In the camera 10 having an ultraviolet light generating portion 16, the
influence of the ultraviolet light upon an image to be taken is
suppressed. A camera 10 for taking an image possesses an image-pickup
portion 24 which takes an image of a subject; a hydrophilic filter 14
formed so that a hydrophilic surface is exposed on an outer surface of
the camera, and transmitting a light entering from the subject to said
image-pickup portion; and an ultraviolet light generating portion 16,
which irradiates an ultraviolet light with the surface of the external
surface of said camera on said hydrophilic filter from the edge portion
of said hydrophilic filter. The hydrophilic filter 14 comprises a
photocatalytic substance which decomposes organic substances adhered
thereon depending on the ultraviolet light.