Method of controlling digital photographing apparatus, and digital photographing apparatus using the method

1. A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus having a still image photographing mode and a moving picture photographing mode, the method comprising the steps of:

actuating a shutter release button to activate a first signal;

determining which of the still image photographing mode and the moving picture photographing mode is a set mode;

actuating a second button to activate a second signal;

detecting if the first and second signals are active simultaneously, and

photographing an image according to a photographing condition of the set mode;

wherein the second button is selected from the group consisting of a wide-angle zoom button, a telephoto zoom button, and a manual-focus/delete button.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the photographing step comprises:

actuating the shutter release button to activate a third signal;

detecting if sufficient storage space for the image exists in a storage medium;

setting a white balance;

adjusting an aperture and set exposure time;

focusing an optical system on the image;

generating an image file in the storage medium; and

storing image data to the image file.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the set mode is the moving picture photographing mode, the method further comprising the steps of:

actuating the shutter release button a second time to activate the first and third signals;

stopping image data to the image file; and

completing the image file.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein the set mode is the still image photographing mode and the first and second signals not being active simultaneously, the storing step further comprising:

capturing a still image;

compressing image data relative to the still image; and

recording the image data to the image file.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein the set mode is the still image photographing mode and the first and second signals being active simultaneously, the storing step further comprising

capturing a moving picture;

compressing moving picture data relative to the moving picture; and

recording the moving picture data to the image file.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the storing step further comprises:

actuating the shutter release button a second time to activate the first and third signals;

stopping moving picture data to the image file; and

completing the image file.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the second button is at least one button from a user input unit comprising a plurality of buttons.

8. A digital photographing apparatus comprising:

an optical system that receives light from a subject to be photographed by the apparatus;

a digital processor that receives signals representing the light received by the optical system and generates an image file in a storage medium relative to the signals;

a user input unit in communication with the digital processor, the user input unit comprising a mode selector, a shutter release button and a second button;

and wherein the user presses the shutter release button and the second button substantially together to record a moving picture when the mode selector actuated by the user to set the apparatus to a still image photographing mode;

wherein the second button is selected from the group consisting of a wide-angle zoom button, a telephoto zoom button, and a manual-focus/delete button.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second button is one of a plurality of setting buttons that are operative to set a photographing condition relative to the mode selector.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the shutter release button has a first position that activates a preliminary operation of the apparatus and a second position that activates a main operation of the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein if the mode selector is set to a still image photographing mode and during the preliminary operation, the digital processor detects if sufficient storage space for the image file exists in a storage medium, sets a white balance, adjusts an aperture and set exposure time, and focuses the optical system on the subject.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein if the mode selector is set to a still image photographing mode and during the main operation, the digital processor generates moving picture data and sends the moving picture data to the image file.

13. A digital camera comprising:

mode setting means for placing the camera in at least a still image photographing mode having a still image setting and a first moving picture photographing mode having a moving picture setting different from the still image setting;

dual-stage shutter means for, in a first stage, readying a processor means to generate and store image data for a subject relative to the mode setting means, and for activating the processor means for generating and storing image data for the subject in a second stage; and

mode switching means that cooperates with the dual-stage shutter means for placing the camera in a second moving picture photographing mode having the still image setting;

wherein the mode switching means comprises a user input button disposed on the camera for setting a photographing condition; and

wherein the user input button is selected from the group consisting of a wide-angle zoom button, a telephoto zoom button, and a manual-focus/delete button.

14. The digital camera according to claim 13 , wherein the dual-stage shutter means comprises a two-step activation button that activates a first signal when pressed to a first position, and activates a second signal when pressed to a second position.

15. The digital camera according to claim 14 , wherein the mode switching means activates a third signal when actuated, the processor means operating the camera in the second moving picture photographing mode when the processor means receives the first and third signals substantially together.

16. The digital camera according to claim 13 wherein a processing means comprises at least one of a digital signal processor and a micro-controller.