Patent ID: 8081236
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A camera system, which performs an exposure amount control operation in combination with gradation conversion processing for an image signal acquired from an image pickup device, comprising: a pre-shooting control unit which performs a first control operation so as to perform pre-shooting multiple times with different exposure amounts prior to a real shooting; a conversion property calculation unit which calculates first conversion properties with respect to signals that correspond to image signals acquired in the pre-shooting, which are to be used in the gradation conversion processing; an exposure control unit which determines an exposure amount used in the real shooting based upon the signals that correspond to the image signals acquired in the pre-shooting, exposure amounts used in the pre-shooting, and the first conversion properties, the exposure control unit comprising: a real shooting control unit which performs a second control operation so as to perform the real shooting based upon the determined exposure amount; and a gradation conversion unit which calculates second conversion properties with respect to a signal that corresponds to an image signal obtained in the real shooting, which are to be used in the gradation conversion processing, and performs the gradation conversion processing.