Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting and sorting transparent containers such as glass containers having defects in the container sidewalls, and for distinguishing between commercially acceptable and unacceptable defects on the basis of defect type and size. A light source is positioned to direct diffused illumination through the sidewall of a container under inspection as the container is rotated about its central axis with the intensity of the illumination varying across the light source transversely of such axis as a predetermined function of transverse position. In specific disclosed embodiments of the invention, the light intensity is filtered across the source to provide transversely spaced outer regions of uniform intensities, either equal or unequal, and an intermediate region of either uniform intensity different from that in the outer regions or transversely varying intensity.