The best microscopes for students should be a blend of both affordability and high-quality optics that are feature-rich enough for learners to achieve their education objectives without spending a huge amount of money.
There are two types of microscopes available: simple and compound microscopes. A simple microscope has one lens, but a compound microscope has both an eyepiece and an objective lens. Different features to consider include the field of view, the frame, lighting, the quality of the optics and the microscope's resolution.
Younger students who may still be in school could benefit from a more basic, cost-efficient model, whereas those in higher education or studying for degrees might find a more sophisticated model more appropriate. But for many elementary-age observers, it might be worth checking out our guide to the best microscopes for kids. Curious minds can also check out our guides to the best chemistry sets and best binoculars for kids too.
The quick list
Below is an overview of the very best microscopes for students for specific purposes. This curated list gives you a glimpse at the best of the best but more information and reviews can be found below or by clicking the 'Read more below' link in their descriptions.
Best overall
Capable of professional and clinical microscopy at a reasonable price, we think this is the best microscope overall for students.
Best cheap microscope
While it's obvious that corners have been cut to keep the cost low, we think it's a decent starter microscope for beginners or anyone on a lower budget.
Best for biology students
For more advanced users like biology majors, vets and laboratory applications, it's a fantastic microscope with extra functionality.
Best camera microscope
If you're looking for a microscope with a camera to photograph and share your findings, this is a great option, although you'll need to purchase slides separately.
Best portable microscope
For users looking for a compact and lightweight microscope, this option is great for students in middle school up to adulthood — although perhaps not ideal for total beginners.
Best microscopes for students we recommend in 2025
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Best microscope for students overall
✅ You want a large magnification range: With 2 pairs of eyepiece lenses and 4 objective lenses, this microscope has 40X-2500X magnification.
✅ You want to photograph subjects: With the Swiftcam add-on, subjects can be photographed, videoed, projected and live-streamed.
❌ You want to observe whole or solid objects: It doesn't have a built-in top light.
❌ You want a portable microscope: It's quite heavy (12.9 lbs/5.85kg) and requires a power source. Check out the Omano Discovery Professional Microscope instead.
🔎 Swift SW380T: With a number of features to enable clinical and professional compound microscopy, we found it to be an invaluable teaching tool for students of all ages at a reasonable price. We'd recommend the camera add-on for a fuller teaching experience, but overall we found it a pleasure to use. ★★★★
If you’re looking for a microscope that is perfect for students and advanced scientists alike, then the Swift SW380T is the microscope for you. It features four different DIN achromatic objectives, six different magnification levels (40X, 100X, 250X, 400X, 1000X and 2500X), and an ultra-precise focusing system — ensuring that you’ll always be able to see what you need to. We used it to view various subjects, including human cheek cells, onion cells, plant cells and a root tip squash, (squashing the tip of a root between the slide and coverslip) to find cells in the various stages of mitosis.
This model has a 30-degree tilt, which our students appreciated when we reviewed the Swift SW380T and none of them complained of neck strain. With a fully rotatable base, our students found it easy to concentrate during projects. It was smooth and easy to adjust, and you can manipulate the brightness with the LED control to prevent dazzling yourself and getting eye strain. The only thing we found somewhat tricky to use was when trying to attach the trinocular eyepiece, but it just takes some getting used to with repeated use.
We did find that some of the smaller students had trouble carrying it and needed to use two hands, so for a school setting with younger children we'd recommend a teacher or assistant move the microscope around if it needs to be moved. That said, the triangular base kept the microscope steady and secure when being handled by the students. Aside from that, it was easy to clean and came with a dust cover, which we appreciated for a school setting, and we would happily let students aged 11+ use this microscope.
But by far the most useful feature of this microscope is the trinocular rotating head, meaning the teacher was able to observe the student's specimens simultaneously to discuss the features and make sure the students were looking at the right part. Although, we'd have liked the lenses to have a built-in pointer, so whenever we wanted to direct the students to a certain part of the slide or cell, this had to be done verbally.
Along with the microscope, you will also get a 10X and 25X eyepiece, sample immersion oil, blue filter, dust cover, spare fuse and a user manual. There's also an option for a camera add-on, which we'd recommend if your budget allows.
