Abstract: The present invention provides a digital camera which has a plurality of image capturing optical systems and quickly performs automatic focusing. A digital camera includes a first image capturing optical system formed from a lens 2 and a first image sensor, and a second image capturing optical system formed from a lens 3 and a second image sensor. An image processor detects a phase difference between an image of a single subject formed on the first image sensor and an image of the same formed on the second image sensor, in order to perform phase-difference AF. Since the lenses 2, 3 have different focal lengths, the image processor executes correlation operation after having performed conversion processing for causing a scaling factor of the image formed by the first image sensor to coincide with that of the image formed by the second image sensor, to thus detect a phase difference.

Abstract: To provide a camera which enables photographing while intentionally, subtly shifting operation timing from that of another camera. A digital camera has a timing computing circuit. The timing computing circuit receives a reset request from another digital camera by way of a communications interface. The timing computing circuit awaits a reset request for a standby period shown by the reset request, and outputs a reset command to a reset circuit. The reset circuit outputs a reset signal to a timing generator (TG) in accordance with the reset command.

Abstract: Image capture devices are synchronized without using a communication unit for an image capture device to perform communication with other image capture device. When an image capture device 10 is set to the main device mode, it outputs a reset signal to a timing generator 40 simultaneously with the time when a flash circuit 50 performs pre-light emission and, when the image capture device 10 is set to the auxiliary device mode, the flash circuit 50 detects pre-light emission performed by other image capture device and outputs a reset signal to the timing generator 40 in accordance with the detection of the pre-light emission.

Abstract: Coordinated image capturing is appropriately performed even if an error occurs in the synchronization between cameras that are connected via a network. Camera A for image capturing and camera B for providing strobe light are connected via a radio network, and camera A sets a point at which to start exposure for image capturing Tx and a point at which to start strobe emission Tf such that Tx is earlier than Tf, the time difference Id between Tx and Tf becomes larger than a synchronization error Ie between a synchronous clock of camera A and a synchronous clock of camera B, and the sum (Id+If+Ie) of the time difference Id, the strobe emission period If and the synchronization error Ie becomes smaller than exposure period Ix. Then, camera A outputs a strobe emission command with Tf designated and an exposure command with Tx designated, and controls the exposure control mechanism to start exposure at Tx in response to the exposure command.

Abstract: An image processing circuit enables the accurate detection of the focal length for focusing by using color data. The image processing circuit generates image data representing brightness and each of the colors of red, green and blue, image data to be used for focusing is selected either automatically or manually from the image data representing the brightness and the respective colors, and the amount of the weight for each respective image data is set. Images are photographed while the optical system is driven to change its focal length. A focal length is calculated for each selected image data. Weight is applied to each one of the calculated focal lengths so as to calculate a final focal length. This not only ensures accurate measurement of the distance for focusing but also increases the possibility of focusing on a subject which is characterized by specific color data.

Abstract: The invention enables the accurate measurement of the distance for focusing regardless of blur of the subject image.

Abstract: A coloring apparatus comprises a transfer head C having a heating element elastically protruding from an apparatus body 1, a tape accommodating portion B, and a tape feeding portion A having a winding up shaft 17, etc., which are incorporated within the apparatus body 1. A using method comprises, holding the apparatus body 1, pressing the transfer head C on the copied image of the xerographic copy, and heating by a heating element. Next, the apparatus body 1 is moved as the transfer head C is pressed onto the copied image, whereby the colored donor layer is peeled off from the transfer tape to stick the colored donor layer onto the copied image on the xerographic copy.