Patent ID: 7305180
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene, said electronic camera comprising: a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output; a first lens, having at least one focal length, for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor; a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output; a zoom lens pointing in the same direction as the first lens and forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor, wherein the zoom lens has zoom settings that are adjustable between a minimum focal length and a maximum focal length to provide the second image; a control element for selecting either the first sensor output from the first image sensor or the second sensor output from the second image sensor, thereby providing a selected sensor output; a user control for allowing a user to select a zoom setting corresponding to one of the focal lengths of the respective lenses, wherein the control element is thereupon responsive to the user control for selecting a corresponding sensor output, thereby providing a transition between the first lens and the zoom settings of the zoom lens that is transparent to the user; and a processing section for producing the output image from the selected sensor output.