Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens, and a solid-state image sensor for converting light which passes through the lens into an electric signal. A signal processing circuit serves to process the electric signal outputted from the solid-state image snesor. A Gray code counter serves to count pulses of a first clock signal and to generate Gray codes in response to the first clock signal. A latch device functions to feed a second clock signal and a synchronizing signal to the solid-state image sensor and the signal processing circuit in response to the Gray codes generated by the Gray code counter respectively.

Abstract: In forming p.sup.+ -type isolation region to define an isolated n-type island region in an n-type epitaxial layer grown on a p-type semiconductor substrate, the p.sup.+ -type isolation region is formed by burying, prior to the growing of the epitaxial layer, an Al-ion-implanted region in the p-type substrate by means of ion implantation and subsequent heat-treatment for driving-in, thereby enabling a very quick forming of the isolation region and an accurate control of the resistivity of the epitaxial layer.