Patent Publication Number: US-2005140813-A1

Title: Camera

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims benefit of Japanese Applications No. 2003-344089, filed Oct. 2, 2003; No. 2003-344090, filed Oct. 2, 2003; No. 2003-344091, filed Oct. 2, 2003; and No. 2003-344092, filed Oct. 2, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to the technology for a camera, and more specifically to the technology for observing, during shooting, the composition of an image to be shot.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      A camera is provided with a finder to capture a subject with an appropriate composition in a shooting range. Since a small observation hole is made in most finders provided for common cameras, a photographer can lose a good shooting opportunity in a moment when the photographer sets his or her camera and looks into the observation hole.  
      The view of a finder is the same as or almost as large as a shooting range. Therefore, for example, when a subject moving at a high speed lies off the view of the finder, it is hard to catch the subject in the view of the finder. At this time, it is necessary for the photographer to once take his or her eyes off the view of the finder, and then confirm the position of the subject by the naked eyes.  
      To solve the above-mentioned problems, a sports finder is well known. A sports finder can catch the shooting range without keeping an eye on the observation hole, and it is not necessary to set a photographer&#39;s face close to the camera. Therefore, the photographer can easily observe the outside of the shooting range by the naked eyes, with the posture of observing the view the finder.  
      The hologram technology has been applied to the above-mentioned sports finder, and has further been improved into what is disclosed by Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei 9-65183. The video camera disclosed by the publication is provided with a display device which superposes a subject image on a captured image by the image pickup device by projecting the captured picture on the screen which passes a subject image. The display device provides the function similar to the function of the sports finder, and can observe a captured image.  
      In addition, the technology of providing the function corresponding to the finder includes an image display device such as an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc. and displays an image captured by an image pickup device as what is called a monitor image on the image display device (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei 11-8786). The photographer can observe the composition of the captured image by checking the displayed image.  
      Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2000-261697 discloses a camera capable of shooting while making confirmation on the monitor device when the photographer is also taken as a subject by rotating the monitor device to the subject by connecting the monitor device as rotatable to the body of the camera.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A camera which is one of the aspects of the present invention shoots a subject, and includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject, and generating image data indicating the image; and a display unit having light permeability from the front to the back of the housing of a camera, generating the image of the subject superposed on the subject seen through from the back, and displaying the image on the back.  
      An accessory which is another aspect of the present invention is provided for a camera for shooting a subject, in which the camera includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject and generating image data indicating the image; and a display unit having light permeability from the front to the back of the housing of a camera, generating the image of the subject superposed on the subject seen through from the back, and displaying the image on the back, and the accessory includes an illumination unit for illuminating the display unit.  
      A camera system according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a camera for shooting a subject and an accessory to the camera, in which the camera includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject and generating image data indicating the image; and a display unit having light permeability from the front to the back of the housing of a camera, generating the image of the subject superposed on the subject seen through from the back, and displaying the image on the back, and the accessory includes an illumination unit for illuminating the display unit.  
      A camera according to a further aspect of the present invention is a camera for shooting a subject and includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject; a display unit having light permeability from the front to the back of the housing of the camera, displaying an image captured by the capture unit, and also displaying information about the area captured by the capture unit as superposed on the image of the subject seen through from the back; and a shooting area generation unit for generating the information about the area based on the capturing magnification of the image in the capture unit.  
      A camera which is one of further aspects of the present invention is a camera for shooting a subject and includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject; a display unit having light permeability from the front to the back of the housing of the camera, displaying an image captured by the capture unit, and also displaying information about the area captured by the capture unit as superposed on the image of the subject seen through from the back; and a shootable area generation unit for generating the information about the area based on the shooting conditions in the capturing operation on the image in the capture unit.  
      A camera which is one of further aspects of the present invention is a camera for shooting a subject and includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject; a display unit having light permeability from the front to the back of the housing of the camera, displaying an image captured by the capture unit, and also displaying at least one of the image of the subject captured by the capture unit and the recorded image captured by the capture unit as superposed on the image of the subject seen through from the back; and a display setting unit for making display setting for an image displayed on the display unit, and the display setting unit makes the display setting based on the shooting condition when the capture unit captures an image.  
      A camera which is one of further aspects of the present invention is a camera for shooting a subject and includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject; and a display unit having light permeability and displaying on the back of the housing of the camera at least one of the image of the subject captured by the capture unit and the recorded image captured by the capture unit as superposed on the image of the subject seen through from the back of the housing of the camera, and also displaying on the front of the housing of the camera at least one of the image of the subject and the recorded image.  
      A camera which is one of further aspects of the present invention is a camera for shooting a subject and includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject; a display unit having light permeability and displaying on the back of the housing of the camera at least one of the image of the subject captured by the capture unit and the recorded image captured by the capture unit as superposed on the image of the subject seen through from the back of the housing of the camera; and a lightproof unit for selectively cutting off the light from the back to the front of the housing of the camera.  
      A camera which is one of further aspects of the present invention is a camera for shooting a subject and includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject; and a display unit, configured using an LCD (liquid crystal display) having light permeability, for displaying on the back of the housing of the camera at least one of the image of the subject captured by the capture unit and the recorded image captured by the capture unit as superposed on the image of the subject seen through from the back of the housing of the camera.  
      A camera which is one of further aspects of the present invention is a camera for shooting a subject and includes: a capture unit for capturing an image of the subject; and a display unit having light permeability and displaying selectively on one of the front and the back of the housing of the camera at least one of the image of the subject captured by the capture unit and the recorded image captured by the capture unit as superposed on the image of the subject seen through from the back of the housing of the camera. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description when the accompanying drawings are referenced.  
