Abstract: In an electronic still camera in which the photoelectric conversion time, the photoelectric conversion output gain and the white balance setting are adjusted based on the previous photoelectric conversion output, flash light is emitted to assist distance measurement and pre-emission is performed for red eye reduction in flash photographing; the photoelectric conversion output is not used for the adjustment of the photoelectric conversion time, the photoelectric conversion output gain and the white balance setting or photoelectric conversion is not performed while the auxiliary light is being emitted. Alternatively, the auxiliary light is not emitted while photoelectric conversion is being performed.

Abstract: An image taking apparatus is provided with an image taking lens, a mirror which is capable of pivotally changing a position thereof between a first position where the mirror is disposed on an optical path of the image taking lens and a second position where the mirror is disposed off the optical path, and an image pick-up unit for picking up an optical image from the image taking lens. In accordance with the pivotal movement of the mirror, a driver moves the image pick-up unit along the optical direction of the image taking lens.

Abstract: In a digital camera, when flash shooting is performed, a maximum distance at which a subject can be illuminated to appropriate brightness is calculated based on the guide number of a flash and the open aperture value of an aperture stop, and the distance to the subject measured is compared with the maximum distance. If the distance to the subject is equal to or shorter than the maximum distance, the exposure time is set at a predetermined value, and the amount of the flash light emitted is controlled based on the amount of the light reflected from the subject, and white balance of the taken image is adjusted in accordance with the color characteristics of the flash light. If the distance to the subject is greater than the maximum distance, the exposure time is set to be longer than the predetermined value in order to use a larger amount of ambient light to illuminate the subject, and white balance of the taken image is adjusted in accordance with the color characteristics of the ambient light.

Abstract: An photographing apparatus comprises a photographing lens, a first area sensor, a second area sensor, a display, a manipulation unit, and a processor. The first area sensor has a plurality of pixels, and photoelectrically converts an optical image of an object into first pixel data. The second area sensor has a plurality of pixels, the number of pixels of the second area sensor being greater than the number of pixels of the first area sensor, and photoelectrically converts an optical image of an object into second pixel data. The display displays the first pixel data supplied from the first area sensor as a preview image before image recording. The manipulation unit allows a user to start image recording. The processor combines the first pixel data and the second pixel data supplied form the first and second area sensors to produce a composite image when the manipulation unit is operated.

Abstract: A camera is provided with: a detector for detecting a shake amount of the apparatus with respect to an object at an interval; a calculator for calculating a shake speed and a shake acceleration rate based on detected shake amounts, and calculates an estimative shake amount based on a calculated shake speed, a calculated shake acceleration rate, and a coefficient k (0<k<1) on an assumption that a shake is uniformly accelerated motion, the coefficient k being a multiplier for the calculated shake acceleration rate; and a corrector for executing a shake correction in accordance with a calculated estimative shake amount.

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.

Abstract: Under exposure determination unit 212 determines whether or not there is under exposure during exposure set using a hand vibration time limit. When a suitable exposure time is longer than the hand vibration time limit, the exposure time is increased by increasing the gain set for the hand vibration time limit. When a flash is used, the distance the emitted light of the flash must reach is determined from the flash guide number and open aperture value, and a determination is made as to whether or not the light emitted by the flash will reach the photographic subject. Under exposure is determined when the distance to the photographic subject is longer than the distance attained by the light emitted from the flash, and the gain is adjusted in accordance therewith.

Abstract: An ordinary temperature curable coating composition comprises an oxidative curable silicon modified vinyl-based resin (A) which is obtained by combining an epoxy group-containing vinyl copolymer (a) with an unsaturated fatty acid-containing fatty acid component (b) and a silicon resin (c). The vinyl copolymer (a) is a copolymer of an epoxy group-containing polymerizable unsaturated first monomer and a polymerizable unsaturated second monomer copolymerizable with the first monomer. The silicon resin (c) contains a silicon atom and a hydroxyl group and/or an alkoxyl group which is bonded to the silicon atom. The coating composition can form a coating film superior in weathering resistance, coating film gloss, and coating operation properties such as storage property, initial drying property and brush stroke during double coatings with a brush.

Abstract: A camera includes a built-in flash and a controller for controlling the camera. The controller includes different photographic modes; an auto-exposure-mode selecting mode in which an appropriate photographic mode is automatically selected from the different photographic modes based on photographic conditions, the controller allowing the built-in flash to discharge automatically in the selected appropriate photographic mode when the built-in flash discharges at a most appropriate time of exposure; and a flash-prohibiting/auto-exposure-mode selecting mode in which an appropriate photographic mode is automatically selected from the different photographic modes based on photographic conditions, the controller prohibiting the built-in flash from discharging automatically in the selected appropriate photographic mode at a time of exposure.

Abstract: An image printing system includes a mounting mechanism that mounts a medium on which image data is recorded, an instructing unit by which the user places an order for printing with regard to the images recorded on the medium, a printer that prints the images recorded on the medium, and a controller that inputs the image data recorded on the medium, causes the printer to perform printing in response to the order via the instructing unit, and receives the printing fee, wherein the medium comprises a medium having a prepay function, and the controller updates the prepaid balance in the prepayment information of the medium after the printing instruction is issued from the instructing unit.