Abstract: A handheld inspection apparatus for inspecting an object in a non-contact manner is provided, the apparatus comprising: a telecentric lens arrangement comprising a telecentric lens arranged to collect light rays projected or reflected from an object to be inspected; a mobile image sensing device such as a CCD digital camera arranged with respect to the telecentric lens to receive the lights rays collected by the telecentric lens and convert these into an image representative of the object, wherein the telecentric lens is arranged such that movement of the apparatus in a direction away from or towards the object causes the image to remain of the same size on the image sensing device. Preferably an illumination unit is provided which is detachably mounted on the camera and is interchangeable depending on the purpose.