The Front Desk Review

Best Microscopes · head-to-head

AmScope T490B-5MT vs Swift SW380T

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. AmScope T490B-5MT is cheaper at $630.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Full spec sheet

✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec AmScope T490B-5MT Swift SW380T
US price $630.99 —
BrandAmScopeSwift Optical
Released——
Max magnification 2000 2500
Head type Trinocular, vertical camera mount + Siedentopf binocular mount Trinocular, Siedentopf, 360-degree rotation, 30-degree ergonomic tilt
Illumination type Halogen, brightfield, rheostat intensity control LED, built-in
Objective count 4 4
Mechanical stage Yes Yes
Condenser type Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus Abbe, coarse and fine adjustment
Camera compatible Yes Yes
Focus mechanism Coaxial coarse and fine focus with tension control Dual coarse and ultra-fine focus controls

Sources — AmScope T490B-5MT: amscope.shop (verified 2026-08-01). Swift SW380T: microscopecrew.com (verified 2026-08-01).

What's the difference between the AmScope T490B-5MT and Swift SW380T?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Max magnification: AmScope T490B-5MT 2000 vs Swift SW380T 2500
  • Head type: AmScope T490B-5MT Trinocular, vertical camera mount + Siedentopf binocular mount vs Swift SW380T Trinocular, Siedentopf, 360-degree rotation, 30-degree ergonomic tilt
  • Illumination type: AmScope T490B-5MT Halogen, brightfield, rheostat intensity control vs Swift SW380T LED, built-in
  • Condenser type: AmScope T490B-5MT Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus vs Swift SW380T Abbe, coarse and fine adjustment
  • Focus mechanism: AmScope T490B-5MT Coaxial coarse and fine focus with tension control vs Swift SW380T Dual coarse and ultra-fine focus controls

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