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The best slide viewers looks like a projector that shows slides. To be more specific, it is an opto-mechanical (not digital) device that shows photographic slides on a big screen. Like old film cameras, many of them don’t have any digital parts or microchips.
In order to help you find the best slide viewers, we are always updating and adding to our list of recommended slide viewers. Our team gathers, edits, and puts out new information so that you can see it in a way that is accurate, useful, and well-organized.
Technology has made a lot of progress in the last few years. With new developments in digital scanning, it’s never been easier to scan your old slides, and you can choose from a wide range of scanners. If you want to find the best slide viewers we will mentioned list below.
Best Slide Viewers Comparison Table
| Scanner Name | Features | Dimension | Width | Price | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epson V600 | Flatbed scanner, 6400×9600 dpi resolution, 48-bit color depth | 280 x 485 x 118mm | 8.5 inches | $229.99 | Visit Website |
| Kodak 35mm slide viewer | Compact design, bright LED backlight, compatible with 2×2-inch slides | 10 x 6 x 5.5 cm | Not Applicable | $44.99 | Visit Website |
| Rybozen Slide Viewer | Compact design, bright LED backlight, compatible with 2×2-inch slides | 10 x 6 x 5.5 cm | Not Applicable | $45.99 | Visit Website |
| Plustek OpticFilm 8200i | Film scanner, 7200 dpi resolution, 48-bit color depth | 272 x 157 x 108mm | Not Applicable | $449.00 | Visit Website |
| Kodak Slide N Scan | Slide scanner, 14/22 megapixel resolution, one-step scan and save | Not Available | Not Applicable | $169.99 | Visit Website |
| Pana-Vue 2 Illuminated | Compact design, bright LED backlight, compatible with 2×2-inch slides | 12.1 x 12.7 x 15.2cm | Not Applicable | $68.95 | Visit Website |
| Rybozen Ultra-thin | Compact design, bright LED backlight, compatible with 2×2-inch slides | 10 x 6 x 5.5 cm | Not Applicable | $34.99 | Visit Website |
| DIGITNOW 35mm | Film scanner, 1800/3600 dpi resolution, 2.4-inch TFT LCD screen | Not Available | Not Applicable | $79.99 | Visit Website |
Epson V600
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Scanning Resolution | 6400 x 9600 dpi |
| Scanning Speed | 21 seconds for 35mm negative at 2400 dpi |
| Connectivity | Hi-Speed USB 2.0 |
| Supported Film Formats | 35mm, medium format, 4×5 inch |
| Weight | 9 lbs |
The best slide viewers is Epson which can read almost any kind of old film, even Polaroids. The transparency mode can scan almost any kind of film, including slides and negatives in strips or mounts. It can work with both 35mm and 120 film.
It can technically handle other odd formats, but it doesn’t come with the necessary holders, so you may have to improvise by taping the strips directly to the glass. The scanner makes high-resolution copies of the film images and automatically fixes.
The Good
- Good resolution for scanning
- Can scan different types of film, like 4×5 inch
- Includes software that makes editing and sharing easy
The Bad
- Some of the options on the market are bigger and heavier than others.
Kodak 35mm slide viewer
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | 35mm slides |
| Illumination | LED light |
| Magnification | 3x |
| Power | 2 AA batteries |
| Weight | 6.4 oz |
Most of us think of Kodachrome when we think of 35mm slide film, so it makes sense that Kodak makes best slide viewers and a negative viewer. This is an angled desktop device that runs on batteries and has a backlit LED display that looks like daylight.
It also has a 3x magnifying glass so we can really look at the details of our photos. The device is easy to use. The slides slide into the device from the top down, and there is a second slot on the side for inserting strips of negative.
The Good
- Easy to carry and light
- Affordable option for viewing 35mm slides
- LED lighting makes the image clear and bright.
The Bad
- Only able to look at 35mm slides
- No option for digitizing slides
Rybozen Slide Viewer
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | 35mm, 126, 110, Super 8 and 8mm negatives and slides |
| Illumination | LED light |
| Magnification | 3x |
| Power | USB or 4 AA batteries |
| Weight | 9.1 oz |
On the other hand, if you don’t have a lot of money, you should choose the next option from Rybozen. It is also a very popular choice with a high level of reliability. The Rybozen Slide Viewer comes in second place on our list of the best slide viewers.
This is the best choice you can make right now if your budget is tight. But it is still the most reliable because it comes with a 3-year warranty. The Rybozen Slide Viewer has a glass lens on the inside that makes sure the image is clear and sharp.
The Good
- Negatives and slides, as well as other types of film, can be viewed.
- LED lighting is portable and light, and it gives a clear and bright image.
The Bad
- No option for digitizing slides or negatives
- Compared to some other options on the market, it has less magnification.
