JPH0657061B2 - Electronic still camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electronic still camera that records a video signal from an image sensor as a still image on a recording medium, and more particularly to the electronic still camera provided with an electronic viewfinder. Regarding

[Prior art]

Conventionally, an electronic still camera has been proposed in which a video signal obtained from a solid-state imaging device such as a charge-coupled device is recorded on a magnetic recording medium.

Such an electronic still camera is used in this video camera because there are many common elements such as an image pickup system in addition to a recording system, a recording deck, and an exposure mechanism which are different from those of a conventional combination of a video camera and a video deck. It is conceivable to use such an electronic viewfinder as a viewfinder of an electronic still camera.

Further, as a finder of an electronic still camera, an optical finder using a pentaprism or a quick-return mirror can be used similarly to a general photosensitive film type still camera, but when the electronic viewfinder is used, The optical viewfinder mechanism can be omitted, various information for the user can be displayed on this electronic viewfinder, and the display screen of the video signal from the image pickup device is recorded, so that it can be used in general still cameras and the like. There are advantages such as no parallax to be seen.

Therefore, an electronic viewfinder is desirable as a viewfinder for an electronic still camera.

Therefore, when considering an electronic still camera equipped with such an electronic viewfinder, when the electronic still camera is used, it is necessary to always display an image on the electronic viewfinder, and therefore the shutter must always be opened. I have to. At this time, the exposure is controlled only by the auto iris mechanism. At the time of release, the conventional exposure mechanism that uses both a diaphragm and a shutter is optimal.

Therefore, when the shutter is released, first the shutter that was opened is closed and the aperture is controlled, then an image is formed on the image sensor, etc. by the shutter release for a fixed period, and after this fixed period the shutter is closed and the image is captured. The image signal from the element is recorded on the recording medium, and the shutter becomes operable again.After the shutter charge, the shutter is opened again, the auto iris mechanism controls the exposure, the image is displayed on the electronic viewfinder, and the next release becomes possible. . In this case, no image is displayed on the electronic viewfinder except during the recording period of the video signal after the shutter release, from the time of the release to the time when the next photographing is possible.

Considering the case of continuous shooting, if the next release is performed after the image on the electronic viewfinder disappears after the release and the image is displayed again to enable shooting, the continuous shooting becomes meaningless. Therefore, the next shutter release must be performed immediately after the shutter charge. However, if the shutter release is performed immediately after the shutter is charged as described above, the shutter cannot be controlled because the shutter is closed except during the shutter release period, and the image cannot be displayed on the electronic viewfinder. for that reason,
During continuous shooting, it is equivalent to shooting without a viewfinder, and the electronic viewfinder loses its function as a viewfinder.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, the electronic viewfinder is desirable as the finder of the electronic still camera.

Therefore, it is possible to consider incorporating an electronic viewfinder in the electronic still camera. However, when an electronic still camera with an electronic viewfinder is used in this way, since images are not displayed on the electronic viewfinder during continuous shooting, the electronic viewfinder cannot function as a finder.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic still camera that can display an image on the electronic viewfinder even during continuous shooting and does not lose its function as a finder. .

[Means for solving problems]

