IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS USING AUTO-FOCUS-GENERATED DISTANCE ESTIMATES TO CONTROL FLASH AND IMAGE STABILIZATION

摘要

A distance to a subject in a scene is determined using an automatic focus (AF) system of a digital camera. Image stabilization and flash are selectively automatically enabled based on the determined distance to capture an image of the scene. For example, in some embodiments, an exposure time for the scene may be determined using an automatic exposure (AE) system o f the digital camera, and selective use of image stabilization and flash may involve, responsive to the determined exposure time exceeding the maximum exposure time, capturing an image of the scene using the determined exposure time with image stabilization if the determined distance exceeds a maximum flash range or capturing an image of the scene using a predetermined exposure time with flash if the determined distance is within the maximum flash range.