Stereo Microscopes

Leica Microsystems offers customized stereo microscopes for research, industry and education. Our macroscopes for industry, medicine and research offer exceptional optics and ultra convenient operation. Stereo microscopes and macroscopes from Leica enable you to view, analyze and document your specimens in two and three dimensions for any application.

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The foundation of your lab and production site

Stereo microscopes are the workhorse of any lab or production site. Designed for a wide range of applications, by selecting the right stereo microscope, hours spent inspecting, observing, documenting, or dissecting samples, is key to long-lasting, satisfactory use.

Find out how easy it is to use Leica Stereomicroscopes

Leica's focus on ergonomics and modularity allows our stereo microscopes to adapt to their users for fatigue-free work while greatly enhancing productivity. Modular designs allow configurations for individual applications to increase efficiency and help maintain a high quality of work.

What is the application?

When deciding which Leica microscope solution will best suit your needs, it becomes important to determine what applications it will be needed for. Different applications make different demands of a stereo microscope. Thanks to the modular design of our stereo microscopes, we can provide a customized solution for different applications.

Which structures need to be observed, documented, or visualized?

Whether your priority is high resolution, depth of field, optical quality, Leica provides the solutions that will cover your needs. Integration with Leica DFC cameras and Leica Applications Suite allows for automation of routine tasks for consistent results and documentation.

What is the available budget for the microscope?

Modular solutions may look like a higher investment, but in the long run they will save money thanks to their versatility, ability to accommodate different users, and a large variety of add-ons and accessories.

How many different people need to use the microscope? How many hours will they work at the microscope?

When it comes to using the microscope for many hours, it is important to consider ergonomic accessories as they can prevent repetitive strain injuries. Depending on the number of different users, it is advisable to have a microscope which can be adjusted to the preference of each user.

For more information, please refer to:
Ergonomic Accessories for Stereo Microscopes

Routine Manual

Whether you need an entry-level solution or an advanced analysis and documentation package, Leica Microsystems provides ergonomically-designed manual stereo microscopes for routine tasks. This modulare product range can be customized to your needs with ergonomic accessories, special bases and extensive illumination options.

Routine stereo microscopes M50, M60 & M80: Spotlight or Gooseneck illumination LED3000 SLI and LED5000 SLI

Inspection microscope image of a printed circuit board (PCB) taken with a ring light (RL) and near vertical illumination (NVI).

Microscope Illumination for Industrial Applications

Inspection microscope users can obtain information from this article which helps them choose the optimal microscope illumination or lighting system for inspection of parts or components.

Top Challenges for Visual Inspection

This article discusses the challenges encountered when performing visual inspection and rework using a microscope. Using the right type of microscope and optical setup is paramount in order to…

Why is Manual Visual Inspection of Medical Devices so Challenging?

This article discusses how manual visual inspection, which is prevalent in the medical device industry, can lead to inconsistent results. It also addresses the challenges quality managers and…

Read our latest articles about Stereo Microscopy

The knowledge portal of Leica Microsystems offers scientific research and teaching material on the subjects of microscopy. The content is designed to support beginners, experienced practitioners and scientists alike in their everyday work and experiments.

Area of a printed circuit board (PCB) which was imaged with extended depth of field (EDOF) using digital microscopy.

Depth of Field in Microscope Images

For microscopy imaging, depth of field is an important parameter when needing sharp images of sample areas with structures having significant changes in depth. In practice, depth of field is…

Example of a Leica stereo microscope, Ivesta 3, with integrated digital camera which can be used as a dissecting microscope.

Selecting the Right Dissecting Microscope

Learn how you can enhance dissection for life-science research and education with a microscope that ensures ergonomic comfort, high-quality optics, and easy access to the specimen.

Image of a Siemens star, where the diameter of the 1st black line circle is 10 mm and the 2nd is 20 mm, taken via an eyepiece of a M205 A stereo microscope. The rectangles represent the field of view (FOV) of a Leica digital camera when installed with various C-mounts (red 0.32x, blue 0.5x, green 0.63x).

Understanding Clearly the Magnification of Microscopy

To help users better understand the magnification of microscopy and how to determine the useful range of magnification values for digital microscopes, this article provides helpful guidelines.

Image of an onion flake taken with a basic Leica compound microscope after it was tested for resistance to fungus and mold growth following part 11 of the ISO 9022 standard.

ISO 9022 Standard Part 11 - Testing Microscopes with Severe Conditions

This article describes a test to determine the robustness of Leica microscopes to mold and fungus growth. The test follows the specifications of the ISO 9022 part 11 standard for optical instruments.

Stereo microscopes are often considered the workhorses of laboratories and production sites.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Stereo Microscope

This article explains key factors that help users determine which stereo microscope solution can best meet their needs, depending on the application.

The principle of the FusionOptics technology: Of the two separate beam paths (1), one provides depth of field (2) and the other high resolution (3). In the brain, the two images of the sample are merged into a single, optimal 3D image (4).

What is the FusionOptics Technology?