- Read our full Swift SW380T review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Strong and sturdy, but comfortable to use. |
| Performance | Smooth and easy to adjust the brightness. |
| Functionality | Available with a camera add-on for imaging and projection. |
Best cheap microscope for students
✅ You want a portable microscope: It's lightweight and can run on batteries, making it easy to transport outside.
✅ You're on a budget: Although it's lacking in some areas, it's a good starter microscope on a budget.
❌ You want bi or trinocular view: This microscope is limited to monocular viewing.
❌ You're an advanced user: This is more suited to beginners. For a more advanced microscope, consider the Swift SW380T.
🔎 AmScope M150C-MS: A good starter telescope for beginners and students, although there are more advanced features missing, as expected for the price. ★★★½
AmScope microscopes are known for being some of the best on the market for affordability and versatility. The M150C-MS is a budget-friendly option for students that comes with many features, including a monocular viewing head that has a 45-degree vertical inclination and 360-degree rotation capability. Because the M150C-MS model has a diascopic Brightfield illumination, light appears upwards through the slide rather than shining down on it.
This allows darker images to show up better through the lens, making it easier to see what you’re examining. You’ll have three objective choices: 4X, 10X, and 40X. The package also comes with a selection of 25 prepared slides, a widefield 10X eyepiece, two stage clips, and a dust cover.
During our full AmScope M150C-MS review, our first impressions were that its basic features were of good quality for the price and simple to use. It's lightweight so it can easily be transported outside for fieldwork, where it can be powered by 3 AA batteries (included) or connected to a portable USB power bank. When inside, this can also be connected to mains electricity. We used the AmScrope M150C-MS to look at human cheek cells, microorganisms from pond water, blood and onion cells.
Naturally, because of its lower price, some of the more advanced features have been omitted. For instance, it's limited to monocular viewing, which can lead to eye strain, although, there is a pointer in the eyepiece, which is great for teaching. The stage doesn't have XY mechanical function (although our students didn't seem to mind this), but overall the metal body and mechanical parts were robust and sturdy enough to be used by inexperienced students.
Disappointingly, we found the quality control to be quite poor. The clarity of the lenses was terrible and had to be thoroughly deep cleaned, inside and out, and the rotating objectives head was not secured properly. These are fixable issues, but still annoying to have to contend with. That said, we were pleased with how it performed in the field, and it's a good starter microscope for a small budget.
- Read our full AmScope M150C-MS review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight and portable. |
| Performance | Didn't disappoint at lower magnifications. |
| Functionality | Poor quality control. |
Best microscope for biology students
✅ You want a clinical-quality microscope: With advanced LED lighting and 1.25 NA Abbe condenser, it's best suited to more experienced and advanced users.
✅ You want a lightweight microscope: At 3.25 lbs / 1.47kg, it's the lightest on this list.
❌ You're a beginner: This is an advanced scope for professional and clinical use — try the National Geographic Ultimate Dual microscope.
🔎 AmScope B120C Siendentopf microscope: A fantastic microscope for biology students, clinical exams and teaching demonstrations, this microscope has bright and clear optical quality, sturdy construction and is portable and ease to use for a reasonable price. ★★★★
The AmScope B120C Siedentopf Microscope is recommended for clinicians on a budget and students in medical school or who are studying biology. It has all the features of a basic microscope, plus other functionality advancements like advanced LED lighting and a 1.25 NA Abbe replaceable condenser with an iris diagram and a 52-77 mm interpupillary adjustment — both of which can help provide a better quality experience. The ocular tubes are also angled at 30 degrees to comfortably accommodate use while sitting down to prevent neck and eye strain, which is particularly useful for clinical usage as opposed to occasional use.
The double-layer mechanical stage helps to keep slides in their place, along with rotating them around to see all sides of the specimen. All in all, the kit comes with 4 DIN standard objectives (4X, 10X, 40XS and 100XS) which are achromatically corrected to improve resolution and color accuracy, a 10X and 25X eyepiece to extend the maximum magnification, a blue color filter, one bottle of immersion oil and a dust cover. It's worth noting here that it doesn't come with any slides.
We haven't reviewed the AmScope B120C microscope yet, but Amazon users have rated it 4.3/5 stars and praised its solid design and high-quality build, with an easy setup and good image quality.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Sturdy yet lightweight build. |
| Performance | Bright and clear images. |
| Functionality | Advanced LED lighting and 1.25 NA Abbe condenser. |
Best camera microscope for students
✅ You want a high-quality microscope: For teachers, biology students and clinical purposes, this is a fantastic option.
