Patent ID: 8582002

Claim:
An imaging method comprising a step of setting a zoom magnification when a digital zoom operation mode is selected for enlarging an image imaged by an imaging part of an X-Y address type, in which an exposure time is controlled by a shutter signal for starting exposure for scanning plural pixels arranged in a matrix shape in a vertical direction and a readout signal for ending the exposure, and enlarging the image imaged by the imaging part at the zoom magnification set, wherein the imaging method comprises: setting, when the digital zoom operation mode is selected, a maximum exposure time of the imaging part to a predetermined time shorter than a vertical scanning period of the readout signal and setting an exposure time of the imaging part not to exceed the maximum exposure time set; setting an imaging range in a vertical direction of the imaging part according to the zoom magnification set in the digital zoom step; and outputting a driving signal for scanning the shutter signal and the readout signal to perform exposure in the imaging range set in the imaging range setting step at the exposure time set in the exposure time setting step and driving the imaging part, the digital zoom step includes a step of setting, when the zoom magnification is changed, a maximum rate of change of the zoom magnification on the basis of the maximum exposure time set in the exposure time setting step to prevent a shutter signal for scanning the imaging range corresponding the zoom magnification after the change from interfering with a readout signal for scanning the imaging range corresponding to the zoom magnification before the change, and in the digital zoom step, the zoom magnification is changed not to exceed the maximum rate of change set in the maximum-rate-of-change setting step.