Rating: 
Summary: Good little performer: fast, light, no AC adapter needed!!!
Review: After setting this up in about a minute I was scanning. The software/driver package is average. Warm up takes only a couple of seconds becuase it is not a CCD/lamp scanner, it is a CMOS scanner which requires less power and less components. Hopefully it will bring more reliability. USB powered. Easy for people to "borrow" or bring to a friends house. Just remember to lock/unlock it when traveling and scanning. Images are average but the speed is awesome. Beats my UMAX 1220U (1998) scanner by far. I'll probably try out epson scanners next, the quality and speed on that is supposed to be really good. If you are looking for fast, simplistic, reliable scanner, the LiDE 20 fits the bill without paying a big bill.
Rating: 
Summary: Limited depth of field but great for photos and artwork
Review: This scanner is extremely easy to install and set up. You'll be scanning photos within about 10 minutes of getting it out of the box. Its also great that it draws its power through the USB chord as its just one less thing you need to worry about plugging in somewhere. The price for the scanner is hard to beat and with Amazon's free shipping, this is about the most affordable scanner out there. Its slim design and light weight is also a plus. So far I have run into only one draw back and that is its very limited depth of field. You cannot put anything with any dimension on the scanner and expect decent results. If the object is not touching the glass, the scanner cannot focus on the object and capture detail. If you're simply looking for a scanner that can be used to archieve photos or artwork, this is a great choice. The included software has enough options to fine tune control but I've been quite happy with the results using the software's default settings. I also scan directly into Photoshop where I can further enhance the results if need be. Its important to note that this scanner is plenty powerful for the average home user. 300+ DPI resolution is more than enough to scan a photo and capture just TONS of detail. If you're not a professional working in print theres just no need for a scanner that will capture 2400 dpi. So don't go looking at other higher priced scanners with super high resolution thinking higher is better. Chances are you will NEVER find a need to scan something in such high detail.
SUMMARY:
- Unbeatable price
- Easy set-up
- USB serves as power chord
- light weight and small so its easy to move
- decent surface area / bed size
- Good resolution for the average home user
- Great results with photos or artwork
- Easy to use scanning software with decent user options
- Limited depth of field, not good for 3D objects.
Rating:
Summary: Great scanner for the price
Review: I just received my Canon Canoscan LiDE20 scanner and I must say that I'm quite impressed so far.Software took about 20 minutes to install & it includes a good general image editing program, but I'm used to using Picture It that came on my system so I normally use the bundled software for the initial scan only, plus I don't like wasting time learning new software when I can use something I'm already familiar with. Also included was an OCR program (I've never used OCR that much and I probably won't use this one much either) The scanner is very small and lightweight. There's NO power cord, the scanner is powered through the USB cable (I have mine plugged into a POWERED USB hub and it works just fine) The scanner is quiet while previewing or scanning. Image quality is very good considering the price of the scanner.
I also considered the LiDE 30 that was a few bucks more, but I'm glad I saved the cash and got this model. I've been scanning at 300 dpi and 400 dpi today, and after printing the images on photo paper I can't see much difference from the original. The speed of the preview is good at less than a minute per page. Depending on the resolution I'm using, the actual scan is quite fast also. Example: a 7" by 11" image scanned at 400 dpi takes a little over a minute to completely scan. My old umax scanner (that won't work with Win XP) takes 2-3 minutes per preview and depending on resolution, takes 5-20 minutes per scan. You have options for magazine, photo & other standard methods of scanning. I use the custom settings to raise the resolution to 400 dpi color. (I haven't scanned anything over 400 dpi yet, but I'll get around to that sooner or later) You can also change the image before scanning, including briteness & contrast, etc. I normally leave the other settings alone and tweak the images later. I have noticed that unlike many other flatbed scanners I've used, the scan bulb is not lit at all times, only when scanning. The scanner also features "ON FRONT" scan buttons, but I've never been a fan of one touch scanners, so I don't use them. My only complaint is that after I scan images, onscreen they look pixelated and grainy, even if I use them in MS Publisher they look distorted. When the image is printed, it comes out just fine though. Overall this is a great little scanner for the price.