❌ You're a beginner: Its features are overkill for beginners — check out the AmScope M150C-MS instead.
❌ You don't want a camera: If you don't need a microscope with a camera, the AmScope B120C would be the most similar option.
🔎 OMAX M83EZ-C02: Ideal for use in veterinary offices, clinics, schools and homes, this microscope features a digital camera to photograph your subjects and share your findings, although it doesn't come with any slides. ★★★★
If you’re looking for a microscope that has more than the average features, the OMAX Digital Lab Trinocular Compound LED Microscope is an option for you. Although the microscope can be used without a computer, it does come with downloadable software so that you can connect it to outside technology — and it works for both Mac and Windows. This allows you to upload and share your findings. The digital camera produces true color 640 x 480-pixel images.
This microscope has an adjustable trinocular viewing head with a dedicated photo port, mechanical stage controls and focusing, and energy-efficient LED lighting to give a natural looking picture.
With a magnification capability of up to 2500X and widefield eyepieces capable of WF10X or WF25X, you won’t have a problem seeing your specimens. Its simul-focal design allows simultaneous use with both eyepieces so you won't need to switch between them.
It also features an inclined head (45-degrees) for comfortable viewing while seated or standing (great for preventing eye and neck strain) and a trinocular mount that can rotate 360-degrees. Plus, the ocular spacing can be easily amended using sliding interpupillary adjustments to probide greater comfort for different faces.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Four objective lenses and two pairs of eyepieces. |
| Performance | Easy to set up and use. |
| Functionality | Produces true color 640 x 480-pixel images. |
Best for group demonstrations
✅ You do lots of demonstrations: The LCD screen can easily be viewed by around twenty people at a time; this can be increased by projecting the image to a laptop or smartboard.
✅ You want to save photographs of your specimens: The microscope comes with SD storage so you can capture still and moving images.
❌ You want to view specimens ocularly: For this, you would need a trinocular microscope.
❌ You want to visualize solid specimens: For this, you would need a digital magnifying visualizer.
This is a great teaching tool, enabling a large audience to share the view under the microscope, either on the LCD screen, laptop or smartboard. It's highly portable too.
Our expert microscope reviewer spoke enthusiastically about the Celestron PentaView LCD digital microscope, and the general consensus is that it will be a fantastic addition to any microscopy suite, especially in schools for demonstrations or when collaborative working is needed. The handy (and stylish) carry case has a comfortable shoulder strap and a rigid top handle. It has been designed with use in the field in mind. That said, due to the light not being very powerful and the small working distance, we wouldn't recommend it for working with solid objects.
Professionals who like to make their own brightness adjustments might be frustrated by the automatic adjustments the LCD screen makes for 'optimum viewing brightness,' but this is not a concern for beginners.
The fact that you can store photos and videos of your specimens is a desirable feature to have, though streaming movies in real-time is not possible.
Overall this is an excellent teaching aid that advanced users might find has a few niggles, but it is an affordable option that will help your students understand demonstrations more quickly, as a group.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | The LCD monitor allows for multiple people to view at once. There are several professional features and an impressive level of magnification |
| Performance | The LCD resoliution is good enough for beginners and students, though images appear grainy beyond 400x magnification |
| Functionality | Excellent for demonstations to groups of students. Portable enough for field studies. |
Best portable microscope for students
✅ You want a lightweight microscope: This is one of the most lightweight options in this list, alongside the AmScope B120C.
❌ You want lots of magnification options: This microscope only has 3 levels of magnification — 40x, 100x and 400x.
❌ It's your first microscope: While it may not overwhelm beginners, it doesn't come with any slides like the more beginner-friendly packages do, so you'll need to purchase those separately.
🔎 Omano Discovery Professional microscope: A great option for a variety of users from middle school up to adults, it's simple enough for beginners but has the functionality for more advanced applications. ★★★★½
The Omano Microscope for Students is a versatile option for students from middle school up to adulthood. It’s simple enough not to overwhelm a beginner but has the professional features needed for more advanced projects, making it a great middle-ground option.
