There is provided an image pickup unit which is capable of achieving a focused image of a favorable depth of field while changing a visual field direction of observation.The image pickup unit comprises a front group FG which includes prisms P1, P2, and P3 which can be rotated for changing the visual field direction, and a rear group RG which includes a lens group LNS and an image pickup element 15, and includes a prism rotating section 16 which rotates the prism P1 for changing the visual field direction, and a focusing section 17 which moves a focused range toward a near-point side, as an angle of visual field direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the image pickup unit becomes larger than a specific angle, in accordance with the rotation of the prism P1.
