A nonvolatile memory 56 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, such as an EEPROM. The nonvolatile memory 56 stores constants, programs, and the like used in operation of the system controller 50. Here, the programs execute various flowcharts described below in this embodiment.

The system controller 50 controls the entire digital still camera 100. Various processes, described below, in this embodiment are realized by executing the programs recorded in the nonvolatile memory 56 described above. A system memory 52 is a RAM in which constants and variables for operation of the system controller 50, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 56, and the like are developed. Furthermore, the system controller 50 performs display control by controlling the memory 32, the D/A converter 19, the display unit 28, the in-finder display unit 76, and the like.

A system timer 53 is a time measurement unit which measures times used in various control and a time of an incorporated clock.

The mode switch 60, the shutter button 61, and the operation unit 70 are included in an operation unit which inputs various operation instructions to the system controller 50.

The mode switch 60 selects an operation mode of the system controller 50 from among an imaging mode, a reproducing mode, and the like. Furthermore, examples of the mode include various scene modes set for individual imaging scenes, a program AE mode, and a custom mode. The mode switch 60 may directly select one of these modes included in a menu screen. Alternatively, after the menu screen is selected once, one of these modes included in the menu screen may be selected using another operation member.