Best Film Scanners for Hobbyists & Photographers | 2022 Buyer’s Guide
What is the best film scanner? There are versatile multi-use models that are suitable for a range of applications. An excellent example is the KODAK SCANZA scanner, which is a good choice for in-home use and hobbyists. With a price of under $200, it is user-friendly, easy-to-use, and comes with a display.
On the other hand, there are pricier scanners about $400 like Plustek and Epson that are designed for professional photographers. These models have their peculiarities, too. The Epson Perfection V600 effectively removes imperfections from scanned photos, allows for enlargements from film, and restores faded colors. Besides, this is an energy-efficient option. The Plustek OpticFilm 8100 can handle different slide types because of the built-in ICC profile and is ideal for scanning black-and-white film.
| 1. KODAK SCANZA | |
| 2. Epson Perfection V600 | |
| 3. Plustek OpticFilm 8100-35mm | |
| 4. Magnasonic Super 8/8mm |
How Do Hobby Film Scanners Differ from Professional-Grade Scanners?
Got a bunch of family photos or memories stuck on old reels of film? Not to worry - now, it's cheaper and easier than ever to safely scan and host them on the Cloud. Many are turning to film scanners, which allow the film to be scanned directly to a computer without the need for any intermediate printmaking stages.
Of course, not all film scanners are made equal - different products will vary significantly in terms of price, quality, features, and extensibility. The highest-quality film scanners are able to produce digitized images with the highest clarity and color resolution. They utilize digital ICE tech to automatically correct for scratches, cuts, tears, and creases in the finished scan.
Moreover, these professional scanners utilize a thin glass lens to capture 4,000 dpi optical resolution with CCD image sensing technology and 40-bit color output. Of course, professional-grade scanners can be very expensive. Interestingly, many of the most expensive models only specialize in one type of film for the most specific sets of purposes.
Most opt for hobbyist devices, like the Kodak Scanza, that compares reasonably well to the best scanners. Hobby-level scanners can convert multiple types of film, like 35mm, 126, 110, and 8mm, into one digitized format. On average, they include a 14-megapixel sensor that captures images in high definition, yet doesn't quite capture the clarity of professional models.
We recommend mid-priced scanners for those that want to digitize important documents, like receipts, letters, and bookkeeping materials. They're also great for keeping family photos safe for years to come.
Review of the Best Film Scanners
Below, we have rounded up a short-list of the best film scanners on the market. Their prices range from $160 to $370. Each scanner is optimized for different film types and is packed with distinct features. You may choose a versatile film scanner for numerous options for device pairing and digitized scan sharing or a professional-grade device that can remove imperfections from scanned photos.
KODAK SCANZA Digital Film & Slide Scanner | Best 35mm film scanner under $200
Converting film to JPEG in seconds, the Kodak Scanza can handle 35mm, 126, 11, Super 8, 8mm negatives, and slides. A bright, spacious 3.5" LCD screen displays the converted images for easier operation.
The kit includes a helpful tray and insert directory, which allows users to easily edit the images for RGB and resolution, browse their gallery, and more. It even comes with a MacOS and PC-compatible converter, USB power cable, HDMI cable, AC adapter, video cable, and film cleaning crush.
The Scanza makes it seamless to digitize your old memories by recommending the correct adapter types for specific film strips. All film is automatically saved to your SD card, which can then be transferred via USB to your computer or projected onto a TV.
The three-piece adapter plugs into any standard wall outlet found in North America, Europe, Asia, and more.
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KODAK SCANZA: Check the current price
Epson Perfection V600 Film & Document Scanner | Best for Photographers
The Epson scanner allows for unparalleled enlargements from film, reaching up to 6400 x 9600 dpi (or 17" x 22") over a maximum scan area of 8.5" x 11.7".
With the power of Digital ICE, the scanner removes the appearance of dust and scratches from film and can even autocorrect creasing. The device is paired with proprietary easy-fix tech that makes it easy to restore faded colors to photos with a single tap.
Users can scan slides, negatives, and medium-format panoramic film with the built-in transparency unit. The scanner utilizes an energy-efficient ready scan LED light source that requires no warm-up time and results in faster scanning for large projects.
Scans can be even converted into editable text using the ABBYY FineReader Sprint Plus OCR application. Many use the scanner to capture everything from receipts to invoices, 3D objects, and recordkeeping documents. Four different buttons allow you to scan, copy, scan-to-email, and create PDFs.
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Epson Perfection: Check the current price
Plustek OpticFilm 8100-35mm Negative Film/Slide Scanner | Best High-Performance
The Plustek supports the digitization of 35 mm slides, negative films, 35mm negatives, and slides with a 7200 DPI (69 megapixels) 48-bit color output.
The scanner is especially well-suited for black-and-white film since it automatically corrects scratches, lightens ultra-dark shadow areas, and keeps mid-tons fully intact. The 3.6D dynamic range reveals a broader range of shadow details and reduces photo noise.
Additionally, the Plustek is bundled with QuickScan and LaserShoft Imaging software to increase the efficiency of the hardware. The device supports the Windows 7/8/10 and MacOS operating systems.
Perhaps the Plustek's most compelling feature is its built-in ICC profile, which allows for the processing of many different slide types. The color management system ensures all scanned images look exactly the same when printed and displayed.
Colors are captured with a highly sensitive CCD sensor that ensures no physical contact with sensitive media during the scanning process.
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Plustek OpticFilm: Check the current price
Magnasonic Super 8/8mm Film Scanner | Best to convert 8mm film into digital video
The Magnasonic automatically converts reels 3", 5", and 7" reels of 8mm film into digital mp4 files with the push of a button. While it doesn't capture sound, the scanner allows users to playback their scanned video with the built-in 2.3" LCD screen or cast it to a TV.
All videos are saved directly onto the device's SD card up to 32GB - that's up to 120 hours of video. Unfortunately, the SD card needs to be purchased separately.
Alternatively, videos can be transferred from the Magnasonic directly to a computer via USB wire transfer.
Unlike other film scanners, the Magnasonic requires no computer or external software. Users can rely on the device itself to adjust brightness, sharpness, and framing. Many appreciate the Magnasonic's frustration-free operation right out of the box.
At just 12.6" x 7.5" x 5.1", the Magnasonic is big enough to get the job done but sleek enough for convenient travel.
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Magnasonic Super: Check the current price
