USB microscope

<p>A USB microscope is a low-powered <a href="/facts/Digital_microscope/abAh8L6S">digital microscope</a> which connects to a computer's <a href="/facts/USB/XcIKWLyg">USB</a> port. Microscopes essentially the same as USB models are also available with other interfaces either in addition to or instead of USB, such as via <a href="/facts/WiFi/u94quCsx">WiFi</a>. They are widely available at low cost for use at home or in commerce. Their cost varies in the range of tens to thousands of dollars.  In essence, a USB microscope is a <a href="/facts/Webcam/1vTYrHWw">webcam</a> with a high-powered <a href="/facts/Macro_lens/sPKYgzQl">macro lens</a>, and generally uses reflected rather than transmitted light, using built-in LED light sources surrounding the lens. The camera is usually sensitive enough not to need additional illumination beyond normal ambient lighting. The camera attaches directly to the USB port of a computer without the need for an eyepiece, and the images are shown directly on the computer's display. 
</p><p>They usually provide modest magnifications (about 1× to 200×) without the need to use eyepieces, at cost very much lower than conventional <a href="/facts/Stereomicroscope/uUGBMGPH">stereomicroscopes</a>. The quality of the final image depends on the lens and sensor quality, resolution—which may range from 1.3 <a href="/facts/Megapixel/UzwBvXBV">megapixels</a> to 5 MP or more—operator skill, and illumination quality. Both <a href="/facts/Still_image/hbjEdTXK">still images</a> and <a href="/facts/Video/F1AV8ben">videos</a> can be recorded on most systems.
</p>

USB microscope open-in-new

USB microscope