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     For this test, we used a Diagnostic 0.63x or 0.5x C-mount where applicable to match the camera's sensor size to achieve the maximum Field Of View (FOV) so that the images will represent the largest rectangle we can get out the microscope's circular FOV without vignetting (blackened corners).  Click here for more on FOV...   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, again without vignetting.  Several images were taken with each camera, and the best result was selected.

     For these images, we used a Wild M420 Macroscope with an Apozoom objective, so optical magnification was 35x, and a fiberoptic ring light was used for illuminaton.  Each image is straight from the camera with no post-processing, though a level 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

You get what you pay for with the C14+
excellent color reproduction and high resolution.
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

An excellent all-around camera - good detail & color at a reasonable price. 
5 MP

Jenoptik ProgRes C3
-  Sony 1/2" CCD
-  3.3MP (2080x1542)
-  IEEE1394 Firewire
-  $3,490.00

Good value and performance for a 3.3MP microscope camera.
3.3 MP
Jenoptik ProgRes CT3
-  1/2" CMOS
-  3.2MP (2048x1536)
-  IEEE1394 Firewire
-  $2,490.00

New CMOS camera from Jenoptik.  C3 above is worth the extra money.


3.2 MP
Lumenera InfinityX-32
- 1/18" CCD
- 32MP (6464x4864)
- USB2
- $5,500.00

Wow - 32MP and decent color reproduction.  This new camera should be real winner for Lumenera.


A little grainy at 100% image size, but overall, an exciting new camera.
Lumenera Infinity4-11C
- 35mm format CCD
- 10.7MP (4008x2672)
- USB2
- $8,500.00

Incredibly wide field of view, 9um pixel size, and improved color and speed make this an exceptional camera for this type of imaging - lower mag and high res.


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

Recommended for routine industrial and pathology applications - fast live preview and easy to achieve consistently good results.
1.4 MP
Lumenera Infinity Lite
- 1/2.5" CMOS
- 1.5MP (1440x1080)
- USB2
- $900.00

Better in this test than expected given its low price!
1.5 MP
Scion CFW-1608C
-  Sony 1/1.8" CCD
-  2.0MP (1600x1200)
-  IEEE1394 Firewire
-  $1,695.00
2 MP

Scion CFW-1308C
-  Sony 1/2" CCD
-  1.3MP (1360x1024)
-  IEEE1394 Firewire
-  $1,295.00
1.3 MP

Moticam 2300
-  1/2" CMOS
-  3MP (2048x1536)
-  USB2
-  $999.00

Not sure what caused the uneven lighting - same fiberoptic ring light was used.


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

Includes 2/3x C-mount for 23mmID tubes.  1/2x C-mount used for this image.
2 MP

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

 Pretty good for only $399.00!


1.3 MP
Canon EOS XSi w/ MM-SLR 1.6x:
- CMOS
- 12MP (4272x2848)
- Secure Digital
- USB2 PC Control
- $1,499.00*

Direct computer control with Live View software makes this DLSR very easy to use, but FOV is limited because of 1.6x factor with the MM-SLR.
12 MP
Canon Powershot S5 IS w/ MM99-58
- CCD
- 8MP (3264x2448)
- Secure Digital
- USB2 PC Control
- $999.00*

Direct computer control is the biggest advantage of this consumer camera package.
9 MP

Sony Cybershot H9 w/ MM99-H9
-  Sony CCD
-  8MP (3264 x 2448)
-  Memory Stick Duo
-  NLA

Very good, high resolution images; very easy to use camera for general micrography.
9 MP

Nikon Coolpix P5100 w/ MMC00L-E20
- CCD
- 12.1MP (4000x3000)
- Secure Digital
- $799.00*

The first 12MP consumer camera we've tested.  Less field of view than other cameras, but decent images.
12.1 MP

Sony HandyCam HDR-HC9 w/ MM99
-  Sony CMOS HD
-  6MP (2848 x 2136)
-  Memory Stick Duo
-  $1,399.00*

Excellent at live HD video output, but not recommended primarily for still imaging.
6 MP
CONCLUSIONS:  In this test, the high Megapixel cameras like the Jenoptik ProgRes C14+ and Lumenera Infinity4-11C and InfinityX-32 really do offer more resolution than the lesser MP models.  The Wild M420 Apozoom microscope lets these cameras shine in terms of resolution and color reproduction.  With compound microscopes the higher MP cameras have less of an advantage since the image resolution will be limited by the microscope more than by the camera.  

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

 

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