The best slide scanner and printer combination is used for converting old photos to digitized pictures. Decide and buy the most affordable scanner for high quality scanning and conversions.
If you are looking to convert old photos into digitized pictures then you need a slide scanner. Picking and buying a scanner is not easy especially if you don't know what is important.
There are enough varied scanners that offer speed, convenience, and even extra cool features but ultimately you want a great quality digital reproduction.
What scanner is best to convert old negatives and films? The answer depends on how fast or experienced you are with photography and scanners. Learn more about the different types of slide scanners.
Why Buy a 35mm Slide Scanner?
The slide scanner is specialized for scanning unique 35mm slides and film negatives. The slide or film is put into a single slot in the scanner or inside a tray, which is then inserted.
If you want to see old photos appear digitally without having to buy an expensive printer then a slide scanner is the easiest way.
Our Top 10 Picks: Slide Scanners Highlights
- Best Overall Slide Scanner: Magnasonic All-in-One High Resolution 22MP Film Scanner "Best all around scanner for quickness, ease of use, features, price, image quality, and compatible with various slides."
- Best Popular Slide Scanner: Kodak Scanza Digital Film & Slide Scanner "The ultimate scanner for practical and quick use; high quality conversion and processing and attractive design and professional functionality. "
- Best for Color Slide Scanner: Plustek OpticFilm 8200I Slide Scanner "A corrective film scanner that offers high resolution capacity, hardware-based dust and scratch removal, and top notch color calibration."
- Best Professional Slide Scanner: Epson Perfection V850 Pro Scanner "Professional grade conversions that are made for serious photographers; featuring advanced software for refined conversions."
- Best Portable Slide Scanner: Veho Smartfix Portable Stand Alone 14 Megapixel Negative Film & Slide Scanner "Comes with a rechargeable battery best for portability; standalone unit that is easy to use and features more accessibility."
- Best Compatible Slide Scanner: Pyle PSCNPHO32 Slide Scanner "The most compatible scanner for varied negatives and old photos, Mac and PC accessibility, great for color balance and exposure correction."
- Best User Friendly Slide Scanner: Kodak Mini Digital Film & Slide Scanner "Easy one touch navigation to do scanning; ability to do enhancement with varied old media, and wide compatibility for conversion."
- Best Budget Slide Scanner: Digitnow 22MP All-in-1 Film & Slide Scanner "A lightweight, small, and fast scanner that will not break your budget, expect high quality without spending too much money."
- Best for Speed Slide Scanner: ClearClick Virtuoso 2.0 Film2USB & Slide Scanner Film2USB "Extremely fast scanning that happens in seconds; easy to use without computer or drivers needed along with a large preview screen."
- Best Beginner Slide Scanner: Wolverine Titan 8-in-1 High Resolution Film to Digital Converter Scanner "Easy all in one process converts all photos to 20 megapixels digital images in seconds; quick and requires no computer or software to use."
Top 10 Best Slide Scanners
Best Overall Slide Scanner
Magnasonic makes the best all around scanner for quickness, ease of use, features, price, image quality, and is compatible with various slides. There is no better scanner for general use and convenience; the Magnasonic is even fairly priced and cheaper than most other scanners.
This is an impressive digital convertor because it has the capability of 22 MP quality and a faster than usual scanning process. You will get scanned pictures that are immediately on your scanner ready to be seen and appreciated. The viewer is a 2.4 inch LCD screen, which adds to the ease of use and appeal.
The Magnasonic offers 128MB of integrated memory, so you have the ability to save and store up to one hundred photos. This incredible feature makes the scanner very valuable for high usage and portability.
Photo enhancement is of course possible with the Magnasonic, therefore you don't have to download software for programs and operating.
All in all, the varied and numerous features from color reproduction to saving options make the Magnasonic very appealing. Also, you get the incredible versatility to load many different types of slides and negatives with no problem at all.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Best 35mm Slide Scanner
Kodak makes the ultimate scanner for practical and quick use. This is a popular and well liked brand that has produced a high quality and performing scanner. Expect high quality conversion and processing and attractive design and professional functionality.
Many scanners are possible but no scanner is as highly rated and fully functional and powerful as the Kodak Scanza. Why? First, you can convert a lot of old negatives and media like 35mm, 126, 110, Super 8 footage, and more. The versatility is the key here because the Kodak Scanza offers a lot with the variety it can convert.
