JPH10336502A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera in a simplified shape and having superior operability with respect to the electronic cameras, such as a video camera and a digital still camera. SOLUTION: Related to the electronic camera where a image-pickup section main body 11 that has a 1st side 53 and a 1st side face 51 perpendicular thereto and an image-pickup element, and a display section main body 12 that has a 2nd side 54 and a 2nd side face 52 perpendicular thereto, and an external display device on the 2nd side 54 of which an image is displayed are connected mutually freely turnably on the 1st and 2nd side faces 51, 52, and a lens unit and an optical finder unit whose image-pickup optical axes are arranged in a direction along the 1st side face 51 and the 1st side 53 are arranged sequentially in the image-pickup main body 11 from the 1st side face 51 toward its opposite face 55.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electronic camera such as a video camera and a digital still camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the appearance and usage of a conventional electronic camera. Recently, in an electronic camera such as a video camera and a digital still camera, a display unit 42 having a liquid crystal display (LCD) is rotatably connected to an imaging unit 41 in which a photographing lens and an imaging element are arranged. Are being developed.

With this electronic camera, an operator can take an image while visually recognizing a subject not only in front but also above and below on a display screen, and can confirm the image on the spot where the image was taken. Normally, the operator holds the imaging unit 41 with the right hand 43 to support the entire electronic camera, and performs imaging with the shooting lens directed in a desired direction.

[0004]

In order for the electronic camera with the screen to be widely used, it is desired that the electronic camera with the screen be easily housed and formed into a shape that is easy to carry. In particular,
It is necessary to make the overall shape as long and thin as possible. Considering the conventional electronic camera shown in FIG. 6 from such a viewpoint, the display unit 42 has the widest upper surface on which the screen is displayed, whereas the imaging unit 41 has the right side with the right palm. It has a wide shape. Therefore,
Even when the display unit 42 and the imaging unit 41 are not relatively rotated, the shape cannot be easily stored. In particular, in an electronic camera having a zoom function, since the lens unit is long in the direction of the optical axis, an additional protruding portion may be added to the imaging unit 41 in some cases.

[0005] Therefore, it is desired to develop a horizontally long and thin electronic camera configured to have a flat shape when the two are arranged side by side, but there is a problem how to configure the electronic camera with good operability. . The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and has as its object to provide an electronic camera having a simplified shape and excellent operability.

[0006]

An electronic camera according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image pickup section main body having a first surface and a first side surface perpendicular to the first surface and having an image pickup element, and a second surface. A display unit body having an external display device having a second side surface perpendicular to the second side surface and displaying an image on the second surface;
An electronic camera, which is rotatably connected to each other on the side surface of the electronic camera, wherein the imaging unit body has a first side surface and a direction along the first surface from the first side surface to the opposing surface. A lens unit and an optical finder unit having an aligned imaging optical axis are sequentially arranged.

[0007] The electronic camera according to the second aspect is the first aspect.
Wherein the electronic flash unit is arranged between the optical finder unit and the opposing surface of the imaging unit main body in a line with the optical finder unit. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first or second aspect, a display window for displaying a state of the electronic camera is provided at a position facing the lens unit on the first surface. One or both of a setting button for setting a control mode of the camera is arranged.

An electronic camera according to a fourth aspect is the electronic camera according to the first aspect.
3. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein a display window for displaying a state of the electronic camera and a setting button for setting a control mode of the electronic camera are provided at a position facing the lens unit on the first surface. It is characterized by being arranged side by side in the axial direction. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the third or fourth aspect, an image capturing button is provided at a position closer to the opposing surface from the arrangement position of the display window or the setting button on the first surface. It is characterized in that one or both of the zoom buttons are arranged.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera having an image pickup section main body having a first surface and a first side surface perpendicular to the first surface and including an image sensor, a second surface and a second surface perpendicular to the second surface. An electronic camera comprising: a display unit main body having an external display device having a side surface and displaying an image on a second surface; and a first and second side surfaces rotatably connected to each other, Second
A rotation operation member that is rotatable in the scroll direction of the display screen of the external display device and that switches the screen display is disposed near the surface facing the second side surface on the second surface. I do.

[0010] The electronic camera according to claim 7 is the electronic camera according to claim 6.
In the electronic camera described in (1), the arrangement position of the rotary operation member is in the vicinity of the opposing surface on the second surface and on a straight line that bisects the length of the display screen in the scroll direction. An electronic camera according to an eighth aspect is the electronic camera according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the imaging unit main body and the display unit main body are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having substantially the same shape and size. It is characterized by being performed.

