What barcode types and read performance does each scanner support?

The Zebra DS9308-SR provides broad 1D symbology coverage — Code 39, Code 128, Code 93, Codabar/NW7, Code 11, MSI Plessey, UPC/EAN, Interleaved 2 of 5, Korean 3 of 5, GS1 DataBar, and Base 32 — plus OCR capability (OCR-A, OCR-B, MICR, US currency) and graphics format support (Bitmap, JPEG, TIFF). Its 1280x800 pixel imager delivers 109 PPI image quality on an A6-sized document, and it supports swipe speeds up to 120 in./sec. Digimarc decoding is available on select models. No scan rate in scans-per-second is specified.

The Datalogic Matrix 220 uses a 1.2MP 2D CMOS imager with multicore processing, rated at 800 scans per second. It explicitly supports 1D and 2D barcodes including Data Matrix, QR Code, and direct part marking (DPM) — a key industrial capability for reading codes laser-etched or dot-peened directly onto metal parts. OCR, image capture, and Digimarc are not specified. The Matrix 220's DPM support and high scan rate make it suited to high-throughput automated reading on production lines where the DS9308-SR's OCR and document imaging features are irrelevant.

How does each unit handle environmental stress and physical durability?

The Zebra DS9308-SR carries an IP52 ingress protection rating — dust-protected and guarded against vertically dripping water — which is adequate for a retail countertop but not for washdown or heavy industrial exposure. It is rated for drops to 5.0 ft./1.5 m on concrete and 1,000 tumbles in a 0.5 m tumbler, covering accidental countertop drops. Operating temperature range is 0°C to 50°C; storage extends to -40°C/70°C. ESD immunity reaches +/-15 kV air discharge. Weight is 318 g.

The Datalogic Matrix 220 is rated IP65 and IP67, meaning it is fully dust-tight and protected against both water jets and temporary immersion — a significant step up from the DS9308-SR's IP52. Its operating temperature floor extends to -10°C, giving it a 10-degree cold advantage. It weighs 300 g in a compact 48x46x64 mm fixed-mount body. Drop and tumble specifications are not provided for the Matrix 220, reflecting its fixed-mount nature rather than handheld use. For any environment involving dust, moisture, washdown, or sub-zero cold, the Matrix 220's ingress protection is decisively stronger.

What interfaces and integration protocols does each scanner support?

The Zebra DS9308-SR supports USB, RS232, Keyboard Wedge, and TGCS (IBM) 46xx over RS485. It is host-powered (4.5–5.5 VDC) or externally powered, with operating current of 335–350 mA depending on mode. It supports over 90 international keyboards, making it immediately plug-and-play in retail POS, kiosk, or office IT environments. No Ethernet, PoE, or industrial fieldbus protocols are listed.

The Datalogic Matrix 220 connects via Ethernet with Power over Ethernet (PoE), PROFINET/IO, and EtherNet/IP — the two dominant industrial automation protocols used in Siemens and Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC ecosystems respectively. No USB, RS232, or keyboard wedge interface is listed. Its 16x2 character display supports local status feedback without a host PC. For any PLC-driven manufacturing line requiring fieldbus integration, the Matrix 220 is the only viable option between these two. The DS9308-SR has no industrial network interface and cannot integrate into PROFINET or EtherNet/IP architectures.

Which should you choose: the DS9308-SR or the 931061335?

Our take: The DS9308-SR is the stronger choice for retail point-of-sale, hospitality, or general office deployments requiring broad 1D symbology coverage, OCR, document imaging, and immediate USB or RS232 plug-and-play connectivity; the Matrix 220 is the correct choice for fixed industrial automation applications. Three concrete spec deltas illustrate the divergence: ingress protection is IP52 on the DS9308-SR versus IP65/IP67 on the Matrix 220, making the Datalogic unit suitable for washdown and dusty factory floors where the Zebra is not; the Matrix 220 delivers a specified 800 scans/sec with DPM capability for laser-etched part marks, while the DS9308-SR lists no scan rate and no DPM support; and connectivity is USB/RS232/Keyboard Wedge on the Zebra versus Ethernet PoE, PROFINET/IO, and EtherNet/IP on the Datalogic, meaning only the Matrix 220 can integrate into a PLC-driven production line. Buyers running a Siemens or Rockwell automation environment must select the Matrix 220; buyers outfitting a checkout lane or reception desk should select the DS9308-SR.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

• Zebra DS9308-SR product page — full specs and to add to a quote
• Datalogic 931061335 product page — full specs and to add to a quote