DxO PhotoLab Review | PCMag
DxO PhotoLab Review
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Updated November 3, 2022
https://www. pcmag .com/ reviews /dxo- photolab
bottom line
DxO PhotoLab is not yet a complete photo workflow solution, but it allows you to do more image corrections than other software can.
Suggested retail price ¥129, 00
$129, 00 at DxO US
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merit
- clean interface
- Best-in-class noise reduction
- Excellent automatic correction function according to camera and lens characteristics
- Blur removal
- geometry correction
- powerful local adjustments
Demerit
- Lack of workflow tools
- No HEIC/HEIF support
- Noise reduction can be slow
DxO PhotoLab Specs
Now spun off from DxOMark, a well-known testing institute for camera equipment, DxO has long been one of the most dynamic photo-editing software makers. PhotoLab 6 continues the DxO tradition of automatic lens and camera image correction, superior noise reduction, and other innovative image tools. The software incorporates Nik U Point’s local selection technology and has excellent local adjustment tools. DxO PhotoLab deserves a place in any serious digital photography enthusiast’s toolbox, but I wish it had more powerful workflow features.
New workflow features in version 6 let you organize your collection with color labels, add more EXIF information, nest projects, and improve keyword options. However, the big new feature is that the more powerful noise reduction tool “DeepPrime XD” enhances the reproduction of details. Also new are support for wide color gamut monitors and printers, more powerful ReTouch tools, soft blur to make sure your images print and display correctly, and perspective correction tools.
How Much Does DxO PhotoLab Cost?
PhotoLab has his two price tiers, Essential ($139) and Elite ($219), neither of which require a subscription. Upgrades from Photolab 3 and 4 are $54, 99 for Essential and $79, 99 for Elite.
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An elite version is required to use DXO Photolab’s coolest function, Prime Dinois and Clear View. review This version also has some PRO functions, such as ICC profile management functions with camera calibration, custom palette, and edited presets. ESSENTIAL is still equipped with excellent RAW development functions, smartwriting, spotwait mode, microcessor tools, and local adjustment functions. The contents of each version can be viewed on this Photorabo support page (open in another window).
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Requirements and Startup
Photolab is available to update to Windows 10, Windows 11 (6 4-bit), MacOS 10. 15. 7 (Catalina) or later. Considering that the installer is 810MB and Lightroom Classic is about 2GB, it’s ridiculous. Speaking of Adobe apps, you can select whether DXO software to install DXO software as a Lightroom Classic plu g-in (new version of Lightroom, which is not for professionals, does not support plugin, so use only in Classic. Is possible). At the first startup, a welcome panel called “The Hub”, which introduces new program information, support methods, and DXO online stores, will be displayed.
The DxO PhotoLab Interface
(Source: PCMAG)
The dark gray interface of the photo lab has a clean and modest impression. The program interface has two modes: photolab and customization. The latter is where you can edit and tune all. This alone is enough, but Adobe’s Lightroom Classic has more flexible modes such as shared, printing, map, book, etc. DXO allows you to select Lightroom round tripping not only in Pureraw but also in Photolab.
The option of the DXO top button is very useful, with on e-click full image size display, positioning on screen display, full screen display, and sid e-b y-side comparison display. Comparison displays photos when DXO correction is not applied (unfortunately, there is no way to compare two different photos, such as Lightroom). This software automatically applies the correction as soon as the photo is read. You can select from standard, optical correction, no correction, and check the results of each option with sample images. The standard option is not only lens optical system but also tone and noise, and the optical options are adjusted only for lenses, and leave it.
(Source: PCMAG)
In customization mode, buttons such as cutting out, compulsory parallel lines, and neutral color pickers are also available. At the bottom of the program window, there is a Filmstrip view of the current image, a subtle image indicating whether it has been edited, a camera and lens unit attached to the image, and the evaluation of the stars are displayed (Adobe Lightroom (Adobe Lightroom). Then, there is no similar display in Lightroom Classic, but in the Filmstrip view, the edited image shows the star evaluation. When you open the folder containing the image, the program is used in the photo. It is required to be detected, download the module according to the combination, and optimize the image based on the device used by the photo lab.
You can search for adjustment tools, and you can search only for tools that have already worked on your favorite tools (with stars). You can rotate photos with a righ t-click menu or keyboard shortcut, but the unfortunate interface is the simple image rotation button. In addition, scroll slider does not have a mouse wheel function. However, it is good that doubl e-clicking the slider is reset to the default value.
If you use a history panel like a long gift of Photoshop, you can go back to the correction. However, proceed further and display the actual adjusted adjustment number. Along with the history panel and the Ctrl-Z Andu, a permanent Andu button is available. We make good use of keyboard shortcuts, such as creating a virtual copy of photos with Ctrl-J. It is also good that the mouse wheels can be enlarged and reduced without using a combo key.
