An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope, a signal processing unit, and a communication unit. The endoscope includes an information storage section including an endoscope information memory and a first controller controlling readout of the information in the endoscope information memory. The endoscope is detachably connected to the signal processing unit, which includes a second controller issuing at least an instruction for a readout operation of the information to the information storage section. Data is transmitted and received between the first controller and the second controller through the communication unit. The endoscope apparatus includes a communication speed setting unit setting the communication speed of the communication unit to a higher communication speed allowable in the first controller and a switching unit switching the communication speed.