Image pickup apparatus

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• an image sensor having first-type, second-type, and third-type pixels each producing a signal corresponding to a first, a second, and a third color respectively, the pixels being arranged in a two-dimensional array consisting of first-type lines and second-type lines arranged alternately, the first-type lines each consisting of first-type and second-type pixels arranged alternately, the second-type lines each consisting of first-type and third-type pixels arranged alternately;
• a color temperature detecting circuit for detecting a color temperature of light coming from an object to be shot;
• and
• a control circuit for driving the image sensor in accordance with an output of the color temperature detecting circuit;
• wherein, whereas the color temperature detecting circuit detects the color temperature during previewing that is performed prior to actual shooting to monitor an image to be shot, the control circuit controls a read-operation clock signal of the image sensor during actual shooting.

A method of reproducing an image by using:

• an image sensor having first-type, second-type, and third-type pixels each producing a signal corresponding to a first, a second, and a third color respectively, the pixels being arranged in a two-dimensional array comprising first-type lines and second-type lines arranged alternately, the first-type lines each comprising first-type and second-type pixels arranged alternately, the second-type lines each comprising first-type and third-type pixels arranged alternately,
• comprising the steps of:
• calculating a difference between an output of one of the first-type pixels and an output of one of the second-type pixels on the first-type lines, wherein the one of the first-type pixels is adjacent the one of the second-type pixels;
• calculating a difference between an output of another of the first-type pixels and an output of one of the third-type pixels on the second-type lines, wherein the another of the first-type pixels is adjacent the one of the third-type pixels;
• and
• driving the image sensor in accordance with the calculated two differences.

A method of reproducing an image by using:

• an image sensor having first-type, second-type, and third-type pixels each producing a signal corresponding to a first, a second, and a third color respectively, the pixels being arranged in a two-dimensional array consisting of first-type lines and second-type lines arranged alternately, the first-type lines each consisting of first-type and second-type pixels arranged alternately, the second-type lines each consisting of first-type and third-type pixels arranged alternately,
• comprising the steps of:
• detecting a color temperature of light coming from an object to be shot;
• driving the image sensor in accordance with the detected color temperature
• previewing an image to be shot prior to actual shooting;
• detecting the color temperature during previewing;
• and
• controlling a read-operation clock signal of the image sensor in accordance with the detected color temperature during actual shooting.