The color of the interface outline can be adjusted from default dark gray to full white to full black. In the full screen display that starts with the F12 key or upper toolbar button, you can use the arrow key to move the image, hide, evaluate, and use EXIF panels. In addition, it is also possible to separate the image browser and display the full screen on the second screen, leaving all operations on the first screen.
Organizing With PhotoLibrary
Photolab has made some progress in the Agency section of The Photolibrary Mode, but this field has not yet reached the Lightroom classic. Photos are stored in the program folder, and you can search by shooting settings. In other words, you can enter the date, focal length, F-STOP, and ISO settings. It is also possible to search by combining them. In addition, searching with lens shots is also possible, and it is convenient when searching for wildlife and landscape photos. Lightroom can be searched by camera, but you cannot search by setting.
(Source: PCMAG)
The photo lab has no import function yet, just adding a folder, creates a metadata in the image in the folder. This clearly means that you can’t see all images from a specific import session. This is a very useful feature, which is provided by Apple Photos, both Lightroom version, Cyberlink Photodirector. Another thing is that these apps are supported, but DXOs are used in many smartphones and do not support the HEIF/HEIC file format that can save storage capacity while maintaining high image quality.。If you shoot with a compatible app, such as Adobe Lightroom Mobile, VSCO, Halide, and Procam, you can get a smartphone RAW file in DNG format.
Instead of importing photos to DXO, just open images from cards and folders displayed in the photographer’s folder tree. There is also a star evaluation and a selection / discarding button, so you can organize photos. You can also use the keyword tag to apply to multiple images selected in the customized view metadata panel. You can now edit metadata in EXIF and IPTC sections.
The keyword is displayed in the po p-up displayed when the mouse pointer is adjusted to the thumbnail. If you try to add keywords to other photos, you can now create keyword sets like Lightroom and Photodirector, but you can now create keywords such as Wedding Photo like Lightroom. And the set set in advance will not be displayed.
There is no map with geotag or face recognition function. If you value these, it is better to use DXO Photolab as an ad d-on of Lightroom Classic, and it is a completely effective setting. In this program, you can collect images you want to work from various sources and organize photos into a grouped “project”.
Image Corrections in DxO PhotoLab
Unlike general photo software, DXO starts with the optimal guesswork for photos, based on the lenses, cameras, and exposure settings used. DXO Labs actually shoot thousands of test patterns under various lighting conditions, create corresponding cameras and lens profiles, and fin e-tune these corrections. Profiles include the combination of digital SLR cameras and lenses, and smartphone cameras, but unfortunately, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which purchased for invincible cameras, has no photolab profile.
Automatic correction is much better than seen in general photo software, and this can be enough. Phase One’s Capture One is a little better for rendering RAW files than Photolab, but the DXO preset bar has optional options such as neutral color, monochrome, portrait, landscape, etc. in addition to the standard DXO automatic correction. It has been. Also, if you refer to other presets such as HDR (high dynamic range) and Atmosphers, you can get effective colors.
Photolab is compatible with the new DCP color profile than the Adobe ICC profile that has been supported so far. Therefore, if you use Lightroom or Photoshop, this option is the same color rendering. For third-party utility such as X-Rite, you can create your own profile using a color turning table. The following is a method of applying a DCP color profile to the image.
(Source: PCMAG)
As a new feature of version 6, it is equipped with a color rendering “Wide Space Color” that exceeds the frame of Adobe. A monitor corresponding to HDR and P3 space has appeared, and you can now express more spectrum. If you look at the BENQ monitor or on the MacBook Air, most of the subtle differences from the standard color space are noticeable, especially in highly saturated photos, such as flowers. This function can only be used in the RAW file. DXO claims that ClearView (described later) can bring out more rich details from the photos, and some test shots have gained a vivid appearance.
If the automatic correction does not work, it is equipped with a customization function that can change exposure correction, contrast, color, details, etc. In addition to the normal exposure slider, the DXO smartwriting slider can illuminate the shadow part without hitting white. If you turn this slider all the time, you will get a reasonable HDR effect, but if you want a drastic HDR effect, check out Cyberlink Photodirector. By default, you can select Light, Medium, and Strong. If you select a custom, you can adjust the slider according to your preference. I am grateful that doubl e-clicking the slider will be reset.
Under the standard contrast slider, the micro processor tool can add serious sharpness to the image without adding a typical distorted edge caused by it. The Magic Wand button automatically adjusts the microcontest of the current image. Although it cannot be used for face photos and images with a lot of noise, it was powerful in the sharpness processing in the photo.
Speaking of sharpness, the DXO lens sharpness tool is impressive. Based on the len s-specific profile of the equipment to be used, the details of the photos taken can be greatly improved. Finally, the Unsharp Mask tool offers a more traditional type of sharpness processing.
