An optical pickup device includes a light source for generating and emitting light, optical path changing means for changing a proceeding path of incident light, an objective lens for focusing incident light on a recording medium which has a recording surface where information is recorded and a protection layer, at the side where light is input, for protecting the recording surface, a main photodetector for detecting the information signal and/or an error signal by receiving the light reflected by the recording surface of the recording medium and passing through the objective lens and the optical path changing means, and an inclination detecting unit for detecting inclination of the recording medium by receiving the light emitted from the light source and reflected by the surface of the protection layer or the recording surface of the recording medium. Thus, since the inclination of the recording medium is detected using the light emitted from the light source and reflected by the surface of the protection layer or the recording surface of the recording medium, without an additional tilt sensor, the number of parts is reduced and the structure of the device is simplified.