S508 is affirmative (if the camera is in the high-resolution zoom region), in step S512, the body-side control unit 23 displays the third icon IC3 and the composite focal length FC on the display unit 28. FIG. 15 illustrates the state in which the third icon IC3 and the composite focal length FC are displayed on the display unit 28. Here, the third icon IC3 is an icon indicating that the extended-type cooperation process is being performed and that the camera is in the high-resolution zoom region. Like the first and second icons IC1 and IC2, the third icon IC3 displays "PZ ⇒ HR," but "HR" is displayed so that it is easier to see than "PZ." Specifically, the third icon IC3 displays "HR" in a font, color, larger size, boldface, etc., that are easier to see than "PZ." This allows the user to recognize that the extended-type cooperation process is being performed in the high-resolution zoom region by checking the third icon IC3.

[0123] The composite focal length FC is the product of the lens focal length PZ_f and the current high-resolution zoom magnification HRZ_B (FC = PZ_f × HRZ_B). For example, if the lens focal length PZ_f is 35 mm and the current high-resolution zoom magnification HRZ_B is 1.3x, the composite focal length FC is 35 × 1.3 = 45.5 mm. The composite focal length FC may also be calculated by multiplying the product of the lens focal length PZ_f and the current high-resolution zoom magnification HRZ_B by a magnification factor corresponding to the aspect ratio. For example, when recording in DX format using an image sensor 27 with an aspect ratio of 3:2, the magnification factor corresponding to the aspect ratio can be 1.5x; when recording in 16:9, the magnification factor corresponding to the aspect ratio can be 1.1x; and when recording in 1:1, the magnification factor corresponding to the aspect ratio can be 1.3x. When the composite focal length FC is displayed on the display unit 28, as shown in FIG. 15 , an asterisk (*) is added next to the focal length value so that it can be recognized that it is a composite focal length (i.e., not a lens focal length). When displaying the composite focal length FC, instead of or in addition to adding an asterisk (*), the numerical value may be displayed in other ways (for example, by underlining or adding a frame). Furthermore, the lens focal length FL and the composite focal length FC may be displayed in different colors, fonts, character thickness, etc.

[0124] When displaying the composite focal length FC, the lens focal length and the current high-resolution zoom magnification may be displayed in addition to the composite focal length FC. In this case, the body-side control unit 23 may switch the information to be displayed and the display method when it detects that the user has performed a specific operation, such as touching the display area of ​​the composite focal length FC.

[0125] After the processing of step S510 or S512 described above is performed, the body side control unit 23 determines in step S514 whether a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed since the end of the zoom operation. If the determination in step S514 is negative, the process returns to step S508. On the other hand, if the determination in step S514 is positive, the process proceeds to step S516.

[0126] When the process proceeds to step S516, the body-side control unit 23 hides the extended type indicator. That is, the display of the display unit 28 returns to the state shown in FIG. 13 . If the second icon IC2 and the lens focal length FL are displayed on the display unit 28 when the process proceeds to step S516, the second icon IC2 and the lens focal length FL continue to be displayed. Also, if the third icon IC3 and the composite focal length FC are displayed on the display unit 28 when the process proceeds to step S516, the third icon IC3 and the composite focal length FC continue to be displayed. Thereafter, the process returns to step S504, and the process of FIG. 12 is repeatedly executed while the power of the camera body 2 is ON until the linkage method setting is changed.

[0127] 12, the case where the displayed icon is changed among the first to third icons IC1 to IC3 is described, but this is not limiting, and the first icon IC1 may be displayed at all times. Note that the designs of the first to third icons IC1 to IC3 are merely examples. Therefore, while other designs may be used for the first to third icons IC1 to IC3, it is desirable that the icons be ones that allow the user to recognize that extended-type cooperative processing is being performed and that allow the user to recognize whether the operation is being performed in the power zoom area or the high-resolution zoom area.

[0128] When the extended indicator EI is displayed in the extended cooperation process, the second icon IC2 and the lens focal length FL (or the third icon IC3 and the composite focal length FC) may be displayed near the extended indicator EI, as shown in Fig. 18. This allows information related to the extended cooperation process to be displayed in a consolidated manner, making it easier for the user to check the information.

