To execute even an image pickup operation such as obliquely cutting a background of an object while stably supporting a main body for a long time by conducting the image pickup operation to obtain a video signal based on the video signal generated in response to the object image obtained through an optical system directed toward the object.

An image pickup signal generating section 14 generating an image pickup signal in response to an object image obtained through an optical system 12 fitted to a main body is arranged in the main body, and a rotary drive section 30 rotates the image pickup signal generating section 14 around an optical axis of the optical system 12 with respect to the main body. Thus, while the main body is stably supported, the image pickup signal generating section 14 is rotated both clockwise and counter clockwise with respect to the main body. Then, a video signal processing section 23 generates a video signal based on the image pickup signal obtained by the image pickup signal generating section 14 and rotation detection sections 32-34 generate a rotation information signal with respect to the rotating direction and the rotation amount by the image pickup signal generating section 14 with respect to the main body.