Flatbed and film scanners

Editors' Top Scanners
updated April 4, 2005

For scanning film exclusively, a dedicated film scanner is your best option. But if you plan to scan a lot of photographs as well as flat art, you're better off using a really good flatbed scanner with a built-in film attachment. If you're searching for a scanner to digitize your family album, be sure to look for color correction as well as dust- and scratch-removal tools. -- Elsa Wenzel, associate editor

Flatbed and film scanners

Scanners	Editors' rating	Price	Summary
Microtek ScanMaker i900	8.5 Excellent		The best flatbed for creative professionals on a budget. Specs: Flatbed scanner - Desktop , 6400 dpi x 3200 dpi , IEEE 1394 (FireWire) , Single-pass

Nikon Coolscan V LS-50 ED	8.2 Excellent	Email me when product is available	Unless your stuff appears regularly in National Geographic, this may be the only film scanner you'll ever need. Specs: Film scanner (35 mm) - Desktop , 4000 dpi , Hi-Speed USB , Single-pass

Epson Perfection 4990 Photo Released: 03/01/2005	8.0 Excellent	Email me when product is available	A versatile and inexpensive model for producing high-quality scans of photographs and film. Specs: Flatbed scanner - Desktop , 4800 dpi x 9600 dpi , IEEE 1394 (FireWire) , Single-pass

NeatReceipts	7.9 Very good	$99	This compact, intelligently designed sheet-fed scanner almost makes it a pleasure to generate expense reports and calculate itemized income tax deductions. Specs: Sheetfed scanner - Portable , Hi-Speed USB , Single-pass

Epson Perfection 3170 Released: 08/15/2003	7.5 Very good	Email me when product is available	The Epson Perfection 3170 scans like a champ--and it's cheap, too. Specs: Flatbed scanner - Desktop , 3200 dpi x 6400 dpi , Hi-Speed USB , Single-pass

HP Scanjet 4670 Released: 07/14/2003	7.4 Very good	Email me when product is available	HP's Scanjet 4670 is a must-have for those who want unique and stylish hardware. If you're OK with mundane, though, stick with the Epson Perfection 1670 Photo. Specs: Flatbed scanner - Desktop , 2400 dpi x 2400 dpi , Hi-Speed USB