Which film slide scanners are best?
Now that many of us carry a high-quality camera phone everywhere we go, it’s easy to forget there was a time when memories were captured exclusively on film. Families all over the world have boxes of photos and slides just waiting to be digitized, but they lack the means to do it themselves.
Film and slide scanners efficiently convert those photos and negatives into digital files. For an easy-to-use scanner with image editing capabilities, check out the Kodak Mini Digital Film Scanner.
What to know before you buy a film slide scanner
What is a film slide scanner?
A film and slide scanner is a device that can be used to digitize photos, slides and even undeveloped negatives, converting them into the image file format of your choice, including JPG and PNG. Most scanners include a small LCD screen that lets you view the images while they’re being processed. Some are standalone devices connected to a memory card, while others can be connected to your computer via USB for easy storage. Certain models even have an HDMI port so you can view the images as a slideshow on your TV. For more detailed information about film and slide scanners, check out the complete film slide scanner buying guide from BestReviews.
Film types
One of the first things to look at when shopping for a scanner is compatibility with various film types. For much of the 20th century, 35 mm film was regularly used, but other common formats include 16 mm, Super 8 and 126 film. Consider the material that you wish to digitize and make sure that the scanner you choose will support it.
Megapixels
The image resolution provided by a film and slide scanner is measured in megapixels. The more megapixels your image has, the more detailed it will be. Look for a scanner that will let you adjust the megapixel settings to your liking, rather than a device with a single megapixel setting. A larger megapixel count will result in a large file, so plan accordingly.