The catch
Canon CanoScan LiDE 300
There is no feeder, so each page has to be placed by hand.
Side by side
Canon CanoScan LiDE 300 vs LiDE 400: 400 comes with an upright stand for a tighter desk
Quick verdict
For occasional document and photo scans on a flat surface, the LiDE 300 will do. The LiDE 400 is worth choosing when higher optical sampling or the included upright stand has a real use in your workspace.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A two-second scan saving doesn't make a two-second page workflow
Canon’s Letter color 300 dpi timings are 10 seconds for the 300 and 8 seconds for the 400. Over 20 pages that adds up to 40 seconds of rated scanning time. Either way, you still place the page, turn it when needed and check the file.
Where this comes from
20 times 2 seconds gives 40 seconds. Manual handling is not counted, and Canon’s specified scan timing method is used.
The catch
Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
You position each page and each back by hand.
Canon CanoScan LiDE 300
- Why pick it
- Your main job is routine documents with the occasional photo
- It's fine for the scanner to lie flat while in use
- The catch
- There is no feeder, so each page has to be placed by hand.
Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Why pick it
- Suitable detailed originals call for the higher optical sampling
- For supported flat originals, the included upright stand helps
- The catch
- You position each page and each back by hand.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
Ordinary paperwork, detailed photo scanning and upright use are the points of contrast. The LiDE 400 adds resolution and a stand, yet you still handle pages manually.
For occasional document and photo scans on a flat surface, the LiDE 300 will do. The LiDE 400 is worth choosing when higher optical sampling or the included upright stand has a real use in your workspace.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A handful of forms and book pages a month
Neither runs supported originals through rollers.
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 300
- Good
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Good
A twenty-page packet scanned unattended
You position each page by hand.
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 300
- Not suitable
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Not suitable
Supported flat originals and not much free desk area
An upright stand comes with the 400, subject to mode restrictions.
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 300
- Caution
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Better fit
Fine detail that you scan above 2400 dpi
4800 dpi optical sampling is available only on the 400.
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 300
- Caution
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
A two-second scan saving doesn't make a two-second page workflow
Canon’s Letter color 300 dpi timings are 10 seconds for the 300 and 8 seconds for the 400. Over 20 pages that adds up to 40 seconds of rated scanning time. Either way, you still place the page, turn it when needed and check the file.
How we worked this out
20 times 2 seconds gives 40 seconds. Manual handling is not counted, and Canon’s specified scan timing method is used.
Using the upright stand restricts your workflow
The stand included with the LiDE 400 can cut the space taken up by supported flat originals, but Canon says Auto Scan is unavailable in upright mode. Someone who wants both minimal desk use and automatic detection has to pick settings through the supported upright workflow instead.
How we worked this out
Books and bulky originals have to lie flat in the proper way. Having a stand is no proof that every original can scan vertically.
A higher maximum resolution helps only if you use it
From 2400 to 4800 dpi, the 400 doubles the maximum optical sampling. Ordinary paperwork scanned at 300 dpi gets nothing from that difference. Pick the 400 for a genuine detailed-original or enlargement task, and then check the supported scan area and the resulting file size at high resolution.
How we worked this out
The flatbed on each measures 8.5 by 11.7 inches. Canon notes that a higher resolution can limit the scan area available.
Option A
Canon, CanoScan LiDE 300
CanoScan LiDE 300
A USB-powered flatbed for a book page, a photograph or a delicate document.
- Best for
- Your main job is routine documents with the occasional photo
Facts we checked
- Resolution, optical: 2400 dpi
- Letter color at 300 dpi: Takes about 10 seconds
- Upright stand: Not supplied
- Buttons: Four of the EZ type
Option B
Canon, CanoScan LiDE 400
CanoScan LiDE 400
When rollers are the wrong way to handle a photo or a book page, you lay it on the glass instead.
- Best for
- Suitable detailed originals call for the higher optical sampling
Facts we checked
- Resolution, optical: 4800 dpi
- Letter color at 300 dpi: Takes about 8 seconds
- Upright stand: Supplied
- Buttons: Five of the EZ type
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Canon CanoScan LiDE 300 | Canon CanoScan LiDE 400 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optical resolution | 2400 dpi | 4800 dpi | Detailed originals can benefit from more sampling, but ordinary 300 dpi documents are not automatically improved. |
| Letter color at 300 dpi | About 10 seconds | About 8 seconds | Next to positioning each page by hand, the difference is small. |
| Upright stand | Not included | Included | A different setup for suitable originals is offered by the 400. |
| Buttons | Four EZ buttons | Five EZ buttons | A separate PDF finish control is added on the 400. |
| Page handling | Manual flatbed | Manual flatbed | Neither scans a stack for you or turns a sheet over. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Canon CanoScan LiDE 300
- Only Letter or A4-sized originals fit on the scan bed.
With Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- In upright scanning mode, Auto Scan isn't available.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
You will really use the upright stand or the higher optical resolution
Go with Canon CanoScan LiDE 400. Beyond a small speed difference, those are concrete additions.
The job is routine 300 dpi documents on a flat desk
Go with Canon CanoScan LiDE 300. That workflow is already supported by the 300.
You need automatic two-sided batch scanning
Neither model fits. For loose documents, pick a duplex feeder.
Decision guide
How to decide
The LiDE 300 suits occasional document and photo scans on a flat surface. Go with the LiDE 400 if higher optical sampling or the included upright stand has a real use in your workspace.
A two-second scan saving doesn't make a two-second page workflow
For Letter color at 300 dpi, Canon's timings are 10 seconds for the 300 and 8 seconds for the 400. Over 20 pages, that adds up to 40 seconds of rated scanning time. Either way, you still place the page, turn it when needed and check the file. 20 multiplied by 2 seconds equals 40 seconds. Manual handling is excluded, and the figures follow Canon's specified scan timing method.
Using the upright stand restricts your workflow
The stand included with the LiDE 400 can cut the space that supported flat originals take up, but Canon says Auto Scan isn't available in upright mode. Someone who wants both minimal desk use and automatic detection has to choose settings through the supported upright workflow instead. Books and bulky originals need proper flat placement. Having a stand doesn't prove every original can be scanned vertically.
A higher maximum resolution helps only if you use it
The 400 doubles the maximum optical sampling, from 2400 to 4800 dpi, but ordinary paperwork scanned at 300 dpi never uses that difference. Pick the 400 for a real detailed-original or enlargement task, and then check the supported scan area and resulting file size at high resolution. Each uses an 8.5 by 11.7-inch flatbed. Canon notes that raising resolution can limit the available scan area.
What this page can’t tell you
- Feed ratings from the manufacturer don't count document preparation, OCR or saving time.
- Check the supported media, scan mode, current operating system and destination before you buy.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the document scanners we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon CanoScan LiDE 300 |
|
|
|
| Canon CanoScan LiDE 400 |
|
|
|
Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Canon CanoScan LiDE 300
Your main job is routine documents with the occasional photo
See price & reviews on AmazonCanon CanoScan LiDE 400
Suitable detailed originals call for the higher optical sampling
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money