DxO PhotoLab 6 vs DxO PureRaw 3

DxO PhotoLab 6 and DxO PureRaw 3 are two common pictures software program choices, particularly for noise discount. DxO is fairly well-known for its machine-learning noise discount algorithms, however I see quite a lot of confusion over which one among these two it is best to get – if both. Learn on to seek out out!

Disclaimer: DxO gave me a license in order that I might take a look at out their software program. I used to be not compensated in any other case.

The Fast Reply

Merely put, PhotoLab is DxO’s full post-processing software program that means that you can do all types of edits to a photograph (together with noise discount, in fact). In the meantime, DxO PureRaw has only a few choices and is nearly completely a noise-reduction software program.

Each PhotoLab and PureRaw use the identical noise discount algorithm, which is known as DeepPRIME XD.

I’ll clarify extra of the professionals and cons beneath, however that’s the essential reply.

What’s DeepPRIME XD?

In contrast to conventional noise-reduction algorithms, DeepPRIME XD makes use of a neural internet that has been skilled on thousands and thousands of photographs. It makes use of this coaching mannequin to denoise and demosaic on the identical time. This methodology of denoising differs from different denoising strategies that merely use the noise sample of particular person images to take away noise, with out taking into consideration particular patterns in numerous sorts of photographs from totally different cameras.

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Placing apart all this technical stuff, does it really work? One want solely learn Libor’s take a look at of this algorithm to know that it certainly does. I even have examined it extensively and located that it compares very favorably in opposition to typical noise discount algorithms (just like the default choices present in Lightroom, Seize One, or Darktable). It additionally matches or barely beats different machine-learning algorithms, like Topaz DeNoise, in efficiency, as I lined in my article on the most effective noise discount software program at the moment.

Here’s a comparability to provide you a really feel for the way it works – the next picture was taken at ISO 20,000:

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Though DeepPRIME XD is an effective algorithm, understand that it solely works in case your camera is supported in DxO’s database. Nonetheless, the overwhelming majority of cameras are supported, and moreover, new camera and lens combos are being added on a regular basis.

Subsequent, let me dive into PureRaw and PhotoLab in additional element.

What’s PureRaw 3?

DxO PureRaw 3 is a $129 standalone program that takes a Uncooked file and removes the noise from it. It outputs the outcome within the type of a second DNG Uncooked file. It may additionally do some primary lens corrections and modifications in case your lens is supported.

Nonetheless, after you get your DNG Uncooked file from PureRaw 3, you continue to must import it into your Uncooked developer of alternative, similar to Lightroom, Seize One Professional, or Darktable.

PureRaw 3 has a really primary interface:

It’s very simple to make use of. You merely drag and drop Uncooked recordsdata into this window and click on Course of Now. I usually use the defaults, however you’ll be able to select just a few settings. Specifically, you’ll be able to flip off lens corrections or select a TIFF or JPEG file as an output.

The default location for the processed recordsdata are in the identical listing as the unique, which makes it simple to work with them.

What’s PhotoLab 6?

DxO PhotoLab 6 is a $219 Uncooked developer with a full set of post-processing changes, just like Lightroom or Seize One Professional. However not like Lightroom or Seize One Professional, PhotoLab 6 additionally has DeepPRIME XD inbuilt. Due to this fact, along with adjusting tone curves, publicity, coloration, and the various different options you’d anticipate from a Uncooked developer, you may also denoise your photographs very successfully.

General, I discovered PhotoLab 6 a reasonably easy-to-use editor. In comparison with Adobe Lightroom, it’s much less bloated, however lacks some options like panoramas, tethering, and geolocation. It jogs my memory extra of Seize One Professional, for higher or worse. As a bonus, DxO a minimum of to this point has not tried to drive month-to-month subscriptions so it may be a pleasant various for those who don’t wish to pay Adobe’s month-to-month subscription charge or for those who assume Seize One Professional is a bit too costly.

Since PhotoLab 6 makes use of the identical algorithm as PureRaw 3, you don’t want PureRaw 3 when you’ve got PhotoLab 6.

Which One Ought to You Get?

Contemplating the variations I outlined above, you in all probability already know which one among PureRaw and PhotoLab is best for you. In brief, for those who’re already utilizing a unique Uncooked editor like Seize One Professional, then it is best to simply use PureRaw 3. The DNGs from PureRaw work effectively in Seize One, Lightroom, and many others., so that you’re actually simply upgrading your noise discount capabilities with out altering a lot else in your post-processing pipeline.

PureRaw 3 can also be cheaper than PhotoLab 6 ($129 vs $219 USD), so it’d make quite a lot of sense simply to purchase PureRaw 3. I’ve been utilizing PureRaw 3 with the open-source software program Darktable, and the 2 make a strong mixture.

The good thing about PhotoLab 6, in fact, is that you simply don’t must spend time switching between totally different software program when processing your Uncooked recordsdata. It has sufficient enhancing choices to easily substitute Lightroom, Seize One, and many others., for lots of people.

It actually comes down as to whether you merely need higher noise discount in your present workflow (go for PureRaw) otherwise you’re within the temper to modify to a brand new post-processing software program altogether (by which case, PhotoLab is the best way to go).

Each of them have the identical DeepPRIME XD noise discount algorithm, so it’s not a query of picture high quality.

Is Both Proper for You?

Many individuals discuss software program like PureRaw 3 as if it have been magic. In my expertise of finding out noise discount and utilizing just about all the pieces below the solar, I’d wish to say the reality is a little more nuanced.

There isn’t any doubt that DxO PureRaw 3 does a tremendous job. Personally, I’ve observed that conventional noise discount algorithms begin to fail as soon as I would like to make use of roughly ISO 12,800 and above. DxO Pure Uncooked 3 can nonetheless produce one thing fairly usable at these ISOs.

However, even these superior noise discount algorithms aren’t any substitute for taking pictures in higher gentle most splendid situations. They won’t rework ISO 30,000 photographs into ISO 100 photographs, though they definitely may give you just a few stops of enchancment.

Plus, it’s not like Adobe and others are sitting nonetheless in response to corporations like DxO and Topaz. The most recent model of Lightroom already has an AI-powered denoise algorithm that (like DxO PureRaw) creates a separate DNG file with the noise drastically diminished. It holds up very effectively in opposition to Topaz and DxO’s finest efforts, so perhaps you don’t want something new in any respect.

Finally, none of those software program packages work like magic, however they will a minimum of deliver an unusable shot into fairly respectable form. However no program can discover gentle that’s stunning and golden and splendid. Solely you are able to do that.

Conclusion

Each DxO PhotoLab 6 and PureRaw 3 comprise superior denoising algorithms that may provide help to with these ISO 20,000 photographs taken in close to darkness. Since each provide the identical picture high quality, it is best to decide between them based mostly on their different options. Particularly, for those who want a full post-processing resolution, PhotoLab 6 is the best way to go. Should you simply need the noise discount capabilities, and you propose to edit the photograph elsewhere, get PureRaw 3.

Have you ever tried these denoising options, or one thing much more radical, like ready for extra gentle? If that’s the case, let me know within the feedback!