The invention relates to a product inspection and characterization device, including conveyance means, a two-dimensional inspection region, a radiation source generating a spot light beam for partially illuminating the surface of the product, optical means for directing the light beam provided with at least one mirror to aim the spot light beam in the inspection region, optical means for directing the reflected and/or scattered light to detection means, detection means for analyzing the light scattered and/or reflected by the product and a processing unit for characterizing the product. The radiation source emitting the light beam is therefore pointed at the product by optical means directing the light beam to the two-dimensional inspection region. Another object of the present invention relates to the method for product inspection and characterization.