Scanner and dpi - confused!

[Anchundan]

I'm looking for a new scanner. I had decided on a Canon 4400F, but they're twice the price out here. I might possibly get the LiDE 25, as they're much cheaper here than UK. But I'm confused by the resolution.

The spec says 1200x2400 dpi optical resolution. So to me that means 2,880,000 pixels per square inch? Is that correct? So if scanning a 6x4 inch photo, (i.e. 24 sq.inch) I will get a final resolution of 24 x 1200 x 2400 = 69 megapixels.

Than can't be right, can it?

 

[Daniel]

I don't know if this will help.

I have a Epson RX640 which has a maximum resolution of 3200dpi x 6400dpi.

The other day I scanned a A4 letter and that came out as 1967 x 3288.

EDIT* - Just found this:

Only the smaller number really matters. A 1200 X 2400 scanner does 1200 pixels per inch and the stepped motor can stop 2400 times in an inch. The 2400 is basically meaningless.

This may also help: http://www.scantips.com/chap3c.html

 

[Anchundan]

Excellent, thanks for the quick reply! great link