The invention relates to an image capturing system with a camera unit for capturing images of the outside area of a motor vehicle, and with a protective element, wherein at least the camera unit and/or the protective element can be moved via a mechanism by means of a drive from at least a closed position (Ia) into at least an open position (IIa), wherein in the closed position (Ia) of the protective element at least one lens of the camera unit is located behind the protective element so as to be inaccessible from the outside, and in the open position (IIa) at least the lens of the camera unit is exposed for image capture by the protective element. It is essential to the invention that at least the deflecting element is arranged on the mechanism, the deflecting element serving to change the direction of force applied to the mechanism, thus allowing a compact installation space to be realized.