Features
Handling and Performance
Verdict
Specification
Quick Verdict
DxO PhotoLab still comes 'Highly Recommended' as when you add the additional/improved tools with the already excellent line-up of features, you get a comprehensive piece of photo editing software that's easy to use and is capable of producing excellent results. The DxO ColorWheel is fun to use and the addition of Keywords to the PhotoLibarary is something we've wanted to see for a while.
Version 3 of DxO PhotoLab brings some great additions to the RAW photo editing software but adding just 4 main updates to software which was updated a little over 5-months ago might not be enough to persuade everyone to upgrade. However, those looking to switch from Adobe's subscription service or other software, who are new to DxO PhotoLab, could easily be tempted.
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- Cons
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DxO PhotoLab 3 is a new version of DxO's popular RAW photo editing software, for Windows and Mac, to be released and with it comes 4 main new features and added support for more cameras/lenses. However, with a previous update only arriving back in May 2019, we know some of you will be wondering if it's really worth upgrading for a few new tools and camera support so that's what we're going to find out by putting the new features/tools to the test to see how well they improve our workflow/photo editing experience.
We'll mainly be focusing on 'what's new' in DxO PhotoLab 3 so if you do want more of an overview of what the PhotoLab software is, have a look at our previous reviews: PhotoLab 2.2 & PhotoLab 1.2.
DxO PhotoLab 3 Features
DxO PhotoLab 3 updates DxO PhotoLab 2.2, released May 2019, with 4 new features and support for new cameras/lenses. Nothing has changed in the way the user interface is presented but when working in the DxO PhotoLibrary section, you can now use Keywords which is a big plus point and something that brings DxO PhotoLab 3 more in-line with Lightroom.
Since last time we reviewed the software, which isn't very long ago, support for 50,000+ camera/lens combinations are now available along with a new local adjustments mask manager and a new feature called the 'DxO ColorWheel' which is a new colour adjustment mode. The Repair Tool has also been improved.
Key Features
- Local Adjustments Palette - NEW
- Keywords Support - NEW
- DxO ColorWheel - NEW
- Local adjustments
- Control Points (U Point Technology)
- DxO PhotoLibrary
- Repair tool - IMPROVED
- DxO Lens Sharpness
- RAW conversion
- High-quality denoising (RAW and JPEG)
- Optical corrections
- DxO Smart Lighting
- Spot Weighted mode
- Selective tone
- Image tools
- Protection of saturated colours
- Built-in Presets
- Batch processing
- Customizable workspace
- Fullscreen mode
- Integrated export feature
- Interaction with Adobe Lightroom
- Geometrical corrections
- Analog and creative renderings
Key Features Only Available In The Elite Edition:
- PRIME denoising (RAW)
- DxO ClearView Plus
- Anti-moiré tool
- DCP Color profile support
- Managing camera-calibrated ICC profiles
- Colour rendering profiles
- Multiple exports
- Presets editor
- Partial presets creation
- Customisable palettes
DxO PhotoLab 3 Handling & Performance
Before we get into looking at the new features of DxO PhotoLab 3, it's worth noting that, overall, it's still a great photo editing software that's packed with tools. Plus, the in-built Photo Libary means you can organise and then edit your images all in one place.
Right. Let's have a look at the new tools...
Keywords In the PhotoLibrary
The PhotoLibrary panel, which replaced the Organise tab, is an area you use to manage/organise/search for images. It received quite a big update in version 2 but one key element was missing and that was the ability to search for images by Keywords but DxO has now added this function to PhotoLab 3. This is excellent news and something we've been asking for since we first reviewed DxO PhotoLab.
Keywords tagged to an image can now be displayed in the interface and this includes keywords imported from other software programs such as Adobe Lightroom. Those who use the macOS can also add, delete or rename keywords on one or several images simultaneously but those using Windows will have to wait a little longer to access this feature. You can also search for multiple keywords, for example, in our screenshot, you can see we used 'portrait' and 'Lucy'. When you use the search function, found top left in the PhotoLibrary, a key symbol will show which words are Keywords.
Last time, we described the PhotoLibrary as 'basic' but the addition of Keyword search has improved this area of the software, which, when combined with the ability to apply star ratings/selection tags and add several different search criteria makes it more useful. However, you still can't edit/add EXIF data to images and the restriction on Keyword searching for Windows users is disappointing (even if DxO says it will be available at a later date). The DxO PhotoLibrary is good but still not quite as good as Lightroom which you can import images from.
DxO ColorWheel (HSL Tool)
When it comes to adjusting Hue, Saturation and Luminance in PhotoLab, it's just got a bit more fun as there's a new colour adjustment mode which is based on a chromatic circle called the DxO ColorWheel. With this tool, you can select a colour range from eight different channels, fine-tune the value, select a replacement colour, and adjust your transitions. There's also a Uniformity setting which lets you adjust colour variations within a specific range.
