Document scanner with 1200 dpi | Should you get one in 2020?

You’ve got a job that reaquires find a document scanner with 1200dpi resolution. I must tell you this is not a very easy thing to do

There are a select few document scanners that did not stop at 600dpi with their resolution offering. We run a scanning service where we have scanned millions of documents throughout time and 99% of the time, 600 dpi is more than enough, but there are special projects where you need more

That’s why we selected
Document scanner with 1200 dpi | Should you get one in 2020?
ProductFormatScanning areaConnectivitySheets per minuteImages per minuteADF SizeDaily Duty CyclePrice
Our choice

Fujitsu fi-7160

Fujitsu fi-7160
A48.27 in x 11.69 inUSB 3.06012080 sheets4,000 sheetsClick for more info

Kodak Alaris S2040

Kodak Alaris S2040
A48.27 in x 11.69 inUSB 3.1408080 sheets5,000 sheetsClick for more info

Kodak Alaris S2050

Kodak Alaris S2050
A48.27 in x 11.69 inUSB 3.15010080 sheets5,000 sheetsClick for more info

Fujitsu fi-7280

Fujitsu fi-7280
A48.27 in x 11.69 inUSB 3.08016080 sheets6,000 sheetsClick for more info


Let’s have a look at each product in particular.

Fujitsu fi-7160

ProductFormatScanning areaConnectivitySheets per minuteImages per minuteADF SizeDaily Duty CyclePrice

Fujitsu fi-7160

Fujitsu fi-7160
A48.27 in x 11.69 inUSB 3.06012080 sheets4,000 sheetsClick for more info
What’s left to say about the FI-7160 document scanner that we already haven’t said before. But since this is an article about the 1200dpi scanners, we will focus more on the quality aspects of this scanner, rather than speed and productivity.

Let’s start with the sensor. It’s a high performance CCD sensor, with a optimal LED lighting that provides a really really great scanning quality. Scanning tip: Digital images captured with a CCD sensor tend to look better than the ones captured with a CIS sensor when using the same DPI setting, same pixel dimensions and same scanner settings.

By this I mean the quality is really up there with scanners that cost at least 10 times more. For example, even at a lower scanning dpi setting like 600, you will deliver really good scans, that offer a level of details that is hard to match.

But with 1200dpi scanning come also other features with you must take into account before you start scanning. And I will now focus on the color scanning and what options you can choose from.

For example, on this 1200 dpi scanner you can select automatic threshold for the color scanning. This means that every scan, the device driver will determine based on algorithm what settings to apply. The automatic function works really great for document scanning. The software has all of the scanners features for image enhancement that you can think of, from color detection, deskew to Zonal OCR, Document Separation and Streaks correction.

When you are scanning images, I would suggest you use the Normal or Bright mode. These use a static threshold, which means results will be consistent with what you are inputting. Yes, the auto mode does work better for different types of paper in the same batch, but only for normal documents, not for scanning photos.

Kodak Alaris S2040

ProductFormatScanning areaConnectivitySheets per minuteImages per minuteADF SizeDaily Duty CyclePrice

Kodak Alaris S2040

Kodak Alaris S2040
A48.27 in x 11.69 inUSB 3.1408080 sheets5,000 sheetsClick for more info
Another great option for a 1200 dpi scanner is the Kodak Alaris S2040. This scanner is really a new adition to the market. It wasn’t launched that long ago, and it comes after Kodak’s bankruptcy and rebranding to Kodak Alaris.

The problem I see with this 1200 dpi scanner is the fact that it has a CIS image sensor. Yes, we keep talking about this aspect, but I must tell you, for images and high quality images, a CCD delivers better results. It’s just a fact, it works way better than the CIS.

Now, this does not mean you will be getting horible results. Fact of the matter is that for documents, you will never notice any difference. But the quality aspects stand out when you are trying to scan for example crumpled paper.

In those situations, because the paper is not aligning itself properly to the scanning glass, you will get fuzzy areas or even places where the scanner is not able to capture details.
Especially when there is dirt or lint on the image scanner, which sometimes it happens during the working process, some areas won’t be captured correctly.

There is only one scanning software that you need and it is the Alaris Capture Pro Software Limited Edition (this is an app that is similar to what Document Capture Pro does on epson workforce scanners or the fujitsu scansnap app on the ScanSnap handheld portable scanners). It has everything inside it.

We recommend 300 dpi scanning resolution to scan documents as 300 dpi will result in a smaller image size on the hard-drive. Use 1200 dpi values only when you have detailed photos as you will have to wait your entire life for the digital files to transfer through that USB cable down to the final pixel.

