Epson FastFoto FF-680W High-Speed Duplex Photo and Document Scanner Review
Fast duplex photo scanner that digitizes prints up to 8 x 10 inches and doubles as a capable document scanner.
| Brand | Epson |
|---|---|
| Category | Document Scanners |
| Model | FastFoto FF-680W |
| Color | Black |
| Release Date | 2018 to 02-01 |
| Connectivity | USB and wireless |
| Best for | Digitizing large photo collections quickly |
Product Overview
The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a high-speed duplex photo and document scanner built for digitizing prints, Polaroids, panoramas, postcards, and documents. It handles photos up to 8 x 10 inches and documents up to 240 inches long, with batch scans up to 36 photos at a time over USB or wireless.
This review checks the photo enhancement tools, duplex capture, OCR document scanning, cloud backup, mobile app, and included accessories against alternative flatbed and mid-range office scanners.
Score Breakdown
This verdict is based on the manufacturer's stated specifications, the current Amazon listing and its product images, the confirmed materials and design, real buyer ratings, and our research into the product category. Scores are consistent editorial judgments, not laboratory measurements, and we did not receive a paid sample.
Key Features
Scans up to 1 photo per second at 300 dpi and batch scans up to 36 photos at a time.
Captures the image and any handwritten notes on the back in one pass.
Auto enhancement, color restoration, red-eye reduction, de-skew, crop, and rotate.
Options for 300 dpi sharing, 600 dpi TIFF archiving, and 1200 dpi enlarging.
Auto upload and backup to Dropbox and Google Drive with Epson FastFoto app.
Design and Build Quality
The scanner has a black housing and includes a carrier sheet plus a microfiber cloth to help protect delicate photos. The listing does not confirm physical dimensions or weight, so users should check clearance before buying.
Batch scanning supports up to 36 photos and multiple sizes in one run, while USB and wireless connectivity allow flexible placement away from a computer.
Performance in Everyday Use
The FastFoto FF-680W delivers up to 1 photo per second at 300 dpi and can digitize both sides of a photo in a single pass. Its Epson ScanSmart software adds OCR for documents and can scan up to 45 ppm/90 ipm, making it useful beyond photo archiving.
One real limitation is that mobile scanning tops out at 600 dpi JPEG, while the flexible format options list up to 1200 dpi for enlarging. Users who want the 1200 dpi path should not rely on the mobile workflow, which is capped lower.
How It Performs: The Evidence
| Decision factor | What we found | Evidence and measurement | Score | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo Scan Speed | Up to 1 photo per second at 300 dpi | Epson feature bullet states high-speed personal photo scanner at 1 photo per second | 9.5 | Very fast for photo digitizing tasks |
| Batch Capacity | Up to 36 photos | Feature bullet lists batch-scan up to 36 photos at a time | 9.0 | Large batch reduces manual loading |
| Duplex Capture | Captures image and handwritten back in one scan | Single-Step Technology bullet describes front and back capture | 9.0 | Preserves backside notes automatically |
| Document OCR | Up to 45 ppm/90 ipm with Epson ScanSmart OCR | Powerful Document Scanning bullet includes OCR and speed | 8.5 | Useful for documents but photo-focused |
| Mobile Resolution | Up to 600 dpi JPEG via mobile | Flexible Scanning bullet lists mobile up to 600 dpi JPEG | 7.0 | Lower than desktop 1200 dpi enlarging; limits phone workflows |
Who Should Buy It
- Family photo archivists
- Small offices with mixed documents
- Quick batch scanning of prints up to 8 x 10 inches
- Wireless and USB flexible setups
- Cloud backup to Dropbox or Google Drive
- Users who need maximum archival resolution from mobile-only workflows
- Mobile scanning is limited to 600 dpi JPEG
- Listing does not confirm physical dimensions or weight
Full Specifications
How It Compares
| Feature | Epson | Typical option | Higher-tier option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo scan speed | Up to 1 photo per second at 300 dpi | Often 2 to 4 seconds per photo or slower | Flatbed photo scanning is slower and manual per print |
| Batch capacity | Up to 36 photos per batch | Typically 10 to 20 photos per batch | Flatbed scans one photo at a time |
| Duplex photo capture | Captures front and back in one pass | Many rivals scan only one side per pass | Phone apps require manual flipping and separate shots |
| Resolution options | 300 dpi, 600 dpi TIFF, 1200 dpi enlarging | Usually 300 to 600 dpi optical, no 1200 dpi | Phone camera quality varies and lacks true optical resolution |
| Document scanning and OCR | Up to 45 ppm/90 ipm with Epson ScanSmart OCR | Mid-range office scanners may match speed but lack photo restoration | Camera-based document apps often lack reliable OCR for long documents |
| Cloud backup | Auto upload to Dropbox and Google Drive | Basic scanner software may require manual save steps | Manual photo digitizing often skips automatic cloud backup |
Alternatives Worth a Look
The Epson FastFoto FF-680W is a strong pick for photo hoarders and family archivists who need high-speed duplex capture and easy cloud backup. Document scanning with OCR adds utility, but mobile users who need archival resolution above 600 dpi should rely on the desktop workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What photo sizes can it scan?
It scans Polaroids, panoramas, postcards, and photos up to 8 x 10 inches.
Does it capture the back of photos?
Yes, single-step duplex technology captures both the image and any handwritten notes on the back in one scan.
Can it scan documents?
Yes, it scans documents up to 240 inches long and includes Epson ScanSmart with OCR for readable text.
What connectivity options does it have?
It includes USB and wireless connectivity, with easy Wi-Fi setup through the Epson FastFoto app.
What accessories are included?
The listing confirms a carrier sheet and a microfiber cloth are included to help protect delicate photos.
Can it back up scans automatically?
Yes, it can auto upload and backup memories to Dropbox and Google Drive.
This review is based on the manufacturer's stated specifications, the current Amazon product listing and its images, the confirmed materials and design, and our own research into document scanners as a product category. Our scores are editorial judgments made against consistent criteria, not laboratory measurements, and we did not carry out destructive or long-term stress testing.
Where the listing did not clearly confirm a detail, such as exact dimensions, weight or certifications, we have deliberately left it out rather than guess. If you are buying, always confirm the current specification and price on the live Amazon listing, since configurations and availability change.