A bar code reader has a CCD for producing an image signal, an amplifier for amplifying the image signal from the CCD and a digitalizing circuit for changing the image signal to a binary signal. The CCD operates with an operating voltage less than 8 V. The amplifier has first and second operational amplifiers each having one voltage source terminal connected to 5 V and the other voltage source terminal connected to ground. Also, the digitalizing circuit has a third operational amplifier having one voltage source terminal connected to 5 V and the other voltage source terminal connected to ground. The system avoids the need for a DC-DC converter for providing a 12 V system.
