A stereomicroscope is a type of optical microscope that provides a three-dimensional view of a specimen. It uses two separate optical paths, one for each eye, allowing for depth perception. This makes it ideal for examining larger, opaque objects like insects, plants, and small mechanical parts. Stereomicroscopes typically have lower magnification levels compared to compound microscopes, usually ranging from 10x to 40x. They are commonly used in fields such as biology, electronics, and jewelry making for tasks like dissection, assembly, and inspection, where detailed surface features are important.