A distance measuring optoelectronic sensor for detecting a target object in a monitored zone is provided that has a light transmitter for transmitting light pulses, a deflection unit for a periodic scanning of the monitored zone by the light pulses, a light receiver for generating a received signal from the light pulses reflected or remitted by objects in the monitored zone, and a control and evaluation unit that is configured to determine the distance of an object from a time of flight of a light pulse and to transmit light pulses of different intensity, For the detection of a target object having a specific reflection capability, the control and evaluation unit is here furthermore configured to transmit light pulses adapted to the reflection capability and to a range and to vary the light pulses in accordance with different ranges for the distinction between the target object and another object.