An embodiment of a position sensing system includes a signal generation circuit to generate an excitation signal according to a selected characteristic signal, a drive circuit to drive an excitation source with the excitation signal, an input circuit to receive a sensor output while driving the excitation source, a signal detection circuit to identify a component of the sensor output corresponding to the characteristic signal, and a control circuit to determine the position of the movable object as a function of the identified component of the sensor output. The positioning system may be included an electronic camera, where the movable object may be a lens. The excitation source may be a conductive coil, the excitation a magnetic field, and the sensor a magneto resistive sensor. Alternatively, the excitation source may be an optical excitation source, the excitation an optical excitation, and the sensor an optical sensor.