PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an excellent endoscopic image suitable for observation, while preventing the temperature of the distal end of an endoscope insertion part from becoming high over allowable temperature.SOLUTION: An imaging means (58) is incorporated in the distal end part of the insertion part in an electronic endoscope (12), and a temperature detection means (100) for detecting the temperature of the distal end is arranged. When temperature detected by the temperature detection means (100) exceeds a threshold, control is performed thereby to reduce the frame rate of imaging by the imaging means (58) and to reduce the irradiation amount of illumination light. For example, when the temperature of the distal end exceeds the threshold, the frame rate is changed from 60p to 30p and the illumination light is switched from normal light emission to intermittent light emission.
