PURPOSE: To allow the user to obtain easily a desired picture in response to an original, by comparing a threshold train read out based on a basic matrix with a prescribed value and clamping a threshold level at the outside of a prescribed range to a prescribed value.

CONSTITUTION: A video signal read out from an original picture and A/D-converted 2 with a CCD1 is compared with a threshold train supplied from a multiplexer 5 with a comparator 3. A dither matrix pattern data read out from a dither matrix ROM 7, and threshold value levels set respectively at set levers 8, 9 are compared at a comparator 6 to each other. The threshold level obtained as a result is applied to the comparator 3 with the multiplexer 5. The supplied video signal is compared with the threshold train at the comparator 3, and a binary-coded picture signal is formed. A printer 4 is driven with this picture signal and an original picture is recorded.