Leica stereo microscopes with FusionOptics provide optimal 3D perception. The brain merges two images, one with large depth of field and the other with high resolution, into one 3D image.

Strain from using a microscope can lead to musculoskeletal pain.

Microscope Ergonomics

This article explains microscope ergonomics and how it helps users work in comfort, enabling consistency and efficiency. Learn how to set up the workplace to keep good posture when using a microscope.

Microscope Illumination for Industrial Applications

Inspection microscope users can obtain information from this article which helps them choose the optimal microscope illumination or lighting system for inspection of parts or components.

Top Challenges for Visual Inspection

This article discusses the challenges encountered when performing visual inspection and rework using a microscope. Using the right type of microscope and optical setup is paramount in order to…

Why is Manual Visual Inspection of Medical Devices so Challenging?

This article discusses how manual visual inspection, which is prevalent in the medical device industry, can lead to inconsistent results. It also addresses the challenges quality managers and…

Read our latest articles about Stereo Microscopy

Depth of Field in Microscope Images

For microscopy imaging, depth of field is an important parameter when needing sharp images of sample areas with structures having significant changes in depth. In practice, depth of field is…

Selecting the Right Dissecting Microscope

Learn how you can enhance dissection for life-science research and education with a microscope that ensures ergonomic comfort, high-quality optics, and easy access to the specimen.

Frequently Asked Questions Stereo Microscopes

Do I need a computer to operate a stereo microscope with a camera?

No, you do not. By installing a Flexacam c5 or Flexacam i5 camera with embedded Enersight On-Screen Display (OSD) software on your stereo microscope, you can acquire images, record videos, do basic measurements, apply overlays, annotate live images, and share images with one-click or save them on an IT network server or USB stick. Also, you can use the Ivesta 3 (Integrated camera) Greenough stereo microscope with the same embedded Enersight OSD software. Alternatively, stereo microscopes with a Flexacam can be operated with the Enersight Mobile App software, available in App Stores, allowing you to control the camera, hence you benefit from the same set of features via your mobile device.

Which PC software is compatible with a stereo microscope using a camera?

By installing various cameras on stereo microscopes or with Ivesta 3 (Integrated camera), you can use two software on your PC: Enersight Desktop and LAS X depending on your needs and applications. Both softwares are Windows compatible.

Are there any mobile solutions for learning, inspection, and sharing?

Enersight Mobile App, which is available in the Apple AppStore and Google Play for smartphones and tablets, allows the user to acquire images, record videos, do basic measurements, apply overlays, and immediately share images and videos. The app is available for Android and iOS and free of charge.

What kinds of modular accessories are available to extend the range of use of my microscope?

There are a lot of accessories. Please get in contact with your local Leica sales representative.

How are ergonomic accessories designed to reduce repetitive strain injuries during long working hours?

There are a lot of ergonomic accessories for our products. Please contact your local Leica sales representative for more details or visit: Ergonomic Accessories for Stereo Microscopes

I need to quickly document and share results with team members. What is the best solution you can recommend?

You can install a Flexacam c5 or Flexacam i5 (Stereo) camera with the embedded software, Enersight, onto your stereo microscope and start operating it in the on-screen display (OSD) mode. Enersight OSD allows you to directly save images on an IT network server or USB thumb drive. You can also send the images via e-mail without a need to use a computer. Alternatively, you can choose the Ivesta 3 (Integrated camera) Greenough stereo microscope with integrated camera that has the same embedded Enersight OSD software, allowing you to save images and share them via email.

I am trying to optimize my workflow. Is the Ivesta 3 stereo microscope my best option?

It is certainly a good solution. If a greater range of magnification values is required, all our high-end M series stereo microscopes, such as the M205, can be equipped with a Flexacam c5 or Flexacam i5 (Stereo) camera for documenting and sharing results.

Can a single stereo microscope be used by multiple users? Which Leica solution allows the setup of individual user preferences?

Using Ivesta 3 (Integrated camera) or any stereo microscope equipped with a Flexacam c5 or Flexacam i5 (Stereo) camera offers user-management functionalities with a possibility to create multiple individual-user accounts, customize the user interface, and limit access to various Enersight functionalities. These functionalities are available with Enersight On-Screen Display (embedded software of microscope cameras) and Enersight Desktop (PC-based software).

What type of accessories does my microscope come with? What will I need to purchase separately?

Leica microscopes are modular and shipped in the configuration that best fits your stated needs or application. In case your needs change later, you can always upgrade your workstation by adding available accessories.

Semiconductor Inspection

Modular stereo microscopes help suppliers and device manufacturers achieve fast and precise inspection and analysis for semiconductor wafer processing. Conformity to the defined specifications during semiconductor device manufacturing is critical for reliability.

Materials Science

Excellent sample preparation is the key to observing the finest textures and details and as such, the right workflow and tools in pre-preparation lead to not only excellent samples but produce reliable and precise results. Leica solutions are streamlining your daily workflow with intelligent automation allowing you to run your processes with a few mouse clicks.