Abstract: A compact, readily servicable, office photocopying machine is provided which has pivotally connected upper and lower housing parts. A paper cassette receiver for holding a stack of coated photosensitive copying paper sheets is located at the bottom of the lower housing part. The lower housing part also operably supports a charging station, an exposing station, a developing station, and a fixing station arranged above and within the vertical projection of the stack of sheets in the cassette receiver. A sheet separating station for separating individual sheets from the cassette and a paper reversing guide are provided for transferring individual sheets from the cassette to the charging station. The exit end of the paper reversing guide and the separating station are also arranged above and within the vertical projection of the stack of sheets in the cassette receiver. A slide block with a holder for an original to be copied and an optical system are operably supported at the upper housing part.