(Operation) In the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the imaging unit main body and the display unit main body are connected to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other on the first side surface and the second side surface. The unit main body includes an image sensor, and the display unit main body includes an external display device that displays an image on a second surface perpendicular to the second side surface.

In the image pickup unit main body, the lens unit and the optical finder unit are arranged side by side with the imaging optical axis aligned in the direction along the first side surface and the first surface perpendicular to the first side surface. The distance between the lens unit and the opposing surface, that is, the width of the side surface, can be set to a value corresponding to the diameter of the opening of the lens unit or the optical finder unit. Here, since the lens unit and the optical finder unit have a column shape that is longer in the direction of the imaging optical axis than the diameter of the opening,
The imaging unit main body can be formed as a thin shape whose side surface is smaller than the first surface.

In general, the display unit main body is formed as a thin shape whose side surface is smaller than the second surface for displaying an image, so that the first surface of the imaging unit main unit and the second surface of the display unit main unit are formed. In a state where the second surface is not relatively rotated, the overall shape is simplified. In addition, when supporting the display unit main body with one hand and the image pickup unit main body with the other hand to support the entire apparatus, the heaviest lens unit is arranged at a position close to the rotating part to improve stability. Can be secured.

In particular, at the time of imaging, the imaging unit main body is supported from other sides except for the side surface where the opening of the lens unit is exposed and the first side which is a rotating part. Since the portion can be arranged in the vicinity of the rotating portion farthest from the support position, the possibility that the portion is covered with the finger and the imaging fails can be reduced.
In the electronic camera according to the second aspect, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the electronic flash unit is arranged between the optical finder unit and the first side surface of the imaging unit main body. Be placed.

That is, at a portion sandwiched between the first surface and the opposite surface, a lens unit, an optical finder,
Since the three electronic flash units are arranged along the first surface, the image pickup unit main body is kept in a thin shape having a smaller side surface than the first surface, similarly to the electronic camera according to claim 1. At the same time, flash photography of still images becomes possible. Also,
According to this arrangement, the opening of the electronic flash unit is arranged at least as wide as the opening of the optical finder unit with respect to the opening of the lens unit, so that when a person or an animal is photographed by flash, red-eye occurs. Possibilities can be reduced.

At this time, according to this arrangement, the electronic flash unit and the lens unit are separated from each other with the optical finder unit interposed therebetween, so that noise caused by the emission of the flash can be suppressed from being mixed into the image information. . In the electronic camera according to the third aspect, in the electronic camera according to the first or second aspect, either one of a display window that displays a state of the electronic camera and a setting button that sets a control mode of the electronic camera or Both are arranged at positions facing the lens unit on the first surface. That is, the setting button or the display window can be arranged near the turning portion on the first surface of the imaging section main body.

In general, since the control mode of the electronic camera is determined prior to imaging, operation of the setting button during imaging should be avoided. Also, finger touching the display window,
It should be avoided because it gets dirty with fingerprints. Therefore, when the imaging unit main body is sandwiched from the opposing surface of the first side surface at the time of imaging, the possibility that the finger touches the display window or the setting button in the vicinity of the rotating part distant from the support position can be reduced.

In the electronic camera according to the fourth aspect, the display window and the setting button are arranged side by side in the direction of the imaging optical axis of the lens unit on the first surface. Different from electronic cameras. The direction of the imaging optical axis is the same as the longitudinal direction of each unit, that is, the direction of a straight line where the first surface and the first side surface are in contact with each other.
In the case where the display window and the setting button are arranged in the vicinity of the rotating part as in the electronic camera described in the above, it can be said that this is the most rational positional relationship.

In the electronic camera according to the fifth aspect, one or both of the imaging button and the zoom button are shifted from the arrangement position of the display window or the setting button on the first surface to the opposing surface of the first side surface. Placed at the right position. Here, since the imaging button and the zoom button are buttons to be used at the time of imaging, the operator needs to operate these buttons while supporting the imaging unit main body at the time of imaging. By placing a finger near the button and holding the image pickup unit body from the opposing surface of the first side surface and the opposing surface of the side surface where the lens opening is formed, it is possible to perform both button operation and support without fail. It can be performed. Furthermore, since the display window and the setting button are arranged at a position closer to the rotating part than the imaging button and the zoom button,
As long as the photographing is performed in the above-described manner of supporting, the possibility of the finger touching is extremely low.

