The kids got a portable microscope each for Christmas of different brands and prices $17-$41, advertised with 120-60X and 200-80X zoom levels. Some may have misrepresented their capabilities.
To test the microscopes I placed them all on a steel rule with 1/2mm graduations so I could work out the magnification. I placed my phone camera above the eyepiece to take an image of maximum and minimum magnifications. As a baseline I took a photo of the steel rule at a distance of 25cm as this is apparently the traditional, reference or conventional viewing distance the magnification is referenced to. I measured the graduations on screen in mm and am calling this measurement my reference number.
As a side note I had to place a piece of black tape over a camera to stop it swapping between them. I am pretty sure there is a more elegant way on the phone to do this but I had tape handy and it worked.
I have not cropped the images of their black space to enable the reader to more accurately compare all the microscopes
The magnification of 125.7-83.1X doesn’t quite match the description but maximum magnification is at least over, and the maximum to minimum range it magnifies is not half.
The large range of focus allows the object to be above and below the base of the microscope enabling it to look at objects that are not uniform or flat.
The optics are optical OK with the focus ring having a little bit of play, but is usable.
The LED light is powered with a single AAA battery and the switch is a tactile button, next to the eyepiece for easy access, that I assume initiates a LED step-up driver. It provides sufficient light for its purpose.
Link to the MiniLabsters $40.80 miniscope https://www.minilabsters.com/products/the-miniscope
The magnification of 37-27X is not even close to what is advertised of 200-80X.
The focus at minimum zoom doesn’t allow the object to be above the base of the microscope but is otherwise functional.
The optics do distort the image more than the MiniLabsters but is viewable. The focus ring doesn’t have any play.
The LED light is powered with 2 AAA batteries and a push button switch next to the eyepiece for easy access. It provides sufficient light for its purpose.
Link to To explore the science $19.89 microscope https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CL6ZY74R
The magnification of 49-26X is far below the advertised 120-60X
The focus at minimum zoom doesn’t allow the object to be above the base of the microscope but is otherwise functional.
The optics do distort the image and has irregularities but is viewable. The focus ring doesn’t have any play.
The LED light is powered with 2 AAA batteries and a slide switch under the base which feels inconvenient compared to the others. It provides sufficient light for its purpose.
Link to To explore the science $16.29 microscope https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0B343SGY1
Links to reference material
https://www.olympus-lifescience.com/en/microscope-resource/primer/anatomy/magnification/
