PURPOSE: To improve the copy processing efficiency by controlling the setting of continuous copy limit sheet number in response to the width of an original and the width of recording paper to prevent the provision of a required pause period or over.

CONSTITUTION: An original width sensing means 1a of a picture read section 1 detects an original picture width and a recording paper width sensing means 2c of a picture recording section 2 detects the width of thermosensing recording paper. Based on the result of detection, when the original width and the recording paper width are both large, a continuous copy limit sheet number is set small and when the original width and the recording paper width are both small, the continuous copy limit sheet number is set large. Then it is prevented that a pause time is set for a required time in the continuous copy mode or over and the efficient continuous copy processing is implemented.