       FIG. 1A  is a front view of the camera embodying the present invention;  
       FIG. 1B  is a right side view of the camera shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
       FIG. 1C  is a sectional view obtained when the camera is cut along the chain double-dashed line indicated by A-A shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
       FIG. 1D  is a sectional view obtained when the camera is cut along the chain double-dashed line indicated by B-B shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
       FIG. 1E  is a sectional view obtained when the camera is cut along the chain double-dashed line indicated by C-C shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
       FIG. 1F  is a left side view of the camera shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
       FIG. 1G  is a sectional view obtained when the camera is cut along the chain double-dashed line indicated by D-D shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
       FIG. 1H  is a top view of the camera shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
       FIG. 1I  is a back view of the camera shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
       FIG. 2  shows the configuration of the camera shown in  FIG. 1A ;  
       FIG. 3  shows the first example of the structure of the display unit;  
       FIG. 4  shows the second example of the structure of the display unit;  
       FIG. 5A  shows the first example of the display screen on the display unit;  
       FIG. 5B  shows the second example of the display screen on the display unit;  
       FIG. 5C  shows the third example of the display screen on the display unit;  
       FIG. 6A  shows the fourth example of the display screen on the display unit;  
       FIG. 6B  shows the fifth example of the display screen on the display unit;  
       FIG. 7  is an explanatory view showing the relationship between a shooting angle of view and a shooting display frame;  
       FIG. 8A  is a flowchart of the contents of the main flow of the shooting area calculating process;  
       FIG. 8B  is a flowchart of the contents of the width calculating process;  
       FIG. 9A  is an explanatory view (1) of the parallax amendment depending on the distance from a subject;  
       FIG. 9B  is an explanatory view (2) of the parallax amendment depending on the distance from a subject;  
       FIG. 10A  shows the first example of image display during a shooting operation;  
       FIG. 10B  shows the second example of image display during a shooting operation;  
       FIG. 10C  shows the third example of image display during a shooting operation;  
       FIG. 11A  shows the fourth example of image display during a shooting operation;  
       FIG. 11B  shows the fifth example of image display during a shooting operation;  
       FIG. 11C  shows the sixth example of image display during a shooting operation;  
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart of the contents of the shooting time image displaying process;  
       FIG. 13A  shows the first example of the image display during composite shooting;  
       FIG. 13B  shows the second example of the image display during composite shooting;  
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart of the contents of the image composite shooting mode process;  
       FIG. 15A  shows the first example of the camera case;  
       FIG. 15B  shows the opened status of the camera case shown in  FIG. 15A ;  
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged view of the lens portion of the camera;  
       FIG. 17  shows the second example of the camera case;  
       FIG. 18  shows an example of a camera stand; and  
       FIG. 19  shows the rotation of the holder of the camera stand shown in  FIG. 18 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      An embodiment of the present invention is described below by referring to the attached drawings.  
      First,  FIGS. 1A through 1I  are explained below. These figures show the appearance of a camera (digital camera)  100  embodying the present invention and the arrangement of the important portions configuring the camera.  
       FIGS. 1A through 1F  are individually explained as follows.  FIG. 1A  is a front view of the camera  100 , and shows the view of the camera seen from the front.  FIG. 1B  is a right side view of the camera  100 .  FIG. 1C  is a sectional view obtained when the camera  100  is cut along the chain double-dashed line indicated by A-A shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1D  is a sectional view obtained when the camera  100  is cut along the chain double-dashed line indicated by B-B shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1E  is a sectional view obtained when the camera  100  is cut along the chain double-dashed line indicated by C-C shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1F  is a left side view of the camera  100 .  
       FIGS. 1G through 1I  are individually explained below.  FIG. 1G  is a sectional view obtained when the camera  100  is cut along the chain double-dashed line indicated by D-D shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1H  is a top view of the camera  100 .  FIG. 1I  is a back view of the camera  100 , and the photographer shoots the subject image by observing the subject from the back of the subject positioned in front of the camera  100 .  
      In  FIGS. 1A through 1I , the display unit  1  has the light permeability from the front to the back of the thin camera  100 , and the photographer can display various images by superposing an image on the subject seen through from the back of the camera  100 . The details are explained later, but a display unit  1  includes a transmission display element such as an organic EL (electro luminescence) display element, an ECD (electro chromic display), an LCD, etc. having the above-mentioned light permeability.  
      The display unit  1  is held by a housing  2 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1I , the display unit  1  occupies the important area of the front side of the camera  100 . The housing  2  functions as the frame indicating the outline of the display unit  1 . As shown by  FIGS. 1D and 1G , the surface of the display unit  1  is lower than the outline of the housing  2  to protect the display surface of the display unit  1 . The opening in the front side of the housing  2  is formed by the inclined surface with the side portions spreading outside. Additionally, the side of the housing  2  is provided with an extended edge  16 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 1A , a taking lens hole  3  is provided on the right side (left side viewed from the photographer) of the front of the camera  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , the taking lens hole  3  is loaded with a taking lens  4 , and a CCD (charge coupled device)  5  is attached to the image forming position of a subject image formed by the taking lens  4 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 1A , an LED (light emitting diode)  6  is arranged below the taking lens hole  3 . The LED  6  is used for a notification of release timing to a subject during timer-set shooting.  
      On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 1A , an operation dial  7  is provided at the upper left end (upper right end of the photographer) of the front of the camera  100 , and a part of the circumference of the operation dial  7  is exposed from the housing  2  as an operation unit. The photographer turns or presses the operation dial  7  to issue various instructions to set shooting conditions to the camera  100 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 1A , a top substrate  8  is provided at the upper portion inside the housing  2  of the camera  100 , and a bottom substrate  9  is provided at the lower portion inside the housing  2  of the camera  100 . These substrates are parallel to the bottom of the housing  2 . The top substrate  8  and the bottom substrate  9  are printed circuit boards provided with various electronic circuit parts. The top substrate  8  is mainly configured by a circuit for operation control of the camera  100  including a CPU described later. The bottom substrate  9  is mainly configured by a circuit for processing an image such as an image processing unit and a display image generation unit described later.  
      Additionally, as a similar printed circuit board, as shown in  FIGS. 1C, 1E , and  1 G, there is a capture substrate  10  at the right inside the front of the housing  2  of the camera  100  on the back perpendicularly to the bottom, and there is a power supply substrate  11  at the left inside the front of the housing  2  of the camera  100  on the front side perpendicularly to the bottom. The capture substrate  10  is configured by the drive circuit of the CCD described later and the control circuit of a built-in memory  12 , and the power supply substrate  11  is configured by a circuit of the power supply unit described later.  
      Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 1C , the built-in memory  12  which is semiconductor memory storing various data such as image data, etc. indicating an image taken by the camera  100  is provided at the right inside the housing  2  of the camera  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1E , and  1 G, there is a planar battery  13  which is a power source of the camera  100  at the left inside the front of the housing  2  of the camera  100 .  
