To inform the users of the time necessary for focus to be achieved by changing the focal mark shown on the display monitor, second by second, corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of the auto focus operation until focus is achieved. The users are informed of the status of the auto focusing operations, and have a good idea of how much longer it will take for focusing to be completed. As a result, it increases the probability of users holding the camera still, so as to produce precisely focused photographs.