A method for detecting optical codes comprises an input image being provided. Optical codes in the input image are detected by generating an output image on the basis of the input image. Within generating the output image, pixels of an area of the input image comprising a part of an optical code are assigned a first intensity in the output image. Within generating the output image, pixels of an area of the input image e.g. comprising no part of an optical code are assigned a second intensity in the output image. Regions of the output image with the first intensity are provided for determining properties of the detected optical codes.