HP ScanJet 5370C

Introduction

In July, 2000 we reviewed Hewlett-Packard's ScanJet 5300 USB scanner. At that time, the list price of the 5300 was $299. Now HP is offering the USB-capable 5370 for the same price, and the price of the 5300 has dropped down to $249.

What's New?

The 5370 has two key enhancements that will appeal to many users: the first is 42-bit color capability for more accurate scans. The second is an included lighted 5x5-inch transparency adapter. This transparency adapter also has the ability to scan negatives--a first in an HP ScanJet model.

Otherwise, the 5370 is quite similar to the 5300 we tested in July, though there is also a small style enhancement: the paper decal we complained about has gone. In addition, the software we originally tested has been upgraded, and seems to run more smoothly. HP's software handles not only the usual scanning features but enables the scan, copy and email buttons on the front of the unit. (The fax button is not yet functional, although it is expected to be in a future version of the software.)

Slides/Transparencies

We have a huge collection of negatives and transparencies in sizes from 35mm to 4x5 inches. For medium and large format negatives, we found the 5370's top optical resolution adequate for most purposes. But, especially when scanning 35mm slides, advanced and and professional photographers won't be happy with anything less than a dedicated slide scanner, the best of which cost over $10,000. What you look for in a dedicated slide scanner is not just higher resolution (up to 5000 dpi) but also higher dynamic range than any flatbed scanner can provide. So, when you consider what HP has been able to achieve for a suggested retail price of $300, it's pretty amazing. Users whose main goal is to present slides and negatives on web pages will be more than happy with the 5370's capabilities. In this regard, we particularly liked the 5370's ability to use the transparency holder to scan up to four 35mm slides or two 35mm filmstrips. We were also impressed with its speed, which is much faster than average.

Other Opinions

Our friends at PC World who tested the Windows version of this scanner complained that the built-in color balance was 'light and undersaturated in comparison with the original images.' But in our tests, using the Mac software, saturation was right on, and color balance was fine, with a slight blue cast. That said, we would prefer ColorSync matching. (Perhaps that will come in future versions.) We continue to be impressed with HP's software for the Macintosh platform. More importantly for most users, PC World found that the 5370 is much faster than average at actually transmitting scans to your computer, a finding with which we concur. We hate to wait for scans, and really appreciated HP's attention to this area of performance.

The redoubtable Bruce Fraser has done a roundup of USB scanners for the December Macworld. Bruce criticizes all scanners, including HP's, which do not use Colorsync; he also prefers a scanner whose software lets you save the full 36 or 42 bits directly to your image-editing application. But that is a pretty esoteric requirement for the broad majority of users. Confusingly, while PC World found the 5370's color undersaturated, Bruce found the Mac version's color oversaturated and with a pronounced red cast. Our test scans, however, did not show oversaturation and if anything, had a slight cooling color cast in the direction of blue. Since we probably reviewed a later version of the scanner software, it is possible that HP may have ironed out some initial color balance kinks, perhaps in response to Bruce's criticism. One small point: Macworld's chart indicates that the 5370 has automated fax capability; but as far as we know this is not yet available in the Mac version of the software, though it is expected soon.

Other Information

Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 5370Cse
$ 299
Parallel and USB, 1200 by 1200 dpi, 11.9 by 19.9 by 4.1 inches (width by depth by height), 10.7 pounds, 8.5-by-11.7-inch scanning area, included transparency adapter, optional automatic document feeder. One-year warranty; 90 days of free, toll-call support (16 hours on weekdays and 7 hours on Saturdays); thereafter, support charges are $2 per minute.

Conclusion

If you are working in a production environment, or if you will be doing advanced image editing, you should carefully examine the alternatives in this price range, and may want to consider spending more money. But for most users, and at this price level, the 5370 offers unmatched performance, convenience and reliability. What we liked best about the scanner were the buttons for scanning, copying, and emailing. These automation features work unusually well, and really streamline our scanning experience. We find we use them all the time.