Hewlett Packard Officejet 5610 All-In-One InkJet Pri...
122 Stores $70 - $180
Scanner Buying Guide
The advent of digital photography has changed how we take photographs, but what about those boxes and albums filled with all the photographs taken years or even centuries ago? Scanning them and other large-volume collections (e.g., documents, art work, etc.) into digital format is the best way to preserve these visual histories for generations to come. As multifunction printers with scanning capabilities rise in popularity, it may seem that purchasing a dedicated scanner is no longer necessary, but that depends on your scanning needs. If those needs are more than the occasional document or collection of business cards, a dedicated scanner will produce greater quality digital images. Pronto’s Scanner Buying Guide explains the options so that when you go to buy, you already know what you’re looking for (see also Multifunction Printer Buying Guide).
More »
the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Are standalones worth it?
For scanning large volumes of documents, photographs, negatives, slides and even artwork, standalone scanners provide better quality scans than those built into multifunction or all-in-one printers and they won’t break the bank unless you need to invest in an super high-end machine (estimated price range $125-1,000).
Flatbed or sheet fed
Most experts will tell you that unless the physical size of the hardware is driving your decision, you should invest in a flatbed scanner. They can scan a wider variety of objects and generally produce sharper images than sheet-fed scanners.
Resolution
Optical resolution trumps interpolated resolution. The former is often called the scanner’s “true resolution” because unlike interpolated resolution, it’s not enhanced by software. Look for a minimum of 2400 dpi, even if you think you don’t need it. Be sure the scanner’s resolution doesn’t exceed your other devices’ resolution, especially your printers.
CCD vs. CIS
Contact Image Sensors (CIS) scanners are smaller than Charged Couple Device (CCD) scanners, use less power and are more stable. However, CIS don’t produce images quite as sharp as CCD scanners. If you’re a detail-oriented person, stick with CCD scanners. For casual or home use, CIS should be fine.
Software bundles
If you’re scanning documents you will need to edit. Look for optical character recognition (OCR) software that transforms the image into editable text. For photos and other graphical images, look for photo-editing software if you don’t have it already. If you’ll be scanning items that are old and perhaps flawed, some scanners come with built in or add on features that ‘erase’ imperfections.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
HP Scanjet G4050 Photo Scanner. Who says dedicated scanners have to cost a lot to product quality scans? Use the HP Scanjet G4050 to scan even more slides, negatives and photos with superior color accuracy. We like the wide-range of colors, its ability to restore color and retouch imperfections—all this for less than $200.
experts say
Technical Image Press Association - TIPA’s 2007 Best Flatbed Photo Scanner “The Hewlett-Packard Scanjet G4050 gives superior colour accuracy and photo reproduction, thanks to its innovative 6-color, 96-bit scanning engine. It scans up to sixteen 35 mm slides or 30 negative frames, and also can scan other film sizes using a built-in adapter. Dust and scratches on the film are removed at the touch of a button, and faded colour is corrected using the included software.” Source: Technical Image Press Association
CNET - “The Epson Perfection Flatbed Scanner makes an excellent choice for a deep-pocketed photo hobbyist or a pro who needs to scan originals in a mixture of sizes.” Source: CNET
PC Magazine Reviewers - “You've almost certainly heard of six-color printing, with the extra ink colors making it easier to print at true photo quality. But I'll bet you haven't heard about six-color scanning. That's because the scanners you're used to all use three colors for scans. So does the default setting for the Hewlett-Packard Scanjet G4050 Photo Scanner…But what's new—and very much different—about the G4050 is the option to scan in six colors instead.” Source: PC Magazine
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Scanners) |
| $ | Entry-level scanners ($100-200) like the feature the basics: good quality scans of text, photos, negatives and slides (adapters for the latter are included), 3600 dpi resolution, 48 bit depth. You’ll probably be limited to standard 8 ½ x 11 originals and need to purchase photo-editing software separately. Good Pick: Epson Perfection V100 Photo Scanner | |
| $$ | Step it up to mid-level models ($200-500) and you get higher resolution (up to 9600 dpi), more color (the G4050 comes with six-color, 96-bit depth) and software bundle that can correct imperfections and address red eyes in photos. Good Pick: HP Scanjet G4050 Photo Scanner |
Compare prices at 104 stores $127 - $300 |
| $$$ | The high end of scanners ($500+) target the professional photographers and offer the highest resolution and bit depths, the most robust image-enhancing software functionality and software bundles, including automatic retouching for both color and black-and-white images. Good Pick: Epson's Perfection V-750M Pro |
Compare prices at 123 stores $550 - $1,056 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Bit Depth
Scanners “remember” a number of bits from each image pixel. The more bits the scanner remembers, the better the image. A minimum of 24 bit depth is recommended. For high end photography and graphics, go higher.
Interpolation
A method of changing the size, resolution, or colors in an image by calculating the pixels used to represent the new image from the old ones. It is also being used to increase bit-depth claims on scanners (as in "Enhanced Bit Depth" or "Enhanced Color").
PPI
Pixels Per Inch (ppi)The number of pixels captured per inch by a scanner. This is a more accurate rate term than dpi (dots per inch) when applied to scanners because scanners capture pixels.
Optical Resolution
Like printers, scanner resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi) and sometimes pixels per inch (ppi). The higher the resolution, the better and more detailed the image. Evaluate your options based on this measurement versus interpolated resolution which is manipulated by software.
OCR
Optical character recognition. Many scanners come with software that lets you scan a document and turn the text into text that can be edited in a word processing program.
guide tools
highest rated
Printers, Scanners, Copiers & Fax Machines
top brands
Printers, Scanners, Copiers & Fax Machines
Research Central
We've compiled this group of information links to help you further your research