An endoscopic image pickup unit which, being fixedly fitted in a distal end body of an endoscope by a fixing member, can change optical characteristics of an objective optical system, the endoscopic image pickup unit comprising: a first fixed lens frame which holds a first objective lens group; a second fixed lens frame which holds a second objective lens group; a movable lens frame which, being installed in the second fixed lens frame so as to be able to move forward and backward along a photographic optical axis, holds a movable lens; an urging member which urges the movable lens frame in a first direction along the photographic optical axis; an actuator which extends the movable lens frame in a second direction along the photographic optical axis against urging force of the urging member; wherein the actuator includes at least: an abutting member; and an urging body configured to urge the abutting member in the second direction along the photographic optical axis, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; characterized in that the movable lens frame includes an abutted surface which is configured to be in contact with the abutting member, wherein, when the abutting member which is urged in the second direction by the urging body comes in contact with the abutted surface and thereby a pressing force is applied to the abutted surface, the abutted surface is configured to distribute the pressing force applied by the abutting member in a third direction approximately orthogonal to the photographic optical axis and in the second direction along the photographic optical axis, wherein the movable lens frame is extended in the second direction along the photographic optical axis in a state of being pressed in the third direction approximately orthogonal to the photographic optical axis. a first fixed lens frame which holds a first objective lens group; a second fixed lens frame which holds a second objective lens group; a movable lens frame which, being installed in the second fixed lens frame so as to be able to move forward and backward along a photographic optical axis, holds a movable lens; an urging member which urges the movable lens frame in a first direction along the photographic optical axis; an actuator which extends the movable lens frame in a second direction along the photographic optical axis against urging force of the urging member; wherein the actuator includes at least: an abutting member; and an urging body configured to urge the abutting member in the second direction along the photographic optical axis, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; an abutting member; and an urging body configured to urge the abutting member in the second direction along the photographic optical axis, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; characterized in that the movable lens frame includes an abutted surface which is configured to be in contact with the abutting member, wherein, when the abutting member which is urged in the second direction by the urging body comes in contact with the abutted surface and thereby a pressing force is applied to the abutted surface, the abutted surface is configured to distribute the pressing force applied by the abutting member in a third direction approximately orthogonal to the photographic optical axis and in the second direction along the photographic optical axis, wherein the movable lens frame is extended in the second direction along the photographic optical axis in a state of being pressed in the third direction approximately orthogonal to the photographic optical axis.