To provide a timing generator that can prevent deterioration in the S/N of image data by measuring a phase difference between a timing pulse and a reference clock signal and adjusting the phase of the timing pulse so as to stabilize the phase of the timing pulse supplied to a sampling circuit.

The timing generator is provided with a pulse generating means 40 that generates the timing pulse whose phase is shifted from the reference clock signal for a prescribed phase amount on the basis of the reference clock, a phase adjustment means 41 that adjusts the phase of the timing pulse so as to adjust dispersion in the phase shift of the timing pulse outputted from the pulse generating means, a phase difference detection means that detects a phase difference between the reference clock and the timing pulse outputted from the phase adjustment means, and a control means 46 that controls the phase adjustment means on the basis of the detected output from the phase difference detection means. Thus, the timing generator can supply the timing pulse whose phase is stabilized to the sampling circuit so as to prevent deterioration in the S/N of the image data due to defective sampling timing.