Method of saving power for video camera

摘要

A video camera having a taking lens of multiple focal lengths is provided with a separate, multiple focal length view finder lens. When power has been supplied to the camera via the "on" switch but a switch for video recording has not yet been closed, the focal length of the view finder is automatically made to coincide with the focal length of the taking lens so as permit the scene to be viewed in the same frame size as it will appear when recording, but without wasting power by supplying power to those circuits of the taking lens that form electrical signals of the scene or that record the scene. In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, six different power level consumption states are provided so as to supply power only to the minimum circuitry required for each state.