Epi-illumination simply refers to the fact that the illumination and observed light are both on the same side of the specimen. In other words, the illumination of the specimen is done through the objective lens. Most fluorescence microscopy is done this way using two narrow band filters (one in the excitation band and one in the emission band) and a dichroic mirror. Transmission illumination is rare in fluorescence microscopy and is most often used for imaging whole animals or thick tissues and not suitable for many other types of microscopy.

Depending on what you want to see in the microscope, you may need to consider inverted or upright. More detail on the type of cells and tissues you plan to image will allow for more detailed advice on the choice of microscope.

Epi-illumination simply refers to the fact that the illumination and observed light are both on the same side of the specimen. In other words, the illumination of the specimen is done through the objective lens. Most fluorescence microscopy is done this way using two narrow band filters (one in the excitation band and one in the emission band) and a dichroic mirror. Transmission illumination is rare in fluorescence microscopy and is most often used for imaging whole animals or thick tissues and not suitable for many other types of microscopy.

Depending on what you want to see in the microscope, you may need to consider inverted or upright. More detail on the type of cells and tissues you plan to image will allow for more detailed advice on the choice of microscope.

I agree with Ron.

The terms "epifluorescence" and "fluorescence" are basically the same techniques. 

Confocal fluorescence microscopy also exploits this principle and is often used over conventional fluorescence when seeking to observe sub-cellular distribution of fluorescence signal or working with thicker specimens.

Thank you for your reply.

The arrangement of optical components that permits illumination from above the specimen is termed epifluorescence illumination, epi-illumination, or reflected light illumination.