The scanning confocal endoscope system is configured from: a point light source that moves cyclically in a two-dimensional plane and scans an excitation ray on the subject； a point light source control means that controls the point light source so that the irradiation density of the excitation light is at or below a prescribed density in the entire scanning region； a confocal pinhole disposed at a position conjugated with the excitation light focal point； an image signal detection means that receives, via the confocal pinhole, fluorescence generated from the subject excited by the excitation light and detects the image signal； and an image-generating means that generates a confocal image using the detected image signal.
