Best Document Scanner: Kodak P461

The KODAK P461 Personal Photo Scanner makes it easy to scan your printed photos, from wallet size to 4 × 6 in., and save them instantly to the included memory card or your computer. You can also scan your 35 mm negatives and mounted slides.

The scanner can scan prints from wallet size up to 4 by 6 inches at a resolution of 600 dpi. It can also turn 35-millimeter negatives and mounted slides into crisp, clear digital images with a resolution of 1200 dpi. This scanner works with or without a computer, saving scanned files either to an included 2 GB MICROSD card or to a computer via USB 2.0.

It is a very compact scanner which will take photos from wallet size to 4x6 inches, 35mm negatives and mounted slides. So if you have a lot of slides + need something portable... then the Kodak P461 is one of the most highest rated products in 2011, on Amazon's listings as well.

Buy directly from Amazon!

Let's have a look at the hardware details...

Photo size	up to 4 × 6 in.
Negative size	35 mm
Slide type	mounted, positive slide
Resolution	300–600 dpi 35 mm negatives and mounted slides up to 1200 dpi
Memory card reader	5-in-1
Supported memory card formats	SD/SDHC, MICROSD with SD adapter, XD, MS/MS Pro, MMC
Output format	JPEG
Interface	USB 2.0
Feed system	Twin roller
Power	AC adapter (included) or (4) AAA batteries (not included)
Product certifications	FCC, CE, UL
Environmental compliance	RoHS, WEEE, CARB
AC adapter certifications	UL, CEC, CE
Weight	1.6 lbs

As you can see, it's just about 1.6 lbs of weight thus a highly portable document scanner. Furthermore, at 2 by 10.6 by 2.8 inches (HWD), the P461 is about the size of a three-hole punch. It offers two manual-feed slots in the front, with a four-inch-wide slot for prints on the left and a small slot for slides and film on the right. Both offer straight-through paths, with the exit in the back. Also on the back is a memory card slot. A power connector and USB port are on the left side.

Aside from having to manually feed the original, the entire scan process is automatic. The only setting you can control is resolution, and you can control it only for prints, switching between 300 pixels per inch (ppi) and 600ppi. Even that control is almost pointless, since 300ppi is all you need for prints unless you plan to enlarge them.

Film always scans at 1,200ppi, the P461's maximum optical resolution—and another reason the scanner is most appropriate for casual photographers. The 1200ppi is a reasonable resolution for enlarging the images to print at 4 by 6 inches, but a little low for larger print sizes.

What about the speed?

Well, the "time" depends on the actual physical size and the colors, etc of your slides but let's just say that you have a slide about 4-by-6 prints at 300ppi... Kodak P461 can do it in about 23-25 seconds which is not the fastest scanner but for its reasonable price (which is one of the reasons for its popularity), P461 is certainly beyond the average.

So, if you're looking for a very portable, light weight and budget friendly (ooh, I got you excited didn't I ;-)) scanner from Kodak but can cope with the fact that it may not be the best of its kind for professional high quality work but just fits nicely with everyday document scanning work... then the Kodak P461 is certainly on of the best without a doubt.

You can purchase it via this Amazon Link if you like. Good luck.