Patent ID: 8344307

Claim:
An image sensor having a plurality of light sensitive pixels ( 10 ) arranged in rows and columns for the generation of output signals proportional to the exposure, wherein column lines ( 20 ) are associated with the columns to supply the output signals to at least one column amplifier ( 36 ) for amplification, characterized in that the at least one column amplifier ( 36 ) cooperates with the column lines ( 20 ) such that the amplification of the respective output signal depends on the capacitance of the respective column line ( 20 ), wherein the amplification of the respective output signal takes place with one respective amplifier ( 36 , 46 ) in two mutually separate channels ( 30 , 40 ), the two channels ( 30 , 40 ) have different amplifications, the image sensor is designed such that the amplification in the first channel ( 30 ) depends on the capacitance of the respective column line ( 20 ) and is larger than the amplification in the second channel ( 40 ), and the amplification in the second channel ( 40 ) depends on the capacitance of a respective capacitor ( 43 ) which is arranged between the respective column line ( 20 ) arid the respective amplifier ( 46 ) of the second channel ( 40 ).