Provided is a surgical imaging apparatus that includes a multi-link, multi joint structure including a plurality of joints that interconnect a plurality of links to provide the multi-link, multi joint structure with a plurality of degrees of freedom, at least one video camera being disposed on a distal end of the multi-link, multi-joint structure； at least one actuator that drives at least one of the plurality of joints； and circuitry that detects a joint force experienced at the at least one of the plurality of joints in response to an applied external force, and controls the at least one actuator based on the joint force so as to position the video camera.
