Medical observation apparatus (1) and method for observing an object or patient (67) in an operation area (21). Solutions of the art (3, 5) do not allow displaying further information, are expensive, bulky and non-intuitive. The inventive apparatus (1) overcomes these problems by comprising: an image acquisition assembly (41) with a camera subassembly (43) comprising at least one viewing camera (9) with a field of view (85) and an optical camera axis (75) for acquiring interoperative image data (83); a deflector subassembly (47) for deflecting the optical camera axis (75) into an optical viewing axis (77) directed towards the operation area (21), the deflector subassembly (47) comprising at least one optical beam deflector (71) and being arranged between the viewing camera (9) and the operation area (21), wherein the viewing camera (9) and the at least one optical beam deflector (71) are movable with respect to one another; and an image display assembly (37) comprising at least one monitor arrangement (35) for displaying the interoperative image data (83), the monitor arrangement (35) being visible at least from a user's observation position (29).