A color image reading apparatus comprises: first to N.sup.th (color line image) sensors for receiving respective color images from the projected image and respectively generating first to N.sup.th (color) signals, the first to N.sup.th sensors respectively extending in a main scanning direction and being arranged in a sub-scanning direction SD in order from the first to N.sup.th sensors with different pitches between the first to (N-1).sup.th sensors and the N.sup.th sensor; a receiving circuit for receiving an enlargement ratio and for supplying a scanning pitch according to the enlargement ratio; a scanning unit responsive to the scanning pitch for scanning the image against the first to N.sup.th sensors in the SD at the scanning pitch in the order, wherein lines of the first to (N-1).sup.th sensors deviate from the lines of the N.sup.th sensor according to the enlargement ratio; and a line combining portion for selecting one of lines of each of the first to (N-1).sup.th signals closest to the present line of the N.sup.th signal, combining the selected one of lines each of the first to (N-1).sup.th signals with the present line of the N.sup.th signal, and for outputting the combined color signals.A secondly closest line may be determined and selected through a random operation or a weighted operation. The corresponding method of reading a color image is also disclosed.