For Capturing the Image from Microscope we have to take the help of the Microscope Camera which comes with various price tag depending upon the type ( CMOS or CCD or Cooled CCD) and application. In most of the Bright-field application we use CMOS or CCD Microscope Cameras.
2MP Cam
3MP Cam
There are few points to be considered prior to select a microscope camera most of the time people think that a camera with high Megapixel is a better choice and they are not always right.
I am briefing the points that is to be considered prior to select the Microscope camera :
1) Pixel size of the sensor : The the bigger the pixel size of the sensor the more details will be capture and the image will be better hence a sensor with 6.5 micron x 6.5 micron will have a better image quality than a 2.2 micron x 2.2 micron pixel size sensor.
2) Size of the sensor : Size of the sensor is one of the main criteria to have a better image that is to say a 1/2 inch CMOS camera sensor will have better image than a 1/3 inch CMOS sensor.
3) Signal to noise ratio : The higher the value of signal to noise ratio the better the Image quality.
4) Frame rate : The frame rate of a microscope camera should be more than 16 fps ( Frames per second ) as value less than this will give jumping image / flicker. With higher Megapixel format the frame rates goes on decreasing.
5) Application : What is the application for which you would like to buy a camera
a) If its Bright field Microscope then a choice of CMOS or CCD camera will do.
b) If it is a Fluorescence or Dark field or low light application then Peltier Cooled CCD is a better choice.
So next time when you go for a purchase of microscope camera do not get confused as 1.3 MP can have better Image than a 16 MP Camera provided the 1.3 MP camera has - Larger sensor format than 16MP, Higher pixel size, higher frame rate and higher signal to noise ratio.
So a 1.3 MP camera may cost Higher than a 16 MP camera because of the above specifications.
