Patent ID: 7903150

Claim:
A solid-state image pickup apparatus including a two-dimensional array of pixels each of which includes a photoelectric conversion element which converts an optical signal into signal charges, and an amplification element which amplifies the signal charges, the solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising: a plurality of vertical signal lines for reading out signals of pixel lines, respectively; a horizontal output line connected to the plurality of vertical signal lines via a transfer switch; and a differential amplifier circuit connected to the horizontal output line, wherein the differential amplifier circuit comprises: a first voltage-current conversion circuit for converting a first differential voltage into a first current using a first resistor and for outputting the first current; and a second voltage-current conversion circuit for converting a second differential voltage into a second current using a second resistor, wherein the second differential voltage is between a reference voltage and a voltage obtained by impedance-converting the first current output from the first voltage-current conversion circuit by an impedance conversion circuit, and wherein the output portions of the first and second voltage-current conversion circuits are connected, and the output portion of the impedance conversion circuit serves as an output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit.