1. A system, comprising: a sensing system that produces a digital image of a viewing area of a sample holder, the sample holder holding a set of cells; a motion system that changes the relative positions of the sample holder and the sensing system to a plurality of configurations, such that the viewing area encompasses a different viewable portion of the sample holder in each configuration, wherein the encompassed viewable portions are arranged transversely with respect to a primary loading direction of the sample into the sample holder; an enclosure housing at least some of the system and defining a slot into which the sample holder is inserted, and wherein the motion system rotates the sample holder while one end of the sample holder remains between sides of the slot; a controller including a processor and a memory holding instructions that when executed by the processor direct the sensing system to capture a digital image when the sample holder and sensing system are in each of the plurality of configurations; a computerized analyzer that analyzes the digital images and counts the cells detected in all of the digital images; and a display on which cell counting results are displayed.