To provide a video camera the imaging device of which is driven by an external random trigger signal, capable of using an automatic iris objective lens with a simple method.

The video camera comprises: one or a plurality of light receiving elements placed within an image circle of an objective lens and applying photoelectric conversion to a reflected light in an object; a blanking signal mixing circuit for mixing a photoelectric conversion output signal from the light receiving elements with a blanking signal from the video camera; and an automatic iris control circuit for applying drive control to an iris of the objective lens on the basis of an output signal from the blanking signal mixing circuit, the light receiving elements detect the luminous quantity made incident onto inside the image circle of the objective lens at all times and control the iris of the objective lens corresponding to the change so as to always provide proper exposure to the imaging device and obtain a video output at a proper level when receiving an external random trigger.