Patent ID: 8004587

Claim:
A solid-state imaging device, comprising: a pixel array unit constituted by arranging unit pixels in matrix, each of said unit pixels including a photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert an optical signal into signal charges, a transfer element configured to transfer the signal charges obtained through photoelectric conversion in said photoelectric conversion unit, and output means configured to output the signal charges transferred by said transfer element; driving means configured to read out the signal charges accumulated in said photoelectric conversion unit for an accumulation period of time of one unit and transferred at least in two batches by said transfer element through said output means; signal processing means configured to execute addition processing for a plurality of output signals read out on a partition basis from said unit pixel; level determining means configured to compare each of signal levels of the plurality of output signals with a reference level; and control means configured to instruct said signal processing means to execute the addition processing for the output signals, having the signal levels each being equal to or higher than the reference level, of the plurality of output signals in accordance with a determination result obtained from said level determining means.