[0129] In the extended indicator EI, the color of the current focus position gauge G may be changed depending on whether the right end of the current focus position gauge G is to the left or right of the boundary position display BD.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the current focus position gauge G of the extended indicator EI is described as extending and contracting in the horizontal direction, but this is not limiting and it may also be extended and contracted in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the display position of the extended indicator EI may be changed in accordance with changes in the orientation of the camera body 2 (changes between when the camera body 2 is held in a vertical position and when it is held in a horizontal position). For example, if the extended indicator EI is displayed in the center of the lower position of the display unit 28 regardless of changes in the orientation of the camera body 2, the user can easily check the zoom status in both the vertical and horizontal positions.

[0131] If the camera body 2 is equipped with a touch panel, the extendable indicator EI may be displayed on the display unit 28 in response to a zoom operation on the touch panel. In this case, the extendable indicator EI may be configured to perform a zoom operation in response to a touch operation on the current focus position gauge G of the extendable indicator EI.

[0132] (Display During Synchronized Linkage Processing) Next, the display processing while synchronized linkage processing (step S26 in FIG. 5) is being performed will be described. When synchronized linkage processing is being performed, the body-side control unit 23 displays the fourth icon IC4 and the composite focal length FC on the display unit 28, as shown in FIG. 16(a). Here, the fourth icon IC4 is an icon indicating that synchronized linkage processing is being performed, and is, as an example, an icon displaying "PZ&HR." As in the case of FIG. 15, an "*" is added to the composite focal length FC so that it can be recognized that it is a composite focal length (i.e., not a lens focal length).

[0133] (Display during normal processing) While normal processing (step S28 in Figure 5) is being performed, the body-side control unit 23 does not display the first to fourth icons IC1 to IC4 on the display unit 28, nor does it display the lens focal length FL and the composite focal length FC, as shown in Figure 16 (b).

[0134] (Regarding the Boundary Position Indicator BD of the Extended Indicator EI) Here, a method for determining the position of the boundary position indicator BD of the extended indicator EI will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 17( a). In this embodiment, when a zoom operation is performed so that the rate of change of the angle of view is constant, the display position of the boundary position indicator BD is determined so that the rate of change of the position of the right end of the current focus position gauge G is constant. In other words, for example, when the user rotates the zoom ring 39 a at a constant speed, the display position of the boundary position indicator BD is determined so that the angle of view changes at a constant rate in both the power zoom range and the high-resolution zoom range.

[0135] When determining the display position of the boundary position indication BD, the body-side control unit 23 can obtain the following values ​​(input values): The body-side control unit 23 executes the process of determining the display position of the boundary position indication BD every time the power is turned on or the interchangeable lens 3 is attached to the camera body 2.

[0136] (a) PZ_B_MAX: maximum power zoom magnification (optical magnification information obtainable from the interchangeable lens 3) (b) HRZ_B_MAX: maximum high-resolution zoom magnification (electronic magnification information obtainable from the camera body 2) (c) PZ_B: current power zoom magnification (obtained from the interchangeable lens 3) (d) HRZ_B: current high-resolution zoom magnification (obtained from the camera body 2) (e) PZ_Z: current gauge position for power zoom alone (virtual gauge position similar to that displayed when power zoom is not linked. 0 to 100) (f) HRZ_Z: current gauge position for high-resolution zoom alone (virtual gauge position similar to that displayed when high-resolution zoom is not linked. 0 to 100) (g) Z_MAX: maximum value of composite gauge position (fixed value; in the case of Figure 17(a) , Z_MAX = 100)

[0137] The body side control unit 23 performs the following calculation using the above input values.

[0138] First, the body side control unit 23 calculates the power / high-resolution combined maximum magnification (PZHRZ_B_MAX) from the power zoom maximum magnification (PZ_B_MAX) and the high-resolution zoom maximum magnification (HRZ_B_MAX) based on the following formula (1). The power / high-resolution combined maximum magnification means the maximum magnification of the current camera system 1. PZHRZ_B_MAX = PZ_B_MAX × HRZ_B_MAX (1)

