An image sensor for capturing a color image is disclosed having a
two-dimensional array having first and second groups of pixels wherein
pixels from the first group of pixels have narrower spectral
photoresponses than pixels from the second group of pixels and wherein
the first group of pixels has individual pixels that have spectral
photoresponses that correspond to a set of at least two colors, with the
placement of the first and second groups of pixels defining a pattern
that has a minimal repeating unit including at least six pixels with at
least some rows or columns of the minimal repeating unit composed only of
pixels from the second group of pixels, and including ways to combine
similarly positioned pixels from at least two adjacent minimal repeating
units.