Epson claim the horizontal resolution as 1200ppi and the vertical resolution as 2400ppi, but the driver only permits 1200x1200 or 2400x2400. For that reason the test was conducted at 2400x2400. The net result is that here software interpolation has been applied to the horizontal resolution, as well as the vertical overscanning already noted, with some impact on sharpness. Epson marketing's fault. Slightly veiled appearance, perhaps due to lens flare, although the low contrast is not helping .
Shadow noise appears well controlled.
This scanner really surprised me with how good it is. Little effort should be required to get very good results, way beyond what its price might suggest. With careful adjustment at the pre-scanning stage, it will give better, truer colour than some of the vastly more expensive 'professional' CCD scanners featured here. For anyone who can live with its slight compromises in resolution, sharpness and shadow detail, the Epson seems a considerable bargain, and ideally suited to home inkjet printing, small-scale DTP or WWW use.