Importance

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Abstract

A CCD imaging element 12 has a two-dimensional array of a plurality of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions. A read-out mode switching circuit switches a full read-out mode and a horizontal line thinning-out mode with respect to the imaging element 12 one over to the other. A read-out circuit reads out an image signal from the imaging element 12. A defective pixel compensation circuit 15 executes compensation for defective pixels on the basis of adjacent pixel signals thereto. In the full read-out mode, the defective pixel compensation is executed by using four normal pixels adjacent to the defective pixel in the horizontal and vertical line directions. In the thinning-out read-out mode, the defective pixel compensation is executed by using two normal pixels adjacent to and on opposite sides of a horizontal line defective pixel in the horizontal line direction, said two normal pixels lying along the same horizontal line as said defective pixel.

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First Claim