Abstract: A photographic optical system and a viewfinder are disposed above a recorder casing for recording a signal obtained by photography. The photographic optical system and the viewfinder are disposed so as not to overlap each other in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the photographic optical system and so that an optical path of the photographic optical system and an optical path of the viewfinder overlap each other as viewed on an extended line of the optical axis of the photographic optical system. In addition, the photographic optical system is disposed above the recorder casing, and the recorder casing is arranged to eject downward a recording medium for recording of a signal obtained by photography. A grip is disposed on one side of the aforesaid recorder casing, and an operating part for driving a mechanism for varying the magnification of the photographic optical system is provided at the rear of the photographic optical system.

Abstract: A camera-integrated type video recorder apparatus having a camera part and a recorder part which records an image pickup signal outputted from the camera part comprises a grip which is provided for holding the apparatus in a shooting state and is arranged near to a cassette mounting part which is provided for mounting and demounting a tape cassette on and from the recorder part, and an operation part which is openably and closably arranged near to the cassette mounting part and includes a plurality of operation keys for operations on the apparatus. When the apparatus is held in the shooting state, the grip and the operation part jointly close the cassette mounting part. When the grip and the operation part are in an open state, the tape cassette is mountable and demountable while the operation part is held in a predetermined operating position. Further, while the apparatus is in the shooting state, the operation keys are kept in an inoperable position.

Abstract: A camcorder having a battery compartment below the lens optical axis includes optical lenses for receiving light from an object. A housing is provided for housing the optical lenses. A battery load section capable of mounting a battery for supplying power to the housing is disposed at a bottom of the housing. The battery load section is capable of supporting different kinds of batteries of different sizes.