Signal processing apparatus and method, imaging element, and electronic apparatus

An imaging element comprising:

• a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix;
• a D/A converter that converts a digital signal into an analog signal and that divides a predetermined current generated by receiving a gain control signal that controls a gain into a plurality of output currents and a non-output current in accordance with a value of an input digital signal and then outputs the plurality of output currents as a plurality of analog signals;
• and
• an A/D converter that uses the plurality of analog signals output from the D/A converter as reference signals to convert the pixel signal being an analog signal read from the pixel array into a digital signal.

An electronic apparatus comprising:

• an imaging unit that images a subject;
• and
• an image processing unit that performs image processing on image data obtained by imaging by the imaging unit,
• wherein the imaging unit includes:
• a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix;
• a D/A converter that converts a digital signal into an analog signal and that divides a predetermined current generated by receiving a gain control signal that controls a gain into a plurality of output currents and a non-output current in accordance with a value of an input digital signal and then outputs the plurality of output currents as a plurality of analog signals;
• and
• an A/D converter that uses the plurality of analog signals output from the D/A converter as reference signals to convert the pixel signal being an analog signal read from the pixel array into a digital signal.