A Practical Guide to Digital Microscopy

Dr. William G. Hand

Now that the dust has begun to settle around the issue of digital cameras replacing film for imaging applications in microscopy, several areas of interest have emerged. The following is an overview of the key considerations in the use and selection of a digital camera for microscopy.

Most digital cameras for microscopy today employ a 2/3-in. rectangular CCD sensor comprising 1.3 million to 1.6 million pixels, each measuring 6.5 to 7.5 µm. These sensors map approximately 65 to 75 percent of the image plane. The next generation will be square and will map 85 to 95 percent…