DIGITAL SINGLE-LENS REFLEX CAMERA

Abstract

A digital single-lens reflex camera with preview functionality is provided that includes an imaging device, a monitor, and a preview image display processor. The imaging device captures an image through a photographing lens. The monitor displays the image captured by the imaging device. The preview image display processor displays the preview image captured by the imaging device on a monitor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structures of an embodiment of a digital single-lens reflex camera;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the main processes;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a power-hold on loop (ph_on_loop) process;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts of a preview operation; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a preview image selecting process.

Claims

1. A digital single-lens reflex camera provided with preview functionality, comprising: a imaging device that captures an image through a photographing lens;a monitor that displays the image captured by said imaging device; anda preview image display processor that displays a preview image captured by said imaging device on a monitor.

2. A digital single-lens reflex camera according to claim 1, wherein said preview image display processor comprises an image enlarging processor that displays an enlarged version of the preview image on said monitor.

3. A digital single-lens reflex camera according to claim 2, further comprising an autofocus mechanism wherein said image enlarging processor enlarges the preview image around a position whereupon autofocus is performed.

4. A digital single-lens reflex camera according to claim 1, wherein said preview image display processor comprises an image information indication processor that indicates information relating to the preview image, on said monitor.

5. A digital single-lens reflex camera according to claim 1, wherein the information of said image information indication processor comprises at least one of a histogram of the preview image and a saturated area of the preview image.

6. A digital single-lens reflex camera according to claim 5, wherein said image information indication processor has the ability to superimpose said histogram on the preview image and to indicate said saturated area on the preview image; and has the ability to interchangeably display in turn, the preview image, the preview image superimposed with the histogram, and the preview image with the indication of the saturated area.

7. A digital single-lens reflex camera according to claim 1, further comprising the ability to store a plurality of preview images, and a preview image selection processor that is used to select a preview image to be displayed on said monitor from the plurality of preview images.

8. A digital single-lens reflex camera according to claim 1, further comprising an image storing processor that stores the preview image in a non-volatile memory.

9. A digital single-lens reflex camera according to claim 1, further comprising a mode switching device that switches between a digital preview mode and an optical preview mode, where said digital preview mode is a mode where the preview image is previewed on said monitor, and said optical preview mode is a mode where an optical image is previewed through said photographing lens.

10. A digital single-lens reflex camera according to claim 1, wherein said preview image display processor comprises a multi-display processor that displays multiple, reduced versions of a plurality of preview images on said monitor, and a preview image selection processor that is used to select a preview image to be displayed on said monitor from the plurality of preview images, which are multi-displayed on said monitor.