A variable-focus photographic camera is described having a photographic lens adapted to be driven by an electric motor disposed at a location as remote as possible from the photographic lens so that a group of elements serving to transmit a driving force from a drive source to the photographic lens can be arranged substantially in a common plane and thereby a thickness or depth, as viewed in the direction of the optical axis of a space destined to be occupied by the above-mentioned group of elements, can be reduced. Such an arrangement also positively contributes to realization of a thin and compact camera. A dry battery and a main capacitor for powering a strobe device are disposed on the same lateral side of a camera body. The electric motor is disposed below on the dry battery and an output shaft of the electric motor is oriented in parallel to the optical axis of the photographic lens. Respective gears of a gear train arranged in a central zone of the camera body between the electric motor and the photographic lens, have their shafts extending in parallel to the optical axis. In this manner, the thickness or depth, as viewed in the direction of the optical axis of the space occupied by the gear train arranged in a common plane, can be minimized and thereby a thickness of the camera can be correspondingly reduced.