Patent ID: 8830371
Filing Date: 2014-09-09
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a photoelectric conversion element configured to generate and accumulate electric charge according to an optical input; a charge accumulation portion configured to accumulate the electric charge; a charge holding portion disposed between the photoelectric conversion element and the charge accumulation portion; a first transfer switch configured to selectively separate and connect between the photoelectric conversion element and the charge holding portion; a second transfer switch configured to selectively separate and connect between the charge holding portion and the charge accumulation portion; and a controller configured to set an operation mode to one of a first operation mode in which the second transfer switch separates the charge holding portion and the charge accumulation portion during a charge accumulation operation in the photoelectric conversion element, and a second operation mode in which the second transfer switch connects between the charge holding portion and the charge accumulation portion during the charge accumulation operation in the photoelectric conversion element, according to an image shooting sensitivity, wherein the controller sets the operation mode to the first operation mode in a case where the image shooting sensitivity is lower than a predetermined sensitivity set in advance, and sets the operation mode to the second operation mode in a case where the image shooting sensitivity is not lower than the predetermined sensitivity set in advance.