A multi-resolution color contact-type image sensing apparatus whereby a color image of an original can be obtained with a particular resolution, depending upon the size of the original image. A first array of photosensor segments with a base resolution is arranged with at least one other array of photosensor segments having a greater-than-base resolution. All such photosensor segments might .Iadd.be .Iaddend.aligned in a single linear array, with at least one portion of segments having a greater-than-base resolution. A resulting image with at least the base resolution could be created depending upon the size of the original in relation to the placement and width of the greater-than-base resolution segments. A plurality of linear arrays might also be used, with each successive array having a greater resolution than the previous array. Moreover, the arrays might be arranged in parallel with each successive array being narrower in width than the previous. Each linear array could be operated independently or in conjunction with the other linear arrays to produce multi-resolution resulting images. The resolution could be manually or automatically selected.