Both　magnetic　flux　leakage　(MFL)　and　magnetic　field　distortion　(MFD)　techniques　are　promising　methods　for　surface　defect　detection　in　ferromagnetic　components.　The　two　techniques　are　based　on　different　physical　principles.　However,　their　defect　sizing　and　shape　reconstruction　abilities　are　seldom　comparatively　explored.　In　this　study,　finite　element　simulations　and　experiments　were　performed　to　achieve　magnetic　scanning　imaging　of　a　defective　plate　with　both　MFD　and　MFL　techniques.　First,　the　curves　of　voltage　extracted　from　the　lines　crossing　the　center　of　cylindrical-hole　defect　(CHD)　were　used　to　evaluate　the　performance　of　several　feature　parameters　in　sizing　the　diameter　and　the　depth　of　CHD.　Second,　the　profiles　of　the　normalized　magnetic　scanning　imaging　results　were　analyzed　with　a　threshold　plane　to　evaluate　the　abilities　of　MFD　and　MFL　on　reconstructing　the　shape　of　8-shaped　and　cross-type　through　wall　defects.　Under　the　condition　that　the　Hall　device　for　measuring　both　the　normal　component　of　MFL　and　MFD　has　same　lift-off　distance　as　1　mm,　the　MFD　technique　showed　the　advantages　in　defect　shape　reconstruction　at　the　cost　of　available　detection　depth　as　compared　with　MFL　techniques.　(C)　2019　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.