Create MATLAB(?) script to count number of particles in images

Write script in e.g. MATLAB or Python to analyze ~100 images: the number of particles must be counted. Some particles are spherical, some are not, as displayed in the image. Occasionally particles overlap. The degree of non-sphericity and overlap varies between images, as does contrast. Particles GENERALLY contrast well against background, although there can be dark areas in corners of images. Average ~900 particles per image? Some images have been accurately counted by hand. Script must consistently achieve <5% error, and should average <2% or better. End result: table with image name/number in one column, and associated total particle count for each image in one column. (Manual count estimated to take ~3 days)