In an image pickup element, an interval between adjacent light receiving elements on a light receiving surface is changed depending on a position on the light receiving surface. Further, the image pickup element is manufactured by a method of manufacturing the image pickup element including layering photodiodes by repeatedly performing a silicon epitaxial process and an ion injection process. Further, the image pickup element is manufactured by the method of manufacturing the image pickup element including changing an interval between the photodiodes adjacent on the light receiving surface of the image pickup element in each layer depending on a position on the light receiving surface in addition to the layering thereof.