Photo scanners digitize old photographs in seconds

Portable photo scanners can digitize old photographs in seconds and save them to memory cards or directly onto a computer. Consumer Reports tested four models that promise to make moving photos into the digital age hassle-free.

The scanners all came with plastic sleeves to protect fragile photos, and at the lowest resolution testers were able to scan 100 pictures in 15 minutes.

However, some of the digital pictures had lines running through them, and some of the scanners cut off the sides of pictures with darker backgrounds. Consumer Reports found that the $80 Kodak P460 had the fewest problems with over-cropping and it can also scan negatives and color slides.

Even better, testers said, was to spend the same amount of money on a regular scanner. The resolution is higher and the quality is typically better, said Consumer Reports. The $80 Epson Perfection V300 photo scanner produced good results.

Another recommendation is an all-in-one photo printer. Consumer Reports likes the $140 Canon Pixma MG6120, which is a good choice for photos and wireless printing.