Why is resolution more important than magnification for seeing fine detail?

Resolution is more important than magnification because it defines the actual ability of a microscope to distinguish fine detail, whereas magnification simply enlarges an image without necessarily adding new information.12

The resolution of a microscope is determined by the numerical aperture (N.A.) of the objective lens and the wavelength of light used. According to the theory established by Ernst Abbe, an objective must be able to collect the diffracted light waves produced by the specimen's fine structures to reconstruct them in the image. If an objective has an insufficient N.A., it cannot capture these waves, meaning the fine details will not be resolved regardless of how much the image is enlarged.13

Attempting to increase the size of an image using a high-power eyepiece when the objective lacks the necessary resolution results in what is known as empty magnification. In this state, the image appears larger, but no additional detail is revealed, rendering the extra magnification useless for scientific analysis. Therefore, resolution is the fundamental limit of what can be seen, while magnification is merely a tool for viewing that resolved detail at a convenient scale.32