In the back of my closet, there’s a collection of shoeboxes. They aren’t filled with shoes; they’re heavy with the weight of memories. Decades of family photos, sepia-toned portraits of great-grandparents, faded Polaroids from the 80s, and stacks of important documents that predate the cloud. For years, I told myself I’d digitize them, to preserve them from the ravages of time and make them easily shareable with family. But the task always seemed monumental, requiring bulky, expensive equipment and a steep learning curve. This is a familiar story for many of us—genealogists, family archivists, artists, and anyone wanting to bridge the gap between their physical and digital worlds. The real challenge isn’t just scanning; it’s finding a tool that delivers exceptional quality without occupying half your desk or requiring an engineering degree to operate. The fear of low-quality, pixelated images or a frustrating software experience is what keeps those shoeboxes in the closet. The search for a solution led us directly to the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner, a device that promises high-resolution results in a shockingly compact and affordable package.
- CLEAR, DETAILED PHOTO SCANS – Achieve amazing image clarity and detail with a 4800 dpi optical resolution, perfect for enlarging photos.
- IMAGE AND DOCUMENT SCANNER – Easily scan photos, artwork, illustrations, books, documents, and more with this compact and lightweight scanner.
What to Consider Before Buying a Flatbed Scanner
A flatbed scanner is more than just an office accessory; it’s a key solution for preservation, organization, and creativity. For anyone with a trove of physical media—be it priceless family photographs, delicate artwork, important receipts, or even pages from a thick book—a scanner is the bridge to the digital world. It protects originals from further decay or loss, declutters physical space by creating digital copies of documents, and unlocks the ability to edit, restore, and share these items in ways that were previously impossible. The main benefit is capturing a high-fidelity digital replica that retains the detail and color of the original, something a simple phone photo can rarely achieve.
The ideal customer for a device like the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is someone facing the task of digitizing a varied collection of items. This includes home users archiving photos, scrapbookers wanting to create digital versions of their pages, students scanning book chapters for research, and artists needing high-quality scans of their work for portfolios or prints. However, it might not be the best fit for a high-volume office environment that requires rapid, multi-page document scanning with an automatic document feeder (ADF). For those users, a dedicated sheet-fed document scanner would be a more efficient choice. Similarly, professional photographers needing to scan film negatives or slides will require specialized equipment with dedicated film holders and different lighting technology.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Resolution (DPI): Dots Per Inch (DPI) is the single most important metric for scan quality. For simple documents meant for on-screen viewing, 300 DPI is sufficient. For photographs you may want to print or enlarge, you need much higher optical resolution—4800 DPI, like that offered by the V39 II, provides incredible detail and allows for significant enlargements without losing clarity. Always focus on the *optical* resolution, not the “interpolated” resolution, which is software-enhanced and less important.
- Connectivity & Power: How does the scanner connect to your computer and get power? Many older models required a separate, bulky AC power adapter. A major advantage of modern scanners like the V39 II is their ability to be powered solely by a single USB cable connected to your computer. This dramatically reduces cable clutter and makes the scanner truly portable, allowing you to use it anywhere with your laptop.
- Lid Design & Versatility: A standard scanner lid works fine for single sheets of paper or photos. However, if you plan to scan anything thicker, like books, magazines, or mounted artwork, a high-rise or removable lid is essential. This feature allows the lid to lift up or be removed entirely, ensuring the object can lie as flat as possible against the glass for a focused, distortion-free scan.
- Software Suite: The hardware is only half the equation. The included software determines the ease of use and the power of the scanner. Look for software that offers different modes (from simple auto-scans to professional manual controls), color restoration features for faded photos, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to create editable text from documents, and special functions like image stitching for oversized items. User-friendliness and compatibility with your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) are paramount.
Understanding these factors will help you choose a scanner that not only meets your immediate needs but also proves to be a valuable tool for years to come.
While the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models for various needs, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Flatbed scanners simply cannot compete with your smartphone and a Scanner Bin. Improved resolution and color rendering compared to popular flatbed...
