At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a recording apparatus, which includes a sensor having a plurality of light-emitting elements and a plurality of light-receiving elements. The sensor can be configured to perform a detection operation. The detection operation includes at least two of an operation for detecting an edge of a recording medium, an operation for detecting a distance between a recording head and the recording medium, an operation for detecting the density of an image formed on the recording medium, and an operation for detecting the kind of the recording medium.