In the electronic camera according to the sixth aspect, the imaging unit main body and the display unit main body are connected to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other on the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively. And the display unit main body is a second perpendicular to the second side surface.
And an external display device for displaying an image on the surface of the device. In general,
The operator performs the operation while supporting the imaging unit main body and the display unit main body with each hand.

Therefore, by disposing the rotary operation member for switching the screen display of the external display device near the second surface of the display unit main body opposite to the second side surface, the operator can operate the display unit main body. Can be rotated while holding the device from its facing surface, so that both the support of the device and the switching of the screen display can be reliably performed.

At this time, since the direction of the rotation operation of the rotary operation member coincides with the direction of the scroll of the display screen, the operator can intuitively scroll in the desired direction. In the electronic camera according to the seventh aspect, in the electronic camera according to the sixth aspect, the arrangement position of the rotary operation member is on a straight line that bisects the length of the display screen in the scroll direction. In general, the portion where the rotary operation member protrudes on the second surface is long in the rotation direction, so that the rotary operation member is rationally arranged with the longitudinal direction along the side of the display screen.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the imaging unit main body and the display unit main body are substantially rectangular parallelepipeds having substantially the same shape and size. In the state where the first surface of the imaging unit main body and the second surface of the display unit main body are not relatively rotated, the overall shape is simplified to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Is done.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments corresponding to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic camera according to the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, and FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part cut along a cutting line indicated by,-,-and viewed in a direction of an arrow.

The electronic camera according to the present embodiment differs from the conventional example shown in FIG. 6 in that the imaging section main body 11 and the display section main body 12 are formed in the same shape and the same rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the side surface 51 of the imaging section main body 11 is formed. (A first side) and a side surface 52 (a second side) of the display unit main body 12 having the same shape and the same size as the imaging unit main body 11.
Both sides 5
1, 52 are rotatably connected about an axis perpendicular to the axis.

That is, in FIG. 1, the upper surface 53 of the image pickup unit main body 11 corresponds to the first surface, and the upper surface 54 of the display unit main body 12
Corresponds to the second surface. By the way, in the imaging unit main body 11,
A machine such as an optical system and a motor related to imaging is mounted.
As the main elements, a columnar lens unit 13, an optical finder unit 14, and an electronic flash unit 15 having the imaging optical axes aligned are arranged such that both end faces face side faces 56, 57 adjacent to the side face 51, respectively, and the rotation joint section 24 is provided. Are arranged in order from the position close to.

With this arrangement, the shape of the image pickup unit main body 11 can be formed so as to be thin, with the width of the side surface being a value corresponding to the diameter of these units. Here, the lens unit 13 includes a lens barrel, an image sensor, and a control mechanism for appropriately changing the position of the photographing lens in the lens barrel according to an instruction from a zoom button 19 described later. This photographing lens has a lens opening 13a formed on the side surface 56.
Exposed to the outside.

The finder unit 14 indicates the range in which the operator can take a picture. The side surfaces 56 and 57 have a finder objective window 14a and a finder eyepiece window 14b (see FIG. 5). Electronic flash unit 15
Is provided with a mechanism for emitting flash light from the light emitting window 15a formed on the side surface 56 to a predetermined outside area.

On the other hand, the LCD 21 serving as an external display device is disposed in the display unit main body 12 with the LCD display window 21a exposed on the upper surface 54. At a position closer to a side surface 58 facing the side surface 52 from the LCD 21, the rotary dial 22 has a rotation axis parallel to a center axis of rotation of the rotation joint 24, and a part of the periphery projects to the upper surface 54. It is arranged in the state where it did. The center of the rotary dial 22 on the upper surface 54 of the display unit main body 12
It is located on a straight line that bisects the D display window 21a.

A circuit board 31 for image processing is mounted on the lower part of the LCD 21, and a loading chamber (not shown) for a removable memory card 35 is formed. Here, the LCD 21 can display an image sent from the imaging unit main body 11, reproduce a captured image, display a setting menu of the electronic camera, and display a list of functions of the electronic camera. In order to make it easy for the operator to make a selection, reproduction of a plurality of images and display of a setting menu are performed by scrolling up and down or frame-by-frame in FIG.