- All-New Upgraded Design: Engineered through multiple rounds of rigorous testing, our latest version delivers an incredibly smooth and ultra-fast scanning...
- Note: No software installation is required. You need 2 AA batteries ( not included) and a memory card ( included) to use it directly. Scan mode: Press and...
First Impressions: Unboxing a surprisingly capable featherweight
Pulling the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner from its box, the first thing that struck us was its weight—or lack thereof. At just over 3 pounds and a mere 1.5 inches tall, it feels more like a large tablet or a slim 13-inch laptop than a traditional, clunky flatbed scanner. The design is sleek and minimalist, finished in a matte black plastic that resists fingerprints. There’s no bulky power brick to wrestle with; a single micro-USB to USB-A cable handles both power and data, a huge plus for portability and minimizing desk clutter. This was confirmed by one user who noted they carry it in their backpack for scanning on the go. Setup is straightforward: plug it in, go to Epson’s website to download the latest drivers and software suite, and you’re ready. The front panel features four simple one-touch buttons for common tasks like scanning to PDF or email, hinting at a user-friendly experience. An integrated kickstand on the back is a clever touch, allowing you to store the scanner vertically to reclaim desk space when not in use. While the plastic construction doesn’t scream “heavy-duty,” it feels adequately sturdy for home or personal office use and is a key reason for its portability and attractive price point. You can see the full feature set and compact design for yourself online.
What We Like
- Exceptional High-Resolution Scans: The 4800 dpi optical resolution captures stunning detail in photos and artwork, perfect for archiving and enlargements.
- Ultra-Compact & USB-Powered: Incredibly lightweight and powered by a single USB cable, making it highly portable and easy to set up anywhere.
- Versatile Lid Design: The high-rise, removable lid is a standout feature, easily accommodating thick books, scrapbooks, and mounted art.
- Powerful Software Features: Includes effective color restoration for faded photos, OCR for editable documents, and a clever stitching function for oversized items.
What We Didn’t Like
- Inconsistent Black & White Performance: Struggles with black and white photos, often producing poor contrast and misinterpreting them as documents.
- Clunky & Confusing Software Interface: The software suite, while powerful, can be unintuitive and fragmented, leading to a frustrating user experience for some.
A Deep Dive into the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner’s Performance
A scanner’s worth is measured in the clarity of its images and the simplicity of its operation. We put the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner through its paces, digitizing everything from delicate, century-old photographs to modern-day documents and thick art books to see if its real-world performance lives up to its impressive specifications.
Image Quality and Resolution: The 4800 DPI Powerhouse
The headline feature of the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is its 4800 dpi optical resolution, and in our testing, this is where the scanner truly shines, particularly with color materials. We started with a stack of 4×6 photos from the 1990s, slightly faded with time. Using the Epson ScanSmart software in “Photo Mode” with the “Color Restoration” feature enabled, the results were genuinely astounding. The scanner not only captured incredible detail—individual strands of hair, the texture of fabric—but the Easy Photo Fix® technology brought the faded colors roaring back to life without looking artificial. One user who scanned over 12,000 family photos confirmed this, stating, “The provided color correction software is also excellent… I couldn’t believe how well it worked.”
For artists and illustrators, this scanner is a fantastic budget option. We scanned a watercolor painting, and the V39 II did an excellent job of reproducing the subtle color gradations and paper texture. As one artist noted, the quality is “nuts!! It’s so clear and the colors are amazing.” This level of detail is a direct result of the high optical resolution, which provides enough data for professional-quality digital files and large-format printing. However, the scanner’s performance is not universally perfect. As several users pointed out, and we confirmed in our tests, it struggles significantly with black and white photos. The software often misidentifies them as documents, blowing out highlights and crushing shadows, making faces “indistinguishable” as one reviewer put it. While workarounds exist using third-party software or extensive manual adjustments in “Professional Mode,” its out-of-the-box B&W performance is a notable weakness. For color photos, artwork, and documents, however, the image quality you can achieve for this price is exceptional and a feature that truly sets it apart.
