. A compound microscope is a multi-lens, high-magnification, narrow field device designed to focus relatively close to the object/subject observed. The object/subject cannot be easily manipulated other than by mechanical stage.
The dissecting microscope, on the other hand, is a low power, long focal length, wide-field device intended for observing large object/subjects, and; thus, permitting physical manipulation of the object/subject by hand while observing it.