When using digital consumer cameras (e.g. Nikon Coolpix 4500/8700) in microscopy and in macro photography, the optical viewfinder cannot be used for controlling and adjusting the image. The magnified image is projected directly onto the CCD chip and can not be seen in the viewfinder (exception: Sony DSC-F717). The picture in the viewfinder does not correspond to the "real" image on the camera´s LCD control monitor. The LCD monitor´s reduced image size (Nikon CP 8700:134.000 pixels) sometimes makes it difficult to find the perfect camera adjustment.
An external control monitor, connected via video cable, shows a higher resolution image than the LCD monitor and allows perfect focussing.
However, you can also focus by using the built-in LCD monitor: Zoom up the picture by digital zoom, adjust the sharpness and switch back to the initial position.
Due to the built-in zoom lens, some digital consumer cameras offer a certain zooming range: The biggest range is offered by Nikon Coolpix 9XX-4500 and Olympus Camedia 5060Z.
After adjusting the adjustments screw on the microscope and setting the camera to infinity, it is possible to use the camera´s autofocus .
Unlike the mechanical shutter, the electronic shutter avoids vibration.
Digital consumer cameras always show the picture on the built-in control LCD monitor. The optical viewfinder is useless for microscopy for most digital consumer cameras (paralaxe).
A DSLR camera allows to look at the picture through the optical viewfinder; the built-in monitor shows only the taken picture after shooting.
Exception: The Sony DSC-F717 has a LCD color viewfinder with integrated LCD monitor with diopter compensation.
