Patent ID: 7515182

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 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 guide frame that moves in the optical axis direction in accordance with the extension and the collapse 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 a saving position out of the optical axis of the image taking lens at the time of the collapse; wherein the second lens group holding frame is enabled in a direction that the second lens group is revolved on the optical axis, the lens barrel has a cylinder that rotatably moves in accordance with the extension and the collapse, and the cylinder has a revolving affecting section being in contact with the second lens group holding frame by a rotatable movement of the cylinder at the time of the collapse to affect revolving of the second lens group holding frame, and the second lens group holding frame has an affect receiving section that is pushed by the revolving affecting section at the time of the collapse so that the second lens group revolves into the saving position.