Patent ID: 8045010

Claim:
An imaging apparatus, comprising: (1) a lens unit including (a) an optical system configured to project a subject image onto an imaging device; (b) the imaging device configured to convert the subject image into an electric signal; (c) an imaging device driving part configured to drive the imaging device; (d) a signal processing device configured to convert the electric signal from the imaging device into a digital signal; and (e) a first connection part configured to connect the lens unit to or disconnect the lens unit from an imaging pickup unit mechanically and electrically; and (2) the imaging pickup unit, which is separate and distinct from the lens unit, the image pickup unit including (a) an electric power supply part; (b) a second connection part configured to connect the image pickup unit to or disconnect the image pickup unit from the lens unit mechanically and electrically; (c) a plurality of voltage supply lines configured to supply corresponding output voltages to the lens unit; (d) a plurality of digital-to-analog converters configured to supply a corresponding plurality of reference voltages to a voltage generating circuit, the reference voltages being modifiable to match power supply requirements of any of multiple imaging devices connectable to the imaging pickup unit; and (e) the voltage generating circuit configured to generate the corresponding output voltages supplied to the voltage supply lines based on the plurality of reference voltages.