Various balanced detection systems which reduce alignment requirements of free space optics based balanced detection configurations are discussed. One example system includes a light source, a beam divider, sample optics, return optics, and a processor. The light source generates a light beam. The beam divider separates the light beam into reference and sample arms. The sample optics deliver the light beam in the sample arm to a light scattering object to be imaged. The return optics direct light to a balanced detection system, which has a balanced detection beam divider for combining light scattered from the object and light from the reference arm and directing the combined light into two detection channels and two detectors for collecting the combined light in the two detection channels and generating signals in response thereto. The processor processes the signals and generates image data of the object based on the processed signals.