Image pickup apparatus and endoscope

An image pickup apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of image pickup devices configured to sequentially read image data for each line;
• an optical system configured to form a plurality of images related to a same object on the plurality of image pickup devices, the plurality of formed images being at different image-forming positions;
• a memory configured to record information on predetermined time differences, the predetermined time differences being differences of timings at which leading positions of effective pixels are read respectively in a plurality of image data, when the plurality of image data are read at the same time, the plurality of image data being acquired by the plurality of image pickup devices picking up respective images of the plurality of formed images;
• and
• a timing control circuit configured to generate a plurality of synchronizing signals shifted respectively by the predetermined time differences based on a master synchronizing signal from a processor,
• wherein in the plurality of image pickup devices, reading timings of the image data are independently controlled based on the plurality of synchronizing signals.