PURPOSE: To correct the picture defect of a solid-state image pickup element in a real time without using a memory by always comparing a picture signal to be corrected with an adjacent picture signal.

CONSTITUTION: This circuit is provided with threshold level setting means 3 and 4 which prepare threshold levels, and comparing means 5 and 6 which compare those threshold levels with a signal level Then, when the signal level of a picture element to be corrected is larger than the two threshold levels from the compared result, the picture element to be corrected is judged as a defective picture element, and a deflect judging signal is outputted to a signal line 59. Then, the output 60 of an edge part picture element judging means 8 is inputted to a sample-hold circuit 9, and the picture element to be corrected is inputted from a delay circuit 10 after a time required for preparing the defect judging signal is delayed. When the picture element is judged as the defective picture element, and it is not the edge part of a light receiving area, the defective picture element judging signal 60 is inputted, the sample/hold circuit 9 holds a hold state, and an output 62 is a previous normal picture signal. That is, the defective picture signal is replaced with the previous normal picture signal.