Weighing in at just under 2 lbs, this model is also lightweight enough to easily transport to different locations, which is a big advantage for use in school and the home without having to keep the microscope limited to one area.
Whether you’re examining a plant from your garden or analyzing specimens for a graduate-level lab, this tool can help you get it done with three levels of magnification — 40x, 100x and 400x, although this is the least of all the microscopes in this guide. Variable illumination and 0.65 N.A condenser also enhances the image quality.
We haven't reviewed this model yet, but the Amazon reviews are very promising, scoring an average of 4.9/5 stars, with users stating that the overall build and feel is reminiscent of professional microscopes, and they liked that it was quick and easy to set up and get going in minutes. However, this is another model that doesn't come with any slides, so you'll need to purchase some separately.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Lightweight and easily portable. |
| Performance | Easy to set up and use. |
| Functionality | Only has 3 levels of magnification. |
Best for busy classrooms
✅ You want to examine 3D objects: The two binocular tubes images combine to create a three-dimensional image.
✅ You will be looking at larger objects: The gap between the stage and lenses can take objects of upto 54 mm.
❌ You want high magnification options: The low 60x magnification allows for a wider field of view but you can't pick out very fine details.
❌ You don't have good vision in both eyes: If one eye is weaker than the other, a monocular microscope would be a better choice.
🔎 Celestron Labs S10-60 Stereo Microscope: This sturdy microscope looks and feels professional. It is robust enough not to have to be too delicate. The low-powered and clear 3D images make it a great research or teaching device. ★★★★
The Celestron Labs S10-60 is easy to get to grips with, though a little experience would go a long way.
Thanks to the two separate optical pathways, it's a good value-for-money tool that can be used to view solid objects in 3D.
It is suitable for both tiny specimens and solid objects. For solid objects, the light source reflects from the object's surface, and for thin samples, the light shines through the slide before continuing up the tubes and into your eyes.
The supplied accessories, like the rubber eyecups and translucent and opaque plates, give the microscope a more sophisticated feel.
During our hands-on review, we found the images through the scope were clear, although the 60x magnification wouldn't be enough to use for cell microscopy. Instead, it excels at 3D viewing and the large 54 mm working distance lets us examine the surfaces of larger objects, like coins and avocados.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Stereo microscope with a large working area |
| Performance | Produces clear 3D images and has a good range of low magnification |
| Functionality | Top light enables viewing of solid objects and a choice of stage plates to provide the best contrast. |
Comparison
| Product | Rating | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swift SW380T | ★★★★ | ✅ Large magnification range, lots of features, reasonably priced. | ❌ Heavy and not very portable, requires mains power. |
| AmScope M150C-MS | ★★★½ | ✅ Beginner friendly, good value for money, portable design. | ❌ Poor quality control, basic functions, no XY stage movement. |
| National Geographic Ultimate Dual Microscope | ★★★★½ | ✅ Lightweight, budget friendly, includes prepared slides. | ❌ Requires adult assistance, relies on AA batteries. |
| AmScope B120C | ★★★★ | ✅ Clear and bright optics, lightweight, reasonably priced. | ❌ No slides or manual included. |
| OMAX M83EZ-C02 | ★★★★ | ✅ Includes digital camera, can be connected to other technology, includes 5 year warranty. | ❌ Slides sold separately, have to download software. |
| Omano Discovery Professional Microscope | ★★★★½ | ✅ Lightweight and portable, reasonably priced. | ❌ Ony three magnification options, no slides included. |
How we test microscopes
All our microscopes for students reviews are conducted in a real-life setting. Students, scholars and keen amateur scientists get hands-on with the microscopes and test every feature, led by our own scientific expert writers.
A number of specimens are analyzed under the microscope and all focusing controls, objectives, eyepieces and stages are tested alongside the supplied lighting and any pre-prepared slides that may ship with them. They are also tested using a number of custom slides prepared by our scientific experts. Specimens range from onion epidermis, skeletal muscle, motor nerves, cheek swabs and blood smears.
If a microscope works on both battery power and via the mains they are tested both in the field and in the lab or classroom setting for a balanced view of its use across environments.
We always want to see if products live up to the claims of manufacturers, and we often source independent experts to get their opinions. We look carefully at factors like price, value for money, ease of use, and performance compared to competitors.
