Epson FastFoto FF-680W

Speed and Efficiency

The Epson FastFoto FF-680W delivers on its promise of lightning-fast scanning, with professional reviewers noting it can process a full 600 DPI color scan in just 14 seconds. TechRadar's testing confirmed that the scanner can handle up to 30 photos in 30 seconds at 300 DPI, with 600 DPI taking only slightly longer. Digital Camera World's Gareth Bevan highlighted that the unit can scan an entire double-sided 10-page black and white document in just 58 seconds, achieving a throughput of over 10 pages per minute. The auto-feed function and paper output tray make it ideal for large scanning jobs, with Fstoppers' Alex Cooke noting that scanning 2,500 photos took approximately three minutes per batch of 36, allowing for an afternoon's work on a substantial family archive. The scanner's duplex capability cuts scanning time in half, making it particularly efficient for document scanning tasks.

Scan Quality and Performance

Professional reviewers consistently praised the FF-680W's scan quality, with TechGearLab's Sentry Kelly noting that it delivered 'excellent scan quality for both documents and photos' and was 'peerless in our scan quality tests.' The scanner achieved excellent results across various media types, from black and white documents to color photos, with Digital Camera World's Gareth Bevan stating it 'completely nailed the beautiful color gradient of a blue sky, the shifting rich greens of tree leaves, and even manages to recreate the color of a person's skin without washing it out or over-saturating it whatsoever.' However, some inconsistencies were noted, with one reviewer observing that the scanner 'adds a slight bit of saturation when scanning receipt paper' and that 'the FastFoto adds a slight bit of saturation when scanning receipt paper.' The scanner's ability to capture subtle details was also confirmed, with Fstoppers' Alex Cooke stating that 'in terms of detail capture, you will be limited by the resolution of your prints, not the scanner, as it is quite excellent.'

Image quality performance was also measured in real-world conditions, with Camera Derie's JensM reporting that the scanner handled various print sizes from passport photos to A4 documents with consistent results. The auto-enhancement features were particularly effective, with one reviewer noting that 'the scanner's auto-enhancement does an excellent job, removing haze, adding a bit of contrast and saturation, and correcting any tints, all without going overboard.' The scanner's ability to handle different paper types was also tested, with JensM noting that 'some dimpled photographic paper in vogue in the 60 and 70s, which seems to leave a random set of white spots on the scans.' Despite these minor issues, the overall quality was deemed excellent for archival purposes.

Software and User Experience

The FastFoto software received widespread praise from reviewers, with Digital Camera World's Gareth Bevan noting that 'Epson's FastFoto software is a joy to use' and that 'the software is easy to understand and very to the point, without any unnecessary frills, which I appreciate.' TechGearLab's Sentry Kelly also highlighted that the software was 'feature-rich and intuitive to use,' while Fstoppers' Alex Cooke described it as 'easy to understand and very to the point, without any unnecessary frills.' The software offers powerful options for automatically cropping and rotating photos, as well as restoring colors in faded photos and enhancing brightness, contrast, and color. Users can choose to save both original and enhanced scans simultaneously, which proved particularly useful for archival work. The software also allows for logical filename assignment, making organization easier, and includes features like automatic uploading to cloud services such as Dropbox and Google Drive. However, some reviewers noted that the software's auto-correction features can be hit or miss, with one reviewer noting that 'the FastFoto adds a slight bit of saturation when scanning receipt paper' and that 'the scanner's auto-enhancement does an excellent job, removing haze, adding a bit of contrast and saturation, and correcting any tints, all without going overboard.'

The setup process was described as straightforward across multiple reviews, with Fstoppers' Alex Cooke noting that 'setting it up is very straightforward: download the software, plug it in, connect the USB cable (you can also send images over Wi-Fi), and off you go.' The scanner's controls were also praised for their simplicity, with Camera Derie's JensM noting that 'all the controls are in a column down the right side of the top, including power, Wi-Fi connect and toggle, double feed detection skip, slow mode, stop, and scan.' The double feed detection feature was particularly appreciated, with one reviewer noting that 'if the scanner grabs two photos at the same time, it detects this and alerts you so you can fix it and not miss out on scanning an image.'

Build Quality and Design

The Epson FastFoto FF-680W's build quality was noted as solid by multiple reviewers, with Digital Camera World's Gareth Bevan describing it as 'small and compact' and TechGearLab's Sentry Kelly noting that it 'provides excellent scan quality for both documents and photos, completes tasks lightning-fast, and comes with software that is both feature-rich and intuitive to use.' The scanner's compact size was particularly appreciated by Camera Derie's JensM, who noted that 'the scanner is a proper gamechanger' and that 'this thing is a proper gamechanger' for handling large archives. The unit's dimensions were measured at 296 x 169 x 176 mm, with a weight of 3.7kg, making it suitable for home use without taking up excessive space. The scanner's design was also praised for its logical layout, with Fstoppers' Alex Cooke noting that 'the design of the scanner is logical and easy to use.' The inclusion of a carrier sheet and cleaning cloth in the box was also appreciated, with one reviewer noting that 'the box is the scanner, a starting guide, USB 3.0 cable, power cable, carrier sheet, and cleaning cloth.' The scanner's connectivity options were also noted as flexible, with support for both USB 3.0 and wireless LAN IEEE 802.11b/g/n, allowing for versatile deployment in different environments.

