A scanning microscope for z-stack acquisition may include, a stage to hold a sample, an illumination source to illuminate the sample, and an image capture device configured to capture multiple images of the sample within a field of view of the image capture device. The microscope may also include a lateral actuator for changing a relative lateral position between the image capture device and an imaged portion of the sample within the field of view of the image capture device for each of the images, and a focus actuator configured to adjust a focal distance between the sample and the image capture device between each of the images. The microscope may further include a processor connected to the lateral actuator and the focus actuator to move the sample laterally relative to the field of view and capture an area of the sample for each of multiple movement paths.