The rotary dial 22 is a rotary operation member for switching the display screen of the LCD 21, and is set in advance so that the direction of the rotation operation and the direction of the scroll of the display screen match. That is, when the rotary dial 22 rotates upward in FIG. 2, the display screen scrolls upward, and when the rotary dial 22 rotates downward, the display screen scrolls downward.

In the present embodiment, the rotary dial 22
And the scroll speed of the display screen are made to correspond to each other. Further, the rotary dial 22 is formed such that a push operation can be performed in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface in addition to the rotation operation, and the setting of the display screen is performed by the push operation. The rotation joint unit 24 fixes, for example, a cylindrical member whose center line coincides with the center of each of the side surfaces 51 and 52 of the imaging unit main body 11 and the display unit main body 12 in a direction perpendicular to the side surfaces 51 and 52, These cylindrical members are rotatably fitted. A connection line connecting the components inside the imaging unit main body 11 and the components inside the display unit main body 12 is inserted through the hollow portion of the cylindrical member of the rotary joint unit 24. In order to stabilize the rotation angle to a desired angle, the fitting portion is provided with a rotation intermittent mechanism using, for example, friction or a steel ball. The fitting portion is usually provided with a stopper for limiting a range of rotation in one direction.

Further, on the upper surface 53 of the imaging section main body 11,
In the upper part of the lens unit 13 described above, the display window 1
6 and the setting button 17 are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction of the unit, and the release button 18 and the zoom button 19 are moved from the vicinity of the side surface 57 to the vicinity of the center of the upper surface 53 at a position closer to the side surface 55 facing the side surface 51 therefrom. They are juxtaposed in this order.

Here, in the display window 16, for example, an LCD or the like displays shooting information such as the setting state of the shooting mode of the electronic camera and the number of shooting frames. The setting button 17 is a group of buttons for setting or canceling a shooting mode of the electronic camera. FIG. 1 shows the zoom button 19 formed as a slide switch that can slide in the longitudinal direction of the electronic camera. For example, the zoom button 19
Neutral when the operating end is at the center position, wide to slide to one side, telephoto to the other side,
Thus, the arrangement position of the photographing lens in the lens unit 13 is changed. The zoom button 19
Can also be used as a switching button for zooming speed.

The reference numeral 23 in FIG.
These buttons are used to perform ON / OFF operations (see FIGS. 2 to 4). Also, in FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numerals 33, 34
Indicates a power terminal and a battery, respectively. Hereinafter, a usage mode of the above-described electronic camera will be described in accordance with an actual shooting procedure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation method of the above-described electronic camera. FIG. 5 shows a state where the operator is photographing the front.

Prior to photographing, the operator performs various photographing settings with the setting button 17 while checking the state of the electronic camera from the display window 16. Next, the photographer holds the imaging unit main body 11 with the right hand 43 because the electronic camera has a wide shape horizontally.
8 while holding the display unit main body 12 with the left hand 44,
The lens opening 13a is directed toward the subject in front. At this time, the operator operates the display screen displayed on the upper surface 53 of the display unit main body 12 or the side surface 57 on the front side of the paper of the imaging unit main body 11.
The subject is confirmed from the finder eyepiece window 14b formed in the camera.

Here, since the heaviest lens unit 13 in the imaging section main body 11 is arranged near the connection position with the display section main body 12, the center of gravity of the whole is located at the center. Therefore, the operator can stably hold the electronic camera. At this time, the operator touches the release button 18 in a state where the right index finger is slightly bent, and looks for a photo opportunity in a state where the release button 18 can be reliably operated.

In this state, since the middle finger of the right hand is located near the upper portion of the zoom button 19, it is most natural that the right middle finger touches the zoom button 19 lightly. The other fingers in the right hand
It is located at a position where no buttons are arranged on the upper surface of the imaging section main body 11, and is in a state where it can be freely moved since no button operation is performed. Here, the setting button 17 which is not used at the time of shooting is arranged near the connecting portion on the upper part of the lens unit 13, and this position is most difficult for the freely moving finger to reach, and the index finger and the middle finger do not extend unnaturally. It is a position that cannot be reached as far as possible. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a mistake in which a finger is inadvertently touched during photographing and the photographing mode of the electronic camera is changed.