Plustek OpticFilm 8200i
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Scanning Resolution | 7200 dpi |
| Scanning Speed | 3600 dpi – 36 seconds for 35mm filmstrip with 5 frames |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 |
| Supported Film Formats | 35mm, slides, filmstrips |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs |
The Plustek OpticFilm 8200i is best slide viewers that you should think about if you are looking for one. This scanner has a lot of great features, like a built-in profile that makes sure the scans are accurate and good color reproduction.
It also scans quickly, so you can move quickly through your slides. Plus, it’s not too expensive, which makes it a great choice for shoppers on a budget. The Plustek OpticFilm 8200i is a great choice if you want a slide scanner that is just for slides.
The Good
- High-quality resolution for scanning
- Can scan different types of film, like slides and filmstrips
- SilverFast editing and processing software is included.
The Bad
- Costs more than some other options on the market and needs some technical know-how to use.
Kodak Slide N Scan
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Scanning Resolution | 14 megapixels |
| Scanning Speed | 3 seconds per slide |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 |
| Supported Film Formats | 35mm, slides |
| Weight | 1 lb |
The best slide viewers is Kodak Slide N Scan has a 5-inch screen and advanced Capture Software that lets you view and edit slides in 135 mm, 126 mm, 110 mm, and 50 mm formats, as well as films in 110 mm, 126 mm, and 135 mm formats.
It comes with software that makes it easy to do things like resize and improve images with just one touch. You can also turn old film rolls into new ones without having to figure out a lot of complicated functions.
The Good
- One-button scanning makes it easy to use.
- Both 35mm film and slides can be scanned.
- Affordable option for digitizing slides and film
The Bad
- Compared to some other options on the market, the scanning resolution isn’t as good.
- You can only scan 35mm film and slides.
Pana-Vue 2 Illuminated
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | 35mm slides |
| Illumination | LED light |
| Magnification | 2x |
| Power | 2 AA batteries |
| Weight | 5.6 oz |
This is another small viewer for 22 slides that gives you a good deal for your money. It does what it’s supposed to do as best slide viewers by making images big enough to be viewed. It shows a lot of picture details.
The back light is bright enough to do everything you want it to do and more. It’s a great little unit that can hold 36 slides and has a slider bar that lets you change slides automatically.
The Good
- Easy to carry and light
- Affordable option for viewing 35mm slides
- LED lighting makes the image clear and bright.
The Bad
- Only able to look at 35mm slides
- Compared to some other options on the market, it has less magnification.
Rybozen Ultra-thin
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | 35mm, 126, 110, Super 8 and 8mm negatives and slides |
| Scanning Resolution | 22 megapixels |
| Scanning Speed | 2-4 seconds per slide/negative |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 |
| Supported Film Formats | 35mm, 126, 110, Super 8 and 8mm negatives and slides |
| Weight | 14.4 oz |
This is another small viewer for 22 slides that gives you a good deal for your money. It does what it’s supposed to do as best slide viewers by making images big enough to be viewed. It shows a lot of picture details.
The back light is bright enough to do everything you want it to do and more. It’s a great little unit that can hold 36 slides and has a slider bar that lets you change slides automatically.
The Good
- Negatives and slides, as well as other types of film, can be scanned.
- Easy to carry and light
- High-quality resolution for scanning
The Bad
- Requires a computer to operate
- It can take a long time to scan a lot of slides or negatives.
DIGITNOW 35mm
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | 35mm, 110, 126, and Super 8 film |
| Scanning Resolution | 14 megapixels |
| Scanning Speed | 2-3 seconds per slide/negative |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 |
| Supported Film Formats | 35mm, 110, 126, and Super 8 film |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs |
By enlarging and lighting 35mm slides and positive film negatives, Personal best slide viewers gives everyone a look into the past. Large Viewing Area Ultra Bright Daylight LED Illumination to Show Images in Vivid, Crystal Clear Detail.
Most slides and films are very small. Our built-in magnifier lens makes images 3 times bigger without warping, blurring, or losing detail. Desk Top Portable Viewer, Has Eject Button and Slide Tray, Easy to Use in Studio or at Home.
The Good
- Can scan different types of film, including Super 8
- Slides and negatives can be digitized at an affordable price.
- One-button scanning makes it easy to use.
The Bad
- Compared to some other options on the market, the scanning resolution isn’t as good.
- Only a few film formats are supported.
FAQs
What is the best slide viewer scanner?
- Kodak Film and Slide Scanner
- Epson Perfect V600 Film Scanner
- Magnasonic Scanner
- Wolverine Film Digitizer/Scanner
- Plustek OpticFilm Film Scanner
How should old slides be looked at?
Slide viewers are by far the best way to combine a light table and a magnifying glass into one tool. This slide viewer can be used with both 35mm slides and film. The best slide viewers are battery-powered so that you can see your negative from the back.
Why would you want to use a slide viewer?
The biggest benefit of using a slide viewer is that you can look at your slides without a projector or screen. Slide viewers are also usually smaller and more portable than projectors, which makes them easier to use and store.