Compare and contrast the structure and function of a compound light microscope and a dissecting microscope. A). Both are electron microscopes, but the dissecting microscope has a higher magnification than the compound light microscope. B). Both are electron microscopes, but the compound light microscope can view only nonliving things. C). Both are light microscopes, but the compound light microscope has a higher magnification than the dissecting microscope. D). Both are light microscopes, but the dissecting microscope can view only nonliving things.