The invention relates to a hybrid optical fiber (1) which comprises a plurality of fiber cores (2), a first cladding (3) which encloses the plurality of fiber cores (2), and a second cladding (4) which surrounds the first cladding (3). In this case, the fiber cores (2) have a first refractive index n.sub.1, the first cladding (3) has a second refractive index n.sub.2 and the second cladding (4) has a third refractive index n.sub.3, n.sub.1 being greater than n.sub.2 and n.sub.2 being greater than n.sub.3. Furthermore, the invention relates to an endoscopic system (8) for examining a sample (9), comprising a hybrid optical fiber (1) and an optical arrangement (21). The optical arrangement (21) comprises a coherent light source (13) for introducing light into a proximal end of the hybrid optical fiber (1), such that the fiber cores (2) of the hybrid optical fiber (1) together with the first cladding (3) of the hybrid optical fiber (1) function as a multimode optical fiber. Furthermore, the optical arrangement (21) comprises a photodetector (20), comprising a plurality of pixels, for detecting the light exiting the individual fiber cores (2). The invention also relates to a method for examining a sample (9) by means of an endoscopic system (8).