Abstract: An endoscope having an endoscope shaft at the distal end of which a solid state image-recording system is disposed which is designed in the manner of lateral-view optics. The image-recording system has at least two image recorders, built in a distal region of the endoscope shaft in such a manner that the viewing directon of the solid state image-recording system being approximately parallel to the axis of a proximal part of the endoscope shaft in one position and being perpendicular to it in another position automatically assumed by the distal region.