# AmScope T490B-5MT vs National Optical DC5-163: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the AmScope T490B-5MT (AmScope) and National Optical DC5-163 (National Optical & Scientific Instruments) among microscopes.

## Side by side

| Spec | AmScope T490B-5MT | National Optical DC5-163 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $630.99 | not published |
| Brand | AmScope | National Optical & Scientific Instruments |
| Max magnification | 2000 | 1000 |
| Head type | Trinocular, vertical camera mount + Siedentopf binocular mount | Binocular, 30-degree inclined, dual diopter, with 3-position beam-splitter (100% binocular / 100% camera / 70:30 split) |
| Illumination type | Halogen, brightfield, rheostat intensity control | 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat |
| Objective count | 4 | 4 |
| Mechanical stage | Yes | Yes |
| Condenser type | Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus | Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus, swing-out filter holder (clear/blue/green/yellow) |
| Camera compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Focus mechanism | Coaxial coarse and fine focus with tension control | Coaxial coarse (tension-adjustable) and fine (graduated) |

## Key differences

- Max magnification: AmScope T490B-5MT 2000 vs National Optical DC5-163 1000
- Head type: AmScope T490B-5MT Trinocular, vertical camera mount + Siedentopf binocular mount vs National Optical DC5-163 Binocular, 30-degree inclined, dual diopter, with 3-position beam-splitter (100% binocular / 100% camera / 70:30 split)
- Illumination type: AmScope T490B-5MT Halogen, brightfield, rheostat intensity control vs National Optical DC5-163 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat
- Condenser type: AmScope T490B-5MT Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus vs National Optical DC5-163 Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus, swing-out filter holder (clear/blue/green/yellow)
- Focus mechanism: AmScope T490B-5MT Coaxial coarse and fine focus with tension control vs National Optical DC5-163 Coaxial coarse (tension-adjustable) and fine (graduated)

## Sources

- AmScope T490B-5MT: https://amscope.shop/products/amscope-t490b-5mt-digital-compound-trinocular-microscope-wf1-b004t6q852 (amscope.shop, verified 2026-08-01)
- National Optical DC5-163: https://www.homesciencetools.com/content/reference/MI-163DC5.pdf (homesciencetools.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/microscopes/amscope-t490b-5mt-vs-national-optical-dc5-163/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, AmScope T490B-5MT ($630.99) vs National Optical DC5-163 (not published) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/microscopes/amscope-t490b-5mt-vs-national-optical-dc5-163/
License: CC BY 4.0.