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BLOOD CELLS  IMAGE:
     For this test, we used a Diagnostic 0.63x C-mount for all C-mount dedicated microscope cameras, so Field of View (FOV) will differ depending on the camera's sensor size.  For the consumer cameras, we used the appropriate MM Adapter with a 1x C-mount and used the cameras' optical zoom to achieve maximum FOV without vignetting.  Several images were taken with each camera adjusting for focus, white balance, gamma, etc, and the best result was selected.

     For these images, we used a Leica DMRE compound microscope with a 100x/1.30 Plan Fluotar objective, so optical magnification was 1000x.  Each image is straight from the camera with no post-processing, though a levels adjustment would help these in some cases.  The full-field images on the left are 7.5% of the original image size, while the images on the right show a 300x225 pixel section of the original image at full resolution.
CAMERA FULL FIELD-OF-VIEW IMAGES REDUCED TO 7.5% OF ORIGINAL SIZE 300X225 PIXEL AREA OF SAME IMAGES AT FULL RESOLUTION
Jenoptik ProgRes C14plus
-  2/3" CCD
-  12.5MP (4080x3072)
-  IEEE1394 Firewire
-  $9,990.00

12.5MP is too much for this test yielding empty magnification in the detail image.
12.5 MP
Jenoptik ProgRes CF-Scan
-  2/3" CCD
-  12.5MP (4080x3072)
-  IEEE1394 Firewire
-  $7,990.00

Same sensor as the C14+, but without the true color 3CCD scanning mode.
12.5 MP
Jenoptik ProgRes C5
-  Sony 2/3" CCD
-  5MP (2580x1944)
-  IEEE1394 Firewire
-  $4,490.00

A consistent favorite.
5 MP

Jenoptik ProgRes C3
-  Sony 1/2" CCD
-  3.3MP (2080x1542)
-  IEEE1394 Firewire
-  $3,490.00
3.3 MP
Lumenera Infinity4-11C
- 35mm format CCD
- 10.7MP (4008x2672)
- USB2
- $8,500.00

We used a Qioptiq F-mount adapter for this camera recommended by Lumenera, but found a hot spot in this and some other images.


10.7 MP
Lumenera Infinity2-1C
- 1/2" CCD
- 1.4MP (1392x1040)
- USB2
- $1,695.00

Shows about all the detail that's really there to see at 1000x.
1.4 MP

Moticam 2000
-  1/2" CMOS
-  2MP (1600x1200)
-  USB2
-  $699.00

CMOS Sensor fails to deliver resolution and color.
2 MP

Moticam 1000
-  1/2" CMOS
-  1.3MP (1280x1024)
-  USB2
-  $399.00
1.3

Canon EOS XSi w/ new MDSLR-HC adapter:
- CMOS
- 12MP (4272x2848)
- Secure Digital
- USB2 PC Control
- $1,499.00

Our new MDSLR adapter provides a wider FOV with most DLSR  cameras. 
12 MP

The new MDSLR adapters are for specific microscope models.
Canon Powershot S5 IS w/ MM99-58
- CCD
- 8MP (3264x2448)
- Secure Digital
- USB2 PC Control
- $999.00*
8 MP

CONCLUSIONS:  In this test, the high Megapixel cameras like the Jenoptik ProgRes C14+ and Lumenera Infinity4-11 have less of an advantage over mid-range MP cameras because the amount of information being transmitted by the compound microscope is so limited at 1000x.  So, a 12MP camera yields larger images but not much more detail than a 5MP or even a good 1.4MP camera.  The Lumenera Infinity4-11 camera is intriguing, but a better microscope adapter is needed.  More camera test images will be posted as time permits.

  *  Consumer camera prices are for our camera packages including MM adapter and accessories.
 

 

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