Abstract: An apparatus, method, and software stored on a computer-readable storage medium, for correctly reduce noise included in image data regardless of the characteristics of the image data. The noise reduction apparatus and method employ a determinator for determining whether a target pixel of image data corresponds to a flat portion, an edge portion, or a gradation portion based on a pixel value of the target pixel and pixel values of neighboring pixels of the target pixel; and a noise reduction unit for reducing noise included in the image data based on a result of the determining by the determinator.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and image processing method generate a motion picture with smooth zooming changes when a user manually operates a zoom lens while the motion picture is being captured. The image capturing apparatus includes a recording unit in which a plurality of images that are captured while a zoom lens, which enlarges or reduces images of an object, is manually operated by a user, and in which focal lengths corresponding to the plurality of images are recorded; a focal length calculating unit that calculates smoothing focal lengths based on the recorded focal lengths for smooth chronological variations of focal lengths; and an image generating unit that generates smoothing images having a viewing angle corresponding to the smoothing focal length based on the smoothing focal length, the recorded focal lengths, and the recorded image data.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and software stored on a computer-readable storage medium, for correctly reduce noise included in image data regardless of the characteristics of the image data. The noise reduction apparatus and method employ a determinator for determining whether a target pixel of image data corresponds to a flat portion, an edge portion, or a gradation portion based on a pixel value of the target pixel and pixel values of neighboring pixels of the target pixel; and a noise reduction unit for reducing noise included in the image data based on a result of the determining by the determinator.

Abstract: Provided are an electro-optical split image focusing apparatus and method through which an in-focus position of a photographed plane with respect to the image of a subject can be detected with accuracy and speed. The apparatus comprises at least one electro-optical element disposed along an optical axis between a subject and a photographed plane. The electro-optical element is characterized by a refractive index that varies with distance along a perpendicular to the optical axis when a voltage is applied. An image of the subject is transmitted toward the photographed plane through the electro-optical element.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes a first digital zoom device, a second digital zoom device capable of zooming at a higher magnification power than the first digital zoom device, a manipulation unit for performing manipulation of zoom, and a conversion unit for performing conversion between the first and second digital zoom devices when a predetermined magnification power is reached through the manipulation of the manipulation unit. A photographing method includes performing zoom manipulation, determining whether a magnification power according to the zoom manipulation reaches a predetermined reference magnification power to convert between a first digital zoom device and a second digital zoom device capable of zooming at a higher magnification power than the first digital zoom device, and converting the first digital zoom device and the second digital zoom device when the magnification power reaches the predetermined magnification.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and image processing method generate a motion picture with smooth zooming changes when a user manually operates a zoom lens while the motion picture is being captured. The image capturing apparatus includes a recording unit in which a plurality of images that are captured while a zoom lens, which enlarges or reduces images of an object, is manually operated by a user, and in which focal lengths corresponding to the plurality of images are recorded; a focal length calculating unit that calculates smoothing focal lengths based on the recorded focal lengths for smooth chronological variations of focal lengths; and an image generating unit that generates smoothing images having a viewing angle corresponding to the smoothing focal length based on the smoothing focal length, the recorded focal lengths, and the recorded image data.

Abstract: Provided are an electro-optical split image focusing apparatus and method through which an in-focus position of a photographed plane with respect to the image of a subject can be detected with accuracy and speed. The apparatus comprises at least one electro-optical element disposed along an optical axis between a subject and a photographed plane. The electro-optical element is characterized by a refractive index that varies with distance along a perpendicular to the optical axis when a voltage is applied. An image of the subject is transmitted toward the photographed plane through the electro-optical element.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and software stored on a computer-readable storage medium, for correctly reduce noise included in image data regardless of the characteristics of the image data. The noise reduction apparatus and method employ a determinator for determining whether a target pixel of image data corresponds to a flat portion, an edge portion, or a gradation portion based on a pixel value of the target pixel and pixel values of neighboring pixels of the target pixel; and a noise reduction unit for reducing noise included in the image data based on a result of the determining by the determinator.

Abstract: When shooting is made, an electronic camera selects a correction mode and a correction condition, which reflect the shooting intention of a user with the highest accuracy when a visible image is formed, based on a set shooting mode, a condition for image capturing at the time of shooting, and a camera mode. The electronic camera then associating the correction mode and the correction condition with the image data obtained by shooting, and records the mode and the condition in association with the image data on a memory card. When a printer prints an image based on the image data, it performs a process for a correction when a visible image is formed, based on the correction mode and the correction condition, which are associated with the image data.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an image shooting section which obtains at least one set of image data by shooting. A metadata creating section creates metadata including a plurality of data elements indicative of information concerning the at least one set of image data obtained by the image shooting section. A recording section records in a recording medium at least one file having a first format in which metadata is added to the at least one set of image data and a file having a second format including metadata only.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes a first digital zoom device, a second digital zoom device capable of zooming at a higher magnification power than the first digital zoom device, a manipulation unit for performing manipulation of zoom, and a conversion unit for performing conversion between the first and second digital zoom devices when a predetermined magnification power is reached through the manipulation of the manipulation unit. A photographing method includes performing zoom manipulation, determining whether a magnification power according to the zoom manipulation reaches a predetermined reference magnification power to convert between a first digital zoom device and a second digital zoom device capable of zooming at a higher magnification power than the first digital zoom device, and converting the first digital zoom device and the second digital zoom device when the magnification power reaches the predetermined magnification.