An electronic still camera according to the present invention is an electronic still camera that records a video signal from an image pickup device having a shutter mechanism on a recording medium as a still image in response to an operation of the shutter mechanism. A recording / reproducing system for recording on the recording medium and reproducing the recorded video signal to form and output a reproduced video signal,
An electronic viewfinder that displays a video signal from the imaging device or a video corresponding to a playback video signal from the recording / playback system, a video signal from the imaging device, and a playback video signal from the recording / playback system. To switch to the electronic viewfinder or to switch the video signal to the recording / reproducing system, the still release switch, and the shutter release switch is opened and closed once each time the still release switch is pressed once. And a mode switching switch for switching between a normal shooting mode in which a subject is imaged and a continuous shooting mode in which the shutter is opened and closed a plurality of times when the still release switch is pressed once, and a continuous shooting mode in which a subject is imaged. According to the still release switch and the mode changeover switch, the image pickup device, the switch circuit, and the recording / reproducing system are Gosuru and a system control circuit,
When the normal shooting mode is selected by the mode switch, the system control circuit supplies the video signal from the imaging device to the electronic viewfinder before the still release switch is pressed. When the still release switch is pressed to control the switch circuit, the system control circuit causes the video signal from the image pickup device to be supplied to and recorded in the recording / reproducing system. When the recording of the video signal is completed, the system control circuit switches the switch circuit so that the video signal from the imaging device is supplied to the electronic viewfinder again. When the continuous shooting mode is selected by the mode changeover switch circuit, Before the still release switch is pressed, the system control circuit controls the switching of the switch circuit so that the video signal from the imaging device is supplied to the electronic viewfinder, and the still release switch is pressed. Then, while the still release switch is being continuously pressed, the system control circuit controls the image pickup device so that the shutter is opened and closed at a constant interval, and the video signal obtained by opening and closing the shutter. Is switched to the recording / reproducing system so as to be recorded, and the recording / reproducing system is controlled to reproduce the recorded video signal each time the recording of the video signal is completed. , So that the playback video signal formed by this playback is supplied to the electronic viewfinder and displayed. Controlling switching the serial switch circuit to solve the aforementioned problems as characterized.

[Action]

In the electronic still camera according to the present invention, when the continuous shooting mode is selected, the system control circuit supplies the video signal from the imaging device to the electronic viewfinder before the still release switch is pressed. When the still release switch is pressed, the system control circuit opens and closes the shutter at regular intervals while the still release switch is continuously pressed. The image pickup device is controlled so as to control the switching circuit so that the video signal obtained by opening and closing the shutter is supplied to and recorded in the recording / reproducing system. Then, each time the recording of the video signal is completed, the recording / reproducing system is controlled so as to reproduce the recorded video signal, and the reproduced video signal formed by this reproduction is supplied to the electronic viewfinder and displayed. As described above, the switching circuit is switched and controlled.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. First
As shown in the figure, the electronic still camera of this embodiment is provided with a lens 1, an iris 2, a shutter 20, and a shutter mechanism 3 like a general photosensitive film type still camera. Further, the iris 2, the iris position detection circuit 4, the iris driving circuit 5, and the still exposure control circuit 6 constitute an auto iris mechanism 21.

The shutter mechanism 3 includes a shutter charge circuit 8 controlled by a system control circuit 7 and a shutter drive circuit 9 controlled by the still exposure control circuit 6.
Its operation is controlled by.

Further, an image pickup device 10 including, for example, a charge-coupled device is provided instead of the photosensitive film of a general photosensitive camera, and an electric signal is output to the video circuit 11 under the control of the system control circuit 7, and the video circuit 11 outputs the video signal To synthesize. The auto iris mechanism 21, the shutter mechanism 3, the image pickup device 10 and the like constitute an image pickup device 22.

Further, in this embodiment, the magnetic sheet 30 is used as a magnetic recording medium for recording a video signal. The magnetic sheet 30 and a magnetic head 31 for recording the video signal on the magnetic sheet 30 and reproducing the recorded video signal.
And a recording / reproducing system 12 including a motor 32 for rotating the magnetic sheet 30, and the recording / reproducing system 1.
2 is provided with a recording circuit 13 for supplying a video signal of an appropriate level and a reproduction circuit 14 for amplifying the reproduction video signal from the recording / reproduction system 12 to an appropriate level. The recording / reproducing system 12, the recording circuit 13, and the reproducing circuit 14 are controlled by the system control circuit 7.

A switch circuit 16 is arranged between the video circuit 11 and the recording circuit 13 and the reproducing circuit 14, and the video signal output from the switch circuit 16 is an electronic viewfinder mounted on the electronic still camera body. You are led to 17.

The switch circuit 16 is controlled by the system control circuit 7, and outputs the output video signal of the video circuit 11 to the electronic viewfinder 17 or the recording circuit 13.
Or the reproduction video signal from the reproduction circuit 14 is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 17.

