Image pickup apparatus and image processing method restricting an image stabilization range during a live view operation

1. An image pickup apparatus having a function that combines image data of a plural images obtained by consecutive photographing and generates combined image data of a single image, comprising:

a blur detecting sensor that detects a size of a movement of the image pickup apparatus as a blur amount;

an image stabilization actuator that, based on the blur amount detected by the blur detecting sensor, corrects blurring during exposure by driving at least one of a lens and an image pickup device as a driving object; and

a processor including

a correlation value calculating section that, with respect to image data of arbitrary two images among the image data of the plural images obtained by consecutive photographing, calculates a correlation value using image data within a predetermined region of each of the two images,

a combination processing section that performs alignment of the image data of the two images based on the correlation value, and combines the image data of the two images, and

a mode setting section that is capable of setting a consecutive photographing combination mode that is a photographing mode for performing combination by the combination processing section;

wherein, in a case where the consecutive photographing combination mode is set, the image stabilization actuator restricts an image stabilization range during live view.

2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, in a case where the consecutive photographing combination mode is set, the image stabilization actuator does not perform image stabilization during live view.

3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image stabilization actuator restricts the image stabilization range during live view, based on a correlation value search range at the correlation value calculating section.

4. An image processing method that can combine image data of a plural images obtained by consecutive photographing to generate combined image data of a single image, comprising:

a first step of correcting blurring during exposure by driving to move at least one of a lens and an image pickup device as a driving object, based on a blur amount obtained by detecting a size of a movement of an image pickup apparatus;

a second step of, with respect to image data of arbitrary two images among the image data of the plural images obtained by consecutive photographing, calculating a correlation value using image data within a predetermined region of each of the two images;

a third step of performing alignment of the image data of the two images based on the correlation value, and combining the image data of the two images; and

a fourth step in which a consecutive photographing combination mode that is a photographing mode for performing combination by means of the third step can be set;

wherein, in a case where the consecutive photographing combination mode is set in the fourth step, an image stabilization range during live view is restricted in the first step.

5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processor determines whether or not a consecutive photographing combination mode is set and

responsive to a determination that the consecutive photographing combination mode is set, reducing or eliminating the performance of image stabilization during live view during a period from when a first release switch is turned on until the second release switch is turned on, and otherwise, responsive to a determination that the consecutive photographing combination mode is not set, performing normal blur correcting in a live view during a period from when the first release switch is turned on until the second release switch is turned on.