Dissecting Zoom Microscopes are excellent tools for exploring medium-scaled microscopic objects and specimen aside from being used in biomedical applications. Dissecting microscopes are stereo microscopes with automated zoom capabilities that could be used to show greater specimen detail during dissection. Top lighting is the best kind to use with a dissection, as the light will reflect back up off the opaque surface of the specimen. Dissecting stereo-zoom microscopes are built and designed to allow low magnification of three-dimensional objects: objects larger or thicker than what the compound microscope can accommodate.

Furthermore, the two separate lenses of the binocular dissecting microscope allows one to see objects in three dimensions, i.e., in stereo. You can examine almost anything you find with this easily-focused microscope. Since the instrument allows the use of both incident and transmitted lighting simultaneously, the views are wonderful. Furthermore, the mirror allows extensive adjustments in lighting. In the field, one can change the background color to that of the blue sky, a white cloud, or even reflect the color of one’s shirt.

A black background can be instantly obtained by putting the mirror on edge, or slipping a black plate under the stage glass. When observing active creatures such as a small caterpillar inching its way across the stage the quickness and variety of the lighting options greatly increases the detail that can be seen. It features a 10x eyepiece and 20x objective lens, providing a large field of view.

Also, the study of true spatial relationships between specimen features is aided by a natural, erect image.
In addition to having a reduced cost when compared to prism-equipped microscopes, the StereoZoom dissecting microscope is also lighter in weight. The basic microscope system is complemented by an enormous selection of auxiliary lenses, eyepieces, illuminators, arms and stands, all produced with a trend-setting style that endured for over 40 years. Acceptance of the StereoZoom by a rapidly emerging semiconductor industry was immediate and long-lived. This novel design dominated the stereomicroscope market for many years.

Dissecting Zoom Microscopes provide significant imaging improvement over conventional microscopes. It creates sharper, more detailed 2D images, and allows collection of data in three dimensions. In biological applications it is especially useful for measuring dynamic processes. A number of designs have been developed to achieve video-rate stereo microscopy, which enables the capture of short-timescale dynamics.