Over $1,000

This category includes microscopes that are basically upgrades to the microscopes in the previous price categories, and microscopes that are in a completely different realm, where specialized applications require different architectures (like inverted microscopes) or the limits of resolution are being pushed (laser confocal scanning microscopes, electron microscopes, etc.).

These microscopes might combine bright field, dark field, phase contrast, and epi-fluorescence capability in one device, without the need to upgrade with kits.  They will generally have Kohler illumination, and PLAN objectives, or PLAN apochromatic objectives.