Digital Microscopes

Indispensable tools in the modern school science laboratory are digital microscopes

. These are primarily traditional microscopes with a digital camera to capture snapshots and video. Some are after-market accessories added to an optical microscope. Others have no eyepiece and are only microscopes for the computer. Styles and quality vary greatly, but all are good for educational and home use. Digital viewing and recording options make digital microscopes a must-have for school and home.

There are several kinds of digital microscopes for use in the home or school. Some digital microscopes are handheld and pocket-sized, can be priced as low as $30, and simply connect by USB-port to any home computer. Prices can range into the thousands for certain types. Compact single ocular microscopes that have built-in digital technology serve the dual purpose of traditional viewing and computer viewing and recording. Another microscope type is a microscope base that has a display screen instead of oculars for the eyes, some attached to the base where the oculars would be with others that are fed to a monitor.

Features of digital technology allow for recording snapshots and video, and higher-end microscopes can move focus electronically and even measure the size of objects. Features found on some microscopes are time-lapse photography, image enhancement, and annotation. Annotation allows for putting information regarding an image directly on the still shot on the computer. These images can be printed or stored for future use. Time-lapse can show the growth of small organisms or record the movement made over time.

Though almost all digital microscopes claim similar magnification, resolution differs greatly and makes the difference in high- and poor-quality images. Magnification may show a small object much bigger, but resolution is the attention to detail that brings clarity. Another difference is microscopes is the optics and mirrors or lenses used. Optical zoom is the natural zoom from the positioning of lenses and mirrors and can provide great resolution. Digital zoom is the cropping and enhancing available with digital cameras providing a closer image with lower optical resolution. High quality mirrors and lenses will make your images clear and crisp.

Classroom advantages of digital microscopes are tremendous. Looking at a monitor relieves eyestrain. An entire class can view a particularly good image at once on the monitor or projector. The software of many models allows for measurements of size and movement. Printing, saving to CD, or e-mailing all images and videos to the class can e done with ease. With time-lapse, a teacher can record hatching of microscopic eggs, growth of pond scum, or movement of small creatures over time.

Basic use of a digital microscope allows a person the opportunity to see a whole new world. The possibilities for discovering new truths from one's own backyard can inspire wonder in a young mind, while seeing how things work on a microscopic level can unlock a student's learning potential. The software included with any digital microscope allows for capturing a picture or video. A relatively small investment of less than $200 can purchase a fairly good resolution, nice featured microscope, with the satisfaction of knowing the people that use the microscope will be learning for a long time to come.

by: Jacque Crook

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