The proprietary NEF file format and its integration into Capture and the viewer is an exclusive feature of Nikon Scan. The disadvantage of the otherwise excellent Nikon Scan support for RAW data is that the ROC, DEE, GEM, and ICE filters are firmly applied to the image. Regarding this aspect, VueScan is offering a better solution. But when the entire workflow is considered, Nikon Scan offers the most convenient way to work with RAW files. No other solution lets you generate RAW data and then view, edit, and save it in different versions.

Multiple copies are not even necessary; a single file can do it all. On the other hand, Nikon implemented color management only halfheartedly. A big disadvantage of Nikon color management is that you cannot apply your own ICC profiles to the scanner. The software includes profiles for each supported scanner, which themselves cannot be modified. The competition is doing better in this regard: SilverFast and VueScan both support color management throughout.

All in all, particularly because it is free of charge, Nikon Scan is a serious alternative to SilverFast and VueScan. This is, however, only true for negatives. Nikon Scan is less suitable for use with slides—the missing IT-8 calibration function means scans end up with visible color casts in most cases. Nikon has basically halted development of its scan software, so this situation is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.