1. An inspection apparatus for optically examining bottles, comprising: an image recording device for producing an image with a plurality of horizontally juxtaposed image areas, at least two of the image areas being arranged laterally of the middle of the image; a mirror cabinet comprising a plurality of beam paths for deflecting, in the direction of the image areas different circumferential side views of a bottle to be examined, each beam path having provided therein separate deflection minors whose respective elevation is defined with respect to a base plate and, two of the separate deflection mirrors for beam paths associated with the lateral image areas are tilted relative to a normal to the base plate in such a way that an image distortion caused by central projection will be compensated for in the lateral image areas.