A multiwavelength backward-mode planar photoacoustic scanner for 3D imaging of soft tissues to depths of several millimeters with a spatial resolution in the tens to hundreds of micrometers range is described. The system comprises a tunable optical parametric oscillator laser system that provides nanosecond laser pulses between 600 and 1200\text{\hspace{0.17em} nm} for generating the photoacoustic signals and an optical ultrasound mapping system based upon a Fabry–Perot polymer film sensor for detecting them. The system enables photoacoustic signals to be mapped in 2D over a 50\text{\hspace{0.17em} mm} diameter aperture in steps of 10\text{\hspace{0.17em} μm} with an optically defined element size of 64\text{\hspace{0.17em} μm} . Two sensors were used, one with a 22\text{\hspace{0.17em} μm} thick polymer film spacer and the other with a 38\text{\hspace{0.17em} μm} thick spacer providing -3\text{\hspace{0.17em} dB} acoustic bandwidths of 39 and 22\text{\hspace{0.17em} MHz} , respectively. The measured noise equivalent pressure of the 38\text{\hspace{0.17em} μm} sensor was 0.21\text{\hspace{0.17em} kPa} over a 20\text{\hspace{0.17em} MHz} measurement bandwidth. The instrument line-spread function (LSF) was measured as a function of position and the minimum lateral and vertical LSFs found to be 38 and 15\text{\hspace{0.17em} μm} , respectively. To demonstrate the ability of the system to provide high-resolution 3D images, a range of absorbing objects were imaged. Among these was a blood vessel phantom that comprised a network of blood filled tubes of diameters ranging from 62 to 300\text{\hspace{0.17em} μm} immersed in an optically scattering liquid. In addition, to demonstrate the applicability of the system to spectroscopic imaging, a phantom comprising tubes filled with dyes of different spectral characteristics was imaged at a range of wavelengths. It is considered that this type of instrument may provide a practicable alternative to piezoelectric-based photoacoustic systems for high-resolution structural and functional imaging of the skin microvasculature and other superficial structures.