Further, the electronic still camera body is provided with a still release switch 18 and a mode changeover switch 19,
By pressing the still release switch 18, the system control circuit 7 is activated, and by manually switching the mode selector switch 19, for example, a normal shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode described later are switched. The still release switch 18 is configured to be mechanically pressed in two steps. First, the system control circuit 7 is pressed by the first step pressing operation.
Is operated and the motor 32 built in the recording / reproducing system 12 is operated.
Is rotated, and the auto iris mechanism 21 is controlled, so that the electronic viewfinder 17 is provided with the image pickup device 2.
The video signal from 2 is displayed and it is made ready for shooting. The shutter mechanism 3, the recording circuit 13, and the recording / reproducing system 12 are controlled by the system control circuit 7 and the still exposure control circuit 6 by the next pressing operation of the second step, and the video signal from the video circuit 11 is controlled. Via the switch circuit 16 and the recording circuit 13, the recording / reproducing system 1
2 is recorded as a still image on the magnetic sheet 30.

Next, the operation in each of the normal shooting mode and the continuous shooting mode will be described in detail.

First, the normal shooting mode is a mode in which the shutter 20 is opened and closed each time the still release switch 18 is pressed, so to speak, the subject is shot intermittently.
It is selected by manually switching the mode changeover switch 19.

In the normal shooting mode, the system control circuit 7
Is the switch circuit 1 so that the p-q is electrically connected.
6 is controlled by switching. As a result, the imaging device 22
Is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 17 via the switch circuit 16, and a subject corresponding to the video signal is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17. The user selects a subject to be photographed while looking at the subject displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17. When the desired subject is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17, the still release switch 18 is pressed.

When the user presses the still release switch 18 once, the still release switch 18 moves to the first position on the electronic still camera side.
It operates so as to be divided into the pressing operation of the second step and the pressing operation of the second step.

That is, when the first-step pressing operation of the still release switch 18 is performed, the system control circuit 7 detects this and controls the recording / reproducing system 12 so that the motor 32 rotates as described above. , Controls the auto iris mechanism 21 to adjust the exposure.

Next, at the time t ₁ in FIG. 2, if the second-stage pressing operation of the still release switch 18 is performed, the still release switch 18 causes the system control circuit 7 to operate.
Then, a release signal is supplied.

When the release signal is supplied, the system control circuit 7 controls the shutter drive circuit 9 to once close the shutter 20 that has been open until then. As a result, the image pickup device 10 is not irradiated with the image pickup light,
The image previously displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17 disappears.

Next, the system control circuit 7 starts from time t _{1 of} FIG.
In the shutter charge period Tc that is between time t ₂
The shutter charge circuit 8 is controlled via the still exposure control circuit 6 so as to charge sufficient energy for operating the spring or the like of the shutter 20, and the exposure is suitable for photographing a subject. The auto iris mechanism 21 is controlled via the still exposure control circuit 6.

When the shutter charge circuit 8 is charged with sufficient energy as shown at time t ₂ in FIG. 2, the still exposure control circuit 6 sends a shutter release signal to the shutter drive circuit 9 and the system control circuit 7. To supply.

The shutter drive circuit 9, when the shutter release signal is supplied, a period of time Td shown at time t _{2 ~} time t ₃ of FIG. 2, controls the shutter 20 to be opened.

Further, when the shutter release signal is supplied, the system control circuit 7 switches and controls the switch circuit 16 so as to establish conduction between q and r.

As a result, the image pickup device 10 is held for the fixed period Td.
The imaging light is irradiated onto the. The video signal formed by the imaging light to the imaging device 10 is irradiated, it is supplied to the recording and reproducing system 12 through the switch circuit 16 and the recording circuit 13, the time t _{3 ~} time of FIG. 2 Recording is performed on the magnetic sheet 30 by the magnetic head 31 in the recording period which is t ₄ .

Next, the system control circuit 7 causes the time r ₄ to time in FIG.
In the shutter charge period Tc that is between time t ₅
The shutter charge circuit 8 is controlled via the still exposure control circuit 6 so as to recharge enough energy to operate the spring or the like of the shutter 20, and an exposure suitable for photographing a subject is obtained. , The auto iris mechanism 2 via the still exposure control circuit 6
Control 1

When the shutter charge circuit 8 is charged with sufficient energy as shown at time t ₅ in FIG. 2, the still exposure control circuit 6 sends a shutter release signal to the shutter drive circuit 9 and the system control circuit 7. To supply.