      Additionally, a stand contact  14  which is a contact for reception of power supply from a camera stand for setting the camera  100  on when it is not carried by a user is provided on the side of the camera  100  as shown in  FIG. 1F .  
      The main components of the camera  100  according to the present embodiment are arranged as described above. As shown in  FIGS. 1G and 1I , to the right of the center of the back of the housing  2  viewed from the photographer, a finger rest  15  is provided as a lowered portion in the back of the housing  2 . The camera  100  is based on holding the camera with the right hand of a photographer, and the camera  100  can be easily held by the right portion with the thumb of the right hand of a photographer along the longitudinal direction of the finger rest  15 . In the back of the housing  2 , there is a window  17  inside of which a light emitting unit  30  for measurement of distance by a photographer and a line sensor  31  described later are mounted.  
      Described below is the configuration shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  shows the configuration of the camera  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , the same components as those shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1I  are assigned the same reference numerals.  
      The taking lens  4  comprises a zoom lens  4 - 1  for providing a zoom facility and a focus lens  4 - 2  for focusing so that a subject image can be formed on the surface of the CCD  5 .  
      The CCD  5  converts the optical image expressing the subject image to an electric signal.  
      After a capture unit  21  amplifies the electric signal which is an analog signal output from the CCD  5  up to a predetermined level, it converts the amplified signal into a digital signal and outputs image data representing an image of the subject image.  
      An image processing unit  22  performs image processing such as gamma correction, edge emphasis, white balance correction, etc. of the image represented by the image data on the image data output from the capture unit  21 . When the image data is stored in the built-in memory  12 , the data compressing process is performed on the image data as necessary.  
      In response to the instruction from a CPU  24 , the built-in memory  12  stores the image data processed by the image processing unit  22 , and records the captured image. When an image is regenerated by the camera  100 , the image data stored in the built-in memory  12  is read and transferred to a display image generation unit  23 .  
      The display image generation unit  23  generates an image represented by the image data output by the image processing unit  22  when an image is taken, and an image represented by the image data read from the built-in memory  12  when a recorded image is regenerated, and displays the generated image on the display unit  1  in a predetermined position and size. When the image data read from the built-in memory  12  is compressed data, a data decompressing process is performed. Then, a screen for display of the setting status of various information about the operation of the camera  100  transmitted from the CPU  24  such as the diaphragm, the shutter speed, the zoom ratio, etc. is generated and displayed on the display unit  1 . Then, a shooting display frame described later is generated at an instruction of the CPU  24 , and displayed on the display unit  1 .  
      The CPU (central processing unit)  24  performs the control program prepared in advance to control the operation of the entire camera  100 , and performs, for example, the arithmetic process for generating a shooting display frame described later and the process of calculating the brightness of the image captured by the CCD S. The control program can be stored in advance in the CPU  24 , or the non-volatile memory (not shown in the attached drawings) such as EEPROM, etc. It also can be stored in advance in semiconductor memory (not shown in the attached drawings) which is readable by the CPU  24 , externally attached, and removable.  
      An operation unit  25  has the operation dial  7 , obtains the operation contents of the photographer to the operation dial  7 , and notifies the CPU  24  of the operation contents.  
      A zoom motor  26  and a focus motor  27  respectively move the zoom lens  4 - 1  and the focus lens  4 - 2  under the management of the CPU  24 .  
      A subject distance measurement unit  28  measures the distance between the camera  100  and the subject to realize the auto focus (automatic focusing) function. In the present embodiment, to realize the auto focus function in the phase-contrast distance measurement system which is a well-known distance measurement system, an optical/electrical conversion device is provided as the subject distance measurement unit  28 , but it is also possible to use a contrast AF for moving the focus lens  4 - 2  to the position in which the highest contrast of the subject image obtained by the CCD  5  can be adopted by the camera  100 . In this case, the subject distance measurement unit  28  is not required as dedicated hardware.  
      A photographer (user) distance measurement unit  29  measures the distance between the camera  100  and the head (the eye to be more precise) of a photographer (user). According to the present embodiment, the photographer distance measurement unit  29  measures the distance obtained by the well known active system, that is, measures the distance based on the difference (incident angle of infrared) in detection position in which an infrared ray issued by the light emitting unit  30 , returned after reflected by the head portion of the photographer, and is detected by a line sensor  31 . The details are described later, but the CPU  24  allows the display image generation unit  23  to generate the shooting area frame of a size based on the distance and the zoom ratio by the zoom lens  4 - 1 , and displays it on the display unit  1 .  
      A power supply unit  32  converts the voltage of the battery  13  to a predetermined value and supplies power to each unit of the camera  100 . When the attachment to the camera stand  200  having the function as an external power supply is detected by the CPU  24  through the contact  14 - 1  which is one of the stand contacts  14 , the power supply unit  32  which receives the notification from the CPU  24  switches the input such that electric power can be received through the contact  14 - 2  which is one of the stand contacts  14  from a power supply unit  201  provided for a camera stand  200  instead of the battery  13 . When a secondary battery is used as the battery  13 , and power is received from the camera stand  200 , the battery  13  can be charged.  
      When the camera  100  is attached to a camera case  300 , the power supply unit  32  supplies power to a backlight  301  provided for the camera case  300  through a power supply contact  33 . The backlight  301  illuminates the display unit  1  from the front of the camera  100 .  
      When the camera  100  is loaded on the camera stand  200 , a backlight  202  provided for the camera stand  200  illuminates the display unit  1  from the front of the camera  100 .  
       FIG. 3  is explained below.  FIG. 3  shows the first example of the display unit  1 .  
      In the first example shown in  FIG. 3 , a light-transmission organic EL display element  41 - 1 , the ECD  42 , and a light-transmission organic EL display element  41 - 2  are laid in this order, thereby forming the display unit  1 .  
      The organic EL display elements  41 - 1  and  41 - 2  are self-light-emitting display elements. The organic EL display element  41 - 1  displays an image on the back of the camera  100 , and the organic EL display element  41 - 2  displays an image on the front of the camera  100 . The internal electrodes of the organic EL display elements  41 - 1  and  41 - 2  are formed by a transparent material, and the non-display area in the organic EL display elements  41 - 1  and  41 - 2  and the display area in the non-energized status indicate light permeability.  
