Abstract: In a color video camera providing color video signal components corresponding to a light image projected on an image pickup, only the levels of the color video signals components which correspond to at least substantially white regions of the light image are detected, and such detected levels of the color video signal components are integrated so as to obtain average values thereof as white-balance detection signals. The color video signal components which correspond to at least substantially white regions of the light image, and thus have their levels detected, may be those which occur during intervals corresponding to a white-balance detecting area positioned to correspond with a selected white area of the light image. Alternatively, the color video signal components may be sampled to provide pixel-by-pixel values thereof, whereupon, only those pixel-by-pixel values which are determined to be within a predetermined range of white as defined by a black body radiation curve are subjected to integration.