ST ViewScan 5 Digital Microfilm Reader Scanner
In short: The ViewScan 5 is a desktop microfilm reader-scanner for reading rooms and records offices. A 20-megapixel colour sensor streams a live, always-focused image of 16 mm and 35 mm roll film, microfiche, aperture cards and 3M cartridges; users browse, crop, scan and send to print, email, USB or cloud from the PerfectView software, which has no annual licence. It replaces analogue reader-printers and the ViewScan 4.
Launched October 2025 by ST Imaging (Digital Check Corp.), assembled in Idaho, with a three-year factory warranty. Micrographics Data installs and supports it in Singapore, and offers trade-in on ViewScan 4 and older reader-printers.
What changed, and what to do with your ViewScan 4
The ViewScan 4 used an 18 MP sensor; the ViewScan 5 moves to 20 MP, an all-metal chassis for public settings, a visible film path, smoother carrier movement and an optional onboard Windows 11 mini-PC so the unit works with only a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
PerfectView software and film carriers carry over, so ViewScan 4 users need no retraining. Micrographics Data continues to service ViewScan 4 units and offers trade-in pricing toward a ViewScan 5.
Load
Roll, fiche, aperture card or 3M cartridge on the universal carrier; visible film path prevents mis-threading.
Browse
20 MP sensor streams live in PerfectFocus — headlines readable while scrolling, no refresh wait.
Scan
Crop an article or capture the whole frame; adjust, annotate and collect in the Image Ribbon.
Share
Print, email, save to USB or cloud; searchable PDF via OCR. No subscription.
ST ViewScan 5 at a glance
Figures from the manufacturer's published specification. Confirm current options and configuration with our quotation.
Reader-scanner or conversion scanner?
A reader-scanner serves people looking things up; a conversion scanner digitises whole collections. Many institutions need one of each.
If the goal is to retire the film altogether rather than keep reading it, compare with microfilm scanning as a service.
Government buyers procure through GeBIZ, where Micrographics Data is a registered supplier.
What is the ST ViewScan 5?
A desktop digital microfilm reader-scanner from ST Imaging that replaces analogue reader-printers. A 20 MP colour sensor shows film live on a monitor; users scan frames to PDF, print, email, USB or cloud from PerfectView software. It handles 16 mm and 35 mm roll film, fiche, aperture cards and 3M cartridges.
Is the ST ViewScan 4 still available?
No. ST Imaging has ended production of the ViewScan 4, and the ViewScan 5 is its direct replacement. Micrographics Data continues to service installed ViewScan 4 units in Singapore and can quote a ViewScan 5 with trade-in.
How does the ViewScan 5 differ from the ViewScan 4?
Sensor moves from 18 MP to 20 MP; the chassis is all-metal for public settings; the film path is visible and carrier movement smoother; an onboard Windows 11 mini-PC is optional. PerfectView software and carriers carry over.
Do ViewScan 4 film carriers and PerfectView software work on the ViewScan 5?
Yes. PerfectView software and the film carriers carry over from the ViewScan 4, so existing users need no retraining. Confirm your specific carriers with Micrographics Data when requesting a quotation.
We have a ViewScan 4 — should we upgrade?
Not urgently; ViewScan 4 units remain serviced by Micrographics Data. Upgrade when the unit is heavily used by the public, when you want the onboard PC for a simpler installation, or when the 20 MP sensor and colour capture matter. Trade-in pricing is available.
Is there a software subscription?
No. PerfectView is licensed with the scanner with no annual fee, and it runs offline.
What resolution does it scan at?
The 20 MP sensor captures the full frame; effective dpi depends on film reduction ratio, typically 300–400 dpi equivalent on 16 mm office documents and higher on 35 mm newspaper film. Suitable for legible OCR and reference copies.
Can it scan a whole roll automatically?
It is designed for on-demand, frame-by-frame use. For digitising whole rolls or collections, a NextScan FlexView or FlexScan+ conversion scanner is the right tool; we supply both.
What is the warranty and who services it in Singapore?
Three-year factory warranty. Installation, training and service are provided by Micrographics Data in Singapore, the ST Imaging and NextScan distributor.
What does it cost?
Pricing depends on sensor option, carriers and the onboard PC. Request a quotation; GeBIZ-format quotes and trade-in valuations are provided.
Replacing a reader-printer or a ViewScan 4?
We demonstrate the ViewScan 5 on your own film and quote with trade-in.