Rating:
Summary: Great Scanner For the Money
Review: Like the previous reviewer (June 18), I debated on whether or not to get this scanner. But I figured the price was low and overall the reviews were very favorable. I'm glad I did. It is very easy to set up - just take it out of the box, install the software, plug in the usb cable and it is ready to use. Note: I only installed the drivers, not the image editing software because I use other programs instead, like Macromedia's Fireworks. It installed on Windows XP with no problems, and also interfaces with my image editing programs perfectly. This scanner looks very good, and I like the slim design. I use lower resolutions because most of the scans are for the web or for viewing on a monitor - even at lower resolutions they look great. The biggest delay is when you make the first scan - it takes about a minute to calibrate. After that, the speed of the scans is relatively quick. It's nice not needing a power cord. Be advised that you will probably have to use a powered usb hub, not the one on the motherboard. I already had one so this was no problem. Negative: when I scan multiple pictures, the software doesn't always recognize each picture - it sometimes combines more than one. Or, it chops off parts of the pictures. However, I might not be following the instructions so I'll give the scanner and software the benefit of the doubt here. Overall for the price, this is an excellent value - good quality and good looks. I am happy with this purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Great scanner for the price
Review: I just received my Canon Canoscan LiDE20 scanner and I must say that I'm quite impressed so far. Software took about 20 minutes to install & it includes a good general image editing program, but I'm used to using Picture It that came on my system so I normally use the bundled software for the initial scan only, plus I don't like wasting time learning new software when I can use something I'm already familiar with. Also included was an OCR program (I've never used OCR that much and I probably won't use this one much either) The scanner is very small and lightweight. There's NO power cord, the scanner is powered through the USB cable (I have mine plugged into a POWERED USB hub and it works just fine) The scanner is quiet while previewing or scanning. Image quality is very good considering the price of the scanner.
I also considered the LiDE 30 that was a few bucks more, but I'm glad I saved the cash and got this model. I've been scanning at 300 dpi and 400 dpi today, and after printing the images on photo paper I can't see much difference from the original. The speed of the preview is good at less than a minute per page. Depending on the resolution I'm using, the actual scan is quite fast also. Example: a 7" by 11" image scanned at 400 dpi takes a little over a minute to completely scan. My old umax scanner (that won't work with Win XP) takes 2-3 minutes per preview and depending on resolution, takes 5-20 minutes per scan. You have options for magazine, photo & other standard methods of scanning. I use the custom settings to raise the resolution to 400 dpi color. (I haven't scanned anything over 400 dpi yet, but I'll get around to that sooner or later) You can also change the image before scanning, including briteness & contrast, etc. I normally leave the other settings alone and tweak the images later. I have noticed that unlike many other flatbed scanners I've used, the scan bulb is not lit at all times, only when scanning. The scanner also features "ON FRONT" scan buttons, but I've never been a fan of one touch scanners, so I don't use them. My only complaint is that after I scan images, onscreen they look pixelated and grainy, even if I use them in MS Publisher they look distorted. When the image is printed, it comes out just fine though. Overall this is a great little scanner for the price.
Rating:
Summary: Super scanner
Review: This is the first scanner I have ever purchased, and only the second scanner I have worked with, so I am a novice at scanning, but I am in love with this scanner! It was very easy to install on my computer, the pictures look great, and the photo software that comes with the scanner is also easy to use and has many more "bells and whistles" than MS Photo Editor. The price was excellent as well, and I am looking forward to preserving old photographs and letters in the digital format.
Rating:
Summary: Fine by me
Review: I am a photographer with many images that only have prints available. I was in a jam a needed to scan a B&W print cause I couldn't fine the negative. I dusted off my trusty $1200 Nikon ax 1200 only to discover this 40 lb monstrosity I have been storing for 5 years does not work properly anymore. I was in jelly by then. I rushed out picked up this little gem, i figured 1200 x 600 is enough for an 8x10 print scan. I examined some other scanners but they were too expensive, up to $200 and didn't really offer any more usefull features (you will not get decent 35mm film scans with any scanner less than $400, trust me). I went home installed, I used the twain plugin and my scan was out the door in no time. Great size, good image quality, less cable mess, no external power brick. The only way to improve is to make it wireless.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: Let me start by saying I have never liked Canon printer products or canon products in general. With that said I decided to upgrade to a Dell PC recently. I did mot want to install my old SCSI scanner so thought I would get a new USB 2.0 scanner. The Canon caught my because it was so thin and USB powered. After reading the reviews here I thouht what the heck and give it a try. The reviewes here were right. For $50 you are getting a great scanner. The scan quality is good and the drivers are excellent. No power supply and thin make it great!!! Only complaint is the ARCSOFT PhotoStudio. The images look really grainy when they display in this program. I thought I had bought a lemon at first. After I saved the image and brought them up in a differen program I realized the flaw was in the software.
I will switch to PainTShop or PaperPort.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe it's me?
Review: The software is difficult and confusing to use and the scans are very poor. I had an HP before and it was so simple and took super scans. I only replaced it because it didn't work with the new operating system. I'm returning this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Mac OS X Software Works Like Beta
Review: The Canoscan software is nice and graphical, and the buttons do work with the Mac. However, the software has some quirks. Opening the Canoscan program, without even scanning, shoots CPU usage up to 100% and it stays there until you quit the program. Selecting which program is associated with the buttons is odd, because it sees applications not as applications but as program groups -- a confusing experience but that is minor overall. The only real disappointment is that the copy button does not really seem to work very well -- it takes 40 min for the print to come out. You can have better success saving files and printing them separately. Quality is fine. If you can find it for $40 like how it used to be, it is a real deal. I recommend this unit if you might occaisionally have to copy or scan a document, but I wouldn't want to have to use it all the time.
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