For example, in the image of the Owl, we selected the green channel and then pulled the selection point around the wheel to the yellow/orange tones to give the background of the image an Autumnal feel. You can then include/exclude more colour variations by adjusting the size/shape of the specific range by moving the selection points. It's quick, it's easy to do and can help you create some really great images. No more faffing with multiple sliders - simply, pick a channel and adjust your selection on the circle - simple.
The Saturation and Luminance sliders now operate more independently, too, which is particularly useful when creating black and white images. You can pull the sliders to adjust each option or input a specific value to the right of the sliders.
Repair Tool Improvements
The local adjustment options found in DxO PhotoLab are very useful tools which can be accessed quickly and one such tool is the Repair tool which has had an update so you can tell the software where you want it to make a selection from. This means the part of the image you're replacing will look more natural but it's still important you only sample small areas at a time and that you use the feathering/opacity levels to adjust the selection. To adjust where the software is replacing from, click on the control point and move it. You can also hide/show the masks so it's easier to see the sample size. As well as the Repair tool, you can use the Clone mode to directly replace the area you are working on.
Mask Management For Local Adjustments
We've already said how useful Local Adjustments are and now, DxO has introduced a Local Adjustments Palette so you can manage all of the Local Adjustment Masks you have applied to an image. All of the Loca Adjustments you have made are shown in the Palette and, individually, you can hide/show them, adjust the opacity individually, delete them or reverse the mask with one-click. You could do this before but it wasn't as quick so the introduction of the Local Adjustments Palette saves time and makes editing in DxO PhotoLab even more flexible.
Camera/Lens Support
Additional camera support is never a bad thing and as before, when you select a file, PhotoLab will look at the EXIF data and automatically apply a correction profile, if it has it on record, or it will ask if you want to download a profile if it can't be found.
Dxo PhotoLab 3 recently added the Canon G5 X Mark II and G7 X Mark III, the Nikon P1000, the Panasonic Lumix DCG90/ G95/G99/G91, the Lumix DC FZ1000 II and Lumix TZ95/ZS80, the Ricoh GR III, and the Sony A7R IV and RX100 VII. More than 3,000 optical modules have also been added to the database (over each release of the software), which now includes over 50,000 different camera/lens combinations. The software’s de-noising capabilities for RAW photos taken with certain Canon and Olympus cameras has been improved as well.
Value For Money
DxO PhotoLab 3 is available in an Essential edition for £86.99, for a limited time only, before going up to £112. The Elite edition is also currently available at a discounted rate, priced at £129.99 and when the deal is over, this price will return to £169.
The Elite version unlocks extra features/tools so it's worth taking a look at the comparison table over on the DxO website to see if the extra money is a justified spend for you.
There's also a 30-day free trial available so you can test out the software before parting with any cash.
Those considering upgrading can for £42.99 (limited discount price)/ £59.00 when purchasing the Essential version and £84.99 (limited discount price)/£119 for the Essential to Elite upgrade.
One bonus that comes with a DxO PhotoLab 3 purchase is that it's a one-off fee which makes it rather good value for money when you compare it to Adobe's monthly/yearly memberships which give photographers access to their software.
Alternative RAW editors include On1 Photo RAW 2020 which is available for $99.99 and Corel AfterShot Pro 3 available for around £54.99. You may also want to take a look at Serif Affinity Photo which offers RAW editing, plus much more, for under £50.
DxO PhotoLab 3 Verdict
DxO PhotoLab still comes 'Highly Recommended' as when you add the additional/improved tools with the already excellent line-up of features, you get a comprehensive piece of photo editing software that's easy to use and is capable of producing excellent results. The DxO ColorWheel is fun to use and the addition of Keywords to the PhotoLibarary is something we've wanted to see for a while. However, it's still not fully functional for PC users (it will be eventually) and still doesn't offer quite as many features as Lightroom does. Still, for a PhotoLibary that's combined with Photo Editing software, it's handy, useful and offers most things you need to label and sort images.
Another slight issue those who own PhotoLab already may have, particularly if they upgraded in May, is that there are just 4 main updates to the software. Now, we're not saying they're not useful updates as they are but, are the updates enough to justify an upgrade price of £42.99 (limited discount price)/ £59.00 for the Essential version and £84.99(limited discount price)/£119 for the Essential to Elite upgrade? Some may disagree (especially if they purchased DxO PhotoLab a little over 5-months ago). However, those looking to switch from Adobe's subscription service or other software, who are new to DxO PhotoLab, could be easily tempted as you do get a lot of great features for your money.
The addition of new tools should be because it enhances software and makes the user's workflow journey easier/quicker and the updates DxO have introduced certainly do this. Plus, new tools such as the DxO ColorWheel introduce a bit of fun to the photo editing process, too.
DxO PhotoLab has always impressed us and we expect them to continue to do this with every update/new software release to come.
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