CAMERA COMPARISON

PURPOSE-BUILT MICROSCOPY CAMERAS VS. POINT-AND-SHOOT CONSUMER CAMERAS

Microscopy professionals continue to explore the similarities and differences between consumer and purpose-built digital cameras. Common camera features, capabilities and challenges, reduced prices, and increasing resolution can make selecting a camera confusing. Here are some key points to consider when selecting a new digital camera for your microscope:

Live Steaming Video:
Dedicated microscopy cameras are connected to a computer through a high-speed interface such as USB 2.0. This allows users to view a full screen video preview on a monitor with frame rates ranging from 15 fps at full resolution to 120 fps through binning and ROI.  Images can be quickly white balanced, focused and captured without the difficulties presented by small view screens on point-and-shoot cameras.

Microscopy Software:
Professional microscope cameras are available with advanced software packages specifically designed for microscopy applications, whereas the software included with point-and-shoot cameras does not. Professional microscopy software includes such features as measurement and annotation, advanced image processing, image stitching, manual white balance, depth of focus and fluorescent composite imaging. Lumenera’s INFINITY ANALYZE imaging software provides over 30 custom tools developed specifically for microscopy. This software, with a value of over $1000, is included with all INFINITY professional cameras.

Pre and Post-Sale Technical Support:
Technical support is included with all professional microscopy cameras, including camera selection and installation, coupler choice and complete application support. Microscope representatives ensure optimal performance by providing full customer service when installing digital microscope cameras and couplers, working closely with all parties to ensure a complete imaging solution is correctly installed and properly maintained. 

Camera Control:
Purpose-built cameras provide the ability to optimize white balance, exposure, brightness and contrast in live preview mode prior to capturing an image. In the case of consumer cameras, these functions are often accomplished through multiple image captures in a “trial and error’ fashion - a tedious and time consuming process when imaging dozens of samples per session. A consumer camera often becomes the bottleneck in image capture, archiving and processing for applications with time sensitive samples or moderate to heavy workloads.

Pricing:  
At a glance, the price of a consumer camera vs. that of a purpose-built microscopy camera makes for a compelling debate, however camera capabilities, ease of use and technical support outweigh any pricing benefits. This is especially true for applications capturing numerous or complex images. Pricing for consumer cameras ranges between $300 to $1,200, vs. $1,200 to $3500 for general purpose professional microscopy cameras.

In conclusion, consumer cameras offer a price advantage over purpose-built professional microscope cameras, however this is diminished by poor imaging efficiency, lack of microscopy software and limited support.  Professional microscope cameras continue to offer microscopists the most flexibility when selecting an imaging system. Camera manufacturers and microscope representatives are focused on providing the camera, hardware and software to meet their customer application requirements. This commitment continues through the installation, training and post-sale support process, resulting in increased productivity and greater customer satisfaction.

At a glance:

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