FAQ/Difference between Miniscope V3 and V4
From Miniscope
What's the difference between Miniscope V3 and Miniscope V4?
Miniscope V4 is the current generation (as of mid 2026). Key differences vs. V3: 1) Electrowetting lens (EWL): V4 has a built-in EWL that lets you adjust focus electronically across roughly a 200 µm range. V3 had a fixed focal plane set by mechanical lens placement. 2) Optics: V4 uses achromatic optics, dramatically reducing chromatic aberration in the objective itself. V3 used a 2 mm objective GRIN. 3) Head-orientation sensor: V4 includes a Bosch BNO055 9-axis IMU. V3 does not. 4) GRIN compatibility: V4 is designed for ~0.5-pitch relay GRIN lenses (Inscopix-compatible). V3's optical path used a 2 mm objective GRIN. For new projects, default to V4 (as of mid 2026) unless you have a specific reason to use V3 (e.g. an inherited surgical pipeline built around V3 optics).