      The internal electrode, etc. of an ECD  42  is formed by a transparent material. The ECD  42  cuts off the light transmission when a voltage is applied, and recovers the light permeability when an inverse voltage is applied. Therefore, after setting the ECD  42  in the light transmission status, the current captured image (what is called a monitor image) on the CCD  5  is displayed on the organic EL display element  41 - 1 . Then, the display of the monitor image superposed on the entity of the subject can be presented to the photographer. After setting the ECD  42  in the light transmission status, the image (recorded image) displayed by the data read from the built-in memory  12  is displayed on the organic EL display element  41 - 1 . Then, the display of the recorded image superposed on the entity of the subject can be presented to the photographer.  
      A monitor image can also be displayed on the organic EL display element  41 - 2 . In this case, for example, when a photographer himself or herself is shot, the photographer&#39;s image can be confirmed conveniently on the front side of the camera  100 . In this case, the ECD  42  can be set in either the light transmission status or the lightproof status.  
      It is also possible to simultaneously present the images to a plurality of photographers using the screens on the front (organic EL display element  41 - 1 ) and the back (organic EL display element  41 - 2 ) of the camera  100 .  
      As described above, when the ECD  42  is operated, the light transmission from the front to the back of the camera  100  can be cut off by applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes as described later. As a result, a subject cannot be seen through the display unit  1 . For example, when an image recorded in the built-in memory  12  is regenerated and displayed on the display unit  1 , the light transmission (from the front) is cut off by the ECD  42 , thereby improving the visibility of the regenerated image of a current captured image (what is called a monitor image) and captured and recorded image in the CCD  5 . On the other hand, as described above, when light is transmitted by the ECD  42 , a regenerated image can be observed through the light source and space like a positive slide in a silver salt camera.  
      The structure of the organic EL display elements  41 - 1  and  41 - 2  shown in  FIG. 3 , that is, the structure obtained by laying a glass substrate, an anode, a electron hole transportation layer, a light emitting layer, an electronic transportation layer, a cathode, and an insulation transparent layer in this order is well known, and the structure of the ECD  42  shown in  FIG. 3 , that is, the structure obtained by laying a glass substrate, an electrode, a coloring layer, a electrolytic layer, a coloring layer, and an electrode in this order is also well known.  
      The structure of the ECD  42  shown in  FIG. 3  is laid such that the light transmission from the front to the back of the camera  100  can be cut off, but it can be laid such that the light transmission from the back to the front of the camera  100  can be cut off. Thus, the visibility of the regenerated image of a current captured image (what is called a monitor image) and captured and recorded image in the CCD  5  displayed on the organic EL display element  41 - 2  on the front side of the camera  100  can be improved.  
      In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the display unit  1  is configured by laying the organic EL display element  41 - 1 , the ECD  42 , and the organic EL display element  41 - 2  in this order from the back to the front, but the display unit  1  can be configured by laying the organic EL display element  41 - 1 , the organic EL display element  41 - 2 , and the ECD  42  in this order from the back to the front of the camera  100 , or can be configured by laying the ECD  42 , the organic EL display element  41 - 1 , and the organic EL display element  41 - 2  in-this order from the back to the front of the camera  100 .  
      In  FIG. 3 , the ECD  42  is used to cut off the light transmission from the front to the back of the camera  100  and from the back to the front of the camera  100 , but a similar cutoff effect can be obtained using the LCD instead of the ECD  42 .  
      The above-mentioned display unit  1  is configured by two organic EL display elements and the ECD or LCD for cutting light off, but it also can be configured by one organic EL display element and the ECD or LCD for cutting light off.  
      On the other hand, the second example shown in  FIG. 4  is the display unit  1  formed by a light transmission LCD  43  in which a photographer can visually recognize by superposing the display on the subject image from the back of the camera  100  by operating the LCD  43  with the light received from the front of the camera  100 .  
      The structure of the light transmission LCD  43  shown in  FIG. 4 , that is, the structure obtained by laying a polarizing plate, a substrate and an electrode, a liquid crystal layer, an opposing electrode, a color filter, and a polarizing plate in this order is also well known.  
      Then, an example of a display screen of the display unit  1  of the camera  100  and the process performed by the CPU  24  for display of the screen on the display unit  1  are explained below.  
      First, examples of display screens shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B ,  6 A, and  6 B are explained below. These figures are the examples of the display screens of the display unit  1 . These figures show the screens for display of various information relating to the shooting by the camera  100  which are displayed on the display unit  1  when the camera  100  according to the present embodiment is in the operation mode (hereinafter referred to as a “shooting mode”) for a shooting operation.  
      First, the components of the display screens are explained by referring to  FIG. 5A .  
      In  FIG. 5A , a reference numeral  51  designates a current set value of the diaphragm of the taking lens  4 , and a reference numeral  52  designates a current set value of the shutter speed.  
      A shooting area frame  53  indicates a range to be recorded as a captured image in the landscape including the subject seen through the display unit  1  by a photographer. The subject seen through by the display unit  1  is regardless of the set position of the zoom lens  4 - 1 , that is, the zoom ratio. Therefore, it is necessary to set the shooting area frame  53  corresponding to a change of the shooting area due to a change of a zoom ratio. Unlike the conventional look-in finder, the display unit  1  permits the selection of the interval between the display unit and the eye of a photographer, and the subject size seen through by the interval depends on the interval. Therefore, it is necessary to set a shooting area frame with the above-mentioned condition taken into account.  
      An interval indication  54  refers to a value indicating the interval between the camera  100  and the head portion of a photographer, and is a measurement result.  
      A reference numeral  55  designates a zoom ratio display bar. A cursor  55 - 1  displays the current zoom position. Depending on the display position in the zoom ratio display bar  55  of the cursor  55 - 1 , the current setting of the zoom lens  4 - 1  is indicated. The practical explanation of the display of the zoom ratio display bar  55  is given below. That is, the display shown in  FIG. 5A  shows that the zoom lens  4 - 1  is set at the wide (wide-angle)-end, and the display shown in  FIG. 5B  shows that the zoom lens  4 - 1  is set at the telephoto-end.  
