Digital Consumer cameras in microscopy

Compact cameras and camcorders on the microscope
DSLR cameras are simply better!

Compact cameras have one thing in common: the lens unit is firmly fixed inside the camera body and cannot be removed. In the case of digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLRs), the lens is connected to the camera body by means of a bayonet fitting. In microscopy, it is an advantage if the microscope adapter is able to project the image directly onto the camera sensor. The adapter acts as a mechanical and optical means of adjustment between the microscope and the camera. Compact cameras and camcorders are primarily designed for photographing objects and people, and not for use with microscopes. The lens makes it possible to reproduce objects in sharp focus at various distances. With this type of photography, it is an advantage if the lens delivers as much light intensity to the focal plane as possible. This is achieved by using large lens elements that capture plenty of light. The biggest problem in use with a microscope is posed by modern zoom lenses. Every year, the zoom range is enlarged and the complexity of the lens construction increases. Due to the large number of spherical and aspherical lens elements in the lens unit, the image quality is considerably reduced in conjunction with other optical instruments. In use with a microscope, the lens unit is overtaxed, as it was not designed for this type of use. The consequences are a range of image distortions, such as poor focus at the edge of the picture, washed out colours and vignetting (peripheral darkening). Ideally, the lens unit should be removed completely, but unfortunately in the case of compact cameras this is not possible without destroying the camera body. The main function of microscope adapters for compact cameras is to reduce the negative characteristics of the camera’s lens unit and to project the microscopic image onto the sensor. With some cameras this works quite well, with others not so much.

With all compact cameras, microscopic images must be taken when they are at high zoom settings, i.e. at tele setting, in extreme cases in digital zoom mode. With a high zoom setting, the image section will also become smaller. Often the surface area of the photo is only 25%-40% of the image visible through the eyepiece..

In individual cases, there may also be slight vignetting on the edge of the image. Only by using the digital zoom or image editing programmes will it be possible to remove the undesirable black edges.
If the photos need to be measured using a software application, then calibration is very difficult to carry out. Since the magnification factor changes with the zoom setting, it is very complicated to achieve a precise calibration. Every time the camera is switched on or off, the lens unit moves meaning that it needs to be recalibrated.

In addition, compact cameras differ from DSLR cameras in the following ways:

Use of small image sensors with low signal to noise ratio. The size of the sensor has a strong influence on the price of the camera
Lower number of pixels
Long-winded navigation via one menu. The fewer moveable parts a camera has, the more easily it can be assembled.

In recent years, the gap in performance between compact cameras and digital SLR cameras has become ever greater.

Camera prices are falling consistently, especially in the case of compact cameras. New high performance technologies which bring about an improvement in image quality are mainly only incorporated in the top of the range SLR camera models. However, new beginners’ models over EUR 300.00 or used DSLRs manufactured after 2002 are also very well suited for microscopy. A list of digital cameras according to their suitability for microscopy can be found on our website under: Which digital camera works best with microscopes?

Conclusion: In the professional field we would advise against the use of compact cameras for microphotography. Those with a serious interest in microscope photography should not cut corners when it comes to the camera. Digital SLR cameras are superior to compact cameras in all respects.

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