A laser scanner includes a distance measuring unit which has a light emitting element for emitting a distance measuring light, a distance measuring light projecting unit, a light receiving unit and a photodetector for producing a light receiving signal, and which performs a distance measurement based on the light receiving signal, an optical axis deflecting unit provided on a distance measuring optical axis and for deflecting the distance measuring optical axis, a projecting direction detecting unit for detecting a deflection angle of the distance measuring optical axis and a control component for controlling the optical axis deflecting unit and the distance measuring unit, wherein the optical axis deflecting unit comprises a pair of optical prisms capable of rotating and motors for rotating the optical prisms, and wherein the control component is configured to control the optical axis deflecting unit, scan the distance measuring light and acquire scanning data under scanning conditions corresponding to a measurement range.