PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain clear observation of biological information obtained by narrow-band light by forming observation images by the narrow-band light of an always appropriate brightness level even when observation conditions such as an observation object or an observation position are changed in performing a special light observation by an endoscope.SOLUTION: An endoscope apparatus 100 includes a first light source 45 emitting white illuminating light a second light source 47 emitting narrow-band light and an imaging section that has an imaging element 21 having detection pixels of a plurality of colors and images a region to be observed. A picked-up image signal including both a return light component of the white illuminating light from the region to be observed and a return light component of the narrow-band light is output from the imaging section. The return light component of the narrow-band light is selectively extracted from the picked-up image signal, and the brightness level of the extracted return light component of the narrow-band light is changed by performing increase/decrease control of the amount of light emitted from the second light source 47.COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,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