The display window 16 should also be kept away from fingers, as in the case of the setting button 17, although finger contact should be avoided in order to prevent fingerprints and other stains.
The possibility of contact is reduced. Other things that the operator should avoid include dirt when the little finger or ring finger of the right hand comes into contact with the lens opening 13a and mistakes in photography due to covering with the finger. Also in this regard, since the lens opening 13a is formed at a position closest to the connection portion, the possibility that the lens opening 13a is covered is smaller than that of the light emitting window 15a and the finder objective window 14a, so that it can be avoided.

Therefore, the possibility that a number of mistakes occur during shooting is eliminated, and the operator can concentrate on shooting.
When performing telephoto shooting or wide-angle shooting, the user can slide the zoom button 19 with the middle finger while supporting the electronic camera with the index button placed on the release button 18.

Further, since the electronic camera is provided with the electronic flash unit 15, flash photography is also possible. In flash photography, since the light emission window 15a is separated from the lens opening 13a by at least the width of the finder objective window 14a, it is possible to suppress the probability of red eyes when a person or animal is photographed.

Also, at the time of flash photography, a part of the electromagnetic wave generated from the electronic flash unit 15 may be mixed into the transmission path of the image signal as noise, which may adversely affect the image. However, the mixing of the noise can be suppressed because the electronic flash unit 15 is isolated with the optical finder unit interposed therebetween. Next, the operator can display the plurality of captured images on the display unit main body 12 and check them.

Rotary dial 2 for switching display screens
Since 2 is disposed on the left side of the LCD display window 21a, it can be rotated by the left thumb without touching the LCD display window 21a. Moreover, the rotation operation in this direction is the most natural movement for the left hand in a state where the display unit main body 12 is supported. In particular, when scrolling the screen, the movement of the thumb matches the movement of the display screen, so that the operator can intuitively determine the direction of scrolling, and the screen display can be easily selected. Further, since the speed of the rotation operation is free and the speed corresponds to the scroll speed, the selection can be made at a desired speed by the operator.

That is, in the above-described embodiment, since the arrangement of each element and the operation button is optimized, the device can be easily carried and stored, and the operability can be stably photographed. In the above-described embodiment, a description has been given assuming a digital still camera. However, the present invention can also be applied to a video camera. In this case, instead of the release button 18, operations for starting and ending shooting can be performed. It is preferable to arrange an imaging button to be used and to use the zoom button as a switch button for zooming up, zooming back, neutral, and the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the zoom button is formed as a slide switch. However, the zoom button may be formed as another type of switch such as a seesaw switch. In the above-described embodiment, the zoom button is a button for switching the zoom method. However, the zoom button and the zoom speed may be continuously changed. In the above-described embodiment, the captured image is scroll-displayed. However, the setting menu may be scroll-displayed, and the scroll operation or selection from the setting menu may be performed by a rotary dial.

In the above-described embodiment, the rotary dial 22 is shown in FIG. 1 as being disposed so as to protrude relatively large from the upper surface 54, but the degree of the protrusion is not limited as long as it can be operated by fingers. In the above-described embodiment, the imaging unit main body 11 and the display unit main body 12 are formed in the same shape and the same rectangular parallelepiped. However, for the imaging unit main body 11, the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface is set according to the diameter of the lens unit or the like. The display unit main body 12 may have any shape as long as it has a large surface for displaying a screen.

In the above embodiment, the rotary dial 22
Are arranged on a straight line that bisects the LCD display window 21 a up and down, but may be arranged at any position as long as it is near the side surface 58 on the upper surface 54.