[0139] Next, the body-side control unit 23 calculates the power zoom gauge ratio (power zoom ratio R_PZ) and the high-resolution zoom gauge ratio (high-resolution zoom ratio R_HRZ) from the power / high-resolution combined maximum magnification (PZHRZ_B_MAX) and the power zoom maximum magnification (PZ_B_MAX) based on the following equations (2) and (3). The power zoom gauge ratio (R_PZ) means the distance from the W end to the boundary position display BD when the distance between the W end and the T end of the extended indicator EI is set to "1". The high-resolution zoom gauge ratio (R_HRZ) means the distance from the boundary position display to the T end when the distance between the W end and the T end of the extended indicator EI is set to "1". R_PZ = LogPZHRZ_B_MAXPZ_B_MAX (2) R_HRZ = 1 - R_PZ (3)

[0140] Next, the body side control unit 23 calculates the boundary display position (Z_PZMAX) shown in FIG. 17A from the maximum value of the composite gauge position (Z_MAX) and the power zoom gauge ratio (R_PZ) based on the following equation (4). Note that the calculated value is rounded off to the nearest whole number: Z_PZMAX = R_PZ × Z_MAX (4)

[0141] Next, the body side control unit 23 calculates the current composite gauge position (Z) shown in FIG. 17A based on the power zoom gauge ratio (R_PZ) calculated from the above formula (2), the high-resolution zoom gauge ratio (R_HRZ) calculated from the above formula (3), the current gauge position of the power zoom alone (PZ_Z), and the current gauge position of the high-resolution zoom alone (HRZ_Z) using the following formula (5). Note that the calculated value is rounded to the nearest integer. Z = (PZ_Z × R_PZ) + (HRZ_Z × R_HRZ) ... (5)

[0142] The body side control unit 23 generates an extended indicator EI using the determined boundary display position (Z_PZMAX) and the combined current gauge position (Z), and displays it on the display unit 28. At this time, the change in the position of the right end of the current focus position gauge G, which indicates the focal length, is linear with the change in the angle of view.

[0143] (Specific Example 1) For example, assume that the wide-angle end (W end) focal length is 28 mm, the telephoto end (T end) focal length is 135 mm, and the current focal length is 100 mm. Also assume that the high-resolution zoom maximum magnification (HRZ_B_MAX) is 1.4x and the current high-resolution zoom magnification (HRZ_B) is 1.0x. In other words, assume that the user is performing an operation in the power zoom range.

[0144] In this case, the maximum power zoom magnification (PZ_B_MAX) is 135 / 28 = 4.82x. The current power zoom magnification (PZ_B) is 100 / 28 = 3.57x. The current gauge position (PZ_Z) for power zoom alone is 80 according to a predetermined formula. The current gauge position (HRZ_Z) for high-resolution zoom alone is 0.

[0145] In this case, the combined maximum power / high-resolution magnification (PZHRZ_B_MAX) can be calculated from the above formula (1) as follows: PZHRZ_B_MAX = 4.82 × 1.4 ≒ 6.75 (times)

[0146] The power zoom gauge ratio (R_PZ) and the high-resolution zoom gauge ratio (R_HRZ) can be calculated from the above formulas (2) and (3) as follows: R_PZ = Log 6.754.82≒0.82 R_HRZ=1-0.82=0.13

[0147] Therefore, the boundary display position (Z_PZMAX) can be calculated from the above formula (4) as follows: Z_PZMAX = 0.82 × 100 = 82

[0148] Then, the composite current gauge position (Z) is calculated from the above formula (5) as follows: Z = (80 x 0.82) + (0 x 0.18) = 66

[0149] In this case, if the W end is set to "0" and the T end to "100" as shown in Figure 17(b), the boundary position display BD is displayed at the position "82". Also, the right end of the current focal length gauge is at the position "66".

[0150] (Specific Example 2) For example, under the same conditions (wide-angle end (W end) focal length is 28 mm, telephoto end (T end) focal length is 135 mm, and high-resolution zoom maximum magnification (HRZ_B_MAX) is 1.4x), assume that the current focal length is 135 mm and the current high-resolution zoom magnification (HRZ_B) is 1.2x. In other words, assume that the user is operating in the high-resolution zoom range.

[0151] In this case, the boundary display position (Z_PZMAX) is 82, just like in Example 1. Also, the current gauge position (HRZ_Z) for high-resolution zoom alone is (1.2-1.0) / (1.4-1.0) x 100 = 50, so the combined current gauge position (Z) can be calculated from the above formula (5) as follows: Z = (100 x 0.82) + (50 x 0.18) = 91

[0152] 17C, if the W end is "0" and the T end is "100", the boundary position display BD is displayed at the position "82". Also, the right end of the current focus position gauge G is at the position "91".

