Extended depth of field in imaging machine-readable symbol reader using image side telecentric lens

A machine-readable symbol reader, comprising:

• a two-dimensional sensor array having a first imaging region to acquire a first two dimensional image of a first read volume and a second imaging region to acquire a second two dimensional image of a second read volume, the second read volume different than the first read volume, and the first imaging region of the two-dimensional sensor array does not overlap with the second imaging region of the two-dimensional sensor array;
• an optical system optically aligned with the sensor array along an optical axis to direct light rays reflected from an object toward the sensor array, the optical system is telecentric on a side thereof proximate the sensor array and which provides principal rays at the sensor array from the optical system normal to the sensor array;
• and
• a focal element disposed between the optical system and the sensor array, the focal element directs a first portion of the rays that arrive at the sensor array through the focal element and onto the first imaging region of the sensor array, and allows a second portion of the rays which arrive at the sensor array concurrently with the first portion of the rays to arrive at the sensor array without passing through the focal element, the focal element produces a first image focus distance for the first portion of the rays detected by the first imaging region of the sensor array, the first image focus distance different from a second image focus distance for the second portion of the rays detected by the second imaging region of the sensor array.