A scanning type projector for scanning an optical beam emitted from a laser light source has a collimator lens and a scanning device. A beam demagnifying and shaping prism is disposed between the collimator lens and the scanning device. The cross section of the beam that is elliptical is demagnified along the major axis of the ellipse such that the cross section of the beam is shaped. Thus, the cross section of the beam fits within the effective diameter of a deflecting mirror incorporated in the scanning device. The optical beam is reflected efficiently. A bright image can be projected. The resolution is improved by the beam shaping effect.