Where It Falls Short

Despite its many strengths, several reviewers noted significant drawbacks to the Epson FastFoto FF-680W. The most commonly cited issue was its price point, with Digital Camera World's Gareth Bevan stating that 'the scanner does have a cost that is hard to recommend, with most people not having enough recurring batches of photo prints to justify the costly investment.' TechGearLab's Sentry Kelly also noted that 'the price tag reflects its high level of capability, though, and it is clearly a product geared toward professionals and enthusiasts.' The scanner's software, while praised for its features, was also criticized for its inconsistency, with one reviewer noting that 'some scanning artifacts' were present and that 'hit and miss image 'corrections'' occurred. Camera Derie's JensM also noted that 'some dimpled photographic paper in vogue in the 60 and 70s, which seems to leave a random set of white spots on the scans.' Additionally, the scanner's performance with certain paper types was noted as problematic, with one reviewer stating that 'the scanner's auto-enhancement does an excellent job, removing haze, adding a bit of contrast and saturation, and correcting any tints, all without going overboard.' The scanner's ability to handle very small or irregularly shaped prints was also noted as limited, with one reviewer stating that 'the scanner handles various print sizes from passport photos to A4 documents with consistent results' but that 'cut down to just the frame, it is touch and go if it will scan or malfunction.'

Another significant limitation was the scanner's inability to handle certain types of film or media, with one reviewer noting that 'the scanner does not handle negatives or positives' and that 'the scanner is only for prints, not negatives or positives.' This limitation was particularly important for users with extensive film archives, as it meant they would need additional equipment to digitize their entire collection. Additionally, the scanner's performance with very old or damaged prints was noted as inconsistent, with one reviewer stating that 'the scanner's auto-enhancement does an excellent job, removing haze, adding a bit of contrast and saturation, and correcting any tints, all without going overboard' but that 'some dimpled photographic paper in vogue in the 60 and 70s, which seems to leave a random set of white spots on the scans.' The scanner's dust removal capabilities were also criticized, with one reviewer noting that 'any dust that exists on a print typically gets stuck on the scan head, and then it leaves a visible line extending all the way across every photo in the stack.'

Who It's Best For

The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is best suited for users with substantial photo archives who require fast, automated scanning capabilities. Based on reviewer feedback, it's particularly valuable for families with thousands of old prints who want to digitize their collections efficiently. Camera Derie's JensM noted that 'this thing is a proper gamechanger' for anyone with a hoard of paper copies, and that 'I would highly recommend for anyone with a hoard of paper copies.' TechGearLab's Sentry Kelly also emphasized that the scanner is 'a product geared toward professionals and enthusiasts' and that 'it earns our top spot among all the scanners we tested as a premium product that justifies the investment for anyone willing to stretch their budget.' The scanner's ability to handle large volumes of prints quickly makes it ideal for users who regularly process substantial batches of photos, such as professional archivists or serious collectors. Digital Camera World's Gareth Bevan also noted that 'the FF-680W is beyond expectations for how fast and easy it is to scan large batches of photo prints including instant film such as Polaroid and Intax, with good quality 600DPI scans being completed in mere seconds.'

However, the scanner is not recommended for casual users or those with limited scanning needs. The high price point makes it impractical for individuals who only occasionally scan photos, as noted by Digital Camera World's Gareth Bevan who stated that 'the scanner does have a cost that is hard to recommend, with most people not having enough recurring batches of photo prints to justify the costly investment.' Additionally, users with extensive film archives that include negatives or slides would need additional equipment, as the scanner only handles prints. The scanner's software, while powerful, may be overkill for users who prefer manual editing, and its dust removal capabilities are limited, making it less suitable for heavily dusted or damaged prints. The scanner's performance with certain paper types, particularly older or dimpled photographic paper, also limits its versatility for some users.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to other scanners in its category, the Epson FastFoto FF-680W stands out for its speed and automation features, though it comes at a premium price. TechGearLab's Sentry Kelly noted that it 'leaves no room for complaints in practically any scanning task you might put it through' and that 'it earns our top spot among all the scanners we tested as a premium product that justifies the investment for anyone willing to stretch their budget.' Digital Camera World's Gareth Bevan also highlighted that 'the FF-680W is beyond expectations for how fast and easy it is to scan large batches of photo prints including instant film such as Polaroid and Intax, with good quality 600DPI scans being completed in mere seconds.' Compared to flatbed scanners, the FastFoto's auto-feed capability provides significant time savings, though it lacks the flexibility of handling individual prints manually. The scanner's performance was also noted to be superior to basic flatbeds in terms of speed and convenience, with Camera Derie's JensM stating that 'the scanner is a proper gamechanger' and that 'I would highly recommend for anyone with a hoard of paper copies.' However, it falls short of dedicated film scanners for handling negatives or slides, which require specialized equipment.

Value at This Price

The Epson FastFoto FF-680W's value proposition is clear for users who need to process large volumes of prints regularly. TechGearLab's Sentry Kelly's review gave it an overall score of 8.8 for scan quality and 9.1 for speed, with a final rating of 8.9 out of 10, indicating that it delivers exceptional performance for its price point. Digital Camera World's Gareth Bevan noted that 'the FF-680W is beyond expectations for how fast and easy it is to scan large batches of photo prints including instant film such as Polaroid and Intax, with good quality 600DPI scans being completed in mere seconds.' The scanner's ability to handle up to 30 photos in 30 seconds at 300 DPI, with 600 DPI taking only slightly longer, makes it a worthwhile investment for users who regularly process large batches of prints. However, the high price point of around $630 makes it impractical for casual users or those who only occasionally scan photos. The scanner's premium features, including its fast scanning speed, automatic document feeding, and advanced software, justify the cost for professionals or serious collectors, but may not be cost-effective for the average user. The inclusion of both USB 3.0 and wireless connectivity options adds value, though the scanner's limited compatibility with certain paper types and its inability to handle negatives or slides may limit its utility for some users.