An apparatus comprising a pixel array to capture an image of a symbol code, wherein the image is formed on a plurality of pixels within the pixel array and is moving relative to the pixel array, and circuitry and logic coupled to the pixel array to sample a subset of pixels at a selected sampling rate, wherein the subset comprises at least one pixel from among the plurality of pixels on which the image is formed. A process comprising forming an image of a symbol code on a pixel array, wherein the image is formed on a plurality of pixels within the pixel array and is moving relative to the pixel array, and sampling a subset of pixels at a selected sampling rate, wherein the subset comprises at least one pixel from among the plurality of pixels on which the image is formed.