Abstract: An image reader using CCD line sensors which effects color correction of three color difference signals resulting from reading of a color original by the CCD line sensors. This image reader employs a plurality of color correction characteristics for enlarging the color difference signals in regions where the color difference signals are large, and limiting enlargement ratios of the color difference signals in regions where the color difference signals are small. A color correction characteristic is selected manually or in accordance with the luminance level of each pixel. Noises appearing in shadow portions are reduced by the color correction based on the limited enlargement ratios of the color difference signals effected in the regions where the color difference signals are small.

Abstract: An image reader utilizing a CCD line sensor (8) which involves no possibility of any stripe pattern (output irregularity) being produced with respect to dots output from the CCD line sensor (8) even if there is any characteristic error between outputs of odd n-th and even n-th elements of the CCD line sensor (8). Data of the odd n-th elements and data of the even n-th elements are supplied to an averaging circuit (52). Where the absolute value of the difference in data between odd n-th and even n-th elements is greater than a predetermined threshold value, a decision circuit outputs a select signal of H level. Where the absolute value of the difference is smaller than the threshold value, the decision circuit (56) outputs a select signal of L level. A selector (58) selects the output of each odd n-th element or even n-th element as a read output in case that the select signal is of H level. If the select signal is of L level, a mean value of the outputs of the two elements is selected as a read output.