Digital cameras have become commonplace, and people have grown accustomed to the advantages of having pictures saved as digital photo files. As the advantages of digital photos become more apparent, many are also looking for ways to preserve older family pictures. There are many top quality photo scanners available to home users who want to convert family photos to digital.
Epson Perfection V700 Photo
ConsumerSearch rated the Epson Perfection V700 as the best scanner for advanced hobbyist and professional use. It can scan photos up to 4800 dpi scale, and process slides and film at 6400 dpi with included adapters. Features include the ability to digitally remove scratches and dust from images, and the capability of setting multiple user profiles. It also comes with an advanced software bundle for editing and retouching. There is no feeder, however, so each document must be handled individually. For the occasional user, the 6400 dpi resolution is unnecessary, and its average $550 price may keep the Epson Perfection V700 from being a top choice for some. There are several other models in the Epson Perfection line that may be more suitable for less advanced or occasional users.
Pandigital Photolink One-Touch Scanner
Pandigital is known largely for digital photo frames, but they also make photo scanners. These inexpensive handheld scanners are designed for small photos, up to 5 x 7. The Pandigital Photolink has a built-in memory card reader that supports any of five different media types, and scans directly to the memory card. It scans quickly, processing most photos within a few seconds. Reviewers give this sheet-fed scanner high scores for ease of use and portability, and its price will be attractive for casual users. One disadvantage to the Pandigital Photolink, however, is that it cannot be connected directly to your computer. Scans must be saved to the memory card, although they can be downloaded by USB to the computer. Some reviewers have also complained about lines and distortion in scans with some models, especially after repeated use.
Nikon Super Coolscan Series
As makers of highly regarding cameras and photography equipment, it's probably not surprising that Nikon also makes a top rated photo scanner. They offer high resolution, and the Coolscan can handle not only photos, but 35mm slides and negatives as well, and it comes with editing software suitable for advanced or professional users. Scan time varies from roughly 30 seconds to approximately three minutes, depending on what options chosen on the scan. The Coolscan also renders subtle colors well because of the ED glass used for the flatbed. The Coolscan is more expensive than many scanners, making it more suitable for advanced hobbyists or professional users.
HP Scanjet Photo Scanners
Hewlett Packard has a variety of scanners in their Scanjet series, which are mostly relatively inexpensive scanners suitable for hobbyists and casual users. Specifications vary with model, but most of these flat-bed scanners scan up to 4800 dpi. They come bundled with easy to use software for basic photo retouching, such as removing scratches, adjusting color, and correcting red eye. Scanjets easily attach to your computer with hi-speed USB cables, and many also can be used for black & white photocopies. Most models can process slides and negatives, but will produce the best results with photos.
Tags: Epson Perfection, Epson Perfection V700, memory card, Pandigital Photolink, Perfection V700
