Which is best for GFP imaging: APX100, EVOS M3000, EVOS M5000 or Leica Mateo FL?

For routine GFP checks in UK tissue-culture labs, the EVOS M3000 is the best value. For automated multichannel and plate screening, the Evident APX100 wins with its AI sample navigator, 8-position fluorescence turret and gradient contrast. For hood-side cell-culture analysis with built-in confluency counting, choose the Leica Mateo FL. For live-cell time-lapse and four-colour work, the EVOS M5000 is the stronger fit.

Does the Evident APX100 need an external PC?

No. The APX100 is a standalone benchtop system with embedded software, integrated camera and automatic sample folder management. It can be operated without an external PC.

How many fluorescence channels does each microscope support?

Evident APX100 supports up to 8 filter cubes. EVOS M3000 typically ships with 1–2 LED light cubes, most often GFP/RFP. EVOS M5000 supports four-colour fluorescence. Leica Mateo FL has a 4-line LED engine and a 5-position automated fluorescence turret.

What UK tier are these systems in?

In the UK, the EVOS M3000 sits in the Entry to Mid-range tier. The Leica Mateo FL and EVOS M5000 sit in the Mid-range tier. The Evident APX100 spans Mid-range to Premium depending on camera, objectives and TruAI options. Contact the manufacturer or an authorised UK distributor for an exact quote.

Can any of these systems do live-cell time-lapse?

The EVOS M5000 supports time-lapse and optional on-stage incubation, making it the strongest of the four for live-cell work. The Evident APX100 can also do time-lapse and offers optional incubator and drug-administration units. The EVOS M3000 and Leica Mateo FL are not primarily designed for long-term live-cell incubation.

Evident APX100 vs EVOS M3000 vs M5000 vs Leica Mateo FL UK 2026

🇬🇧 UK-focused independent comparison. Plankton & Zoom is an independent microscopy comparison site. We do not sell, resell or broker microscope quotes. We link to Evident Scientific UK, Thermo Fisher Scientific UK and Leica Microsystems UK so you can request a current quote, demo or stock check.

Head-to-Head Verdict

Four all-in-one systems, four different sweet spots

The Evident APX100, EVOS M3000, EVOS M5000 and Leica Mateo FL all target UK labs that want fluorescence imaging without a traditional research microscope. Each occupies a distinct position for GFP and multichannel cell-culture work:

Evident APX100 — the most capable benchtop research platform here. Automated 8-cube fluorescence, AI sample navigator, gradient contrast through plastic, Z-stacks, stitching and optional TruAI deconvolution.
EVOS M3000 — the simplest standalone value option. Two-channel LED fluorescence (GFP/RFP), monochrome camera, touchscreen and zero PC overhead.
EVOS M5000 — the live-cell upgrade path. Four-colour fluorescence, Z-stack, stage tracking and optional environmental control for time-lapse work.
Leica Mateo FL — the culture-hood analytical choice. Automated phase contrast turret, 4-line LED fluorescence, confluency and cell counting built in.

This comparison focuses on specs and workflows that matter for GFP and multichannel imaging in UK cell-culture labs, with a clear best-for recommendation table and UK distributor guidance.

Specifications Comparison

Feature	Evident APX100	EVOS M3000	EVOS M5000	Leica Mateo FL
UK tier	Mid-range to Premium	Entry to Mid-range	Mid-range	Mid-range
Imaging modes	Brightfield, phase, gradient contrast, multichannel fluorescence, Z-stack, stitching, time-lapse	Brightfield, phase, 2-channel LED fluorescence	Brightfield, phase, colour, 4-colour fluorescence, Z-stack, time-lapse	Brightfield, automated phase, 4-line LED fluorescence
Max fluorescence channels	Up to 8-position turret (DAPI, GFP/FITC, RFP, far-red)	Typically 2 LED cubes (GFP/RFP common)	4-colour fluorescence	4-line LED engine; 5-position automated fluorescence turret
Light source	Broadband LED fluorescence + LED transmitted	LED fluorescence (>50,000 h)	LED (>50,000 h)	4-line LED (UV/blue/green/red) + white LED transmitted
Camera	Built-in monochrome; higher-end camera option with open port	Monochrome CMOS	High-sensitivity monochrome CMOS	6 MP colour + 6 MP mono integrated
Display / control	Embedded OS; no external PC	Integrated touchscreen; no external PC	18.5-inch HD articulated monitor; on-board acquisition	15.6-inch tiltable monitor; embedded OS; no external PC
Autofocus / navigation	AI sample navigator; high-speed autofocus; motorised spherical aberration correction	Manual focus; simple touch-based capture	Automated stage tracking; Z-stack autofocus	Automated focus; encoded 6-position nosepiece; automated phase turret
Live-cell time-lapse	Optional incubator and drug-administration units	Not designed for long-term incubation	Built-in time-lapse; optional on-stage incubation	Limited; not designed for long-term live-cell incubation
Plate / plastic compatibility	Gradient contrast and correction for plastic dishes / multi-well plates; images through lids	Slides, dishes, plates with appropriate stage inserts	Slides, dishes, plates; stage tracking and tiling	Hood-friendly footprint; designed for cell-culture vessels
Software / analysis	Embedded acquisition; TruAI deconvolution options; exports JPEG/TIFF/MP4	On-board capture and annotation; JPEG/PNG/TIFF export	On-board acquisition, analysis and annotation	Built-in confluency, cell count and transfection efficiency
External PC required	No	No	No	No
Standout feature	AI sample navigator + 8-cube fluorescence + gradient contrast	Lowest-cost standalone GFP/RFP workflow	Four-colour + live-cell time-lapse	Automated analysis (confluency, cell count) in a hood-ready unit

Sources: Evident APEXVIEW APX100 product page, Thermo Fisher EVOS M3000, Thermo Fisher EVOS M5000, Leica Mateo FL specifications. Confirm current configurations and UK support terms with an authorised distributor.

