PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus capable of always generating an observation image with narrow band light of a proper luminance level to clearly observe biological information obtained by the narrow band light in performing special light observation with an endoscope, even if observation conditions such as an object to be observed, an observation position and the like are changed.SOLUTION: An endoscope apparatus 100 includes: a first light source part 45 for emitting white illumination light a second light source part 47 for emitting narrow band light and a pick-up part provided with a pick-up element 21 having detection elements of a plurality of colors for picking up an area to be observed. A picked-up image signal containing both a return light component of the white illumination light from the area to be observed and a return light component of the narrow band light is output from the pick-up part. The return light component of the narrow band light is selectively extracted from the picked-up image signal, and the luminance level of the extracted return light component of the narrow band light is changed by controlling the quantity of light emitted from the second light source part 47 to be increased or decreased.COPYRIGHT: (C)2014,JPO&INPIT【課題】内視鏡により特殊光観察を行う際に、観察対象や観察位置等の観察条件を変化させても、常に適正な輝度レベルの狭帯域光による観察画像を生成し、狭帯域光により得られる生体情報を明瞭に観察できるようにする。【解決手段】白色照明光を出射する第1の光源部45と、狭帯域光を出射する第2の光源部47と、複数色の検出画素を有する撮像素子21を有し被観察領域を撮像する撮像部と、を具備する内視鏡装置100において、被観察領域からの白色照明光による戻り光成分と狭帯域光による戻り光成分とを共に含む撮像画像信号を撮像部から出力させる。この撮像画像信号から、狭帯域光による戻り光成分を選択的に抽出し、この抽出した狭帯域光による戻り光成分の輝度レベルを第2の光源部47の出射光量を増減制御して変更する。【選択図】図1
