- Our top picks
- Comparsion Table
- 1) KODAK Reelz Film Digitizer
- 2) Wolverine 8mm Scanner
- 3) Wolverine Pro 8mm Scanner
- 4) Magnasonic Super 8/8mm
- 5) DigitNow Pro 8mm Film Scanner
- Final Words
Summary of Our Top Picks
Editor’s pick
Offers high-quality video scanning up to 9″ reels, with automatic saves to SD card up to 32GB. It’s compatible with Macs and Windows computers and features a 2.4″ display, 1080p video resolution, and an auto-off function for film jams.
RUNNER UP
Compatible with 3″, 5″, 7″,9″ 8mm, and Super 8 film reels scanner that converts reels into high-quality digital movies at 1080p/20fps.
Whether you want to scan your old 8mm films or are looking for the best way to do so, we’ve got what you need. There’s no need to search any further than these top-rated film scanners as they come highly recommended by experts and customers alike.
What is an 8mm film scanner, and which one should you get? This question has been running through our minds for some time now. Unfortunately, there are so many different models and brands out on the market that it can be challenging to decide which one will work best with your needs.
A film scanner is a device that allows you to get images from the film in digital format. The different types of scanners out there can be challenging to understand. One type might work well for one purpose but not another. Someone could find their perfect match elsewhere and not just these options we provide below.
8mm and Super 8 film scanners are simple working devices. The scanning process works in the way that a movie film goes from reel through central scanning part, which consists of light in the base and upper image sensor that captures high-quality frames.
Best 8mm and Super8 Film Scanner Comparsion Table
Kodak Reelz | Wolverine | Wolverine Pro | Magnasonic | DigitNow Pro | |
 Editors Choice |  |  |  |  | |
Website Link | |||||
Compatible Films | 8mm and Super 8 | 8mm and Super 8 | 8mm and Super 8 | 8mm and Super 8 | 8mm and Super 8 |
Reel Support | 3, 5, and 7 inch | 3 and 5 inch | Up to 9 inch reels | 3, 5, and 7 inch | Up to 9 inch reels |
Scan Quality | 8.08MP | 3.53MP | 3.53MP | 3.5 MP | N/A |
Scanning speed | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 2 frames per second |
Resolution | 1293p | 720p 20fps | 1080p 20fps | 1440p 20fps | 1080p 30fps |
Display | 5" Color LCD | 2.4" TFT LCD | 2.4" TFT LCD | 2.31" Color LCD | 2.4" LCD |
Memory | SD card up to 32GB | SD card up to 32GB | SD card up to 32GB | SD card up to 32GB | SD card up to 32GB (Included) |
File Format | MP4 | MP4 | MP4 | MP4 | MP4 |
TV Out | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
USB Connection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sound capture | No | No | No | No | 2 frames per second |
The best way to ensure that your old film doesn’t get lost forever is by converting it into digital format. With this digitizing process, you can store information on modern devices whose life and quality last forever.
Getting the best 8mm film scanner and high-quality scan of your films depends on how large the SD card it supports, image sensor quality, and video resolution quality.
If you really insist on scanning film yourself instead of hiring a professional digitizing service, then take a look at these top 5 best 8mm film scanners.
1) KODAK Reelz Film Digitizer
What we like
- Compatible with 3″, 5″ and 7″ films 8mm and Super 8 films
- Video resolution of 1296p
- 8.08MP 1/3″ CMOS Image sensor (3280 x 2464)
- Support SD cards up to 128GB
- It has the largest display (5″)
What we don’t like
- No sound capture
- Expensive
The Kodak Reelz is a top-line scanner that turns 8 mm and Super 8 film into digital MPEG-4 at 1296p high-definition video. All scanned content can be saved on an SD card up to 128GB and taken with you anywhere you go.
The scanner accepts 3″, 5″ or 7″ film rolls on the universal scanner reel. Also, it supports a connection with a micro USB cable to transfer your films to the computer.
This high-quality scanner from Kodak is a perfect choice if you want to digitize films on your own. Choose between 8 mm and Super8 film by a selector switch. You’ll be able to quickly zoom in and adjust the sharpness tint & exposure without having any external editing hardware or software necessary.
The system is easy enough for anyone to use, with no computer necessary. In addition, it features a 5-inch display on the front of your device, which is larger than any other scanner, that lets you watch movies as they are being captured and playback any previous recordings without hassle. The nice thing about it is that you can adjust your tint and sharpness for slides without hassle.
It’s a fully automated scanner with an 8MP sensor that captures high-resolution images and video. This high-quality video scanner captures your precious moments and saves with its top-notch performance, which delivers crisp video.
The only obvious downside to this amazing device is that it won’t detect any sound because all these types of scanners capture only images.
2) Wolverine 8mm Scanner
What we like
- Scans and saves digital copies to SD/SDHC cards up to 32GB
- Can connect to most TVs through RCA out jack
What we don’t like
- Lower resolution quality at 720p/20 fps compared to some other scanners
- No sound capture
Wolverine is a fully automated frame-by-frame digitizer that converts old 8mm, and Super 8 movie reels into digital videos. It supports up to 5″ reels at 720p resolution.
It works just like you would expect, mount a 3″ or 5″ reel and then press some buttons to have it playback footage one frame at a time to create an MP4 file for use on any computer. You could also edit the videos on PC before uploading them online or burn them off onto DVDs.
