PURPOSE: To improve the lowering of a compression rate in case that a coded code is extracted from a code table, by changing the code table for picture information to make the number of code bits small when data of a facsimile is coded.

CONSTITUTION: When data of a facsimile is coded, the tip of original 1 is detected by micro switch 2, and the optical image dependent upon flash circuit 3 is projected to photoelectric converter 5, and analogue signals corresponding to the picture level dependent upon this projection are supplied to comparator COM1 to output a binary signal indicating whether they are higher than comparison voltage Vr2 or not. This binary signal is converted to a code table selection code by encoder EC1 and is given to data selector DSE. Then, the output obtained by setting the input of a mode set switch by an operator is given to encoder EC2, and the output of data selector DES is supplied to the CPU of coder 6 through latch LU1, and the number of code bits of picture information is made small, thereby improving the compression rate in case of the read from the code table.