An electronic still camera uses a charge coupled solid-state image pickup device and reads out pixel signals from photoelectric conversion elements by separating the photoelectric conversion elements into a number of fields. In a first embodiment, the elements are separated into k number of fields and an empty reading operation of the vertical and horizontal charge transfer paths are implemented without field shifting pixel signals from the elements to the transfer paths to thereby preserve the pixel signals in the elements. Accordingly, smear contents are removed and the influence of dark current is made uniform to prevent the occurrence of flicker. In a second embodiment, an empty reading operation of the vertical and horizontal charge transfer paths is implemented just after exposure. After the empty reading operation, normal field scanning and reading operation is restarted from the pixel signals corresponding to the field where the field shifting operation is stopped. Accordingly, smear contents are removed and dark current is made uniform.