Nikon has just announced a new full-frame camera for microscopes. The camera titled Digital Sight 50M is armed with a 60-megapixel sensor that is capable of an ultra-high resolution of 9552 × 6336. A new era of cinematic microscopy?

Digital Sight 50M

Nikon has introduced the release of the Digital Sight 50M monochrome microscope camera for conducting high-precision analysis and large-volume sampling for use in applications such as well plate screening. This new 60-megapixel camera, which can be mounted to a microscope, makes it possible to efficiently automate the acquisition and analysis with the integrated image software NIS-Elements. As stated by Nikon: “Nikon develops cutting-edge research microscopes and digital imaging systems and has leveraged this technology to develop the Digital Sight 50M, a microscope camera specifically designed for large-volume, high-resolution cell screening with an unprecedented 60-megapixel resolution. Using the camera in combination with NIS-Elements (sold separately) makes it possible to automate the workflow of acquiring and analyzing images and contributes to improved high-throughput screening, from search and identification to analysis”.

Full-frame, 60MP, and 9K of resolution

The Digital Sight 50M is capable of shooting ultra-high 9K resolution, which is 3.8 times the number of pixels and 2.5 times the resolution of previous models. “Even when using a low-magnification, high-NA objective lens, it fully demonstrates optical capabilities. It is also possible to obtain highly reliable data of small regions when analyzing images” Nikon says. The camera allows a significant elevation of the efficiency of searching wide fields of view and capturing and analyzing high-definition images. Furthermore, Digital Sight 50M for microscopes is optimized to increase workflow efficiency. In addition to its large number of pixels, large field of view, and speed, it comes with dedicated software that makes it effective for screening large volumes of samples.

Max frame rate: 226 fps

According to Nikon, the Digital Sight 50M possesses a region of interest (ROI) mode that allows users to designate the region of a sample and capture images at high speeds. When using an ROI and employing the selectable binning modes, images can be captured at a maximum frame rate of 225.9 fps (640 x 480 pixels, 3×3 binning), making it possible to efficiently capture high-speed signals of moving samples.

3 types of camera adapters

The Digital Sight 50M offers the large CIS (Nikon FX-format) that makes wide field-of-view observations possible. There are three adapters for different uses: 2.5X and 1.8X adapters for high-resolution single shots of 60 megapixels; and a 1X adapter for samples that require high sensitivity and low noise, such as image tiling.

Key features: 

• Image sensor: Nikon FX-Format, Monochrome CMOS image sensor, Size – 35.8 × 23.8 mm
• Max Resolution: 9552 × 6336
• Lens mount: F-mount
• Live display mode (maximum fps): Full Frame: 6 fps, Up to 225.9 fps

Wrapping up

Although this item is not so connected to cinematography and filmmaking, we decided to write about this, since it’s a solid demonstration of how digital cinema technologies have been utilized in other imaging fields. Nikon states that the development of this new camera for microscopes was inspired by its high-end DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Furthermore, the images captured by the Digital Sight 50M can be screened on the big screen, and that’s an advantage from many perspectives, scientific and cinematic. No need for CGI when true cells can be viewed on high-definition displays…