An efficient demosaicing method includes reconstructing missing green pixels after estimating green-red color difference signals and green-blue color difference signals that are used in the reconstruction, and then constructing missing red and blue pixels using the color difference signals. This method creates a full resolution frame of red, green and blue pixels. The full resolution frame of pixels is sent to a display unit for display. In an efficient demosaicing process that includes local contrast enhancement, image contrast is enhanced to build and boost a brightness component from the green pixels, and to build chromatic components from all of the red, green, and blue pixels. Color difference signals are used in place of the red and blue pixels in building the chromatic components.
