# National Optical DC5-163 vs OMAX M837ZL: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the National Optical DC5-163 (National Optical & Scientific Instruments) and OMAX M837ZL (OMAX) among microscopes.

## Side by side

| Spec | National Optical DC5-163 | OMAX M837ZL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | not published | not published |
| Brand | National Optical & Scientific Instruments | OMAX |
| Max magnification | 1000 | 2500 |
| Head type | Binocular, 30-degree inclined, dual diopter, with 3-position beam-splitter (100% binocular / 100% camera / 70:30 split) | Trinocular, LED compound |
| Illumination type | 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat | LED, adjustable brightness |
| Objective count | 4 | 4 |
| Mechanical stage | Yes | Yes |
| Condenser type | Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus, swing-out filter holder (clear/blue/green/yellow) | Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm |
| Camera compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Focus mechanism | Coaxial coarse (tension-adjustable) and fine (graduated) | — |

## Key differences

- Max magnification: National Optical DC5-163 1000 vs OMAX M837ZL 2500
- Head type: National Optical DC5-163 Binocular, 30-degree inclined, dual diopter, with 3-position beam-splitter (100% binocular / 100% camera / 70:30 split) vs OMAX M837ZL Trinocular, LED compound
- Illumination type: National Optical DC5-163 12V 20W halogen with variable rheostat vs OMAX M837ZL LED, adjustable brightness
- Condenser type: National Optical DC5-163 Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm, rack-and-pinion focus, swing-out filter holder (clear/blue/green/yellow) vs OMAX M837ZL Abbe, N.A. 1.25, iris diaphragm

## Sources

- National Optical DC5-163: https://www.homesciencetools.com/content/reference/MI-163DC5.pdf (homesciencetools.com, verified 2026-08-01)
- OMAX M837ZL: https://www.omaxmicroscope.com/products/m837zl-tp (omaxmicroscope.com, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/microscopes/national-optical-dc5-163-vs-omax-m837zl/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, National Optical DC5-163 (not published) vs OMAX M837ZL (not published) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/microscopes/national-optical-dc5-163-vs-omax-m837zl/
License: CC BY 4.0.