When a recording start executed in a variable-speed recording mode, at ST44 a signal having a variable frame rate is selected on the basis of a validity signal from among image signals having a predetermined output frame rate in which the images having the variable frame rate are contained and stored in a memory. If it is decided at ST46 that a phase difference between a write position and a read position in the memory has reached a recording start level, the stored signal is recorded in a recording medium at ST47. If it is decided at ST48 that the phase difference has decreased to a recording stop level, recording to the recording medium is stopped at ST49. When an end operation is executed at ST51, the signal in the memory is recorded in the recording medium to then end actions. The signals are selected and recorded, thus resulting in a smaller signal quantity. Further, if the variable frame rate is varied, video effects can be confirmed only by reproducing the recorded signals.