(Source: PCMAG)
Smart writing uses face detection and spiral station correction. In addition, face detection is not for organizing and searching images with faces, but for lighting correction. It is a tool that allows you to raise your face when the background is bright. Shadow tools tend to make images whitish, but this tool has a better effect. Lightroom can get almost the same effect with a small change, and DXO tools cannot find your face in your profile. Do not worry. You can manually measure objects such as faces. Although it is the same mechanism as a camera measurement, you can freely choose the target you want to measure.
DXO Photolab’s red-eye correction tool is fully automatic and works almost perfectly, as long as the red areas are clear and the face is not obscured.
DxO Prime, DeepPrime, and DeepPrime XD
Possible First Image Enhancement (PRIME) is Photolab’s noise reduction tool that he says allows you to increase the exposure of your digital photos by one stop. Typical noise correction compares nearby pixels to determine which pixels are noise, but DXO looks at a larger area, so it removes more noise and removes more noise. You should be able to leave details. The latest layer, called Deepprime, uses machine AI to give you a cleaner finish in less time. The latest version 6 also adds his third layer of detail called Deepprime XD. As its acronym suggests, Prime only works with camera raw images. This means that sharpness and detail can be maintained even when shooting in low light or at high ISO sensitivities. What makes Prime special is that it allows you to spend as much time as you need analyzing and correcting for digital noise. The tool is even faster in his latest XD version than when it first launched.
Below is a sample shot before noise removal.
(Source: PCMAG)
And here’s the same shot with his DXO rival his Topaz Denoise AI (left), his Deepprime in DXO (middle) and his new Deepprime XD in DXO (right).
(Source: PCMAG)
As you can see, all three have come a long way since their prototypes, most notably the side effects of Topaz and Deepprime XD. If you right click the image above and open it in a new tab, you can see the enlarged size according to the unedited size when the photo is cropped. I also like that it has a slider that lets you set the level of noise reduction.
(Source: PCMAG/DXO)
If you choose the main setting, you won’t be able to see the effect over the entire image, but only in a small selected area. The only way to apply Prime to the entire image is to extract it. It used to take 1 minute, but with a subsequent program update, Deepprime takes 23 seconds and Deepprime XD takes 45 seconds for test shots. This means that getting this high level of noise reduction doesn’t interfere too much with your photo editing workflow.
After exporting photos with primary noise reduction selected, an icon will appear on the photo thumbnails to indicate that the process is complete.
(Source: PCMAG)
Removes more noise than Lightroom noise reduction and Capture One Pro, and keeps more details. However, in the first RAW file conversion, the person who took the still image hit DXO, and in the test image, gained more details from the RAW image file. If you are not satisfied, you can adjust the amount of correction with the brightness slider and delve into chrominance, low frequency, and dead pixels. The backup Canon T1i has a hot pixel, and when it expands 100 %, it always appears in the image, so this last correction has been saved for me.
If you just need to correct the noise reduction and geometry, sharpness, chromatic aberration and DX O-based len s-based lenses, it also includes lens correction, but it is not the whole photo editing. It is very easy to use with a highlight set that can be obtained with Pureraw.
Clear view can effectively remove fog from the landscape. This feature allows you to create a mask for different areas in the image and adjust it individually. Judge the distance in the photo and adjust the black level accordingly. In the landscape photo I tried this time, a complete automatic clear view (the strength was adjusted), the details of the distant view were restored. Adjusting black levels and highlights with standard tools will not get such good results.
ClearView Plus
(Source: PCMAG)
(Source: PCMAG)
(Source: PCMAG)
(Source: PCMAG)
Local Adjustments With DxO
(Source: PCMAG)
(Source: PCMAG)
The final tool, Control Point, applies the correction to all pixels within the selected area that have the same color and brightness values as the point. As a result, select a circular area, with feathers at the edges. That’s where U-Point technology comes in, a color-based selection and localized tone adjustment similar to the masking tools in the Lightroom Classic series. DXO’s tools provide a fun and powerful way to makeovers, for example to make the sky stronger or change the color of your shirt. In this mode, I like that you can drag the divider to move the image back and forth to show the before and after adjustments.
Before applying U-Point line adjustment (Source: PCMAG)
U-POINT can adjust the sensitivity of the control point and use both linear and oval selectors. It took a long time to understand how to use the U point line (we recommend Photojoseph’s video (open in another window) as a help). In the screenshot above, you can see the previous view in the image of the line applied. The gradation between the dashed lines centered on control points is a gradation, and after the line, it has 100 % coordinating power. The degree of selection based on light (luma) and color (chroma) can be set from the right table. You can also use a dropper tool to select a place you want to based on the selection of Luma and chroma.
