An x-ray microscope uses a microfocus x-ray source with a focus spot of less than 10 micrometers and a Wolter condenser having a magnification of about four or more for concentrating x-rays from the source onto a sample. A detector is provided for detecting the x-rays after interaction with the sample, and an x-ray objective is used to form an image of the sample on the detector. The use of the Wolter optic addresses a problem with microfocus sources that arise when the size of the focal spot that must then be imaged onto the sample with the condenser is smaller than the field of view.