Epson FastFoto FF-680W vs. ScanSnap iX1600: A Comparison

In today’s digital world, having a reliable scanner can make a significant difference in how you manage documents and preserve cherished memories. Whether you’re looking to digitize thousands of old family photos or streamline your office workflow, choosing the right scanner is crucial. Two of the top contenders in their respective categories are the Epson FastFoto FF-680W and the ScanSnap iX1600. While both offer high-speed scanning and wireless connectivity, they are designed for very different purposes—one excels at photo scanning and restoration, while the other is built for efficient document management. In this comparison, we’ll break down their features, performance, and usability to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.

Epson FastFoto FF-680W Scanner

The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a high-speed, wireless photo and document scanner designed for users who need to digitize large collections of photos quickly. With the ability to scan one photo per second at 300 dpi, this scanner is one of the fastest personal photo scanners available. It supports batch scanning of up to 36 photos at a time, making it ideal for organizing old photo collections efficiently. The Epson FastFoto app enhances usability by allowing users to add voice recordings and text to photos or create slideshows directly from their smartphones. Additionally, the auto enhancement features, including color restoration and red-eye reduction, help revive faded photos. The scanner also doubles as a powerful document scanner with optical character recognition (OCR), enabling users to convert scanned documents into editable text.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features

• Scans one photo per second at 300 dpi, perfect for large collections
• Batch scanning of up to 36 photos, increasing efficiency
• Epson FastFoto app for adding text, voice notes, and creating slideshows
• Auto enhancement and restoration, including red-eye reduction and color correction
• OCR capability for document scanning, making text searchable and editable

Pros

• Fast and efficient scanning, ideal for handling large volumes of photos
• High-quality image restoration improves old or faded pictures
• Supports multiple photo sizes, including panoramas and Polaroids
• Easy cloud integration, allowing automatic uploads to Dropbox and Google Drive
• Dual functionality, working well as both a photo and document scanner

Cons

• Expensive compared to other photo scanners

ScanSnap iX1600 Scanner

The ScanSnap iX1600 is a high-speed, cloud-enabled document scanner designed for both home and small business users. With a large touchscreen interface, wireless and USB connectivity, and a 40 pages per minute (ppm) duplex scanning speed, this device is built for efficiency. The scanner supports a variety of media types, including receipts, postcards, and business cards, making it a versatile tool for document management. Users can create up to 30 scanning profiles, allowing different team members to access their personalized shortcuts. The ScanSnap Home software integrates document organization, OCR, and cloud connectivity, making it easier to manage scanned files. However, while many users praise its quick setup and reliable performance, some have noted occasional issues with Wi-Fi connectivity and software usability.

Key Features, Pros, and Cons

Key Features

• 40ppm duplex scanning for fast, high-volume processing
• Large touchscreen for intuitive control and profile selection
• Wi-Fi and USB connectivity for flexible placement and direct-to-cloud scanning
• ScanSnap Home software for managing documents, receipts, and photos
• Supports multiple media types, including business cards and legal-size documents

Pros

• Fast and efficient scanning speed with duplex functionality
• User-friendly touchscreen interface for quick access to custom profiles
• Versatile media compatibility, ideal for different document types
• Cloud and mobile integration, allowing seamless scanning to various platforms
• Compact design fits well in home offices and small workspaces

Cons

• Wireless connectivity can be inconsistent, leading to random disconnections

Comparison: Epson FastFoto FF-680W vs. ScanSnap iX1600

When choosing a scanner, it’s important to consider your primary needs. The Epson FastFoto FF-680W and ScanSnap iX1600 cater to different types of users, with the former focusing on high-speed photo scanning and the latter excelling in document management and workflow efficiency. Both models offer wireless and USB connectivity, high-speed scanning, and robust software support, but they differ significantly in their intended use and feature set.

1. Design and Build Quality

Both scanners have a compact design, making them suitable for home or office use. The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is slightly larger and heavier, measuring 6.7″D x 11.7″W x 6.8″H and weighing 8.2 pounds, while the ScanSnap iX1600 is more compact at 6.3″D x 11.5″W x 6″H, weighing 7.5 pounds. Despite their similar form factors, their designs reflect their intended purposes:

• The FastFoto FF-680W is optimized for photo scanning, featuring SafeTouch Technology to protect delicate prints.
• The ScanSnap iX1600, on the other hand, is built for document management, offering a large touchscreen for easy navigation and profile selection.

