A color mask for an image sensor of a vehicle camera, the color mask having a matrix configuration of filter pixels having different spectral transmission behaviors, some filter pixels being transparent filter pixels, which are at least essentially uniformly transparent for optical light, and additional filter pixels being color pixels having a wavelength-selective transmission behavior, the color mask having a color pattern as a repeating configuration of filter pixels having a specific transmission behavior. The color mask has a central area having a first color pattern and a lower area and/or an upper area having a second color pattern, the first color pattern and the second color pattern being different, and the first color pattern containing transparent filter pixels.