A high dynamic range image sensor which uses a linear-logarithmic counting scheme to provide user programmable sensitivity variation for low light imaging application is presented. If photo-signal information is converted to time domain, the dynamic range for low light signals is no longer limited by sensor noise floor. It is still limited by the readout circuitry. This technique prevents the saturation of the readout circuitry by modifying the frequency of chip level counter so it counts in a linear-logarithmic manner. The counter is integrated with the column circuitry and pixel in such a way that it enables low light photo-signal capture without losing the high light information. A chip has been designed in 0.35 mm AMS OPTO process. The test chip has a 128 x 128, 3T pixel array with 9m pixel pitch. The maximum dynamic range obtained is 95 dB. The imager provides a user-programmable sensitivity curve depending upon the application.