The Software Experience: Powerful but Puzzling
The hardware of the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is excellent, but the user experience is almost entirely dictated by its software, and this is where opinions diverge sharply. Getting started is simple enough for both Windows and Mac users—you download a combined installer from Epson’s website. However, this installs several different applications (like Epson ScanSmart and Epson Event Manager), and it isn’t immediately clear which one to use for what task. This led to considerable confusion during our initial testing, a sentiment echoed by a user who was told by customer service, “We don’t recommend using that way to scan pictures. Use this other way.” This fragmentation is the software’s biggest flaw. One user memorably described the interface as if it was “written by Jr. High students who got distracted when the ice cream truck arrived,” a harsh but understandable critique of its lack of cohesion.
Once you get your bearings, the tools are quite powerful. The Epson ScanSmart software provides a simple interface with robust options. We were particularly impressed with its ability to auto-detect multiple photos on the scanner bed, cropping and saving each one as a separate file in a single pass. This is a massive timesaver for anyone digitizing photo albums. The image stitching feature, which allows you to scan oversized items in sections and have the software automatically combine them, also worked surprisingly well. We scanned a 12×12 scrapbook page in two passes, and the software stitched it together almost seamlessly. An avid scrapbooker confirmed this, though they noted it sometimes took a third, overlapping scan to get the stitch to work. The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is another strong point, accurately converting scanned documents into searchable PDFs and editable text files. While the learning curve is steeper than it should be, those willing to spend an hour experimenting will unlock a surprisingly capable suite of tools.
Design, Portability, and Ingenious Features
Beyond pure image quality, the physical design of the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is one of its greatest assets. The single-cable USB power and data connection cannot be overstated—it transforms the device from a stationary piece of office equipment into a portable tool you can easily use with a laptop on the couch, at a library, or at a relative’s house to help them archive photos. It’s as portable as a scanner can be without sacrificing the quality of a flatbed glass platen. We found the built-in kickstand to be a genuinely useful feature. On a crowded desk, being able to store the scanner vertically like a book frees up a significant amount of valuable real estate.
The most impressive design element, however, is the high-rise, removable lid. For our book scanning test, we placed a thick, 500-page hardcover on the platen. The lid’s hinge extends, allowing it to lie flat over the book’s spine, which helps minimize the dark, distorted gutter area that plagues scans of thick items. For even bulkier objects, the lid detaches completely with a simple pull. This feature is a game-changer for anyone scanning more than just loose paper. However, there is a limitation tied to its CIS (Contact Image Sensor) technology. One artist who owned a previous Epson model noted that with the V39 II, if the object being scanned (like a canvas) is elevated even slightly from the glass, the edges become very blurry and out of focus. This is a key trade-off for the scanner’s slim profile and USB power, and something artists or those scanning 3D objects should consider. For photos, documents, and books, it’s a non-issue and a standout piece of engineering.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, user feedback for the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner paints a picture of a device that excels for its intended audience but has clear limitations. Many users are thrilled with the value, with one calling it a “true machine” after scanning over 2,800 photos in three weeks without a single issue. Another who purchased it for digitizing family photos called it an “excellent little scanner,” especially praising its color restoration capabilities that “brought back colors that I thought were gone to time.” This sentiment is common among hobbyists, genealogists, and casual archivists who find the quality for color photos to be far beyond their expectations for the price.
However, the criticisms are just as specific and consistent. The most common complaint centers on the confusing software, with multiple users on both Windows and Mac platforms expressing frustration with the setup and operation. One Mac user running a newer OS found the Epson drivers simply didn’t work, forcing them to purchase third-party software (VueScan) to use the hardware. The other major critique, which we validated in our own testing, is its poor handling of black and white photography. One user stated flatly, “The scanner is ok for color pictures… I have a large amount of older, black & white pictures… the image is horrible.” This feedback is crucial for potential buyers: if your primary goal is scanning a B&W photo collection, you should proceed with caution or be prepared to do significant manual editing.
How Does the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner Compare to the Alternatives?
The Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is a versatile and affordable tool, but specific tasks may call for a more specialized device. Here’s how it stacks up against three distinct alternatives.