When the shutter release signal is supplied for the second time, the shutter drive circuit 9 controls the shutter 20 to be opened, as shown at time t _{5 and} after in FIG. 2.

When the shutter release signal is supplied for the second time, the system control circuit 7 controls the switching of the switch circuit 16 so that p and q are electrically connected.

As a result, the image pickup device 10 is irradiated with the image pickup light, and the video signal formed by the image pickup device 10 is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 17 through the switch circuit 16. Then, a subject image corresponding to the video signal is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17, and the electronic still camera is in an imaging standby state.

Thereafter, in the normal photographing mode, the above-mentioned operation is repeated every time the still release switch 18 is pressed.

Next, in the continuous shooting mode, the still release switch 18
Is a mode in which the shutter 20 is opened and closed at regular time intervals to capture an image of a subject while is being pressed (while the second-step pressing operation is being performed). It is selected by switching manually.

In this continuous shooting mode, the system control circuit 7
The switch circuit 16 is switched and controlled so that the p-q is electrically connected. As a result, the video signal from the imaging device 22 is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 17 via the switch circuit 16, and the subject according to the video signal is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17. The user selects a subject to be photographed while looking at the subject displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17. When the desired subject is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17, the still release switch 18 is pressed.

The system control circuit 7 detects the pressing operation of the first release switch 18 of the still release switch 18, and controls the recording / reproducing system 12 so that the motor 32 rotates as described above. The auto iris mechanism 21 is controlled so as to adjust the exposure.

Next, at time t ₁₁ in FIG. 3, if the second-stage pressing operation of the still release switch 18 is performed, the still release switch 18 causes the system control circuit 7 to operate.
Then, a release signal is supplied.

When the release signal is supplied, the system control circuit 7 controls the shutter drive circuit 9 to once close the shutter 20 that has been open until then. As a result, the image pickup device 10 is not irradiated with the image pickup light,
The image previously displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17 disappears.

Next, the system control circuit 7 starts from time t _{11 of} FIG.
In the shutter charge period Tc that is between time t ₁₂
The shutter charge circuit 8 is controlled via the still exposure control circuit 6 so as to charge sufficient energy for operating the spring or the like of the shutter 20, and the exposure is suitable for photographing a subject. The auto iris mechanism 21 is controlled via the still exposure control circuit 6.

The still exposure control circuit 6 sends a shutter release signal to the shutter drive circuit 9 and the system control circuit 7 when sufficient energy is charged in the shutter charge circuit 8 as shown at time t ₁₂ in FIG. To supply.

The shutter drive circuit 9, when the shutter release signal is supplied, a period of time Td shown at time t ₁₂ ~ time t ₁₃ of FIG. 3, controls the shutter 20 to be opened.

Further, when the shutter release signal is supplied, the system control circuit 7 switches and controls the switch circuit 16 so as to establish conduction between q and r.

As a result, the image pickup device 10 is held for the fixed period Td.
The imaging light is irradiated onto the. Then, the video signal formed by irradiating the image pickup device 10 with the image pickup light is supplied to the recording / reproducing system 12 via the switch circuit 16 and the recording circuit 13, and from time t ₁₃ to time in FIG. Recording is performed on the magnetic sheet 30 by the magnetic head 31 in the recording period which is t ₁₄ .

When the recording of the video signal is thus completed, the system control circuit 7 then operates the spring of the shutter 20 as shown between time t ₁₄ and time t _{15 in} FIG. The shutter charge circuit 8 is controlled via the still exposure control circuit 6 so as to recharge a sufficient amount of energy, and the still exposure control circuit 6 is used to provide an exposure suitable for photographing an object. The auto iris mechanism 21 is controlled.

The system control circuit 7 also records the previously recorded video signal while the shutter charge circuit 8 charges energy again (from time t ₁₄ to time t _{15 in} FIG. 3). The recording / reproducing device 12 is controlled so as to reproduce.

Further, the system control circuit 7 is arranged so that conduction is established between p and r while reproducing the video signal recorded above.
The switch circuit 16 is switched and controlled.

Thereby, while the shutter charge circuit 8 is charging the energy again, the recording / reproducing system 1
The video signal (reproduced video signal) reproduced by 2 is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 17 through the reproduction circuit 14 and the switch circuit 16.

