IMAGE SENSOR AND DRIVE METHOD AND CONTROL PROGRAM THEREFOR

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image sensor which, when many pixels are used to OB (Optical Black) readout, solves a trade-off problem that accuracy (noise resistance) increases but a readout speed is sacrificed, so that the effects of fixed pattern noise attributable to defective pixels included in the OB block can be eliminated.SOLUTION: An image sensor includes on an imaging surface an effective pixel region in which pixels to photoelectrically converting incident light are arranged two dimensionally and an OB pixel region in which shaded pixels are arranged two dimensionally, each pixel having reset means. In the image sensor, connection means of interconnecting the reset means of a plurality of adjacent pixels arranged in the OB pixel region is provided in plurality per line of pixel array in the OB pixel region.