PURPOSE: To reduce releasing time lag and further, to prevent the influence of noise caused by static electricity even if a rear cover is opened.

CONSTITUTION: The opening/closing state of the rear cover is detected by a rear cover switch 6. In a state where the rear cover is closed, the distance measuring and photometric actions are repeatedly executed, before the releasing switch 10 is completely closed, and a photographing action is controlled according to distance measuring and photometric values just before the releasing switch 10 is completely closed. On the other hand, when the rear cover is opened, a program counter incorporated in a CPU 1 is stopped to obtain a standby state, and the distance measuring and photometric actions are carried out only after the releasing switch 10 is completely closed. Then, the photographing action is controlled according to the obtained distance measuring and photometric values.