A method for reading out pixel values from an image sensor covered and spanned by a two dimensional array that provides a Bayer color pattern for producing first, second and third colors, the method comprising the steps of: (a) in a first subset of columns of the two dimensional array spaced to correspond to every second column in the array, periodically combining two consecutive pixel values of the first color whilst skipping a pixel of the second color located between the two consecutive pixel values of the first color; (b) in a second subset of columns of the two dimensional array spaced to correspond to every fourth column in the array, periodically combining two consecutive pixel values of the second color whilst skipping a pixel of the third color located between the two consecutive pixel values of the first color, wherein the pixel skipped in step (a) belongs to the same row as the pixel skipped in step (b); (c) in a first subset of rows of the two dimensional array spaced to correspond to every second row in the array, periodically combining two consecutive pixel values of the first color whilst skipping a pixel of the second color located between the two consecutive pixel values of the first color; (d) in a second subset of rows of the two dimensional array spaced to correspond to every fourth row in the array, periodically combining two consecutive pixel values of the second color whilst skipping a pixel of the third color located between the two consecutive pixel values of the second color; (e) reading out the combined pixel values of the first color in groups of four, wherein each group of four includes periodically combined pixel values of the first color from two consecutive columns in the first subset of columns and from two consecutive rows in the first subset of rows, wherein each pixel of the third color that is encompassed by a group of four pixels of the first color is skipped; (f) reading out the combined pixel values of the second color in groups of two; and (g) reading out each pixel of the third color that has not been skipped in a preceding step; wherein the first color is one of red or blue, the third color is the other one of red or blue, and the second color is green. (a) in a first subset of columns of the two dimensional array spaced to correspond to every second column in the array, periodically combining two consecutive pixel values of the first color whilst skipping a pixel of the second color located between the two consecutive pixel values of the first color; (b) in a second subset of columns of the two dimensional array spaced to correspond to every fourth column in the array, periodically combining two consecutive pixel values of the second color whilst skipping a pixel of the third color located between the two consecutive pixel values of the first color, wherein the pixel skipped in step (a) belongs to the same row as the pixel skipped in step (b); (c) in a first subset of rows of the two dimensional array spaced to correspond to every second row in the array, periodically combining two consecutive pixel values of the first color whilst skipping a pixel of the second color located between the two consecutive pixel values of the first color; (d) in a second subset of rows of the two dimensional array spaced to correspond to every fourth row in the array, periodically combining two consecutive pixel values of the second color whilst skipping a pixel of the third color located between the two consecutive pixel values of the second color; (e) reading out the combined pixel values of the first color in groups of four, wherein each group of four includes periodically combined pixel values of the first color from two consecutive columns in the first subset of columns and from two consecutive rows in the first subset of rows, wherein each pixel of the third color that is encompassed by a group of four pixels of the first color is skipped; (f) reading out the combined pixel values of the second color in groups of two; and (g) reading out each pixel of the third color that has not been skipped in a preceding step;