Microscopes

Swift SW350T vs SW380T

SWIFT's own product pages give these two trinocular microscopes the same optics. The choice comes down to what ships in the box and a few details of the stand.

Side by side

	SW350T	SW380T
Head	Siedentopf trinocular, rotating, 30° tilt	Siedentopf trinocular, rotating, 30° tilt
Eyepieces	10X and 25X wide-field	10X and 25X wide-field
Objectives	DIN achromatic 4X, 10X, 40X and 100X oil	DIN achromatic 4X, 10X, 40X and 100X oil
Magnification	40X to 2500X in six steps	40X to 2500X in six steps
Condenser	Abbe, NA 1.25, with iris diaphragm	Abbe, NA 1.25
Light	LED with a dimmer wheel	LED with a dimmer wheel
Stage	Large double-layer mechanical stage	Large mechanical stage
Focusing	Coarse and fine	Coarse and fine, which SWIFT calls ultra-precise
Camera	Sold with or without one; the listing here includes a USB camera	Not included; the third tube takes one

Where they really differ

SWIFT describes the optics of both in the same words. Each has the same four objectives, the same eyepieces, the same NA 1.25 condenser and an LED with a dimmer. On paper, neither has an optical advantage.

The SW380T is the camera-ready version of SWIFT's SW380B, and SWIFT highlights its ultra-precise focusing. The SW350T is built on the SW350B, with a double-layer stage and an iris diaphragm on the condenser.

The practical difference is the box. The SW350T listing here comes with a USB camera, software for Windows and Mac, 100 blank slides and 100 cover slips. The SW380T ships without a camera.

Choose the SW350T for everything in one box

Buying the SW350T with its camera means one order, one set of software and no mount to match.

The camera sits on the upright third tube, so you can keep using the eyepieces while it records. The 100X objective needs oil, covered in how to use immersion oil.

The included slides and cover slips are enough to start, and how to make a microscope slide covers wet and dry mounts.

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Trinocular microscope

SWIFT SW350T trinocular microscope

Siedentopf trinocular head, 4X to 100X oil objectives, 10X and 25X eyepieces, a mechanical stage and a USB camera, with 100 slides and cover slips.

View on Amazon →

Choose the SW380T to pick your own camera

The SW380T suits a buyer who already owns a microscope camera or wants to choose one separately.

Our SW380T fit page lists which cameras and eyepieces fit it, each with its manufacturer source. Microscope camera adapters explains the mounts.

Without a camera, a phone works for the odd photo. Phone photos through a microscope shows how to line one up.

Compound, trinocular

Swift SW380T trinocular microscope

Trinocular compound microscope, 40X to 2500X, with a Siedentopf head, 10X and 25X eyepieces and four DIN achromatic objectives. The third ocular tube takes a camera.

View on Amazon →

Is a trinocular worth it over a binocular?

A trinocular adds the camera port and nothing else. SWIFT says the SW350T keeps all the features of the SW350B, and the SW380T all the features of the SW380B.

If you only look through the eyepieces, the binocular versions do the same job. If you plan to photograph slides often, the port saves holding a phone to an eyepiece every time.

Common questions

SWIFT publishes the same optics for both. Pick the SW350T to get a camera in the box, and the SW380T if you already have a camera or want to choose one.

No. SWIFT lists the camera as not included. The third tube on top takes one.

Yes. SWIFT lists 4X, 10X, 40X and 100X oil DIN achromatic objectives on both, which give 40X to 2500X with the 10X and 25X eyepieces.

The SW350T adds a third tube for a camera. SWIFT says it keeps all the features of the SW350B.

Taking photos and video through the microscope while you keep using the eyepieces. The third tube holds the camera.

Compatibility details come from manufacturers' published documentation and can change. Confirm fit in your model's current manual before use.