[0153] (Regarding the amount of zoom ring operation in high-resolution zoom) In this embodiment, in the extended-type cooperative processing, the change in zoom relative to the rotation angle of the zoom ring 39a in the power zoom region is matched with the change in zoom relative to the rotation angle of the zoom ring 39a in the high-resolution zoom region so that the operation feel of the zoom ring 39a is the same in both the power zoom region and the high-resolution zoom region.

[0154] Specifically, the zoom ring operation amount threshold (α) for high-resolution zoom is changed in the following manner according to the angle setting of the zoom ring 39a (the set value of the rotation angle of the zoom ring 39a assigned to power zoom) and the power zoom magnification of the attached interchangeable lens 3. Note that the zoom ring operation amount threshold (α) for high-resolution zoom is a value that indicates how many pulses are assigned to each stop zoom position when the zoom ring 39a is operated in the high-resolution zoom range. Also, the stop zoom position refers to a position on the zoom ring 39a at which high-resolution zoom is operated, and the number of stop zoom positions refers to that number.

[0155] Here, the values ​​(input values) that can be acquired by the body side control unit 23 are as follows:

[0156] (a) Ring_Std_Pls: Reference pulse count in ring detection resolution notification (information indicating the number of pulses output per rotation of the zoom ring 39a) (b) f_Wide: Wide-angle end focal length (acquired from the interchangeable lens 3) (c) f_Tele: Telephoto end focal length (acquired from the interchangeable lens 3) (d) ρ: Increasing coefficient (fixed value) which is a factor used to multiply the number of pulses of the ring operation amount acquired from the lens in high-resolution zoom processing. By increasing the number of pulses along with the number of zoom stop positions, a resolution that can be expressed by the zoom ring operation amount threshold (α) is ensured.) (e) R_HRZ_real: Number of zoom stop positions (fixed value) (f) HRZ_B_MAX: High-resolution zoom maximum magnification (fixed value) (g) Θ_PZ: Power zoom angle (menu setting value)

[0157] The body side control unit 23 performs the following calculation using the above input values.

[0158] First, the body side control unit 23 calculates the maximum power zoom magnification (PZ_B_MAX) from the wide-angle end focal length (f_Wide) and the telephoto end focal length (f_Tele) based on the following equation (6): PZ_B_MAX=f_Tele / f_Wide (6)

[0159] Next, the body side control unit 23 calculates the power / high-resolution combined maximum magnification (PZHRZ_B_MAX) from the power zoom maximum magnification (PZ_B_MAX) calculated using the above formula (6) and the high-resolution zoom maximum magnification (HRZ_B_MAX) based on the following formula (7): PZHRZ_B_MAX=PZ_B_MAX×HRZ_B_MAX (7)

[0160] Next, the body side control unit 23 calculates the power zoom ratio (R_PZ) from the power / high-resolution combined maximum magnification (PZHRZ_B_MAX) calculated using the above formula (7) and the power zoom maximum magnification (PZ_B_MAX) based on the following formula (8): R_PZ = LogPZHRZ_B_MAXPZ_B_MAX (8)

[0161] Next, the body side control unit 23 calculates the power / high-resolution combined angle (Θ_Z) and the high-resolution zoom angle (Θ_HRZ) from the power zoom angle (Θ_PZ) and the power zoom ratio (R_PZ) calculated using the above formula (8) based on the following formulas (9) and (10): Θ_Z = Θ_PZ / R_PZ (9) Θ_HRZ = Θ_Z - Θ_PZ (10)

[0162] The body-side control unit 23 then calculates the zoom ring operation amount threshold (α) from the number of zoom stop positions (R_HRZ_real), the number of reference pulses in the ring detection resolution notification (Ring_Std_Pls), the padding coefficient (ρ), and the high-resolution zoom angle (Θ_HRZ) based on the following equation (11). Note that decimals are rounded off: α = (Ring_Std_Pls × ρ) / (R_HRZ_real - 1) × Θ_HRZ / 360 ... (11)

[0163] (Specific example) For example, assume that the wide-angle end focal length (f_Wide) is 30 mm, the telephoto end focal length (f_Tele) is 150 mm, the inflating coefficient (ρ) is 1024, the number of zoom stop positions (R_HRZ_real) is 15361, the high-resolution zoom maximum magnification (HRZ_B_MAX) is 2, and the power zoom angle (Θ_PZ) is 90°.

