A microscope can have high magnification, but poor resolution. Racking the microscope from up to down optically projects an ever-smaller portion (field of view) of the specimen onto the microscopes CCD sensor. The result is magnification with increased resolution (limited by the optics and CCD resolution). The up/down buttons on the microscope digitally magnify by selecting a subset of the sensor’s pixels and digitally upscaling them. The image is bigger (magnified), but there is no increase in resolution (like watching SD programming upscaled on a HD set). The pixel density of the display determines the viewed specimen size on the screen. A good analogy is an HD video is much smaller on your phone than on a large-screen HD TV, but both have the same HD resolution. It’s just that the cellphone is smaller with a far greater pixel density. Magnification without increased resolution is sometimes called “empty magnification”. It is fine for soldering circuit boards, but not useful where both magnification and resolution are needed (i.e., cell structure).
I made the following measurements using a slide (w/ mm scale) and measuring the apparent size on the scope’s screen (no zoom):
- High point (Lowest Power): 22mm on slide measured ~90 mm on screen (~4x) with ~23x13 mm FOV
- Low point (Highest Power): 2 mm on slide measured ~90 mm on screen (~45x) with ~2 mm x 1.1 mm FOV
The digital zoom button (up arrow) provides an additional 2x zoom (~90x max on the microscope's display). Displaying the image to a 27” HD display provides ~6x increase in apparent image size, but no increase in resolution. I assume the CCD sensor is HD (1980x1080), but could not confirm.
Images were sharp with good color on the microscope screen. I would rate the build quality as average for the price. The lighting system is good (and adjustable), but could use better diffusers. The gooseneck lights are definitely needed at low focus (high rack). The UV filter is threaded, but attached with double-sided tape. The rack and pinon focuser had a bit of play, but acceptable in this price range. The barrel focuser was a little stiff. Wireless control did not work out of the box, but I was able to move the circuit board to make contact the battery (not included). No PC software was in the box, nor a download link provided; however, the seller did provide link on request. The instruction manual left a bit to be desired – but all-in-all, my initial impression is that it is acceptable for its intended purpose (i.e., viewing objects visible to the naked eye and circuit board soldering).