An image pickup apparatus comprises: an image sensor for converting an optical image into distribution information of a minority carrier; a control circuit for periodically forming a first state in that a majority carrier is accumulated in the image sensor and a second state in that at least a part of the minority carrier is recombined with this majority carrier; a readout circuit for reading out the information in the image sensor; a recording apparatus for selectively recording the information for a predetermined interval from the information to be read out by the readout circuit with regard to the trigger operation for a still photograph; and a stopping circuit for stopping the control operation of the control circuit in association with the start of the recording by the recording apparatus or the closing of a shutter or in response to a low luminous condition or the like.