[0164] In this case, the maximum power zoom magnification (PZ_B_MAX) is calculated from the above formula (6) as follows: PZ_B_MAX=150 / 30=5 (times).

[0165] Furthermore, the maximum combined power / high-resolution magnification (PZHRZ_B_MAX) is calculated from the above formula (7) as follows: PZHRZ_B_MAX = 5 x 2 = 10 (times).

[0166] In addition, the power zoom ratio (R_PZ) is calculated from the above formula (8): R_PZ = Log 10 5 = 0.69897.

[0167] Furthermore, from the above equations (9) and (10), the power / high-resolution combined angle (Θ_Z) and the high-resolution zoom angle (Θ_HRZ) are calculated as follows: Θ_Z = 90 / 0.69897 = 128.76089 Θ_HRZ = 128.76089 - 90 = 38.76089

[0168] In this example, by setting the high-resolution zoom angle to approximately 39° while the power zoom angle is 90°, the feel of operating the zoom ring 39a can be made the same in both the power zoom range and the high-resolution zoom range.

[0169] If the reference pulse number (Ring_Std_Pls) in the ring detection resolution notification is 5758, then the zoom ring operation amount threshold (α) is calculated from the above equation (11) as follows: α = (5758 × 1024) / (15361 - 1) × 38.76089 / 360 ≈ 41.

[0170] The zoom ring operation amount threshold (α) may be calculated each time the interchangeable lens 3 is replaced or the setting (power zoom angle (Θ_PZ)) is changed, or values ​​of the high-resolution zoom angle (Θ_HRZ) and the zoom ring operation amount threshold (α) corresponding to each combination of the power zoom angle (Θ_PZ) (menu setting value) and the high-resolution zoom angle corresponding to the ring detection resolution notification may be stored in a table for each interchangeable lens 3. If these values ​​are stored in a table, Θ_HRZ and α can be determined easily and quickly each time the interchangeable lens 3 is replaced or the setting (power zoom angle (Θ_PZ)) is changed.

[0171] Note that in the above description, a case has been described in which the user sets the power zoom angle (Θ_PZ) (e.g., Θ_PZ = 90°) in the menu settings, but this is not limited to this. The user may also set the sum of the power zoom angle (Θ_PZ) and the high-resolution zoom angle (Θ_HRZ) (i.e., the power / high-resolution combined angle (Θ_Z)) in the menu settings. In this case, the body-side control unit 23 determines appropriate power zoom angle (Θ_PZ) and high-resolution zoom angle (Θ_HRZ) based on the power / high-resolution combined angle (Θ_Z). The user may also set the high-resolution zoom angle (Θ_HRZ) in the menu settings. In this case, the body-side control unit 23 determines appropriate power zoom angle (Θ_PZ) based on the high-resolution zoom angle (Θ_HRZ).

[0172] (Variations) In this embodiment, when zooming is performed quickly, changing (switching) the values ​​of the lens focal length FL and the composite focal length FC in real time in response to zooming can potentially make the values ​​difficult to read. For this reason, the body-side control unit 23 may switch the display (update the values) each time the values ​​of the lens focal length FL and the composite focal length FC change by a predetermined amount. That is, the values ​​of the lens focal length FL and the composite focal length FC may be thinned out before display. Note that the values ​​may be thinned out when the zooming speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined speed, and may not be thinned out when the zooming speed is less than the predetermined speed. Instead of thinning out the values, the body-side control unit 23 may set the display update frequency of the display unit 28 to a frequency that does not make the values ​​difficult to read, and acquire information used for display control (the amount of operation of the operation units 29 and 39) at the same frequency as this update frequency. This prevents the values ​​from becoming difficult to read, similar to when the values ​​are thinned out before displaying.

[0173] In this embodiment, the zoom operation speed may be displayed by an icon or the like on the display unit 28. For example, the zoom operation speed may be divided into multiple stages, and displayed in order of decreasing speed as ">", ">>", ">>>" (or "<", "<<", "<<<") or the like. Alternatively, the speed may be displayed in text, such as "fast", "normal", or "slow". By displaying the speed in this manner, the user can easily check the zoom speed when performing a zoom operation using the zoom lever 29b, 39b or the like.

