A stereo microscope is different from a compound microscope because a stereo microscope uses two optical paths instead of just one. The two eyepieces in a stereo microscope transfer an image of the given sample from two different angles, resulting in a three-dimensional view and enabling you to perceive the depth and dimensions of thick specimens, like eggs or embryos.

A stereo microscope is used for low-magnification applications, allowing high-quality, 3D observation of subjects that are normally visible to the naked eye. In life science stereo microscope applications, this could involve the observation of insects or plant life. Also, it is often referred to as a dissecting microscope, due to its usefulness in biological dissection work.

Using a stereo microscope is relatively simple. The specimen you are viewing is placed on the stage plate—if it is a live specimen, a glass petri dish can be used to contain it. To view the specimen, switch on the light source on the stereo microscope and adjust the eyepieces so that you can comfortably look through the microscope. You can also observe in high magnification by adjusting the zoom, without changing the objective of each magnification such as on an upright/inverted microscope.