-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BE5Jqq4BhrcB5/mtXlTZJrTgs1rIXccq9HDhbmSaT6u/SEj68C5rlTccGrpNvoSr
 PWtmspEXZqL/WbF9DAtOmQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001182489-04-000579.txt : 20040727
<SEC-HEADER>0001182489-04-000579.hdr.sgml : 20040727
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040726212230
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001182489-04-000579
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040715
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040726

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Scinto Michael
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001298019

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-05265
		FILM NUMBER:		04932023

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		704-375-0355

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		112 SOUTH TRYON STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 700
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28284

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCAN OPTICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000087086
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT, NEC [3577]
		IRS NUMBER:				060851857
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		169 PROGRESS DR
		CITY:			MANCHESTER
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06040
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8606457878

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		169 PROGRESS DR
		CITY:			MANCHESTER
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06040
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000087086</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SCAN OPTICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SOCR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001298019</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Scinto Michael</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>112 SOUTH TRYON STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 700</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHARLOTTE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28284</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>No Holdings</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael Scinto</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----