Electronic device, method of controlling same, and image sensor
An image sensor capable of switching between a first path configured to output an image signal read from a plurality of pixels to an external after storing the image signal in a memory, and a second path configured to output the image signal to the external without storing the image signal in the memory is configured. In a case of shooting using a supplemental light source, the image sensor is controlled so as to use the first path and to have a speed for reading the image signal from the plurality of pixels be faster than a speed for outputting the image signal from the memory to the external.
1. An electronic device comprising:
an image sensor having a plurality of pixels and capable of switching between a first path in which an image signal outputted from the plurality of pixels is stored in a frame memory and then outputted from the frame memory to an external of the image sensor, and a second path in which the image signal outputted from the plurality of pixels is outputted to the external of the image sensor without being stored in the frame memory;
a processor that executes a program stored in a memory and functions as:
a control unit configured to, in a case of performing shooting that uses a supplemental light source, control the image sensor so as to use the first path and to make a speed at which the image signal is outputted from the plurality of pixels and stored in the frame memory faster than a speed at which the image signal is outputted from the frame memory to the external of the image sensor,
wherein, in a case of using the first path, the speed at which the image signal is outputted from the plurality of pixels is defined so that a light emission period of the supplemental light source fits within a charge accumulation period common to all of the plurality of pixels.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a case of performing shooting that uses a supplemental light source and with a shutter speed that is faster than or equal to a predefined threshold value, the control unit controls the image sensor so as to use the first path and to make the speed at which the image signal is outputted from the plurality of pixels faster and stored in the frame memory than the speed at which the image signal is outputted from the memory to the external of the image sensor.
3. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a case of performing shooting where a shutter speed is slower than a predefined threshold value, the control unit controls the image sensor so as to use the second path even in a case where the shooting uses a supplemental light source.
4. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a case of performing shooting that uses a mechanical shutter, the control unit controls the image sensor so as to use the second path even in a case where the shooting uses a supplemental light source.
5. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein shooting that uses the supplemental light source is shooting for adjustment of brightness of the supplemental light source.
6. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the image sensor comprises an A/D conversion circuitry that applies an A/D conversion to the image signal.
7. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of pixels are provided in a first semiconductor chip,
the frame memory is provided in a second semiconductor chip, and
the first semiconductor chip and second semiconductor chip are vertically stacked and are electrically and mechanically connected.
8. A method of controlling an electronic device having an image sensor having a plurality of pixels and capable of switching between a first path in which an image signal outputted from the plurality of pixels is stored in a frame memory and then outputted from the frame memory to an external of the image sensor, and a second path in which the image signal outputted from the plurality of pixels is outputted to the external of the image sensor without being stored in the frame memory, the method comprising:
in a case of performing shooting that uses a supplemental light source, controlling the image sensor so as to use the first path and to make a speed at which the image signal is outputted from the plurality of pixels and stored in the frame memory faster than a speed at which the image signal is outputted from the frame memory to the external of the image sensor,
wherein, in a case of using the first path, the speed at which the image signal is outputted from the plurality of pixels is defined so that a light emission period of the supplemental light source fits within a charge accumulation period common to all of the plurality of pixels.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program for a computer included in an electronic device,
wherein the electronic device comprises an image sensor having a plurality of pixels and capable of switching between a first path in which an image signal outputted from the plurality of pixels is stored in a frame memory and then outputted from the frame memory to an external of the image sensor, and a second path in which the image signal outputted from the plurality of pixels is outputted to the external of the image sensor without being stored in the frame memory, and
wherein the program, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to function as a control unit configured to, in a case of performing shooting that uses a supplemental light source, control the image sensor so as to use the first path and to make a speed at which the image signal is outputted from the plurality of pixels and stored in the frame memory faster than a speed at which the image signal is outputted from the frame memory to the external of the image sensor,
wherein, in a case of using the first path, the speed at which the image signal is outputted from the plurality of pixels is defined so that a light emission period of the supplemental light source fits within a charge accumulation period common to all of the plurality of pixels.