There are several main types of color image sensors, differing by the means of the color separation mechanism:
Bayer sensor
, low-cost and most common, using a color filter array that passes red, green, or blue light to selected pixel sensors, forming interlaced grids sensitive to red, green, and blue – the missing color samples are interpolated using a demosaicing algorithm.
The Bayer CFA is named for its inventor, Dr. Bryce E.Bayer from Eastman Kodak.
Foveon X3 sensor
, using an array of layered pixel sensors, separating light via the inherent wavelength-dependent absorption property of silicon, such that every location senses all three color channels.
3CCD
, using three discrete image sensors, with the color separation done by a dichroic prism. Considered the best quality, and generally more expensive than single-CCD sensors.