Solid-state image pickup device and control method thereof, and camera

A control method for controlling an image pickup device, which has a pixel that includes:

• a photoelectric conversion unit for generating and accumulating charge by means of photoelectric conversion, a first charge holding unit that is shielded from light and that is configured to accumulate a part of charge spilling over from the photoelectric conversion unit in a period during which the photoelectric conversion unit generates and accumulates charge and an amplifying unit for amplifying charge, the method comprising:
• transferring the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the amplifying unit using a first path;
• and
• transferring the part of the charge accumulated in the first charge holding unit to the amplifying unit using a second path different from the first path.

An image pickup device comprising a pixel that includes:

• a photoelectric conversion unit for generating carriers by photoelectric conversion and for accumulating a part of the carriers;
• a light-shielded charge holding unit for accumulating carriers that overflow from the photoelectric conversion unit;
• an amplifying unit for amplifying a signal based on the part of the carriers accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit and the carriers accumulated in the charge holding unit;
• a first transfer transistor for transferring the part of the carriers accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the amplifying unit;
• and
• a second transfer transistor transferring the carriers accumulated in the charge holding unit to the amplifying unit,
• wherein the charge holding unit and the photoelectric conversion unit are connected in parallel from the photoelectric conversion unit.