A method and apparatus are provided for CTD imaging device multiple read-out speeds with optimized operation at all of the available speeds. Image signals from a CTD imaging device are digitally sampled at a defined frequency with the read-out electronics being matched to the defined frequency for optimum operation at that frequency. Digital samples taken during both a first (reset reference) portion of each image signal and a second (image voltage) portion of each image signal are then discarded if taken during a noisy/unstable part of the image signal or accumulated and averaged if taken during a stable part of the image signal. The accumulated and averaged digital samples are then algebraically combined to produce signals representative of an image generated by the CTD imaging device. The read-out speed of the CTD imaging device is a fraction of the sampling speed and can be selected by setting an integer divisor for the defined sampling frequency. Selected ones of the samples are retained based on the selected read-out speed. For the fastest read-out speed, the number of samples taken per imaging signal is one and the divisor is equal to one. Selected slower speeds determine which samples are discarded and which samples are accumulated, averaged and combined to produce signals representative of an image generated by the CTD imaging device.