A digital microscope includes a stationary stand body (12) and a pivot unit (14) that is mounted on a shaft (24) of the stand body (12), pivotably around the longitudinal axis (26) of the shaft (24). The pivot unit (14) includes an image sensing unit for acquiring images of objects to be examined microscopically. The microscope (10) further has a brake unit (22) for braking and/or immobilizing the pivot unit (14), and an actuation element (44) for releasing the brake unit (22). Also provided is an elastic element (82) that, upon pivoting of the pivot unit (14) out of a predetermined zero position, exerts a return moment (MR) on the pivot unit (14), the return moment (MR) being directed against a tangential moment (MT) brought about by the weight (G) of the pivot unit (14).