Patent ID: 7557852
Filing Date: 2009-07-07
Classification: G02B,G03B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image-taking apparatus comprising: a variable-magnification optical system that includes a plurality of lens groups of which at least two of the lens groups are movable along an optical axis by being driven by a movement mechanism; and an image sensor that receives light from a shooting object as captured by the variable-magnification optical system, wherein the image sensor is switchable between moving picture shooting and still picture shooting, wherein at least one of movable lens groups travels different movement trails during magnification variation between moving picture shooting and still picture shooting, wherein at least two of the lens groups are movable so as to capture light between a first angle of view and a second angle of view, and wherein, while a total length of the variable-magnification optical system remains constant during magnification variation between the first angle of view and the second angle of view in moving picture shooting, the total length of the variable-magnification optical system varies during magnification variation between the first angle of view and the second angle of view in still picture shooting.