An image sensor comprising: an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns, the columns being separated into groups, wherein each group comprises a plurality of columns and is associated to a common output line shared by said plurality of columns, wherein a sparse color filter array pattern is configured over the array of pixels and the sparse color filter array pattern has a minimal repeating unit including a plurality of cells with each cell having a plurality of same-color pixels and a plurality of panchromatic pixels; and sampling and readout circuitry comprising, for each group of columns in the pixel array, a corresponding plurality of column circuits; wherein for each group of columns, the sampling and readout circuitry is configured to sample a pixel through the common output line into one of the plurality of column circuits associated with said group and to read out a previously sampled pixel from another of the plurality of column circuits associated with said group; wherein said sampling and readout circuitry is configured to support a plurality of operating modes including each of the following: a full resolution mode without binning of same-color pixels; a full resolution mode with binning of same-color pixels; a full resolution mode with binning of same-color pixels and double sampling; a quarter-resolution mode with binning of panchromatic and same-color pixels; a quarter-resolution mode with binning of panchromatic and same-color pixels and double sampling; a quarter-resolution video mode without desaturation; a quarter-resolution video mode with desaturation by combining at least one panchromatic pixel with same-color pixels in a cell; a quarter-resolution video mode with double sampling; a fast autofocus mode with binning of panchromatic pixels; and a fast autofocus mode with binning of color pixels. an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns, the columns being separated into groups, wherein each group comprises a plurality of columns and is associated to a common output line shared by said plurality of columns, wherein a sparse color filter array pattern is configured over the array of pixels and the sparse color filter array pattern has a minimal repeating unit including a plurality of cells with each cell having a plurality of same-color pixels and a plurality of panchromatic pixels; and sampling and readout circuitry comprising, for each group of columns in the pixel array, a corresponding plurality of column circuits; wherein for each group of columns, the sampling and readout circuitry is configured to sample a pixel through the common output line into one of the plurality of column circuits associated with said group and to read out a previously sampled pixel from another of the plurality of column circuits associated with said group; wherein said sampling and readout circuitry is configured to support a plurality of operating modes including each of the following: a full resolution mode without binning of same-color pixels; a full resolution mode with binning of same-color pixels; a full resolution mode with binning of same-color pixels and double sampling; a quarter-resolution mode with binning of panchromatic and same-color pixels; a quarter-resolution mode with binning of panchromatic and same-color pixels and double sampling; a quarter-resolution video mode without desaturation; a quarter-resolution video mode with desaturation by combining at least one panchromatic pixel with same-color pixels in a cell; a quarter-resolution video mode with double sampling; a fast autofocus mode with binning of panchromatic pixels; and a fast autofocus mode with binning of color pixels. a full resolution mode without binning of same-color pixels; a full resolution mode with binning of same-color pixels; a full resolution mode with binning of same-color pixels and double sampling; a quarter-resolution mode with binning of panchromatic and same-color pixels; a quarter-resolution mode with binning of panchromatic and same-color pixels and double sampling; a quarter-resolution video mode without desaturation; a quarter-resolution video mode with desaturation by combining at least one panchromatic pixel with same-color pixels in a cell; a quarter-resolution video mode with double sampling; a fast autofocus mode with binning of panchromatic pixels; and a fast autofocus mode with binning of color pixels.