Based on the McKenna burner, a dual light path imaging system was developed to synchronously collect the backlight projection profile image and the self-luminous light intensity distribution during the combustion of pulverized coal particles. Experiments were conducted on bituminous coal and anthracite particles separately, volatile ignition, soot formation, coke ignition were observed simultaneously, and corresponding analysis was conducted. It was found that the two coal types were mainly in homogeneous and heterogeneous ignition pattern, respectively. The separation phenomenon of solids and volatiles due to the interphase velocity difference between phases was observed during the burning of coal particles, and an image processing program was applied to calculate the corresponding motion speed. The study provides a reference for further quantitative analysis of the ignition and combustion characteristics of pulverized coal particles.