If you’re archiving old family photos or documents, an automatic feeding scanner like this one is a great option, says Steinberg. This Canon scanner produces great quality images and can scan about 30 photos in a single minute, according to the brand. It can scan photos, Polaroids and documents (including double sided ones), and automatically download them or send them to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox and more.
This scanner is very popular for people with tons of photo prints they want to scan easily and quickly, says Steinberg. It has a sheet tray for documents and photographs, you can stack up to 36 photos or 100 sheets of paper and it will scan each one automatically in one big batch. It can scan a standard photo in just one second, according to the brand. It’s not as detailed as some other options on this list, but the speed and convenience is hard to beat.
For higher quality at a lower price, a flatbed scanner like this one is a good option, says Steinberg. Just know that flatbed scanners are much slower than bulk scanners.
The CanoScan Lide 400 is very slim at 0.4 inches thick, meaning it won’t take up a large amount of space. However, it can still scan various kinds of photos and documents, and it has a very high max resolution of 4,800 dpi to get as much detail as possible out of material.
If you’re a professional photographer or artist looking for the best image quality, a CCD scanner like this Epson V850 is best, says Steinberg.
Most scanners are CIS (contact image sensor) scanners, which are small, fast, and affordable to make. A CCD (charge-couple device) scanner is the opposite — larger, slower, and more expensive, but they are often sought out by artists, professionals and archivists because of their superior image quality.
The Epson V850 can scan photo prints, documents and a variety of film negatives, plus it comes with accessories to hold film negatives in place while scanning.
The OpticFilm 8100 isn’t a flatbed scanner like some others in this list, meaning it lacks a hinged lid or the space needed to scan regular documents. But it can scan 35 millimeter film negatives and slides, allowing you to reproduce images digitally and on a larger scale, from a basic 600 dpi resolution to a high-quality 7,200 dpi. The OpticFilm8100 also comes with a dust-protective bag for easy storage and transport.
If you’re after a photo scanner, it’s important to know what features you need before buying.
Most photo scanners are either bulk scanners or flatbed scanners, as discussed earlier. Bulk scanners are best for people with a lot of old materials they want scanned: think boxes of family photos or old family recipes sitting in the attic. Bulk scanners work quickly and automatically, but scans can be slightly less detailed than with a flatbed scanner.
Flatbed scanners are best for creatives, artists or anyone looking for the best possible quality scan. You have to place each photo or document individually, one by one, on the scanner, so they are much more time-intensive than using a bulk scanner.
While many models can scan multiple types of photos, documents and images, this isn’t true across the board, especially for more affordable scanners. If you’re looking to scan film negatives or transparent slides, for instance, you’ll need a photo scanner with the correct sensor.
You can buy a great scanner and still get so-so results if you don’t know how to use it properly. One of the most common mistakes people make is scanning at too low a resolution for the large prints they want to make, says Steinberg. Scanning at a high resolution is much slower, which can also surprise some new users.
You can learn more about how to use your particular scanner by reading the manual — I also find YouTube tutorials helpful.
DPI — dots per inch — and PPI — pixels per inch — are a standard metric for assessing how much visual detail your photo scanner can pick up. A low number, like 50, means less detail, while a high number, like 600, allows for more pixels and therefore more units of information in the scan. The two terms are used interchangeably, for the most part.
People often scan photos at the wrong resolution for their intended use, says Steinberg. Generally, if you are scanning for web use, 72 to 150 ppi is fine. To reprint a photo, 300 ppi is good. To enlarge a photo four times its size, 600dpi is preferred.
For the vast majority of people, it’s best to scan old photographs, not photograph them, says Steinberg. It can be complicated and tedious to properly photograph old photos — you have to clean your photo of dust, set up your shot, adjust your lighting, and tweak the file after the fact in photo editing software. Scanning is much faster, simpler and yields better results for most people.
There are multiple file types to consider when scanning, storing or sharing photos, each with its own upsides. For maximum quality, it’s actually best to scan photos as TIFF files, says Steinberg, as they have the most information. JPG files are the runner-up for quality, and are preferred if you want smaller file sizes that are easier to share.
Yes, technically scanning a photo does reduce its image quality. You are essentially creating a second generation photo, a photo of a photo, so to speak. “Making a copy will always reduce quality, but high-end scanners can minimize this issue,” says Steinberg.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Henry St. Leger has been a gadget reporter since 2017, covering the latest developments in consumer hardware, including TVs, projectors, gaming consoles and VR headsets. He also reports on games for GamesRadar, The Times and IGN.
Harry Rabinowitz is the tech reporter for NBC Select covering technology and fitness including stories on smartwatches, wireless earbuds and point-and-shoot cameras. He’s been testing new digital cameras (and old film cameras) for years, and prints his photos often. Rabinowitz interviewed a photo and electronics expert to better understand the ins-and-outs of photo scanners and how to shop for the best one for your needs.
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