An image pickup unit includes a dioptric system that reflects a luminous flux of an optical image incident on an optical lens group and performs optical path conversion, an image sensor in a bare state that is joined to the dioptric system, and includes a light receiving element that forms the optical image, and a light shielding member that is placed to be opposed to and cover at least surfaces around an optical axis of the optical lens group, except for a joining surface of the dioptric system to the image sensor, so that an air gap apart from the image sensor by a predetermined distance is provided, shields incidence of a harmful light onto the light receiving element, and is formed from a metal thin film.
