PURPOSE: To provide a sampling signal generator which is capable of stably and exactly obtaining a necessary sampling signal even if the deflection angle of a light deflection means changes and a scanning optical microscope which is capable of magnifying/reducing an image without changing an objective lens.

CONSTITUTION: These device and microscope are provided with a light deflection mirror 4 deflecting the light of a light source, a light condensing lens 13 condensing the light irradiated and reflected on this light deflection mirror 4, a semiconductor location detection element 14 being arranged on the location where light condensing is performed by this light condensing lens 13 and outputting the analog electric signal according to the light location, reference signal generation means (20, 19, 21, 22) outputting prelimilarily set reference electric signals for the deflection angle of the light deflection mirror 4, a comparison circuit 23 inputting the reference electric signals from these means and the electric signal from the semiconductor location detection element 14 and outputting a signal when the both of the signals match and a one-shot timer 29 outputting a pulse signal when the output signal from the comparison circuit 23 is inputted.