Therefore, even when the shutter 20 is closed to charge the energy, the subject image can be displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17.

Next, the still exposure control circuit 6 operates at time t _{15 in} FIG.
As shown in (3), when the shutter charge circuit 8 is charged with sufficient energy again, a shutter release signal is supplied to the shutter drive circuit 9 and the system control circuit 7.

When the shutter release signal is supplied, the shutter drive circuit 9 controls the shutter 20 so that the shutter drive circuit 9 is opened for a certain period Td as shown between time t ₁₅ and time t _{16 in} FIG. To do.

Further, when the shutter release signal is supplied, the system control circuit 7 switches and controls the switch circuit 16 so as to establish conduction between p and q.

As a result, the image pickup device 10 is irradiated with the image pickup light, and the video signal formed by the image pickup device 10 is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 17 through the switch circuit 16. Then, a subject image corresponding to the video signal from the image pickup device 10 is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17.

Furthermore, the system control circuit 7, while controlled so as to open the shutter (Figure 3 of the time t ₁₅ ~ time t
₁₆ )), for example, immediately after recording the previous video signal,
The magnetic head 3 is used so that the next video signal can be recorded.
1 is controlled to move.

Then, the system control circuit 7 causes the fixed period Td.
When the opening of the shutter 20 is finished during
The switching circuit 16 is controlled so as to be electrically connected between −t.

As a result, when the shutter 20 is opened during the certain period Td, the image pickup signal formed by the image pickup device 10 is supplied to the recording / reproducing system 12 via the switch circuit 16 and the recording circuit 13, Time t _{16 in} Fig. 3
It is recorded in the recording period which is between time t _{17 and} .

Next, the system control circuit 7 starts from time t _{17 of} FIG.
As shown at time t _{18, the} shutter charge circuit 8 is controlled via the still exposure control circuit 6 so as to recharge sufficient energy to operate the spring of the shutter 20 and the like. The auto iris mechanism 21 is controlled via the still exposure control circuit 6 so that the exposure is suitable for photographing.

Further, while the shutter charge circuit 8 is charging the energy again (between time t ₁₇ and time t _{18 in} FIG. 3), the system control circuit 7 keeps the previous video signal (third time). The recording / reproducing apparatus 12 so as to reproduce the video signal recorded between time t ₁₆ and time t _{17 in} FIG.
To control.

Further, the system control circuit 7 is arranged so that conduction is established between p and r while reproducing the video signal recorded above.
The switch circuit 16 is switched and controlled.

Thereby, while the shutter charge circuit 8 is charging the energy again, the recording / reproducing system 1
The previous video signal (reproduced video signal) reproduced by 2 is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 17 through the reproduction circuit 14 and the switch circuit 16 and displayed.

Next, the still exposure control circuit 6 operates at time t _{18 in} FIG.
As shown in (3), when the shutter charge circuit 8 is charged with sufficient energy again, a shutter release signal is supplied to the shutter drive circuit 9 and the system control circuit 7.

When the shutter release signal is supplied, the shutter drive circuit 9 controls the shutter 20 so that it is opened for a certain period td as shown from time t ₁₈ to time t ₁₉ in FIG. .

Further, when the shutter release signal is supplied, the system control circuit 7 switches and controls the switch circuit 16 so as to establish conduction between p and q.

As a result, the image pickup device 10 is irradiated with the image pickup light, and the video signal formed by the image pickup device 10 is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 17 through the switch circuit 16. Then, a subject image corresponding to the video signal from the image pickup device 10 is displayed on the electronic viewfinder 17.

Further, while the system control circuit 7 is controlling to open the shutter (from time t ₁₈ to time t in FIG. 3).
(Between ₁₉ ), for example, immediately after recording the previous video signal,
The magnetic head 3 is used so that the next video signal can be recorded.
1 is controlled to move.

Then, the system control circuit 7 causes the fixed period Td.
When the opening of the shutter 20 is finished during
The switching circuit 16 is switched and controlled so that the −r is electrically connected.

As a result, when the shutter 20 is opened during the certain period Td, the image pickup signal formed by the image pickup device 10 is supplied to the recording / reproducing system 12 via the switch circuit 16 and the recording circuit 13, 3 time t ₁₉
It is recorded in the recording period which is between time t _{20 and} .

