PURPOSE: To obtain an image signal of a subject at proper lightness and to obtain an image signal with always proper brightness level by providing this terminal equipment with a photometric means for measuring the lightness of a subject, an illuminating means for illuminating the subject and a control means for controlling the illuminating means in accordance with the photometric value of the photometric means.

CONSTITUTION: During the use of a camera 10, i.e., when a user is photographed by the camera 10 and the photographed image is displayed on a monitor 12 or transmitted to a communicated terminal through an image coding/decoding circuit 14, a separating/ multiplexing circuit 42 and a line interface 40, the brightness of the subject is measured by the photometric circuit 32. When the lightness is not in a proper range, the quantity of light emission of the illuminating device 34 is controlled. After controlling the quantity of light, processing is returned to the original operation. Usually the camera 10 automatically controls a diaphragm in a photographing optical system in accordance with the brightness level of an image signal obtained by photographing. When the phtometric value of the circuit 32 has exceeded the normal control range of the diaphragm, or is just before exceeding the range, the quantity of light emission of the device 34 is controlled.