An imaging element includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix form, configured to receive light from outside, and configured to generate and output an imaging signal depending on an amount of the light received； a first transfer line connected to the pixel and configured to transfer the imaging signal； a second transfer line to which the imaging signal transferred by the first transfer line is output； a column selection switch configured to select one pixel column among the two-dimensional matrix, and output the imaging signal transferred by the first transfer line to the second transfer line； a column source follower including a gate to which the imaging signal transferred by the first transfer line is input, a drain end being connected to a power supply voltage, and a source end being connected to the column selection switch； and a potential setting unit configured to set a potential of the source end side of the column source follower to a predetermined potential.
