In an image sensor having a plurality of photodiodes, subsets of
photodiodes share a common node for signals to be sent to an amplifier.
Within each subset, each individual photodiode is selected for sending
signals to the amplifier by an associated selection device. The selection
device is a MOS device operating in a linear region. The subset of
photodiodes share a common "fill and spill" or "bucket brigade" transfer
circuit to the amplifier, the transfer circuit including at least one MOS
device which operates in a subthreshold region.