A camera system comprising an imaging unit scanned by means of an X-Y address method, horizontal and vertical scanning units for scanning the imaging unit by means of the X-Y address method, a main scanning direction control signal generating unit for generating a main scanning direction control signal for designating a main scanning direction of the imaging unit, a main scanning direction control unit for controlling the horizontal and vertical scanning units so that the main scanning direction coincides with a direction instructed by the main scanning direction control signal, and an output unit for outputting an image signal read in consequence of scanning the imaging unit using the horizontal and vertical scanning units.