Canon CanoScan 5000F Scanner

• Sharp 2,400 x 4,800 dpi hardware resolution, 9,600 dpi interpolated
• Rich 48-bit color depth
• Built-in 35mm film adapter
• Fast, convenient USB 2.0 interface
• PC and Mac compatible

Installation of the scanner was fast and flawless. To set up the CanoScan 5000F, we followed the Quick Start Guide to load drivers and optional software, to unlock the scanner, and to connect the power and USB cables. Next we placed a document on the glass, pressed the copy button, and retrieved a copy from our printer. The entire process, from opening the box to holding a finished result, took only about 10 minutes. (To save time, we did not install all the optional software.)

We scanned a variety of documents and photos using default settings. Results appeared sharp and clear (and fast too, thanks to full USB 2.0 support). Colors were bright, and skin tones were natural, with only modest speckling that was easily removed in software.

Only one test was disappointing. Multi-scan mode lets you scan several photos at once into separate files. Unfortunately, the ScanGear CS driver had difficulty consistently recognizing individual pictures, often combining two small photos into one big one, even when they were well-separated on the glass. We saw improved results as we reduced the number of photos from four to three and still more improvement from three to two.

The CD-ROM contains the ScanGear CS and WIA drivers, CanoScan Toolbox, ArcSoft PhotoStudio and PhotoBase, ScanSoft OmniPage SE, NewSoft PageManager and BizCard (trial), Adobe Acrobat Reader (and support for scanning directly into PDF files), and various software user's guides. Given these ample titles plus sturdy construction, easy setup, and Canon's generous InstantExchange warranty, the 5000F makes an excellent value for the serious home user. --Mike Brown

Pros:

• Flawless, fast setup
• Large, useful software bundle
• Solid, fast performance

• Multi-mode feature doesn't always work
• No printed manual