Feature	Epson FastFoto FF-680W	ScanSnap iX1600
Dimensions	6.7″D x 11.7″W x 6.8″H	6.3″D x 11.5″W x 6″H
Weight	8.2 lbs	7.5 lbs
Display	No touchscreen	Large touchscreen
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, USB	Wi-Fi, USB

2. Scanning Speed and Performance

If speed is your priority, both models deliver fast scanning, but in different ways:

• The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is the fastest personal photo scanner, capable of scanning one photo per second at 300 dpi and processing up to 36 photos in a batch. It also supports high-resolution scanning up to 1200 dpi for archiving.
• The ScanSnap iX1600 is tailored for document scanning, offering 40 pages per minute (ppm) duplex scanning, making it an excellent choice for offices handling large volumes of paperwork.

Feature	Epson FastFoto FF-680W	ScanSnap iX1600
Max Scanning Speed	1 photo per second (300 dpi)	40 ppm (duplex)
Batch Scanning	36 photos	Multiple pages via auto document feeder
Max Resolution	1200 dpi	600 dpi

3. Photo and Document Handling

This is where the biggest distinction between the two scanners emerges:

• The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is designed specifically for photo preservation, supporting various photo sizes (Polaroids, panoramas, postcards, and standard prints). It also features auto enhancement tools, including color restoration, red-eye removal, and de-skewing.
• The ScanSnap iX1600 is primarily a document scanner, supporting receipts, business cards, and full-sized documents up to 8.5″ x 14″. It lacks dedicated photo enhancement features but offers optical character recognition (OCR) for converting scanned documents into editable and searchable text.

Feature	Epson FastFoto FF-680W	ScanSnap iX1600
Best for	Photos (prints, postcards, Polaroids)	Documents (contracts, business cards, receipts)
OCR (text recognition)	Yes (for documents)	Yes (for all scanned files)
Photo Enhancement	Yes (color restoration, red-eye reduction)	No

4. Software and Connectivity

Both scanners come with Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, but their software ecosystems differ significantly:

• The Epson FastFoto FF-680W integrates with the Epson FastFoto app, allowing users to add voice and text to scanned images, create slideshows, and easily share files to cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive.
• The ScanSnap iX1600 uses ScanSnap Home software, which excels at document organization, sorting, and cloud storage management. Users can create up to 30 scanning profiles, making it great for shared office environments.

Feature	Epson FastFoto FF-680W	ScanSnap iX1600
Mobile App	Epson FastFoto	ScanSnap Home
Cloud Integration	Dropbox, Google Drive	Dropbox, Google Drive, more
Wireless Scanning	Yes	Yes

FAQs

Which scanner is better for digitizing old family photos?

The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is the better choice for digitizing old family photos. It offers high-speed scanning (one photo per second at 300 dpi) and features automatic enhancements like color restoration, red-eye reduction, and de-skewing. Additionally, it supports various photo sizes, including Polaroids and panoramas, making it ideal for archiving family memories.

Can the ScanSnap iX1600 scan photos as well as documents?

While the ScanSnap iX1600 can scan photos, it is primarily designed for document management. It lacks dedicated photo enhancement features like color correction and red-eye removal. If you need to scan a few photos occasionally, it can handle the task, but for large-scale photo digitization and restoration, the Epson FastFoto FF-680W is the better option.

Does the Epson FastFoto FF-680W support OCR for documents?

Yes, the Epson FastFoto FF-680W includes optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities, allowing it to convert scanned documents into searchable and editable text. However, if document scanning is your main priority, the ScanSnap iX1600 offers a more advanced OCR experience and is better suited for business use.

Which scanner has better software for organizing scanned files?

The ScanSnap iX1600 comes with ScanSnap Home software, which is specifically designed for document organization and management. It allows users to create up to 30 scanning profiles, making it highly efficient for office use. The Epson FastFoto FF-680W, on the other hand, is more focused on photo organization with its Epson FastFoto app, which allows users to add text and voice recordings to photos and create slideshows.

Is Wi-Fi connectivity stable on both scanners?

Both scanners support Wi-Fi and USB connectivity, but user experiences with Wi-Fi stability vary. Some users report occasional disconnections, especially with the Epson FastFoto FF-680W, which may require reconnection during large scanning sessions. The ScanSnap iX1600 generally has a more stable wireless connection, but network interference can still affect performance. For the most reliable experience, using USB connectivity is recommended when scanning large batches.

Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?

The choice between the Epson FastFoto FF-680W and the ScanSnap iX1600 depends entirely on your primary scanning needs:

• If your main goal is to digitize and restore a large collection of photos, the Epson FastFoto FF-680W is the best option due to its high-speed photo scanning, automatic enhancement tools, and dedicated app for organizing memories.
• If you need a powerful document scanner for work or home office use, the ScanSnap iX1600 is the better choice, thanks to its fast duplex scanning, OCR functionality, and efficient document management software.