System and method for processing low illumination image data

A video camera and method therefore for use in a low light environment. A video image capturing element captures an image in the low light environment and generates a low light image signal corresponding to the captured image. A video processing unit is electrically coupled to the video image capturing element. The video processing unit has a memory for storing a raw digitized version of the low light image signal and a signal processing device electrically coupled to the memory. The signal processing device reads the raw digitized version of the low light image signal from the memory at a rate corresponding to a full rate signal and converts the raw digitized version of the low light image signal into a displayable video signal. The camera and method of the invention are well suited for use in a closed circuit television surveillance environment.