Leica DC500 – Technical data

Housing Metal with fan

Size (L × W × H) 157mm × 92mm × 123mm
Weight 900g
Exposure 0.25 milliseconds – 600 seconds
Live image On computer screen
Live image size interpolated to a max. of 865 pixel × 685 pixel
Cooling Active (Peltier cooling), fan
External manual trigger Present
Flash synchronization Present
Shading correction Present
Sensor
CCD sensor 2/3” – CCD ICX085AK Progressive scan
Sensitive surface 8.6mm × 6.9mm
Pixel size 6.7µm × 6.7µm
Number of pixels 1300 pixel × 1030 pixel, 1.3 Mpixels
Total pixels (highest resolution) 3900 pixel × 3090 pixel, 12 Mpixels
Color filter RGB Bayer
Signal-to-noise ratio 2000:1; 66 db
Dynamic range (f-stops) 11
AD converter 14-bit

© by Leica Microsystems Imaging Solutions Ltd., Cambridge, UK 2003. PIB-IA464. Part Number 12878896
Due to a Policy of continued development we reserve the right to change specifications without notice.
Protective filter Hoya C-500S
Binning mode 2 ×2, 3 ×3, 4 ×4, 5 ×5
Software
Data size (true pixel and interpolated) 1.3 MB – 35 MB (8-bit color) 2.6 MB – 69 MB (16-bit color)
Supported operating systems PC Win2000, WinNT4 SP5, Win XP
Supported operating systems MAC Mac OS9.2, Mac OSX
Software PC TWAIN driver software, Leica IM50 archiving software
Software MAC Leica FireCam Application (MAC)
Interfaces
Optical C-Mount
Recommended video adapter 0.63 ×
Data TWAIN, IEEE 1394 FireWire
Power supply 12 – 33V via computer
Computer FireWire interface card
Miscellaneous
Minimum Computer configuration PC Pentium III, 512 MB RAM, 24 Bit True Color, 1PCI Slot, CD-ROM drive
Minimum Computer configuration MAC G3, G4, 512 MB RAM, CD-ROM drive
Operating temperature range +5 to +35°C
Air humidity max 80%

Equipment components
Order numbers
12 447 108 Leica DC500 CCD camera
12 447 120 2m cable for DC500
12 447 140 optional 4.5m cable for DC500
12 447 053 FireWire PCI card (PC)
12 447 119 Leica driver software (PC)
12 447 127 Leica FireCam Application (MAC)

Leica Microsystems Digital Imaging Tel: +44 1223 411101

PO Box 86, 515 Coldhams Lane Fax: +44 1223 412526
Cambridge CB1 3XJ Email: imaging.marketing@leica-microsystems.com
United Kingdom URL: www.microscopy-imaging.com
 Leica DC500
High-resolution Digital Camera System
with 12 Megapixel Power
 Top Technology for
Professional Documentation
Increasing demands in research and tech-
nology and ever more complex tasks in science
and industry require innovative solutions. The
immediate availability of high-quality image
data for precise measurement, analysis and
processing plays a significant role in modern
microscopy. The Leica DC500 12 Megapixel
camera is perfect for the professional who places
top priority on excellent resolution and color,
maximum image quality and an abundance of
information. The control program designed for
the camera provides not only easy to use camera
operating functions, but can also be used to
process, analyse and archive digital images.
With these advantages, the Leica DC500 offers
greater efficiency in the processes required
for scientific photography and microscopy in
industrial image recording.
Greater detail, more information
The Leica DC500 lets even the most demanding
users benefit from the full resolution of their high-
quality research microscopes. The enormous
resolution offered by the Leica DC500 of up to 12
real Megapixels at a color depth of 42-bit RGB is
the result of 36 partial exposures. Now, even the
subtlest structures and color shades can be
observed visually and recorded digitally. The
Leica DC500 ensures pin-sharp detail without
moiré effect, color fringing or blooming.
Great results, even with poor lighting
In addition to its optimized use for all common
microscope processes, such as incidental and
transmitted light, the Leica DC500 is ideal for
weak fluorescence and capturing the images of
extremely poor lit specimens. With combined
cooling from a Peltier element and fan, the CCD
Sensor provides perfect image and color quality
even from long exposures. The 2/3” CCD Sensor
requires no mechanical connection and is de-
signed for exposure times from 1/4000 second to
600 seconds. With an encapsulated, nitrogen-
filled, integrated cooling system, condensation
on the optics poses no threat even under very
humid conditions.
 Flexibility in all applications
The Leica DC500 allows unrestricted application
of all common contrast, light and dark procedures
in microscopy as well as for difficult fluores-
cence imaging. A choice of recording modes
and resolutions provide optimized image quality
in all applications.
Intuitive solutions for PCs and MACs
The camera software makes digital recording on
the screen quick and easy. It doesn’t matter
whether a PC or a MAC is used, it is easy to oper-
ate using an interface specially designed for
microscopy applications. Functions which are
used intuitively offer numerous image capture
and editing functions. This guarantees that the
recorded images are immediately available for
viewing and further processing, offering optimum
quality, and full use can be made of all the
benefits of digital technology.
Research Microscope Leica DM5000
with Leica DC500 Digital Camera
Feature highlights
• Real 12 Megapixel resolution and 42-bit RGB color depth
• Four individual selectable resolutions between
1030 pixels × 1300 pixels (1.3 Mpixels) and
3090 pixels × 3600 pixels (12 Mpixels)
• Precise rendering of the subtlest color shades and pin-sharp
details
• Perfect image and color quality without noise
• High dynamic range records very dark and bright image areas
• Exposure times from 1/4000 - 600 seconds
• 5 binning stages to increase sensitivity
• Fast screen refresh for focusing and comfortably monitoring
image composition
• Intuitive user interface with easy-to-use image capture
and processing functions
• Camera power supply and fast data transfer through
a standard FireWire IEEE 1394 interface
• Easy and fast connection to any microscope
with C-Mount adapters