OPTICAL READER

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical reader capable of reading even a bar code having a small bar width regardless of the bar code position, in relation to an optical reader for a bar code or the like. SOLUTION: This optical reader is provided with a laser beam source for emitting a laser beam, an scanning means for scanning the laser beam source to emit it to the outside and thereby irradiating the scanned beam on an object, a photodetector for detecting reflected light reflected from the object to output an electric signal according to the luminous energy thereof, and a converging means for converging the reflected light on the photodetector. The photodetector is so formed as to set the distance between the converging means and itself so as to be disposed at a closer position to the converging means than the focal position of the converging means.