A medical observation apparatus includes: a contactless signal input unit that receives input of a first operation instruction signal through a contactless operation by an operator； a contact signal input unit that receives input of a second operation instruction signal through a contact operation by the operator； a control unit that sets at least one of processing modes for an observation image according to the first operation instruction signal, and assigns at least one of signal input functions according to the at least one of the processing modes to the second operation instruction signal that is input to the contact signal input unit； and an image processing unit that generates a display image having the observation image and having at least one of guide images for guiding an operation according to the at least one of the signal input functions assigned to the contact signal input unit.
