Patent ID: 7477308

Claim:
A digital camera that creates an image signal through catching a subject light, the digital camera comprising: an image taking lens, which is variable in a focal length, comprising three lens groups of a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group in the named order with respect to an optical axis direction; a lens barrel that incorporates therein the image taking lens, having in front an aperture through which the image taking lens appears and having in rear an internal space defined by a wall, the lens barrel being free in extension and collapse and performing a focal length control; and a solid state imaging device that receives the subject light formed by the image taking lens to create the image signal, the solid state imaging device being supported by the wall, wherein the lens barrel has: a second lens group advancing and saving mechanism in which at the time of the collapse of the lens barrel, the second lens group is saved to a second lens group saving position out of an optical axis of the image taking lens, and at the time of the extension of the lens barrel, the second lens group is advanced onto the optical axis of the image taking lens; and a third lens group advancing and saving mechanism in which at the time of the collapse of the lens barrel, the third lens group is saved to a third lens group saving position out of the optical axis of the image taking lens, and at the time of the extension of the lens barrel, the third lens is advanced onto the optical axis of the image taking lens, and the third lens group is rotated about a shaft fixed to the wall of the lens barrel, wherein the lens barrel has: a second lens group guide frame that moves in the optical axis direction in accordance with the extension, the collapse and the focal length control so as to determine a position related to the optical axis direction of the second lens group; and a second lens group holding frame that holds the second lens group and is pivotally supported by the second lens group guide frame, the second lens group holding frame causing the second lens group to revolve on the optical axis of the image taking lens at the time of the extension, and the second lens group holding frame causing the second lens group to revolve on the second lens group saving position at the time of the collapse, and wherein the lens barrel has: a third lens group guide frame that moves in the optical axis direction in accordance with the extension, the collapse and the focusing so as to determine a position related to the optical axis direction of the third lens group; and a third lens group holding frame that holds the third lens group and is pivotally supported by the third lens group guide frame, the third lens group holding frame causing the third lens group to revolve on the optical axis of the image taking lens at the time of the extension, and the third lens group holding frame causing the third lens group to revolve onto the third lens group saving position at the time of the collapse.