The catch
Ricoh ScanSnap SV600
Its specification supports 30 mm of thickness, so very thick books fall outside it.
Side by side
ScanSnap SV600 vs Canon CanoScan LiDE 400: SV600 scans larger open pages if thickness stays in limits
Quick verdict
Larger open pages and repeated book scanning within its thickness limits favor the SV600. The LiDE 400 is the choice for Letter-sized flat originals and high optical sampling, if manual placement is acceptable.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A wide original can settle the choice before resolution does
For thin originals the SV600 covers up to 17 by 11.8 inches, roughly double the 8.5-inch bed width of the LiDE 400. When a school art project or drawing is bigger than the flatbed, overhead capture may spare you from placing it in separate sections. Thicker originals get a tighter size allowance.
Where this comes from
Once SV600 originals pass 5 mm in thickness, the maximum width is 400 mm, about 15.75 inches. The overall thickness limit stays at 30 mm.
The catch
Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
You position each page and each back by hand.
Ricoh ScanSnap SV600
- Why pick it
- Larger open pages have to be captured from above
- A repeated book-scanning job benefits from page-turn detection
- The catch
- Its specification supports 30 mm of thickness, so very thick books fall outside it.
Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Why pick it
- A Letter or A4 flatbed takes your originals
- You put more weight on high optical sampling and USB power
- The catch
- You position each page and each back by hand.
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What this page compares
Overhead book scanning goes up against a high-resolution flatbed. Original size, book thickness and the work of turning pages count for more than output dpi.
Larger open pages and repeated book scanning within its thickness limits favor the SV600. The LiDE 400 is the choice for Letter-sized flat originals and high optical sampling, if manual placement is acceptable.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Scanning an open book again and again, within 30 mm thickness
Face-up placement and page-turn detection on the SV600 suit that job.
- Ricoh ScanSnap SV600
- Better fit
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Good
Detailed flat photographs no larger than Letter or A4
Canon’s optical sampling is much higher.
- Ricoh ScanSnap SV600
- Good
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Better fit
Thin artwork that is wider than 8.5 inches yet fits the SV600 area
Canon’s bed has less width.
- Ricoh ScanSnap SV600
- Better fit
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Not suitable
Books thicker than 30 mm
They fall outside the SV600 limit, and Canon still calls for suitable flatbed placement.
- Ricoh ScanSnap SV600
- Not suitable
- Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
A wide original can settle the choice before resolution does
For thin originals the SV600 covers up to 17 by 11.8 inches, roughly double the 8.5-inch bed width of the LiDE 400. When a school art project or drawing is bigger than the flatbed, overhead capture may spare you from placing it in separate sections. Thicker originals get a tighter size allowance.
How we worked this out
Once SV600 originals pass 5 mm in thickness, the maximum width is 400 mm, about 15.75 inches. The overall thickness limit stays at 30 mm.
A thick book can overturn the overhead recommendation
About 1.18 inches is the 30 mm limit on the SV600. A thick bound volume beyond that envelope is not automatically supported just because it fits under the camera head. The lid of the LiDE 400 can expand, but the book still has to suit a flatbed workflow without its binding being forced.
How we worked this out
No book thickness is supported universally by either product. The condition of the document and the curvature of the pages still matter.
Page-turn detection spares you a repeated action, not the page turn itself
Detecting a page turn can trigger a capture on the SV600, which can help during a long book session. You still turn and position each page. With the LiDE 400 you place and capture by hand, though its higher optical sampling can be useful for detailed flat originals.
How we worked this out
The 3-second scan interval of the SV600 leaves out page handling, and its 1200 dpi output is not 1200 dpi optics. No OCR accuracy advantage is assumed.
Option A
Ricoh ScanSnap, SV600
SV600
Leave the book open on the scan mat and the pages get captured from above, with no rollers involved.
- Best for
- Larger open pages have to be captured from above
Facts we checked
- Scan method: From overhead
- Largest area: 17 by 11.8 inches for originals no thicker than 5 mm
- Thick-original boundary: 30 mm at most, with 400 mm width above 5 mm thickness
- Optical sampling: 218 to 285 dpi horizontally and 152 to 283 dpi vertically
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
- A Letter or A4 flatbed takes your originals
Facts we checked
- Scan method: Contact-type flatbed
- Largest area: 8.5 by 11.7 inches
- Thick-original boundary: Expansion lid, so check the clearance between original and lid
- Optical sampling: Optical at 4800 dpi
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Ricoh ScanSnap SV600 | Canon CanoScan LiDE 400 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scan method | Overhead | Contact flatbed | Under the SV600 the book stays face up and not on the glass. |
| Maximum area | 17 by 11.8 inches for originals up to 5 mm thick | 8.5 by 11.7 inches | Artwork that is larger can overrun the Canon bed. |
| Thick-original boundary | 30 mm maximum, 400 mm width above 5 mm thickness | Expansion lid, check the original and lid clearance | Not every thick book gets the largest area of the SV600. |
| Optical sampling | 218 to 285 dpi horizontal and 152 to 283 dpi vertical | 4800 dpi optical | A high output dpi is not how the SV600’s optical capture is measured. |
| Power | AC adapter plus USB data | USB power and data | Canon needs no separate wall adapter. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Ricoh ScanSnap SV600
- The advertised output resolution differs from the horizontal optical sampling, which varies from 218 to 285 dpi.
With Canon CanoScan LiDE 400
- In upright scanning mode, Auto Scan isn't available.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
You scan supported books or wider thin originals again and again
Go with Ricoh ScanSnap SV600. Practical value comes from overhead placement and page-turn detection.
Your priorities are Letter-sized flat detail and USB power
Go with Canon CanoScan LiDE 400. That different job suits the LiDE 400.
The original fits neither documented area nor thickness workflow
Neither model fits. Pick a scanner that explicitly supports the original and do not force it.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick the SV600 for larger open pages and repeated book scanning within its thickness limits. Pick the LiDE 400 for Letter-sized flat originals and high optical sampling if manual placement is acceptable.
A wide original can settle the choice before resolution does
For thin originals, the SV600 covers up to 17 by 11.8 inches, roughly double the LiDE 400's 8.5-inch bed width. If a school art project or drawing is bigger than the flatbed, overhead capture may spare you from scanning it in separate sections. Thicker originals get a tighter size allowance. On the SV600, originals over 5 mm thick can be at most 400 mm wide, about 15.75 inches. The overall thickness limit stays at 30 mm.
A thick book can overturn the overhead recommendation
About 1.18 inches is the SV600's 30 mm limit. A thick bound volume beyond that envelope isn't automatically supported just because it fits under the camera head. The LiDE 400's lid can expand, but the book still has to suit a flatbed workflow without its binding being forced. Neither product supports every book thickness. Document condition and page curvature still matter.
Page-turn detection spares you a repeated action, not the page turn itself
A page turn can trigger a capture on the SV600, which helps during a long book session. You still turn and position every page yourself. The LiDE 400 needs manual placement and capture, though its higher optical sampling can be useful for detailed flat originals. The SV600's 3-second scan interval leaves out page handling, and its 1200 dpi output is not 1200 dpi optics. No OCR accuracy advantage is assumed.
What this page can’t tell you
- Document preparation, OCR and saving time are left out of manufacturer feed ratings.
- Before you buy, confirm the supported media, the scan mode, your current operating system and the destination.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ricoh ScanSnap SV600 |
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| Canon CanoScan LiDE 400 |
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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.
Ricoh ScanSnap SV600
Larger open pages have to be captured from above
See price & reviews on AmazonCanon CanoScan LiDE 400
A Letter or A4 flatbed takes your originals
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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