Abstract: A noise reduction system comprises an inputting unit inputting image data, and a noise reduction unit performing a process for removing noise of the image data input by the inputting unit. The noise reduction unit includes a representative value calculating unit calculating a representative value from the level values of a plurality of pixels in a predetermined direction, which include an observed pixel of the input image data, a representative value selecting unit selecting one representative value according to a predetermined condition from among a plurality of representative values which are calculated by the representative value calculating unit and correspond to a plurality of directions, and a replacing unit replacing the level value of the observed pixel with the representative value selected by the representative value selecting unit.

Abstract: A still imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, a storage device, and a positional displacement correcting device. The imaging device continuously executes imaging of a plurality of times with exposure amounts different from each other. The storage device stores a plurality of original images acquired by the imaging of the plurality of times executed by the imaging device. The positional displacement detecting device detects positional displacements of common objects included in the plurality of original images stored in the storage device and stores a plurality of corrected original images whose positional displacements are corrected based on detected positional displacements in the storage device through updating.

Abstract: A digital camera has an adjustment value creating part configured to create an adjustment value for adjusting a white balance of an image, and an adjusting part configured to adjust the white balance of the image based on an adjustment value output from the adjustment value creating part. The adjustment value creating part comprises a calculating part configured to calculate a first adjustment value based on image data obtained by taking a subject image, an evaluating part configured to evaluate a reliability of the first adjustment value, an adjustment value correcting part configured to correct the first adjustment value based on input data when the evaluating part evaluates that the reliability of the first adjustment value is low, and create a second adjustment value, and an adjustment value outputting part configured to output the second adjustment value to the adjusting part.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an image shooting section which obtains at least one set of image data by shooting. A metadata creating section creates metadata comprising a plurality of data elements indicative of information concerning the at least one set of image data obtained by the image shooting section. A recording section records in a recording medium at least one file having a first format in which metadata is added to the at least one set of image data and a file having a second format comprising metadata only.

Abstract: An electronic camera, which is capable of obtaining a more appropriate exposure even when taking a picture by an electric flash photograph, comprises a light emission section for emitting a preliminary light prior to a main photograph and emitting a main light upon taking a picture with respect to a object, a pickup device for receiving an object image in the preliminary light emission and converting a light into electricity to obtain a photograph signal, an amplifying section for amplifying the photograph signal which is obtained by the pickup device and a setting section for setting a gain of the amplifying section and a light emission amount in the main light emission on the basis of the photograph signal obtained in the preliminary light emission.

Abstract: An interpolation calculation circuit for improving the image quality for recording and display is provided. The interpolation calculation circuit interpolates a necessary pixel on the basis of interpolation calculation (cubic interpolation processing) by an approximate expression of an interpolation coefficient of at least 3rd-order. This cubic interpolation processing is applied to basic processing of an electronic camera, i.e., 3-CCD processing, format conversion, and image enlargement/reduction. In consideration of the operation load on the electronic camera, cubic interpolation processing is performed in accordance with the image sensing mode or the like only when it is necessary, thereby controlling whether execution of interpolation processing is enabled/disabled.

Abstract: A still imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, a storage device, and a positional displacement correcting device. The imaging device continuously executes imaging of a plurality of times with exposure amounts different from each other. The storage device stores a plurality of original images acquired by the imaging of the plurality of times executed by the imaging device. The positional displacement detecting device detects positional displacements of common objects included in the plurality of original images stored in the storage device and stores a plurality of corrected original images whose positional displacements are corrected based on detected positional displacements in the storage device through updating.

Abstract: A noise reduction system comprises an inputting unit inputting image data, and a noise reduction unit performing a process for removing noise of the image data input by the inputting unit. The noise reduction unit includes a representative value calculating unit calculating a representative value from the level values of a plurality of pixels in a predetermined direction, which include an observed pixel of the input image data, a representative value selecting unit selecting one representative value according to a predetermined condition from among a plurality of representative values which are calculated by the representative value calculating unit and correspond to a plurality of directions, and a replacing unit replacing the level value of the observed pixel with the representative value selected by the representative value selecting unit.

Abstract: A digital camera has an adjustment value creating part configured to create an adjustment value for adjusting a white balance of an image, and an adjusting part configured to adjust the white balance of the image based on an adjustment value output from the adjustment value creating part. The adjustment value creating part comprises a calculating part configured to calculate a first adjustment value based on image data obtained by taking a subject image, an evaluating part configured to evaluate a reliability of the first adjustment value, an adjustment value correcting part configured to correct the first adjustment value based on input data operated by a user, when the evaluating part evaluates that the reliability of the first adjustment value is low, and create a second adjustment value, and an adjustment value outputting part configured to output the second adjustment value to the adjusting part.