Patent ID: 8223240

Claim:
An image pickup device, comprising: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, the pixels being adapted to operate with two photo electric conversion characteristics of a linear characteristic and a logarithmic characteristic; each of the pixels including: a photoelectric conversion element; and a charge removing transistor with a source thereof connected to the photoelectric conversion element for removing electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element; and an imaging control section for controlling an imaging operation of the pixels, wherein, in a charge accumulation period, the imaging control section sets a gate of the charge removing transistor at a first electric potential so that: when the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element is a predetermined amount or smaller, the accumulated electric charge is not removed by the charge removing transistor; and when the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element is larger than the predetermined amount, a part of the accumulated electric charge is removed, and wherein after the charge accumulation period, the imaging control section sets the gate of the charge removing transistor at a second electric potential at which a part of the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element is removed and the other part of the accumulated electric charge remains in the photoelectric conversion element.