US 2003/0193600 A1 · Image capturing apparatus

Abstract

A digital camera obtains image data of a subject by a CCD. The CCD has, as image data output modes, a “normal mode” of outputting all of pixels of the image data at 60 fps and an “area-limited mode” of outputting an area including a limited focus area in the image data at 180 fps. The output mode of the CCD is set to the “normal mode” in a live-view operation. At the time of an auto-focus control, the output mode is switched at the intervals of {fraction (1/60)} second between the “area-limited mode” and the “normal mode”. While the output mode of the CCD is set to the “area-limited mode”, the state of a display screen of a liquid crystal monitor is held. Consequently, while performing auto-focus promptly, a subject image can be appropriately displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal monitor.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An image capturing apparatus comprising:

an image capturing part for obtaining an image of a subject via an optical system, said image capturing part having a first output mode of outputting first image data expressing a whole area of said image and a second output mode of outputting second image data including at least a focusing area of said image at higher speed as compared with said first output mode;
a focus controller for performing a focus control of said optical system by referring to said focusing area;
a display for displaying said image of said subject on a display screen on the basis of said first image data;
an image capturing controller for enabling said second output mode in performing said focus control;
and
a display controller for holding a state of said image of said subject on said display screen in said second output mode.

3 more elements

An image capturing apparatus comprising:

an image capturing part for obtaining an image of a subject via an optical system;
a focus controller for performing a focus control of said optical system;
and
an image display, wherein
said image capturing part has a first output mode of outputting first image data which is sufficient for both performing said focus control and displaying said image of said subject, and
a second output mode of outputting second image data which is sufficient for performing said focus control but is insufficient for displaying said image of said subject,
said image capturing apparatus further comprises a screen image generator for generating a screen image of said subject on the basis of the second image data, and
said screen image is displayed on said image display in said second output mode.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Image capturing apparatus

Life of this patent

Image capturing apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20