To acquire the image data allowing an image process during the operation of a wiper at the periodic timing by setting the exposure time of an image pickup section to such as degree that the environment on the outside of a vehicle can be picked up through the image of the wiper when the operation of the wiper is detected.

A camera controller 103 judges whether a wiper 103 is in operation or not based on the output of a wiper switch 109. When the wiper 107 is in operation, the camera controller 103 calculates and controls the aperture, exposure time and gain of a CCD camera 101 to obtain the optimum luminosity on a screen and the prescribed exposure time or longer based on the processed result of an image processing device 102. The prescribed exposure time is set to such a value that the image of the wiper 107 is spread over the whole screen and the running scenery can be picked up through the wiper 107 when the wiper 107 enters the visual field. Even when the wiper 107 is in operation, the image data allowing an image process can be acquired.