Microscope Cameras
Microscope Camera Overview
PAXcam™ is a feature-rich, high-resolution digital microscope camera. Blend its easy-to-use software, stunning hi-res image acquisition, unrivaled image database software with an attractive price and you will agree that PAXcam is a must-have for microscopic imaging applications.
PAXcam Microscope Camera Applications
- PAXcam is a fully integrated solution with a digital microscope camera and PAX-it, the top bundled microscope imaging software for managing your imaging workflow.
- PAXcam utilizes standard USB 2.0 and USB3 interfaces. This results in high frame rate, smooth, live color preview display.
- PAXcam is excellent for microscopy, be it brightfield, polarized light, reflected or transmitted light, Nomarski DIC or macro imaging applications. To see examples of PAXcam image quality.
- Standard C-Mount means that connecting to any metallograph, microscope, or stereozoom microscope is simple. Macro lens setups are also supported!
- Superior color rendition with simple automatic and manual white balance controls.
- PAXcam leads the industry with the unique capability to create unique customizable image overlays and video text overlays, for measurement, reference, alignment, GO/No-GO decisions, or comparison to a live preview image.
- Automatic exposure & Auto White Balance functions, along with storage of user presets for improved workflow.
- PAXcam captures high resolution images or AVI full-motion video files, which can all be collected and databased PAX-it’s easy-to-use software.
- Multiple models available.
PAXcam Microscope Camera Features
- Unique easy-to-use interface.
- True plug-and-play camera allows installation in minutes!
- Micron/Scale bar on live and captured images.
- Computers that come with USB 2.0 require no additional hardware. No pulling the computer apart to install tricky CameraLink or firewire cards.
- PAXcam supports Time-lapse image capture and AVI video clip capture.
- Single cable provides the connection for power, control and data transfer.
- Use multiple USB 2.0 ports or hubs for multiple cameras into one computer- all easily controlled and switchable from within the PAXcam software.
- PAXcam connects to almost every microscope with a standard microscope coupler.
- Adjustable region of interest means smaller file sizes when capturing digital images!
Which Microscope Camera is Right for You?
The main difference between the PAXcam models is the resulting resolution of the captured image, and in the light levels available for imaging.
| Microscope Camera Model | Mega-Pixels | Sensor | Image Resolution | Image File Size(color, uncompressed) | Max Exposure Time | Frame Rates in Live Preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAXcam ARC+ (USB 2) | Up to 32MP (selectable) | 1/1.8″ CCD | 6464 x 4864 | Up to 90MB | 2500ms | 21 fps @ 808x608 14fps @ 1280x1024 12fps @ 1616x1216 |
| PAXcam5+ (USB 2) | 5.0 MP | 2/3″ CCD | 2448 x 2048 | 15.0MB | 20 sec | 8fps @ 2448x2048 |
| PAXcam5 (USB 2) | 5.0 MP | 1/2″ CMOS | 2592 x 1944 | 15.1MB | 1150ms | 60fps @ 640x480 7fps @ 2592x1944 |
| PAXcam4u3 (USB 3) | 4.2 MP | 1″ CMOSIS | 2048 x 2048 | 12.5MB | 4000ms | 90fps @ 2048x2048 |
| PAXcam3 (USB 2) | 3.1 MP | 1/2″ CMOS | 2048 x 1536 | 9.4MB | 1300ms | 20fps @ 1200x768 10fps @ 2048x1536 |
| PAXcam2+ (USB 2) | 2.0 MP | 1/1.8″ CCD | 1616 x 1216 | 5.9MB | 20 sec | 30fps @ 808x608 12fps @ 1616x1216 |
| PAXcam2u3 (USB 3) | 2.2 MP | 2/3″ CMOSIS | 2048 x 1088 | 6.6MB | 4000ms | 170fps @ 2048x1088 |
| PAXcam2 (USB 2) | 1.9 MP | 1/2″ CMOS | 1600 x 1200 | 5.8MB | 800ms | 40fps @ 800x600 10fps @ 1600x1200 |
| PAXcam1+ (USB 2) | 1.4MP | 1/2″ CCD | 1392 x 1040 | 4.3MB | 20 sec, low noise | 15fps @ 1392x1040 |
Note: Cameras with a “+” are high sensitivity and low-light compatible.
Things to Consider with your Microscope Camera
Most captured images are used for documentation, archiving, slide show presentations, written reports, or shared via email. When considering a camera’s resolution, keep the final purpose in mind. Large image files are difficult to email and network administrators do not want large image files taking up precious server space. (For example, a 5 MP image can produce a 12 MB image file; a 20 MP image can be 60+ MB in size!) If image analysis functions are being performed, the process can be noticeably slower as images get to be larger in size. These factors mean the balance between resolution and functionality must be assessed. More resolution is not always better!
Are you wondering which Microscope Camera is right for you? Still undecided? Consult our image library for some examples of PAXcam images taken in different applications, and view the image quality available in each camera. Or contact a PAXcam representative to discuss your particular needs. Whatever your need, the PAXcam family has the right solution for you!
PAXcam Bundle Part Numbers
| Microscope Camera Model | PAX-it | PAX-it with Basic Measurement | PAX-it with Image Analysis | PAX-it with Basic Measurement & Live Measurement | PAX-it with Image Analysis & Live Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAXcam ARC+ | PSP-24 | PSP-24M1 | PSP-24M3 | PSP-24L1 | PSP-24L3 |
| PAXcam 5+ | P5P-24 | P5P-24M1 | P5P-24M3 | P5P-24L1 | P5P-24L3 |
| PAXcam5 | PS-24 | P5-24M1 | P5-24M3 | P5-24L1 | P5-24L3 |
| PAXcam4u3 | P4u3-24 | P4u3-24M1 | P4u3-24M3 | P4u3-24L1 | P4u3-24L3 |
| PAXcam3 | P3-24 | P3-24M1 | P3-24M3 | P3-24L1 | P3-24L3 |
| PAXcam2+ | P2P-24 | P2P-24M1 | P2P-24M3 | P2P-24L1 | P2P-24L3 |
| PAXcam2u3 | P2u3-24 | P2u3-24M1 | P2u3-24M3 | P2u3-24L1 | P2u3-24L3 |
| PAXcam2 | PL-24 | PL-24M1 | PL-24M3 | PL-24L1 | PL-24L3 |
| PAXcam1+ | P1P-24 | P1P-24M1 | P1P-24M3 | P1P-24L1 | P1P-24L3 |
| PAXcamEDU | P1-24 | P1-24M1 | P1-24M3 | P1-24L1 | P1-24L3 |
- Multiple-camera systems are also available at great prices. You can install several PAXcam Digital Microscope Cameras onto one computer. Please call for details.
- Each c-mount camera requires a c-mount coupler to attach to the microscope (not included in the PAXcam system, but can be added if you don’t already have one).
- Cameras can be incorporated with other hardware such as macro stands, optical microscopes, macro zoom lenses, and more. Click here for more information on optional hardware.
PAX-it Image Management System (included)
Each full-bundle of PAXcam includes the world’s #1 imaging software, PAX-it. Since 1993 thousands of organizations have used PAX-it to capture, database, measure, analyze, annotate and share their images. Contact us for a live demo and see for yourself why PAX-it has been leading the imaging industry for over 25 years!
