Patent ID: 8599295

Claim:
An imaging element comprising: a pixel array section having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form along the row and column directions and a plurality of readout signal lines adapted to read out pixel signals from the plurality of pixels; a first current source including a MOS transistor and provided for each of the readout signal lines; a first ground line supplied with a current generated by the first current source; a first switch provided between the drain of the first current source and the associated readout signal line to turn ON and OFF the current flowing through the first current source; a first capacitive element provided between the gate and source of the first current source to raise the gate potential of the first current source to a predetermined level and/or hold the gate potential at this level, wherein the first capacitive element is directly connected to the first ground line; a second switch adapted to start and stop the charging of the first capacitive element; and a current control circuit adapted to switch OFF the first switch and switch ON the second switch during a first period in which the first capacitive element is charged, and switch ON the first switch and switch OFF the second switch during a second period in which the pixel signals are read out.