1. DIGITNOW 35mm Slide Viewer
- 3X MAGINIFICATION GLASS SCREEN: Most slides and films are ultra-small, our Built-in Magnifier can magnify the image 3 times without Distortion, Blurriness...
- PORTABLE: Suitable for 2x2" mounted slides (need to be inserted into the back of the viewer) and 35mm film and negatives. Convenient battery operation...
The DIGITNOW viewer isn’t a scanner at all, but a dedicated tool for one specific purpose: viewing 35mm slides and film negatives. With 3x magnification and a backlit LED, it’s designed for quickly sorting, organizing, and enjoying old slides without the process of digitization. Someone might prefer this over the Epson V39 II if their primary goal is simply to view and curate a large slide collection before deciding which ones are worth scanning professionally. The Epson V39 II cannot scan slides or negatives at all, as it lacks the necessary backlight (a transparency unit). Therefore, if your archive is primarily on film, the DIGITNOW viewer is an essential, inexpensive first step, while the Epson is irrelevant for that media type.
2. Plustek ePhoto Z300 Photo Scanner
- The easiest way to scan photos and documents. Supports 3x5, 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10 in sizes photo scanning but also letter and A4 size paper. Optical...
- Fast and easy, 2 seconds for one 4x6 photo and 5 seconds for one 8x10 size photo@300dpi. You can easily convert about 1000 photos to digitize files in one...
The Plustek ePhoto Z300 is built for speed. It’s a sheet-fed scanner designed exclusively for photos (up to 4×6 inches), claiming a scan time of just 2 seconds per photo. This makes it a compelling alternative for someone with thousands of loose, standard-sized photos to digitize who values speed above all else. Its CCD sensor technology can also provide better depth of field for curled or textured photos. However, its major limitation is its lack of versatility. You cannot scan documents, books, artwork, or oversized photos with the Z300. The Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is much slower per photo but infinitely more flexible, making it the better choice for anyone with a varied collection of media to digitize, not just a uniform stack of 4×6 prints.
3. Epson Workforce ES-C320W Wireless Desktop Document Scanner
- ULTRA-COMPACT DESIGN – Save 60% of desk space in nearly any setting effortlessly with this compact scanner, perfect for working from home or office.
- EASY WIRELESS SCANNING - Scan to smartphones, tablets, computers and cloud storage accounts wirelessly from your desktop or Epson Smart Panel app.
The Epson Workforce ES-C320W represents the other end of the scanning spectrum: it’s a dedicated office document workhorse. With a 20-page automatic document feeder (ADF), two-sided scanning, and wireless connectivity, it’s built for efficiently digitizing stacks of paper. It excels at turning piles of contracts, invoices, and reports into searchable digital files. This is the ideal choice for a home office or small business focused on going paperless. Its weakness is the very thing the V39 II excels at: high-quality photo and delicate media scanning. While it can scan photos through its feeder, it risks damaging them and can’t match the 4800 dpi quality of the V39 II’s flatbed. If your main task is documents, the ES-C320W is superior; if your focus is photos, books, and artwork, the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is the clear winner.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner Worth It?
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is an incredible value for the right person. Its combination of high-resolution image quality for color photos and artwork, an ultra-compact and portable USB-powered design, and a uniquely versatile high-rise lid makes it a standout in its price category. It is the perfect tool for the family genealogist, the scrapbooker, the budding artist, or anyone looking to finally tackle those shoeboxes of memories without a massive investment in time or money.
However, it’s not a perfect device. The clunky, fragmented software can be a source of initial frustration, and its performance on black and white photos is a significant drawback. It is not the scanner for high-volume office work or for professional photographers scanning film. But for its target audience, these are manageable trade-offs for the immense quality and convenience it offers. If you need to digitize a varied collection of photos, documents, and books, and you prioritize quality and portability, the Epson Perfection V39 II Flatbed Scanner is not just worth it—it’s one of the best choices you can make. If you’re ready to bring your physical memories into the digital age with stunning clarity, you can check the latest price and availability for the Epson V39 II here.
Last update on 2025-11-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API