An image recording apparatus includes an image sensing part for converting an optical image imaged by a photograph lens to an electric signal, a distance measuring part for measuring a distance between a target object and the image recording apparatus, an illumination part for generating an illumination light and a pre-illumination light, a first illumination controlling part for controlling the amount of the illumination light of the illumination part based on the measured distance of the distance measuring part and a F number of the photograph lens, a second illumination controlling part for controlling the amount of the illumination light of the illumination part based on the electric signal output from the image sensing part in correspondence with the pre-illumination light, and a selecting part for selecting one of the first illumination controlling part and the second illumination controlling part.