4K digital microscope with 60FPS and 30FPS: Spot the difference

4K has become an industry standard when it comes to image resolution on digital microscopes.

Similarly, 60 frames per second (FPS) have also been recognized as the required frame rate level to avoid latency between the operators’ hands moving beneath the microscope and the corresponding display on the monitor. Opting for 60FPS instead of 30FPS also reduces the risk of sensations akin to seasickness during prolonged use, thus enhancing comfort as well as alleviating operator fatigue for increased efficiency.

Knowing this, it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of 4K digital microscopes with 60FPS to choose from after a simple search through your favorite search engine.

In this blog post though, we’ll explain why some 4K digital microscopes with 60FPS don’t always deliver the promised 4K/60FPS – and how you can spot when that happens.

A 4K digital microscope with 60FPS provides double the amount of information than a 4K digital microscope with 30FPS in the same time period. For objects in motion, this can be the difference between detecting something or not.

Understanding frame rate

Frame rate, defined as the number of images displayed per second, plays a pivotal role in determining the fluidity of visualization and the operator’s ability to detect minute details, especially in scenarios involving motion.

A 60FPS camera, for instance, provides twice the amount of images and information in the same time period as a 30FPS camera. This disparity can be transformative, especially when operators need to manipulate their samples or actively work on them underneath the microscope.

For microscope operators, it means the difference between merely seeing and comprehensively detecting crucial details in their samples.

Variations of 4K digital microscopes with 60FPS

If a manufacturer claims that their digital microscope is 4K with 60FPS, it’s fair to assume that it is in fact a 4K digital microscope 60FPS, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

In fact, there’s two scenarios to be aware of:

SCENARIO 1

While a digital microscope might be able to produce 4K images as well as 60FPS, it may not be able to produce both at the same time. What you get instead is the option to choose between FHD images with 60FPS or 4K images with 30FPS, but not the ability to choose 4K images with 60FPS.

SCENARIO 2

In other cases, the 4K digital microscope can produce 60FPS images on recorded images, but not on live images. This is due to the camera not having enough data bandwidth to truly produce a 4K/60FPS live image. The result of this is the same as scenario 1: Instead you’ll see a 4K image with 30FPS or a FHD image with 60FPS.

When reworking or soldering PCBs, it’s important to use a digital microscope with 60FPS on live and recorded images to produce high quality work.

How to find an actual 4K digital microscope with 60FPS

To make sure that you don’t buy a microscope that doesn’t deliver the 4K/60FPS you expected, here’s 3 steps to complete before making your purchase:

STEP 1

Check what the manufacturer says about their product. If they truly offer a 4K digital microscope with 60FPS images, they’ll write it loud and clear on their website and in their data sheets.

Offering a 4K digital microscope with 60FPS is still a fairly new technology and something they’ll be proud to share and make sure that you know about their product.

STEP 2

For the same reason, if the resolution and frame rate is not clearly labelled on their website or data sheet, ask them. A simple question like “Do you have a 4k digital microscope with 60FPS?” will quickly give you the answer you need.

STEP 3

The third and final step is to see it for yourself. By having the microscope in front of you and testing it on your own samples, you’ll be able to quickly tell if you’re looking at a 4K digital microscope with 60FPS or not.

TAGARNO T50, the first digital microscope with 4K/60FPS from TAGARNO, displays 60FPS on recorded as well a live images.

Finding the best 4K digital microscope with 60FPS

T50 from TAGARNO, a Danish company known for its innovative and high-performance microscopes, is the first 4K digital microscope with 60FPS using Sony ISS’ new 4K/60FPS block camera.

The T50 was introduced at the Productronica tradeshow in Munich, Germany, during November 2023.

About TAGARNO T50

TAGARNO T50 is not only the first 4K digital microscope using Sony ISS’ new 4K block camera. The revolutionary microscope also offers:

• Automatic height adjustment with auto focus
• Low and high power magnification (up to 660x) on one single system
• Magnetic lens and ring light attachment
• Large working space
• User profiles and menu customization
• Software and AI capabilities

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