A digital microscope is a variation of a traditional optical microscope that uses optics and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera to output a digital image to a monitor, sometimes by means of software running on a computer. A digital microscope differs from an optical microscope in that there is no provision to observe the sample directly through an eyepiece. Since the optical image is projected directly on the CCD camera, the entire system is designed for the monitor image. The optics for the human eye are omitted.
Digital microscope is the term commonly used for low price commercial microscopes designed for use with a computer. Although some systems do not require a separate computer and can cost tens of thousands. These normally omit the optics for illumination (for example Köhler illumination and phase contrast illumination) and are more akin to webcams with a macro lens. For information about optical microscopes with a digital camera in research and development see optical microscope.
