{"id":285044,"date":"2026-07-14T10:56:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T08:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zoca.es\/what-is-a-scanner-what-is-it-used-for-and-what-types-are-there\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T10:56:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T08:56:46","slug":"what-is-a-scanner-what-is-it-used-for-and-what-types-are-there","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zoca.es\/en\/what-is-a-scanner-what-is-it-used-for-and-what-types-are-there\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a scanner, what is it used for and what types are there?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A scanner<\/strong> is a device that converts documents, images or other physical elements into digital files<\/strong>. It works by capturing information using light<\/strong>, analysing the content point by point to create a digital image that accurately represents the original, whether in black and white or colour.<\/p>\n\n

\"Document<\/figure>\n\n

What is a scanner?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Thanks to a scanner, a business can digitise invoices, contracts or physical files<\/strong>, automate processes using OCR software<\/a><\/strong> and reduce paper usage. For a private user, it is useful for storing important documents, photographs or paperwork<\/strong> without relying on paper or physical copies. It is a key tool for moving from the physical world to the digital one<\/strong>, improving organisation, accessibility and efficiency.<\/p>\n\n

Nowadays, a scanner is not always a standalone device. In many homes and offices, it is integrated with a printer into a single piece of equipment, known as multifunction printers<\/a><\/strong>. The use of a mobile phone camera as a scanner through specific applications such as CamScanner<\/strong><\/a> has also become widespread. However, these alternatives have limitations in terms of quality, speed and reliability, so when scanning is a regular or professional task, a dedicated scanner remains the most suitable option.<\/p>\n\n

How does a scanner work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

A scanner works through a simple process: capturing information from a physical document and converting it into digital data<\/strong>. To achieve this, the device combines light, sensors and software that work together in a coordinated way.<\/p>\n\n

Document capture using light<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

The document is placed on a glass surface or inserted into the automatic document feeder. A light source<\/strong> illuminates the content while an internal unit moves underneath, analysing the document line by line. The reflected light passes through a system of mirrors and lenses that directs the information towards the sensors.<\/p>\n\n

Sensors and image conversion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Most modern scanners use CCD or CIS sensors<\/strong>, which measure reflected light and convert it into electrical signals. These signals are converted into digital information through an analogue-to-digital converter, allowing the image to be accurately reconstructed pixel by pixel.<\/p>\n\n

Creation of the digital file<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Once the data has been processed, the scanner sends the information to the computer, where the final file is created. In 2026, this file is not limited to images: scanners can create PDF, JPG, PNG or TIFF<\/strong> files, and even editable documents using OCR technology, making it easier to manage and archive information both personally and professionally.<\/p>\n\n

Optical character recognition (OCR)<\/strong> is a technology that allows a scanned document or image to be converted into editable and searchable digital text<\/strong>. Through specialised software, OCR analyses the shapes of letters and numbers, identifies them and transforms them into data that can be copied, edited or integrated into other systems. In 2026, this technology is essential for automating document management, making searches easier and reducing manual work in administrative tasks.<\/p>\n\n

Types of scanners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Flatbed scanner<\/h3>\n\n

Flatbed scanners<\/strong>, also known as desktop scanners, are the most common and recognisable type. They consist of a flat glass surface<\/strong> where the document is placed, while an internal system moves underneath to capture the information evenly.<\/p>\n\n

This type of scanner is designed to digitise flat documents<\/strong> such as printed sheets, photographs, illustrations or even book pages. They are not intended for high-volume workloads, but they offer reliable and straightforward digitisation<\/strong> when the number of documents is low or moderate.<\/p>\n\n

This is why they are a common choice in homes, offices and small businesses<\/strong>, where versatility and ease of use are prioritised over large-scale automation. They work in a similar way to a photocopier, with the difference that the result is saved directly as a digital file on the computer or network.<\/p>\n\n

Their main limitation is the maximum document size<\/strong>, usually restricted to standard formats such as A4 or A5, as well as taking up more physical space than other models. In return, they offer good scanning quality, compatibility with different file formats and, in many current models, features such as wireless connectivity and digital document management.<\/p>\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fujitsu Fi-6130la scanner<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology: Colour Document Scanner -Image Sensor: Colour CCD \u2013 Scanning Speed: Up to 40 ppm Colour, 30 ppm Greyscale \u2013 Resolution: Up to 600 dpi \u2013Connectivity: USB 2.0 -Duplex: Built-in Double-Sided Scanning \u2013 50-Sheet Automatic Document Feeder.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) scanner<\/h3>\n\n

Automatic document feeder scanners<\/strong>, also known as sheetfed scanners<\/em> or scanners with an automatic document feeder (ADF)<\/strong>, are designed to digitise large quantities of pages without manual intervention<\/strong>. With these models, you only need to place a stack of sheets in the tray and the scanner processes them one by one automatically<\/strong>, significantly speeding up the work compared with scanning each page individually on a glass surface.<\/p>\n\n

Advantages of ADF scanners<\/h4>\n\n