To try to keep things easy, I've tried to compare prices to scan 2,000 photos at 300 dpi and 600 dpi. However, it's still not that simple because of different levels of service offered. For example, what exactly does "color correction" mean? For Scan My Photos, this service means "corrected skin tones, greater shadow detail, sharper images, fix abnormal tint, optimize exposure, restore color vibrancy and saturation." For ScanCafe, these enhancements include "reorientations, cropping, scratch / dust removal, color correction, red eye removal," while for ScanDigital, they include color correction, minor blemish removal, and dust and red-eye removal. Without buying each of their services and comparing, it's impossible to tell if these all represent the same level of correction.
The size of the photos to be scanned also can alter the pricing. ScanCafe allows for photos as large as 8x10, while ScanMyPhotos allows for up to 8x12--while BritePix is more expensive when photos are larger than 4x6.
Finally, special deals can dramatically alter price. At the time of this writing, BritePix has a Fall 2009 Special offering 20 free scans for every 200 pictures scanned. And ScanCafe allows you to review your scans online--and delete up to 50 percent of them--before you pay. So before you buy, it's still a good idea to check around and see what everyone is offering.
Check out the next page for the full comparison.
