Handheld scanner A handheld scanner consists of a handle and a scanning head measuring about four to five inches across. It can only scan small items because of its smaller sensor. It usually emits a colored laser or LED light that helps it focus on smaller targets. It is commonly used for scanning barcodes in commercial establishments. Flatbed scanner A flatbed scanner has a flat glass pane and a light source that scans the image from underneath. A hinged cover protects the image during scanning and prevents light from escaping. It is usually slightly larger than regular-sized paper. It is the most commonly used scanner and is often included in computer packages. Sheetfed scanner A sheetfed scanner has a small slot where photos and documents are inserted for scanning. A light-sensitive array is placed over the slot to record and save the image. It is more compact and portable that flatbed models. It is generally expensive and high-maintenance. Slide scanner A slide scanner, also called a transparency or film scanner, scans film negatives and slides and converts them to digital images. It can also remove flaws on the film such as dust and scratches. It is generally expensive due to its added features. Drum scanner A drum scanner uses a large drum to scan multiple images simultaneously. It uses a photomultiplier tube as its image sensor. It is commonly used in the media, print, publishing, and prepress industries. | 
