An imaging apparatus for imaging a first object at a normal distance and a second object nearer than the first object readily with high precision. The imaging apparatus has an imaging lens, an imaging device for capturing an image formed by the imaging lens, and a camera control unit. The imaging lens is a multifocal lens and contains a first lens portion having a first focal length for imaging the first object (e.g., the user of the imaging apparatus) at a normal distance and a second lens portion having a second focal length for imaging the second object (e.g., a bar code) nearer than the first object. The first and second lens portions are arranged on the same plane and formed in one piece. The information collected by imaging the second object is used for processing such as communications or displays.