It scans and automatically saves digital copies to SD/SDHC cards, which support up to 32GB. Compared with Kodak, it has a lower resolution quality at 720p/20 fps. Also, it is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
The system is designed to work with five and three inch reels, covering most types. In addition, you can use the RCA out jack, which can be connected to most TVs, and watch your recordings there. Finally, you can find a switch on the scanner that allows you to change between 8mm and Super 8 film. The two formats are similar, but the converter needs to know which type are you scanning.
Key features:
- Compatible with 3″, 5″ films
- Video resolution of 720p at 20fps
- Support SD cards up to 32GB
- It has a 2.4″ display
Note: Some customers have complained about film rollers making scratches on the film.
3) Wolverine Pro 8mm Scanner
What we like
- Impressive video quality at 1080p
- Accepts 8mm and Super 8 film reels up to 9″
- Has an auto-off function when film jam is detected
What we don’t like
- The yellow color in movies can be overpowering and may require color adjustment.
- Expensive
The Wolverine Pro 8mm & Super 8 scanner features the same 2.4″ display as the first one, allowing you to view your footage and record it all in 1080p with ease. This Wolverine Pro scanner accepts 8mm Super 8 film reels up to 9″.
The Film Scanner will convert your old 8mm and Super 8 movies into an MP4 digital format so that you can save them on an SD card.
This product has compatibility with both Macs and Windows computers without any problems, and the TV output type is NTSC.
The video quality of the Wolverine is impressive, and it has an auto-off function when it detects a film jam. The yellow color in the movies can be very overpowering and difficult to perfect, so you need to adjust the colors to correct it. Basically, Wolverine Pro is the same scanner as the standard model with several improvements in quality.
Key features:
- Compatible with up to 9″ 8mm and Super 8 films
- Video resolution 1080p 20 frames
- Support SD cards up to 32GB
- It has a 2.4″ display
4) Magnasonic Super 8/8mm
What we like
- Supports 3″, 5″, and 7″ film reels and can scan 50 feet of film in 30 minutes
- Easily watch on a bigger TV or monitor with the included RCA video-out cable.
- You can adjust exposure, RGB, sharpness, and framing from the scanner
- Video resolution 1080p 20fps
What we don’t like
- Smaller screen compared to other options
- No sound capture
The Magnasonic Super 8/8mm Film Scanner is one of the popular options, but the downside is that it has a smaller screen. Like other scanners, you can use an external SD card up to 32GB (not included) for memory and RCA cable for TV connection, which is included with the scanner.
This scanner supports 3″, 5″, and 7″ film reels. The process is done by scanning film frame-by-frame, and it can scan 50 feet of film in 30 minutes. You can view your scanned film directly on the built-in 2.3″ LCD screen or watch it on TV by connecting the included RCA TV cable.
Magnasonic also can scan and save up to 120 hours of video on a 32GB SD card. There is no need for computer and editing software with this particular projector. You can adjust exposure, RGB, sharpness, and framing right from the scanner. When the process finishes, you will have a ready digital MP4 video file for further sharing and saving on DVD.
Key features:
- Compatible with 3″, 5″, 7″ 8mm, and Super 8 films
- Video resolution 1080p 20fps
- Support SD cards up to 32GB
- It has a 2.31″ display
5) DigitNow Pro 8mm Film Scanner
What we like
- Scans frame-by-frame into an MP4 digital movie at 1080p/30 fps
- Has RCA out jack for TV
- Can transfer video directly to a computer or laptop with the included USB cable
What we don’t like
- Only compatible with 3″ and 5″ 8mm and Super 8 films
- Lower resolution compared to some other scanners
DigitNow continues its tradition of producing quality electronics in the media digitizing space. The most notable difference between this projector and others is that the left reel of film has been placed far, making this scanner look like a real film projector.
The housing is made from sleek, satin black plastic, and the centerpiece with display looks almost like metal. The film routing rollers also have an industrial-looking design with a neat visual touch. Also, in the centerpiece, you will find a switch to choose from 8mm or Super 8 film. This particular model can convert 3″ and 5″ films.
The DigitNow Pro, like the Wolverine scanner, has a built-in 2.4-inch LCD that gives you decent quality for previews. For the best quality and experience, play your film on tv or computer. The film is scanned frame-by-frame into an MP4 digital movie at 1080p/30 fps. Also, the scan is automatically saved on an SD card, and there is no need for a PC or driver.
Like with all other scanners, you will find on the back RCA out jack for TV, an SD card slot up to 32GB, a USB port for PC connection, and a charging port. If you don’t use an SD card, you can easily transfer video from a scanner directly to a computer or laptop by connecting with the included USB cable. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
Key features:
- Compatible with 3″ and 5″ 8mm, and Super 8 films
- Video resolution 1080p 30fps
- Support SD cards up to 32GB
- It has a 2.4″ display
Final Words
In this article, we looked at some of the best 8mm film scanners on the market right now. But, in the end, the one suitable for you depends on your needs and preference.
For the best quality of your digitized film, we recommend going with Kodak Reelz, which has the best image sensor resolution quality. Also, Kodak Reel includes a 5″ display which is the largest of all other scanner brands.
Abdo is a Zoopy writer who loves spending his free time outdoors, camping, and enjoying the peace that nature brings. He also enjoys fixing things - he's particularly good with electronics. His favorite movie is I Am Legend, and he's fascinated by survival gear and safety.