1. An indicia reader comprising: an image sensor for generating frames of image data; a processor in communication with the image sensor, the processor being configured for: capturing a succession of frames of image data with the image sensor; processing a certain frame, frame=frame j of the succession of frames to evaluate its frame quality based on an incidence of edges and/or a sharpness of edges represented in the certain frame and determine if the certain frame satisfies a predetermined criteria; while processing the certain frame, attempting to decode a previous frame, frame=frame j−k , where k≧1; and if the certain frame satisfies the predetermined criteria, ceasing the attempt to decode the previous frame.