[0048]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the lens unit and the optical finder unit are the first unit.
Are arranged side by side in the direction along the first side and the side perpendicular to the first side, so that the imaging unit main body can be formed as a thin shape having a smaller side than the first side, and the overall shape is simplified. . In addition, since the heaviest lens unit is arranged at a position close to the rotating part, stability can be ensured. Further, since the lens opening is disposed in the vicinity of the rotating portion farthest from the support position, the possibility that the lens opening is covered with the finger and the imaging fails is suppressed to be small.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the three members of the lens unit, the optical finder and the electronic flash unit are arranged along the first surface, the imaging unit body is similar to the electronic camera according to the first aspect. Can be shot with a flash while maintaining a thin shape with a smaller side surface than the first surface. Further, since the opening of the electronic flash unit is arranged away from the opening of the lens unit, the possibility of red-eye when a person or an animal is photographed by flash can be reduced. Further, since the electronic flash unit and the lens unit are isolated from each other, it is possible to prevent noise caused by emission of the flash from being mixed into the image information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the display window and the setting button can be arranged near the turning portion distant from the supporting position, the possibility that the finger touches them can be suppressed. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the display window and the setting button are arranged in the direction in which the first surface and the first side surface are in contact with each other as in the electronic camera according to the third aspect. , The most reasonable positional relationship can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a finger is placed near these buttons on the first surface, and the imaging unit main body is moved from the opposing surface of the first side surface or the opposing surface of the side surface where the lens opening is formed. By pinching, the button operation and the support can be reliably performed together to perform imaging. Furthermore, since the display window and the setting button are arranged at a position closer to the rotating part than the imaging button and the zoom button, the possibility of finger contact is extremely low as long as the photographing is performed in the above-described supporting manner.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the operator can rotate the rotary operation member while holding the display unit main body from the opposing surface, so that both the support of the apparatus and the switching of the screen display can be reliably performed. It is possible to do. Further, since the direction of the rotation operation of the rotation operation member matches the direction of the scroll of the display screen, the operator can intuitively scroll in the desired direction.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the position of the rotary operation member is a straight line that bisects the length of the display screen in the scroll direction. It will be reasonably arranged along the side. In the invention according to claim 8, the imaging unit main body and the display unit main body are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having substantially the same shape and the same size, so that both are balanced, and the first surface of the imaging unit main body and the display unit main body. Second
When the surface is not relatively rotated, the overall shape is simplified to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic camera which is convenient to store and carry and has excellent operability only by appropriately arranging the components and buttons in the conventional electronic camera. Therefore, the operator can always perform stable imaging.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram of an electronic camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part cut away by a minus sign in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part cut away by a minus sign in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part cut away by-in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an operation method of the electronic camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the appearance and usage of a conventional electronic camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 41 imaging unit 12, 42 display unit 13 lens unit 14 optical finder unit 15 electronic flash unit 16 display window 17 setting button 18 release button 19 zoom button 21 LCD 22 rotary dial 23 display button 24 rotary joint unit 31 substrate 33 power supply terminal 34 Battery 35 Memory card 43 Right hand 44 Left hand 51, 52, 55, 56, 57, 58 Side 53, 54 Top

Claims (8)

[Claims] An imaging unit main body including a first surface and a first side surface perpendicular to the first surface and including an imaging element; a second surface and a second side surface perpendicular to the second surface; An electronic camera comprising: a display unit main body having an external display device for displaying an image on a second surface; and a first and second side surfaces rotatably connected to each other. A lens unit having an imaging optical axis aligned in a direction along the first side surface and the first surface from the first side surface to an opposing surface, and an optical finder unit are sequentially arranged. And electronic camera. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein an electronic flash unit is arranged between the optical finder unit and the facing surface of the imaging unit main body, side by side with the optical finder unit. And electronic camera. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein at a position facing the lens unit on the first surface, a display window for displaying a state of the electronic camera, and a control of the electronic camera. An electronic camera, wherein one or both of a setting button for setting an aspect are arranged. 4. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein a display window for displaying a state of the electronic camera and a control mode of the electronic camera are provided at a position on the first surface facing the lens unit. An electronic camera, wherein a setting button for setting the position is arranged in the direction of the imaging optical axis. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 3, wherein a position closer to the opposing surface from a position where the display window or the setting button is arranged on the first surface is provided with an imaging button and a zoom. An electronic camera, wherein one or both of a button and a button are arranged. 6. An image pickup unit main body having a first surface and a first side surface perpendicular to the first surface and including an image sensor, and a second surface and a second side surface perpendicular to the second surface and the first surface. An electronic camera comprising: a display unit main body having an external display device for displaying an image on a second surface; and a first and second side surfaces rotatably connected to each other. A rotary operation member that is rotatable in a scroll direction of a display screen of the external display device and that switches a screen display is disposed near an opposing surface of the second side surface. Electronic camera. 7. The electronic camera according to claim 6, wherein an arrangement position of the rotation operation member is equal to a length of the second surface in the vicinity of the opposite surface and a length of the display screen in the scroll direction. An electronic camera characterized by being on a straight line that separates. 8. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit main body and the display unit main body are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having substantially the same shape and the same size. An electronic camera characterized by the following.