The latest CanoScan LiDE (LED Indirect Exposure) scanner is an upgrade of the 500F and is the first CIS (Contact Image Sensor) scanner to feature 4,800 x 9,600dpi optical resolution with 48-bit colour depth.

This means you have much more accurate colour reproduction and the higher resolution ensures image quality will still remain sharp when enlarging. Or, as Canon prefers to trumpet, you have "more power per square millimetre than just about any other scanner."

There's no separate power lead as the machine is self-powered via the USB 2.0 port. It's one of the thinnest and most stylish silver scanners available, ideal for taking with you on vital journeys with your laptop. It has a flexible, double-hinged lid so the scanner can be operated in three different positions: the normal flat mode, open 180 degrees and upright using a built-in stand. The 180-degree method is particularly helpful when copying large books with big spines and the upright mode is designed to save space on your desk.

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In addition, there are seven EZ' buttons on the front. Four are dedicated to scanning straight to PDF and the remaining three cover copying (i.e. printing), saving to a folder and preparing a scan to be sent via e-mail.

When it comes to scanning film, you have to make use of an independent Film Adapter Unit (FAU) which has its own hinged lid and has to be attached to the scanner's flatbed before operation. It's bulky, doesn't allow easy positioning of the negatives and needs an extra lead to connect to the scanner. The other disappointment is that 35mm slides are not supported.

When it comes to scanning software, on the other hand, you have here a veritable Aladdin's cave. The bundled ScanSoft OmniPage SE (an optical character recognition program), ArcSoft PhotoStudio and NewSoft Presto! PageManager (which converts scanned documents to PDF format) will enable you to edit photos and convert paper documents into editable files. Canon's own CanoScan Toolbox can customize the 'EZ' buttons, provide direction auto correction if your document's the wrong way round, plus document slant correction and JPEG compression.

Both the Toolbox and the included ScanGear (which offers simple and advanced modes of colour, brightness and contrast adjustment) have been upgraded to include better image quality and functionality. In terms of speed, the USB 2.0 connection ensures you never have to wait longer than 35 seconds for a scan and the quality of the results is well worth the short wait.

Between the 'EZ' buttons and the various software programs you almost have too many scanning options. The quality of those options is excellent, though, as you can also use the fast Multi-Photo mode which lets you scan up to 10 separate photos in a single pass while automatically identifying, cropping and straightening those images. Other editing improvements include automatic restoration of scratched, damaged or faded film, reduction of graininess resulting from high speed film and backlight compensation.

A slim, lightweight and stylish scanner with much improved image reproduction quality, software and utilities. It would be a must-have were it not for the clunky Film Adapter Unit that doesn't allow for 35mm slide scanning.