An apparatus for providing amplified image data may include an image sensor including a number of pixel light sensing elements. Circuitry may output pixel exposure signals and a dark level signal. The differences between the pixel exposure signals and the dark level signal are uni-polar signals. A variable gain amplifier may shift the uni-polar signals to bipolar signals centered around zero, and may also amplify the bipolar signals. In this manner, a full scale output range of the variable gain amplifier may be substantially utilized.