Lightroom’s similar “graduation (gradation) filter” determines all of these without controlling the sensitivity of the selection. One of the best points of this tool is that moving the selected area with control points will change the adjustment content. It is also possible to delete the adjustment contents from a certain range using a negative line selection tool.
The mask box under the Local Adjustment displays the local adjustment mask applied in the past. Click the entry to display the image mask. In addition, you can use the “Intercon” slider and the “reversal” option, which appears to be facing the opposite direction. A convenient panel has been added for local settings.
(Source: PCMAG)
(Source: PCMAG)
HSL Adjustments
(Source: PCMAG) < SPAN> U-POINT can adjust the sensitivity of the control point and use both linear and oval selectors. It took a long time to understand how to use the U point line (we recommend Photojoseph’s video (open in another window) as a help). In the screenshot above, you can see the previous view in the image of the line applied. The gradation between the dashed lines centered on control points is a gradation, and after the line, it has 100 % coordinating power. The degree of selection based on light (luma) and color (chroma) can be set from the right table. You can also use a dropper tool to select a place you want to based on the selection of Luma and chroma.
(Source: PCMAG)
The mask box under the Local Adjustment displays the local adjustment mask applied in the past. Click the entry to display the image mask. In addition, you can use the “Intercon” slider and the “reversal” option, which appears to be facing the opposite direction. A convenient panel has been added for local settings.
ReTouch Tool
(Source: PCMAG)
(Source: PCMAG/DXO)
(Source: PCMAG) U-POINT can adjust the sensitivity of the control point and use both linear and oval selectors. It took a long time to understand how to use the U point line (we recommend Photojoseph’s video (open in another window) as a help). In the screenshot above, you can see the previous view in the image of the line applied. The gradation between the dashed lines centered on control points is a gradation, and after the line, it has 100 % coordinating power. The degree of selection based on light (luma) and color (chroma) can be set from the right table. You can also use a dropper tool to select a place you want to based on the selection of Luma and chroma.
Geometry Correction
Lightroom’s similar “graduation (gradation) filter” determines all of these without controlling the sensitivity of the selection. One of the best points of this tool is that moving the selected area with control points will change the adjustment content. It is also possible to delete the adjustment contents from a certain range using a negative line selection tool.
(Source: PCMAG/DXO)
(Source: PCMAG)
Watermarking
(Source: PCMAG)
(Source: PCMAG)
Output and Sharing
The one thing missing is layers, but you can actually add multiple masks from the options in the radial menu. Capture One, with its latest update, now gradually grows layers, allowing you to see mask layers, for example. Actually I’m not a big fan of layers and I’m sure some photographers are like me in this regard, but sometimes you want to see and disappear layers, especially if you’re working with multiple masksis certain.
The old version of the repair tool has been replaced with the new retouch tool in version 6. Like its predecessor, Retouch lets you heal or clone selected objects. Newly, it is now possible to transform and resize the original material.
(Source: PCMAG/DXO)
(Source: PCMAG/DXO)
Another product from DXO, Viewpoint, addresses an unpleasant problem in photography: volumetric reshaping (distortion of objects such as a person’s head at the edge of a wide-angle image). Photo Lab performs geometry corrections using cameras and lenses to correct barrel, fish, and pincushion deformations, as well as fine-tuning. Starting with version 6, Geometry Editing is also available with guides, allowing you to place 2 or 4 lines to redefine the content of your photo.
Get More From Your Photos With DxO
(Source: PCMAG/DXO)
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Just start the installation work and install Start Windows 10 as usual. One of the first screens displayed, you product You will be able to “turn on Windows” with the key. But simply “I don ’t have a product The key is under the link. the window And Windows allows to continue the installation work. You may be urged to enter. a product Put the key behin d-If so, look for a similar short link and skip the screen. if you don ‘T Once this option is displayed, you can continue to enter the KMS client setting key. These keys cannot get Windows activation copies unless you have an organization with key missionary services, but you can execute the Windows installation process.
If you select this option, you will be able to do the following: to install Either Windows 10 Home or “Windows 10 Pro”. Keep in mind that if you plan to upgrade to the paid version later, it will be cheaper to upgrade to Windows 10 Home. to install It is a home version. No matter which version you choose, Windows 10 install normally.
Second, you’ll be unable to change your desktop wallpaper and from the Personalization >The background screen of the setting app. At the top of this, the message “You need to turn on Windows before you set your computer personal” is displayed. window It is displayed, and the option to change the wallpaper is grayed out.
However, you can change the wallpaper in other ways. For example, you can righ t-click the image in the file Explorer and select “Set the Desktop background”. There is also a way to open the image with the “Photo” app, click the menu button, click the “Settings” button, and click “Set in the background”. Windows 7 was finally returned to a black background, but it doesn’t seem to be the case with Windows 10.
