Stereomicroscope (light)

Function: Uses visible light to illuminate the surface of a sample.

Maximum magnification: Approximately 2,000x.

School light microscopes that do not use oil immersion have a magnification range of 40–400x.

Best for:

Looking at living things.

Looking at things without disrupting them.

Disadvantages : Usually lower resolution than the compound light microscope.

Video: Allan Mitchell, Technical Manager of Otago Micro and Nanoscale Imaging, discusses the benefits and limitations of the compound microscope and the stereomicroscope.