Patent ID: 7724289
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: G11B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit that images and converts objects into image signals; a photographing function setting unit that optionally sets operation conditions of the imaging unit for setting exposure; a recording unit that records the image signals obtained by the imaging unit in a recording medium, the recording unit automatically classifying the image signals obtained by the imaging unit into groups in accordance with a classifying condition; a group condition setting unit that optionally selects one kind of classifying condition from among a plurality of kinds of classifying conditions for classifying the image signals recorded by the recording unit into the plurality of groups; and a mode switching unit that switches a photographic mode of the apparatus between a first photographic mode and a second photographic mode; and a control unit that controls the imaging unit in accordance with the photographic mode switched by the mode switching unit, the control unit causing the imaging unit to set the exposure in accordance with predetermined operation conditions in the first photographing mode, and causing the imaging unit to set the exposure in accordance with the operation conditions which are set by the photographing function setting unit and are different from the predetermined operation conditions in the second photographic mode, wherein the control unit changes the classifying condition for classifying the image signals by the recording unit in accordance with the photographic mode switched by the mode switching unit, the control unit causes the recording unit to automatically classify the image signals recorded in the recording medium in accordance with a predetermined kind of condition in the first photographic mode, and causes the recording unit to automatically classify the image signals recorded in the recording medium in accordance with the selected kind of classifying condition different from the predetermined kind of condition in the second photographic mode.