Confocal microscopes work to block out of focus light by utilising the pinhole and therefore generate clearer images than those from a widefield system. Laser scanning confocal microscopes (LSCM) utilise a detector and point scanning system. Functional imaging is available on the Leica SP5, and multiphoton imaging on the Zeiss 980. Airyscan and Airyscan 2 detectors on the Zeiss confocals allow for increased resolution.

This confocal is also capable of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy and Fluorescence Cross Correlation Spectroscopy.

The Leica SP5 is a fast broadband confocal, capable of a full range of scan speeds at the highest resolution. The high-efficiency SP detection system (five channels simultaneously) and the fast AOBS (Acousto Optical Beam Splitter, instead of dichroic mirrors)