      When  FIG. 5A  is compared with  FIG. 5B , they are different in display of the zoom ratio display bar  55 , and different in size of the shooting area frame  53 . This indicates that, in  FIG. 5B , the zoom lens  4 - 1  has a smaller recordable range as a captured image in the landscape containing a subject seen through the display unit  1  by the photographer as a result of setting the zoom lens  4 - 1  at the telephoto-end than that shown in  FIG. 5A .  
      As shown by the interval indication  54  between the camera  100  and the head portion of the photographer,  FIG. 5C  shows the status in which the head portion of the photographer becomes farther from the camera  100  than that shown in  FIG. 5A  (the interval is extended from 20 cm to 40 cm). In the display shown in  FIG. 5C , the shooting area frame  53  is extended farther than in  FIG. 5A  by the above-mentioned extended amount, thereby appropriately enclosing the range recorded as a captured image in the landscape containing the subject seen through the display unit  1  by a photographer.  
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are explained below.  FIG. 6A  shows the screen display when the zoom lens  4 - 1  is set at the wide-end.  FIG. 6B  shows the screen display when the zoom lens  4 - 1  is set at the telephoto-end.  
      The display screens shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are different from those shown in FIGS.  5 A and  5 Ba in that an appropriate interval mark  56  is displayed instead of the interval indication  54  between the camera  100  and the head portion of the photographer so that an appropriate shooting area can be visually recognized. The appropriate interval mark  56  is the display indicating whether or not the interval measured by the photographer distance measurement unit  29  between the camera  100  and the head portion of the photographer is appropriate for the value set in the camera  100  in advance, for example, the visible distance (the distance at which a person having a normal sight can easily and correctly see an object) of 25 cm˜30 cm. If the distance is appropriate (within the range of an appropriate value), mark  56 - 1  is displayed brightly. If it is short, mark  56 - 2  is displayed brightly. If it is long, mark  56 - 3  is displayed brightly. The appropriate interval mark  56  is an announcement device for announcement as to whether or not the distance is within a predetermined range. The announcement can be made by sound.  
      The relationship of the sizes of the shooting area frame  53  between  FIGS. 6A and 6B  is the same as that between  FIG. 5A and 5B .  
      The relationship between the shooting angle of view of the camera  100  and the shooting area frame  53  is explained by referring to  FIG. 7 .  
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the camera  100 . The left to the camera  100  is the front side of the camera  100 , and the right is the back side of it. In  FIG. 7 , it is assumed that the eye of a photographer is positioned on the straight line perpendicular to the display plane of the rectangular display unit  1  and passing the center of the plane.  
      A variable shown in  FIG. 7  is explained below.  
      L indicates the interval between the camera  100  and the eye of a photographer, and the distance between the camera  100  measured by the photographer distance measurement unit  29  and the head portion of the photographer is used.  
      α indicates a shooting angle of view, and depends on the taking lens  4 . The value changes depending on the setting of the zoom ratio.  
      At this time, the width N of the shooting area frame  53  is to be set such that the visual angle at which the eyes of the photographer see the vertical line on both sides of the  53  can be α. That is, the following equation holds. 
 
 N= 2× L  tan (α/2)  (1) 
 
      However, assuming that the width of the display unit  1  is M, the visual angle β when the eyes of a photographer see both ends of the display unit  1  is calculated by the following equation. 
 
β=2×tan −1  ( M/ 2 /L )  (2) 
 
      Therefore, the shooting area frame  53  is displayed on the display unit  1  only when β≧α.  
      The above-mentioned explanation is given only for the width of the shooting area frame  53 , but the length and the width of the shooting area frame  53  can be similarly explained.  
      Described below is the shooting area calculating process shown in the flowchart in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . The process is to generate and display the shooting area frame  53  indicated in the display screen examples shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B , and  5 C. This process is performed by the CPU  24  executing the above-mentioned control program, calculates the dimensions of the shooting area frame  53  based on the above-mentioned explanation, allows the display image generation unit  23  to generate the shooting area frame  53  of the dimensions, and displays the result on the display unit  1 .  
      The process is started at predetermined intervals when the camera  100  is set in the shooting mode.  
      First, the main flow of the shooting area calculating process shown in  FIG. 8A  is explained.  
      In S 101 , the process of calculating the width of the shooting area frame  53  is performed. In S 102 , the process of calculating the length of the shooting area frame  53  is performed.  
      In S 103 , the valued of the width and the length of the shooting area frame  53  calculated in the processes in S 101  and S 102  are transmitted to the display image generation unit  23 , and the shooting area frame  53  is generated.  
      In S 104 , an instruction to display the generated shooting area frame  53  in the center of the display unit  1  is issued to the display image generation unit  23 . Afterwards, the shooting area calculating process terminates, and the CPU  24  performs another process.  
      Next, the width calculating process shown in  FIG. 8B  is explained below. This process is performed in S 101  shown in  FIG. 8A .  
      First, in S 111 , the value of the interval L between the camera  100  and the eye of a photographer is obtained from the measurement result by the photographer distance measurement unit  29 .  
      In S 112 , the current setting of the zoom ratio obtain by the current position of the zoom lens  4 - 1  controlled by the CPU  24  is obtained. In S 113 , the shooting angle of view α at the zoom ratio is obtained by referring to the table prepared in advance.  
      In S 114 , the predetermined value of the width M of the display unit  1  and the value of L obtained in the process in S 111  is assigned to the equation ( 2 ), and the visual angle β when the eyes of a photographer see both ends of the display unit  1  is calculated.  
      In S 115 , the value of α obtained in the process in S 113  is compared with the value of β calculated in the process in S 114 . If β≧α (YES as a result of the determination result in S 115 ), control is passed to step S  116 . If β&lt;α (NO as a result of the determination result in S 115 ), control is passed to step S  117 .  
      In S 116 , the value of L obtained in the process in Sill and the value of α obtained in the process in S 113  are assigned to the equation (1) above, the width N of the shooting area frame  53  is calculated, and then the width calculating process is terminated, thereby returning control to the original process.  
      In S 117 , the calculation result of the value of the width N of the shooting area frame  53  is defined as ∞ (infinity), and then the width calculating process is terminated, thereby returning control to the original process.  
      The processes described above are the width calculating process. When ∞ is transmitted from the CPU  24  as a value of the width N, the display image generation unit  23  prevents the vertical pole on both sides configuring the shooting area frame  53  from being displayed on the display unit  1 .  