Kodak Alaris S2050

ProductFormatScanning areaConnectivitySheets per minuteImages per minuteADF SizeDaily Duty CyclePrice

Kodak Alaris S2050

Kodak Alaris S2050
A48.27 in x 11.69 inUSB 3.15010080 sheets5,000 sheetsClick for more info
The Kodak Alaris S2050 is the improved older brother of the S2040 with the same number of pixels per inch: a 1200 dpi image resolution. These are basically the same scanner but differences come in the following aspects. The 1200 dpi resolution for scanning will not bring a significant improvement over 600 DPI in the OCR process of documents that were printed on inkjet printers or laser printers, because ink and toner are much more consistent with the character definition unlike old printing machines. But it will help with photos.

First of all we have a scanning speed of around 50 pages per minute when using the scanner in simplex mode. If you want to use the automatic duplexing, you can achieve around 100 images every 60 seconds. You can digitize all print sizes that are up to A4.

As you know, just like the other scanner, this will also reach 1200dpi photo resolution. To be honest, I really don’t know what the scanning speed will be, but I assume it will take at least 10 seconds to scan a single sheet, so around 5-6ppm.

For the transfer of a file scanned at 1200 dots per inch, you also need a good cable connection. Thankfully the 3.0 USB is fast enough for most file sizes. And considering the low scanning speed, there is enough time to transfer the file.

Other things that will help the scanning process is the Perfect Page technology that the scanner uses. It will improve your scans to closely match the original photo scans. Just like with the Fujitsu scanners, Kodak Alaris likes to implement a lot of the driver features that are also found in more expensive scanners.

This 1200 dpi scanner can out a multitude of file types: TIFF, JPEG, BMP photo files. RTF, PDF file, searchable PDF, TXT, PNG, CSV, Word and Excel

Fujitsu fi-7280

ProductFormatScanning areaConnectivitySheets per minuteImages per minuteADF SizeDaily Duty CyclePrice

Fujitsu fi-7280

Fujitsu fi-7280
A48.27 in x 11.69 inUSB 3.08016080 sheets6,000 sheetsClick for more info
The Fi 7280 is a great 1200 dpi scanner that Fujitsu currently offers. It uses the same mechanics as the FI 7160, or the 7140, but it offers a higher scanning speed.

This sheetfed scanner reaches around 80 pages per minute in simplex mode and double the number of images when running in duplex mode.

It also has a 3.0 USB, the standard for modern office products which really helps when scanning very large files at high scanning speed. This is the case with images scanned at 600dpi or 1200dpi.

The quality is brilliant on this high-speed color scanner, just like with the rest of the Fujitsu scanners. And what it has over the rest of the scanners in this test, is a Flatbed unit.

Now, this flatbed unit is fitted with the same kind of CCD sensor and lighting technology. It allows you to scan high quality pictures and images, even if they are on thicker stock media.

Yes, you can also use the automatic document feeder to scan your photos, but the flatbed unit prevents any possible danger to the photos. Using the automatic document feeder is not really recommended for very glossy photos or fragile media. You risk leaving a trace from the rollers.

That is why, in such situations, I really recommend you use the flatbed unit. Just put the photos on the glass, hit the scan button and there you go. It works also at 1200dpi, just like the ADF unit.

The scanner software included consists of: PaperStream IP, PaperStream Capture, ScanSnap Manager for fi Series.

Most of the Digital ICE features for improving the document and image quality of the digital files are there, from color mode detection, automatic layout orientation to more advanced like streaks correction which are more frequent when scanning documents. There is no specific digital photos restorer feature like you


Which document scanner with 1200 dpi should I get?

Deciding on this matter is not an easy task. You have to take into account first the quality demands for such a scanner. Then the price and also features that it includes.

The 1200 dpi scanner we really love is definitely the FI 7160. Why we like it? It meets certain criterias we want from such a device, while also being a good price compromise. First of all the quality is definitely the best one. There aren’t many ADF scanners out there that offer the kind of image quality this scanner offers. And considering you can select from the driver a resolution of 1200dpi, it should be a no brainer.

Price wise, it is somewhere between the Kodak Aalaris scanners and the Fujitsu FI 7280. It’s not the cheapest scanner out there, but it is by far the best compromise between quality and price.

Another shout out goes to the Fujitsu FI 7280, which is definitely a popular choice. It has all the features of the FI 7160, including the 1200dpi optical resolution and a higher speed. But it costs way more than the small Fujitsu brother, and it’s only worth it if you need a flatbed unit attached to the ADF.

What is you favourite scanner with 1200dpi and let us know if we included all the options?

There are color scanners that have the same amount of image detail that are not in the list like the Canon ImageFormula DR-F120, Brother International also makes the 2800W which can scan at 1200dpi. HP makes the HP ScanJet Pro 4500 fn1 Network Scanner What’s missing from this picture? Color Flatbed scanners. We reviewed photo scanners like the Epson Perfection V600 image and film scanner that can scan 4×6 photos, film slides and negatives with an LED light source. We also reviewed USB flatbed scanners that cannot scan slides and negatives but have other advantages like the Canon CanoScan Lide 300 & 400. Check out our homepage to find out more.
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