UK Distributor & Pricing Guidance

Plankton & Zoom does not sell microscopes. For a current UK quotation, demonstration or lead-time estimate, contact the manufacturer or an authorised UK distributor directly:

Evident APX100 — supplied in the UK by Evident Scientific UK and authorised Evident distributors. Expect Mid-range to Premium pricing depending on camera, objectives and TruAI modules.
EVOS M3000 / M5000 — supplied by Thermo Fisher Scientific UK and Fisher Scientific UK. The M3000 sits in the Entry to Mid-range tier; the M5000 in the Mid-range tier.
Leica Mateo FL — supplied by Leica Microsystems UK and authorised Leica distributors, typically in the Mid-range tier.

Prices change with exchange rates, objectives, filters, warranties and installation packages. Always request an official written quotation before budgeting.

View APX100 on Evident UK → View EVOS M5000 → View EVOS M3000 → View Mateo FL →

Best For: Recommendation Table

Lab workflow	Our pick	Why
Routine GFP/RFP checks on a budget	EVOS M3000	Lowest-cost standalone fluorescence; no PC; proven in UK tissue-culture labs.
Automated multichannel plates, stitching, Z-stacks	Evident APX100	8-cube turret, AI sample navigator, gradient contrast through plastic lids, TruAI deconvolution.
Live-cell time-lapse and four-colour work	EVOS M5000	Four-colour fluorescence, Z-stack, stage tracking and optional on-stage incubation.
Cell-culture hood with built-in confluency / counting	Leica Mateo FL	Automated phase turret, 4-line LED, confluency measurement, cell count and transfection efficiency.
Publication-quality images from slides, dishes and well plates	Evident APX100	Higher-resolution camera options, stitching, Z-stacks and AI-assisted sample finding.
Teaching or multi-user facility	EVOS M3000	Simplest interface and lowest barrier to entry for new users.

Key Strengths & Trade-Offs

Evident APX100

Most capable platform of the four for multichannel research imaging.
Gradient contrast and AI navigator save time on multi-well plates.
Premium over the others; over-specified if you only need occasional GFP checks.

EVOS M3000

Best value standalone GFP/RFP imager.
Zero PC overhead; fits tissue-culture hoods.
Limited to roughly two channels and no long-term live-cell support.

EVOS M5000

Four-colour fluorescence plus Z-stack and time-lapse.
Environmental chamber option for live-cell assays.
More expensive than M3000; may exceed needs for simple culture checks.

Leica Mateo FL

Built-in confluency and cell counting reduce manual work.
Hood-friendly design and automated phase/fluorescence turrets.
Less suited to advanced multi-position scanning or deconvolution than the APX100.

Comparison FAQ

Which is best for GFP imaging in a UK cell-culture lab?

For routine GFP checks the EVOS M3000 is the best value. For AI-assisted multichannel plate work, choose the Evident APX100. For hood-side analysis with confluency counting, the Leica Mateo FL is strongest. For four-colour live-cell time-lapse, step up to the EVOS M5000.

Do any of these need an external PC?

No. All four are standalone systems with embedded software and integrated cameras or monitors. This is a major advantage over traditional research microscopes in busy UK labs.

How many fluorescence channels can each system run?

APX100: up to 8 filter cubes. EVOS M5000: 4-colour fluorescence. Leica Mateo FL: 4-line LED engine with 5-position automated turret. EVOS M3000: typically 1–2 LED cubes, most commonly GFP and RFP.

Which is best for multi-well plates?

The Evident APX100 is designed for multi-well plates: gradient contrast images through plastic lids, motorised spherical aberration correction, AI sample navigator and high-accuracy stitching.

Which is best for live-cell time-lapse?

The EVOS M5000 is the strongest of the four, with built-in time-lapse and optional on-stage incubation. The Evident APX100 can also do time-lapse with optional incubator and drug-administration accessories.

Related UK Microscopy Guides

Evident APX100 Review UK 2026 — full APX100 review and specifications.
Best microscope for GFP imaging — broader GFP microscope comparison.
Best inverted microscope UK 2026 — compare EVOS, Zeiss, Leica and Nikon inverted systems.
EVOS M3000 vs M5000 vs M7000 UK — full Thermo Fisher EVOS line-up.
Leica Mateo FL Review UK — detailed review of the Mateo FL for cell culture.

References

Evident Scientific. APEXVIEW APX100 product page. Accessed 15 September 2026.
Thermo Fisher Scientific UK. EVOS M3000 Imaging System. Accessed 15 September 2026.
Thermo Fisher Scientific UK. EVOS M5000 Imaging System. Accessed 15 September 2026.
Leica Microsystems. Mateo technical specifications. Accessed 15 September 2026.

Evident APX100 vs EVOS M3000, M5000 & Leica Mateo FL UK 2026