Moreover, the speed and quickness of use is appealing for many potential buyers. You have speed loaders that increase and maximize the time of the scanning. In terms of scanning and volume, the Kodak Scanza is a perfect scanner for anyone with bulk slides or negatives that need to be digitized.
Technical specifications include a resolution of 22MP. Moreover, you have a portable and stand alone scanner that makes it extremely portable. The overall scanner supports up to 128 GB of SD memory.
In general, this is a very well rounded scanner because it has higher than average image and photo quality. Also, you get a fast turnaround for conversion and overall ease of use.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Best for Color Slide Scanner
Plustek has made a top of the line corrective film scanner that can fix old photos. This is a scanner that offers high resolution capacity, hardware-based dust and scratch removal, and top notch color calibration.
Some extra features include an infrared channel that can help detect and correct dust and scratches on old photos. Therefore, this is one of the leading scanners for correction and overall improvement.
The automatic calibration of this scanner guarantees that there will be accurate and more precise color matching. Reliving and perfecting your old negative to enjoy digitally means professional enhancement. This is the biggest selling point of the Plustek scanner.
Overall, this is a smart investment for anyone looking to recapture and improve upon negatives and old photos. There is an HDRi function that provides 64 bit color. Expect premium resolution at 7,200 pixels per inch, so crisp optical reproductions.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!
Best Professional Slide Scanner
This is the ideal professional scanner for anyone wanting top quality conversions. The Epson scanner is designed for professional photographers or hardcore hobbyists. The price tag may be a bit much, but the Epson offers
In terms of image quality, the Epson is better than the Epson Perfection V800 because it contrasts between smaller changes in shades, hues, and resolution in general. There is a dual lens system that has the capacity for 4800 x 9600 DPI.
If you are seeking pro conversions for old negatives then look no further than this scanner because you get incredible detail and range in your images.
The greatest benefit to this scanner is that it comes with the software Digital Ice program. This software program is able to detect and remove dirt and flaws to perfect before final image processing.
Overall, you will not be disappointed with this top scanner as it is in a class of its own. Expect to pay a higher price for more features, software, and higher image conversions.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Best Portable Slide Scanner
The Veho scanner comes with a rechargeable battery best for portability and traveling anywhere to use. As well, the scanner is a standalone unit that is easy to use and features more accessibility.
In terms of features, this scanner has a lot of nice options and portability overall. For example, you can utilize an LCD screen for previewing photos. Moreover, you have multiple trays to convert your negatives into digital images. As well, you can do straight to microSF, so transferring your negatives to SD card is possible and easy.
There is a removable lithium-ion rechargeable battery, so you get the ability to do some easy travel and scanning anywhere anytime. As well, there is a USB charging cable for easy and convenient powering.
Technical specifications specified are that the Veho scanner is compatible with PC and Mac systems. The scanner can support up to 32GB as well. Beware as there are some limitations that may not be ideal because the resolution output is 5 megapixels.
Overall, this is a handy and portable scanner to be used anywhere and everywhere, which is very appealing. You can do basic editing and the scanner has average functionality to convert and transform your images.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Best Compatible Slide Scanner
Pyle makes the most compatible scanner for varied negatives, so you won't have to worry about any limitations in what you can convert. As well, this scanner is Mac and PC accessibility and great for color balance and exposure correction.
What separates this scanner from the rest of the competition is accessibility and versatility. This Pyle model has the capacity to scan 35mm, Super 8 Film, 126 KPK, 110, and 135 slides and negatives to create more detailed digital copies.
Another big advantage, is that the Pyle has a 14MP imaging sensor that guarantees image clarity and pristine detail. The scanning is beyond most of what other scanners can do in this range.
You won't find a better scanner for color adjustment that helps with overall image and color balance as well as exposure. Users can do adjustments easily with scanned negatives and films. Moreover, you get the ease of use that provides an easy connection to PC, Mac, and even television media systems.
In conclusion, the Pyle scanner is the ideal option for advanced scanning, color correction, and compatibility with various negatives and old photos.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Best User Friendly Slide Scanner
Kodak makes an easy one touch navigation scanner. This is ideal to do scanning from anywhere easily with a convenient menu and overall design. The Kodak gives you the ability to do enhancement with varied old media, and wide compatibility for conversion.
