Abstract: An imaging optical system includes a liquid crystal lens including a first body formed of a substantially transparent birefringent liquid crystal member, a second body formed of a substantially transparent birefringent liquid crystal member, and two pairs of electrodes for adding an electric field or a magnetic field onto the first body and the second body. A rear face of the first body is aligned perpendicular to a front face of the second body, the first body and the second body have substantially symmetrical shape against a plane perpendicular to an optical axis and a plurality of optical elements are arranged front and after the liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens has two distinct focal points. The system automatically switches between these focal points, based on the position of the lens with respect to the object being observed.