[0174] In this embodiment, the extendable indicator EI may be provided with a scale (25%, 50%, 75%, etc.), which allows the user to appropriately perform zoom operations while looking at the scale.

[0175] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the camera body 2 is equipped with a body mount 21 to which the interchangeable lens 3 can be attached or detached, and a body control unit 23 that receives optical zoom information (power zoom maximum magnification (PZ_B_MAX)) that indicates the range of magnification that can be changed for the optical zoom of the optical system of the interchangeable lens 3, and changes the size of the display that indicates the range of magnification that can be changed for the optical zoom on the display unit 28 (the length from the wide end of the extended indicator EI to the boundary position display BD, and the position of the boundary position display BD relative to the wide end of the extended indicator EI) based on the optical zoom information. This makes it possible to adjust the size of the display that indicates the range of magnification that can be changed for the power zoom to an appropriate size, thereby improving user operability.

[0176] The camera body 2 of this embodiment also includes an image sensor 27 that captures a subject image and outputs the captured image data, and a body-side control unit 23 that generates image data in which the subject image appears to be magnified by performing electronic zoom (high-resolution zoom), and the body-side control unit 23 displays on the display unit 28 the range in which power zoom magnification can be changed (the length from the W end of the extend indicator EI to the boundary position display BD) and the range in which high-resolution zoom magnification can be changed (the length from the boundary position display BD to the T end of the extend indicator EI). In this case, the range in which high-resolution zoom magnification can be changed is also displayed appropriately in accordance with the range in which power zoom magnification can be changed, which is displayed at an appropriate size, thereby improving user operability.

[0177] The body-side control unit 23 also acquires electronic magnification information (high-resolution zoom maximum magnification (HRZ_B_MAX)) that indicates the range of magnification that can be changed with electronic zoom, and displays (extended indicator EI) on the display unit 28 that indicates the relative sizes of the range of magnification that can be changed with optical zoom and the range of magnification that can be changed with electronic zoom, based on the optical magnification information (power zoom maximum magnification (PZ_B_MAX)) and the electronic magnification information (high-resolution zoom maximum magnification (HRZ_B_MAX)). This allows the range of magnification that can be changed with power zoom and the range of magnification that can be changed with high-resolution zoom to be displayed at an appropriate size (ratio), thereby improving user operability.

[0178] In this embodiment, when the extended indicator EI is displayed, the position of the boundary position indicator BD is determined as described above, and the high-resolution zoom angle (Θ_HRZ) and the zoom ring operation amount threshold (α) are also determined, so that the ratio of the display sizes of the power zoom region and the high-resolution zoom region on the extended indicator EI is equal to the ratio of the operation amount of the zoom ring 39a required to operate the entire power zoom region to the operation amount of the zoom ring 39a required to operate the entire high-resolution zoom region, thereby improving user operability.

[0179] The extend indicator EI is an indicator that shows the power zoom and high-resolution zoom ranges as a continuous line, allowing the user to intuitively recognize the extent to which the zoom operation has been performed.

[0180] Furthermore, the extend indicator EI displays a boundary (boundary position display BD) between the range of power zoom magnification changeable and the range of high-resolution zoom magnification changeable, and even if the range of power zoom magnification changeable is changed by changing the interchangeable lens 3, the display range of the indicator does not change, but the position of the boundary position display BD is changed. This makes it possible to appropriately express the relative size relationship between the range of power zoom magnification changeable and the range of high-resolution zoom magnification changeable without changing the size of the entire extend indicator EI.

[0181] In this embodiment, the body-side control unit 23 repeatedly receives the focal length of the interchangeable lens 3 and displays a display (current focal position gauge G) indicating the received focal length at the corresponding position on the indicator, with the position of the display indicating the focal length changing linearly with the change in the angle of view. This makes it possible to appropriately display the current lens focal length or composite focal length on the extended indicator EI.

[0182] Furthermore, the body-side control unit 23 starts displaying the extendable indicator EI (step S506 in FIG. 12) at the timing when it receives an operation signal from the operation unit 29, 39. This allows the extendable indicator EI to be displayed at a timing required by the user, thereby improving usability for the user.

