The DS-Fi1c employs a 5-Megapixel color matrix CCD for high resolution and breathtaking colors and optional camera control unit with a full range of features, including a crystal clear LCD display monitor. PC/Mac web browser support is also available for live image displays and camera control via network connection.

The DS-Fi1c uses a Peltier cooling mechanism to cool the area around the imaging section to 20° C below room temperature (compared to its un-cooled state). This enables it to suppress thermal background noise and obtain high-contrast images when capturing fluorescence images that require long exposure times.

The DS-Fi1c can be fitted with the DS-L3, a standalone control unit that includes an 8.4 inch LCD monitor. This standalone control unit can observe samples and capture images without connection to a PC.

With the DS-U3 PC control unit, live images can be viewed, recorded, measured, processed, and analyzed on a PC monitor by connecting the unit via Firewire 800 to a PC running Nikon's NIS-Elements Imaging Software.