Two Cameras in One: Olympus DP80® Dual CCD Microscope Camera

Olympus now offers a remarkable dual-sensor scientific-grade microscope camera that combines advanced digital color technology with the high sensitivity of monochrome imaging, switching quickly and easily between color and monochrome acquisition.

The multifunctional Olympus DP80® dual-CCD digital camera offers two camera sensors in one: a full 12.5 megapixels of color imaging for brightfield microscopy applications in one sensor, along with 14-bit, high-sensitivity, low-noise monochrome imaging designed for fluorescence imaging in a separate imaging sensor.

The DP80 is the only scientific-grade microscope camera available that provides this level of dual-sensor functionality.

“This innovative system is essentially two complete, high-performance parfocal and parcentric cameras in one. It is designed for researchers who previously needed to align two cameras to a dual port, such as people acquiring fluorescence images who also need to capture color brightfield images for publication or reference purposes. It is also ideal for core facilities that want to increase functionality on a single stand,” said Peter Mabanglo, product manager for Olympus America.

Using industry-leading pixel-shifting technology, the DP80 images up to 12.5 megapixels of color by capturing sub-pixel Bayer color information.

Its fine-detail-processing mode enhances color resolution and results in sharper images. Its monochrome mode offers high sensitivity for dim fluorescence images.

The DP80 also can help laboratories standardize on a single intuitive camera software platform. Because Olympus cellSens® software seamlessly drives the DP80’s dual-sensor system, users can capture high-sensitivity monochrome data and high-resolution color information automatically from the two camera sensors in rapid sequence.

Industry-leading color algorithms developed in concert with the consumer division of Olympus help the camera capture exceptional RGB color, which can then be merged with multiple fluorescence channels, resulting in exceptional images.

Handling formerly complex tasks, such as imaging tissue stained with a chromogenic or a fluorophore, adjusting RGB information or creating highly revealing brightfield/fluorescence images, is intuitive and simple.

The cellSens software that drives the DP80 also provides automatic shading correction, rapid and accurate white-balance adjustment, quick auto-exposure, extensive measurement tools and more.

Thanks to an automated file manager, exposure settings, magnifications and other parameters are captured for easy future reference.

Even users who currently require only color imaging can benefit from the high-performance DP80. Because it offers the ability to step up to a higher-resolution monochrome camera, users can expand and increase the flexibility and output of their system at any time.

The two-in-one camera provides much higher performance at substantially lower cost than any combination of competitive cameras providing similar functionality - even before considering that it saves the time and expense of purchasing and operating a dual-port adapter.