      The contents of the length calculating process in S 102  shown in  FIG. 8A  are similar to those of the width calculating process shown in  FIG. 8B . Therefore, the explanation is omitted here.  
      By the CPU  24  performing the above-mentioned processes, the shooting area frame  53  is displayed on the display unit  1 .  
      In the above-mentioned shooting area calculating process, the shooting area frame  53  generated by the display image generation unit  23  is displayed in the center of the display unit  1 . However, the influence of what is called parallax caused by the difference in position between the taking lens  4  and the eye of a photographer becomes outstanding by the macro shooting which is performed near a subject. Therefore, the influence of the parallax can be broken up by changing the display position of the shooting area frame  53  in the display unit  1  based on the distance between the camera  100  and the subject. The parallax amendment depending on the distance from a subject is explained by referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B .  
       FIG. 9A  shows a display screen of the display unit  1  in the operation of shooting a distance as a subject. In this case, no parallax amendment is required. Therefore, the shooting area frame  53  is displayed in the center of the display surface of the display unit  1 . On the other hand,  FIG. 9B  indicates the display screen of the display unit  1  during the operation of shooting a near distance. In this case, to make a parallax amendment, the shooting area frame  53  is displayed at the upper left end of the display surface of the display unit  1 . That is, the shooting area frame  53  shown in  FIG. 9B  displays the shooting area frame  53  at a position closer to the position of the taking lens  4  of the camera  100 , and the range of an image shot by the taking lens  4  is more appropriately reflected.  
      To display the shooting area frame  53  depending on the distance from a subject, for example, in the step of the shooting area calculating process in S 104  shown in  FIG. 8A , the CPU  24  is allowed to perform the processes of: obtaining the distance between the camera  100  and a subject measured by the subject distance measurement unit  28 ; obtaining the display position in the display unit  1  of the shooting area frame  53  in this distance by referring to a predetermined table; and issuing an instruction to display the shooting area frame  53  in this position to the display image generation unit  23 .  
      Next, the image display on the display unit  1  when the camera  100  is operating in the shooting mode is explained by referring to  FIGS. 10A, 10B , and  10 C, and  11 A,  11 B, and  11 C.  
      In the camera  100 , in the shooting mode, the monitor images continuously captured by the CCD  5  and the recorded image stored in the built-in memory  12  can be displayed on the display unit  1  for seeing through a subject for confirmation of the subject.  
      In the display example shown in  FIG. 10A , the display unit  1  sees through a subject image  61  about a subject (in  FIG. 10A , a car). At this time, as shown in  FIG. 10B , when a photographer operates the operation dial  5  and issues a predetermined instruction to the camera  100 , a monitor image  62  of a subject shot by the CCD  5  at that time is displayed in an image display frame  63  of the display unit  1 , and the photographer can see laid images of the subject image  61  and the monitor image  62 .  
      As clearly shown in the zoom ratio display bar  55 , the zoom lens  4 - 1  is set at wide-end as shown in  FIG. 10B . When the photographer operates the operation dial  5  and issues an instruction to move the zoom lens  4 - 1  to a telephoto-end, the shooting area frame  53  is reduced in size and the monitor image  62  displayed in the image display frame  63  is enlarged. The display of the display unit  1  when the zoom lens  4 - 1  is moved to the telephoto-end from the status shown in  FIG. 10B  is an example of image display shown in  FIG. 10C .  
       FIGS. 11A, 11B , and  11 C show examples of display when the image displayed on the display unit  1  is replaced with the monitor image  62  which is used as a recorded image in the built-in memory  12 .  
      In  FIG. 11A , when the display unit  1  makes the subject image  61  of a subject be seen through, the photographer operates the operation dial  7  and issues a predetermined instruction to the camera  100 , and thus the recorded image (recorded image  64 ) relating to the instruction indicates the status of the display in the image display frame  63  of the display unit  1 . Therefore, the photographer sees a laid image of the subject image  61  and the recorded image  64 .  
      The photographer issues a predetermined instruction to the camera  100  by operating the operation dial  7  in the display status shown in  FIG. 11A , thereby changing the size and the display position of the recorded image  64  displayed on the display unit  1  as shown in  FIGS. 11B and 11C .  
      Depending on the change of shooting conditions when the photographer changes the zoom ratio or the distance from the subject image  61 , or when the brightness changes by the change of weather or a shooting place, etc., as shown in  FIGS. 11B and 11C , the photographer can easily and appropriately recognize the subject image  61  and the image display frame  63 . Also when a monitor image is displayed on the display unit  1  shown in  FIGS. 10A, 10B , and  10 C, similar process can be realized.  
      Described below is the shooting time image displaying process which is the process performed by the CPU  24  to allow the display unit  1  display the screen as shown in  FIGS. 10A, 10B , and  10 C, and  FIGS. 11A, 11B , and  11 C when the camera  100  is operating in the shooting mode.  FIG. 12  shows a flowchart showing the contents of the process.  
      This process is also performed by the CPU  24  executing the control program as in the shooting area calculating process shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , and when the camera  100  is set in the shooting mode, the operation is started at predetermined intervals.  
      First, in S 201 , the process of obtaining the contents of the instruction corresponding to the operation performed on the operation dial  7  is performed.  
      In S 202 , it is determined whether the contents of the instruction relates to the display of an image, or relates to the stop of the display of an image. If the instruction relates to the display of an image, control is passed to S 203 . If the instruction relates to the stop of the display of an image, control is passed to S 206 .  
      In S 203 , it is determined whether or not the contents of the instruction indicate a display request. If the determination result is YES, control is passed to S 205 . If the determination result is NO in S 203 , then it is assumed that a display request for the recorded image  64  is made, an instruction is issued to the display image generation unit  23  in S 204 , the image data relating to an instruction to the operation dial  7  is read from the built-in memory  12 , and an image decompressing process is performed and a process of obtaining a displayed image is performed, thereby passing control to S 208 . The display image generation unit  23  performs a process according to an instruction from the CPU  24 .  
