Abstract: A high sensitivity monochrome image sensor optically coupled to receive a first sub-beam having a first light intensity produces a plurality of monochrome image pixels representative of an imaged object. A color image sensor optically coupled to receive a second sub-beam having a second light intensity produces a plurality of color image pixels representative of the imaged object. The monochrome sensor has a higher sensitivity than the color sensor. The first light intensity exceeds the second light intensity (i.e., the ratio of the first sub-beam's light intensity to that of the second sub-beam is between about 70:30 and 80:20). Separate control circuits are provided for each sensor, allowing each sensor to be operated selectably independently of the other.