Patent ID: 8035695

Claim:
An image sensing apparatus comprising: (A) an image sensing element that converts an optical image of an object passed through an optical transparent member, capable of changing a focal length, to an image signal; and (B) an image processing device that performs first signal processing for obtaining an image signal of a first resolution from the image signal converted by said image sensing element and second signal processing for obtaining an image signal of a second resolution which is higher than the first resolution from the image signal, and that compresses the obtained image signal of the second resolution, wherein, when said second signal processing is to be executed, said signal processing device applies predetermined limitation on the basis of optical contrast which changes with respect to the focal length of said optical transparent member at a position to which said optical transparent member is moved, said predetermined limitation being not applied when said first signal processing is to be executed, the predetermined limitation including one of using a compression ratio which is predetermined for the optical contrast and prohibiting the second signal processing, and performed when the optical contrast is lower than a predetermined optical contrast.