Choosing a Photo Scanner
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Learn How to Choose the Right Photo Scanner
This page will offer you some basic information on how to choose the right photo scanner based upon the type of work you want to do. Use the expandable Table of Contents below to quickly find the information or photo scanner you want on this page.
Contents at a Glance
What Do You Want to Scan?
The type of scanner you buy will be based on the type of work you want to do with it.Is It the Right Size?
Flatbed scanners are the most common type of photo scanner. If a flatbed scanner is chosen, then the bed size has to accomodate the items to be scanned. If the user will scan 12"x 17" documents, then the bedsize should be at least this large. Some scanners will produce enlargements of your photos. The bedsize on the scanner may be smaller than the enlargements you produce as the bedsize only needs to accommodate the size of your originals. It must however, be able to accomodate the paper size needed for the enlargment. Image Quality
The quality of the images a photo scanner can produce is determined primarily by color depth/bit depth and resolution. In general, 36 to 48 bit depth is more than enough for most purposes.A minimum resolution of 300dpi or 300spi is sufficient for text documents but 1200 dpi/spi is needed for photo reproduction. Film/negatives require at minmum of at least 2400dpi.
Looking for a "dynamic range" of at least 3.2 is also advised for the best quality.
Speed
If you have only an occasional need to scan and scan in small volumes, speed isn't so critical with the photo scanner you choose. However, if you have much to do speed becomes quite important.A good generally rule is that a photo scanner with an average speed of 10-20 seconds to scan an 8 x10" image is sufficient for most uses.
Other Functions
Photo scanners like other home electronics are cabable of multi-tasking.Can the scanner scan to print, scan to file, fax, or e-mail? Does it come with software to allow it to scan, edit and even take text to a word processing file or convert to a PDF file. Some scanners come with software that allows quite a lot of restoration and editing. Some also allow you to enlarge images and others have built in restoration features.
Flatbed scanners are also available that can scan film or slides if shoppers check for such features.
Compatibility
Obviously any photo scanner should have compatible connections to existing devices; particularly your computer and be compatible with the OS as well. USB 2.0 or Firewire connectivity are recommended for faster transfer. Canon CanoScan 9000F
Canon CanoScan 9000F Color Image Scanner
Amazon Price: $441.94 (as of 02/14/2012)![]()
This Canon photo scanner provides great resolution, high speed, and automated functions to assure the best looking results. It can automatically remove dust and scratches, correct backlight, grain, and fading, and in the Auto Scan mode, can detect what you are scanning and make the appropriate adjustments. It can even eliminate the dark "gutter" that occurs when scanning pages from a book.
It offers 9600 dpi resolution and 48-bit color depth and can scan, copy or create e-mail attachments and PDFs. Users can scan and copy photos, documents, and 35mm film/slides They can scan and transfer images to computer quickly via USB 2.0. It's an energy conscious device thanks to the white LED and it helps get the job done quickly with zero warm-up time.
Epson - Perfection V500 Photo - Photo Scanner
Click on the image to learn more or to buy

Epson Perfection V600
Epson Perfection V600 Photo Color Scanner (B11B198011)
Amazon Price: $199.99 (as of 02/14/2012)![]()
This photo scanner measures 11" x 19" x 4.6". It allows you to scan slides, negatives, medium format panoramic film (up to 6 x 22 cm) documents, photos, and even 3D objects. It creates scans with 6400 x 9600 dpi resolution in sizes up to 17' x 22". Users can restore photos with the 1 Touch Color Restoration and Adobe Photoshop Elements. With OCR software they can also convert documents into editable text.
Canon CanoScan LiDE110
Canon CanoScan LiDE110 Color Image Scanner (4507B002)
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 02/14/2012)![]()
This is a Windows/Mac compatible device from Canon. It's ideal for any size or configuration of work space as it can be set up in portrait, landscape, or upright. It gives you the ability to scan, copy, e-mail, or create PDF documents and can accommodate a variety of sizes. With the Auto Scan Mode it can determine the size of a document/photo, scan it, and save it in the appropriate file format with just the press of a button, From business cards to photos to textbook pages.
It features an Advaned Z-Lid expansion top that makes scanning bulky items an easier task.
The Auto Document Fix completes an area-by-area analysis and makes the necessary adjustments to assure you get sharp, clear, color accurate results without the defects. It can produce letter sized color scans in 16 to 18 seconds and provides 2400x4800 dpi resolution with 48-bit color depth. With high speed USB, you can transfer images to computer quickly and share important documents as well.
Epson Perfection V700 Color Flatbed Photo Scanner
Epson Perfection V700 Photo Color Scanner
Amazon Price: $549.98 (as of 02/14/2012)![]()
This Epson photo scanner is capable of scanning photos, documents, medium format film, slides and negatives. It provides 6400 dpi resolution for outstanding quality. It has 48-bit color and 16-bit grayscale and allows you to restore/fix photo color, scratches, and more.
Epson Expression 10000 XL Photo Scanner

Epson Perfection 4490 Photo Scanner

Epson Perfection V300 Photo Scanner

If you didn't find what you want, look here for more photo scanners
More Helpful Information About Photo Scanners
- Care for a Photo Scanner
- Useful information about caring for a photo scanner and how to avoid damage.
- Choosing the Right Resolution
- Find out more about choosing the right resolution when scanning images.
- How Stuff Works
- Learn more about how a photo scanner works.
- Pop Photo
- The latest product reviews and tests.
Photo Scanner: Did You Find the Scanner You Want? Let Us Know!
If you didn't find what you needed on this page, visit our full service home electronics store.
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Alba
Aug 26, 2011 @ 6:21 am | delete
- With a slide and negative scanner, you will be able to turn all the negatives you have currently lying around the house into high-quality digital pictures on your computer. You will be able to choose from a number of formats to convert these into once they are scanned in, making it a truly convenient and efficient device to have in your home. It is important for you to select a negative scanner that can produce only the best, clearest and brightest pictures for your computer. With all of the people who are making the switch the digital for their pictures, you will want to be in on all of the different kinds of devices that are coming out, including these.
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LensSeller
Apr 18, 2011 @ 8:52 am | delete
- An outstanding and helpful lens which has given me some great ideas.
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squidootime
Apr 14, 2011 @ 5:48 am | delete
- Thanks for the info - very useful. When my HP packs in I'll know what to do!
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Spook
Feb 9, 2011 @ 11:51 am | delete
- As is always the case with you. Absolutely first class.
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MissMerFaery
Jan 21, 2011 @ 7:19 pm | delete
- Great guide - I always get confused by things like dpi! Blessed.
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Philippians468
Jan 10, 2011 @ 8:43 am | delete
- not yet, but i'm filled with ideas! thank you for such a great lens! cheers
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pmolinero
Dec 13, 2010 @ 3:30 am | delete
- I have an Epson scanner, I am quite happy with its results. Just in times of digital cameras I am not using it that much anymore.
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Irenemaria
Dec 13, 2010 @ 2:40 am | delete
- Fantastic stuff on this lens! I have an old printer/scanner/copier now. One day I will have to get a new. Thank you for all the tips!
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cbaltt
Nov 4, 2010 @ 6:07 pm | delete
- Great info. I love my Canon 8800.
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BoosterGold
Oct 25, 2010 @ 1:33 pm | delete
- Those are some great tips for document scanning. It can be such a pain sometimes. It's silly to maintain 2 sets of documents, but we should do what we must. http://www.caso.com
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Introduction: lokate366.
by mulberry
Have old photos you want to manipulate, save, store, or share online? You can do all of this with the help of a photo scanner.
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