Expression 10000XL

The 10000XL is the flagship of Epson’s A3 scanner line. The company compares it against its own 1640XL, which we’ve used in the office for years. It’s faster, has a higher resolution, and is physically lighter. But does all that necessarily make it better?

At 2,400dpi, the 10000XL boasts resolution that is rarely, if ever, used for reflective media scanning. You’re more likely to scan film, which is provided at far smaller media sizes and requires enlargement. The XL can scan film if you buy the optional transparency adaptor, and it has an optical density of 3.8Dmax, which is pretty much as high as the scale goes in terms of meaningful values. This level ensures maximum reproduction of fine shadow detail.

A scanner is only as good as its software, and this one includes the popular but quirky Silverfast 6 AI drivers as well as Epson’s own disappointing Epson Scan Twain drivers. Both can be accessed from your graphics program.

The 10000XL is faster than the 1640XL – it takes 173 seconds to complete a 600dpi A3 scan, compared to the 1640’s 211 seconds. At lower resolutions, however, the speed difference is negligible. It also offers 48-bit colour – which is great for greyscale scanning.

Sadly, out-of-the-box colour accuracy is lacking, but the 10000XL does include ICC support and an IT8 calibration target for creating an accurate profile, so it’s designed to fit into your colour-managed workflow.