      In S 205 , the setting of the current zoom ratio in the zoom by the zoom lens  4 - 1  is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the zoom ratio indicates the “wide” status, that is, the zoom lens  4 - 1  is positioned at the wide-end. If the determination result in S 205  is YES, then an instruction is issued to the display image generation unit  23  in S 206 , and the display of a displayed image performed in the display unit  1  is performed, and the display image generation unit  23  performs a process at an instruction of the CPU  24 . When the process in S 206  is terminated, the shooting time image displaying process terminates, and the CPU  24  performs another process.  
      On the other hand, if the determination result in S 205  is NO, then control is passed to S 207 , an instruction is issued to the display image generation unit  23 , and the CCD  5  performs a process of obtaining image data (monitor image) indicating the shot image as displayed image from the capture unit  21 .  
      When the zoom ratio of the camera  100  is in the “wide” status, the determining process in S 205  is performed so that power consumption can be reduced by suppressing the display of the monitor image  62  although a photographer issues a display request for the monitor image  62 . Although the zoom ratio of the camera  100  is in the “wide” status as in the display example shown in  FIG. 10B , the monitor image  62  can be displayed by deleting the process in S 205  from the flowchart shown in  FIG. 12 . If the determination result is YES in S 203 , control is passed to S 207 .  
      In S 208 , the image data representing the image captured by the CCD  5  is obtained from the capture unit  21 , and the brightness of the entire image, that is, the brightness of the surrounding portion of the camera  100  is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the calculation result is in a range of an appropriate value. If the brightness is in the range of the appropriate value, then control is passed to S 211 . If the brightness is higher than the appropriate value, the setting of the brightness when the displayed image is displayed on the display unit  1  in S 209  is enhanced, and then control is passed to S 211 . If the brightness is lower than the appropriate value, then the brightness at which a displayed image is displayed on the display unit  1  is set lower in S 210 . Afterwards, control is passed to S 211 . In the processes in S 208  through S 211 , when the organic EL display element which is a self-emitting display element is used as the display unit  1 , the display brightness is changed depending on the brightness of the surroundings of the camera  100 , thereby improving the visibility of the displayed image.  
      In S 211 , it is determined whether or not an instruction to change the display size of a displayed image has been issued by the operation of the operation dial  7 . Only when the determination result is YES, the change of the setting of the display size of a displayed image is indicated to the display image generation unit  23  in S 212 .  
      In S 213 , it is determined whether or not an instruction to change the display position of a displayed image has been issued by the operation of the operation dial  7 . Only when the determination result is YES, the change of the setting of the display position of a displayed image is indicated to the display image generation unit  23  in S 214 .  
      For example, as shown in  FIG. 11A , if there is a large area in which the display of the subject image  61  is superposed on the display of the recorded image  64 , when a photographer operates the operation dial  7  and issues an-instruction, the processes in S 212  and S 214  are performed by the CPU  24 , and as shown in  FIGS. 11B and 11C , the size of the recorded image  64  is reduced, and the subject image  61  is moved to a position in which it can be visually recognized. As a result, it is possible to easily and appropriately recognize a subject and a captured image or a recorded image visually. Furthermore, the relationship between the subject and the captured image can be appropriately recognized visually.  
      In S 215 , the display instruction of a displayed image to the display unit  1  is transmitted. Upon receipt of the instruction, the display image generation unit  23  displays the displayed image of a predetermined size together with the image display frame  63  in a predetermined position in the display unit  1 .  
      After performing the process in S 215 , the shooting time image displaying process terminates, and the CPU  24  performs other processes.  
      The process in S 212  is performed when an instruction to change the display size of a displayed image is issued by the operation of the operation dial  7 . However, the setting information of the current zoom ratio in the zoom by the zoom lens  4 - 1 , and the distance information between the camera  100  and the subject obtained by the subject distance measurement unit  28  is read by CPU  24 , and by referring to the setting information prepared in advance and the table of a display size depending on the distance information, a display size of a displayed image is determined so that a process of indicating to the display image generation unit  23  can be performed.  
      Similarly, the process in S 213  is performed when an instruction to change the display position of a displayed image is issued in the operation of the operation dial  7 , but it is also possible to perform the process of indicating to the display image generation unit  23  by the CPU  24  reading the setting information about the current zoom ratio and the distance information between the camera  100  and the subject, and determining the display position by referring to the table of a display position.  
      The above-mentioned processes are the shooting time image displaying process, and the CPU  24  performs the processes, thereby performing display setting based on the indication from the operation dial  7  and shooting condition during a shooting operation. The images shown in  FIGS. 10A, 10B ,  10 C,  11 A,  11 B, and  11 C are displayed on the display unit  1 .  
      Then, the image composite shooting which is one of the application shooting operation which can be performed using the camera  100  is described below by referring to an example of image display shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B .  
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  show examples of image display during composite shooting.  FIG. 13A  shows the case in which the zoom ratio of the camera  100  is in the “wide” status, and  FIG. 13B  shows the case in which the zoom ratio of the camera  100  is in the “telephoto” status.  
      In the examples of display screen shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the display unit  1  displays the shooting area frame  53 , and, on the left in the shooting area frame  53 , the subject image  61  of the subject (a person in  FIGS. 13A and 13B ) is seen through. On the other hand, on the right in the shooting area frame  53 , the recorded image  64  relating to an instruction from a photographer is displayed. The display size of the recorded image  64  changes depending on the size of the shooting area frame  53 , that is, the zoom ratio of the camera  100 .  
      When the photographer operates the operation dial  7  with the screen displayed on the display unit  1  and issues a release instruction, a subject is taken, and a composite image of the subject image  61  and the recorded image  64  arranged side by side is generated and stored in the built-in memory  12  as the screen display in the shooting area frame  53 . This is the image composite shooting by the camera  100 .  
      The image composite shooting mode process performed by the CPU  24  when a mode change instruction is issued to the image composite shooting mode which is an operation mode for performing image composite shooting in the camera  100  by the photographer operating the operation dial  7  is explained below.  FIG. 14  is a flowchart of the contents of the process.  
      The process is performed by the CPU  24  executing the above-mentioned control program as in the shooting area calculating process shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B .  
      First, in S 301 , an instruction is given to the display image generation unit  23 , and the image data of the recorded image relating to the instruction from the photographer is read from the built-in memory  12 , and data is decompressed.  
      In S 302 , the shooting area calculating process is performed, and the shooting area frame  53  is displayed on the display unit  1 .  