[0183] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the body-side control unit 23 displays the product (composite focal length FC) of the focal length of the interchangeable lens 3 (lens focal length) and the magnification of the electronic zoom (high-resolution zoom) on the display unit 28. This allows the user to perform zoom operations while checking information about the lens focal length and the composite focal length obtained by high-resolution zoom.

[0184] In this embodiment, the body-side control unit 23 performs extended control (extended cooperative processing) that selects and performs either power zoom or high-resolution zoom, and synchronized control (synchronized cooperative processing) that performs power zoom and high-resolution zoom simultaneously. This allows the user to select between extended cooperative processing and synchronized cooperative processing according to their preference.

[0185] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when high-resolution zoom is not being performed, the lens focal length FL is displayed, and when high-resolution zoom is being performed, the composite focal length FC (the product of the lens focal length and the high-resolution zoom magnification) is displayed instead of the lens focal length FL. This allows the appropriate focal length display to be performed whether high-resolution zoom is being performed or not.

[0186] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the extend-type cooperative processing is being performed, the body-side control unit 23 displays icons (second and third icons IC and IC3) indicating whether power zoom or high-resolution zoom is being performed on the display unit 28. This allows the user to easily check whether power zoom or high-resolution zoom is currently being performed during the extend-type cooperative processing.

[0187] In the above embodiment, the extended indicator EI is an indicator such as that shown in FIG. 14( b), but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in FIG. 19( a), the power zoom indicator and the high-resolution zoom indicator may be displayed side by side. The example in FIG. 19( a) shows a case where the power zoom lens focal length is 50 mm and the high-resolution zoom magnification is 1.3x. In this case, in addition to displaying the lens focal length and the high-resolution zoom magnification, the combined focal length (65 mm: the product of the lens focal length and the high-resolution zoom magnification) may also be displayed. Note that in the example in FIG. 19( a), the lengths of the power zoom indicator and the high-resolution zoom indicator may be different. In this case, the ratio between the lengths of the power zoom indicator and the high-resolution zoom indicator can be adjusted based on the position of the boundary position indicator BD described above. For example, if the boundary position indicator BD is at 80, the ratio between the lengths of the power zoom indicator and the high-resolution zoom indicator can be set to 80:20, or 4:1. In the example of FIG. 19A, the combined focal length may be displayed, and the lens focal length and the current high-resolution zoom magnification may not be displayed.

[0188] In the case of synchronized cooperation processing, an indicator display such as that shown in Fig. 19(b) may be used. In the case of Fig. 19(b), the combined focal length may be displayed together with or instead of the power zoom lens focal length and high-resolution zoom magnification. In the case of normal processing, an indicator display such as that shown in Fig. 19(c) may be used.

[0189] In the above embodiment, an interchangeable lens for a camera has been described as an example of an accessory, but the accessory is not limited to an interchangeable lens. The accessory may be, for example, a teleconverter, wide-angle converter, or close-up ring that is attached between the camera body and the interchangeable lens to change the focal length of the interchangeable lens. Alternatively, the accessory may be a mount adapter that allows accessories, including interchangeable lenses with other mount standards, to be attached to the mount standard of the camera body described above. Other adapters may also be used. In other words, the accessory may be anything that can be attached to the mount of the camera body.

[0190] Furthermore, the accessories are not limited to camera accessories that are directly attached to the camera body for use, but may also be, for example, lens accessories that are attached to an interchangeable lens, which is a camera accessory, or adapters that receive instructions from the camera body and act on the interchangeable lens.

[0191] The focal length information may include multiple types of focal length information, such as focal length information used to control the camera body, focal length information used to display focal length information, etc. The focal length information communicated between the interchangeable lens and the camera body may be a focal length value, zoom position information, or lens position information, as long as it is a value that can ultimately be converted into the focal length of the interchangeable lens.

[0192] The above-described embodiment is a preferred example of implementation, but is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist, and any constituent elements may be combined.

[0193] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 camera system 2 camera body 3 interchangeable lens 23 body control unit 24 body communication unit 27 image sensor 28 display unit 29 body operation unit 34 lens communication unit 39 lens operation unit

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising: a mount section to which an interchangeable lens having an optical system capable of forming an image of a subject and capable of optical zoom to change the focal length of said optical system can be attached and detached; a receiver section that receives optical zoom information indicating the range of magnification that can be changed by the optical zoom of said optical system; and a display section that changes the position of a display indicating the range of magnification that can be changed by the optical zoom based on the optical zoom information.

