Top Features to Look for in a High-Quality Photo Scanner
Investing in a high-quality scanner can make all the difference when scanning and storing physical images.
Whether you’re a professional photographer or you want to preserve some family photos, I'm sure there’s one thing we can agree upon: no one wants their images to appear grainy and dull on the screen.
To ensure you find the best scanner for your needs, we’ve put together a simple guide to features to look for in a photo scanner. With this guide, you can say goodbye to blurry faces and discolouration.
High Resolution and DPI Capabilities
When it comes to choosing a photo scanner, high resolution and DPI (dots per image) are two critical factors to consider.
What is DPI, and Why Does It Matter?
The term DPI describes the quantity of pixels or ink dots per inch in an image. This essentially means that the more dots there are, the better the quality of the scan will be.
DPI is important for professional photographers who need to produce sharper and more detailed photo scans. A scanner with a low DPI will degrade image quality, blur fine lines, and lose the original texture of the image.
Scanning Photos with Different Levels of Detail
When it comes to different photo-scanning needs, there are general guidelines for the required DPI:
- 300 DPI: Ideal for scanning standard documents or simple photo archives.
- 600 DPI: This provides a solid balance between detail and file size for general photo scanning.
- 1200+ DPI: Required for professional use, including expanding photos, preserving high-resolution artwork, or generating large-scale prints without compromising on quality.
Colour Accuracy and Depth
To achieve a high-quality photo scan, the scanner must be able to capture the true-to-life colours and the subtle tone differences in the image.
Ensuring Accurate Colour Reproduction
A scanner that captures the true vibrancy and tone of the image will ensure that the scan matches the original physical image.
To do this, aim for a bit depth of 24-bit scanning. This can capture 16.7 million colours, suitable for standard photo scanning. However, a 48-bit scanning capability is needed for capturing billions of colours in professional-grade photography or art scans.
Handling Black-and-White vs. Colour Scans
When scanning black and white photos, your scanner must be able to reproduce the subtle contrasts and textures.
Opt for a scanner with a good tonal range and accurate colour reproduction. For printed photos or original artwork, a scanner with 48-bit depth will preserve all of the hues and shades of the original image.
Scanning Speed and Efficiency
When the workload starts to pile up, you need a scanner that can handle the pressure.
A high-quality photo scanner should offer excellent speed and performance, scanning multiple images quickly without sacrificing quality.
Speed vs. Quality
The DPI and capabilities of your scanner determine the scanning speed. For general scanning, a lower DPI of 300–600 can reduce scan time for images that don’t require a high resolution.
For professional use, higher DPI settings of 600–1200 are essential. This ensures a more detailed scan, although the process may take longer. Opt for a scanner with advanced technology to reduce the wait time while still achieving professional results.
Multi-Page or Batch Scanning Features
Batch scanning allows you to scan multiple images or documents simultaneously.
High-quality photo scanners should include automatic document feeders (ADF) that can handle multiple photos at once, which will make the process efficient.
For family photos or bulk scanning, look for scanners that can scan multiple photos in a single pass by automatically adjusting each scanned image.
Compatibility and Connectivity
Whether you’re scanning from home or in a professional setting, you need a scanner that can integrate seamlessly with your devices and software.
What Connectivity Options Should You Consider?
Scanners with USB connectivity ensure fast data transfer for direct and quick scans, ideal for office environments.
However, most modern scanners come with wireless connectivity. This allows you to scan photos without the need for a USB connection, which is more suited for people who work from home or are on the go.
Before purchasing a scanner, check whether it is compatible with your device or operating system.
Integrating Your Scanner with Editing Software
Most modern photo scanners come with built-in software for managing scans, performing basic edits, and organising files.
However, for more advanced editing needs, integrate your scanner with third-party programs like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. If you need to scan text-heavy materials, choose a scanner with built-in OCR functionality that converts scanned text into editable formats.
Versatility of Media Handling
If you need to scan various media types, you’ll need a scanner that can digitise not only photographs but also documents, film negatives, slides, and artwork.
Scanning Different Types of Media
A high-quality photo scanner should be able to scan different types and sizes of paper, as well as glossy photos, textured paper, and heavy card stock.
If you work with large prints or A3 artwork, opt for large format scanners. A flatbed scanner can also offer a spacious bed for non-standard sizes.
For scanning fragile or old images, you should opt for a scanner with gentle handling features. Certain scanners come equipped with soft rollers or gentle scanning modes to reduce the possibility of breaking fragile objects while scanning.
When scanning film negatives or slides, look for scanners with a DPI of 2400 and dedicated trays for 35mm negatives or medium-format film. Our slide and negative scanners are ideal for this.
