An electronic image pickup apparatus of the present invention is
constructed so that an image pickup lens and a diaphragm for adjusting
exposure can operate in interlocking relationship with each other.
Furthermore, the apparatus has a panorama mode in which an image is
obtained by connecting images taken in a plurality of continuous scenes
with each other, and a rapid shooting mode in which continuous image
pickup is performed. If the operating mode is set to the panorama mode or
the rapid shooting mode, reset of the image pickup lens and diaphragm is
performed at the first shot only and the backlash cancellation of the
image pickup lens is performed starting from the second shot. Preferably,
the exposure adjusting mechanism automatically places a predetermined
limit on the exposure time in a normal mode and permits a longer exposure
time in the panoramic mode.