Top 5 Slide Scanners Under $300

Choosing a slide scanner can be a matter of dollars and sense and personal preference. A slide scanner can use a mounting device to hold slides [see photograph 1] or use a flat bed [ see photograph 2] to scan. My husband and I purchased a Minolta Dimage Scan thinking we needed one specifically for slides and that we would get better resolution. This turned out to be a wrong impression. We also missed having a scanner to read and print documents and we had a large number of photographs. We set aside the Minolta Dimage and bought ourselves an HP 5880, which was the best model we could find for the price at the time. The HP 5880 scans had better resolution and was far easier to use than the slide mounted model by Minolta. I'm very happy with the model I have as it supports a resolution that is good enough for posting on most internet applications and my digital camera supports a higher resolution. If you have a large number of photographs or slides of professional quality, buying one of the more expensive models might be appropriate. Using a scanner service may be a quicker, easier choice, and many of the same features, models, and manufacturers will apply when looking at the quality they deliver.

A number of features affect how well people like a scanner. Output resolution is one of the biggest. A second feature is how the scanning software works. A third is how quickly the scanning occurs. Most scanners have a USB 2.0 High Speed Port. Many flatbeds support legal, 8 ½ by 11 sheets. When models become more expensive than $300, typically the features added include professional image resolution, sheet feeder models for offices and large scanning jobs, 2-sided scan capability, and more speed. The number of prints scanned at one time is affected by the model.

These top print and slide scanner manufacturers include Canon, HP, Nikon, Epson, Fujitsu, and PlusTek. These five models are the top-rated in most reviews. typically the features added include professional image resolution, sheet feeder models for offices and large scanning jobs, 2-sided scan capability, and more speed. The number of prints scanned at one time is affected by the model. I left the Fujitsu off because they didn't have very good resolution and were made primarily to be portable, on the road devices. *The PlusTek and Nikon scanners are dedicated slide scanners, but the Nikon scanners cost over $300. **The HP 5590 and Canon 5500 have additional features. Current rebate deals affect some of the model pricing, especially the Epson.

These top print and slide scanner manufacturers include Canon, HP, Epson, and PlusTek. These five models are the top-rated in most reviews.

In my estimation, the top five are:

1. HP 4050
2. Canon 4400
3. Canon 8800
4. Epson V 500
5. Hp 3010

Full Details are as follows:

HP

Model : 3010
Cost: $99.00
Resolution : 4800x4800
OS Support : Windows 98, ME, XP, Mac
Color : 48 bit
Speed: 10 sec minimum
Frames: 2
Rating: 4.0 stars

Model : 4050
Cost: 179.00
Resolution : 9600x9600
OS Support : Windows 98, ME, XP, Vista, Mac
Color : 96 bit
Speed 8.5 sec
Frames 16-30
Rating : 3.0-3.5

Model : 5590**
Cost : 299.00
Resolution : 2400x2400
OS Support : Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac
Color : 48 bit
Speed 7 sec
Frames: ?
Rating : 4.0

Canon

Model : 4400F
Cost : 99.00
Resolution : 4800x9600
OS Support : Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Mac
Color : 48 bit
Speed: ?
Frames : 4-6
Rating: 3.5

Model : 5600F**
Cost : 149.99
Resolution: 4800x9600
OS Support: Windows Vista, XP, Mac
Color: 48 bit
Speed: 11 secs
Rating: ?

Model : 8800F
Cost: 199.00
Resolution: 4800x9600
OS Support: Windows Vista, XP, Mac
Color: 48
Speed : No warm up
Frames : 4-6
Rating: 4.5-5.0

Epson***

Model : V500
Cost : 199.99
Resolution: 6400x9600
OS Support : Windows Vista, Xp, Mac
Color : 48
Speed : 16 sec
Frames : 4-6
Rating : 3.0-4.0

Model 4490*,**
Cost: 299.99
Resolution: 4800x9600
OS Support: Windows Vista, Xp, Mac
Color : 48 bit
Speed 20 sec
Rating : 3.5-4.0

PlusTek*

Model : 7200
Cost: $159.00
Resolution: 7200x7200
OS Support: Windows XP
Color: 48 bit
Speed 48 sec or less
Frames: 6
Rating: 2.0-4.0