PURPOSE: To use a sensor provided with an optionally set specific number of photoelectric conversion elements, by making a scanning circuit, controlling an image sensor, stop the transfer operation of a switching pulse with a clear input during scanning operation.

CONSTITUTION: A scanning circuit SC controlling a photosensitive element array PDA of photodiodes and a switching element array SWA of MOS transistors (TR) is provided with MOS TRs Qa1, Qa3∼ and a clear input terminal 4, and gates of the TRs Qa1, Qa3∼ are connected to the input terminal 4. In this constitution, when the terminal 4 is held at a low level, the TRs Qa1, Qa3∼ are off and switching pulses V1∼ are supplied. Once a high-level clear input is supplied to the terminal 4, the TRs Qa1, Qa3∼ turn on to interrupt the transfer of switching pulses. Therefore, scanning is stopped at the point in time when picture signals are outputted from an optionally set specific number of elements.