Image sensing apparatus having plurality of optical systems and method of operating such apparatus

An image sensing apparatus, comprising:

• a first optical system for taking up first external light forming the optical image of a first object;
• a second optical system for taking up second external light forming the optical image of a second object;
• first conversion means for converting the optical image of the first object formed by said first external light taken up by said first optical system into a first electrical signal;
• the first conversion means including
• first generation means for generating an electrical signal at a gain level in accordance with the intensity of said first external light taken up by said first optical system, and
• first level control means for controlling a gain level of the electrical signal generated by said first generation means to a prescribed gain level;
• second conversion means for converting the optical image of the second object formed by said second external light taken up by said second optical system into a second electrical signal;
• the second conversion means including
• second generation means for generating an electrical signal at a gain level in accordance with the intensity of said second external light taken up by said second optical system, and
• second level control means for controlling the gain level of the electrical signal generated by said second generation means to said prescribed gain level;
• electrical signal selection means for selecting one of said first electrical signal converted by said first conversion means and said second electrical signal converted by said second conversion means;
• and
• video signal producing means for producing a video signal based on the electrical signal selected by said electrical signal selection means.