# Olympus CX23 vs National Optical DC5-163: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Olympus CX23 (Olympus (Evident)) and National Optical DC5-163 (National Optical & Scientific Instruments) among microscopes.

## Side by side

| Spec | Olympus CX23 | National Optical DC5-163 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | not published | not published |
| Brand | Olympus (Evident) | National Optical & Scientific Instruments |
| Max magnification | 1000 | 1000 |
| Head type | Binocular or trinocular, 30-degree tube inclination | Binocular, 30-degree inclined, dual diopter, with 3-position beam-splitter (100% binocular / 100% camera / 70:30 split) |
| Illumination type | LED lamp, transmitted, uniform color temperature | 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat |
| Objective count | 4 | 4 |
| Mechanical stage | Yes | Yes |
| Condenser type | Abbe, N.A. 1.25 | 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 | Stage focus, 15mm coarse handle stroke, adjustable torque, coarse-limit stopper | Coaxial coarse (tension-adjustable) and fine (graduated) |

## Key differences

- Head type: Olympus CX23 Binocular or trinocular, 30-degree tube inclination 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: Olympus CX23 LED lamp, transmitted, uniform color temperature vs National Optical DC5-163 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat
- Condenser type: Olympus CX23 Abbe, N.A. 1.25 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: Olympus CX23 Stage focus, 15mm coarse handle stroke, adjustable torque, coarse-limit stopper vs National Optical DC5-163 Coaxial coarse (tension-adjustable) and fine (graduated)

## Sources

- Olympus CX23: https://evidentscientific.com/en/products/upright/cx23 (evidentscientific.com, 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/evident-olympus-cx23-vs-national-optical-dc5-163/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Olympus CX23 (not published) vs National Optical DC5-163 (not published) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/microscopes/evident-olympus-cx23-vs-national-optical-dc5-163/
License: CC BY 4.0.