A method for reducing a pixel-based resolution in a multi-color pick-up element through selectively combining primary pixel outputs to combined secondary pixel outputs, said method comprising the following steps:
- selecting pixels of one row for loading these pixels into a first parallel-in register;
- serial shifting of the load within said register for aligning color pixels in said first parallel-in register with selected like-colored pixels not in said first parallel-in register;
- arithmetically combining the pixel contents with the pixel groups so aligned;
- and outputting combination results as said secondary pixels.