A magnifier for use by people with low vision includes a large LCD display upon which an enlarged image appears. Light from an LED is directed in a first direction onto a deflection wall where it is deflected into a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The deflected light impinges upon a diffuser that bends it so that it illuminates an object upon which the magnifier is placed. The light is then reflected by the object, through the diffuser, and onto a mirror positioned at an angle relative to the object. The mirror directs the light onto a camera lens and the lens focuses the light onto a sensor that drives the LCD display so that the image appears on the LCD screen. The camera is slideably mounted so the user can make the image larger or smaller by sliding the camera toward or away from the mirror, respectively.