Digital Microscopes

As with everything that is invented, there are inevitable improvements. Such is the case with digital microscopes. Working on the same principle of light absorption, the digital microscope has a few major differences.

Whereas standard optical microscopes (compound or stereo) use a small light below the sample, digital microscopes use three or four white LED lights above the sample as the light source. This is a clearer, truer light source. Some models of digital microscopes give you the option of using direct light, refracted light or reflected light.

Another major difference is in the nosepiece where the lenses are located. Standard optical microscopes have three or four lenses with separate magnifying capabilities. Digital scopes have a single lens that is able to “zoom in” while keeping the image clear. This is really good since you don’t have to refocus every time you change magnification levels. This “zoom” feature is just like the one on your digital camera. That should give you a good idea how that works.

With a digital microscope, the image you see is a digital image that is transmitted to a small LCD display built into the microscope. Some models of digital microscopes allow you to capture still images or even short pieces of video from the image. This is how you are able to watch cell division or other processes on your favorite science channel.

The real difference though, is in how the specimen is situated and viewed. Standard optical scopes have the light shining up through the specimen. Digital microscopes are also called inverted microscopes. This means that the sample or specimen is situated below the light source. Why is that? It is very useful in the study of samples that are gravity sensitive. For instance, to study a material suspended in a fluid.

This type of microscope also gives the viewer a 3D version of the image as opposed to two-dimensional images in standard optical microscopes.

But you don’t have to spend a great deal of money to get the digital imaging. There are adapters available that will connect the eyepiece of a standard compound or stereomicroscope to the USB port on your computer. This adapter transfers the image to a separate, external screen for viewing. Pretty neat to have the sample displayed on a 15’ or 19” monitor and you don’t have to keep your eyes glued to the eyepiece all the time.

The magnification level is the same as with optical microscopes at about 20X to 1500X. But again, this is achieved differently on a digital microscope than on a standard optical one. Just buying the adapter I mentioned above does not eliminate the lenses. The levels of magnification are determined by the model you purchase or rent.

Before you go out looking for one, do your research first. Look at different manufacturers and distributors. I do not think these will be available except through professional equipment warehouses. They can definitely be purchased online. Ask about offline dealers or distributors in your area.