A scanner for machine-readable symbols, such as barcodes and two-dimensional matrix symbols, employs at least two different light frequencies (colors). The first frequency supports accurate aiming of the scanner at a symbol. The second frequency supports illumination of a machine-readable symbol so that the reflected illumination light can be read at the second frequency by the scanner's optical imaging element. Employing two different light frequencies enables both aiming and scanning to occur simultaneously, while the aiming process does not interfere with the scanning process. It enables the aiming frequency to be used for additional purposes, such as providing signaling to a user of the scanner. In an embodiment, two distinct light sources are used in the scanner to provide the different light frequencies. In an embodiment, various color filters are employed to separate and distinguish light frequencies. In an embodiment, signal processing may be employed to digitally distinguish multiple separate frequencies in light reflected from the symbol.