To easily acquire the data quantity necessary for forming shape data and color data by installing a camera for shapes for picking up images in order to form the shape data of objects to be sorted and cameras for colors for picking up the images for forming the color data of the objects to be sorted.

A camera 3 for shapes, cameras 4 and 5 for colors and a sorting mechanism 6 are arranged successively from a feed upstream side to a grooved belt conveyor 2 for aligning the objects B to be sorted which consist of bottles by one piece each other. These cameras, etc., are respectively connected to a controller 7. At this time, the cameras 3 to 5 are installed in a light shielding box 8, by which the external light is shut off and the image pickup accuracy is enhanced. The camera 3 for shapes is installed above the orthogonal line of the axis X of the objects B to be sorted and four units of lights are installed on the circumference of the camera 3. On the other hand, the cameras 4 and 5 for colors are installed alongside on the axis X of the objects B to be sorted. The data quantity necessary for forming the shape data and color data may be easily obtd.