Image transmission is one of the biggest challenges in wireless sensor networks because of the limited resource on sensor nodes. We proposed two image transmission schemes driven by reliability and real time considerations in order to transfer JPEG images over Zigbee-based sensor networks. By adding two bytes counter in the header of data packet, we can easily solve the repeated data reception problem caused by retransmission mechanism in traditional Zigbees network layer. We proposed an efficient retransmission and acknowledgment mechanism in Zigbees application layer. By classifying different data reception response events, we can provide data packets with differential responses and ensure that image packets can be transferred quickly even with large maximum number of retransmission. Practical results show the effectiveness of our solutions to make image transmission over Zigbee-based sensor networks efficient. Image transmission is one of the biggest challenges in wireless sensor networks because of the limited resource on sensor nodes. We asked two image transmission schemes driven by reliability and real time considerations in order to transfer JPEG images over Zigbee-based sensor networks. By adding two bytes counter in the header of data packet, we can easily solve the repeated data reception problem caused by retransmission mechanism in traditional Zigbees network layer. We proposed an efficient retransmission and acknowledgment mechanism in Zigbees application layer. can provide data packets with differential responses and ensure that image packets can be transferred quickly even with large maximum number of retransmission. Practical results show the effectiveness of our solutions to make image transmission over Zigbee-based sensor networks efficient.