PURPOSE: To avoid trouble and time for the entry of a retrieval code by setting the retrieval code when a setting condition used for image pickup is detected and a signal is outputted and writing the retrieval code onto a recording medium.

CONSTITUTION: An electronic still camera 2 is designed to be of recording reproduction integrated type, an image pickup lens 3, a finder window 4, a white balance window 5 and a strobo 6 are provided to its front face, a release button 7, a power supply switch 8, a sequential feed button 9, a reverse feed button 10, and a display window 11 are provided to an upper side and a remote cartridge 12 as a recording medium is loaded to a rear side. When the setting condition used for image pickup is detected and a signal is outputted, a retrieval code is set corresponding to the signal and the retrieval code is written on a recording medium. Thus, a trouble of reproducing a picture frame by frame on a monitor television receiver and writing the retrieval code while confirming the picture is avoided.