An image pickup apparatus in which the movement of a barrier blade in a direction toward the lens surface caused by external force can be limited without increasing the strength of the barrier blade. The apparatus comprises a barrier blade which is movable between a closing position at which the barrier blade closes a light entrance aperture of an image pickup lens and an opening position at which the barrier blade opens the light entrance aperture, and a drive member which drives the barrier blade. The drive member includes a supporting portion which limits the movement of the barrier blade toward a lens surface side, and the supporting portion is located outside the light entrance aperture when the barrier blade is at the opening position and located inside the light entrance aperture when the barrier blade is at the closing position.