An image pickup apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a solid state image pickup element which includes a main surface having a light receiving section formed thereon and a back surface； a bendable circuit board electrically connected to the solid state image pickup element via a connection portion； a signal cable which is electrically connected to the circuit board； and an electronic component which is mounted to only one of the main surface and the back surface, and the circuit board is connected to the back surface of the solid state image pickup element and is bent within a projection area of the solid state image pickup element, and the surface of the circuit board to which the electronic component is mounted is arranged substantially in parallel to the back surface of the solid state image pickup element.