There are interchangeable adapters that come along with this scanner that make it easier. For example, you easily use for maximum compatibility for a wide range of commonly used slide and film formats and media.
You can start using this quickly, no installation needed or additional software required. There is even the possibility to improve your images and quality as well. Slide scanner has a built in image interpolation mechanism that greatly enhances old photos. Thus, photos can be converted to 22 megapixels.
Moreover, you have automatic exposure and color balance adjustment with your conversions. The image preview on the Kodak is attractive because of the design There is a 2.4" digital LCD display for preview; as well the capacity to save images to SD memory card.
Kodak is popular for a variety of reasons and brand appeal is one, but the scanner isn efficient and high performing scanner for premium conversion.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Best Budget Slide Scanner
This scanner is a lightweight, small, and fast option that will not break your budget. However, despite the less expensive price, you should still expect high quality without sacrificing detail and overall resolution.
Another major selling point for this scanner is image quality and conversion success. Why? Expect photos that review incredible resolution that recapture colors and details from older media and film.
When you want to scan quickly then the Digitnow scanner performs well because of the fast loading tray. You can quickly easily load pictures of old slides and start scanning away and then eventually see your reproductions.
Digitnow does not require a PC for operation because of its innovative design. You can easily start scanning without a PC. Save and transfer files with ease to SD cards to start building your collection of converted photos.
In conclusion, this is a high performing scanner that is cheaper than the competition and not difficult to use.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Best for Speed Slide Scanner
ClearClick makes an extremely fast scanner that will be more than easy and quick to use. Scanning happens in seconds; overall it is easy to use without a computer or drivers needed.
A main selling point for this scanner is the large preview screen that makes it easy to see what you are doing and scanning. The ease of use is a selling point for this scanner, so expect a quick and simple process for converting media and photos. No computer is needed to do scanning, so this eliminates the requirement of software or drivers that may be confusing.
Scans have a resolution of 22 megapixels so the quality is fine considering your demands or preferences. In terms of media, the ClearClick is accessible with formats like slides, negatives, and film as well 35mm and other kinds of negatives and slides.
Moreover, you can automatically adjust the specific color and brightness intensity of the selected scan. You have the power to control the settings manually or by accessible and convenient buttons on the scanner.
The ease of use is the selling point, so you can with no difficulty start scanning and enjoying your pictures. How? The scanner goes directly into your TV so all the media and photos are easily viewable with just an HDMI to HDMI cable.
Once, you have everything ready to scan all you need to do is load your slides. Once the slides are in the scanner then you press the "OK" button and you have your pictures.
In conclusion, this is a quick and easy scanner that will make the scanning process smooth and super fast. You will not be disappointed with the speed, but beware of lack of advanced features.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Best Beginner Slide Scanner
Wolverine has created a compact scanner built for ultimate image quality. Overall, the advantage tends to be for resolution quality and clarity compared to most other similar scanners in the market. This a great entry level scanner because of the digital interface and all in one conversion.
Expect to convert 35mm, 127, 110, APS slides and various negatives into digital quickly. It may not be the quickest scanner but it gets the job done within three seconds. You can easily view the details on a large 4.3" color screen viewer as well.
High definition detail is the key for this scanner, so expect a great reproduction. Wolverine offers an easy and effective method to convert all film, regardless of media and age, into 20 megapixels.
In conclusion, you will not find a better scanner for speed, consistent resolution and image quality, and compatibility. The Wolverine is a must for photo scanner hobbyists and more serious professionals.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Slide Scanner Buying Guide
These are important characteristics to look for when buying a slide scanner. Make sure to determine what is most crucial for your needs before buying.
You need to pick what detail in the picture is best for you. Mostly the 300-1200 DPI (dots per inch) will be fine for your scanning needs and printing 3200 DPI resolution.
You don't want to waste too much time on one photo, so consider the transfer rate for any scanner.
You don't want to be confused by difficult instructions, so convenient and easy to use scanners are attractive.
Some brands are worth the price for the features and name brand reputation and quality, but be certain how much you want to spend.
Make sure a TV cable, memory card, USB cord, and more are included with your scanner.
