Some flatbed photo scanners include a film holder for film negatives and slides.
Comparing photo scanners includes factors such as ease of operation, resolution and software. These electronic devices include sheet-fed scanners and flatbed scanners. Flatbeds allow document scanning through platen glass. Scanners with automatic document feeders scan multipage documents without manually inserting each page.
Controls
While some scanners feature button controls, others feature controls through software. Control buttons can trigger copy, scan or email functions, such as opening an email program with the scanned document attached.
Scanner Lids
The type of lid that covers the platen glass should accommodate the thickness of the photo or materials for scanning. Lids with two hinges or a high-rise style allow scanning from thick documents. Measuring how much clearance is needed between the lid or back surface of the document and the platen glass can help determine the type of lid desired.
Resolution and Scanning Speed
The manufacturer's specifications indicate the scanning resolution and scanning speed. High-quality scans require a high resolution. Please note that scanning resolution can have two different values: optical and enhanced. Optical resolution refers to the sensor's actual number of photo-sensitive sites, while enhanced pixel value refers to the approximate pixel value based on its neighbors.
Scanning speeds vary with different models. Some scanners scan slower at higher resolutions.
Software
Comparisons should include the software bundled with the scanner, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements. This included software may prove more economical than purchasing a scanner without software and then purchasing software separately. Options such as color restoration, dust and scratch removal, contrast and exposure correction, and grain reduction are part of the image-correction technology (ICE4 or Ice-quad) available with some scanners.
Tags: platen glass, photo scanners, pixel value, scanning resolution, some scanners
