As the first selection units 16 at the pixel 10 (1, 1), the pixel 10 (2, 1) and the pixel 10 (3, 1) in the first column enter an ON state, the source terminals of the amplifier units 15 in these three pixels 10 become electrically connected to the first vertical signal line VL1a. The electric current from the first electric current source 25a connected to the first vertical signal line VL1a is shunted and distributed to the pixel 10 (1, 1), the pixel 10 (2, 1) and the pixel 10 (3, 1). On the first vertical signal line VL1a, the pixel signals from the pixel 10 (1, 1), the pixel 10 (2, 1) and the pixel 10 (3, 1) are combined and a combined pixel signal is generated.
As the first selection units 16 at the pixel 10 (1, 2) and the pixel 10 (3, 2) in the second column enter an ON state, the source terminals of amplifier units 15 in these two pixels 10 become electrically connected to the first vertical signal line VL1b. The electric current from the first electric current source 25b connected to the first vertical signal line VL1b is shunted and distributed to the pixel 10 (1, 2) and the pixel 10 (3, 2). On the first vertical signal line VL1b, the pixel signals from the pixel 10 (1, 2) and the pixel 10 (3, 2) are combined and a combined pixel signal is generated.