The Epson Perfection V550 and V600 remain two of the most popular flatbed photo scanners for digitizing prints, slides, and film negatives at home. Both offer high-quality scans in an affordable package.
For anyone trying to decide between the Epson V550 and V600, here’s a detailed comparison of the specs, features, and performance of each model.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Epson V550 | Epson V600 |
| Max Scan Resolution | 6400 dpi | 6400 dpi |
| Max Document Size | 8.5” x 11.7” | 8.5” x 11.7” |
| Film Holder | 35mm film and slides | 35mm, 120, 4”x5” film |
| Scanner Type | Flatbed | Flatbed |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Light Source | LED | LED |
Overview of the Epson Perfection V550
Released in 2010, the Epson V550 remains a reliable and versatile option for archiving photos and scanning film negatives. It delivers detailed scans via a 6400 dpi optical resolution sensor.
Key features and specs:
- Scans prints, documents, 35mm slides and negatives
- 6400 x 9600 dpi interpolated resolution
- 48-bit color depth and 3.4 Dmax for wide dynamic range
- Includes film holders for 35mm film and mounted slides
- Easy to use buttons and LCD screen to preview scans
- Epson Scan software for automatic and professional mode
- Converts slides, negatives, and prints up to 8.5” x 11.7”
- Fast scans take just 14 seconds at 300 dpi
With excellent color accuracy and the ability to restore faded colors, the V550 makes digitizing your photo collection a breeze.
Overview of the Epson Perfection V600
The Epson V600 steps up the film scanning capabilities by accommodating medium format and larger film negatives. It shares many of the same features as the V550 model.
Details on the V600:
- 6400 dpi optical sensor captures fine details
- Scans prints, documents, and 35mm, 120, 4”x5” film formats
- Includes holders for 35mm, 120, and 4”x5” film sizes
- High 48-bit color depth and 3.4 Dmax
- Easy-to-use buttons to preview scans and adjust settings
- Professional mode in Epson Scan software
- Also scans directly to cloud services
- Large prints, panoramas, and documents up to 8.5” x 11.7”
- Fast 14 second scan speed at 300 dpi
With the built-in transparency unit, the V600 provides an easy scanning solution for medium format and larger film sizes beyond 35mm options.
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Key Differences Between the Epson V550 and V600
While quite similar, here are some of the main differences between these two flatbed models:
- Film Scanning Capabilities
Epson V550: The V550 is limited to scanning 35mm film negatives and slides. While this covers the most common film formats, it does not support larger formats like medium format 120 film or 4″x5″ large format film.
Epson V600: In contrast, the V600 offers a more versatile film scanning capability. It can handle not only 35mm film but also medium format 120 film and 4″x5″ large format film. This flexibility makes the V600 a preferred choice for photographers who work with various film formats.
- Included Film Holders
Epson V550: The V550 comes with film holders for 35mm film, making it suitable for scanning standard-sized film. However, it lacks holders for medium format and large format film.
Epson V600: Epson equips the V600 with film holders for 35mm, 120, and 4″x5″ film sizes. This inclusion of multiple film holders adds convenience and versatility, allowing you to scan a wider range of film formats without needing additional accessories.
- Optical and Enhanced Resolution
Both the V550 and V600 offer a respectable 6400 dpi optical resolution, which is more than sufficient for most scanning tasks. However, when it comes to enhanced resolution:
Epson V550: The V550 is limited to a 9600 dpi enhanced resolution in its highest scanning mode. While this is still quite high, it falls short of the V600’s enhanced resolution capabilities.
Epson V600: The V600 can achieve an impressive 12800 dpi enhanced resolution in its highest scanning mode. This higher resolution can be particularly advantageous if you require extremely detailed scans or plan to enlarge your images significantly.
- Software Features
Both scanners use the same Epson Scan software, which provides essential scanning functions and controls. However, there are some differences in the software offerings:
Epson V550: The V550’s software is well-suited for standard scanning needs, offering features like color correction and dust removal. However, it lacks some of the advanced tools and filter options that are included with the V600.
Epson V600: Epson has enhanced the software bundled with the V600, adding pro-level tools and additional filter options. This is especially beneficial for advanced users and photographers who want more control over their scans and image processing.
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- Photo Restoration
Epson V550: The V550 lacks the Easy Photo Fix technology, which is available with the V600. Easy Photo Fix is a feature that can automatically restore old photos while scanning, making it easier to revive and digitize your cherished memories.
Epson V600: With Easy Photo Fix, the V600 offers an added advantage for those looking to restore and enhance old photographs during the scanning process. This feature can save you time and effort in post-processing.
- Dust and Scratch Removal
Epson V550: The V550 does not include an Integrated Cleaning and Enhancement (ICE) system for automatic dust and scratch removal from film negatives. This means you may need to invest more time in manual cleaning and retouching.
Epson V600: The V600 comes equipped with an ICE system, which can significantly reduce the time and effort required for cleaning and retouching. This feature is especially valuable for film scanning, where dust and scratches can be common issues.
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- USB Connection
Epson V550: The V550 is equipped with a USB 2.0 connection, which offers decent transfer speeds for most scanning tasks.
Epson V600: The V600 steps up with a faster USB 2.0 connection. This means quicker scan transfer times, which can be especially beneficial when dealing with large batches of scans or high-resolution images.
- Pricing
In terms of pricing:
Epson V550: The V550 is generally more affordable than the V600, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious users.
Epson V600: The V600 tends to cost $50 to $100 more than the V550. While it is a bit pricier, it offers several additional features and capabilities that can justify the higher cost for users who require them.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, the inclusion of 120 and 4”x5” film scanning capabilities makes the V600 the better option for photographers who work with medium or large format film sizes. Image quality is nearly identical.
The key difference is that the V600 can scan 120 and 4”x5” sized film while the V550 can only scan 35mm film and slides. The V600 also has a few small upgrades like faster USB speed and automatic photo correction.
No, Epson still lists the V550 as an active product as of this writing. It has remained on sale for over 10 years thanks to its reliable performance.
Fortunately, no. Like the V550, the V600 also remains an active model and popular option for digitizing film and prints at home as of 2023. Epson continues to support it with software updates.
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Final Thoughts
For simply converting 35mm negatives and slides, the Epson V550 delivers excellent quality at an affordable price point. Photographers working with medium format 120 or large format 4×5 film will benefit from stepping up to the V600.
Both scanners produce beautiful high resolution scans to digitally preserve memories locked away on film and prints. With their user-friendly design and premium scanning results, the Epson Perfection V550 and V600 remain smart choices to breathe new life into old photos.