A stereo microscope or dissecting microscope is an optical microscope with a fixed or adjustable magnification (zoom) objective and is designed for observation of samples at relative low magnifications from 2,5 to 90 times (max. 300 times). These microscopes consists out of two distinct optical systems providing 2 images, one image for each eye. Subsequently, the human brain combines the two images to one 3-dimensional image with increased depth of focus
The stereo microscope is often used in education to study all kind of small objects like insects, flowers, minerals, coins, etc