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Olympus SZX9 – a stereo microscope for industrial applications

Using our LM microscope adapters to attach cameras with state-of-the-art technology to the Olympus SZX9 enables top-quality photographic documentation! Due to the excellent price/performance ratios of the current Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Sony cameras, we recommend them for work on the SZX9.

In the late 1990s, Olympus introduced its new stereo microscope: the SZX9. An upright instrument designed according to the telescope principle and equipped with an infinity-corrected optical system, it was primarily intended for use in industrial applications, although it is also frequently found in laboratory and hospital settings.

The Olympus SZX9 can accommodate a variety of observation methods, including bright field, dark field, polarisation (polarisation filter and polariser available separately), fluorescence using the available fluorescence attachments with transmitted light and polarisation with incident light.

A number of different objective types (DFPL0.5X, DFPL0.75X, DFPLAPO1X-2, SZX-ACH1X, DFPL1.5X and DFPL2X-3) that can be used at a maximum working distance of up to 198 mm are available. The range of available illuminators is equally diverse. Options include an adjustable NKL-12 HF ring illuminator, a fibre optic coaxial light, a fibre optic ring light, a dual arm fibre optic illuminator and several transmitted light stands for bright field and dark field observation.

With a zoom ratio of 9.05 and a magnification range of 0.63x to 5.7x, this stereo microscope is among the very best instruments in its price category (used models come in at around € 3,000 and up).

Olympus also offers an extensive range of accessories for the SZX9, including a macro tube, various stands and stage adapters, an aperture diaphragm unit, micromanipulators, heating and discussion equipment, etc.

The Olympus SZX9 is available with a binocular tube, an ergonomic tube (tilt angle adjusts from 5 to 45 degrees) and a binocular photo tube.

The binocular photo tube (SZX-TR30) provides the most practical approach to photomicrography, but even when using other binocular tubes that do not have a third port, it is very easy to install a camera into the eyepiece tube.

Although experiments have demonstrated that the Olympus SZX9 is very suitable for snapshots of preparations and examinations, its depth of field is relatively low at higher zoom factors. Fortunately, that shortcoming can be remedied by using an aperture diaphragm unit (SZX-AS), which is available as an accessory.

Photography: 

Fitting the microscope to digital single-lens reflex (DSLR), mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC ), digital single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) or C-mount cameras is easy with our LM digital SLR adapters, which feature a plan achromatic optical system. Our products make it possible to capture top-quality microscope images. To help you select the adapter that is right for your camera, we have set up an online configurator on our website. You can also email us – ideally with attached photographs of your microscope.

Modern DSLR and single-lens mirrorless (DSLM) offer the latest technology and are generally very well suited for microscopy applications. Most of them can be controlled remotely via PC/Mac. Because of their high sales volumes, they offer an excellent price/performance ratio compared to special-purpose microscope cameras.

Features of top DSLR and single-lens mirrorless cameras (DSLM):
- Large, powerful full-frame sensors (36 x 24 mm)
- Sensor resolution of 61 megapixels or 240 megapixels with Pixel Shift technology
- High light sensitivity (ISO 400,000+)
- Extensive dynamic range (up to 15 aperture stops/f-stops)
- Short exposure times (1/8000 second) up to 1/32,000 seconds using the digital shutter
- 4K Ultra HD  or 8K Ultra HD video function
- Live video capture on external monitors in ultra HD quality

In most cases, these cameras are significantly more powerful than microscope cameras with smaller sensors (1/2" or 2/3"). On our website you will find our current camera recommendations and a camera ranking which is specifically tailored to microscopy applications.