      In S 303 , an instruction is issued to the display image generation unit  23  to change the size of a recorded image as the size of the right half of the shooting area frame  53 .  
      In S 304 , an instruction is given to the display image generation unit  23 , and the recorded image whose size has been changed in the process in the step is displayed in the right half of the area in the shooting area frame  53  of the display unit  1 .  
      In S 305 , it is determined whether or not the operation to the operation dial  7  by a photographer has performed release (shoot instruction). If the release is confirmed (YES in determination result), control is passed to S  306 . On the other hand, if the released is not confirmed (NO in determination result), control is returned to S 301 , and the above-mentioned processes are repeated.  
      In S 306 , an instruction is issued to the image processing unit  22 , the CCD  5  obtains the image data of the captured image of the subject image  61  taken at this time according to the predetermined shooting conditions.  
      In S 307 , an instruction is issued to the image processing unit  22 , the left half of the captured image as display of the subject image  61  and the recorded image  64  which is the right half size of the shooting area frame  53  are arranged side by side to generate a composite image.  
      In S 308 , an instruction is issued to the image processing unit  22 , the image data representing the composite image generated in the previous step is data-compressed, and the compressed composite image data is stored in the built-in memory  12 . Afterwards, control is returned to S 301 , and the above-mentioned processes are repeated.  
      The above-mentioned processes are the image composite shooting mode process, and by performing the process by the CPU  24 , a person who is a subject and a person who is a captured image can be taken as a composite image.  
      In the above-mentioned image composite shooting mode process, a person who is a subject is positioned on the left and a person who has been a captured image is positioned on the right when a composite image is generated. However, the arrangement can be easily changed. It is also possible to generate a composite image by displaying a captured image in any position in the shooting area frame  53  by specifying the size and display position of the recorded image  64  using the operation dial  7 .  
      Since the camera  100  is configured as shown above, it is small, thin, and capable of confirming a captured image using a transparent optical finder as if a user were operating a slide. Furthermore, a photographer using the camera  100  can easily and correctly recognize the relationship between the entire image of a subject and a captured image visually. Furthermore, although a photographer the photographer is a subject, the photographer can easily confirm and take the image of the photographer. It is also possible to confirm an image of a subject and a recorded image using one camera  100 .  
      One of the accessories to the camera  100  is a camera case  300  whose shape is described above.  
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  show the first example of the camera case  300 . By covering the front of the camera  100  with the camera case  300 , the front side of the camera  100  can be covered with the camera case  300 .  FIG. 15A  shows the use of the camera case  300 .  FIG. 15B  shows the open status of the camera case  300 . The camera case  300  is made of a thin material such as leather, plastic, or a metal plate with deep drawing, etc.  
       FIG. 15A  shows an opening on the camera case  300  for the disclosure of the taking lens hole  3  of the camera  100  with the camera case  300  covering the camera  100 . Therefore, the camera  100  can take a picture even using the camera case  300 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 15B , the camera case  300  can be combined with the camera  100  with the flexible hinge  302  applied to the bottom of the housing  2  of the camera  100  engaged with the opening of the long slot. Furthermore, when the display object to be used in the display unit  1 , for example, an LCD which is a non-self-emitting is used, the inside of the camera case  300  is configured to include the backlight  301  illuminating the display unit  1  from the front side of the camera  100 . The size of the backlight  301  is appropriate to be incorporated into the concave portion of the front side.  
      The power to turn on the backlight  301  is supplied by the camera  100 .  FIG. 16  shows the enlarged portion of the lens  3  of the camera  100 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the portion of the lens  3  is provided with the power supply contact  33  for output of power to the backlight  301 . On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 15B , in the position contacting the power supply contact  33  of the camera  100  when the camera  100  is covered with the camera case  300 , a power supply contact  303  on the case side is provided. Therefore, when the camera  100  is covered with the camera case  300 , power is supplied from the camera  100  to the backlight  301 , and the backlight  301  is turned on, thereby illuminating the display unit  1  and the displayed image can be recognized visually.  
      The second example of the camera case shown in  FIG. 17  is explained below. The second example is a note-cover-shaped, and is configured by a front side case  300 - 1  covering the front side of the camera  100 , and a back side case  300 - 2  covering the back of the camera  100  connected through the  311 . By closing the  300 - 2  from the status shown above, and leading the belt  312  through the belt stop  313 , the entire camera  100  is covered. The status shown in  FIG. 17  is similar to the status shown in  FIG. 15A , thereby enabling the camera  100  to capture images, and the power supplied from the camera  100  turns on the backlight  301 , thereby illuminating the display unit  1 .  
      Next, the structure of the camera stand  200  which is one of the accessories of the  100  is explained below.  
       FIGS. 18 and 19  show examples of the camera stand  200 . The camera stand  200  is configured by the holder  210  for holding the camera  100 , an arm  220  for holding a holder  210 , and a stand  230  for uplifting the camera stand  200  by supporting the arm  220 . As it is clearly indicated by comparison between  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 , the holder  210  is configured to rotate the arm  220  on a fulcrum. For example, depending on the direction of an image to be displayed on the display unit  1 , the camera  100  can be held horizontally, vertically, etc. The posture shown in  FIG. 19  is appropriate for the observation of an image captured vertically.  
      The holder  210  is configured by a base portion  211 , side units  211 - 1  and  211 - 2 , and a bottom unit  213 . When the camera  100  is slid from above the holder  210  shown in  18 , and inserted and set, the front, side, and the bottom of the camera  100  can be held. At this time, the side holders  214 - 1  and  214 - 2  and respectively provided for the side units  211 - 1  and  211 - 2  hold the camera  100  at the respective sides, and a front side holder  215  holds the camera  100  from the front side.  
      As shown in  FIG. 18 , when the display unit  1  of the camera  100  is self illuminating such as an LCD, etc., the base portion  211  of the holder  210  on the camera stand  200  are provided with backlights  202 . With the camera  100  attached to the camera stand  200 , the backlight  202  is turned on. Then, the display unit  1  is illuminated from the front to improving the visibility of a display.  
      Furthermore, the side unit  212 - 2  of the holder  210  is provided with the connector  216 . By coupling a connector  216  to the stand contact  14  of the camera  100 , the power for operating the camera  100  can be provided by the camera stand  200 .  
      Additionally, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be further improved and changed within the gist of the present invention.