Image sensing apparatus having exposure level and dynamic range control circuit

An image sensing apparatus having an exposure level and dynamic range control circuit, for use in an image input device having an exposure system that produces an electronic image input signal of a subject, said image sensing apparatus comprising:

• light-amount adjusting means for adjusting an amount of incident light received from the subject;
• solid-state imaging element means for (1) enabling a reading of an image included in said incident light, (2) generating the electronic image input signal of the subject and (3) controlling an exposure time of said exposure system;
• accumulating means, including addition means, for accumulating by addition a plurality of image signals read by said solid-state imaging element means;
• number-of-addition control means for controlling how many additions are performed by said addition means of said accumulating means;
• and
• condition setting means for (1) setting said light-amount adjusting means so as to selectively set an amount of incident light, (2) setting said solid-state imaging element means so as to selectively set an amount of exposure time, and (3) setting said number-of addition control means so as to selectively set how many additions are performed by said addition means of said accumulating means, according to one of a luminance of said subject as represented by said electronic image input signal of said subject, and conditions set by said condition setting means.