A still video camera provided with a mode selector to select an operation mode, a trigger generator to generate a trigger signal and a video recorder to record a visual image of the subject and to reproduce the recorded image. When the record-play mode is selected by the mode selector, the video recorder responds to the trigger signal from the trigger generator to record a frame of the visual image of the subject. The recorded frame of the visual image of the subject is then played back. This sequence can be repeated at the direction of the operator, at predetermined time intervals, or in response to a sound amplitude greater than a predetermined level. The still video camera is also capable of recording and playing back sound to accompany the still picture.