PURPOSE: To attain defect correction processing making a defect not remarkable by providing a position data storage means, a sampling pulse generating means, a delay means and a sample-and-hold means on the correction circuit.

CONSTITUTION: A sampling pulse generating means 3 outputs a sampling pulse SH1 for each output timing of each picture element SNR of a CCD 1 and outputs a sampling pulse SH2 for each output timing of each picture element SBR having a defect based on a position data of a ROM 7. A sample-and-hold means 5 holds an output signal of a solid-state image pickup element by using the pulse SH1 and gives the signal to a delay means 8 and holds the result further by using the pulse SH2 and the delay means 8 gives a delay equivalent to one horizontal scanning period to the signal given to itself. Thus, a signal of a picture element having a defect is replaced into a signal of a picture ele ment having no defect for one preceding horizontal scanning period to apply correction processing.