What does the Macropod do?

The Macropod – created by a group of American scientific researchers, calling themselves Macroscopic Solutions – is a portable 3D high-resolution macroscopic imaging device. Turns out everything looks amazing up close.

The Kickstarter campaign aims to raise $30,000, which will go towards improving the product's efficiency and lowering its retail cost. The Macropod currently sells for around $21,000 compared to its competitors at around $100,000, but the company's long-term aim is to get that price to below $10,000.

For every 10 macropods sold, one is donated to a high school to be used in science classes. The team say they want to "show people the world as it really exists".

The Macropod. Photograph: Daniel M Saftner, Mark R Smith, Annette E Evans and Joseph H Bellaire/Image Database: Macroscopic Solutions Photograph: Saftner, Daniel M., Smith, Mark R., Evans, Annette E. and Bellaire, Joseph H. (2013)/Image Database: Macroscopic Solutions, LLC.

How does it do it?

The Macropod uses automated image-stacking and compiles up to 500 single-frame photographs into one picture, resulting in completely focused, high-resolution, colour images. The essentials of taking a good photograph – lighting, exposure time, ISO, aperture and focus – are all made easy, so those with limited photography skills (like, perhaps, your average scientist) can take perfect pictures.

Tip of a human tongue, photographed by the Macropod. Photograph: Daniel M Saftner, Mark R Smith, Annette E Evans and Joseph H Bellaire/Image Database: Macroscopic Solutions Photograph: Saftner, Daniel M., Smith, Mark R., Evans, Annette E. and Bellaire, Joseph H. (2013)./Image Database: Macroscopic Solutions, LLC.

Why might it take off?

Just look at the pictures. Who doesn't want a Macropod? Over the years researchers have been using stereoscopes, microscopes or other imaging devices to record observations. These instruments are usually incredibly expensive and only show a tiny proportion of an object in detail.

The Macropod claims to overcome the depth-of-field limitations that are inherent in most micro- and macro-imaging devices. Designed to work in the lab and in the field, it can shoot both still images and video.

A close-up of the wing of a callicore butterfly. Photograph: Daniel M Saftner, Mark R Smith, Annette E Evans and Joseph H Bellaire/Image Database: Macroscopic Solutions Photograph: Saftner, Daniel M., Smith, Mark R., Evans, Annette E. and Bellaire, Joseph H. (2013)./Image Database: Macroscopic Solutions, LLC.

Why might it fail to take off?

Macroscopic Solutions want the Macropod to be accessible for every child and adult with an interest in science – and wouldn't that be good?

But the Macropod will never be one of those cool gadgets you get for Christmas and lose interest in after a few weeks. The device consists of outsourced components, which have a limited production and are expensive. Even getting the costs down to a level feasible for schools will be a tall order. But, as long as buyers continue to be scientific research institutes, the costs won't necessarily stop the product being a success.

• Which smartphone has the best camera? - in pictures