Quantitative comparison of camera technologies for cost-effective Super-resolution Optical Fluctuation Imaging (SOFI)

Super-resolution (SR) fluorescence microscopy, especially at high speeds, is typically carried out on high-performance research microscopes. The substantial cost of such equipment, combined with the limited distribution of such instruments in imaging facilities, have complicated access to super-resolution imaging for research groups in the biosciences. In this work we promote the accessibility of Super-resolution Optical Fluctuation Imaging (SOFI) to the scientific community by demonstrating its flexibility in terms of the minimal required performance of the imaging system. We show that SOFI data can be acquired using a very cost-efficient industrial-grade detector on both a standard research microscope and an entirely home-built wide-field system. This enables more scientists to enter the field of live-cell super-resolution imaging, as it provides access to a robust and fast SR imaging modality at comparatively modest cost.