Through the combination of expert opinion, rigorous testing, and research, we're confident that we provide readers with reliable and transparent buying advice.
Microscope frequently asked questions
What are the different types of microscopes? What type of microscope is usually used in schools?
Answer from Donna O’Connor, educational product manager at SLS Select Education.
There are several types of microscopes, each designed for specific applications.
Optical (or light) Microscopes: Use visible light and lenses to magnify specimens.
These are the types found in most schools and colleges. They include:
Compound Microscopes: Use multiple lenses for high magnification; commonly used in biology. This is the most common type used in schools.
Stereo/Binocular Microscopes: Provide a 3D view of larger specimens; used for dissection and larger samples. These have 2 viewing tubes. Some higher education schools/colleges will take these because of their extended use and the nature of the samples they are viewing.
Digital Microscopes: Use digital cameras and computers to view and analyse specimens, often with integrated software for image processing. These can be connected to laptop screens and be projected making these the ideal demonstration microscope. A school laboratory may have a few of these for that purpose.
Phase Contrast Microscopes: Enhance contrast in transparent specimens, making it easier to observe live cells. Would only be used for higher education.
Dark Field Microscopes: Illuminate the specimen at an angle to enhance contrast and visualize thin specimens that are difficult to see under normal light. As above, a specialised microscope for senior students
Electron Microscopes: Use beams of electrons for much higher magnification and resolution.
Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM): Pass electrons through thin specimens; excellent for internal structures.
Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM): Scan surfaces with electrons; provides detailed 3D images of surfaces.
These are highly complex types of microscopes and examples would only be found in hospitals/research laboratories etc.
3. Scanning Probe Microscopes: Use a physical probe to scan the surface of a specimen.
Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM): Measures forces between the probe and the surface, providing atomic-scale resolution.
Scanning Tunnelling Microscopes (STM): Uses quantum tunnelling to image surfaces at the atomic level.
Again, incredibly expensive complex highly specialised microscopes only used in research.
4. Fluorescence Microscopes: Use fluorescent light to excite and visualize specific structures within a specimen, often used in biological research.
Again incredibly expensive complex highly specialised microscopes only used in research.
All microscopes have unique strengths and are suited for different fields, including biology, materials science, geology, petrology and nanotechnology.
What is the coolest thing to look at under a microscope?
Answer from Donna O’Connor, educational product manager at SLS Select Education.
There are many fascinating things to observe under a microscope! Here are some cool options:
Living cells: Watching the dynamics of cells, such as amoebas moving or plant cells undergoing photosynthesis, can be incredibly captivating.
Pond water samples: A drop of pond water can reveal a diverse ecosystem, including tiny organisms like paramecia, rotifers, and even small algae.
Crystal structures: Salt, sugar, or other minerals can form beautiful crystalline structures when viewed under polarized light.
Human hair or skin: Observing the texture and structure of human hair or the layers of skin cells can be fascinating.
Plant structures: The cellular structure of leaves, flowers, and roots can show the complex organization of plant life.
Microorganisms used in food: Fermentation can lead to interesting observations, like the yeast used in bread-making or the bacteria in yogurt.
Dust and particles: Examining everyday dust can reveal a mix of fibres, pollen, and tiny bits of debris, often with surprising complexity.
Prepared slides of tissues: Slides of different tissues, such as muscle or nerve tissue, can provide insight into the complexity of biological structures.
Each of these options shows an amazing new microscopic world. Remember to stay safe: don’t collect anything dangerous, remember to wash your hands and clean down your microscope. Be aware of your surroundings and safety when collecting samples.
What type of microscope is good for medical students?
Answer from Donna O’Connor, educational product manager at SLS Select Education.
For a medical student, a good microscope would typically need to provide higher-quality optics and a range of features suitable for detailed biological studies. Some features to look out for are:
1. Compound microscope: This is ideal for examining thin sections of tissues, cells, and microorganisms. Look for models with a magnification range of at least 40x to 1000x.
2. LED illumination: Choose a microscope with adjustable LED lighting for clear visibility of specimens coupled with an iris style condenser for optimum light control
3. Plan objectives: These provide flat field imaging with minimal distortion and are better for high magnifications.
4. Oil immersion capability: A microscope that allows for oil immersion techniques (typically with a 100x objective) is crucial for studying fine cellular structures.
