Objective: This paper designs a photoacoustic imaging (PAI) system with a pulsed laser, clinical ultrasound (US) machine, array transducer, software platform and imaging samples. Key parameters, such as image resolution and maximum imaging depth, are supposed to be addressed. Methods: We imaged the cross section of the human black hair with our PAI system. To quantify the photoacoustic (PA) image resolution, full width at half maximum of the profile of PA signal amplitude has been analyzed. In addition, to determine the imaging depth of the system, we imaged an optical absorber with chicken breast tissue. Results:The results justified the implementation of the PAI system. The average axial and lateral resolution were ~0.18 and ~1.44 mm. The imaging depth of the system reached ~4.6 cm. Conclusion: The image resolution of PAI system is better than US image of US machine. The maximum imaging depth of the system shared the same order of magnitude as other pioneering international studies. The system is promising for further researches and clinical imaging.