Confocal imaging of an object utilising a pinhole array

A confocal imaging apparatus for inspecting an object comprises a light source operative to project light to illuminate the object, and an imaging device for receiving light reflected from the object along a lighting path located between the object and the imaging device. A pinhole array comprising a plurality of pinholes is positioned along the lighting path such that light reflected from the object is passed through the pinhole array. A mechanism is operative to move the pinhole array along a single axis in a linear direction transverse to the light path for transmitting an image corresponding to a substantially contiguous area of the object onto the imaging device.