As a niche segment, there are relatively few photo scanners on the market and they tend to have long shelf lives. The models we highlight here run the gamut from inexpensive consumer models to scanners aimed at serious photographers, be they professionals or advanced amateurs. What they all have in common is that they're the best photo scanners on the market today.
The Canon CanoScan 8800F($199.99 list, 
) generates high-quality scans, particularly of photographic prints. It uses an LED light source, which eliminates warm-up time.
) generates high-quality scans, particularly of photographic prints. It uses an LED light source, which eliminates warm-up time.Although the Epson Perfection V300 ($99 direct, 
) can be had for less than $100, it scans both prints and transparencies (film and slides) surprisingly well, in both manual and automatic modes. It offers an OCR program for text recognition.
) can be had for less than $100, it scans both prints and transparencies (film and slides) surprisingly well, in both manual and automatic modes. It offers an OCR program for text recognition.The Epson Perfection V500 Photo ($199.99 direct, ) makes scanning a cinch, providing high-quality scans of prints and film even when in a fully automatic mode. Other features of note include an LED light to eliminate warm-up time, an optical character recognition (OCR) program, and Digital ICE for dust/scratch removal.
) makes scanning a cinch, providing high-quality scans of prints and film even when in a fully automatic mode. Other features of note include an LED light to eliminate warm-up time, an optical character recognition (OCR) program, and Digital ICE for dust/scratch removal.The Epson Perfection V750-M Pro ($849.99 direct, ) pulls out all stops to provide the best scanning experience among prosumer models, with an optical resolution of 6,400 pixels per inch (ppi), superior optics, templates for scanning 8 different film formats, and a fluid-mount kit to clean up scratches on black-and-white negatives. (This complements the more standard Digital ICE, a combined hardware and software method of removing scratches.)
) pulls out all stops to provide the best scanning experience among prosumer models, with an optical resolution of 6,400 pixels per inch (ppi), superior optics, templates for scanning 8 different film formats, and a fluid-mount kit to clean up scratches on black-and-white negatives. (This complements the more standard Digital ICE, a combined hardware and software method of removing scratches.)The HP Scanjet G4050 Photo Scanner's ($179.99 direct, ) claim to fame is that it scans in 6 colors while most scanners stick to 3 colors. As you'd expect, this yields excellent color fidelity. Also noteworthy is its ability to scan from multiple originals, with a template for up to 16 35mm slides and 30 frames on strips of 35mm film. All this at a relatively modest price.
) claim to fame is that it scans in 6 colors while most scanners stick to 3 colors. As you'd expect, this yields excellent color fidelity. Also noteworthy is its ability to scan from multiple originals, with a template for up to 16 35mm slides and 30 frames on strips of 35mm film. All this at a relatively modest price.Whether you're looking for a product to digitize that shoebox full of family snapshots or are a photo buff who wants to make high-quality scans of slides and film, there's sure to be a scanner here that's right for you.
For more scanner product reviews, check out our scanners product guide.
