Difference between Printer and Scanner

The key difference between printer and scanner is, the printer is an output device that prints the documents on paper (hard copy) while the scanner is an input device that is used to capture the printed text in digital format (soft copy). Printers print out text or images while scanners scan documents, photographs, or other images.

In this article, we will discuss how printers and scanners are different from each other. We will also look at both printer and scanner functionality. Read this article to find out the difference between printers and scanners along with a separate discussion on both of them.

Printer

A printer is an external hardware output device that transforms the text and graphics output from the computer into a physical, hard-copy document. In other words, it takes the soft copy and produces prints of it. There is a wide variety of printers available on the market, each with different features such as speed, cost, size, and print quality. Some printers are also more complex than others in terms of their construction.

There are different types of printers:

• Dot-Matrix printer
• Daisy Wheel Printer
• Line Printer
• Laser printer, etc.

Scanner

The scanner is an input device that works like the reverse of a printer means the scanner scans the printer text or images into digital format (soft copy). The scanner uses optical technology and specialized sensors to convert images from printer text to soft copy.

Scanners are popular devices that save paper and time. A scanner allows you to create digital copies of physical documents and other items, which saves them from being destroyed or damaged. When you invest in a scanner, you can scan photos, text documents, and even artwork and other forms of media to preserve them for years to come.

There are different types of scanners according to their functionality and shapes.

• Handheld scanner
• Flatbed scanner
• Drum scanner

Printer vs Scanners

The main differences between printers and scanners are given below:

Printers	Scanners
Printers produce a hard copy of the document	Scanners create a digital version of the printed text or images etc.
The printer is an output device.	The scanner is an input device.
In a printer, a digital image is rendered on paper by creating an impact or charge on a photosensitive material.	In Scanner, an illuminating lamp is used on the scan head, which reflects the light onto the lens, which is then focused on the CCD (Charged Couple Device) array.
Types of printer: Dot-Matrix printer Daisy Wheel Printer Line Printer Laser printer, etc.	Types of scanner: Handheld scanner Flatbed scanner Drum scanner, etc.