The need of the GTC for acquisition cameras, wavefront sensors and scientific instrumentation operating in the optical wavelength range has led to the acquisition of various CCDs and CCD controllers. Due to stringent science, mechanical and ambient requirements the initial idea to employ a general purpose controller had been dropped in favor of two specialized systems, one for the acquisition and guiding purposes of the telescope and the commissioning camera and the other for scientific instrumentation. We describe the specifications, design and performance of the two different CCD camera systems based on laboratory test results.