A flare-blocking image sensor includes large pixels and small pixels, a microlens, and an opaque element. The large pixels and small pixels form a first and second pixel array respectively, each having a pixel pitch Px and Py. The second pixel array is offset from the first pixel array by ½Px and ½Py. A first large pixel of the large pixels is between and collinear with a first and a second small pixel separated by √{square root over (Px2+Py2)} in a first direction and each having a width W less than both pixel pitch Px and Py. The microlens is aligned with the first large pixel. The opaque element is between the first large pixel and the microlens and extends, in the first direction, less than 1 2 ⁢ ( P x 2 + P y 2 - W ) from the first small pixel toward the second small pixel. The opaque element has a width perpendicular to the first direction not exceeding width W.