The present teachings relate to an endoscope (and methods of manufacturing the same) having an illumination system that utilizes small diameter fibers for delivering bright, high quality light to a target site. In accordance with one aspect, an endoscope is provided having a phosphor-loaded, light emitting distal tip that can be energized via optical radiation delivered to the light-emitting distal tip via a small-diameter optical fiber (e.g., less than about 100 μm in diameter) that extends through or along the length of the endoscope. The light-emitting distal tip can be energized by short wavelength laser light (e.g., radiation having wavelengths at 445 nm blue or 405 nm violet) coupled to the optical fiber's proximal end so as to deliver light of extremely high quality CRI (e.g., greater than 80, greater than 90, about 95).