As described above, in this continuous shooting mode, the system control circuit 7 is supplied at regular intervals (every constant period Tl shown in FIG. 3) while the still release switch 18 is continuously pressed. Based on the release signal, the above units are controlled so that shutter charge (shutter charge period Tc), exposure (constant period Td), and recording are sequentially repeated, and the previously recorded video signal is recorded during the shutter charge period Tc. The above-mentioned respective parts are controlled so as to reproduce and supply to the electronic viewfinder 17.

Accordingly, in the continuous shooting mode, even if the shutter 20 is closed during the shutter charge period Tc, the previously recorded video signal (reproduced video signal) is supplied to the electronic viewfinder 17 for display. be able to. Therefore, in the continuous shooting mode, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the electronic viewfinder 17 loses its function as a finder, and the electronic viewfinder 17 can perform imaging while confirming the subject. .

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the electronic still camera according to the present invention is
When continuous shooting mode is selected, while the still release switch is being pressed, continuously recorded video signals can be continuously reproduced and supplied to the electronic viewfinder. Even in this case, a video signal can be supplied to the electronic viewfinder.

Therefore, in the continuous shooting mode, it is possible to prevent the electronic viewfinder from losing its function as a finder, and it is possible to perform imaging while confirming the subject being imaged by the electronic viewfinder.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an electronic still camera according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the electronic still camera according to the embodiment in the normal shooting mode. FIG. 3 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the electronic still camera according to the above embodiment in the continuous shooting mode. 1 ... Lens, 2 ... Iris, 3 ... Shutter mechanism, 6 ...
Still exposure control circuit, 10 ... Image pickup device, 12 ... Recording / reproduction system, 16 ... Switch circuit, 17 ... Electronic viewfinder, 18 ... Still release switch, 19 ... Mode change switch, 21 ... Auto iris mechanism, 22 ... Imaging device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electronic still camera for recording a video signal from an image pickup device having a shutter mechanism on a recording medium as a still image in response to an operation of the shutter mechanism, wherein the video signal from the image pickup device is recorded on the recording medium. A recording / reproduction system that records and reproduces the recorded video signal to form and output a reproduction video signal, and a video signal from the imaging device, or a video corresponding to the reproduction video signal from the recording / reproduction system. A switch circuit for switching the electronic viewfinder to be displayed, the video signal from the image pickup device, and the reproduced video signal from the recording / reproducing system to the electronic viewfinder, or sending the video signal to the recording / reproducing system. , The still release switch, and each time the still release switch is pressed once, the shutter is opened and closed once to capture the image. Mode switch for switching between a normal shooting mode in which the image is captured and a continuous shooting mode in which the shutter is opened and closed multiple times when the still release switch is pressed once, and the still release The still release switch is provided in a state in which the image pickup device, the switch circuit, and a system control circuit for controlling the recording / reproducing system are provided according to the switch and the mode changeover switch, and the normal photographing mode is selected by the mode changeover switch. Before is pressed, the system control circuit controls switching of the switch circuit so that the video signal from the imaging device is supplied to the electronic viewfinder, and when the still release switch is pressed, The system control circuit causes the video signal from the imaging device to Recorded is supplied to the reproducing system controls switching the switch circuit to be recorded, the recording of the video signal is completed,
A state in which the system control circuit switches and controls the switch circuit so that the video signal from the imaging device is supplied to the electronic viewfinder again, and the continuous shooting mode is selected by the mode switching switch circuit. Then, before the still release switch is pressed, the system control circuit controls switching of the switch circuit so that the video signal from the imaging device is supplied to the electronic viewfinder, and the still release switch is When pressed,
While the still release switch is continuously pressed, the system control circuit controls the imaging device so that the shutter is opened and closed at regular intervals, and the video signal obtained by opening and closing the shutter is recorded and reproduced. The switch circuit is switched and controlled so as to be supplied to and recorded in the system, and the recording / reproducing system is controlled so as to reproduce the recorded video signal each time the recording of the video signal is completed. An electronic still camera, wherein the switching circuit is controlled to switch so that the formed reproduced video signal is supplied to the electronic viewfinder and displayed.