5. Mechanical stage: This allows precise slide movement, making it easier to focus on specific areas.
6. Sturdy build: A robust construction ensures stability, especially when using high magnifications.
7. Binocular/trinocular head: A binocular eyepiece reduces eye strain and provides a more comfortable viewing experience. The trinocular allows a digital camera to be fitted. The subject will then be visible on a screen, allowing digital capture and cell measurements to be take easily.
Investing in a quality microscope will support your studies and enhance your understanding of histology and other medical subjects.
What accessories are needed to use a microscope?
Answer from Donna O’Connor, educational product manager at SLS Select Education.
When using a microscope, several accessories can help enhance functionality, improve results, and facilitate the overall process. Here are some common accessories:
Slides and cover slips:
Microscope Slides: Flat glass or plastic plates to hold specimens.
Cover Slips: Thin glass or plastic covers placed over specimens to protect them and minimize light scattering.
Staining kits: Dyes or stains help improve contrast and visibility of specific structures in biological specimens. Egg iodine on onion skin to show a plant cell
Immersion oil: Used with high-power objectives to reduce light refraction and improve clarity in optical microscopes. Used only on advanced microscopes and with a x100 objective lens.
Microscope stage accessories:
Stage clips: Hold slides securely in place. Found on basic microscopes.
Mechanical stage: Allows precise movement of the slide for better viewing of different areas. Found on higher grade microscopes to be able to locate the part of the sample you would like to view, easily and smoothly
Lighting accessories:
LED light source: Provides illumination for viewing specimens, usually in-built and some microscopes can have them mounted about the stage and are flexible to increase illumination if required.
Filters: Enhance contrast or modify light color for specific observations.
Eyepiece accessories:
Graticule: A micrometer scale in the eyepiece for measuring small distances in the specimen needs to be used with a graduated micrometer scale: For precise measurements of specimen dimensions and to determine sizes of cells,
Cleaning supplies:
Lens paper: For cleaning lenses without scratching.
Lens cleaner: For removing dirt and smudges.
Camera and imaging systems: Digital cameras or imaging systems for capturing and analysing images of specimens. If required, external microscope cameras can be fitted to monocular or trinocular microscopes
Microscope carrying case: For safe transport and storage of the microscope and accessories.
What is the best microscope for students overall?
We think the Swift SW380T is the best student microscope overall because of its ergonomic design features, large magnification range and excellent XY mechanical stage.
What is the best camera microscope?
While many microscopes can be upgraded with camera add-ons, we think the OMAX M83EZ-C02 is the best camera microscope for students as it ships with a USB connector to plug straight into a laptop or tablet.
What type of microscope should I buy?
We recommend you buy the best microscope you can afford. Simple microscopes work through the use of a single lens to focus a closer image for the observer, similar to a magnifying lens which uses a double convex lens. These are generally cheaper but give only one magnification when observing subjects.
Compound microscopes use two lenses: One for the eyepiece (i.e. closest to the eye) and one for the objective (i.e. closest to the object). The benefit of this microscope is that objectives can be swapped out for greater magnifications but they are more expensive.
What is the best beginner microscope?
We think the best microscope for beginners and new students is the AmScope M150C because it combines a durable metal body, glass optics and adjustable LED with good value for money.
What type of microscope is best for students?
The best type of student microscope is a compound microscope. Compound microscopes have multiple objective lenses and allow for a greater range of magnification to study specimens prepared on slides.
How does a microscope work?
To put it simply, microscopes manipulate light or electron beams to magnify and enhance the visibility of small specimens, allowing scientists and researchers to study them in detail.
Magnification: The increase in the apparent size of an object. A good magnification for a microscope typically ranges from 400x to 1000x for most biological samples.
400x: Suitable for observing cells and tissues.
100x: Allows for detailed viewing of cells, but requires good lighting.
1000x for detailed viewing of organelles within cells oil immersion techniques.
Resolution: The ability to distinguish between two close points; higher resolution allows for more detail.
Contrast: The difference in light intensity between the object and its background, crucial for visibility. To some extent this can be controlled by the light brightness knob, if fitted and/or the condenser found just underneath the stage. This can either be a wheel with set diameter apertures or an adjustable ‘’iris’’ mechanism.
