Patent ID: 8023002

Claim:
An image pickup apparatus characterized by comprising: image pickup means for outputting image pickup signals generated by a plurality of image pickup elements which photoelectrically convert light from a subject; serial conversion means for converting each of the image pickup signals, each of which is generated from one of the plurality of image pickup elements, into a serial signal; synchronization-code generation means for generating a synchronization code regarding the image pickup signals before or after the conversion into the serial signal and for embedding the synchronization code into the serial signals; transfer means for transferring the serial signals using at least one operation channel from among a plurality of channels; parallel conversion means for performing parallel conversion on each of the transferred serial signals, thereby outputting parallel signals in a number equal to the number of operation channels; reconstruction means for detecting the embedded synchronization code in the parallel signals, thereby reconstructing the image pickup signals in accordance with the timing of the synchronization code and the number of operation channels; and control means for performing the setting of the number of operation channels in the transfer means in accordance with an operation mode.