MicroCam X1: Compact 4K camera with 400x microscope now orderable

The MicroCam X1 is a new and highly portable camera that is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter. Backers can reserve a unit with a 64GB microSD card, for a pledge of roughly $80. According to the manufacturer, delivery is expected in August. Prospective buyers should make themselves familiar with the shipping terms and be aware of the financial risks associated with crowdfunding campaigns in general.

In terms of features, the MicroCam X1 has a single camera sensor with multiple lenses. It's advertised as a 4K camera with a resolution of 12 megapixels. Various lenses are available, such as a regular optic for snapshots and a macro lens for taking photos of objects as close as 1.2 inches away. The X1 camera also works like a digital microscope with up to 400x magnification. For comparison, even high-quality light microscopes typically max out at around 1000x, as significantly higher magnification isn't possible due to physical limitations, regardless of quality.

In addition, the camera measures 3.1 x 3.66 x 0.65 inches and comes with a 3.5-inch display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, which allows users to view images. Littpopo states that the camera can also be connected to an external monitor, while photos are stored on a microSD card with up to 512GB of storage. Meanwhile, the battery can be charged via USB Type-C and has a runtime of up to four hours. Alternatively, microscope lenses that can be mounted on smartphones are also available on Amazon at relatively low prices.