An image pickup element capture an image of an object, and detailed unique information relating to the captured image is automatically associated with the image through pattern recognition so that the image is easily managed. A pattern detector performs the pattern recognition on an image obtained through a pre-photographing operation, and a result of the recognition is stored in a memory. A code comparator compares stored a preceding recognition result with the latest recognition result obtained through the pattern recognition performed using the pattern detector. In accordance with a result of the comparison, the stored recognition result is updated. When it is determined that a predetermined pattern is not included in the image obtained using the image pickup element, the recognition result stored in the memory is associated with the captured image.