Abstract: An electronic still camera uses a charge coupled solid-state image pickup device and reads out pixel signals from photoelectric conversion elements by separating the photoelectric conversion elements into a number of fields. In a first embodiment, the elements are separated into k number of fields and an empty reading operation of the vertical and horizontal charge transfer paths are implemented without field shifting pixel signals from the elements to the transfer paths to thereby preserve the pixel signals in the elements. Accordingly, smear contents are removed and the influence of dark current is made uniform to prevent the occurrence of flicker. In a second embodiment, an empty reading operation of the vertical and horizontal charge transfer paths is implemented just after exposure. After the empty reading operation, normal field scanning and reading operation is restarted from the pixel signals corresponding to the field where the field shifting operation is stopped.

Abstract: An electronic shutter controlling method is provided for an electronic still video camera having a solid state imaging device, wherein a first field shift pulse is generated for discharging unnecessary charges from the solid state imaging device and for starting signal charge storage in accordance wth a determined exposure time, but is latched at intervals of the horizontal synchronizing signal, and the discharge of the unnecessary charges is started when the first shift pulse is latched. The timing of the start of the signal charge storage is therefore displaced by a half of the horizontal synchronizing signal period in the even field relative to the odd field, thereby making the charge storage time always N times as long as a horizontal synchronizing signal period.