An electric camera includes an imaging device which converts an optical image focused thereon into an electric signal, a first memory which stores the electric signal, a compressor which generates compressed image data from the electric signal stored in the first memory, a second memory which stores the compressed image data, a decompressor which generates an electric signal from the compressed image data stored in the second memory, a progressive selection switch which directs the progress of reproducing an image on a monitor, a connector which is able to connect the camera with an external device, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls writing operations of the second memory according to an external data access from the external device and reading operations of the second memory according to an internal data access which occurred by an operation of the progressive selection switch. Further, the control circuit inhibits writing operations of the second memory according to an external data access independent of an external access direction from the external access device when the internal data is being executed.