A fruit fly larvae
Image of Distinction, 2012 Photomicrography Competition
Andrew Woolley, Kevin Otto, Michelle Drennan & James Clemens

Nikon’s Small World

Celebrating 49 years of images captured by the light microscope.

Nikon’s Small World is regarded as the leading forum for showcasing the beauty and complexity of life as seen through the light microscope. The Photomicrography Competition is open to anyone with an interest in microscopy and photography. The video competition, entitled Small World In Motion encompasses any movie or digital time-lapse photography taken through the microscope.

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Deadline for Entries

Apr 30, 2024

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Photomicrography Competition

The Nikon Small World Competition first began in 1975 as a means to recognize and applaud the efforts of those involved with photography through the light microscope. Since then, Small World has become a leading showcase for photomicrographers from the widest array of scientific disciplines.

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Video Competition

In 2011, Nikon announced that it would begin accepting movies taken through the microscope as a new category in the 37th annual Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. This new category, titled Small World in Motion, encompasses any movie or digital time-lapse photography taken through the microscope and adds a new, distinct discipline to the competition.

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Small World News

2024 Nikon Small World Wall Calendar Now Available for Purchase

The Nikon Small World 2024 Calendar is printed in full color on semi-gloss paper and spiral bound for mounting on the wall. Order your calendar today and we'll send you a second one at no cost!

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Nikon Support for Exhibition at Rijksmuseum Boerhaave

Nikon Europe B.V. is supporting a microscopy exhibition at the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave: ‘Unimaginable: How Antoni van Leeuwenhoek discovered the microworld’, by providing images from the Nikon Small World gallery to feature in the exhibition and to be used in an interactive game for student visitors.

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Masters of Microscopy

A profile of 2023 Small World winner Hassanain Qambari.

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Meet the Judges

Get to know the 2023 Small World and Small World in Motion judging panel.

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MicroscopyU

Nikon's MicroscopyU website features technical support and timely information about all aspects of optical microscopy, photomicrography, and digital imaging.

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Nikon Instruments

Nikon Instruments is a leader in microscope-based optical and imaging technologies for the life sciences and part of the Nikon Healthcare Business Division.

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