Patent ID: 7839447

Claim:
An imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging section capable of generating image data based on image light from an object, the imaging section comprising a solid-state imaging sensor, an analog/digital circuit and a timing generator, wherein the timing generator generating timing signals for driving the solid-state imaging sensor and the analog/digital circuit; a memory capable of storing image data; a display capable of displaying image data; a storage section capable of using a recording medium for recording image data thereon; and a plurality of signal processing sections capable of selectively performing signal processing on image data generated by the imaging section, wherein the signal processing performable in the signal processing sections comprising resolution conversion of image data having a signal format where image signals comprising a luminance signal and two chrominance signals; wherein (1) said imaging apparatus operable in first and second operation modes; (2) in the first operation mode, (2-1) lowering resolution of image data generated by the imaging section, (2-2) processing the lowered resolution image data in real time in the signal processing sections, and (2-3) displaying the real-time processed image data on the display, (3) in the second operation mode, (3-1) processing, in the signal processing sections, image data generated by the imaging section such that the signal processing selectively performed in the signal processing sections comprising encoding image data into compressed image data, and (3-2) storing the compressed image data on the recording medium.