System selection guide
Compare imaging systems by sample type, scale, automation, and measurement needs.
Use this page to move from a broad imaging problem to the right Macroscopic Solutions system category or Mitutoyo optical measuring system.
Compare systems
Choose the system family that matches the work.
These cards separate configured Macroscopic Solutions systems from Mitutoyo optical measuring equipment, while keeping both options visible on one page.
Portable specimens and 3D
Macropod PRO 3D
- Best for
- Museum specimens, insects, minerals, teaching samples, field-ready documentation, focus stacking, and 3D photogrammetry capture.
- Scale
- Whole specimen to macro/micro detail with standard 2x and 5x objective workflows.
- Choose when
- Choose this when portability, flexible specimen work, and 3D capture matter most.
High magnification add-on
Macropod Micro Kit
- Best for
- Very small samples, fine surface features, and objective-based imaging where optical detail matters more than general camera lens coverage.
- Scale
- Mitutoyo M Plan Apo objective workflows from 2x through 100x depending on configuration.
- Choose when
- Choose this when the sample needs a complete microscope-objective setup.
Long samples, lower complexity
CoreScan PRO 2-axis
- Best for
- Drill core, slabs, and long samples that primarily need automated length travel and repeatable camera-position control.
- Scale
- Long-sample mosaics and stacked surface detail across selected rail lengths.
- Choose when
- Choose this when top-down long-sample imaging is enough and the extra automation axis is not required.
Long samples, expanded automation
CoreScan PRO 3-axis
- Best for
- Drill core, slabs, geoscience records, petrographic context, slide scanning, and plain or polarized-light analysis modes.
- Scale
- Long-sample imaging with expanded automation and modular future core-rotation planning.
- Choose when
- Choose this when the system needs more complete sample coverage or petrographic slide capability.
Tree cores and narrow samples
MicroCoreScan
- Best for
- Tree cores, dendrochronology, narrow cores, and microscopic linear samples needing stitched optical detail.
- Scale
- Full Micro Kit capability with two sliders and two StackShot controllers for variable panning and stacking precision.
- Choose when
- Choose this for scanning SEM-like optical detail across narrow, linear samples.
Whole drawers and large flat samples
MacroBox Scanner
- Best for
- Soil monoliths, seed trays, chip trays, whole drawers, slabs, paintings, panels, and no-touch large-format imaging.
- Scale
- Down-facing large-area capture, focus stacking, and no-contact documentation up to long rail formats.
- Choose when
- Choose this when the sample is broad, flat, fragile, or better photographed than scanned.
Thin sections and transmitted light
Macropod Petrographic
- Best for
- Petrographic slides, thin sections, geology teaching, transmitted light, polarized light, and higher-quality digital petrography.
- Scale
- Petrographic microscope-style workflows with a Macroscopic Solutions imaging approach.
- Choose when
- Choose this when geoscientists need thin-section imaging but want better digital capture quality.
Calibrated optical measurement
Mitutoyo Measuring Microscopes
- Best for
- Inspection labs, metrology workflows, dimensional measurement, calibrated stages, and optical measuring microscope applications.
- Scale
- Precision measuring microscope and toolmakers microscope workflows rather than configured Macroscopic Solutions imaging systems.
- Choose when
- Choose this when precision dimensional measurement and documented inspection are the primary goal; confirm the required calibration and traceability documentation.
Objective package for compatible systems
Mitutoyo M Plan Apo Objectives
- Best for
- Long-working-distance objective imaging, optical bench builds, replacement objectives, and customers who already know their required magnification.
- Scale
- 2x, 5x, 7.5x, 10x, 20x, 50x, and 100x objective families.
- Choose when
- Choose this when you need the objective family itself rather than a complete system.
Need help choosing?
Open the matching product page and use the Request Quote window so SKU, system, and cart context stay attached.
For broader selection help, send the sample type, size, desired magnification, and whether 3D, field use, petrography, or precision dimensional measurement matters.