Electronic camera

Abstract

An imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light, a buffer memory which temporarily stores image data being output from the imaging element, a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element, and a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on a number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.

1 . An electronic camera comprising: 
       an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light;
 a buffer memory which temporarily stores image data being output from the imaging element; 
 a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element; and 
 a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on a number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously. 
 
     
     
         2 . The electronic camera according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and   the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory.   
     
     
         3 . The electronic camera according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory and a threshold value set in advance.   
     
     
         4 . The electronic camera according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory exceeds the threshold value.   
     
     
         5 . An electronic camera comprising:
 an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light;   a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element; and   a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on an output interval of the image data when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.   
     
     
         6 . The electronic camera according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the plurality of image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and   the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the output interval of the image data.   
     
     
         7 . The electronic camera according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the output interval of the image data and a threshold value set in advance.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic camera according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the output interval of the image data is less than or equal to the threshold value.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic camera according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the output interval of the image data is obtained by measuring a time from a vertical synchronizing signal output at the time of start of imaging to a vertical synchronizing signal to be output next.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic camera according to  claim 5 , comprising
 a setting operation unit to be operated when setting the output interval of the image data.   
     
     
         11 . An electronic camera comprising:
 an imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light;   a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on mage data output from the imaging element; and   a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on an output resolution of the image data output from the imaging element when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic camera according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the plurality of image processing units include a first image processing unit which operates regardless of an output state of image data output from the imaging element and a second image processing unit operated by the control unit, and   the control unit causes the second image processing unit to operate based on the output resolution of the image data.   
     
     
         13 . The electronic camera according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate based on a result of a comparison between the output resolution of the image data and a threshold value set in advance.   
     
     
         14 . The electronic camera according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the control unit causes the image processing unit that performs image processing on each piece of the image data output continuously to operate when the output resolution of the image data exceeds the threshold value.   
     
     
         15 . The electronic camera according to  claim 1 , 
       wherein
 the control unit stops the image processing unit operated by the control unit when image processing is completed in at least each of the image processing units operated. 
 
     
     
         16 . The electronic camera according to  claim 5 , 
       wherein
 the control unit stops the image processing unit operated by the control unit when image processing is completed in at least each of the image processing units operated. 
 
     
     
         17 . The electronic camera according to  claim 11 , 
       wherein
 the control unit stops the image processing unit operated by the control unit when image processing is completed in at least each of the image processing units operated.