To eliminate non-read time in a photoelectric converting device, a photoelectric converting section is provided in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, switching elements, matrix signal wirings, and gate drive wirings are arranged on the same substrate such that the photoelectric converting section generates parallel signals. A drive switching section is provided for applying drive signals to the gate drive wirings. A read switching section is provided for converting the parallel signals which are transferred from the matrix signal wirings into a serial signal, and for outputting the serial signal. The read switching section comprises a plurality of transfer switches respectively connected to the matrix signal wirings. The transfer switches are preferably activated together, simultaneously. A plurality of read capacitors are also provided in the read switching section to store the charges transferred through the matrix signal wirings. The read switching section also includes a plurality of read switches for reading out carriers stored in the plurality of read capacitors. The read switching section also includes reading circuitry for reading the read switches by sequentially switching the read switches so that a period of driving the transfer switches and a period of driving a first one of the read switches are partially overlapped.