Compare two USB microscopes

Post date: Mar 29, 2012 6:46:44 AM

We are looking for an "adequate" and affordable microscope for taking pics and making videos from the life of dough.

What are the differences between these two USB microscopes?

(1) From Amazon:

• 2.0 megapixel digital tabletop microscope with 1/2" color complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and USB 2.0 computer output to display images or video, commonly used for quality control (QC) inspection, medical and scientific research, geology, mineralogy, chemistry, and for printing and textile inspection.

• Optical magnification of 10X to 50X, and digital magnification of 200X

• 8 built-in, white LED lights with two-step intensity control for illumination, automatic white balance, and the ability to be turned on and off

• Included software produces images (JPEG or BMP formats) or video (AVI format)

• One year warranty

  • • Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.5 x 5.5 inches

    • Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

    • Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.

(2) From Adafruit

• • Image Sensor: 2.0 megapixel w/high-speed DSP

  • 20x/200x axis micro-lens

  • Adjustable focal length, from 5mm-500mm

  • Snapshots via software or pressing the button

  • Image capture: 2560×2048 (5M Pixel), 2304×1738 (4M Pixel), 1600×1200 (2MPixel), 1280×1024 (1.3MPixel), 1280×960, 1024×768, 800×600, 640×480, 352×288, 320×240, 160×120.

  • Video rate of 30f/s at a brightness of 600 lux

  • Flicker control for 50Hz/60Hz

  • Video format: AVI

  • Photo format: JPG or BMP

  • 8 white LED light, 40000mLux

  • 20x/200x magnification

  • USB port powered

  • TWAIN compatible

  • Software available for Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista/Win7 & Mac OSX

  • Size: 112mm long x 33mm diameter

Comes with driver/software on CDROM. Color may vary. Ladyada personally tested these (and uses these) – so you know it’s good!

In stock and shipping now!

Esther got the first, I just ordered the second one from Adafruit. Probably, DL and MR will get the same. We will post the pictures and, B"H, the movies of the dough, taken by both mks, compare the outcomes, and share all with you.