應用方面，簡單的可以分為兩大類，就是工業用內窺鏡和醫用內窺鏡。

In terms of application, it can be simply divided into two categories: industrial endoscopes and medical endoscopes.

關于工業內窺鏡的種類，從成像形式分為：光學內窺鏡、光纖內窺鏡、電子內窺鏡、CCD視頻內窺鏡、CMOS視頻內窺鏡、電動360°內窺鏡 。從內窺鏡光源種類分為高頻熒光燈內窺鏡、光纖鹵素燈內窺鏡、LED內窺鏡

Regarding the types of industrial endoscopes, they can be divided into optical endoscopes, fiber optic endoscopes, electronic endoscopes, CCD video endoscopes, CMOS video endoscopes, and electric 360 ° endoscopes based on their imaging forms. According to the types of endoscopic light sources, they can be divided into high-frequency fluorescent endoscope, fiber halogen endoscope, and LED endoscope

關于醫用內窺鏡分類，按其發展及成像構造分類：可大體分為3大類：硬管式內鏡、光學纖維(軟管式)內鏡和電子內鏡。

Regarding the classification of medical endoscopes, according to their development and imaging structure, they can be broadly divided into three categories: rigid tube endoscopes, optical fiber (flexible tube) endoscopes, and electronic endoscopes.

醫療檢查用內窺鏡有許多不同的種類，其分類方法各有不同，一般來講比較通用的有下列三種分類法。在市場銷售方面，目前使用多的類別以臨床上能否改變方向分為硬質鏡和彈性軟鏡兩種。

There are many different types of endoscopes used in medical examinations, and their classification methods are different. Generally speaking, the following three classification methods are more commonly used. In terms of market sales, there are currently two types of lenses that are commonly used: rigid lenses and flexible lenses, based on whether they can change direction in clinical practice.

按內窺鏡的功能分為：單功能鏡及多功能鏡。單功能鏡是指沒有工作通道，僅有光學系統的觀察鏡;多功能鏡指除具有觀察鏡的功能為，在同一鏡身，還具有少一個以上的工作通道，具有照明、手術、沖洗及吸引等多種功能。

According to the functions of endoscopes, they are divided into single function endoscopes and multifunctional endoscopes. Single function mirror refers to an observation mirror with no working channel and only an optical system; A multifunctional mirror refers to a device that not only has the function of an observation mirror, but also has at least one working channel in the same mirror body, and has multiple functions such as lighting, surgery, flushing, and suction.

按內窺鏡所到達的部位不同進行分類：分為耳鼻喉內窺鏡、口腔內窺鏡、牙科內窺鏡、神經鏡、尿道膀胱鏡、電切鏡、腹腔鏡、關節鏡、鼻竇鏡、喉鏡等。

Classify according to the different locations reached by endoscopes: ear, nose, and throat endoscopes, oral endoscopes, dental endoscopes, neuroscopes, urethral cystoscopy, electrocautery, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, sinusoscopy, laryngoscopy, etc.

臨床上根據內窺鏡鏡身能否改變方向進行分類：分為硬質鏡和彈性軟鏡兩種。硬質鏡(RIGID ENDOSCOPE)為棱鏡光學系統，大優點是成像清晰，可配多個工作通道，選取多個視角。彈性軟鏡(FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPE)為光導纖維光學系統，此光纖內窺鏡大特點是鏡頭部分可被術者操縱改變方向，擴大應用的范圍，但成像效果不如硬質鏡效果好。

In clinical practice, endoscopes are classified based on whether they can change direction: they are divided into two types: rigid endoscopes and flexible endoscopes. RIGID ENDOSCOPE is a prism optical system with the major advantage of clear imaging, multiple working channels, and the ability to select multiple perspectives. FLEXIBILE ENDOSCOPE is an optical fiber system. The main feature of this fiber optic endoscope is that the lens can be manipulated by the surgeon to change direction and expand the application range, but the imaging effect is not as good as that of a hard lens.