2. An imaging device according to claim 1, comprising: an imaging unit that captures an image of the subject and outputs the image data; and a generation unit that generates image data in which the subject image appears to be magnified by performing electronic zoom, wherein the display unit displays a range in which the optical zoom can be changed and a range in which the electronic zoom can be changed.

3. An imaging device as described in claim 2, further comprising an acquisition unit that acquires electronic zoom information indicating the range of magnification that can be changed by the electronic zoom, and the display unit performs a display that indicates the relative sizes of the range of magnification that can be changed by the optical zoom and the range of magnification that can be changed by the electronic zoom based on the optical zoom information and the electronic zoom information.

4. An imaging device comprising: a mount section to which an interchangeable lens having an optical system capable of forming an image of a subject and capable of optical zooming to change the focal length of the optical system can be attached / detached; a receiver section that receives optical zoom information indicating the range of magnification that can be changed by the optical system; a generator section that generates image data in which the subject image appears to be magnified by performing electronic zoom; an acquirer section that acquires electronic zoom information indicating the range of magnification that can be changed by the electronic zoom; and a display section that displays the relative sizes of the range of magnification that can be changed by the optical zoom and the range of magnification that can be changed by the electronic zoom based on the optical zoom information and the electronic zoom information.

5. An imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the display unit displays an indicator that shows the range of magnification that can be changed by the optical zoom and the range of magnification that can be changed by the electronic zoom as a continuous line.

6. The imaging device of claim 5, wherein the display unit displays a boundary between the range of magnification possible for the optical zoom and the range of magnification possible for the electronic zoom on the indicator, and even if the range of magnification possible for the optical zoom is changed by changing the interchangeable lens, the display range of the indicator does not change, but the position of the display showing the boundary is changed.

7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the receiving unit repeatedly receives the focal length of the interchangeable lens, the display unit displays an indication of the received focal length at a corresponding position on the indicator, and the change in the position of the indication indicating the focal length is linear with the change in the angle of view.

8. An imaging device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising an operation amount receiving unit that receives an operation signal from an operation unit that allows a user to instruct a magnification change operation, and the display unit starts displaying the indicator when it receives that the operation unit has been operated.

9. The imaging device according to claim 8, wherein the display unit displays a value indicating the focal length of the interchangeable lens, and when it receives a notification that the operation unit has been operated, it displays the indicator and changes the display position of the value indicating the focal length that was previously displayed so that it is closer to the indicator.

10. An imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, further comprising an operation amount receiving unit that receives an operation signal from an operation unit that allows a user to instruct a magnification change operation, said operation amount receiving unit receiving the operation amount from said operation unit at the same frequency as the update frequency of the display on said display unit.

11. An imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, further comprising an operation amount receiving unit that receives an operation signal from an operation unit that allows a user to instruct a magnification change operation, wherein the ratio of the size of the display on said display unit that indicates the range of magnification change available for said optical zoom to the size of the display that indicates the range of magnification change available for said electronic zoom is equal to the ratio of the amount of operation of said operation unit that is required to change the entire range of magnification change available for said optical zoom to the amount of operation of said operation unit that is required to change the entire range of magnification change available for said electronic zoom.

12. An imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, further comprising a setting unit that sets an operation amount of an operation unit that allows a user to instruct a magnification change operation, wherein when the user sets an operation amount of the operation unit that corresponds to the range of magnification change possible for the optical zoom, the setting unit sets an operation amount that corresponds to the range of magnification change possible for the electronic zoom based on the optical magnification change information and electronic magnification change information that indicates the range of magnification change possible for the electronic zoom.

13. An imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, further comprising a setting unit that sets an operation amount of an operation unit that allows a user to instruct a magnification change operation, wherein when the user sets an operation amount of the operation unit that corresponds to a range of magnification change possible by both the optical zoom and the electronic zoom, the setting unit determines an operation amount corresponding to the range of magnification change possible by the optical zoom and an operation amount corresponding to the range of magnification change possible by the electronic zoom, respectively, based on the optical magnification change information and electronic magnification change information that indicates the range of magnification change possible by the electronic zoom.

Images