Aspects of the invention provide dynamic range extension for CMOS image sensors for mobile applications. An embodiment of the invention may comprise setting for each pixel in a pixel array one of a plurality of integration times and one of a plurality of signal gains, wherein the settings may be used to generate corresponding digital data for each pixel in the pixel array. The corresponding digital data for adjacent pixels for the same color plane may then be grouped into a superpixel, where each pixel has associated with it a different combination of integration time and signal gain.