An electroactive polymer actuator (10) is disclosed for use in various applications including camera diaphragms and lenses. The actuator (10) converts electrical energy to mechanical energy and comprises, in one embodiment, at least two flexible electrodes (15, 25); a transparent elastic non-conductive material (20) having a substantially constant thickness, the transparent elastic non-conductive material (20) arranged in a manner which causes the transparent elastic non-conductive material (20) to compress in a first direction orthogonal to the thickness in response to an electric field applied to the polymer; and a frame coupled to the at least two electrodes (15, 25) and the transparent elastic non-conductive material (20), the outer frame substantially preventing expansion in a second direction opposite said first direction in response to an electric field applied to the polymer.