Film photography may not be as popular as digital these days, but many of us still have boxes of old 35mm slides and negatives tucked away. Digitizing these analog memories is a great way to preserve and share them for years to come.
But which film scanner gets the job done best without breaking the bank? Here we’ll compare the Kodak Slide N SCAN and Scanza to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Kodak Slide N SCAN | Scanza |
| Type of Film Supported | 35mm, 126, 110, Super 8 | 35mm, 126, 110 |
| Sensor Resolution | 22MP | 14MP |
| Scan Speed | 1 photo per 4 secs | 1 photo per 3 secs |
| Supported Media | Film negatives, slides | Film negatives, slides |
| Output File Types | JPEG, TIFF | JPEG, TIFF, PDF |
| Display Screen | 3.5″ LCD | None |
| Connectivity | SD card, USB 2.0 | SD card, USB 2.0 |
| Software Bundle | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $150 | $90 |
Overview of the Kodak Slide N SCAN
The Kodak Slide N SCAN is one of the higher-end film scanners aimed at hobbyists and professionals. It offers excellent image quality thanks to its 22MP sensor resolution.
Some key features and benefits of the Slide N SCAN include:
- Scans 35mm, 126, 110 and Super 8 films
- Captures stunning 22MP images
- Fast scanning at 1 photo per 4 seconds
- Scans both slides and negatives
- Saves scans as JPEG or TIFF files
- Has a large 3.5” LCD screen for previewing images
- SD card slot and USB 2.0 connectivity
- Bundled software for editing scans
- Produces clean images with great color reproduction
- Fairly simple to use once loaded and setup
- Compact size takes up minimal space
The Slide N SCAN requires some preparation before scanning. Films need to be cleaned and loaded into specific slide or negative trays which then load into the scanner.
This makes the process a little more involved than single image scanners. But it results in reliable film feeding and high quality scans batch after batch.
Some downsides are the scanner can be slow when saving very high resolution TIFF files. The software also lacks some more advanced editing features.
But overall the Slide N SCAN delivers excellent quality scans considering its reasonable price point. For anyone with lots of old films to digitize, it’s a great choice.
Overview of the Scanza Film Scanner
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Scanza is a solid lower-cost film scanner. Key details include:
- Scans 35mm, 126, and 110 film types
- 14MP sensor captures good image quality
- Fast 1 photo per 3 second scan speed
- Scans slides and negatives
- Saves scans in JPEG, TIFF or PDF formats
- No display screen, uses computer for preview
- SD card slot and USB 2.0 connectivity
- Basic software for editing included
- Produces decent scans for the price
- Compact and portable size
- Very easy and straightforward to use
- Lower resolution than Kodak but still good for sharing online or printing 4×6”
- Significantly more affordable price point
As an entry-level film scanner, the Scanza does require some compromises. The plastic construction feels a little flimsy. There’s no onboard screen for previewing scans. And the software is very basic compared to the Kodak.
But for the budget-friendly price, the Scanza still delivers good quality scans. It’s a great option for digitizing lots of family slides and negatives without spending too much.
Just don’t expect the same pixel-peeping resolution as more advanced scanners. But for sharing old memories with family, the Scanza gets the job done.
Also Read: Comparison Between the Canon RS40 and Epson FastFoto
Key Differences Between the Kodak Slide N SCAN and Scanza
Now that we’ve covered the basics of each scanner, let’s compare them head-to-head in key categories:
Image Quality
- The Kodak offers significantly better resolution with its 22MP sensor versus 14MP on the Scanza. This results in finer details and the ability to zoom in or print larger.
- However, the Scanza still provides perfectly usable image quality for sharing scans online or making typical 4×6” prints. It just can’t match the Kodak for resolution when inspecting images up close.
Scan Speed
- The scanners are similarly speedy, with the Kodak scanning at 1 photo every 4 seconds compared to the Scanza’s 3 second pace.
- For most purposes, either scanner will digitize a full film roll reasonably quickly. But the Scanza maintains a slight edge in productivity.
Film Compatibility
- The Kodak can scan both 35mm and Super 8 films. The Scanza lacks Super 8 capability.
- So for anyone with those small Super 8 reels, the Kodak is the only choice. Both easily handle all the typical 35mm, 126, and 110 film formats though.
Connectivity & Storage
- Both scanners feature an SD card slot and USB 2.0 connectivity for transferring images to a computer.
- The process is basically identical. The Kodak gains a slight edge with its LCD display for previewing scans before offloading.
Hardware & Build
- The Kodak feels noticeably sturdier with its plastic but solid construction. The Scanza’s lightweight plastic body seems a bit flimsier.
- For travellers or those scanning on the go, the Scanza’s lighter body could be a plus. But the Kodak instils more confidence in durability.
Software & Editing
- Kodak’s bundled software, while not for professional editing, provides some decent basic adjustments for cropping, color, etc.
- Scanza’s software is much more limited for only simple tasks like rotating images. Serious editing requires exporting scans to another program.
Price
- With about a $60 price difference, the Scanza provides major savings for anyone on a tight budget.
- The Kodak ultimately delivers far better value for the difference in price. But the Scanza is the cheapest way to get basic, usable scans.
Also Read: Comparison Between the Epson V550 and V600
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Kodak offers a few different film scanner models. The Slide N SCAN provides the best balance of image quality, features and value for digitizing personal collections of 35mm, 126, 110, and Super 8 films. Kodak’s lower-end Film Scanners are more budget friendly but have reduced image resolution. And the higher-end Professional Film Scanners boast incredible quality for commercial work and archives but cost thousands. For hobbyists and families, the reasonably priced Slide N SCAN hits the sweet spot.
For anyone on a tight budget looking to digitize lots of old family photos, the Scanza provides a cheap way to get the job done. Just don’t expect high resolution. But the Scanza can scan most common film formats quickly and decently well for simpler 4×6 prints and online sharing. Compared to having a shop scan films which costs $5-15 per roll, the Scanza pays for itself after about 10 rolls worth of savings. So it’s definitely worth it for casual users with lots of films to digitize economically.
The Kodak Slide N SCAN is the top overall choice for scanning 35mm slides. It produces excellent 22MP scans and has a built-in 3.5” LCD screen for conveniently previewing slides. Other options like the Wolverine F2D Mighty and Plustek OpticFilm 8200i are also good, but a bit slower. For those on a budget, the lower resolution Scanza provides decent scans at a fraction of the price.
The Scanza is Kodak’s most affordable film scanner aimed at beginners. It can digitize 35mm, 126, and 110 negatives and slides at 14MP resolution. The Scanza uses a simple insert and scan operation with no preview screen. It has basic software to save scans as JPEGs, TIFFs or PDFs. While image quality is not as refined as pricier scanners, the compact Scanza still provides usable scans economically. For less than $100, it’s a decent option for digitizing boxes of old family photos on a budget.
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Final Thoughts
When choosing between the Kodak Slide N SCAN and Scanza, consider your priorities – quality, features, or price.
For hobbyists wanting high resolution to zoom and print bigger, the Slide N SCAN easily justifies its higher price with far better image quality and useful software. But casual users happy with lower resolution files for sharing online can save money with the budget-friendly Scanza.
Either scanner lets you digitally preserve those boxes of aging slides, negatives and films before they degrade further. Now you can easily analyze the pros and cons of each model to pick the best film scanner for your needs and budget.
