Epson FastFoto FF-680W review the best high-speed wireless photo scanner

Description

A Seamless Scanning Experience with the Epson FastFoto FF-680W

The Epson FastFoto FF-680W Wireless High-Speed Photo and Document Scanning System has completely redefined my expectations of what a personal scanner can do. From its lightning-fast scanning speed to its intuitive photo restoration features, this device has been a game-changer for organizing and preserving cherished memories. I couldn’t resist testing every feature to see if the hype was real, and I must say, I found both impressive upsides and a few quirks worth mentioning.

Design and Build: Compact and Thoughtful

Right out of the box, the sleek design of this scanner caught my attention. It’s lightweight, weighing just 8.2 pounds, and its compact dimensions (6.7 x 11.7 x 6.9 inches) make it easy to fit on a cluttered desk. The minimalistic black finish gives it a professional look that blends perfectly into any workspace. I particularly appreciated how the device feels sturdy despite its small size, and the inclusion of SafeTouch Technology reassured me when handling delicate, old photos.

The user-friendly interface is another highlight. With both USB and wireless connectivity, setting up the scanner was a breeze. I could place it just about anywhere without worrying about cable length, and the Wi-Fi setup using the Epson FastFoto app was seamless. This is a particularly valuable feature for those who prioritize convenience and flexibility.

Performance: Speed Meets Quality

The advertised claim of scanning one photo per second at 300 dpi is no exaggeration. Testing this out with a batch of 36 photos, I was blown away by how quickly the scanner processed them without compromising quality. The scanner supports multiple resolutions, including 300 dpi for sharing, 600 dpi TIFF for archiving, and even 1200 dpi for enlargements. Whether I wanted to upload old Polaroids or digitize panoramic shots, the results were crisp and vibrant.

Additionally, the optical character recognition (OCR) feature, part of the Epson ScanSmart software, is a standout for document scanning. Converting scanned images into editable text proved incredibly useful for organizing work documents. However, I did notice that OCR struggled slightly with handwritten text, which could be an area for improvement.

Key Benefits

• Fast Scanning: Scans up to 1 photo per second at 300 dpi, making it the world’s fastest personal photo scanner.
• Versatile Resolutions: Options for 300 dpi JPEG, 600 dpi TIFF, and 1200 dpi enlargements cater to various needs.
• Photo Restoration Features: Includes auto enhancement, color restoration, red-eye reduction, and de-skewing for old photos.
• Flexible Connectivity: Offers USB and wireless options, making it easy to place and operate anywhere.
• SafeTouch Technology: Ensures delicate photos are handled with care.

Features for Memory Preservation

What truly sets this scanner apart is its photo-oriented design. The ability to capture both the image and handwritten notes on the back of a photo in a single scan adds an emotional touch to preserving memories. Pairing this with the Epson FastFoto app, I enjoyed experimenting with features like adding voice and text to photos. This made creating slideshows for family gatherings a breeze and added a personal touch when sharing stories.

The auto-upload to Dropbox and Google Drive was another feature I found incredibly practical. It eliminated the hassle of manually transferring files, making it easier to back up and share photos with family members.

Areas for Improvement

While the Epson FastFoto FF-680W impressed me overall, it’s not without its minor drawbacks. Here are a few areas that could use refinement:

• OCR Limitations: Struggles with recognizing handwriting accurately.
• Noise Levels: The scanning process is relatively quiet, but during high-speed scanning, there’s a noticeable hum that might bother some users.
• Batch Scanning Restrictions: Although it supports up to 36 photos per batch, handling larger batches would make the process even more efficient.

Negative Attributes

• Limited accuracy with handwritten text recognition.
• Slightly noisy operation during extended use.
• Batch size capped at 36 photos, which might feel restrictive for large-scale projects.

Competing Brands

Comparing the product to similar high-speed photo scanners like the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600 and Canon CanoScan LiDE 400, the Epson FastFoto FF-680W stands out for its sheer speed and dedicated photo restoration features. While the Fujitsu model excels in document scanning with its advanced paper handling, it doesn’t offer the same level of photo-centric enhancements like color restoration and auto enhancement. On the other hand, the Canon CanoScan provides excellent image quality but lacks the batch scanning capabilities and cloud integration that the Epson model boasts.

What truly gives the Epson scanner an edge is its multi-format options and the ability to scan both sides of a photo simultaneously. That said, for those focused solely on documents, competitors like Fujitsu might be more cost-effective.

Smart Spending

Given its robust features, the price-to-quality ratio of the Epson FastFoto FF-680W is justified. While it might seem like a premium investment initially, the time saved by its fast scanning speeds and the convenience of cloud integration makes it a worthwhile purchase for anyone looking to digitize their photo collection. Compared to competitors offering similar features, this product delivers a balanced mix of performance and value, especially for users prioritizing photo preservation.

Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, someone digitizing family albums, or an office worker needing reliable document scanning, this scanner delivers on its promises. It’s not perfect, but its combination of speed, versatility, and user-centric features makes it a standout choice in its class.

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