A sensing apparatus for sensing an object includes an arrangement of sensing elements for sensing a property of the object. The sensing elements are operable in a contact mode, in which a sensing is performable, while the sensing elements are in contact with the object, and in a non-contact mode, in which a sensing is performable, while the sensing elements are not in contact with the object. The sensing apparatus further includes a mode determination unit for determining whether or not a sensing element is in contact with the object.
