The invention relates to a device for detecting the three-dimensional geometry of objects (9), in particular teeth, comprising a handpiece (1) which is provided with at least one position sensor (12) for detecting the change of the spatial position of the handpiece (1), and an optical device (2) having at least one camera (5, 6) for capturing images and at least one light source (3) for at least one projector (4). The position sensor (12) in the handpiece (1) initially determines the size of the change of the spatial position of the device. It is determined therefrom, how many pictures the camera (5, 6) can take in a defined time unit.