Camera capable of selecting compression ratio efficiency

An electronic camera which stores compressed image data upon a recording medium, comprising:

• an imaging device which forms an image of an object to be photographed and outputs digital image data;
• a data compression circuit which compresses said image data from said imaging device according to a predetermined compression ratio;
• a photometric device which measures a brightness of an object to be photographed;
• a compression ratio control circuit which derives and controls said compression ratio based at least upon said brightness measured by said photometric device;
• and
• a memory circuit which stores a program which specifies a relationship between said brightness, and shutter speed and aperture value,
• wherein said compression ratio control circuit derives said compression ratio based upon the aperture value determined from said brightness and from said program.

An electronic camera which stores compressed image data upon a recording medium, comprising:

• an imaging device which forms an image of an object to be photographed and outputs digital image data;
• a data compression circuit which compresses said image data from said imaging device according to a predetermined compression ratio;
• a photometric device which measures a brightness of an object to be photographed;
• a compression ratio control circuit which derives and controls said compression ratio based at least upon said brightness measured by said photometric device;
• a flash illumination device for illuminating the object to be photographed;
• and
• a decision circuit which decides whether or not a photographic condition is fulfilled in which said flash illumination device should be actuated to provide such illumination, wherein
• said compression ratio control circuit derives and controls said compression ratio based upon said brightness and upon the result of the decision performed by said decision circuit.

An electronic camera which stores compressed image data upon a recording medium, comprising:

• an imaging device which forms an image of an object to be photographed and outputs digital image data;
• a data compression circuit which compresses said image data from said imaging device according to a predetermined compression ratio;
• a photometric device which measures a brightness of an object to be photographed;
• a memory circuit which stores a plurality of programs which specify relationships, for obtaining particular results when performing photography, between said brightness, and shutter speed and aperture value;
• a program setting circuit which sets one from said plurality of programs;
• and
• a compression ratio control circuit which derives and controls said compression ratio based upon said one of said plurality of programs set by said program setting circuit.

A data recording method for an electronic camera for compressing digital image data and recording the compressed data upon a recording medium, comprising:

• the process of forming an image of an object to be photographed in an imaging device and outputting said digital image data;
• the process of setting an aperture value of an aperture device;
• the process of deriving a compression ratio based at least upon the aperture value of said aperture device;
• and
• the process of compressing said digital image data from said imaging device according to said derived compression ratio and recording the compressed data upon said recording medium.

A data recording method for an electronic camera for compressing digital image data and recording the compressed data upon a recording medium, comprising:

• the process of forming an image of an object to be photographed in an imaging device and outputting said digital image data;
• the process of measuring the brightness of said object to be photographed;
• the process of selecting and setting one from among a plurality of characteristic program lines, which specify a shutter speed and an aperture value based upon brightness, according to said measured brightness;
• the process of deriving a compression ratio based at least upon said set characteristic program line;
• and
• the process of compressing said digital image data from said imaging device according to said derived compression ratio and recording the compressed data upon said recording medium.

An electronic camera which stores compressed image data upon a recording medium, comprising:

• an imaging device which forms an image of an object to be photographed and outputs digital image data;
• a factor detecting section which detects a factor which causes changing of depth of field on said image which is formed by said imaging device;
• a data compression circuit which compresses said image data from said imaging device according to a predetermined compression ratio;
• and
• a compression ratio control circuit which controls said compression ratio for said compression circuit, based upon an output of said factor detecting section.

A data recording method for an electronic camera for compressing digital image data and recording the compressed data upon a recording medium, comprising:

• the process of forming an image of an object to be photographed in an imaging device and outputting said digital image data;
• the process of detecting a factor which causes changing of depth of field on said image of said object to be photographed in said imaging device;
• the process of deriving a compression ratio based upon said detected factor;
• and
• the process of compressing said digital image data from said imaging device according to said derived compression ratio and recording the compressed data upon said recording medium.