A Picture Worth A Million Pixels, Polaroid's Digital Microscope Camera

The Polaroid camera has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a party novelty. Its simple, one-step function made Polaroid photography an instant success. Although the quality of the image suffered and neither duplication nor enlargement was practical, the immediate satisfaction of having the "evidence" in hand moments later was a gimmick that expanded the boundaries of human social interaction. However, for the serious business of scientific photography, the standard 35 mm format was still the best medium for reproducing quality images. By combining CCDs and a new generation of computer software, Polaroid has once again leaped ahead of the competition in image technology by introducing its new Digital Microscope Camera. The DMC-ES takes advantage of one-million-pixel resolution to create some of the most vibrant colors and razor-sharp images currently possible. Not only does this camera produce images of startling clarity, but it produces them in an endless quantity that can be cropped, edited, formatted, and color enhanced at a whim. "Polaroid is my first choice for the vast majority of what I do," said John Russ. Russ, who is a professor of materials science at North Carolina State University and the author of the definitive Image Processing Handbook, was enthusiastic about the variety of uses for which the camera can be employed. Although he has used competing products, Russ is most satisfied with the reliability and, above all, the resolution that the DMC-ES provides. Digital Microscope Camera The DMC-ES has been designed with broad spectrum applications in mind. Equipped for wide-ranging subjects such as materials analysis, fingerprint examination, and specimen documentation, Polaroid's camera is readily adapted for unforeseen and novel approaches. At the heart of Polaroid's small wonder is a CCD sensor array that is bristling with over one million rectangular pixels. Capable of achieving 24-bit color digital images in super high resolution, the DMC-ES is perhaps one of the most sensitive cameras on the market today. Further enhancing the photographic capabilities of the camera, its file setting and color correction functions allow users to fine-tune images according to brightness, color, contrast, and sharpness. One of the most impressive features, however, is a measurement and annotation tool that makes exacting measurements down to microns in diameter. This level of precision is a primary concern to researchers like Hal Krider, whose work involves studying the microstructure of cells. "In pattern recognition, getting it right is very important. For me, this precision has made my life a lot easier," explained Krider. Professor Krider's work on the early detection of Lyme disease requires a sophisticated knowledge of microscopy, which is why his familiarity with a number of microscope instruments makes his comments about their performance all the more intriguing. "Polaroid produces very clear, very sharp images at the resolution they claim--unlike others," said Krider. He explains this seemingly provocative statement by saying that there is a difference between writing a million-pixel resolution into memory and actually achieving it. Polaroid's predicted resolution works in theory and in fact. When Krider isn't using his camera in the laboratory or taking it to remote locations for in-depth field study, he uses the DMC-ES as a heuristic tool, creating slide presentations and beautifully animated course materials. "This is a great demo device for bright field and standard illumination," he said. The versatility of the camera itself, combined with the agility of its software, permits the user to import images into a number of different formats, making this an excellent all-around camera for the professor, the researcher, or even the publisher, as the case may be. No matter what hat you're wearing, the Polaroid DMC-ES has a practical use for almost any contingency. The DMC-ES became available for wide release in August and is listed at $5,995. The author, Brent Johnson, can be reached at bjohnson@the-scientist.com. For additional information on this product, contact Polaroid directly at 800-662-8337, ext. 443, or access its web site at www.polaroid.com.

A Picture Worth A Million Pixels, Polaroid's Digital Microscope Camera

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