Solid-state imaging device

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to provide a solid-state imaging device and drive method with which sampling before the output values from pixels have reached a constant value can be avoided. The solid-state imaging device comprises photosensitive pixels arranged in the form of an array on a photosensitive surface and that have a photodiode that generates and stores a photocharge, a transfer transistor that transfers the photocharge, a floating diffusion to which the photocharge is transferred, and an amplifying transistor that converts the photocharge into a voltage signal and that amplifies the signal; photosensitive-surface output line connected to the source/drain of one of the amplifying transistors; power source connected thereto; sampling circuit connected to the photosensitive-surface output line; and current source regulating circuit, which regulates the current source current, connected to the current source so that, for sampling of the output values, the sampling circuit samples the output values after the output values have essentially become constant by comparing the output values immediately after they are output to the photosensitive-surface output lines.