Primary Types of Microscopes

Compound Microscopes
What image does your brain conjure up when you hear the word "microscope"? Chances are it's a compound microscope. The ubiquitous compound microscope is so named because of its multi-lens design. Its total magnification power is determined by multiplying the power of the objective (the magnifying lens separate from the eyepiece) by the power of the eyepiece. This magnification number can vary, because compound microscopes frequently have a rotating turret that holds several objectives of greater and lesser magnifying power.

The compound microscope's simple, versatile design and easy availability have made it a commonplace in the fields of medicine and life science. In fact, compound microscopes are commonly known as biological microscopes or research microscopes. Their magnification strengths range from 40x to 2000x, and they provide a reversed, upside-down 2D image.

Stereo Microscopes No, it won't play MP3s for you, but a stereo microscope will provide a 3D view of slides and specimens, albeit at a lower resolution than other types of microscopes. On the plus side, a stereo microscope allows one to view objects with depth and move them around at the same time. The stereo microscope's three-dimensionality is achieved via two complete magnification systems consisting of an objective, prism, and eyepiece. The paired optics creates an image that's "normal," i.e. right-side-up and not reversed. This more natural image, combined with depth, detail, and low magnification (about 10x to 80x), makes stereo microscopes a great choice for entomologists, lepidopterists, stamp and coin collectors, or anyone else who frequently examines relatively large objects.

Novice microscopists sometimes prefer the use of binocular microscopes. Unlike stereo microscopes, binocular models feature two eyepieces mounted on a single objective and prism; the viewing image is two-dimensional, but viewing with two eyes is often considered more comfortable.

Digital Microscopes
The term "digital microscope" has a broader meaning than it did even a few years ago. Digital microscopes are no longer just the multi-thousand dollar models used in science laboratories. Many of today's digital microscopes are affordable enough for home use.

Whether you're working at home or in a lab, there are many digital microscopes and microscope accessories available for your budget range. There are microscopes with built-in digital functionality and a viewing screen. You can even find accessories that attach to digital microscopes and capture digital images of a slide and save them to a computer. The cost range in this category can range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands.