Patent ID: 7697047

Claim:
An image sensor, comprising: a plurality of photoelectric converting elements, for converting optical signals to electric signals; a group of channel select switches, each channel select switch arranged between a charge output unit corresponding to one of the plurality of photoelectric converting elements and a signal line common to the plurality of photoelectric converting elements, wherein the group of the channel select switches can be turned on and off sequentially synchronizing with an externally supplied clock pulse signal; and resolution setting means, including: a first input terminal configured to input a resolution assignment signal from an outside of the image sensor; a second input terminal that inputs a resolution assignment timing signal from the outside of the image sensor; and a third input terminal that inputs a resolution assignment period setting signal from the outside of the image sensor; wherein the resolution setting means sets an on-off control pattern for the group of the channel select switches according to an on-off pattern of the resolution assignment signal, which is input through the first input terminal, at a plurality of timings set by the resolution assignment timing signal, which is input through the second input terminal, in a resolution assignment period set according to the resolution assignment period setting signal input through the third input terminal, and the resolution assignment period is set as a prescribed period after the resolution assignment period setting signal is turned off.