Abstract: A facsimile apparatus for copying a document is described. The apparatus includes an optical system comprising a light source for illuminating a document and a fixed mirror and a lens for guiding the light from the light source reflected by the document. A line sensor converts the light-guided by the optical system into an electrical image signal. An electrostatic recording mechanism including a photosensitive body forms an image corresponding to the light entered onto the photosensitive body on a recording medium. A movable mirror selectively images the light guided by the fixed mirror and the lens onto one of the line sensor and the photosensitive body. A control system switches the position of the movable mirror such that the light guided by the fixed mirror and the lens is imaged onto the photosensitive body when the document is copied and is imaged onto the line sensor when the document is transmitted.