Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a case, a photographing optical system, an imaging element, and a viewfinder device. The viewfinder device includes a viewfinder case, a transmission liquid crystal panel, a lighting device, a first sheet polarizer, and a second sheet polarizer. The viewfinder case includes a case body and a case partitioning member. The lighting device and the first sheet polarizer are supported inside the case partitioning member. The transmission liquid crystal panel is supported inside the case partitioning member with the display surface faced to the window. The second sheet polarizer is supported inside the case body.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a case, a photographing optical system, an imaging element, and a viewfinder device. The viewfinder device includes a viewfinder case, a transmission liquid crystal panel, a lighting device, a first sheet polarizer, and a second sheet polarizer. The viewfinder case includes a case body and a case partitioning member. The lighting device and the first sheet polarizer are supported inside the case partitioning member. The transmission liquid crystal panel is supported inside the case partitioning member with the display surface faced to the window. The second sheet polarizer is supported inside the case body.

Abstract: In an apparatus equipped with a display panel having displayed thereon an image of a video signal input thereto and a backlight for use for the display panel, there are provided a level-setting means (19) for outputting a signal having a level corresponding to the adjusting level of brightness of the image displayed on the display panel, a thinning means (20) for thinning a signal having a periodic waveform at every pseudo random period that has been set in correspondence with an output level of the level-setting means (19), and a drive means (13), (Q1) for generating a drive signal for driving the backlight based on an output signal of the thinning means (20). With this construction, it is arranged to enable the maintenance of an excellent state of display of the image and to enable the adjustment of the brightness of the backlight to be performed over a wide range without generating any noises.