  MICADO will equip the E-ELT with a first light capability for diffraction
limited imaging at near-infrared wavelengths. The instrument's observing modes
focus on various flavours of imaging, including astrometric, high contrast, and
time resolved. There is also a single object spectroscopic mode optimised for
wavelength coverage at moderately high resolution. This contribution provides
an overview of the key functionality of the instrument, outlining the
scientific rationale for its observing modes. The interface between MICADO and
the adaptive optics system MAORY that feeds it is summarised. The design of the
instrument is discussed, focussing on the optics and mechanisms inside the
cryostat, together with a brief overview of the other key sub-systems.
