An electronic camera includes a release section which, by receiving user operation, is switched from a standby mode to a preparation mode and instructs an image pickup section to prepare for shooting, and is switched from the preparation mode to a shooting mode and instructs the image pickup section to start shooting. A shooting mode controlling section sets the image pickup section to an appropriate mode for moving image photographing when the release section is in the standby mode, and sets the image pickup section to an appropriate mode for still image photographing when the release section is in the preparation mode and before the release section is switched to the shooting mode. Accordingly, since the image pickup section has already been set to the appropriate mode for still image photographing when the user operates the release section to start shooting, the release time lag can be shortened.