The new Olympus SZX2 revolving nosepieces and zoom encoders provide a precise, direct-to-software readout of the objective and zoom-factor in use. Available for both the SZX10 and SZX16 advanced stereo microscopes, the encoders ensure that the exact optical magnification associated with each image is displayed and recorded during imaging using either the cell or Stream software families. Thanks to the advancement of stereo optics, the Olympus SZX10 and SZX16 Galileo-type zoom stereo microscopes have set the standard for documentation, measuring and advanced particle analysis. In order to make measurement results more accurate, reliable and traceable, Olympus now offers both a revolving nosepiece encoder and a zoom encoder, which provide direct-to-software readouts of the objective in use and the exact zoom-factor, respectively. Both encoders integrate fully with the Olympus Stream software family packages for materials science imaging and the cell family software programmes (cell^A - cell^P) for life science imaging. Existing SZX10 and SZX16 users can also benefit from these new developments as both microscopes can be upgraded with the new encoder systems.