A digital microscope can be either a set with an optical microscope and a camera or an integrated unit. It allows the view seen through the microscope to be output as a digital image. It is useful for saving and sharing images, making some things more salient, and sharing the view with multiple people. The quality of the image may depend on the type of microscope used. Some digital microscopes come with the component parts, while others require adding a camera and coupler. Some sophisticated digital microscopes have a built-in microscope camera and are sold with a monitor. USB and Firewire ports have made it possible to create less expensive models and toy models for children.
A digital microscope is one of two designs: either it is a set with two essential components, one an optical microscope and the other a video camera or digital camera with a charge-coupled device (CCD). Or it is an integrated unit that combines microscope and camera. In both cases, the device allows the view seen through the microscope to be output as a digital image. Which one is best for you will depend partly on whether you already have a microscope you want to convert to a digital microscope and partly on the use or range of uses you want to put the instrument to.
A digital microscope is useful for several purposes. First, vision capture allows images to be saved for recording and transmission. The image can be archived, shared in documents or transmitted over the Internet. Second, a projected view can save the examiner from leaning over the microscope for an extended period of time. Third, the larger projected image can make some things salient that weren’t so obvious when looking under a microscope. Fourth, projecting the view makes it easier to share the view with multiple people at the same time.
Some monocular light microscopes are designed for the digital or video camera to fit in one eyepiece, and some trinocular microscopes are made so that the camera of both types attaches to the third eyepiece that is specially designed for that purpose. Some digital microscopes come with the component parts when purchased, while others are made by adding the camera and, if needed, a coupler to hold it, later. With these attachments made, the result would be a digital microscope.
An integrated digital microscope differs in construction from a light microscope in that it does not have an eyepiece. Instead of being a product of eyepiece and objective magnification, it depends on the magnified replica on the monitor, so monitor size is critical. Also, light microscope lenses are designed for the human eye, not the camera. For this reason, a digital microscope made by attaching a digital camera to a light microscope may have a lower quality image than one created with an integrated digital microscope.
Some of the more sophisticated digital microscopes have a built-in microscope camera and are sold with a monitor. For example, such models are built by Hirox, the now international Tokyo-based company that built the first digital microscope in 1986. The invention of USB and Firewire ports made it possible to create a digital microscope that connects directly to a computer, and this has given rise not only to less expensive models, but also to toy models made for children. Models for children in particular may have software with an application for doing activities with the images, such as turning them into cards or posters.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
