To generate a free index picture by selection by a user by providing a means designating a picture whose information quantity is highest among pictures which are the nearest in terms of time sequence from inputted moving pictures when an index designation signal is generated.

A generation means generating an index designation signal and a designation means designating a picture whose information quantity is highest among pictures which are the nearest in terms of time sequence from inputted moving pictures when the index designation signal is generated are installed. An electronic still camera 10 is provided with key switches 12-21 containing a shutter key 12 in a camera main body 11, for example. An index picture designation program is executed by CPU at the recording mode or the reproduction mode of the moving picture. When a trigger generation key (shutter key 12) for designating the index picture is depressed, the index picture can be generated by a past I picture nearest to the time of a depression operation.