An optical imaging system having an optical source located between the object being imaged and the sensor is provided. Such positioning of the source enables provision of compact optical imaging systems. In particular, such systems can have image widths significantly larger than the object to sensor separation. The arrangement of source, imaging assembly and sensor is such that an image of the source is not formed at the sensor. Therefore, the effect of this source positioning on the image of the object at the sensor is a reduction of intensity, as opposed to more objectionable imaging artifacts, such as spurious shadows and/or bright spots. Thus compact optical imaging systems having good image quality are provided, which enables high-fidelity imaging of object to sensor for a wide variety of applications.