Abstract: In a color image sensor, CCD chips having peculiar spectrum distribution characteristics are arranged in two rows on a base with the CCD chips in one row staggered with respect to those in the other row. A pair of convergent rod lens arrays is located between a color document and the array of CCD chips for projecting an image of the document onto the CCD element array. The CCD elements each having a plurality of photosensitive areas with white, yellow and cyan filters, or yellow, green and cyan filters, or red, green and blue filters, provided thereon. A pair of fluorescent lamps for illuminating the document is each provided in the neighborhood of each of the pair rod lens arrays. They have spectrum distribution characteristics not covering wavelengths above 700 nm. One of them has a spectrum distribution characteristic with a peak substantially at 450 nm, and the other has a spectrum distribution characteristic with a peak substantially at 590 nm.