Patent ID: 7667763

Claim:
An image pickup equipment for recording image data by use of an imaging device for picking up an image of an object, comprising: a mode selector for selling a selected one of plural photographing modes including a standard photographing mode and a portrait mode; a memory for storing first and second gamma conversion tables for gradation conversion, said first gamma conversion table being used for said standard photographing mode, and said second gamma conversion table being used for said portrait mode, predetermined to extend a dynamic range of said image data characteristically in comparison with said first gamma conversion table; an image processor for processing said image data in gradation conversion by use of said first or second gamma conversion table; an AE evaluator for acquiring an optimized exposure amount according to brightness derived from said image data; an exposure control unit for control of an exposure amount of said imaging device; a controller for, when said portrait mode is set, causing said exposure control unit to set exposure lower than said optimized exposure amount being obtained, and for controlling said image processor to process portrait mode image data in gradation conversion according to said second gamma conversion table, said portrait mode image data being acquired by use of said imaging device and by setting said exposure lower; a shutter button, operable by depression, for causing said controller to stand by upon halfway depression, and for causing said controller to record said image data upon full depression; and a display panel, controlled by said controller, for displaying an image, wherein, when said portrait mode is set and when said shutter button remains unshifted, an image of image data of said object picked up at said optimized exposure amount is displayed on said display panel in a state processed in said gradation conversion according to said first gamma conversion table, and wherein, when said shutter button is depressed halfway, an image of said portrait mode image data in an under exposed state is displayed on said display panel in a state processed in said gradation conversion according to said second gamma conversion table.